Do you believe the Supra (MK3) will become a collectors car over time?

[toy fanatic78]

No, Bone stock, all original, low miles.

Some stuff,such as poly bushings,are typically not frowned upon in the collector market.

 

[wiseco7mgt]

I'm not prepared to have a collectors car and not enjoy it.Whats the point.?
I have all my original turbo-A gear so if i wanted to return it to stock i could, but for now i'm having fun and using it.

 

[suprabad]

Uhhhhhh...It's already a collectors car.

MkIII's will continue to appreciate (probably at an accelerated rate as beaters get crushed and nice ones become rarer and rarer).

 

[SupraClaou]

I don't know if it is going to be a collectors car over time.....
To tell you the true..... I don't want it to be :sarcasm:
Mk3 supra has great looks! Edges,straight lines & curves. It will always have
glamour,style,looks seen it in 80's,90's, and 2000...even in 2010+ it will be
something great to see it cruising down the steets or driving it!
They won't make sports cars like it anymore,period.-

The Supra is going to be one of most known/best GT sports car ever...
with some history in racing (WRC Rallye,JGTC).
But it's all about quality,durability,high tech fully loaded equipment with
luxury electronic devices. :biglaugh:
And it is not cheap to buy and mainten.

For me,since I can not afford to buy a Ferrari or a Lamborghini...a Toyota Supra is the next best thing.And now I wouldn't trade it for anything.
And it is so easy to make it faster and more powerfull than any production car in the world (don't tell me 15.000-20.000 $ is to much to invest in
performance parts?)....And still have a reliable vehicle where you can get in and feel safe and protected!

That's my 2 cents....

 

[rtrdpenguin]

No, cause they'll all be broken

 

[SupraMario]

Never EVER said my car was a "nice" example of an MA70 Mario.....
(the difference is everything in my car works as well as stock if not better)

Mine is a pig that I don't hesitate to hack into if needed, I don't think I've ever owned a car that could be considered "collectable to me they're all "just cars".

I stand by my statement 100%

LOL crazy ass Aussie:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

 

[arz]

Yeah, but what do you define as cheap? Yes, they are cheap to buy now, but they weren't cheap to buy new. All other things being equal, you could buy an E-type for less...

To buy my '89 new today would cost about $41000 w.r.t. inflation ($24700 in '89).

That, while not outlandish, is certainly not cheap. A '69 E-type Jaguar ($5xxx in '69) would cost a mere $32500, despite the fact that they only made ~73000 of them) Now, I realize that the rarity factor and the prestige of the jaguar badge affects current market value, but it's just something to think about.


I think that what we are going to see is a dramatic value increase for the Mk3 in 10-15 years. For example, our 240z (Including all Z variants through the 280z, over 600000 were made, far more than the Mk3). A few years ago, a nice 240z would fetch maybe $5000. Today, according to NADA, it's worth over $21000, with an average one running about $12000. My father never ever saw this coming, and he has been following the Zs since he sold his old 240 in the 70s.

I have seen pristine MK3's with no modifications go for 15k plus (thing is most are in shit condition...)

I forsee the nice ones being collectors items. I think most of you think there are more A70's then there actually are.

MA70 Feb. 1985 (pre-production) - Jan 1993 = 162,455 units http://www.supramania.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-55534.html

So while there may be 15 times more then the mk4 which had production of about 11-12000 units (only 4800 6spd turbos) i still think the desirable turbo models will start to appreciate relatively soon.

As i said above i think the MK2 and MK3 may go the way of the 240Z being a cult classic among its enthusiasts.

I think all the comparisons between the 240 Z and the MKIII are the closest you will get. The only item helping the MKIII in this comparison is the fact that there were so few MKIII's when compared to a Datsun. Now I probably wont make any friends by pointing out all the differences, and I assume most of these differences will lean the MKIII further away from the classic or "Collectors car" status.

1st, The car never set any racing benchmark, it isnt KNOWN for its racing heritage.
2nd, The car was never considered a SPORTS car. It is VERY heavy, by any standards, but luxury.
3rd, I doesn't have a classic look. It is good looking, just not CLASSIC.
4th, Although its technical merits are wonderful, they weren't ground breaking or industry firsts, especially when compared to the price point they were offered.
5th, It doesn't have that "intangible" memorable recollection from all generations. IE: "EVERY TIME" I drive the 240 Z someone Asks: What year is that? Says: My brother (friend, sister, dad, mom, ___) had one of those man I loved that car. or Comments: on how they raced, crashed, slid, jumped, dated someone that owned one of "THOSE" cars. It is Truely an icon!!! All generations love the look of that car.
6th, The car was not KNOWN for its reliability. The Z was and is.
7th, The MKIII doesn't make any Car and Driver, Road and Track or auto enthusiasts list of anything. The Z is repeatedly listed in the top 10 most significant cars of all time, let alone a decade or an Era.
8th, It wasn't the first model year of the name. IE:Corvette, Mustang, Camaro, Road Runner, GTO, 240Z, these were all ICONS the first
year they were released and for good reason. Please tell me why the MKIII Supra should be included.

Most of the people that I encounter that don't know what kind of car that is (when Im in the Supra) don't ever have any comment other than "Oh! that looks nice." and 100% of those people only ask because they know I do a bit more to my cars than just drive them. IE: they know I run a business that deals with them so they ask.

As a side note, the 240 Z had such a reputation, Nissan USA commissioned, its restorations to be sold as NEW cars at dealerships all around the country during the time of the Z32's, Remember the J.I. Joe and Barbi commercials?

At that time you could buy a restored 240 Z at the Dealership for approximately 25K. Honestly at that time you could build that same car for yourself for about 15-20K but you would have had to do the work. As recently as 2 years ago I have seen more than one those dealer restored Z's selling on Ebay for 15K. 2 years ago would have put us in the middle of some VERY good economic times. If rarity, and economic opportunity doesn't spur the desirability and increase the sales price of a car, I don't know what does.

Hell there are entire cartoons about the 240 Z if that doesn't convince you of its historic iconic status, I think you will be hard pressed to consider that the MKIII goes up in value any more than the average cult classic car. Fiero, Chevy Sprint Turbo, Starion, 300zx (any year), AE86, RX7 or anything similar.

Dont get me wrong, I DO hope it goes up in value, and there are many attributes that make this a great car, but very few that make it a classic, or a collectible. Honestly I don't see why more people don't gut the car put a cage in them and take them to the track. The wheel base, the suspension design, the rigidity, of the entire vehicle lends itself perfectly to a road course vehicle. Drag Racing is not the strong suit of this chassis.

 

[Warpath]

Q: Do you believe the Supra (MK3) will become a collectors car over time?

A: Ah, NO.

 

[buckshotglass]

Yes. In 40 years, any 60 year old car in mint condition will be a collector.
Of all the MKIII Supra years, 92 is the rarest based on units made. I say if you could put one aside, it could work out over time, if it's kept stock.
In 1967 nobody really cared about that 1950 convertible bug sitting there. They made 2695 of them, just slightly more than the 92 Supra. Now a bug like that is a museum piece.
How many other possible candidates can you name that had production numbers around 2000?

 

[SupraClaou]

1st, The car never set any racing benchmark, it isnt KNOWN for its racing heritage.
-True,but it did run on some rallyes... Took 1st place in China,and 2 times 3rd place behind AWD
Audi Quatro and Lancia Integrale....Total 3 rallyes,after China circuit and 1st
place with Jorn Vandergard,Toyota didn't want for the supra to race anymore Though there isn't a winning title with this car by Toyota,but there are some
proves that the car raced on Rallyes with some success...at least in China!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMkQbQWzOqY

2nd, The car was never considered a SPORTS car. It is VERY heavy, by any standards, but luxury.
-A pure sports car? Never..I agree with you.But it was ment to be a GT sports
car! A pure Grand Touring car. It's nature belongs on highways,straight bands
and long curves. The Autobanh is it's happy time! It was in the 1st Grand Turismo (playstation game) in 1996 I think,and they brought back (mk3)
again in the latest edition of Grand Tourismo 2008.
Yes it is very very heavy...but it is fast,powerfull,fully equipted,high tech,
stable,reliable,looks realy good,got it's own style,and scares the s**t out
of the other cars!

3rd, I doesn't have a classic look. It is good looking, just not CLASSIC.
-I totally agree here.I realy doesn't have a classic look.80% of the classic
cars are quite ugly (for nowdays) and they do belong in the museum.

4th, Although its technical merits are wonderful, they weren't ground breaking or industry firsts, especially when compared to the price point they were offered.
-Well...Most powerfull/fastest car in Japan in 1988 (turboA edition)
The 1st twin-turbo car in Japan in 1990 (JZA70)
One of the few cars for that time with ABS (1986)...and the first one in Japan. I could add some more technical infos but it's not the time for it.

5th, It doesn't have that "intangible" memorable recollection from all generations. IE: "EVERY TIME" I drive the 240 Z someone Asks: What year is that? Says: My brother (friend, sister, dad, mom, ___) had one of those man I loved that car. or Comments: on how they raced, crashed, slid, jumped, dated someone that owned one of "THOSE" cars. It is Truely an icon!!! All generations love the look of that car.
-I totaly agree.

6th, The car was not KNOWN for its reliability. The Z was and is.
-I don't think so. Don't forget, at the end it's just a Toyota. On a 7M motor only the HG is the issue...All the other parts will work/function for ever.

7th, The MKIII doesn't make any Car and Driver, Road and Track or auto enthusiasts list of anything. The Z is repeatedly listed in the top 10 most significant cars of all time, let alone a decade or an Era.
-I will answer with one word: Supra (everyone prefers driving it than reading
it on a magazine or a piece of paper)...and I think many people don't care
about what others write on magazines.

8th, It wasn't the first model year of the name. IE:Corvette, Mustang, Camaro, Road Runner, GTO, 240Z, these were all ICONS the first
year they were released and for good reason. Please tell me why the MKIII Supra should be included
-It is the first real Supra (chassis,platform...no more celica name in the way) and the first turbo Supra.

As you see,in some parts I agree in some others I don't...just my opinion!
Now,the main point here is that: The mk3 doesn't qualify for a collectors car.
I don't think it will ever be,and I don't want for it to be :sarcasm:
If someone wants to collect one because he would like to invest on it,than
he or she may do it.Supras are not made to seat in a gorgeous garage or
museum.They were made to spin the rear wheels in 3rd gear and doing top
speed (160+ mph) runs.....:biglaugh:

The mk3 supra (and supras in general) have their own class...and style!

 

[Wills7MGTE]

The MK4 has a decent chance of it since it retains a high value even though it's 10 years old or older at best and I love em but honestly they are not worth 30k, I'm sorry I'd spend 30k on a brand new cobra and own that mk4 up until you spend a ton of money tuning it so the MK4 may end up a collectors car, it almost already has.

Our MK3 is loved in japan, in america however very few know what it is? or what it's all about, so I don't see the MK3 ever being more than a rarely sought car that will be cherished by only the die hards, I personally love it, it's a beautiful looking car and had a ton of features and tech for it's day, but its so dated compared to it's big brother and the other cars of now that you really gotta work it over to keep up.

 

[csr ma71]

Never, if it ever does, it'll remain a footnote in the Mk4 history.

It'll be remembered like the way people remember "Joanie loves Chachi" as the spin-off of Happy Days.

 

[ZoomZoomZoom]

I think all the comparisons between the 240 Z and the MKIII are the closest you will get. The only item helping the MKIII in this comparison is the fact that there were so few MKIII's when compared to a Datsun. Now I probably wont make any friends by pointing out all the differences, and I assume most of these differences will lean the MKIII further away from the classic or "Collectors car" status.

240z? The Datsun 240z ('70-78')? that was a different generation car. IMHO, the 300z is a better comparison since they are of the same "generation". As my appraiser put it, between the supra and the 300z, there is "no comparison". As a car collector himself, the Supra is a much more desirable car. There are a lot fewer supras than 300z's on the road, which means its more rare.

1st, The car never set any racing benchmark, it isnt KNOWN for its racing heritage.

No, but it has one helluva reputation. Even my non-car-enthusiast friends know the Supra name.

2nd, The car was never considered a SPORTS car. It is VERY heavy, by any standards, but luxury.
3rd, I doesn't have a classic look. It is good looking, just not CLASSIC.

I've been watching those collectible car auctions on cable. There's some butt-ugly cars going for big bucks. Good looking beats butt-ugly hands down!

4th, Although its technical merits are wonderful, they weren't ground breaking or industry firsts, especially when compared to the price point they were offered.

Technical merits were well above the average car in america. Adjustable shocks? an auto tranny with two shifting modes? Auto-down on the driver's window (auto-up with quick mod)? Eight-way adjustable seats? What american made car, if any, had the birdcage light??? Would've saved my poor pontiac's engine if it had one of those...No, I had a temp gauge that only worked if fluid was in the radiator. Did the BMW's have all these features? GM sure didn't!

5th, It doesn't have that "intangible" memorable recollection from all generations. IE: "EVERY TIME" I drive the 240 Z someone Asks: What year is that? Says: My brother (friend, sister, dad, mom, ___) had one of those man I loved that car. or Comments: on how they raced, crashed, slid, jumped, dated someone that owned one of "THOSE" cars. It is Truely an icon!!! All generations love the look of that car.

I get lots of attention in my Supra. With the targa off, I even get comments sitting at traffic lights. However, few say they owned one because it was a high-dollar car, not as common as the datsuns/nissans. Keyword here is "common".

...

Dont get me wrong, I DO hope it goes up in value, and there are many attributes that make this a great car, but very few that make it a classic, or a collectible. Honestly I don't see why more people don't gut the car put a cage in them and take them to the track. The wheel base, the suspension design, the rigidity, of the entire vehicle lends itself perfectly to a road course vehicle. Drag Racing is not the strong suit of this chassis.

You are comparing cars of different generations. The 240z has 10 years on the MKIII. Wait 10 years, and those folks who liked the supras as teenagers will have the money to buy one for fun. But it will never compare to an american muscle car as far as being a collector's car. And thats why they are more affordable.

Don't know about your car, but in no way, shape, or form was any of my four MKIIIs a road course vehicle (???). The stock suspension was built for a comfy ride, not handling tight turns. Even with suspension mods, its no match for a low, wide Honda on a course. Perhaps I misunderstood you ?

 

[ZoomZoomZoom]

Never, if it ever does, it'll remain a footnote in the Mk4 history.

It'll be remembered like the way people remember "Joanie loves Chachi" as the spin-off of Happy Days.

:werd:

But they still share the name "supra".

 

[buckshotglass]

zzz- I guess you let me slide on the vw thing.

But it will never compare to an american muscle car as far as being a collector's car. And thats why they are more affordable.

I think a 92 Supra will do well against 92 american cars.

 

[toy fanatic78]

I'd rather they stay as they are,instead of becoming a "collectible".When/if they become collectible is when people want top dollar for them,even if they are a raggedy POS .Hell,have you guys priced any musclecars that are considered collectible lately?I prefer it stays as it is,a moderately priced, capable GT car,becoming a collectible would put these cars out of price range for a lot of us.

 

[NashMan]

i find the us/canada people bring out the mk3 supra more then the jap's

so i can see it becoming a popure after the years come buy




sure it wonte be a 240z but we will see

 

[arz]

240z? The Datsun 240z ('70-78')? that was a different generation car. IMHO, the 300z is a better comparison since they are of the same "generation". As my appraiser put it, between the supra and the 300z, there is "no comparison". As a car collector himself, the Supra is a much more desirable car. There are a lot fewer supras than 300z's on the road, which means its more rare.

The only reason I drew a comparison betwen the 240Z and the MKIII is I believe the 240Z has the best chance for becoming the first mass produced Japanese car to attain collector status. You are correct, the 300Z is a much closer comparison, but a much lesser vehicle.

No, but it has one helluva reputation. Even my non-car-enthusiast friends know the Supra name.

Thats only because they watched F&F. LOL.

I've been watching those collectible car auctions on cable. There's some butt-ugly cars going for big bucks. Good looking beats butt-ugly hands down!

My point was that 240Z is an UNMISTAKABLE shape. I went to a burnout competition with the MKIII and the dude lined me up to do a burnout with the front tires. I said, you want me to do the burnout on the asphalt? He said Oh I thought it was a Honda. It looks way to similar to Honda Accords to be considered a CLASSIC body style.

Technical merits were well above the average car in america. Adjustable shocks? an auto tranny with two shifting modes? Auto-down on the driver's window (auto-up with quick mod)? Eight-way adjustable seats? What american made car, if any, had the birdcage light??? Would've saved my poor pontiac's engine if it had one of those...No, I had a temp gauge that only worked if fluid was in the radiator. Did the BMW's have all these features? GM sure didn't!

Im not talking about criuse control or power windows. Im talking about Rack and Pinion steering, OHC, 4 wheel independent suspension and a bullet proof motor, all in a light weight, very inexpensive package for the design. This is why the Z trounced every other manufacturer of the day at road course events. All those items may not sound revolutionary but for the day and at that price they were UNHEARD OF.

I get lots of attention in my Supra. With the targa off, I even get comments sitting at traffic lights. However, few say they owned one because it was a high-dollar car, not as common as the datsuns/nissans. Keyword here is "common".

The fact that it was a COMMON car cements its status as a collector even more.

You are comparing cars of different generations. The 240z has 10 years on the MKIII. Wait 10 years, and those folks who liked the supras as teenagers will have the money to buy one for fun. But it will never compare to an american muscle car as far as being a collector's car. And thats why they are more affordable.

First you say you cant compare a 240Z that is 16 years older, then you say wait 10 years. We are almost at the 40 year mark for 240Z's and they still have yet to fetch any REAL money when compared with other cars of the same stature. Maybe we will both need to wait for the 50 year old mark for either one to significantly appreciate.

Don't know about your car, but in no way, shape, or form was any of my four MKIIIs a road course vehicle (???). The stock suspension was built for a comfy ride, not handling tight turns. Even with suspension mods, its no match for a low, wide Honda on a course. Perhaps I misunderstood you ?

I have never see a competitive Honda in the UPPER level road course events, (DE4 and TT events) I have seen many Corvettes, Porsches, GT40's, Vipers, 240Z's and the like. All 400~500hp cars giving it their all going wheel to wheel, a properly GUTTED and prepared MKIII has the potential to go out and dice with these cars and be competitive. Im really not sure why more people aren't doing it.

i find the us/canada people bring out the mk3 supra more then the jap's

so i can see it becoming a popure after the years come buy




sure it wonte be a 240z but we will see

No offense man, but I can almost never understand what you are trying to say. But Im going to guess you are saying that the Supra is or will be more popular than the 240Z.

I attend the biggest Z car event in the world every April and I attend the biggest Supra event in the world every October. It is NO COMPARISON. The Z crowd BRINGS it. Less than 200 Supras show up for SILV and maybe 400-500 people. More than 500 cars are registered for the MSA event and that doesn't count the dozens more that just come and don't register and more than 4000 people attend. Granted The Z car crowd does not have the high dollar showboats, that show up like WOTM, Intense, Titan, Boost logic, and Sound Performance. But rest assured those type of people do exist they just don't truck their stuff to car shows, they race them.

 

[InFrnt0fU]

I think the Mk3 will remain as it is to all of us here at supramania for at least 10 years; a car that we love to do what we want with and modify its performance to the high heavens. I think we aren't the crowd that is looking for people oooh'ing and ahhh'ing IMO, we are all very content with driving them and enjoying an awesome, somewhat affordable to modify hard lined 80's styled GT car.

As far as being a collectors car after those 10 years, I doubt it and hope that it never is granted this status.

To be blunt, I'd much rather drive a beat up looking highly modified sleeper mk3 than have a professionally restored mk3 in a temperature controlled garage so when company comes over I can say "hey, check out this amazing looking car from the late 80's that I never drive because they are too rare now."

Just my .02.

 

[pogoism9]

It looks way to similar to Honda Accords to be considered a CLASSIC body style.

Except for that wider, longer, and more sporty look....Haven't found an Accord with a 5 foot hood line either... :naughty:

(This is a joke post btw)