2020 Supra... first thoughts

ZCanadian

A true sports car shouldn't be very good at being a normal car. Its job is to lure you to drive it to nowhere in particular and back, as often as possible. It need only convert petroleum into smiles.

If someone is evaluating a sports car for the number of cupholders it has, ride comfort, the quality of the audio, or the practicality of the back seats, then they are fooling themselves. So is the manufacturer, for showing the car on a race track.

I guess that trucks are advertised by showing them carrying loads of steel off a jobsite, pulling stumps, and towing a small house. Most are actually sold for taking the family on trips and potentially hauling some toys or a few sheets of drywall. But at least it's true that they CAN do what the adverts show.

Maybe it is me after all. I know it's a big purchase. Having a vehicle that can be all things is a "sensible" approach for both buyer and manufacturer. But that kind of car will never be exceptional at anything (excepting possibly some Porsches). At least not without substantial mods. Most are barely adequate at anything. And the word "sensible" does not belong in the same sentence as "sports car". Except perhaps the way I just used it!

Spartan 1771

I honestly couldn't have said it better myself. I know some daily drive their Z, but for me this is a toy that I take out on nice days, drive on road trips, take to shows and play with occasionally at the track. I will say that I'm at a point in my life where i can afford to have several other cars, one of which is my daily driver. I do understand that not everyone is at the same point in their life. I don't think a sports car should be designed for the masses, but in the end it all comes down to what sells. It will be interesting to see the sales numbers on the new Supra.

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CRiZO

Do you consider the 370Z a sports car then?

ZCanadian

Not as much of a pure sports car as my Alfa 4C.
But more of one than the Supra, from what I've read.

It is quite probable that the compromises that Nissan have made in building the 370Z a little less hard core have been what has kept the car on sale for 10 years practically unchanged. It's loud, low, rough-riding, beautiful, has enough power to be fun (but not enough torque!), beautifully balanced, RWD and set up a bit for oversteer, has crappy audio and minimal storage. Those all tick my boxes for sports car. Overly heavy heated electric seats and an abundance of cupholders don't do it for me (but they do help sales). Comes in a manual (which doesn't make it fast, but definitely plays to the "sports" nature of the car).

My synopsis: the 370Z is quite difficult to get in and out of. But once you get in you don't really care about exiting. Or about anything else but driving. So by my benchmark, it's a proper sports car.

ZCanadian

I should add that the Supra will probably outsell the 370Z (the initial sales numbers, not 2018's mature ones), because of the very features that make the ToyotaMW less of a "sports car" to me.

So yeah, I get WHY they do that. I just wish they didn't. And in that respect, thank goodness for the aftermarket!

Lvcky69

well, 370Z sales are always bad in the US..People seem to go towards the Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers

DLSTR

One cannot at all say the Supra is less of anything until you drive it and firm data filled reviews are done by the press and others. Considering the time Toyota has put into the project I feel the car will be a pleasing sportscar experience based on the prototype test reviews published and the specs released thus far.

If one wants remotely pure sportscar get a Caterham lol

BlackZeda

According to some of the opinions on this thread a Formula 1 car isn't a "race car" because their transmissions never disengage power from the engine to the rest of the drivetrain and the drivers attempt to deliver power to the road in the smooth, efficient manner. Only NASCAR or other stock cars with the built-in driver-assisted self-destruction and skill-proving devices called a clutch are "race cars".

I have seen the Alfa Romeo 4C mentioned...It uses a DCT, so not a sports car?


Am I getting this right?


I ask the question between a DCT vs ZF because the Supra is not offered in a manual. When I learned that it was using a ZF I don't see this as a disappointment as I was very impressed at the smooth delivery of power to the road making the M240i very quick and fun to drive.


In my opinion the Supra is a sports car, and if one were to use it as a daily driver I see the ZF transmission as a great compromise making it something that will be very effective if one were to bring it to the track occasionally.


I have modified my Z to the point where it is annoying and obnoxious when driven in traffic, but otherwise a pure pleasure to drive when not boxed in by a bunch lame sedans. Luckily I get to keep it and am looking at a sporty coupe that is only offered in a ZF transmission due to the need for AWD.

ZCanadian

A 3-pedal manual is neither necessary nor sufficient IMO in rating the car a “sports” one. But the availability of one does put a tick on the “pro” side of the ledger.

A DCT is just the 21st century equivalent of the 3-pedal arrangemet. It is still a manual box, but faster shifting and adds some possibility for automated function and includes electronic overrides to protect engine and transmission. Deals better with today’s torque figures, too.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with an automatic, and ZF is a benchmark manufacturer. But it puts more layers between the driver and their control/feel of the car.

DLSTR

I daily a BMW M2. Sportscar. DCT. I can manual shift. I drive a sportscar To work, to the gym, to the store or to simply drive. Its a car - you drive it. If you are happy with your car - that is all that matters in life. So personal it is.

UNKNOWN_370

Options are a beautiful thing.

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sunkist350z

Body kit renderings for the new supra make it more aggressive and more like the FT-1 concept.

https://www.carscoops.com/2019/01/20...job-well-sort/

Nixin

At least this thread is more interesting than the Kia Stinger thread.

Zingston

Volk Z

Bottom rear pic right away reminded me of the rx8... ugh
I love the new supra look but that was my first thought.

It's going to be a decent car for sure. I can see a manual coming out and Toyota really pushing the car. Tuners will find ways to make it a beast and reliable...

I remember my350z.com bashing the 370z and now tables turn.

The biggest issue I have was not having a Toyota motor and lack of manual options which may come soon enough as Europe will get a 3rd pedal. So the transmission is built.

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