5 Reasons the 1998 Toyota Supra Is a Highly Sought-After Mystical Sports Car
Whether you grew up in the 90s, were interested in the import car culture, or in the 2000s and watched a certain movie series, you knew about the 1998 Toyota Supra. The Mk4 Supra (fourth generation) was one of the most iconic sports cars of its day and is now one of the most highly sought-after cars in today’s market. In case you’re wondering why, here are five reasons.
The 1998 Toyota Supra’s design was simple but effective
Many of the new cars in today’s market have futuristic designs filled with swooping lines, bold fender flares, and many different vents and spoilers. However, the 1998 Toyota Supra didn’t have many of those things. Instead, the Supra had a clean but timeless design that was ahead of its time.
The design was simple, but even by today’s standards, the Supra looks like it could be produced today, and no one would bat an eye even though it did have a large wing.
The 2JZ engine was legendary
Ask any Toyota Supra enthusiast what they love about the Mk4 generation, and they will surely point to the car’s engine. The Mk4 Supra came with two different engine choices, including a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-6, but the turbo version was the one to envy. The more potent version was coded the 2JZ-GTE, producing 320 hp and 315 lb-ft of torque, which is good by today’s standards.
The 2JZ engine was also great for enthusiasts because it had forged engine internals, a cast-iron block, and low-compression pistons. This meant the engine could handle a lot more boost and make 1,000 hp relatively easily. Some modified Supras make 2,000 hp!
The Mk4 Supra had great performance specs
Even without any modifications, the 1998 Toyota Supra was a beast. A stock Mk4 Supra could go from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.6 seconds and finish a quarter-mile in 13.1 seconds, which isn’t bad by today’s standards. Back in the 90s, it was quite the performer. It competed with the likes of the Mazda RX-7 and Mitsubishi 3000GT at the time and could beat both of them in a drag race.
The 1998 Supra was great for road racing
The Mk4 Supra wasn’t only great in a straight line; it could handle well, too. Toyota gave it an aluminum hood, suspension upper arms, and bumper supports to make it lightweight. Of course, 3,445 pounds isn’t super light, but it’s still good for a sports car.
Five words: “The Fast and The Furious”
Of course, we can’t talk about the Mk4 Supra without discussing “The Fast and The Furious.” If you haven’t seen or heard of this movie, you could be living under a rock. The hero car in the movie was an orange Supra with enough stickers and graphics to make a Nascar racecar jealous. Either way, there’s no doubt that the movie boosted the car up to unicorn levels in most enthusiasts’ minds.
How much is a 1998 Toyota Supra worth?
Anyone looking for an Mk4 Toyota Supra today must refinance their house or save up a lot of pennies because they’re not cheap. A recent nationwide search on CarGurus reveals that many 1993 to 1998 Supras sell for well over $100,000. We found a couple of non-turbo models selling for around $80,000. But who wants one of those? The turbocharged Supra is the one to go with; now you can see why.
