Grudge Match: Nissan Z32 vs Toyota Supra MKIV

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Grudge Match: Z32 vs MKIV Supra


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YSSMAN

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Modern Classic Round: Nissan 300ZX (Z32) vs Toyota Supra MKIV



300ZX.jpg

1989-2000 Nissan 300ZX

800px-%2793-%2795_Toyota_Supra.jpg

1993-2002 Toyota Supra MKIV





Continuing on the interesting matchups, I've gathered together two of most-interesting performance cars of the 1990s. Both were built on a history of performance, both were direct shots across the bow for their somewhat bitter rivalry between them. For much of the rest of the world, this would be the same as the Mustang vs Camaro comparison that we enjoy in the US. The standard six-cylinder options were pretty good. The turbocharged variants are legends of their own time.

Personally, I'm very interested to hear what you guys say. Growing up in the bronze age of performance cars, these two, along with the NSX and C4 Corvette were constantly on my radar as the things to have. Well, aside from the usual suspects, anyway.
 
No contest here....the Supra. While I love the Z32 (my cousin owns a Twin Turbo version with auto), the Supra is a better car all around, the engine, the handling, the full package just suits me better.
 
Two cars in which I have absolutely no interest whatsoever. This makes it very difficult to choose.

My money would have been going down on an RX7 or an NSX.

If someone had a gun to my head, the Supra. Though I'd be tempted to take the bullet.
 
While I know the Supra is potent, "1000WHP STOCK INTERNALS" claims put me off it. The Z32 is less appreciated, and I'd prefer to take that.

I want the Mythbusters crew to try and see if they can actually get 1000 horsepower at the wheels with a completely stock (cams included) 2JZ.
 
Two cars in which I have absolutely no interest whatsoever. This makes it very difficult to choose.

My money would have been going down on an RX7 or an NSX.

If someone had a gun to my head, the Supra. Though I'd be tempted to take the bullet.

Ouch, that's quite harsh but mostly true ( apart from the bullet being more tempting ;)).
The NSX and particularly the RX-7 have aged quite well in my opinion but are different in concept, the NSX obviously but also the RX-7 is more of a sportscar than a GT which is the category the Nissan and Toyota appear to be in.
At the time they were introduced they appeared goodlooking, if I remember my own judgement correctly, but they seem to go through that twilight zone fase now whereby neither seem to be a dead-certain sought after classic in the near future ( NSX and RX-7 will I think ) and just look outdated, plain and a bit overweight.
The only experience I have with either is only through the GT-series ( enjoyed both very much when fully tuned and their looks slightly bettered with some nice rims ) and the Supra is too closely associated with that whole Tuner-scene for me to even consider it ( although I don't think it's a bad car or even a bad-looking one ).
So that leaves the 300ZX, maybe a 2+2 TwinTurbo in a dark metallic/leather interior might be the one I choose as it's less in-your-face as the Supra and might serve as a cheap, but reliable, everyday GT-car.:)
 
Supra totally, even from a reliability standpoint. I've never seen a 300ZX that isn't burning something it's not supposed to, namely oil. There's nary an aftermarket for them that I know of. They're cool, but I'm just not into them. Plus, the Supra is better anyway.
 
I am going to base this from my experience.

I have ridden in a twin turbo Z32, very potent car.It was pretty fast,rode fairly good,handled pretty well.

I have not been in a Supra to base any real opinion about it. They look sweet,I hear they run well,and supossedly handle as well.

I can only assume that the Supra would be pretty comparable.as far as performance.As for looks,I give it to the 300Z.
 
Despite the fact that my car that I currently drive was designed to specifically be a smaller version of the MKIV, in the end I prefer the 300ZX. Generally speaking, their performance figures were nearly identical as I recall. The turbo models of both cars were pretty damn quick given their price, and furthermore, their weight. I remember scoffing at both cars as a kid whenever they were compared to the C4 Corvette, but numbers are numbers... They were very even-footed for the time. Personally, I find the look of the Z32 to be a little more classic, if anything always pretty attractive, despite its age. They played an interesting balance between sports car and tourer, the seat configurations, adjustable suspensions and emphasis on space being pretty radical for their time as well.

Choosing either car, you really aren't losing out. But I think in the long term, the Z ends up being a little more special.
 
I'm really torn on this one.

Z32: I have a soft spot for a Z. This one also happens to be one of my favorites.

Supra: Simply one of the best all around cars Toyota has built. It's also amazing what people have been able to get out of this car.

In the end though I will go with the Z32 since it hasn't been ruined by tuners as much.


Side Note: Are you going to turn this into a bracket type thing? That would be fairly cool.
 
Side Note: Are you going to turn this into a bracket type thing? That would be fairly cool.

Perhaps later on. I think that, right now, its more about facilitating an interesting discussion instead of the usual "WAT CAR SHUD I GET" threads.
 
Supra most definetly!

One of the last good cars Toyota built before tthey started making cars that appeal to 80-year-olds on retirement plans! It's also more rare than the Z.
 
Supra for sure. I used to really like the Nissans a lot back when they were newish. But I think the Supra has aged better as an iconic machine.

Perhaps later on. I think that, right now, its more about facilitating an interesting discussion instead of the usual "WAT CAR SHUD I GET" threads.

I agree. There haven't been too many of these kinds of discussions going on here lately. Somebody should put together a COTY 2010 thing too.
 
Personally I wouldn't compare the MKIV Supra to the 300ZX, although that was Toyota's answer to it. I'd rather compare it to the R33 Skyline so that I don't have to choose between the Supra and 300ZX and take both of them. I've always had a soft spot for the 300ZX. And, well me and a Supra, no further explaining needed before my fanboy-ism gets out.
 
300ZX, no contest. Looks alone the Z wins. Reputation the Z wins. There are way less riced out Z's than MkIV Supra's. I'm sick of seeing Supra's with retarded sideways fart cannons, ridiculous body kits, stupid stickers and taking off the spoiler. The MkIV is a work of art sure in stock form but the Z is just "cool". Cool cars win, beautiful cars aren't always cool.
 
I voted for the Z32. I would take a twin turbo version over the Supra version any day. Since The Fast and Furious came out, the values of Supras have skyrocketed! The price for this generation is way higher than it should be. I'd rather take a 300zx.
 
In stock trim, maybe the Z. They look amazing in pearl white and the Supra doesn't do a lot for me. But you don't hear about modified ones quite so much, and once the Supra is lowered and has a nice set of wheels (the Z too) I feel they're equally attractive, which makes me lean towards the Supra for its performance potential. And they're apparently rock solid, something I haven't heard of the Z's.
 
I've never heard of a Nissan VG engine being unreliable. If there are ones that aren't I blame the owners.
 
The whole "1000HP, y0!" thing with the Supra has been making me like it less and less. Yes, tuner mags, we know you can make a Supra handle 1000HP.. We don't need to read about another dude doing this. It's a good car, but it just became annoying to me. And they don't look that good either.

And I love Z cars. One of my favorites being the Z32! It looks awesome, and it sounds awesome too. The tuner world hasn't ruined it's appearance that much, it handles great.. Just a few aesthetic changes, like wheels, can make the car look even more amazing. And I know that they probably are not as reliable as a Toyota, but if you're into cars as much as to actually buy a Z32 at this time you know the car will have a couple of things here and there. You work on it, and keep rolling. It's like a lifestyle.

You probably already know what car I chose.
 
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I think I have to go with the Supra in this one. Just take a look in the engine bay and you'll understand why.. There's no room left for an allen key in 300ZX's engine bay, whereas in Supra's engine bay has lots more space, making it more pleasant to work in.
 
Really tough choice, and i n the end, it'll be more about personal preference than anything else.

BOTH cars make good power, and BOTH have good power potential (seriously, anything north of 400whp is useless anywhere but the dragstrip, and both cars can do near 800 whp without swapping out the entire long block), and BOTH are pretty good handling cars.

The Supra is the high-water mark for non-exotic Toyotas. A Gran Turismo with good handling and perhaps Toyota's last legendary engine.

The Z32 is the car that redeemed the Z-car line. After the previous ungainly and unloveable 300, it was a breath of fresh air. And it also handled and accelerated pretty well for its size... and is still the fastest stock Z.

I may just give it the the Z32, if only for the nameplate and the sharper styling.
 
The Z32, because I'm a Nissan fanboy and I've had my heart set on one of these for a long time now. That's not to say that I've never wanted a MkIV, but a) they're becoming all the more common and b) I prefer the MA70 looks - let alone the Z32 - over the JZA80.
 
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I'm struggling to find any reasonable comparison articles online, as I'd like to see some solid performance figures and some credible opinions for either car. I know I've got an old Motor Trend somewhere at my father's house with the NSX, 300ZX TT and (gasp!) 3000GT VR-4 stacking up against a Corvette... I should swing by there and see if I can do some scans.
 
The Supra has always been one of my favourite Japanese sportscars, along with the R33 GT-R and the NSX, I think they are all modern classics. Though not extravagent as some cars the Supra is just a classic shape in my opinion.

What are any of these cars like to drive, I have no idea...
 
Had a Supra for a year and a half, and was quite impressed. Very smooth power delivery, and carried its weight extremely well, you really can't tell it's as heavy as it is. Can fit a ton of tire in the back (315s on stock fenders), feels great to cruise with the targa off, FANTASTIC transmission with a perfectly notchy, solid feel, and stout (to put it mildly) internals. Not to mention, it's one of my top 5 favorite cars to look at.
 
Nissan had optional Super HICAS rear wheel steering.

Nissan.


The Fast and Furious and all the nonsense since then, ruined the Supra for me
 
I'm not really a fan of either, because every time I see a 300zx or Supra it is usually a badly modified non turbo version with a huge exhaust tip and "da bling bling wheelz".

I gave my vote to the 300ZX based on it's looks as they have around the same performance.
 
Like HFS i have little interest in either car. Must be over 10 years since i last saw a unmolested example of one. Voted for the Supra since it was actually quite a good looking car.
 
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