Is a 2024/2025 Supra a good choice for a daily driver?

[Zcarmenb28]

It’s OK but not great for a daily driver. It’s a sports car first, so keep that in mind; it also has a lot of quirks that get annoying over time. It’s harder to get in and out of than a “regular” car. I hit my head occasionally on the crazy sloping roofline and it’s a pretty low seat as well. There’s no external trunk release, which is annoying. There’s no “sync” on the dual climate, which is annoying. When you pop the trunk release as you get out of the car then close the door with regular force, the trunk re latches, so you have to close the door slowly if you’ve popped the trunk. That’s annoying. The wind buffeting isn’t nice. I’m not going to talk about the lack of backseats because obviously you should know it’s a small two seater. I don’t like the 1st gear throttle tip in, it surges too much. Braking is touchy and unless you’re really smooth, the brakes grab at low speeds and jerk you to a stop. My ZL1 has much smoother braking.

The start stop is too aggressive, it turns the car off if you just stop quickly at a stop sign then go. It turns the car off when I pull into my garage too far and want to back up a smidge. I like it for longer stops (red lights) but during the summer you get hot because when it turns off it turns the AC way down.

Visibility out the rear 1/4 view is bad, but I adjust both my side mirrors to view toward the side, not the side of the car, helping immensely. The side mirrors are gigantic compared to the size of the car and they block a lot of the view. There’s not much glass between the central screen bezel and the rear view mirror, maybe 5-6” of view. You get used to that, though.

To me the ride is more than acceptable for a daily driver in regular mode. It’s a bit stiff in sport but you don’t need to daily it in sport mode. The trunk holds a decent amount of stuff. The seats are comfortable but a little narrow.

It gets good gas mileage, so that’s good.

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[Vertex]

When you pop the trunk release as you get out of the car then close the door with regular force, the trunk re latches, so you have to close the door slowly if you’ve popped the trunk. That’s annoying.

Just wanted to note that there are a lot of ways to fix this, easiest one being to adjust the bump stops that are just above the tail lights when you open the trunk. Lots of other members have gone with different trunk struts and even some springs to help it actually fully open on its own. Obviously the cheapest and quickest fix is adjusting the bump stops. Did this and I've never had an issue with it latching again no matter how hard the door shuts.

 

[Zcarmenb28]

Adding to my post above: my ‘21 Camaro ZL1 is a better daily, and a better sports car in every way than the Supra IMO. Better driver, better handling, better engine, smoother, better creature comforts, better everything to be frank. Heated/cooled/electric Recaros are also standard. And it has tiny back seats that can be used in a pinch. If you can swing it, spend an extra $10-15k on a lightly used 21+ ZL1. To top it off it can run 10s with just an intake and ported throttle body, stock tune.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the Supra despite my post above, annoyances and all, and it is fun to drive and toss around, but I LOVE the ZL1 and if I could only have one, the Supra would get sold, not the ZL1.

 

[DR.COKE]

Forgot to add if your highway isn’t smooth than your head and teeth will rattle with that suspension.

 

[Syeeee]

Adding to my post above: my ‘21 Camaro ZL1 is a better daily, and a better sports car in every way than the Supra IMO. Better driver, better handling, better engine, smoother, better creature comforts, better everything to be frank. Heated/cooled/electric Recaros are also standard. And it has tiny back seats that can be used in a pinch. If you can swing it, spend an extra $10-15k on a lightly used 21+ ZL1. To top it off it can run 10s with just an intake and ported throttle body, stock tune.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the Supra despite my post above, annoyances and all, and it is fun to drive and toss around, but I LOVE the ZL1 and if I could only have one, the Supra would get sold, not the ZL1.

Puzzling why you'd buy one if you had the ZL1 though? Curious.

 

[Zcarmenb28]

Puzzling why you'd buy one if you had the ZL1 though? Curious.

My wife wanted a fun, lightweight sports car since the ZL1 was “mine” and all she had was the kid hauler Volvo XC90. She has fond memories of her RX8 she owned back in 2005-2007 when her and I were dating, and the Supra has that small lightweight feel, but much more powerful. So, the Supra is “our” fun third car.

 

[Emspilot]

It’s OK but not great for a daily driver. It’s a sports car first, so keep that in mind; it also has a lot of quirks that get annoying over time. It’s harder to get in and out of than a “regular” car. I hit my head occasionally on the crazy sloping roofline and it’s a pretty low seat as well. There’s no external trunk release, which is annoying. There’s no “sync” on the dual climate, which is annoying. When you pop the trunk release as you get out of the car then close the door with regular force, the trunk re latches, so you have to close the door slowly if you’ve popped the trunk. That’s annoying. The wind buffeting isn’t nice. I’m not going to talk about the lack of backseats because obviously you should know it’s a small two seater. I don’t like the 1st gear throttle tip in, it surges too much. Braking is touchy and unless you’re really smooth, the brakes grab at low speeds and jerk you to a stop. My ZL1 has much smoother braking.

The start stop is too aggressive, it turns the car off if you just stop quickly at a stop sign then go. It turns the car off when I pull into my garage too far and want to back up a smidge. I like it for longer stops (red lights) but during the summer you get hot because when it turns off it turns the AC way down.

Visibility out the rear 1/4 view is bad, but I adjust both my side mirrors to view toward the side, not the side of the car, helping immensely. The side mirrors are gigantic compared to the size of the car and they block a lot of the view. There’s not much glass between the central screen bezel and the rear view mirror, maybe 5-6” of view. You get used to that, though.

To me the ride is more than acceptable for a daily driver in regular mode. It’s a bit stiff in sport but you don’t need to daily it in sport mode. The trunk holds a decent amount of stuff. The seats are comfortable but a little narrow.

It gets good gas mileage, so that’s good.

Do you like anything about the Supra?? Jeez......

 

[Zcarmenb28]

Do you like anything about the Supra?? Jeez......

Well, yeah, I like a lot about the Supra. The 8 or 9 gripes I listed just so happen to directly affect daily drivability, so I figured I’d list them since that is relevant to the original post.

I like the styling, looks, sporty driving characteristics, punchy engine, quick responding transmission, interior styling, “cool factor”, and more.

 

[wilorichie]

I've got a Z and a dual cab in addition to my Supra.

I always can't wait to drive the Supra. That said, I don't drive it much.

The issues that I have for daily driving;

- Can be hard to take it to new places... we have shit roads, which lead to shit drive-ways, with shit parking. It's crap in overly busy and tight spaces (ute just drives over shit).
- Depending where I park, I won't bring it. Supra gets heaps of attention...
- Cops look at it, alot (never been pulled over though).
- Not much space for shit... cricket kit goes in the ute for my weekend games.

What I'm fine with compared to other posts here. I've never had issues with;

- Dailying the harder suspension
- Opening the boot.
- Blind spots.

Otherwise everything else everyone has said lines up with me too.

Overall, I think my biggest reason not to take the Supra, is when I know it's a shit destination (roads/parking/unwanted attention).

 

[skyviper80]

Original owner, 68k Miles daily driver and road trips.

Can't fit more than 2 people or a ladder in it but otherwise I use it for everything.

 

[archsteve]

OP here - first of all, a giant thank you for the variety of opinions, advice and information not easily found. As a new member of the forum its gratifying to know there is an active, helpful community of Supra enthusiasts.
I understand the concerns mentioned about it being a sports car, and a two-seater, but after driving more practical sedans for the past 25 years, I want to enjoy my daily driving a bit more for the next 10. My biggest concerns at the moment are the comments about road conditions (part of my commute is over a fairly sketchy/patched highway), visibility concerns such as blind spots and mirror placements (all cars have unique issues like that), the wind issue mentioned a few times and a car search that won't take months. Thanks again everyone and more advice and opinions are always appreciated.

 

[Kiiro]

Agree with everyone here - can you daily it? It's doable, it's not like an Elise. Would I want it as my only car though? Ehhh...probably not.

FWIW, with mirrors adjusted properly and BSM, I don't think the blind spots are worse than other purpose-built sports cars. I used to have an Alfa 4C and you could hide a state university in its rear 3/4 blind spot. The Evora was atrocious too. But something about the Supra does make it *feel* like it has really bad visibility; it's really dark and your eyeline is right about where the side window meets the roof.

If you park at Trader Joe's a lot, don't get it, because it's difficult in tight quarters. The hood is so high and long that I generally have no idea where the front of the car is. And I think someone mentioned this, but the doors are HUGE and the hinge only has two detents - the first one is so narrow it's completely unusable and the second one is so wide it will bash the door of the car parked next to you.

I think folks here hit all the other points. It's a brilliant second car though.

 

[RenRed2]

OP here - first of all, a giant thank you for the variety of opinions, advice and information not easily found. As a new member of the forum its gratifying to know there is an active, helpful community of Supra enthusiasts.
I understand the concerns mentioned about it being a sports car, and a two-seater, but after driving more practical sedans for the past 25 years, I want to enjoy my daily driving a bit more for the next 10. My biggest concerns at the moment are the comments about road conditions (part of my commute is over a fairly sketchy/patched highway), visibility concerns such as blind spots and mirror placements (all cars have unique issues like that), the wind issue mentioned a few times and a car search that won't take months. Thanks again everyone and more advice and opinions are always appreciated.

Take a look at both the 3 liter and 2 liter models. I had a 2-liter Supra in the States(Im back in Germany), for just less than 2 years. Was superb at any duty required. Since you commute a bit the fuel economy was excellent if you kept your foot out of the boost.
The car is an easy commuter with some small caveats about visibility and space. Those are just a touch obvious.
Rent 1 to try there in the US? Is there one available on 'Turo' etc and see how it feels?
I daily'd a 1986 Lotus Esprit Turbo for a year in a city. One day you wont have this opportunity. Take it and go. Life is short.

 

[Vertex]

OP here - first of all, a giant thank you for the variety of opinions, advice and information not easily found. As a new member of the forum its gratifying to know there is an active, helpful community of Supra enthusiasts.
I understand the concerns mentioned about it being a sports car, and a two-seater, but after driving more practical sedans for the past 25 years, I want to enjoy my daily driving a bit more for the next 10. My biggest concerns at the moment are the comments about road conditions (part of my commute is over a fairly sketchy/patched highway), visibility concerns such as blind spots and mirror placements (all cars have unique issues like that), the wind issue mentioned a few times and a car search that won't take months. Thanks again everyone and more advice and opinions are always appreciated.

The wind buffeting concern has a lot of super easy fixes, some cheaper than others. The cheaper routes will not look quite as appealing as the better ones. Only takes a few minutes of time and a few bucks or up to about $100 for the anti buffeting items

 

[FLtrackdays]

Commuting - no problem, if you have another car to remove the majority of the accurate gripes mentioned on here. I wouldn’t want this as my only car. Despite how much I absolutely love the damn thing. If you like BMW as most of us do, the M240, M2, 3 or 4 would better suit the one car need for fast fun safe commuting.

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