Looking to Buy a Used Supra – Which Year Should I Go For?

[mkboy]

Hey everyone,

I’m pretty new to the Supra world and looking to buy a used one soon. I’ve been doing some research, but figured it’d be best to ask people who actually own them and know what’s up.

I’ve heard that the 2020 Supra is a good option if you want to tune, since the ECU is easier to work with. But I’ve also read that the newer years (like 2021 and up) come with some solid upgrades—like more power, better suspension, and other tweaks—though I guess the tradeoff is the ECU is locked and harder to tune?

So I’m kind of stuck right now. I do want to tune eventually, but I’m also open to just going with a newer model if it’s that much better out of the box. I’m not super deep into the tuning world yet, so I’m trying to figure out what makes the most sense overall.

I’d really appreciate any advice on:

• What model years are best to buy
• What the actual differences are between the years (2020–2024)
• What I should look out for when buying used
• And whether it’s worth going newer and skipping tuning altogether

Any tips or links to a solid Supra buying guide would be awesome too. Thanks in advance!

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[itzTang]

Hey everyone,

I’m pretty new to the Supra world and looking to buy a used one soon. I’ve been doing some research, but figured it’d be best to ask people who actually own them and know what’s up.

I’ve heard that the 2020 Supra is a good option if you want to tune, since the ECU is easier to work with. But I’ve also read that the newer years (like 2021 and up) come with some solid upgrades—like more power, better suspension, and other tweaks—though I guess the tradeoff is the ECU is locked and harder to tune?

So I’m kind of stuck right now. I do want to tune eventually, but I’m also open to just going with a newer model if it’s that much better out of the box. I’m not super deep into the tuning world yet, so I’m trying to figure out what makes the most sense overall.

I’d really appreciate any advice on:

• What model years are best to buy
• What the actual differences are between the years (2020–2024)
• What I should look out for when buying used
• And whether it’s worth going newer and skipping tuning altogether

Any tips or links to a solid Supra buying guide would be awesome too. Thanks in advance!

newer years you can still tune. just got to femto it lol

 

[Kujiwara]

2023 and up are best out of the box, lighter wheels, all previous year issues sorted, updated software for damper, steering, esp, diff. You may find this the best option for a mild street build to catering stockish class racing/autocross. Also you need 23+ for MT.

2020-mid year 2021 doesn't need unlocking for ecu tuning but 2020 are 2 port cars, 2021 may have oil consumption issues, and some of these cars still had plastic oil pump parts.

If you need specific color then you're looking at more specific years, refer to each year's brochure.

And most importantly, budget. I'd always choose a clean lower mileage car over a high mile questionable newer car

 

[lucky phil]

Hey everyone,

I’m pretty new to the Supra world and looking to buy a used one soon. I’ve been doing some research, but figured it’d be best to ask people who actually own them and know what’s up.

I’ve heard that the 2020 Supra is a good option if you want to tune, since the ECU is easier to work with. But I’ve also read that the newer years (like 2021 and up) come with some solid upgrades—like more power, better suspension, and other tweaks—though I guess the tradeoff is the ECU is locked and harder to tune?

So I’m kind of stuck right now. I do want to tune eventually, but I’m also open to just going with a newer model if it’s that much better out of the box. I’m not super deep into the tuning world yet, so I’m trying to figure out what makes the most sense overall.

I’d really appreciate any advice on:

• What model years are best to buy
• What the actual differences are between the years (2020–2024)
• What I should look out for when buying used
• And whether it’s worth going newer and skipping tuning altogether

Any tips or links to a solid Supra buying guide would be awesome too. Thanks in advance!

Buy the latest model you can and forget the tuning. I mean seriously, the things are approaching 380 hp stock at the wheels, how much power can you realistically use on the road without ending up in a ditch or in jail these days? This forum is full of people with "tunes" that then spend their time posting for solutions to codes and other issues not to mention the CA emission laws and inspection requirements and warranty exclusion. I mean if you want that sort drama in your life then go ahead but personally I'd just buy the latest car you can afford with the lowest mileage and leave it alone and enjoy the driving and ownership experience.
Phil

 

[DR.COKE]

In stock form it’s plenty fast and dangerous On the streets it’s way too easy for jail. If you want the tune, 2020 is the only true year. If buying used it will be hard to find one in your driving distance that’s not abused, modded, low miles, with maintenance records. Those will command a price close to new. Even a 2020 and 2021 mint supra will command around 50k.

 

[J29DB03]

Agree with Phil, but if you do go the tune route just remember…

 

[razorlab]

Buy the latest model you can and forget the tuning. I mean seriously, the things are approaching 380 hp stock at the wheels, how much power can you realistically use on the road without ending up in a ditch or in jail these days? This forum is full of people with "tunes" that then spend their time posting for solutions to codes and other issues not to mention the CA emission laws and inspection requirements and warranty exclusion. I mean if you want that sort drama in your life then go ahead but personally I'd just buy the latest car you can afford with the lowest mileage and leave it alone and enjoy the driving and ownership experience.
Phil

Okay dad.

Relax on the CA crap. You don't have to smog/inspect new cars for six years there. Most people don't even keep cars that long. I owned modified/tuned/catless cars for 25 of the 35 years I lived in CA.

Or you can keep parroting it and we will keep parroting that Australia is a prison colony and the toilets flush backwards.

 

[lucky phil]

Okay dad.

Relax on the CA crap. You don't have to smog/inspect new cars for six years there. Most people don't even keep cars that long. I owned modified/tuned/catless cars for 25 of the 35 years I lived in CA.

Or you can keep parroting it and we will keep parroting that Australia is a prison colony and the toilets flush backwards.

But both are true. Hows the trans rebuild going?
Phil

 

[razorlab]

But both are true. Hows the trans rebuild going?
Phil

How are your wife's brake rotors doing?

 

[lucky phil]

How are your wife's brake rotors doing?

That cars long gone. I was just interested in how it's all going with the transmission rebuild. You seem to think there's some ulterior motive in the question.
Phil

 

[Thraxbert]

If I were to buy my Supra all over again, I would still look high and low for a 2020. Nothing beats unlocking and flashing from the comfort of your driveway. Save quite a bit of money, too.

 

[Funkjaw]

Boy have I got some news for you

https://www.supramkv.com/threads/totaled-rlly-hope-so-😅.30815/#post-474277

 

[StudioRSR]

Boy have I got some news for you

https://www.supramkv.com/threads/totaled-rlly-hope-so-?.30815/#post-474277

hahaha

"Minor dents from road use."

 

[itzTang]

hahaha

"Minor dents from road use."

It’ll buff right out!

 

[puzzled]

I think the 2020 has most flexibility.. given that the owner has not done the recall that prevents the ECU from being re-flashed (so I heard).

2020 is louder too with lots of burbles and pops in Sport mode if one does not want to do much exhaust mods on the car.. I heard a 2021+ with the current exhaust configuration and man it is night day too quiet.. that would make (especially AT) driving pretty mundane..

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