As the successor to the boxy and dated looking third generation Celica, the original Toyota Supra was targeted strictly for U.S customers. The 1984 model boasts a 2.8 liter straight six-cylinder engine that produces an impressive 160 horsepower. Handling is not all that great for the 1984 model year, however it was soon improved to near super-car status, especially in 1994. If you are looking for the better handling Supra's I highly suggest going with the 2nd generation models. In the Supra’s last year in production (1997) it was one of the fastest production cars on the market and one of the most exclusive Japanese cars next to the Acura NSX.

Driving Impressions :

The Celica Supra is supremely comfortable and refined. Its 2.8 liter engine is smooth all the way to reline and has enough torque for this car to move its girth without much fuss. Despite the car's weight of over 3,000 lbs, the Supra can achieve a reported top speed of 128 MPH and can scoot from 0-60 MPH in less than nine seconds (according to specs). This may not sound very impressive by today's standard, but in 1984 this sort of performance was amazing for a 6-cylinder powered car and matched many cars that were equipped with much larger V8s i.e. the Chevrolet Camaro.
When flying through a fast corner the Supra feels well mannered and balanced with not too much body roll. The wide 225/60 VR 14 tires help grip. Again, Cornering isn’t the best for this year, so I can’t stress enough how much these cars have improved in later years.

Unlike many cars of the 1980s that were equipped with small 6-cylinder engines, the Celica Supra's fuel injected unit provides a decent amount of torque. With a relatively high torque peak of 163 lb-ft at 4,400 RPM, the engine provides enough flex, allowing the car to pull very well in top gear as well as 1st and 2nd gears. The 160 horse 2.8 liter engine has a cast iron block, and has two valves per cylinder and twin overhead camshafts driven off a toothed belt.

Interior Accommodation :

The interior of the 1984 Celica Supra is mostly of stark black plastic. This black plastic theme is typical of almost all Japanese cars of the 1980s and early 1990s. The steering wheel is thick and ergonomics are excellent. One of the Supra’s best attributes is its offering of luxury amenities. AC, cruise control, etc. are all standard equipment; a rarity in many sport coupes of the day. The 1984 Supra even comes standard with a sunroof! The Supra's angular interior shape and digital instruments are typical for the mid 80s. There is plenty of room in the 1984 Toyota Supra. The 2+2 configuration, unlike many other sporty coupes, can actually accommodate 2 adult backseat passengers. There is surprisingly plenty of trunk room as well. The driver’s seat is comfortable and supportive, which also provides excellent outward vision.

Exterior Innovation :

The exterior, while not a contender in the 2002 Miss America pageant, is quite good looking, especially for a 1984 vehicle. The exterior is your typical 1980s hatchback 2 door design. There are pop-up headlights; four spoke aluminum rims, flared wheel arches, and non functional brake ducts that give the 1984 Supra a very sporty look.

The price for these cars are 'super cheap' today. My brother got his in 1999 with 156K miles on it for $500.00 dollars. Talk about a good deal! New, these cars ran for around $16,000. He now has something like 220K miles on it and it's still running strong.

Conclusion :

The 1984 Toyota Celica Supra offers amazing bang for the consumer's bucks. If you are looking for a cheap performance car on the used market but don't want to settle for slow rust bucket, the 1984 Celica Supra is definitely worth a look.







Model Year: 1984
Model and Options: Celica Supra, 5 speed