Too fast? Too furious? Not yet, says this ambitious Supra owner with Veyron-baiting ambitions
If you want something badly enough for your birthday, it’s often best just to buy it yourself.
That’s what Reece Atherton did, only it wasn’t a pair of socks he bought but a Toyota GR Supra 3.0. “Two of my mates have one, and when I saw them, I thought I just have to have my own,” says the 28-year-old. The manual version was tempting but Reece instead opted for the eight-speed automatic. “I like the flappy paddles and, in any case, used autos are cheaper than the manuals,” he says.
On that point, Reece paid £40,000 for the 2019-reg approved used car, which had done 6000 miles. That was a year ago. “I negotiated a £2000 discount so felt pretty pleased with myself. I then signed up to Toyota’s service plan, which for just £30 per month buys servicing, an MOT and breakdown cover. Also, each time I have the car serviced at a Toyota dealer, a year is added to the car’s warranty up to a maximum of 10 years or 100,000 miles,” he says.
Not that he’s too concerned about his Supra’s future reliability, as he explains: “I love the fact that Toyota stripped down the car’s BMW engine to check it was up to its engineering and quality standards. They also stress tested it with a higher power output. That’s good because I plan to have the engine uprated to 1000bhp.”
If he does, it will be a smidgen more powerful than the cars he previously owned: his first was a 2004-reg Fiat Punto Activ and his second a Vauxhall Mokka 1.2. “We’ve all got to start somewhere but even I’m surprised how quickly I’ve gone from those to my dream car,” he says. One thing’s certain: they won’t have cost the same to insure. For the Supra, Reece is paying £800. “It’s a bells and whistles policy with every conceivable extra. And yes, if I do uprate the engine, I’ll be sure to tell my insurer,” he says.
I hope he’s already told them about the more minor modifications he’s either done himself or had done, including carbonfibre detailing in the cabin and a large rear spoiler reminiscent of that fitted as standard to the fourth-generation Supra.
Reece isn’t sure how much fuel the car gets through and, I suspect, he’s happy to keep it that way. “It’s definitely thirstier in Sport,” he says, “but so much fun too!”
It’s his only car, although in the 12 months that he’s owned it, he’s done only 5000 miles, many of them visiting local club meets and car shows. “I also drive a works van” is his excuse. No matter he’s driven it far enough to know what he likes most and least about the car. “I love the design. It’s a beautiful car,” he says. “Of course, it’s great to drive too. It sticks to the road.” Its least attractive feature? I sense Reece is struggling. “I know: the way the wind buffets the interior when the windows are lowered at 50-60mph.”
With a 1000bhp conversion in prospect, Reece has no immediate plans to sell his Supra. In fact, he reckons that now the model has been discontinued, prices of the remaining cars may rise. Personally, I think that day is some way off. What I wouldn’t do is muck about too much with the engine. ‘Keep it standard, Reece!’ is my advice. I’m not sure he’s listening…
