Comparing dominating JDM legends: Supra Mk4 vs GTR R34 vs Mazda FD3S

We intended to present a comparative discussion about most well liked Mk4 and R34. Not only these two but also we thought it would be more useful to compare it with the Rx7 as well. These three hold a key place in jdmculture. To put in another way, These three are the three main characters who reign in jdm culture.

To present a successful comparative discussion about Mk4, R34 and Rx7, it’s better to begin from illustrious history as well, because, like fruits coming from the trees, comparing barely is not useful and also cannot get a complete idea. So let’s jump to the discussion…..

Supra Mk4 vs GTR R34 vs Mazda FD3S – Company overview

First, it’s better look in to the background of these three Mk4, R34 and also Rx7. You know, a part of the value of a vehicle comes from its brand awareness and illustrious history. A lot of years have passed, can you believe it, the popularity of these have not decreased yet. These are still the first choices of enthusiasts who loves jdm culture so much. However, If I don’t say a word about the producer of this trio of vehicles which reging supreme, it seems like a lack to me.

The Mk4 that we are caught up in the story is fourth gen of the supra model which produced by Toyota Motors also called A80. In 1993 the producer officially introduced A80 as a street bird. When we comes to R34, it was unveiled by Nissan Motors in 1999. This character has another name called BNR34. How about Rx7, we already have mentioned her nick name in our title, FD3S. She was Third gen of the model, produced by Mazda Motors in year 1992 with rotary engine….! Wow, Let’s talk about it, under the performance field. Did you note something, Yep, Among others two, she is the oldest.

Supra Mk4 vs GTR R34 vs Mazda FD3S – Exterior design and Appearance

These three jdms are so impressive and each single car includes a nice exterior design and appearance that unique to themselves. It looks like, The Supra A80 designer already tried to give her a curved shaped to both her front and rear. Anyway, the facelift appearance makes Mk4 so simple and gorgeous. Papaya-like head light in the front and, tail lights that intruded four circles: 2 for brake, 1 for reverse and another for signal, are match for her rear. The massive curved shape wing on her bum makes Mk4 attractive.

When it comes to R34, The appearance got a completely boxy look. The head light that not massive in size and tail lights that designed to contain two circles on one side: Big 1 for brake and another for signal, makes R34 so attractive and this type of tail lights are common to all the GTRs. Simplified rear wing on BNR34’s bum act like a air brake.

How about Rx7. It has a exotic look that is completely different from Mk4 and R34. Her facelift front design is designed to well optimized for aerodynamics. It’s Miata-like front shape contains signals below the pop-up type adorable head lights. The permanently fixed small rear wing placed on above the design made to connect tail lights on both sides are unique to FD3S.

Supra Mk4 vs GTR R34 vs Mazda FD3S – The dimensions

Well, When we talk about dimensions of these trio jdms, R34 comes more dimensional than others which is 4.60m by length, 1.78m by width and also 1.36m by height. Also contains 2.66m by wheelbase and 1,560kg of curb weight, making heaviest car on our discussion.

A80 is the widest car on our list, which is 4.50m by length, 1.81m by width and also 1.36m by height. And also 2.55m by wheelbase and 1,410kg of curb weight.

The FD3S which is 4.28m by length, 1.76m by width and also 1.23m by height makes less dimensional and shortest car by height on our list. Anyway, its wheelbase contains 2.46m and in curb weight by 1218kg.

Supra Mk4 vs GTR R34 vs Mazda FD3S – Interior design and features

When we seated by opening A80’s conventional doors, the main thing fascinating and unfortunately only limited to A80 is attractive dash which continuously expanding from the door handle of the driver seat to the hand break on the other side. The whole dash area fills with knobs, buttons and many other features. It will undoubtedly bring you closer to the experience of a sitting in an airplane. Thanks to the effort made by the original designer to make the supra’s interior super. And also traction control and recaro seats were standard features.

The exterior boxy look of the R34 seems to have extended to the interior. There is a screen placed on top of the center console to display BNR34’s engine and other performance data. However, it doesn’t seem that the sole use of the center console was given to the driver like Mk4. The screen you can customize and leather seats were standard.

When it comes to Rx7, both dash and the center console very similar to Mk4. The console panel which is continuously expanding from the door handles to the hand break is visible at a glance with modern look than Mk4. There was three types of the model, as A, B and C. A and B standard with recaro bucket seats and red leather seats were standard with type C. Not only seats but also there were differences of engines, performance and features from type to type.

Supra Mk4 vs GTR R34 vs Mazda FD3S – Engine, Power output and Performance

Well, let’s take a look, who is the fastest and who has the most power comparing performance of these trio street birds. A80 is powered by 2.9L(3.0L) 2jz twin turbo engine with 5 speed manual transmission. As the prime mover, the engine produces 321hp to brings the power she needs. Ask for 4.6 sec to cover 0-60 mph and claimed to had a top speed of 177mph (284.8Kmh).

BNR34 is powered by 2.8L twin turbo engine with 6 speed getrag manual transmission. Engine produces 276bhp to brings the power it needs. Ask for 4.8 sec to hit0-60 mph and also claimed to have a top speed of 165mph.

Rx7’s most well liked and one of the best thing is rotary engine with 5 speed manual transmission. The 1.3L twin turbo twin totary engine produces 237bhp to move her. Asks for just 5.4 sec to cover 0-60mph and has a maximum speed of 156mph.

Supra Mk4 vs GTR R34 vs Mazda FD3S – Side Profile

Supra Mk4 vs GTR R34 vs Mazda FD3S – Price

The difficulty of finding these vehicles, only limited number of vehicles in good running condition, costing a lot of money to restore scrapped vehicles, being popular, make these trio jdms so expensive in today market.

In the period of 2010 – 2018, Mk4 costed about $77k, R34 costs less than $75K and Rx7 worth less than $46k. But, trust me, in today, you can’t buy these type of jdm with good condition for such money. A GTR R34 is worth more than $100k and, you may have seen a Mk4 sold for more than $200K the other day.

Voiture Blog Summary