Tuners tracking Tokyo Motor Show reminded of used Toyota Supras in New York

Toyota is known for reliable cars that have a habit of enjoying excellent sales and inciting yawns among automotive journalists who consider the automaker a bastion of reliable and bland cars. Two new offerings shown at the Tokyo Motor Show have caused several changes of heart, and remind some of the glory days last seen in used Toyota Supras in New York.

Back in the early 1990s, the Toyota Supra faced off against the Acura NSX, Nissan 300ZX and Mazda RX-7 in a field of mid-$50,000 sports cars with twin-turbo engines and a fair amount of performance. Since then Toyota hasn’t had an offering that compares, until it rolled out the Lexus LFA and the FT-86 concept.

The LFA has a V-10 engine, supercar styling and a price tag to match: $400,000. On the more affordable scale is the FT-86, a joint venture with Subaru that is supposed to offer a low-cost, rear-wheel drive coupe for mass consumption.

That may sound a lot like the list of wants for prospective owners considering used Toyota Supras in New York, which come with more horsepower stock because of a larger engine and are already available. Either way, the two concept cars indicate a shift in the Japanese automakers design philosophy.