Spotted for Sale: 1994 Toyota Sera - Budget McLaren F1 Butterfly door experience

The Toyota Sera (model designation EXY10) is a two door, 2+2 Butterfly swing door equipped coupe which Toyota built from 1990 to 1996. Built originally and exclusively for the Japanese market, it somehow made its way overseas and Malaysia was one of them.



You could say that it was a mini McLaren F1 of its time with its similar looking doors. But you could be quite right to think that I was high on something comparing this with the Macca as the Toyota Sera only had 110hp and 140Nm torque instead of 600bhp on tap. But since it only weighed about 930kgs unladen, its power to weight ratio was still on the positive side of 100hp//ton, at around 118hp/ton. This meant a slightly sprightly 10 seconds 0-100kmh acceleration if coupled with the standard 5 speed transmission and much lesser if coupled with the 4 speed automatic transmission. It would also make 180-190kmh. Not fast, but the little Front Wheel Drive coupe would be able to keep up with modern traffic AND look better than most cars of its era as well as cars today. But remember those doors folks.

 I remember seeing a couple of units of the car in the early to mid-1990s where it and its sibling, the Toyota Cynos / Paseo were brought in by private importers. The Cynos/Paseo is basically  the same 2 door car but with normal doors, and this is why the Toyota Sera is unique to this day. The little Toyota Sera is  notable for its butterfly doors (which are swing doors that curve upwards into the roof section of the car) which swing up and forward when opened, and that the top portion of  the passenger cabin is constructed largely of glass panels. They looked slightly exotic back then but you somehow could tell it was more for style and not outright performance. Again, its those doors.

Maybe it was because the car lacked that visual aggression required to make it look really good as aside from the super cool doors, the car came with alloy wheels that looked weedy and tyres that looked like they might suit its other shared platform sibling, the Toyota Starlet and Toyota Tercel (which never ever made it here even in grey import form). This is probably why the car is a little weedy looking. Being based on a bread and butter compact hatchback/sedan instead of really exotic Toyota Supra muscle car stuff. But again, those doors. It is indeed a novelty to actually own something with doors that actually swing upwards. And no, those ridiculous swing door conversion kitted Proton Waja or whatever that comes in four doors does not count.

So there you have it. Something slightly exotic to own (and reliable as its a bloody Toyota from the 1990s).

I've managed to spot one over at the local mudah.my site. This one looks slightly better than stock as it has larger wheels on it (stock car pictured above) . You can head over to the link here while it still is around. But as usual, if you don't want to do so, the write up is copied and pasted below:

Nice curvy dash (but after market steering wheel seems to be fitted)

Toyota Sera (A) -94
Location: Johor - Kluang
Condition: Used
Price: RM 35 000 Type: Sports
Make: Toyota Model: Others Transmission: Auto
Reg. year: 1994 Manufactured year: 1994
Mileage: 85 000 - 89 999 Engine Capacity: 1500 cc
Accessories: Solar Film, CD Player, ABS Brakes, Sport rims, Alarm, Central lock

Toyota Sera reluctant Sale .Well kept beautiful condition
Good service record. Used as weekend car.Sale due to transferring to Singapore
Good Engine with no issues or any leaks.

Overall in very good condition.

16 lightweight rims,
Original Toyota Engine 5 Series 5EFHE Reliable & strong.
Other engine that can be swapped into this beauty 16v 4AGE Blacktop or 4E-FTE Glanza Or GT.

Others.

Solar & Security Shield Tint 
Pioneer Player
Sound proofing
Attractive VIP Plate Number

Cash term & Serious buyers only.

Thank you.