found 86.5 supra for $500

[88' camry v6 LE]

I found a 86.5 supra for $500, not running but with a 3.0 turbo motor in running condition.(this is included in the price) The body is in fairly good condition from a quick overview I took on it. I has been repainted for the original factory paint. The interior is not nearly as good as the outside... the whole back seat is missing and numerous other things will need to be replaced as well. Oh yeah, the windshield is toast too.
$$$ is the sound I'm hearing in my head as I'm adding up the cost to everything...

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Jon

[zythr]

If you have not bought it, don't buy it. You can find a better Supra elsewhere. The fact that it has a Turbo motor is another reason to walk away.

[SuLLiVaN88]

you say its not running but the motor is good running condition? is the tranny messed up?

also check in the trunk area and in the wheel wells for rust my brother had a problem with his supra having rust there, depending on where it came from although we live in az but the car was from back east.

[bgrieger]

It sounds like the car could very well cost far more than a good runner would set you back just to get running, but each to their own. If you are looking for a supreme challenge, this likely should be it. If you are looking for something easy to put together and drive every day, I'd steer clear of this one.

Although I'm not sure why you should avoid a turbo car as one earlier poster mentioned?

[zythr]

Turbo motor could have been abused and probably has been.

[bgrieger]

You could say the same about any used car, particularly a sports model...again, I fail to see the point of just avoiding turbo engines. I would in this case as that is a swap and given the overall condition I wouldn't trust the quality of work to swap it (86.5 did not get a turbo from the factory).

Supra's are not known to have any reliability issues surrounding being turbo or naturally aspirated. The headgaskets from the MKIII proved to be quite equal opportunity failures over time.

[zythr]

I see what you're saying, but Turbos need a little more upkeep than naturallt aspirated engines. If this upkeep is not done, then there can be big problems. Besides, many advise against getting a used Turbo

[Jeeves]

Originally Posted by zythr

I see what you're saying, but Turbos need a little more upkeep than naturallt aspirated engines. If this upkeep is not done, then there can be big problems. Besides, many advise against getting a used Turbo

That's probably some of the worst advice I've heard. EVER. You don't know the track record on a turbo engine any more than you know it on a naturally aspirated one. You don't know that the turbo engine was meticulously maintained while the N/A was driven by someone who never once changed the oil and just drove it for 45,000 miles.

"It has a turbo motor. Walk away." Horrible advice.

Do a proper inspection to the best of your abilities like you would if you were buying any vehicle. Based on what you find, offer a fair price or offer a price and start haggling. Plain and simple. Don't go by some silly blanket statement based on the engine in it but recognize the flaws of the platform (e.g. the weak headgasket of the 7M-GTE) but also be smart enough to check if it's been replaced and if so see if it was done by a competent mechanic and quality parts.

[zythr]

Good points.

[suprabran]

If the motor runs and the head gasket has been replaced it might be a good buy depending on what it need to run. I bought mine for $250 with a blown motor. After getting a cheap motor over seas it runs fine been running strong for 3 years now no major problems yet.