Mark III Supra

[unkillablepaseo]

Hey guys, i was just wondering about the Mark III Supra N/A for a thousand dollars was a good investment? I dont know the year or the miles it has i just looked at it through a picture and it has a blown head gasket (soposedly a common problem) and i still runs (probably crappy) ? Thank you for your input Supra fans
- *Unkillable Paseo*

[bgrieger]

good investment...no car is an investment. You mean good price right?

Anyhow, a headgasket is a common weakness until it gets fixed properly, which at the end of the day will likely set you back another grand or a little more, and a fair bit of labour if you do it yourself. If you need someone else to do the engine removal, you're at least going to be double that price.

What are you looking for in your supra? Style? Name? Power? Reliability? All of the above?

[unkillablepaseo]

Yes I was wondering if 1000 dollars was a good deal as far as the repair ill do it myself. What I want from the Mark III is spespeed I heard they are a very durable machine once the gasket issue is resolved. Thanks

[bgrieger]

They are only as durable as the maintenance put into them. If the former owner let it go, you might get into a far more expensive project than you wanted.

If speed is your goal, the NA is not where you want to be. The turbo car is lightyears ahead in terms of electronics and ease of upgrading. I'd keep looking for a decent turbo car and start saving toward the gasket repair on that one.

[unkillablepaseo]

Alright I understand to be honest i havent even seen the car yet, i started this thread to really shed some light on supra MK III i mostly am looking at supras because of their RWD and i know toyota's duablility.... i know that because i own one. however i do understand the maintenance thing, i treat my yota like a mercedes never missing on oil changes or tune-ups. So i can see where this could be a money pit car. I just want to know if people have owned used MK IIIs and loved it or would totally disown it as junk. About the N/A i'm pretty sure that it is but like i said i havent seen the car yet, if may even be the 7M-GTE model
Thanks,
- Unkillable Paseo

[bgrieger]

In stock form, the key as you said is staying on top of maintainence. The head gasket is an easy fix in the grand scheme of things as long as you know about it. Electrical is starting to become a problem in some climates with the age of the harnesses and exposure to 20+ years of engine heat and the elements. You can expect some seals (hatch, taillights, targa) to be shot. The only medium term problem we face in the next couple of years is parts. There are already some discontinued bits and pieces especially interior parts.

Now speed will cost if reliability is a must...but you probably have an idea about that already!

[unkillablepaseo]

Ha ha yes absolutely, What type of parts to be exact? my yota is so hard to shop for as is. I dont want another car impossible to shop for. Do you happen to know off hand what parts are discontunued? if most of them are visual thats fine, I prefer the stock look to ground effects or lips on this car (i looked and they all don't appeal to me.) As the electrical problem i will look at that ill see if the guages all work spedo and tack work. Although im not sure how to check sensors. Don't they sell computers tester's for that kind of thing? And one other thing, what other things would you test or look at in a car this age (mechanically).
Thanks, Unkillable Paseo

[bgrieger]

heres a pretty solid list from another forum.

http://www.supramania.com/forums/sho...t&daysprune=30

[unkillablepaseo]

Man that is really dissapointing...... i thought the supra was more common than that. it seems toyota throws their cars away and forgets about the people who still have older cars rather quickly? Thanks bgrieger i appreciate it.

[bgrieger]

All makes have the same problem when it comes to older models. It's only if there is enough nostalgia or value in it to make it worth it to make more parts. The muscle car crowd has that, plus the domestic makers were more amicable to selling off the dies and molds. Toyota is not so much on that from what I gather, and we don't have the kind of monetary clout to have anyone take up the charge to make parts for us.

[unkillablepaseo]

Yeah i understand but other than a few new scion cars and the MK IV what other sports cars does toyota have that are RWD? if you ask me T Supra was one of their highlights from the MK III (because it was seperate model from celica) to the MK IV. i have been asking people around where i live about the car, they all said buy it, it is worth it. However they said it is NOT worth a whole 1000 because of mechanical problems and minor body damage.

[Razo-E]

Definitely go for it if you're in it for the long-run..

if you're looking for quick cheap fun, move elsewhere, as there are many other cars that can be upgraded much easier for cheaper, and will be faster...

[duke87144]

I found a website which you have probably heard of.
suprastore

[bgrieger]

You couldn't get me to give suprastore a dime if you paid me 50 cents to do it. Their reputation was mud up till a couple of years back, though I haven't been as involved with the shop scene in the last year or 2, so perhaps they worked out their issues with not delivering, broken promises and other allegations.

A little off topic, but when looking for a vendor IMHO, its better to stick to the major players or those recommended to you by others with plenty of experience ordering from them where you can, and of course there's always our sponsors here too as you can see others experiences easily on our site. I personally use a great supplier locally that delivers parts to my door and our monthly owners club meets...with a coffee usually!

[unkillablepaseo]

Really, Ive been looking into them... Something seemed shady about them. Some of their stuff was a bit pricy too.