91 MKII Supra Turbo for $3500 at my neighborhood

[xpeed]

Everyday, I pass by this used car dealer and there's always this sexy looking MKIII Supra Turbo sitting in the lot. So, is it worth buying? It has stock rims, but the previous owner sprayed it black, so it's in mint condition. Second, is it cheap or high for that particular year the dealer is selling for?

I'm planning to buy the car once I save up money as my "fun car" That is, if it's still there in the future.

[Wolfie]

I'm buying soon a 89 supra for $10,500 AUD. For a 91 that sounds like a low price to pay if its all in good condition, my suggestion is give it a nice drive and put a little load into how you drive it. If it seems to be heating up quicker then normal walk away or be prepared to do the usual HG replacement and head bolt replacements. Read lots into them too, I've been reading into the 89 Supra with the 7M-GTE in it quite a bit to have FULL knowledge of what can go wrong and what to look for when buying a particular model. Also to know what engine should be in there (so it hasnt had an engine swap like one I looked at recently).

I'm not sure of the price of cars in the US but from my perspective of prices here thats a sweet deal...

[Jeeves]

That's about an average price these days. However, it really depends on the options and whatever else previous owners may or may not have done.

[xpeed]

Cool. Thanks for the heads up guys. I was planning to save up to $5000 for the Supra because I was planning to clean the engine, replace some parts here and there if it needs to be. Turbo perhaps?

[Jeeves]

Nope, if you're going to mod it, expect to spend your first money on the following:

Motor built with METAL HEAD GASKET and Arp Studs/Bolts
Intake
Full 3" Exhaust including Turbo Elbow

These aren't just like Mk4's. Can't just go swappin' on bigger turbos and expect it to work well. The head gasket needs immediate attention if it hasn't been done already or you can expect to blow one quickly with upgrades.

[xpeed]

That's what I meant when I said, "Cleaning engine" Replacing every single engine parts. Might costs more than $5000 but thanks for the heads up. I'll note it and remember it. The turbo will probably be the last thing I'll do.

[americanjebus]

if its clean and pretty low milage then it is a fairly good deal mines a 92 turbo targa and as mint as it could get with 69k miles on it. i forked over $6k for private party. check the color of exhaust and smell it. if it smells like maple syrup then ur lookin at hg, check coolant overflow for any oil, or oil for coolant. when you start it listen inside for a waterfall sound behind the dash. if may just be air or it could be exhaust gases venting into coolant system. other than that check for rust and prepare for a head gasket swap. its a good car to have and the amount of power you can get out of it is incredible.

[Wolfie]

Originally Posted by Jeeves

Motor built with METAL HEAD GASKET and Arp Studs/Bolts
Intake
Full 3" Exhaust including Turbo Elbow

I'm familiar already with the HG problems...but whats the deal with the intake?

as for exhaust with the one I plan on buying thats one of the first things I want to do, how does the turbo elbow assist the engine or becomes a problem? (remember I'm new to turbo cars, only tech stuff i've done has been with classics).

cheers,
Wolfie

[Jeeves]

I was just saying that's the basic beginnings, taht will net you the most performance gain for cheap.


Also on that list:
Shimming the wastegate.