Cheap 1988 N/A Supra - bad idea?! Advice/wisdom needed
Discussion
I'm after some cheap short-term fun and I've noticed a lot of cheap Mk2 (IIRC) Supras around, new to jap cars but something I'd like to dabble with. So, are these any good? Any experiences good or bad? I'm interested in the manual btw
Reading bits and pieces online to supplement my ignorance it would appear reliability is considered to be fairly good, but anything major to look out for? Or anyone think I should do the sensible thing and avoid the cheap ones altogether?
And will it feel 200bhp quick? I know it's a heavy old beast, but in subjective terms do you think I'd be disappointed by the contrast with a strong Rover 620ti in a straight line?
Lots of questions but if anyone could share some wisdom it would be appreciated
Reading bits and pieces online to supplement my ignorance it would appear reliability is considered to be fairly good, but anything major to look out for? Or anyone think I should do the sensible thing and avoid the cheap ones altogether?
And will it feel 200bhp quick? I know it's a heavy old beast, but in subjective terms do you think I'd be disappointed by the contrast with a strong Rover 620ti in a straight line?
Lots of questions but if anyone could share some wisdom it would be appreciated
'88 will make it a mkiii 
The 3.0 N/A isn't the quickest as they are pretty damn heavy (1600kg ish iirc).
2 things to look out for on the cheaper cars are blown headgaskets (badly replaced ones can go again very quickly) and rust. There are a lot of very rusty cars out there now... Especially the rear arches and around the rear suspension.
There's a buyer's guide here, it was written a few years ago and so rust is a bigger concern now than it was then but nothing much else has changed
The 3.0 N/A isn't the quickest as they are pretty damn heavy (1600kg ish iirc). 2 things to look out for on the cheaper cars are blown headgaskets (badly replaced ones can go again very quickly) and rust. There are a lot of very rusty cars out there now... Especially the rear arches and around the rear suspension.
There's a buyer's guide here, it was written a few years ago and so rust is a bigger concern now than it was then but nothing much else has changed
What you need to look for are the Jap import spec cars choice of two models both with bombproof engines we never got & no rust! Often available for peanuts, sometimes a bit more due to people not knowing what they are & assuming they are as bad as the 3.0L headgasket munchers (yes the 3.0L are that bad) Imports are out there.... I bought a manual one last week & it might be available in a few weeks if your interested.
2.0L 24v Twin Turbo 1G-GTE Engine tweakable to 260bhp with just boost mods & more, the engine in my Soarer is the same one & now makes 340bhp
2.5L 24v Twin Turbo 1JZ_GTE engine beast of a car if you can find one 280bhp standard hugely tuneable same engine as the later Soarer & sister engine to the 3.0L later Supra's. Look for the Type-R model its the one to get.
These two models also came in a narrowbody version, tou'd never know unless you put two together, slightly lighter etc
Look for the square number plates
2.0L 24v Twin Turbo 1G-GTE Engine tweakable to 260bhp with just boost mods & more, the engine in my Soarer is the same one & now makes 340bhp
2.5L 24v Twin Turbo 1JZ_GTE engine beast of a car if you can find one 280bhp standard hugely tuneable same engine as the later Soarer & sister engine to the 3.0L later Supra's. Look for the Type-R model its the one to get.
These two models also came in a narrowbody version, tou'd never know unless you put two together, slightly lighter etc
Look for the square number plates
Edited by cptsideways on Saturday 30th September 10:22
Cheers guys knew I could rely on PH! 2 spot on responses within the hour!
I'm just concerned a 3.0 n/a will feel slow and ponderous, as it's big, heavy and I assume well insulated and refined in terms of NVH for an older car. Does anyone have a view on whether a non-turbo UK model could be considered an exiting drive? I really need to test drive one.
Just love the way they look, too long spent watching Knight Rider as a boy
And good point about the imports but at 25 insuring the car would still be a fairly fraught experience by all accounts.
I'm just concerned a 3.0 n/a will feel slow and ponderous, as it's big, heavy and I assume well insulated and refined in terms of NVH for an older car. Does anyone have a view on whether a non-turbo UK model could be considered an exiting drive? I really need to test drive one.
Just love the way they look, too long spent watching Knight Rider as a boy
And good point about the imports but at 25 insuring the car would still be a fairly fraught experience by all accounts.
cptsideways said:
2.5L 24v Twin Turbo 1JZ_GTE engine beast of a car if you can find one 280bhp standard hugely tuneable same engine as the later Soarer & sister engine to the 3.0L later Supra's. Look for the Type-R model its the one to get.
Oh yes indeedy (see my profile
). I'm pretty sure only the 2.0TT cars came as narrowbodys though, not that it makes a lot of odds. Just sorting mine out to get it MOT'ed and registered, fog light and that sort of bobbins.
Pics to follow - but by way of answers to some of my earlier observations here are my first impressions (1988 3.0 NA mk3).
1. Overwhelming, and surprising sense of integrity - the car seems fantastically built for an 18 year old cheap as chips banger, everything is big, heavy and solid. This is coming from a 205 GTI incidentally, so I am remmebering these things are all relative..!
2. It does feel genuinly quick - not scorching more effortless, and the noise is really nice. It's my first multi-cylinder larger capacity car and I really like the throttle response and linearity of the power delivery as it builds to the redline. Might try and free up the breathing as I'm sure the induction noise is worth hearing some more of - any recommendations? K&N cone? They seem very pricey as standard..
3. It's huge, and the level of visibility probably takes a bit of getting used to. Driving through central London traffic in the rain I feel like I'm constantly yards away from a shunt. I'm sure I'll get used to the dimensions - again, coming from a 205
4. It's very very comfy. I'm 6'3" and it's the first car I've had that feels like it 'fits' me. Makes me want to drive to the alps in a day, if I could afford the fuel (which doesn't seem TOO bad incidentally)
In terms of the car I brought, it's certainly not a looker - think Mad Max meets Starlight Express (it'll make sense when you see the pics).. Needs a bit of paint on the back bumper and one conspicuous but superficial patch of bubbling above the front arch. Oh and it's got two-tone paint (blue and silver)... interested to know if this was standard in 1988 or a rather gay misadventure by a previous owner.
Anyway I didn't buy it for the looks (although I sometimes feel it has a certain rugged charm) more the mechanics, and it's spot on - MOT, on 93k FSH up to 80 something and owned and serviced by a very nice ford mechanic for the last 6 years. The engine had the head gasket sorted with all the updated stuff (you can tell I'm mechanical
), two owners in previous 18 years and everything electrical works bar air-con. The geachange is really tight and the engine pulls very well and idles/starts etc perfectly. I love it 
It has the MK4 Supra (getting the hang of it now see d-man) alloys on it, and seems to tramline slightly disconcertingly at motorway speeds - not sure if this is becasue of the wider wheels or if they just need the alignment doing? It's not too bad but if anyone has any experience of this/observations it would be appreciated.
And the speedo doesn't work - I have no idea whatsoever how to go about remedying/investigating this, is it a common fault?
Overall, massively chuffed with the car. It feels like an absolute event to drive, and has bags of character. I can't think of a way of getting more car for the money, this one is my shed of the week. Glad to be on the jap side of things
and so far I'm impressed
So if the PH Supra collective have any pearls of wisdom they wish to impart or observations on the above I'd be interested
Pics to follow shortly, for those who like a laugh..
1. Overwhelming, and surprising sense of integrity - the car seems fantastically built for an 18 year old cheap as chips banger, everything is big, heavy and solid. This is coming from a 205 GTI incidentally, so I am remmebering these things are all relative..!
2. It does feel genuinly quick - not scorching more effortless, and the noise is really nice. It's my first multi-cylinder larger capacity car and I really like the throttle response and linearity of the power delivery as it builds to the redline. Might try and free up the breathing as I'm sure the induction noise is worth hearing some more of - any recommendations? K&N cone? They seem very pricey as standard..
3. It's huge, and the level of visibility probably takes a bit of getting used to. Driving through central London traffic in the rain I feel like I'm constantly yards away from a shunt. I'm sure I'll get used to the dimensions - again, coming from a 205
4. It's very very comfy. I'm 6'3" and it's the first car I've had that feels like it 'fits' me. Makes me want to drive to the alps in a day, if I could afford the fuel (which doesn't seem TOO bad incidentally)
In terms of the car I brought, it's certainly not a looker - think Mad Max meets Starlight Express (it'll make sense when you see the pics).. Needs a bit of paint on the back bumper and one conspicuous but superficial patch of bubbling above the front arch. Oh and it's got two-tone paint (blue and silver)... interested to know if this was standard in 1988 or a rather gay misadventure by a previous owner.
Anyway I didn't buy it for the looks (although I sometimes feel it has a certain rugged charm) more the mechanics, and it's spot on - MOT, on 93k FSH up to 80 something and owned and serviced by a very nice ford mechanic for the last 6 years. The engine had the head gasket sorted with all the updated stuff (you can tell I'm mechanical
), two owners in previous 18 years and everything electrical works bar air-con. The geachange is really tight and the engine pulls very well and idles/starts etc perfectly. I love it It has the MK4 Supra (getting the hang of it now see d-man) alloys on it, and seems to tramline slightly disconcertingly at motorway speeds - not sure if this is becasue of the wider wheels or if they just need the alignment doing? It's not too bad but if anyone has any experience of this/observations it would be appreciated.
And the speedo doesn't work - I have no idea whatsoever how to go about remedying/investigating this, is it a common fault?
Overall, massively chuffed with the car. It feels like an absolute event to drive, and has bags of character. I can't think of a way of getting more car for the money, this one is my shed of the week. Glad to be on the jap side of things
and so far I'm impressed So if the PH Supra collective have any pearls of wisdom they wish to impart or observations on the above I'd be interested
Pics to follow shortly, for those who like a laugh..
oh and Captain Sideways - looking at your profile, it seems I was the same young whippersnapper emailing you about the ZX 16v. I'd been out of the office for a couple of days and just as I set about sending a mail arranging to come down to you someone brought it on 'buy it now'! Nice car, good to see you sold it & hope it went to a good home
So I scored the Supra on the rebound
small world!
So I scored the Supra on the rebound
small world!
Glad it's not just me then - I thought my driving skills and spatial awareness had deserted me overnight
Can I ask Gaz - I like the idea of getting a nice double din headunit to replace the single din factory tape that's in there at the mo. See lots with Toyota connections on eBay (mainly from late 90's Celicas) - any idea whether these would just plug in or is the wiring a different generation? Love the look of the double din being used to European cars in the past
Can I ask Gaz - I like the idea of getting a nice double din headunit to replace the single din factory tape that's in there at the mo. See lots with Toyota connections on eBay (mainly from late 90's Celicas) - any idea whether these would just plug in or is the wiring a different generation? Love the look of the double din being used to European cars in the past
mat1227 said:
Glad it's not just me then - I thought my driving skills and spatial awareness had deserted me overnight
Can I ask Gaz - I like the idea of getting a nice double din headunit to replace the single din factory tape that's in there at the mo. See lots with Toyota connections on eBay (mainly from late 90's Celicas) - any idea whether these would just plug in or is the wiring a different generation? Love the look of the double din being used to European cars in the past
Can I ask Gaz - I like the idea of getting a nice double din headunit to replace the single din factory tape that's in there at the mo. See lots with Toyota connections on eBay (mainly from late 90's Celicas) - any idea whether these would just plug in or is the wiring a different generation? Love the look of the double din being used to European cars in the past
I think you can plug in with an adaptor set of leads from Halfords. I have the Double DIN set in mine.
The Radio CD and Tape are all bu993red though
Other things to look out for are big ends, they can go. I've also had problems with the oil pump pulley coming loose and bashing the timing cover. Makes a nice clanking noise from the front of the engine. Oil leaks are a pain. I bought 3 pipes from the block to the oil cooler. That cost £100
Then the radiator went, I had a pattern one fitted at £135. A genuine Toyota one was about £240!!
The Oil cooler was knackered aswell so the garage fitted a second hand one to it for £50.
They can be very expensive when they get old. Mine is a little noisy from the engine again, I'm hoping it is not the Oil Pump Pulley on its way out again as the permanent fix is an engine out job, about £2,000!!
Thanks sm - it's good to know about the headunit.
The other stuff sounds pretty scary all round really. I need to have a proper poke around and check fluid levels etc, beyond that and the price I paid for the car I think I'd just get rid if anything bigger were to go wrong!
I do have a fair bit of confidence in it as mechanically it feels by far the best car I've owned - rock solid idle, car comes up to temp and needle doesn't budge from then on, oil pressue seems to be very good, absolutely no funny noises - famous last words no doubt but so far very good
You seem to have the same wheels as I have on mine (I like saying 'my Supra') have you noticed any tramlining/slightly skittish motorway behaviour since they've been fitted? I'm going to get the alignment done but wanted to check it wasn't a trait associated with the different size wheels before I did so. I've heard something mentioned on one of the forums called the '65mph shuffle' or similar, and I wondered if it was a common thing?
The other stuff sounds pretty scary all round really. I need to have a proper poke around and check fluid levels etc, beyond that and the price I paid for the car I think I'd just get rid if anything bigger were to go wrong!
I do have a fair bit of confidence in it as mechanically it feels by far the best car I've owned - rock solid idle, car comes up to temp and needle doesn't budge from then on, oil pressue seems to be very good, absolutely no funny noises - famous last words no doubt but so far very good
You seem to have the same wheels as I have on mine (I like saying 'my Supra'
) have you noticed any tramlining/slightly skittish motorway behaviour since they've been fitted? I'm going to get the alignment done but wanted to check it wasn't a trait associated with the different size wheels before I did so. I've heard something mentioned on one of the forums called the '65mph shuffle' or similar, and I wondered if it was a common thing?I can't say I've had any problems.
Mine are the standard 5 spoke fit, which they fitted on the 91/92 cars from the factory, so they are slightly different to the MKIV wheels.
I'm running Goodyear Eagle F1s 225/50/16s and don't have any tramlining problems.
The only time I have is on a poor road surface, when the tires were worn on the edges and due for replacement.
Mine are the standard 5 spoke fit, which they fitted on the 91/92 cars from the factory, so they are slightly different to the MKIV wheels.
I'm running Goodyear Eagle F1s 225/50/16s and don't have any tramlining problems.
The only time I have is on a poor road surface, when the tires were worn on the edges and due for replacement.
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