Possible Newbie Here (Buying a Supra)

[theWeezL]

Well model specific, yes the Supra Targa does tend to leak. However the leak is fixable and usually doesnt require any new parts, just some silicone caulking. Supra's are also prone to leaks at the bottom of the rear hatch glass. The seal gets worn out, and water starts to leak in to the rear hatch where it collects. From there it usually rusts out the clips holding the the rear hatch panel on, and then ends up down in the spare tire well rusting that out as well. Pull out the spare tire and look for serious rust on the floor there.

Aside from the already mentioned head gasket, the motors are pretty strong, but also already mentioned the power steering leak issues. Also the valve cover gaskets tend to leak and leave oil in the spark plug galley. Alot of time you can just tighten the screws down and get rid of the leaks.

The suspensions are pretty solid in the Supra, and I rarely see problems with them beyond needing new shocks. If the car is seriously abused it is possible it could need ball joints or even a steering rack.

Lastly, the 2 piece drive shafts are always abused and forgotten about. The carrier bearing usually needs replacing, and runs about $60 IIRC.

I think that about covers model specific issues, good luck!

[Murd]

front end bushings is also something to look at. You'll see a few posts about people hearing a thunk when turning fully to the left or right. Usually a bushing is shot, or a ball joint.

[Medrivfast]

Well i looked and drove it today. It had 133,000 miles on it. The CEL was on. I smelled something comming from the engine when i was at the stop light right after i got off the freeway. It kinda smelled like the engine was going to start over-heating. But the temp guage never moved. That scared me though. The car hasn't been registered for over a year and it still needed to be smogged.

I know 133k miles isn't much for this year of car. But it is much for a stock turbo. I don't beleive the turbo was working at all. Because this car was really and i mean really slow. I read that this car should do 0-60 in 6.6 seconds. But i figured it was old and that # should be in the mid 7's. Lets just say my Scion XB (auto) seemed faster than this Supra.

I'm not going to judge all supras like this one. If i do find a Supra than you guys will be the second to now. (Wife is first LOL)

I thank you all for your help.

[dcrusupra]

Thread stickied for one hell of a write up about what to look for when buying a Supra.

[Jeff_5_7]

i always check head gasket at 1st on supras i check the oil good color not milky and start it and hold your hand at the end of the exhasut to see ifu can feel steam thats what happen to me when my headgasket went out the water went throught the cylinders and out the exhasut

[Isphius]

I forgot to say one other thing that a lot of people overlook....Use your nose! Most car problems are asssociated with a certain smell, You learn them after a while. Burnt oil, Bearing grease, Burning plastic or wires, Burning paint, That weird smell when electrical stuff shorts out, Learning smell of all the different fluids...etc. It can help a lot.

[mattfurlani]

make sure you don't buy it from a mexican, or if it says "type-r" on the back or something :-p

jk

seriously don't get one with shitty lower control arm bushings or worn out hub bearings... my suspension is toastie and so will my slife savings in a bit. I butn through tires like its going out of style..... its been 4 months and i need brand new ones... granted the old ones were just that.,... old, but they had more than an 1/8th tread left and now they're worn down to the fucking plies...

bad day knopw what i mean? tire blow out on the high way or while your showin off to your girl/boy could cost you more than a bad day...

Make sure the damn STARTER doesn't have that mystery "mid 80's curse"

almost every other day my car doesn't start right... the fucking battery is having problems with getting power to the starter... dirfty plugs are commonly over looked though... along with incorrect power and grounding cables... these things do get replaced with improper methods...

Thus the first sentance... nobody get offended ok? Its just a joke

I'd say above all else be realistic about what you can fix and what your going to have to pay to get done... you can buy the biggest peice in the world like i did but i'm going to school to become a mechanic and i want to restore old imported vehicles so its kinda what I enjoy dooing....

Oh make sure there are real gaskets.... don't take the "RTV" and the "Silicone caulking" route... more cars leak that way....


And listen to these other guys... especially the dude with the white car he really know's what he's talking about

[ARZ]

Only other thing I can add is dont piss off the original owner, if you really want it. $1700 is a pretty decent price if everything else is in good condition. I would say you have the two most valuble options already, Turbo, and 5 Speed, I personally would like a targa but I know a few guys that arent crazy about them only from the structural aspect, those guys are pretty nit picky anyways.

I have found that the front end thunk is most likely a lower ball boint on the lower control arm, something you can replace yourself. Dont let that steer you away from it.

Let us know what you do.

[tsupra89]

ok my first advice is check the body frame and lines check for rust and damage. and then check for any pieces that can be fixed easily that might have some issues and you might be able to get a price decrease. second i hate to say it but pour water on the targa top ive seen alot of targas leak and that can cause the ruining of the interior plus much more. and targas are not that strong when the t is out of the car the car flexes like hell and then when its in there its pretty strong but still alittle flex.

[cme_drft]

I always like the "oh yeah it will go 150mph+", "but i never raced it." haa. My 87 N/A has been sitting for almost 2 years now. Thanks to the army sending me to germany and now iraq. I drove the PISS out of that thing for 3 years, without ANY problems. Just regular maint. I got mine for $2500 with 44k org. miles. It now has around 95k. runs perfect. I hope you decide to buy that supra, or a supra. I love it.