Thinking about buying a MK3 Supra

CyFi6 · 05-16-2008, 05:24 AM

if youre looking for reliability youre looking at the wrong car in general. Old cars are shitty.Period. Unless you completely redo everything chances are the car is gonna end up being a piece of crap. More than often a bad head gasket lets coolant into the oil, the car is run like this, fix the bhg and bam rod knock. you just cannot expect to be able to half ass a head gasket job and have a pristine car on your hands. Any number of things could already be wrong with it, and you wont even know til after you fix the car, cause in the state its in you cant even test drive it. Basically if you are tight for money in any way this is a bad idea.

supramacist · 05-16-2008, 06:20 AM

It's not that it's a bad idea dude.
It's something you have to decide.
The head being machined is a good start.

As for the hg..., well it really depends on what you want from the car and your personal driving style.

I wouldn't go with any thing less than a beaded HKS/MHG.

If you don't do something to the block..., it doesn't matter if you put a 30$
or a 300$ gasket on it.
A car like this that you don't plan to drop some serious coin on is just going to not even nickel and dime you.

It's going to 20$ bill you. From there it only gets worse before it gets better.

Until the inevitable happens. Which is.

You have 10k in a car that's worth 3k max bet.
You're still monkey'ing with keeping it running. It runs enough to keep you on the stringer then you end up stranded. Cause one of those 15+ year old hose clamps gives and you have smoke and death.

Nike express. Less you have a cell.

Then you get to start planning your build..., that if you don't do yourself it's going to cost you endlessly.

Then when you get it done finally. You have a new view for the car and are seeking an engine to swap into the chassis.

It's a viscious cycle

. I say this jokingly, but that is basically my supra testimony, lol.

MeatRo · 05-16-2008, 06:31 AM

Well it's only temporary. I have $1,000 in my pocket and need a car. This car is for sale for $600 and the guy says he will give it to me Sunday if I want it. I'm in the process of getting a new job and really strapped for cash at the moment, otherwise I have no problem dropping cash into a car to make it better.

I'm not looking to hot rod it, I'm looking to get back and forth to work.. Don't plan to boost the crap out of it or see how fast it will go. It's basically the best car available in the area that's in my price range, but needs a head gasket. Once I start getting paid from this job, in a couple weeks or so, I have no problem dropping the money for machine work and a metal head gasket.

However, I just need to get to work for the next couple weeks, not see if I can push 400HP from the stock setup. So basically my question is, if I get the head machined and put a stock head gasket and bolts in, would it last for let's say a month or two at the very most?

CyFi6 · 05-16-2008, 07:02 AM

in theory it should, presuming all other aspects of the engine work. There is still no garuntee though. The 7m block is cast iron so chances arent too high that the block deck is severely warped. Just make sure you clean the block of all gasket material very well or you could end up with leaks. Just do everything according to the TSRM

MK3 TSRM On-Line

supramacist · 05-16-2008, 04:44 PM

You can't afford this car.

The guy wants 600$ for a car that needs $1,500 to $2,000 worth of work.
That makes the sale price if the car about $2,600.00

You're trying to buy a floater and you'll regret it.

It could take you a month to build.., depending on how fast your machinist is. And you don't have money for parts to make it run a few months without working on it all week to drive to work on the weekends.

Save your money. Keep looking for a car that is in a better position to begin with.

This car is nowhere near your price range.

TurboSupera · 05-16-2008, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supramacist

You can't afford this car.

The guy wants 600$ for a car that needs $1,500 to $2,000 worth of work.
That makes the sale price if the car about $2,600.00

You're trying to buy a floater and you'll regret it.

It could take you a month to build.., depending on how fast your machinist is. And you don't have money for parts to make it run a few months without working on it all week to drive to work on the weekends.

Save your money. Keep looking for a car that is in a better position to begin with.

This car is nowhere near your price range.

I would agree. I actually saw that ad and thought about picking it up just for parts as I already have a MKIII. I'm not rich but I have some cash to throw around. I'm like you OP. I just want it run right at this point, but it has cost me some money, just to get my MKIII to be reliable. Do I feel like it's reliable......not really. The car is running and I love it, but it's going to cost you money left and right. I had to replace the radiator because the fan/alternator belt snapped into shreads when I was on the freeway. Luckily I have another car, so I spent a couple of hours replacing the radiator and belts. Next step is to replace a blown muffler. All I'm saying is don't expect to buy that car and get even 1,000 miles out of before having to spend some money, even after you replace the head gasket. In any event, good luck.

MeatRo · 05-16-2008, 07:38 PM

What is the $1500-2000 worth of work you suppose it needs? I could ask him about it, I don't plan to just say, "Hey, here's the money, thanks." Do I need to shake him down about anything specific, cuz that's not a problem, I have no problem with fully interrogating him about everything you think may be an issue. From what I've heard from him so far, it's a pretty clean car he just has to get rid of it fast.

What would take a month to build? We're pretty mechanically inclined here, got a few 240SX SR20DET builds going on, the Volvo, a 300ZX turbo that we just did an engine swap last weekend on. Not all our projects obviously, but they all come here to get their work done, just a 240SX SR20DET and the Volvo here. So working on the car isn't a problem and our machinist is pretty fast. We have a hookup, so he could have it done in a day or two. Once the head is done, how long could it really take to put a head gasket in? A day, maybe two?

Like I said, not looking to stomp on the car, just looking for something to get from A to B. The reason I'm interested is, well, it's a Supra Turbo for $600. Smogged, registered and apparently the gasket just went about a week or so ago, probably being dumb and put a boost controller on there without thinking about the head gasket. All that, and I don't want to dump my money into a piece of shit like a 1986 Ford Tempo and once I do start getting paychecks (about a week or so) putting work in isn't a problem. Cars are the #1 hobby around here, so I know you get out what you put in... Hell, I have near $10,000 in my Volvo in the engine, suspension, drive train, wheels/tires, brakes, etc. Kinda sucks cuz I was about a paycheck away from getting it finished when I started getting my checks skimped by the old douchebag boss. So again, what kinda work do you suppose it would take to get it going for a week.. Maybe 2, max?

MeatRo · 05-16-2008, 08:26 PM

Thank you all for your honest replies. I've been scouring CL for the past few days looking for a good car for cheap. I got lucky today and found a 1990 Infiniti M30 that 'runs great, daily driver with 128,000 miles' that I think I will be getting. I love M30s almost as much as Supras, and even when I'm done with it as a daily driver a 5 speed and VG30DETT in a M30 would be sick. Might even be tempted to jump on a Supra with a setup like that..

Thanks again, hope to be back in the future with a MK3 Supra Turbo. Especially you, Supramacist. Dig the honesty.

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05-16-2008, 05:24 AM	#1
CyFi6 3" Exhaust Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SLO Posts: 234	if youre looking for reliability youre looking at the wrong car in general. Old cars are shitty.Period. Unless you completely redo everything chances are the car is gonna end up being a piece of crap. More than often a bad head gasket lets coolant into the oil, the car is run like this, fix the bhg and bam rod knock. you just cannot expect to be able to half ass a head gasket job and have a pristine car on your hands. Any number of things could already be wrong with it, and you wont even know til after you fix the car, cause in the state its in you cant even test drive it. Basically if you are tight for money in any way this is a bad idea.

05-16-2008, 06:20 AM	#2
supramacist 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Escape from the Prison Planet Posts: 1,356	It's not that it's a bad idea dude. It's something you have to decide. The head being machined is a good start. As for the hg..., well it really depends on what you want from the car and your personal driving style. I wouldn't go with any thing less than a beaded HKS/MHG. If you don't do something to the block..., it doesn't matter if you put a 30$ or a 300$ gasket on it. A car like this that you don't plan to drop some serious coin on is just going to not even nickel and dime you. It's going to 20$ bill you. From there it only gets worse before it gets better. Until the inevitable happens. Which is. You have 10k in a car that's worth 3k max bet. You're still monkey'ing with keeping it running. It runs enough to keep you on the stringer then you end up stranded. Cause one of those 15+ year old hose clamps gives and you have smoke and death. Nike express. Less you have a cell. Then you get to start planning your build..., that if you don't do yourself it's going to cost you endlessly. Then when you get it done finally. You have a new view for the car and are seeking an engine to swap into the chassis. It's a viscious cycle . I say this jokingly, but that is basically my supra testimony, lol.

05-16-2008, 06:31 AM	#3
MeatRo Stock Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 805, California Posts: 17	Well it's only temporary. I have $1,000 in my pocket and need a car. This car is for sale for $600 and the guy says he will give it to me Sunday if I want it. I'm in the process of getting a new job and really strapped for cash at the moment, otherwise I have no problem dropping cash into a car to make it better. I'm not looking to hot rod it, I'm looking to get back and forth to work.. Don't plan to boost the crap out of it or see how fast it will go. It's basically the best car available in the area that's in my price range, but needs a head gasket. Once I start getting paid from this job, in a couple weeks or so, I have no problem dropping the money for machine work and a metal head gasket. However, I just need to get to work for the next couple weeks, not see if I can push 400HP from the stock setup. So basically my question is, if I get the head machined and put a stock head gasket and bolts in, would it last for let's say a month or two at the very most?

05-16-2008, 07:02 AM	#4
CyFi6 3" Exhaust Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SLO Posts: 234	in theory it should, presuming all other aspects of the engine work. There is still no garuntee though. The 7m block is cast iron so chances arent too high that the block deck is severely warped. Just make sure you clean the block of all gasket material very well or you could end up with leaks. Just do everything according to the TSRM MK3 TSRM On-Line

05-16-2008, 04:44 PM	#5
supramacist 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Escape from the Prison Planet Posts: 1,356	You can't afford this car. The guy wants 600$ for a car that needs $1,500 to $2,000 worth of work. That makes the sale price if the car about $2,600.00 You're trying to buy a floater and you'll regret it. It could take you a month to build.., depending on how fast your machinist is. And you don't have money for parts to make it run a few months without working on it all week to drive to work on the weekends. Save your money. Keep looking for a car that is in a better position to begin with. This car is nowhere near your price range.

05-16-2008, 07:38 PM	#7
MeatRo Stock Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 805, California Posts: 17	What is the $1500-2000 worth of work you suppose it needs? I could ask him about it, I don't plan to just say, "Hey, here's the money, thanks." Do I need to shake him down about anything specific, cuz that's not a problem, I have no problem with fully interrogating him about everything you think may be an issue. From what I've heard from him so far, it's a pretty clean car he just has to get rid of it fast. What would take a month to build? We're pretty mechanically inclined here, got a few 240SX SR20DET builds going on, the Volvo, a 300ZX turbo that we just did an engine swap last weekend on. Not all our projects obviously, but they all come here to get their work done, just a 240SX SR20DET and the Volvo here. So working on the car isn't a problem and our machinist is pretty fast. We have a hookup, so he could have it done in a day or two. Once the head is done, how long could it really take to put a head gasket in? A day, maybe two? Like I said, not looking to stomp on the car, just looking for something to get from A to B. The reason I'm interested is, well, it's a Supra Turbo for $600. Smogged, registered and apparently the gasket just went about a week or so ago, probably being dumb and put a boost controller on there without thinking about the head gasket. All that, and I don't want to dump my money into a piece of shit like a 1986 Ford Tempo and once I do start getting paychecks (about a week or so) putting work in isn't a problem. Cars are the #1 hobby around here, so I know you get out what you put in... Hell, I have near $10,000 in my Volvo in the engine, suspension, drive train, wheels/tires, brakes, etc. Kinda sucks cuz I was about a paycheck away from getting it finished when I started getting my checks skimped by the old douchebag boss. So again, what kinda work do you suppose it would take to get it going for a week.. Maybe 2, max?

05-16-2008, 08:26 PM	#8
MeatRo Stock Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 805, California Posts: 17	Thank you all for your honest replies. I've been scouring CL for the past few days looking for a good car for cheap. I got lucky today and found a 1990 Infiniti M30 that 'runs great, daily driver with 128,000 miles' that I think I will be getting. I love M30s almost as much as Supras, and even when I'm done with it as a daily driver a 5 speed and VG30DETT in a M30 would be sick. Might even be tempted to jump on a Supra with a setup like that.. Thanks again, hope to be back in the future with a MK3 Supra Turbo. Especially you, Supramacist. Dig the honesty.