targa top on turbo models

[Bill UK]

Originally Posted by ccorbin81

Hello, I tried a search on the forum and couldn't really find the answer. Been googling for a while and asking local Supra owners and have come to no conclusion.

Do they make an MKIII Supra Turbo without a targa top, just a straight hard top model?

The only MKIII Supra`s available from new in the UK where fixed hard tops 7M-GE & 7M-GTE, the only targa tops are 2,0 2.5 & 3.0 JDM imports which probably total less than a couple of dozen. Are you saying the USDM are mostly targa tops?

[gloreboy89]

I have to agree wit Ranma on this, i love the option of seeing the roof or taking it off whenever i feel like. and if the place you live has like dark smog clouds year round then it would be different but really its an option.

[btwilson86]

Originally Posted by Bill UK

Are you saying the USDM are mostly targa tops?

In my experience, it depends on your location. Here in California, most MKIII's I see are Targa (N/A's and Turbo's). Back when I was living in Montana, I only saw a couple Targa's (granted, there were less Supra's up there to begin with)

[ccorbin81]

Originally Posted by Bill UK

The only MKIII Supra`s available from new in the UK where fixed hard tops 7M-GE & 7M-GTE, the only targa tops are 2,0 2.5 & 3.0 JDM imports which probably total less than a couple of dozen. Are you saying the USDM are mostly targa tops?

Craigslist, Carfinder, Autofinder, ect.. have nothing but Targa Tops. After searching for several weeks now I have successfully found 2 Toyota Supra Turbo's with hard tops, probably 1,000 different supras with targa's. I search every state including Guam. And I am pretty sure one of the hard tops I found is just a N/A turbo clone.

[Ranma]

Originally Posted by ccorbin81

Craigslist, Carfinder, Autofinder, ect.. have nothing but Targa Tops. After searching for several weeks now I have successfully found 2 Toyota Supra Turbo's with hard tops, probably 1,000 different supras with targa's. I search every state including Guam. And I am pretty sure one of the hard tops I found is just a N/A turbo clone.

Well the Targa is a hard top, it would be up to you to take it off or not. If you still want a "hardtop", I suggest something from government motors. From the heartbreak of America a Camero, Corvette or perhaps a Fire Chicken. Then there are the cars from the beer drinking/pot smoking Chrysler. Their Charger is suppose to look nice, horrible reliability for some reason. Oh how about a Ford Mustang?
Why do you want a Supra in the first place?

[ccorbin81]

The Targa top has significantly less of a rigidity value than a flat to

I want a supra because its contribution to racing. I saw Catanho race the HKS drag supra in '97. Notable driving experiences: I drove a Toyota Supra MKIII turbo from Adana to Antalya Turkey in 2006. And I drove an LE 1997 Supra Twin Turbo two weeks ago through the Rocky Mountain State park (All of these vehicles were hard tops).

Last week I drove a targa supra turbo, Dyno sheet had it sitting around 250whp, relatively close to stock, and it has typical flexing issues that all T-Tops, Moon/Sun roof, and convertible vehicles I have ever driven. Only Porsche really ever got away with adding additional frame/chassis support to it's 944 without creating to much additional weight.

I have driven a couple of Targa's since and they feel sloppy. I drove a non turbo hard top and its noticeably more rigid, but feels like it has about 50 less hp.

By the way, American Muscle cars had T tops long before the Japanese and determined that it lessened the rigidity value of their vehicles enough that additional support to the frame/chassis would increase weight by an unrecoverable amount.

[Ranma]

Originally Posted by ccorbin81

The Targa top has significantly less of a rigidity value than a flat to

I have driven a couple of Targa's since and they feel sloppy. I drove a non turbo hard top and its noticeably more rigid, but feels like it has about 50 less hp.

Putting the top on should solve most of the problem.
Most people who buy cars do it to drive around and have some fun. Taking the top off on a nice spring day is cool.

Originally Posted by ccorbin81

By the way, American Muscle cars had T tops long before the Japanese and determined that it lessened the rigidity value of their vehicles enough that additional support to the frame/chassis would increase weight by an unrecoverable amount.

If you like the American car, buy it!

Oh I quick search of ebay found two, stop crying.

Here is a mkIII Supra on Ebay Item #270732172115
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUPRA...08e51b53#v4-38

Here is another item #120707200078
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-...1ab5b44e#v4-39

[Green7mgte]

Originally Posted by Ranma

If you like the American car, buy it!

Oh I quick search of ebay found two, stop crying.

Here is a mkIII Supra on Ebay Item #270732172115
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUPRA...08e51b53#v4-38

Here is another item #120707200078
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-...1ab5b44e#v4-39

lawl, I think your catching on Ran.

I always thought targas were more "rare" then hardtops. No proof to back this up, I could probably look and see which models were imported or USDM with the targa option as apposed from the hardtop but I've misplaced the link atm.

[ccorbin81]

Originally Posted by Ranma

Putting the top on should solve most of the problem.
Most people who buy cars do it to drive around and have some fun. Taking the top off on a nice spring day is cool.




If you like the American car, buy it!

Oh I quick search of ebay found two, stop crying.

Here is a mkIII Supra on Ebay Item #270732172115
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUPRA...08e51b53#v4-38

Here is another item #120707200078
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-...1ab5b44e#v4-39

Since you clearly do not understand the concept of automobile rigidity, and the fact that this is merely personal preference, I will bury that argument.

The first one is a Targa. Nice find on the second one though.

[Ranma]

Originally Posted by ccorbin81

Since you clearly do not understand the concept of automobile rigidity, and the fact that this is merely personal preference, I will bury that argument.

The first one is a Targa. Nice find on the second one though.

I found a difference when the top was not on my guy. I do not think that Toyota made these cars with serious racing in mind. Most people like me drive for grins, giggles, laughs and excitement.
I see your point, always thought the targa tops were fewer and could of been when new. Perhaps there are just more of them surviving the years, the cheaper models being junked. I do not think there are a lot of Mk III Supra now and will be fewer in time.
Oh I understand the concept of automobile rigidity and yes removing a big section of roof panel is going to have an effect. It is just not a big deal to me. Though last time I went through the cloverleaf at 50 plus, I could sure feel the twisting and it spoiled my tight turn While putting the top on will help it is no subsitute to a full metal roof.
Good luck with your search!

Oh a SUV of some sort was tailgating me with the top off, it was able to keep up with me due to twisting, so I guess you have a valid point did walk away from him on the straight