Buying a Supra with 1JZGTTE...
 

Hi, I live in Canada, Quebec(I am french so please forgive me for my bad english). I have always been intereted in Supras and about a week ago I found one that is for sell... I will try to tell you guys anything I know about it (sorry if I use wrong terms for some parts, I am in a learning process with mecanic) and I would like you to tell me what you think about the whole thing.

So it is a japan imported right-hand drive 1990 Toyota Supra 2.5GT Twin Turbo stock. The people who own it are a small dealer in Montreal and they seem pretty reliable.

The car: http://www.fatihiauto.com/Voiture.php?Voir=208
It has 141,000KM and is bone stock(from what I saw). He is asking 5000$ (CA $...which is 4,716$ US) for it. The deal I got with him is that I exchange my car (mazda626) plus 2500$ for it... and in my opinion that is a good deal.

For the esthetic part of the car it seemed pretty good: I saw, of course, no rust at all on it, almost no scratches, had a blown-up fog light (didn't affect the bumper at all), had air bubbles in the rear tinted window, the things holding the hood weren't working... It also had one tire that needs to be changed badly and the rest seemed ok. The interior is very clean except for the leather around the shiftstick and handbrake that is torned up. All the lights were working, and same for heat, AC, wipers, etc.

For the mechanic part of the car I am not quite sure of it's condition. At first when I started the car it idled at around 2000-2500rpm, then it went down to around 1500rpm. The reason why I think it is because it hadn't been start in a while so that is nothing but normal (other times I started it it was doing ok from what I remember). While parked I reved-it up a cupple of times at around 3000-4000rpm and all I could hear was a loud noise that sounded like an air leak somewhere. After a close look I think it was air coming out of a gasket that is connected to the turbo manifold. Then I did a first testrun and grandma'd the car for about 20 minutes: the direction seemed good (I could let go the stearing and was still going straight), the brakes were doing a good job, the clutch was working fine , didn't hear any noise from anywhere... but the air leak was extremely loud starting from 3000rpm. But still the motor looked like it was running great(let me tell you that at 5000-6000rpm it feels like driving batman's batmobile :bow:). When I came back to the dealer I noticed there was oil dripping from around the oil pan so maybe it is just something like a gasket or seal... maybe the drain plug is leaking? But still I am worried about that part. Also when I opened up the hood after the testrun I noticed smoke coming up from the block/turbo area and I have no idea what it could be (if you have any ideas feel free to say).

Now what I need to do is bring the car to a Toyota dealership to make a full inspection of the car, first to make sure it has everything to pass the safety-test and second to find any problems on the car. I made a deal with the sellman that he'd pay any reperations that are over 100$ :D.

NOW, my questions are the following:
1. Is it a good idea to buy a Supra with a 1JZGTTE since they never made Supras here in North America with that engine? Only thing there is here are the 3Liters turbo (7M-GTE I think?)...
2. What do you think of the car (from what I wrote), is it a good deal or not?
3. What should I ask in particular to the mechanics to take a look on the car?
4. Should I look at anything myself on my next testdrive? (since it's a 1jz...)

I am looking forward to all of your answers!! Sorry again for the bad english hehe....

-Gab

It's a bleeder. That's all I'm say'n.

?
 

My english sucks... A bleeder?

The smoke was oil frying on the engine.

It's a 3000$ car now and it will be still when you put a few grand into parts.
You need a tsrm and some new tools bro because you're going to be dollar billed to death until you can't stand it. Only to get it fixed and go again.

Mine is a 91 7mge. You have the more reliable engine. Your 626 and 2.5, It's a bit steep. But you're going to be upside down in it before you know it so you may as well start at the beginning.

Good Luck

? moi il est beaucoup. la fum?e venant du turbo est normale je pensent parce que le didnt de voiture fonctionnent pour pendant quelque temps. je pense que la fuite d'air que vous entendez est le turbo bobinant vers le haut de l'homme. vous ?tes chanceux pour trouver un 1jzgte

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Supra
 

Anyone else have an opinion about it? Please share :D

-GAB

The price is higher than I would pay without the problems being fixed.

Take the car to a good mechanic and have it thoroughly inspected. An exhaust leak isn't too big of a deal if it's just a gasket, get a mirror and make sure the flange where the leak is isn't cracked. The oil leak could be something as simple as a leaking plug or it could be something much worse.

Parts may not be terribly easy to get, but I think there are enough people running these engines these days that you should be able to find whatever you need.

Thanks
 

^^^^
thanks a lot for your respond, somehow you made me a bit more confident about buying it. The only thing I'm scared is that the Rear Main Seal is the on place that's leaking....


-GAB

I bought a black Supra almost exactly the same as the one you are thinking of buying. The only difference is that mine was in perfect order.

Also, it only cost me ?400 (about US$800)

I've had a few silly little problems with it since but they have been easily fixed. My advice to you is to shop around and perhaps try eBay as I did.

Best car I've ever bought!

That car isn't worth $4700. Maybe $2500 with no trade. Rear main is leaking? Smoke coming from the engine? Bad exhaust leak?

I'd put my money on the aluminum threads for the exhaust manifold studs being stripped. The oil could be coming from the CPS O-ring, it likes to leak on the exhaust manifold causing it to smoke from the "turbo area". Keep looking you'll find a nice one for $5000. Thats about how much mines worth right now.