Do i really want to buy a Supra?

slothmeister · 10 Jul 2007 at 21:56

Hi guys, i've suddenly fallen in love with the 93 onwards supra, mark iv.

I've always liked them but sort of grew out of it, however after watching a few videos on the net, and going to a few shows at Santa Pod, and stupidly after watching the video of the guy making the HKS supra noise with his noise.

So i've been browsing the pistonheads forum and autotrader i've seen a few that i feel are within budget and have everything i need. It's a bit of a step-up though from my little fiesta si!

I really need to find a garage or somewhere that i can test drive first though so i can cement my decision.

So have any of you guys had any previous experiance of them, be it n/a, single or twin turbo?

Any pics?

Stonedofmoo · 10 Jul 2007 at 21:59

It's a bit of a step-up though from my little fiesta si!

LOL

Listen, just don't. If thats what you're driving now there is almost no real chance you can truely afford the running costs, or the power of the car.

Drive something in between first and build up to it. What you are considering is a massive jump.

NathanE · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:02

Stonedofmoo said:
LOL

Listen, just don't. If thats what you're driving now there is almost no real chance you can truely afford the running costs, or the power of the car.

Drive something in between first and build up to it. What you are considering is a massive jump.

How do you know what he can afford and if he can handle the power?

I think the bigger issue here is that it's a 1993 car when so many better buys are available. Before the usual Motors crew can do their work they will need a budget! What's your budget?

Stonedofmoo · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:04

It's a gut feeling...

There is an age old saying regarding high performance cars and that is only buy one if you can afford it twice. It's so very true in the case of cars like the Toyota Supra too...

NathanE · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:06

That rule tends to apply mostly to Italian classic exotica where the engines tend to give out if not serviced and rebuilt entirely at regular intervals

Not Japanese engines...

slothmeister · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:11

Oi! don't knock the fiesta, it's done me proud!

To be honest i was budgeting around $7000 (my pound sign is not working!)

I'm only still driving the fiesta as i can't actually be bothered to go and look at other cars, i was quite happy pootling along in the little thing, but have this real uncontrollable urge to buy a car.

If im honest with myself i really don't need to go for the turbo versions and would be quite happy with the naturally aspirated version.

[TW]Fox · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:14

NathanE said:
How do you know what he can afford and if he can handle the power?

The fact he drives a Fiesta. He's right.

Even Will Gill sold his Supra becuase it was a bit of a beast that can and will bite you unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing.

JRS · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:15

NathanE said:
That rule tends to apply mostly to Italian classic exotica where the engines tend to give out if not serviced and rebuilt entirely at regular intervals Not Japanese engines...

Did Toyota get that head gasket appetite sorted by the time the MkIV came along then? I know the MKIII had a bit of a bad habit on that score with the 7M-GE/GTE motor after Toyota failed to nail the heads down properly (wrong torque on the head bolts) but I'm not sure about the MkIV.

NathanE · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:23

JRS said:
Did Toyota get that head gasket appetite sorted by the time the MkIV came along then? I know the MKIII had a bit of a bad habit on that score with the 7M-GE/GTE motor after Toyota failed to nail the heads down properly (wrong torque on the head bolts) but I'm not sure about the MkIV.

No idea

But I'm pretty sure whatever can go wrong a '93 Supra engine won't equal the whole cost of the car... not even close!

6thElement · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:28

If worthy (I think) is still about, he used to own a Supra too.

s0ck · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:28

Stonedofmoo said:
It's a gut feeling...

There is an age old saying regarding high performance cars and that is only buy one if you can afford it twice. It's so very true in the case of cars like the Toyota Supra too...

I've heard that one too... only in relation to the pulsar though

Clarkey · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:37

NathanE said:
No idea

But I'm pretty sure whatever can go wrong a '93 Supra engine won't equal the whole cost of the car... not even close!

Wouldn't be so sure. Engine rebuild and turbo's will cost a tidy penny.

And jap engines are hardly as infallible as people think, 2JZ is probably the best of the bunch though, but don't expect one to be reliable just because its japanese.

Lashout_UK · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:41

I'd hear it's only worthwhile if you put fifteen grand or more under the hood. If you have to, overnight parts from Japan.

Sorry.

Vimanis · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:58

OMG get it!!!! It's gotta be one of the sexiest cars of the early 90s after of course the RX7 FD with its timeless design.

I would say the TT just to go all the way over the top, but i think you've gone the sensible way by wanting the NA version, which will definitely save fuel costs at least.

The engine itself is pretty long lasting, it's also the same engine in some of the old lexus' like the aristo, however you don't see many of those these days so i'm not sure if that's a good point or not hmmmmm.

But like someone has said, it's an old car, you will need to invest in repairs at some point a long the line. On the plus side it's a pocket rocket, and you'd be hard pushed to find a modern equivelant in the same price range.

L0rdMike · 10 Jul 2007 at 23:01

From what I have read the single turbo one is the one to get. :confused:

That might be if they are after big bhp though.

[TW]Fox · 10 Jul 2007 at 23:02

L0rdMike said:
From what I have read the single turbo one is the one to get.

They do a single turbo one?

Clarkey · 10 Jul 2007 at 23:09

not from the factory, cheapest way to get big power from them though so its a reasonably common mod. Doesn't to wonders for the drivability though with the resulting turbo lag.

Gaijin · 10 Jul 2007 at 23:16

[TW]Fox said:
The fact he drives a Fiesta. He's right.

Even Will Gill sold his Supra becuase it was a bit of a beast that can and will bite you unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing.

You are absolutely right. He should get something tame like a Vauxhall Astra.

Believe it or not, some people are capable of a jump in power if they give it respect.

I have a friend who drove a fiesta, then bought a 300ZX TT. He's now on an MR2 Turbo with intact no claims.

Another friend of mine passed his bike test and bought an R1 (Even I thought this one was a bit much). Hes had it for the last two years of uni and rode to brighton from hastings every day. Not only is he alive, but he has never come off of it.

He isnt even necessarily talking about the Supra TT. My crappy old Rover gets to 60 quicker than the NA.

But you are right about one thing, some people definately cant handle a bit of power and RWD

[TW]Fox · 10 Jul 2007 at 23:19

Gaijin said:
You are absolutely right. He should get something tame like a Vauxhall Astra.

Believe it or not, some people are capable of a jump in power if they give it respect.

Will Gill was giving his respect when he simply accelerated whilst in a straight line and ended up spinning through 180 degrees

They take more skill to drive properly than most of us here posess. There is a reason many insurers ask for prior experience in performance cars first.

L0rdMike · 10 Jul 2007 at 23:25

I think I could handle a Supra. :cool: