Best production year MkIII Supra
- Thread starter Orion ZyGarian
- Start date
We did get the airbag up here... just a year later than in the USA, so they got it in '90, we got it in '91.
Of course, there weren't very many 91-92 cars sold in Canada, so your chances of seeing one are pretty slim.
Of course, there weren't very many 91-92 cars sold in Canada, so your chances of seeing one are pretty slim.
1988 Supra ftw.
Just needs a couple changes:
1) JDM '89+ styled tails (done)
2) 1989 Steering wheel - NOT the +'89, specifically the 1989 wheel (done)
3) 7M crankshaft, lightened (done)
4) +'89 cupholders (done - useless, but nice to quickly hold a can of sode)
The pre'89 has better aerodynamics, and better cooling over the radiator (no center nose cutting off the flow)
I like my '88
Just needs a couple changes:
1) JDM '89+ styled tails (done)
2) 1989 Steering wheel - NOT the +'89, specifically the 1989 wheel (done)
3) 7M crankshaft, lightened (done)
4) +'89 cupholders (done - useless, but nice to quickly hold a can of sode)
The pre'89 has better aerodynamics, and better cooling over the radiator (no center nose cutting off the flow)
I like my '88
Orion ZyGarian;990747 said:
They also thought retarded people, Jews, elderly and some others aren't real people. So I wouldn't put to much weight on German opinion.
I think the 86.5-88 front end also looks better, but the 89+ rear is way better.
The more evenly spaced counter weights on the later crank is a better choice for the crank.
No cupholders is for those that think they are in the gumball rally at every stop light.
86.5 everything after is an imitation
Not a big fan of the Late model Transformer body addons/updates.
Not a big fan of the Late model Transformer body addons/updates.
This is somewhat relevant. The seats in my 88 feel softer/better than they did in my 89. Both cars had around the same mileage so I don't know if that accounts for usage amount...i.e. wear should be the same? Anyone ever notice this?
Best looking?
Easily the pre-89 cars. You can't argue that pre-89's are the original design of the car.
I know some prefer the later bodywork, but it looks add on to me and has kind of a kit-car appearance. Too plastic...y.
I am one of the few (as far as I can tell) who like the pre-89 tail lights better than the 89+ tails. I guess I'm just stupid that way.
The early cars have a more agressive, stout look to them.
Easily the pre-89 cars. You can't argue that pre-89's are the original design of the car.
I know some prefer the later bodywork, but it looks add on to me and has kind of a kit-car appearance. Too plastic...y.
I am one of the few (as far as I can tell) who like the pre-89 tail lights better than the 89+ tails. I guess I'm just stupid that way.
The early cars have a more agressive, stout look to them.
Seriously surprised by the lack of 91-92 swinger's over here, no doubt they will be in soon claiming their lower production numbers, sunroof and airbag make them the ultimate a70 .
I'd love a 86.5 for the "original" feel, but I have to say 1988 is the best year. A lot of improvements on the 86 and 87 while still keeping that oh so sexy pre-face lift look.
I've always been a pre-face lift guy and many of the changes that would attract someone to a post 89 car such as the climate control and 89+ weren't transfered to euro cars, so there isn't much attracting me to the newer models (apart from the turbo option of course)
. I'd love a 86.5 for the "original" feel, but I have to say 1988 is the best year. A lot of improvements on the 86 and 87 while still keeping that oh so sexy pre-face lift look.
I've always been a pre-face lift guy and many of the changes that would attract someone to a post 89 car such as the climate control and 89+ weren't transfered to euro cars, so there isn't much attracting me to the newer models (apart from the turbo option of course)
mkIIIman089;990872 said:
ehh, yes and no. Its more 89+ than it is pre89. It does still have the 6M crank though which you either prefer or decline.
suprahabsfan;990784 said:
Who uses a CT26 anymore anyways? :biglaugh:
JonoTurbo;990810 said:
The 7M is all of the music I need in my car. I dont even have a head unit.
Really? This is not something I've ever heard aboutJonoTurbo;990810 said:
Not something I've noticed either..in fact, my 89 auto vibrated a heck of a lot more than my 88 does.JonoTurbo;990810 said:
I have a power driver seat in my 88..everything (although heavy as fuck) is adjustable.JonoTurbo;990810 said:
Also, there were differences I didnt include, such as seats between the two designs etc. And, as much as I like the Turbo A, I'm a huge fan of cloth seats over leather (which all Turbo As had) and being right handed, I'm not a fan of RHD. Although if I had the money, time, and know-how, I'd make a center hand drive by splicing LHD and RHD dashes together; while I'm at it might as well include a digi dash :biglaugh:
Hahaha! Yeah I prefer cupholders anyways. Its a GT/Cruising car; long distances. Cup holders are a good idea for long distances.Nick M;990946 said:
7MsuprO;990993 said:
I got so annoyed driving long distances in my Miata DD that I took the passenger seat out of the Supra and use it as the drivers seat in the Miata. Most comfortable seat ever. Also, theoretically, the 89+ should get better mileage as it doesnt rev as high at cruising speeds and doesnt accelerate as fast.
I personally much prefer the 89+ tails as they look more "Japanese" than the older ones. I just really dont like the pre89 ones, but I've never had to deal with it.
I Chose my 87 cause i like the rear lights so much better then the 89+ ones, and never ever forget that massive mean front end. And 87 spoiler > 88... that trapezoid thing is fucking ugly.
Things i do hate about the 87. The Climate Control. The God Awful Steering wheel. The fact that we have no front lips in comparison to the 89+'s. But most of all, the stock metal backed trim.
Things i do hate about the 87. The Climate Control. The God Awful Steering wheel. The fact that we have no front lips in comparison to the 89+'s. But most of all, the stock metal backed trim.
It's funny how everyone keeps trying to say that one year of the MK3 is the "best" there is no "best", just what you like the most. It's all about personal opinion and preference. You can't say there is a best year.
With that said, I do prefer the pre-89 variety, as it was the original, pure design of the A70, all the little bits that were added on through the years were just afterthoughts... IMO OF COURSE. You may also wonder why I have 89+ JDM tails, well, I don't have anything against the pre-89 tails, but mine were melted in a fire, and I got a good deal on these, so I did it. I think they look a lot more interesting/distinctive than the pre-89s. But I wouldn't go out of my way to do the switch...especially when SO many pre-89s have the half-assed conversion done with different colored trim pieces, etc...just looks sloppy.
With that said, I do prefer the pre-89 variety, as it was the original, pure design of the A70, all the little bits that were added on through the years were just afterthoughts... IMO OF COURSE. You may also wonder why I have 89+ JDM tails, well, I don't have anything against the pre-89 tails, but mine were melted in a fire, and I got a good deal on these, so I did it. I think they look a lot more interesting/distinctive than the pre-89s. But I wouldn't go out of my way to do the switch...especially when SO many pre-89s have the half-assed conversion done with different colored trim pieces, etc...just looks sloppy.
The 89+ rear subframe has two additional cross pieces for reinforcement. I'm sure there's a picture of the difference around somewhere...Orion ZyGarian;991054 said:
I suppose you could argue the engine mount thing either way, but in theory it should transfer less vibration, and that has been my experience.Orion ZyGarian;991054 said:
Most of the seats are somewhat power adjustable, but only 89+ have power recline, pre 89 have a knob you have to crank around.Orion ZyGarian;991054 said:
I've owned an 87, 88, 89, 90, and 91. I like the look of all of them and I do think pre 89 front ends are more aggressive, but I prefer the 89+ for all the small things they fixed or updated. The overall styling updates make it look like somewhat less of an '80s' car, both interior and exterior. No matter what year though, when you compare a supra against the rest of the cars in the 80's it really kicks ass. Style and function.