buying my first mkIII

88supraz

New Member
Apr 23, 2009
9
0
0
anaheim, CA
hey everyone, i love toyotas and have a grand to spend on my first one when i came across this '88 supra for $850, needs smog work, i call the place (im in orange county, CA btw) and the guy will give it to me for $600 but says the tranny (auto) is slipping...his exact words

smog work isnt a problem, smog tech in the family.

im an auto student with full access to a well equipped auto shop

what do you guys think?

im more worried about the transmission
 

NewWestSupras

SoupLvr
Mar 1, 2006
611
0
0
White Rock
I don't know about the tranny repair, but if you are going to buy a Supra, be prepared to open your wallet wide. As everyone who owns one knows, these things are endless money pits. Excellent cars, but damm, do they ever suck the cash. gl.
 

88supraz

New Member
Apr 23, 2009
9
0
0
anaheim, CA
are they reliable though? i mean i know about the head gasket thing and getting a metal gasket and head studs. and the 72 - 75 ftlbs of torque. but will i have to worry about it starting to go to school and work?
 

SupraCorwin

Shadow
Oct 14, 2008
166
0
16
41
Washington
Exactly ^^^

What i was meaning to say is, if you can pull the tranny out and rebuild it yourself at the cost of parts and your time then it will be "cheap". Otherwise your best bet is to find a good used tranny and swap it in. Iv'e never heard of "clutch slipping" being an out of adjustment issue.
 

88supraz

New Member
Apr 23, 2009
9
0
0
anaheim, CA
i go to look at it on the 29th (first free day) and then ill come back with more of what the problem is. i guess i better find all the junkyard supras around my house for parts lol.

but in reality it will be my second car that ive ever owned the first was a 78 mustang that i ended up junking because parts where so hard to find. i dont mind dropping 300$ at a time on a supra but i also want to be able to count on it. if i cant do the work one of the instructors will be showing me how to do it.
 

SupraCorwin

Shadow
Oct 14, 2008
166
0
16
41
Washington
Iv'e only owned one supra and not for a very long time, but i know the guy who owned it before me drifted it hard. 80,000 miles later and 10,000 more miles from me, it has not once failed to start for me.

Other then general matinance on a 20 year old car and fixing the immenent BHG you should be fine, and she shouldn't have any serious problems.
 

88supraz

New Member
Apr 23, 2009
9
0
0
anaheim, CA
supras seem to be popping up every day on craigslist in orange county

anyone know anyone local to me selling a supra for a grand, lol