Hmmm, go MKIV?

[got_boosted]

MKIII for life.

I know I have a 2JZ under the hood, but it's still a MKIII.

Have you ever driven a MKIV? Each time I've driven a MKIV I've gone back to my MKIII appreciating the very solid sturdy feel of it. The MKIV's have honestly felt too much like a 95 Celica GT I test drove last year.

However, I have considered a MKIV for a few reasons:
-Overall lighter vehicle
-Less unsprung weight due to lighter stock suspension components
-Larger stock brakes
-I LOVE the interior and dash design
-More aero parts readily available

But each time I go back to my MKIII and wonder what I was thinking. lol

Besides Wilwood BBK > stock TT brakes.

 

[IwantMKIII]

MKIII for life.

I know I have a 2JZ under the hood, but it's still a MKIII.

Have you ever driven a MKIV? Each time I've driven a MKIV I've gone back to my MKIII appreciating the very solid sturdy feel of it. The MKIV's have honestly felt too much like a 95 Celica GT I test drove last year.

However, I have considered a MKIV for a few reasons:
-Overall lighter vehicle
-Less unsprung weight due to lighter stock suspension components
-Larger stock brakes
-I LOVE the interior and dash design
-More aero parts readily available

But each time I go back to my MKIII and wonder what I was thinking. lol

Besides Wilwood BBK > stock TT brakes.

overall, good info, never drove one so i don't know how they compare. however, keep in mind, curb weight of both vehicles are very close.

 

[supradjza80]

overall, good info, never drove one so i don't know how they compare. however, keep in mind, curb weight of both vehicles are very close.

a tt 6-spd mk4 (3450) is about 200 lbs lighter than a Turbo 5 speed mk3(3650)

 

[Orion ZyGarian]

a tt 6-spd mk4 (3450) is about 200 lbs lighter than a Turbo 5 speed mk3(3650)

Thats not entirely true. An early turbo MkIII weighs the same or less than a late turbo MkIV. You are often a "remove the full size spare and some other stuff" away from similar weights.

I agree with not going for the MkIV for listed reasons..even if you get a good job, you dont know that it'll last the entire length of the loan--not to mention that hey, MkIVs are old now too, and they can break!

If nothing else, again, now would be an excellent time to buy a daily beater if you dont have one. As reliable as MkIIIs can be, they still will break SOME time.

I have specific standards I look for in cars. For instance, I'm not going to own another automatic for at least 20 years as long as I can help it. I want a non-interference engine and an engine bay that I can actually work with (i.e. no Z32 TT). For a beater, it should be reliable and as light as possible to save gas with. Cheap insurance would be nice, as well as a low rate of theft, etc. etc., but most of all it has to be RWD (no need for AWD in Flawriduh).

I opted for a Miata as a daily. Lightest, smallest, cheapest 5 speed RWD car we got in many years. The fact that people make fun of them all the time means nobody under 40 really wants one (unless they are into Auto-Xing) and as such, I can leave the keys in the ignition and lights on in a huge Orlando parking lot at night for a half hour and come back with my car still there, untouched. Insurance has always been the least expensive on the Supras, but getting over 32 mpg while beating on it makes up for it.

Of course, cars mean much more to me than most people, so a LOT of thought and research went into choosing it.

There are lots of other cars with desirable performance qualities you could check out as well, such as a GS300, SC300, or maybe even an LS400, Q45, J35, 3 series BMW, etc. etc.

For me personally though, nothing will take the place of my Supra.

 

[jugodegolf]

just my 2cents

A. You don't have a job so your free time to work on the car is a plus. Place to work on is the problem though.

B. It is going to be a difficult time finding a good job as stated above. I wouldn't be loaning you money without a method of repayment.

C. You already have most of mk3 parts and a shell shouldn't be hard to come by.

D. There will always be opportunities to get your dream car. Work hard save up for it. If its a mk4, gtr or what ever floats your boat. btw it sucks about the engine fire.

 

[MK3Brent]

Just prepare for the MKIV nut-swingers asking you if it's "twin-turbos?!?!?"

 

[mc_h]

I beg to differ. And no offense(me being an idiot and all), but apparently that mechanical engineering degree did nothing for you when it comes to any understanding of finances and investments. No wonder the world is in such an economic downturn, with wise folk like you making decisions like that. The man in question here is not working with a sound financial situation right now which would without a doubt, make it the worst thing he could do.

And to those that say they wont spend 20k on a 10 year old toyota you are an idoit...so if it says lexus that makes it worth it?? Right...

 

[ZoomZoomZoom]

lol well thanks for the input.

Another big concern of mine is lack of workspace and time to do this swap. I mean i may have to swap wheel, suspension, brake setup, engine, trans, all supporting mods, electronics and interior. that takes A LOT of time. I spent a summer doing it, of course the fire was the issue and cleaning a burned to a crisp engine.

and as far as the 7m vs. JZ thing goes.... 7m can take a lot of abuse, i've never had ANY mechanical issue with this engine or trans, only thing i had go wrong was OBX adjustable cam gears, other than that is was always supporting systems (PS, Intake, etc etc). Proof.
..

Anyway, i don't have the resources here and thats a big issue, no garage, no major tools (ie engine lift or even a torque wrench) i'd need to find a place that has these things and buying a working MKIV may just be easier since i want to do it eventually anyway.


on a side note, i bought a 57trim ct just the other week a few days before this happens....figures right??? I haven't even gotten the thing back in the mail yet. just my luck. Last time i tried to order one my car caught on fire, i swear im just not allowed by the universe to have a really fast car.

You are thinking about dropping big bucks on an MKIV, why not just by an MKIII thats "finished"? easy to find right now for under $10k. Keep your old car for parts. Sure, unless its been rebuilt by someone with a good reputation, you don't know if its been rebuilt right. But, with a little knowledge you can do a good evaluation of the vehicle before you buy. If the details were done right, then its most likely the engine was done right. If you see alot of shortcuts, well, you know what to expect from the engine. This search will require some patience and some travel.

NOTE: The "finished" comment is in quotes because "finished supra" is an oxymoron.

 

[jetjock]

I beg to differ.......

This. X10. But you're wasting time trying to get through to him. Like most here he'll just end up paying for the financial stupidity of youth later in life...

 

[kwnate]

By a beater civic, sell all your supra items, get a real job (hardest part) and buy a house. In five years buy the car you really want.

 

[mdr40z]

I didn't read the whole thread but IMHO MKIVs' are UUUUGGGGGGLLLLLLYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!

 

[got_boosted]

Just prepare for the MKIV nut-swingers asking you if it's "twin-turbos?!?!?"

I get that all the time as soon as somebody mentions that I drive a Supra... Only I get to say, "Why, yes. It is. "

 

[Kangae]

Am I the only one who bought a mkIII because I like it better than the mkIV?

 

[mdr40z]

Am I the only one who bought a mkIII because I like it better than the mkIV?

No......

 

[IwantMKIII]

You are thinking about .....

NOTE: The "finished" comment is in quotes because "finished supra" is an oxymoron.

this is a very good point, and ill def. take it into consideration.

This. X10. But you're wasting time trying to get through to him. Like most here he'll just end up paying for the financial stupidity of youth later in life...

My financial decisions are far more realistic and thought through than 99% of people my age. If its one thing i've learned best out of everything else, it is budgeting. If i didn't KNOW i could do something like this, i wouldn't; it would be stupid and irresponsible of me otherwise. I am very confident in myself with these types of decisions. Yes, digging myself into more debt at my age is a concern but inevitable.

 

[got_boosted]

this is a very good point, and ill def. take it into consideration.





My financial decisions are far more realistic and thought through than 99% of people my age. If its one thing i've learned best out of everything else, it is budgeting. If i didn't KNOW i could do something like this, i wouldn't; it would be stupid and irresponsible of me otherwise. I am very confident in myself with these types of decisions. Yes, digging myself into more debt at my age is a concern but inevitable.

Being in debt may be something that you can't avoid at this point in time, but why you're in debt and how much is something that you definitely can influence.

That is all.

 

[IwantMKIII]

Being in debt may be something that you can't avoid at this point in time, but why you're in debt and how much is something that you definitely can influence.

That is all.

Understood and agreed. My own justification for this was I'd be doing it within the next 10 months or so anyway, at least I was planning on it. Since this oppurtunity has presented itself I thought I could at least debate the idea a bit.

 

[supradjza80]

I beg to differ. And no offense(me being an idiot and all), but apparently that mechanical engineering degree did nothing for you when it comes to any understanding of finances and investments. No wonder the world is in such an economic downturn, with wise folk like you making decisions like that. The man in question here is not working with a sound financial situation right now which would without a doubt, make it the worst thing he could do.

:nono::nono::nono: Please re-read what I wrote. I told the guy earlier in that same statement if he has his finances in order and can pull it off I think he should purchase the mk4 (this means he is capable of purchasing a car while still being able to live in the affluence level he would like). I never said this guy has his finances in order and can actually purchase an mk4.

Later I recommended he does not settle for a POS mk4, just like I didnt want to settle for a POS mk3 and waited to find the right car for over a year and a half.

That said, people who think a Toyota (or any brand for that matter) is not worth a lot of money bc of its brand name are idiots. I don't know if you agree with that statement or not and I don't care. If an Mk3 or mk4 said BMW or Porsche on it, it does not make the car any better or worse then the are. Brand names really mean nothing in terms of how good a certain model is, that is what I am getting at.

And since I am not one of the people who purchased a house with a variable interest rate mortgage that i couldn't afford I am not the cause of this economic downturn, I am a college student who is graduating in may.

Please tell me what decision I made from your quote? I am quite interested.

And truthfully both me and you know very little about this guys financial situation, so trying to tell him the outright correct answer is quite difficult. He has to make the choice using a lot more information than he provided us on this forum...

 

[suprafanatic]

I think its kinda of rediculous that some MK3 owners on here bash there own kind..Just like any car it CAN be reliable or it may NOT be reliable. Completely depends on the owner of the car, How its driven and how well its maintained. Problems cant be fixed half way, do it right or sell the car. I say if you want a MK4 and you can pull it off financialy then go for it. I also plan on buying a MK4 when i get out of college. Then it will be a decision every day, do i drive the MK3 or MK4??? hahaha.

 

[IwantMKIII]

And truthfully both me and you know very little about this guys financial situation, so trying to tell him the outright correct answer is quite difficult. He has to make the choice using a lot more information than he provided us on this forum...

Yes, this choice needs input from many variable. I do take other options into consideration and i was hoping for some input i may not have thought about yet, which I am getting.