I really dont know what year my car is....?

[Carfreak70852]

Okay so I bought a car about 4 months ago...and now I really dont know what year it is :/ I think its an 89 but it could VERY well be an 88. Its got the older front but from what I was told it was swapped bc they liked it better (this was all the previous owner) and it had been involved in a slight accident in the front. The car has updated coin holders and such, but the cluster looks like an older model. On the door it says it was manufactured in Aug. 88, however on my moms 350z was manufactured in OCT of 2004 and it was considered a 2005. I really dont know what to belive here. The car has the old cluster, but has the new tail lights, I JUST DONT KNOW....Haha
Here is the car-fax for it...
1989 TOYOTA SUPRA W-SPORT ROOF
JT2MA71J5K0105319
LIFTBACK 3 DR
3.0L L6 FI
REAR WHEEL DRIVE

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:

11/22/1988 NICB Vehicle manufactured
and shipped to original dealer

02/23/1993 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Savannah, TN
Title #45347699 Title or registration issued

03/10/1997 95,000 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Savannah, TN
Title #53595546 Title or registration issued

12/09/1998 141,422 Service Facility Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
01/13/1999 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Savannah, TN

Title #57606237 Title or registration issued
11/21/2005 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Counce, TN

Title #73322323 Title or registration issued
New owner reported

12/20/2006 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Counce, TN

Title #75233297 Title or registration issued
01/13/2007 Tennessee
Police Report Accident reported
in Nashville

CARFAX began reporting information from this source on 08/06/2007.
04/15/2008 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Nashville, TN
Title #77455992 Title or registration issued
New owner reported

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I JUST FOUND A MAJOR FLAW!!!! Accoriding to this the car had 141K in 1998 (damn) and it says it has 135K now....THAT DAMN CLUSTER HAS BEEN CHANGED. Still I just dont know what to belive....AH

 

[Carfreak70852]

Oh and im not retarded the car-fax says that its a 89, but I think the VIN could have been changed as well......UGH

 

[Clueless]

pictures would help

 

[BorHor]

Quite possible you have an early 89 where it was basically a 89 and 88 mix.

 

[Carfreak70852]

Quite possible you have an early 89 where it was basically a 89 and 88 mix.

Thats what I think.

Pics as requested:

 

[Clueless]

yea, you have a cross breed

 

[GrimJack]

That's an 89 with some older parts on it. It has the 89 steering wheel, spoiler, rear lights, and had the 89 seat belt guides.

 

[Carfreak70852]

This supra must have suffered from some dumb owners...well im glad its in my care now Im going to replace that cluster...again. It wont work (speedo and tach) as it is now...so that will fix that right up! Thanks guys

 

[suprarx7nut]

The cluster has been changed out, so that rules out that as an indicator and you said the car was in a front accident which explains the bumper.

You have an 89 with some pre89 parts swapped onto it and add to that it is an early 89 = You have a 1989 Toyota Supra, providing the VIN# is correct. Easy to verify if you check all body panels. Each one should have the VIN and they should all match the dash and door jamb.

 

[7mgte1988]

Ive never seen a newer year Yota wit older parts on it.
Great car though:icon_surp

 

[dumbo]

All body panels?!? Didn't think the VIN was on any body panels. Does the number on the firewall match the carfax?

 

[supraman666]

when i worked at a junkyard anything after september was considered the next year i think its the cutoff date for the manufactures

 

[mdr40z]

Ive never seen a newer year Yota wit older parts on it.
Great car though:icon_surp

I've always liked the older nose better

 

[supraman666]

Beginning in 1980, all vehicles sold in the United States have a 17-digit serial number. The eighth digit from the right end identifies the model year of the vehicle.
A – 1980

B – 1981

C – 1982

D – 1983

E – 1984

F – 1985

G – 1986

H – 1987

I – not used

J – 1988

K – 1989

L – 1990

M – 1991

N – 1992

O – not used

P – 1993

Q – not used

R – 1994

S – 1995

T – 1996

U – not used

V – 1997

W – 1998

X – 1999

Y – 2000

Z – not used


maybe this can help

 

[black89t]

just like my car minus the lame pre 89 front. :sarcasm:

 

[foreverpsycotic]

Yeah, early 1989 cars are bastards. The wiring is completely different, and they still use the square mounts. The superwhite is also different in this year than any other year.

 

[mkIIIman089]

08/88 is not considered an 89 no matter how hard you wish it to be.

Edit - My mistake, I thought I had typically seen 09/88 as being the start of the newer generation, looks to be 08/88.

 

[SupaMan]

i think hes mostly confused because of the pre89 parts on his car.

but im gonna go with suprarx7nut hes got it all explained and it makes since.

 

[RazoE]

JT2MA71J5K0105319


K in that spot = 1989

my 86 is JT2MA70J8G
my 89 is JT2MA70J1K
my 92 is JT2MA70M8N

 

[suprarx7nut]

All body panels?!? Didn't think the VIN was on any body panels. Does the number on the firewall match the carfax?

Yup. It should be on every panel if they are factory Toyota panels. Aftermarket or any replacements will obviously not. You should be able to see most the panels' tags without taking anything apart.

Both rear quarters can be seen just inside the hatch sides with the hatch open, the front quarters (I think) are on the similar spot of the front with the hood open. Hood should have it on the underside, I think the doors have it on the inside of the latch side of the door. etc...