Unless it's in great mechanical condition it is not a good first car. I was in the same place as you a few years back and guess what I bumbed more rides from my friends and parents more than I actualy drove the car. Car was in good condition 93000 miles well maintained but it is old and first thing to go was the timing belt then, the head gasket, then the turbo then rod knock, then the tranny and finaly my second motor. By that time itis a few years later and im finally finishing my build with a few goodies that ill post pics of when im done. One is the hx turbo, which im loving the results. Unless you have money to throw at it, a beater car and time to work on her I would'nt recomend this as your first car. But in the end it's your decision.
mkIII - a good 1st car?
- Thread starter interlude
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i would have to say no. if you want to and are willing, i would just get the supra as a project, no reg no insurance. just something to sit under a cover and work on when you get the time/money. keep the honda, and you will be better off driving that daily.
If you're asking this question, then you obviously have your doubts.
If i were you, i'd get a POS car, and put the money you have saved towards your tuition or something else equally useful and rewarding
If i were you, i'd get a POS car, and put the money you have saved towards your tuition or something else equally useful and rewarding
I would only if you can afford having a DD/Secondary car. As a first year college student I was lucky enough to have my Grandma's Saturn while my Supra is being worked on. If I didn't have the Saturn, I'd be FUCKED.
If you buy a Supra, make sure your public transportation system is up to par.
I keep finding gaps in mine.
I keep finding gaps in mine.
My best saying for getting a MK3 is, "You have to want to buy it, if you have to ask if it is the car for you, then it is not the right car for you" or something along those lines..
1988SupraDreams said:
Not trying to cut you down here dude, but if an A70 Supra is a bad first car, I don't see these being much better. The Datsuns are gonna be old as hell and you could spend eternity finding a clean one worth buying. Same with the hachi. And I wouldn't recommend something swapped, ESPECIALLY a rotary, unless this kid's a rotary pro. Just my opinion. Especially when you ask a guy if he knows what apex seals are and he looks at you like you're retarded.
Just my .02
Justin
p.s....Not to mention, the foxbody Mustang is the ugliest car known to man, lol.
ding ding ding.EdgeSupra said:
just an fyi, mine is my "dd", and i get by. thing is, i have a subaru impreza to back me. just saying...
edit. get a foxbody, they will take ANYTHING you throw at it in a stock - bpu level.
It can be if you can find one that's been properly maintained and not beat on. Unfortunately, there are a lot of Supra's out there that have been through many owners who all had different maintenance/driving patterns and end up with cars in need of a major overhaul.
If you can find one that has been been treated well, proper maintenance done regularly and as soon as needed, then I would take a closer look. It also helps if the car has only been through 1 or 2 owners with a close to or stock Supra. I wouldn't totally give up on the Supra for a first car, but just remember that you get what you pay for. You may have to wait awhile to find one in great condition and expect to put up the $ for it.
My Supra has been very reliable to my family and me. It's my first and only car, and I've driven it since I got my license (I'm 20). It's my DD, and the only time it has been down was when my HG was starting to go bad. But that seems to be an exception, because like you've read, there are many instances where that was not the only case. I'd say five major reasons as to why my Supra has been reliable: 1) My dad is the original owner, so we know everything that has happened to it; 2) Properly maintained, everything repaired when needed; 3) Has been kept stock/close to stock; 4) It's a 92- so it's the youngest- less years on the parts; 5) Hasn't been beat on
Again, if you can find one that has been maintained and repaired correctly, then I would say go for it. If the seller has maintained all service records and all that, then that's excellent. Unfortunately, I've read a lot of cases where sellers have "left out" problems. Do the research on the common flaws and ask the seller questions. If you do get a Supra, try to be as prepared as you can be if something happens to the car because these are 15-20+ years old and no matter how well you try to maintain it, things happen. If you cannot find one that is in great shape, I'd hold off on it until you have another way to get around and have the money to have the car fixed correctly.
If you can find one that has been been treated well, proper maintenance done regularly and as soon as needed, then I would take a closer look. It also helps if the car has only been through 1 or 2 owners with a close to or stock Supra. I wouldn't totally give up on the Supra for a first car, but just remember that you get what you pay for. You may have to wait awhile to find one in great condition and expect to put up the $ for it.
My Supra has been very reliable to my family and me. It's my first and only car, and I've driven it since I got my license (I'm 20). It's my DD, and the only time it has been down was when my HG was starting to go bad. But that seems to be an exception, because like you've read, there are many instances where that was not the only case. I'd say five major reasons as to why my Supra has been reliable: 1) My dad is the original owner, so we know everything that has happened to it; 2) Properly maintained, everything repaired when needed; 3) Has been kept stock/close to stock; 4) It's a 92- so it's the youngest- less years on the parts; 5) Hasn't been beat on
Again, if you can find one that has been maintained and repaired correctly, then I would say go for it. If the seller has maintained all service records and all that, then that's excellent. Unfortunately, I've read a lot of cases where sellers have "left out" problems. Do the research on the common flaws and ask the seller questions. If you do get a Supra, try to be as prepared as you can be if something happens to the car because these are 15-20+ years old and no matter how well you try to maintain it, things happen. If you cannot find one that is in great shape, I'd hold off on it until you have another way to get around and have the money to have the car fixed correctly.
It was my first car. and it cost me more than i could afford to keep it on the road. I kind of wish i never came across the deal i got. Id be a hell of a lot richer.
Bah, it'll be fine, just get the car looked over COMPLETELY when you get it, don't skimp, fix what needs fixing and keep it maintained. Don't bother with modifying it for power, maybe do suspension and brake upgrades, maybe wheels and tires.
Enjoy it for what it is if you want it to be reliable for you. If you want something that will be fast, you're looking to spend money.
Decide what you want right now, if you want something reliable and fun, there are other cars too, if you want a Supra and want it to be reliable and fun, keep it maintained. If it is in good condition and you keep it up, it won't give you problems.
If right now, you are thinking about getting a Supra and that you can get more power out of it, that's all well and good, but if you aren't thinking you're going to need to spend maybe $1500 right out of the box for some maintenance work, you're fooling yourself.
Like I said, plan on spending $1500 the day after you get the car for maintenance, go over the vehicle, change rotors, wheel bearings, or whatever it needs, it may need more than $1500, who knows, but you need to be commited right from the get go to give the car what it needs to be reliable.
If you aren't willing to spend what it needs to get it up to par to be a reliable car, you're asking for trouble. So many MK3 owners spend money on subwoofers, speakers, wheels, boost controllers, turbo timers, when their power steering lines are leaking, they're drive belts are cracked and their driveshaft has a dead center bearing.
Don't skimp on maintenance, and the car will be great to you. I think it could be a great first car, provided you don't treat it like 90% of the other 17 year olds who buy them do.
'nuff said.
(PS: I voted "Yes").
Enjoy it for what it is if you want it to be reliable for you. If you want something that will be fast, you're looking to spend money.
Decide what you want right now, if you want something reliable and fun, there are other cars too, if you want a Supra and want it to be reliable and fun, keep it maintained. If it is in good condition and you keep it up, it won't give you problems.
If right now, you are thinking about getting a Supra and that you can get more power out of it, that's all well and good, but if you aren't thinking you're going to need to spend maybe $1500 right out of the box for some maintenance work, you're fooling yourself.
Like I said, plan on spending $1500 the day after you get the car for maintenance, go over the vehicle, change rotors, wheel bearings, or whatever it needs, it may need more than $1500, who knows, but you need to be commited right from the get go to give the car what it needs to be reliable.
If you aren't willing to spend what it needs to get it up to par to be a reliable car, you're asking for trouble. So many MK3 owners spend money on subwoofers, speakers, wheels, boost controllers, turbo timers, when their power steering lines are leaking, they're drive belts are cracked and their driveshaft has a dead center bearing.
Don't skimp on maintenance, and the car will be great to you. I think it could be a great first car, provided you don't treat it like 90% of the other 17 year olds who buy them do.
'nuff said.
(PS: I voted "Yes").
look here buddy. i drive a 91 turbo and it is my DD. i drive about 100 miles a day, everyday and i must push my motor on the often. i live in san diego where the worst traffic are aside from L.A. i run 91 octane V power from shell that is selling for about $3.63. the cheapest ive seen in a while. i have on the average 150 dollars in my bank and i somewhat get by. my opinion...if you take care of the gasket and oil...the supra will be good to you. GL
if you're going to college, you need something cheap and reliable. forgo the desire to have a "nice" or "fast" or "sporty" car for a few yrs- focus on school, then graduate and get a good job and pick up a sporty "fun" car....
Doc's right.
I rode around in a 5 speed '88 Accord until I could afford my new truck. I tried to do the Supra daily driven, and while I LOVE the car - it WILL take a hell of a lot more $$$$$ to keep her maintained and running good.
Besides, it is *never* smart to have your project car as your daily driver. Always have a backup!
I rode around in a 5 speed '88 Accord until I could afford my new truck. I tried to do the Supra daily driven, and while I LOVE the car - it WILL take a hell of a lot more $$$$$ to keep her maintained and running good.
Besides, it is *never* smart to have your project car as your daily driver. Always have a backup!
Shytheed for President!!! Right on in this thread....lol
Dude you live in MN land of Snow, Ice, road salt and -20 below. I know cause I am your neighbor next door. I store my car 6 months out of the year because of that. Buy an unriced civic if you can find one??? Finish school, get a good job and then spend every last extra penny you own on a supra of your very own........:icon_bigg
Goodluck
Dude you live in MN land of Snow, Ice, road salt and -20 below. I know cause I am your neighbor next door. I store my car 6 months out of the year because of that. Buy an unriced civic if you can find one??? Finish school, get a good job and then spend every last extra penny you own on a supra of your very own........:icon_bigg
Goodluck
I think you got the idea already but, NOOOOOO It's not a good first car. I had my first MKIII turbo when I was going to school. After I replaced a BHG I sold it not long after, as it was appearent it was becoming a money pit. I've run into the guy who bought it from me a couple times, last time I spoke to him he was looking to sell it and buy a civic.The supra was HIS FIRST CAR.
After my Supra I found an 87 corolla gts that I drove for 4yrs. I replaced a few things because they were due, beyond that just regular maintenance. I loved driving that car, it was good to me and got close to what I paid for it 4yrs later.
Good luck
ps I sold the AE86 and found a 90 Turbo Supra and geuss what......BHG:rofl:
After my Supra I found an 87 corolla gts that I drove for 4yrs. I replaced a few things because they were due, beyond that just regular maintenance. I loved driving that car, it was good to me and got close to what I paid for it 4yrs later.
Good luck
ps I sold the AE86 and found a 90 Turbo Supra and geuss what......BHG:rofl:
dude... i just bought a supra as my first car on friday. all i have to say is im lucky i didnt have any weapons on me or i would have killed someone. i put 40 bucks in the tank and it filled only halfway. keep in mind im only 18. plus i just bought like 4 to 500 bucks in parts. luckily i got the car for only 1700. im just gonna have to see how everything gos. im not planning on college. maybe tech school. still costs money though. im gonna go find a nice corner to cry in...:cry:
my first car was my 89 honda crx know some people would say that sounds like great first car but after replacing 3 sets of axles,a clutch,waterpump,exhaust ,brakes,upper and lower balljoints,inner and outer tierods,2 wheel bearings,every belt,every bushing was worn out and all the paint was messed up so i had to repaint it and repair a huge amount of rust and thats just off the top of my head so someone tell me a supra would be a worst first car lol but i'll tell you it was all worth it to gain the expereance and skills i learned along the way.