my NA or buy a turbo targa????

[bugz66]

ok well im considering on buying a 89 black turbo targa for dirt cheap but i would have to get rid of my 86.5 NA.my problem is that i know how my car runs and the amount of money it took to get it where it is as of today.well i need a little help on deciding and would like some opinions.here is a short list of both cars.
my 86.5 has almost full suspension (which i will switch over )
lot of new parts ($$$$$$)
runs good with 193xxx miles
also im going check for possible BHG just for insurance

the turbo well has not been register in a couple of years
the owner does not know whats wrong with it,it just wont go past 50 mph
or 4000 rpms.possible wrong fire order or ecu .all stock besides the dumb ass put has a aftermarket BOV with the stock one and a fart can. has 139xxx miles.thats all i know for now.could have more.

i can get parts for all most free or cheap.
all work will be done by me

i would like some opinions on what you guys think.
should i fix it up and sell my my NA? or will it be to much to deal with?



thanks

 

[RazoE]

do you want speed or reliability? I've gone turbo on my 89 after being NA and I wish I could go back, honestly...

it all just depends on what YOU want..

 

[Poodles]

Why not get both?

 

[roystunna]

You should know by now how much surprises these mk3 have waiting in the dark. If you spent all ur time getting an NA to where u want it then keep it. On the other hand, a turbo targa is fun to drive with the top off, lots of power, lots of options as far as motor and turbo upgrades go. The down side is where you live, how much times will you actually take that targa top off? there is a chance that the targa seals might leak, turbos go bad, and when they do, you're gonna have to put in another one in order for the car to run ($$$$), turbos drink more gas and needs high octane gas for best performance ( can you afford that?), the 7M will need a MHG before anything else along with upgraded headbolts or studs. I have 3 mk3s, 2 targas and 1 hardtop, ive never taken the targa roof off and driven. With the power my car makes, on hard corners i can hear the targa top squeezing against the rubber seals with the body twisting!. Theres my $0.02, hope it helps.

 

[Levi Mangiaracina]

I say enjoy the car you have. You know what you have in it and it already is a finished driver without any hidden problems. You will be spending more $$$$ if you go with that turbo targa. I say keep a good thing going and stick with your reliable NA for now.

 

[RazoE]

I have 3 mk3s, 2 targas and 1 hardtop, ive never taken the targa roof off and driven. With the power my car makes, on hard corners i can hear the targa top squeezing against the rubber seals with the body twisting!.

I'm in the exact same boat, and my hardtop is my DD for a reason, the two targas, while I do take them off, leak like no other, so after a rain, I have to crack the windows open a bit and let them sit so the seats can dry...

 

[te72]

If you don't have another car to drive as a DD, you're asking for trouble. Can anyone *besides* the rare original owner say that their Supra has never left them in a bind?

 

[mikeoc1]

If you don't have another car to drive as a DD, you're asking for trouble

Agreed, I recently bought a turbo targa to replace my n/a. But neither are my Daily Driver and I wanted a project. If you will have to rely on it think twice.

 

[bugz66]

well i just started the turbo and it started right up.it was sputtering for a little bit and the gas was way below the E mark.
the turbo im worried about cuz i have a rebuilt one next to me.(was going to a NA-t)
im looking to get it so i can do more upgrades to it,not too much.and have more options.
im thinking it needs a major tune up and some other major maintenance work done to start off.was never done when he bought it.i will replace the headgasket just for insurance.
yes it will be my DD car but i want to make sure it will be reliable enough before i get rid of my NA which i know it will take time and some $$$ . my na is some what reliable i just know the problems with it and how to deal with it.

i dont know yet... i might just fix it up and sell the turbo if it doesn't work out.

 

[IBoughtASupra]

Buy the Turbo. Fix it up while maintaning the NA since you said you have kept up with maintainence on it and when the turbo is ready to go, register it, drive it for a while and when you are 100% sure the car is good, then sell your NA.

I would do a full rebuild on the turbo and keep it stock beside the little exhaust, downpipe and intercooler with a blow off valve upgrades. That will be a super reliable 7M if done right.

 

[1jChris]

Buy the Turbo. Fix it up while maintaning the NA since you said you have kept up with maintainence on it and when the turbo is ready to go, register it, drive it for a while and when you are 100% sure the car is good, then sell your NA.

I would do a full rebuild on the turbo and keep it stock beside the little exhaust, downpipe and intercooler with a blow off valve upgrades. That will be a super reliable 7M if done right.

Agreed. If there is any way you can squeeze out this option, then it sounds like a good way to go. Otherwise, for reliability purposes, stick with your NA.

 

[hvyman]

Id buy it. I hate n/a tho. You could sell your n/a after you swap shit and then use that money to fix the problems.

 

[Backlash2032]

Just keep the n/a and save up for a gte swap.. If its a hard top, deff. keep it. I wouldn't be able to stand the chassis flex.. thats why i have a hard top!!

 

[bugz66]

well i just found out it has a major boost leak due to some body ghetto rigging the upper charge pipe(keeps hitting fuel cut and black smoke when its starting boost.owner does not know what wrong with it.so i think will buy it.but i will keep the NA til i have this car in good working order.
as for reliably issues my NA broke down soooooo many times and replace alot of parts ,but got me home every time.
so i will expect the same with the turbo and im more familiar with the mk3's.the targa is that much of a problem in flexing??

 

[hvyman]

Ive never had chassis flex with the top on. Even with it off its very little. If you have a lot of flex you have problems weather its the chassis or your sub-frame bushings/torque. Dont know where people get that from. Both my targa cars never had flex with the top on.

Sub-frame torque is the first thing i do when i get a new car.