Should I jump on this? 91 targa turbo, about 80k original miles

[Doat]

Hello, sorry if this is in the wrong section but I couldn't think of anywhere else to put it. I plan on buying this 91 mk3 targa turbo with 80k original miles only real issue is the bumper could be replaced because it has a little damage from a bumper bump/scrape from another car that ran a stop sign or something. He is asking for $3,500 but I plan on trying to talk him down to $3k because I want to change the head gasket and put in ARP studs ASAP. He also said there is some very light smoke coming from the motor after long drives, probably the head gasket right? Anyway I could use some advice before buying this car, I had an 88 mk3 N/A but the head cracked from overheating, again probably the head gasket since it was original. Anyway the car is in excellent shape except for the small bumper damage and a small ding on the rear quarter panel that can probably be pulled. Thanks in advance.

 

[sylquebec]

I would say jump on it. Look great.

 

[OneJArpus]

Do more tests to it before jumping on it. It does look good but if the engines bad in any way get it cheaper

 

[ForcedTorque]

looks great in those pics. A quick check for BHG is to take the oil cap off and check for chocolate milk on the underside. Definitley not a fail safe check, but if you see it, offer wayyyyy less. A 91 is very rare, and thus worth a little more than most. They only made like 3600 of them.

 

[Doat]

Yea I want to try and haggle him down to 2500 since I have to replace the head gasket because it seems to be starting to fail right?

 

[tyang82]

looks great in those pics. A quick check for BHG is to take the oil cap off and check for chocolate milk on the underside. Definitley not a fail safe check, but if you see it, offer wayyyyy less. A 91 is very rare, and thus worth a little more than most. They only made like 3600 of them.

Really, there was only 3600 made? I wonder how many 92's were made now.

 

[Doat]

I should have mentioned that my friend helped the owner completely drain the fluids and refilled it fairly recently and they drove it around and said it ran great.

 

[505turboman]

Could also be a bad turbo. I had light smoke recently and pulled my turbo and sure nuff my seals are bad leaking oil into my turbine housing and my engine checked out fine. But yeah I agree do more test go to autozone or any parts store buy a carbon tester, for the blown head gasket. Looks kinda like a turkey baster you put like a green fluid in it and take the radiator cap off, after you've driven it for awhile, put the turkey baster in the radiator as far as you can and suck some coolant into the tube and if I changes color there is carbon in your coolant and you have a blown head gasket. If that passes and doesn't change do your simple compression tests dry and wet. Then talk him down cause that car has a lot of potential good find!

 

[Doat]

My dad was saying there are some places that will completely check out the car and see what is wrong with it for $40. My friend assured me that the engine itself is fine and has been taken care of just replace the head gasket and put in ARP studs and it will be solid. I will ask more questions once I get an estimate from a shop I know to replace the head gasket and install the studs.

I appreciate the help everyone keep them coming I am liking the tips on how to find stuff out like the BHG tip with the oil cap and radiator tester.

 

[Nick M]

Yea I want to try and haggle him down to 2500 since I have to replace the head gasket because it seems to be starting to fail right?

You deduce that from a little smoke? If coolant is in the combustion chamber, you will smell it in the smoke that is white.

 

[Doat]

You deduce that from a little smoke? If coolant is in the combustion chamber, you will smell it in the smoke that is white.

So that small amount of light smoke is most likely from the turbo seal?

 

[Dani87x]

 

[ForcedTorque]

People are just throwing out suggestions of what it might be. Generally you'll get the worst ansers first. With a 7M, the first guess is always head gasket, even if your problem is low tire pressure.

Don't think just slapping a head gasket on is the best repair for a BHG. Once the coolant gets to your oil pan, it is already eating away at your bearings. There have benn many new threads of Rod Knock within a month or two of BHG repair. There have been many others that are just fine though. Just throwing that out there.

There were 1193 92's. It is the rarest of all Supras

 

[Nick M]

So that small amount of light smoke is most likely from the turbo seal?

Most likely? That is a full fledged opinion. No comment.

 

[Doat]

I am just trying to get an idea of what I am getting into and trying to get some good guesses as to what that little bit of smoke could be.

 

[PROTOTYPE]

I am just trying to get an idea of what I am getting into and trying to get some good guesses as to what that little bit of smoke could be.

Stop guessing and find out before making assumptions. Bad car buying behavior bud. Run the tests and report back. If he isn't willing to let you run test, walk away.

 

[505turboman]

Stop guessing and find out before making assumptions. Bad car buying behavior bud. Run the tests and report back. If he isn't willing to let you run test, walk away.

Could not have said it better!!

 

[Doat]

Stop guessing and find out before making assumptions. Bad car buying behavior bud. Run the tests and report back. If he isn't willing to let you run test, walk away.

I am not trying to just guess what is wrong then buy the car and change those parts hoping it would fix the issue. I just like to have an idea on the type of issues the car might have before running tests. I do plan on taking it somewhere near the area to get it checked out and such.

 

[Doat]

I am looking into those mobile pre-purchase inspection companies or finding a place or dealership I can take the car nearby.

 

[Suprizim TT]

I don't know man the stereo on the car looks crook it, the car might be to haha JK

The car look great man all in one piece, I think a good mechanic that knows about cars and engines will tell you if its a good idea to get the car or not... I personally would say go for it.