Supra or keep the Celica?

[gentlejax]

I have owned about a dozen cars ranging from really fast to just fast...my favorites so far were my 90 & 91 300zx..

I liked the solid build of them cruising down the road with tops off...

But I have always wanted a Supra...cant afford a 93+ so I am thinking of trying a 89-92..

My dilema is the wife wants a new car so she is going to get it and hand me down the Celica I bought her last year.

Its a 92 GT w/80K miles and runs fine and everything works and car is solid 9 out of 10.

Only problems are its auto and its a girl car...

Was wondering if its a bad move to go from Celica that great to a Supra that may not be...

I know I am going to have to expect 100K on it but I guess I need to find out if its slower than the Celica or not...and more of a money pit...

anyone have any advice?

 

[AF1JZ]

Are you trying to make it a reliable DD? Because we all know how the stock 7M can treat an individual.

 

[Sawbladz]

Are you trying to make it a reliable DD? Because we all know how the stock 7M can treat an individual.

He might not, it's his first post.

If you need this car to get you to work and back every day, keep the Celica. The Supra will cost you many times more than the Celica and will probably never be as reliable. It is definitely possible to have a reliable Supra, but there is a steep price to get you to that point.

That said, the Supra would be more fun.

 

[gentlejax]

well....I guess that answers the most important question. But I may still be able to keep the Celica and find me a Supra to play with...

I do need a reliable daily driver...guess i need to find some parts to perk up the Celica


What about a Lexus with the 3.0? Are they any more reliable? I see them go for reasonable prices sometimes...

 

[foreverpsycotic]

ide say, dd the celica and play in the supra.

 

[Freshmaker]

well....I guess that answers the most important question. But I may still be able to keep the Celica and find me a Supra to play with...

I do need a reliable daily driver...guess i need to find some parts to perk up the Celica


What about a Lexus with the 3.0? Are they any more reliable? I see them go for reasonable prices sometimes...

The SC300 or the ES300? Both VERY reliable cars, but different 3 liters. The ES is the basic Toyota 3 liter, the SC300 is the famed 2jz though :evil2:

 

[Dirgle]

The SC300 Lexus are very reliable as they sport the 2JZGE, and are ripe for turbocharging.

In all honesty, the Celica will probably be the more conservative car. They are good cars and provide a reliable and efficient platform. They are usually less prone to failure, and by association, have a cheaper annual operating cost. This probably steams from the fact that people that buy them accept what they are and usually don't try to stretch its limits by pulling every ounce of potential out of them. And you get better gas mileage to boot.

That said, I think you would have a lot more fun with the Supra (Hey, what do you want, it's a supra forum ). The MKIII (86.5-92 Supra) is a great car, but carries a stigma that even some of the owners like to propagate. It has its issues like every car, the primary being that it was plagued early on in its life cycle by blown head gaskets (BHG). There are various solutions to this that make it a non issue. Then some will tell you the motor has issues with rod knock, but more often than not this stems from neglect or abuse or both. Knowledge is power when it comes to dealing with these things, and this forum is a fine resource for that. The truth is, the MKIII is an old car, and comes with issues any old car has. Some of these issues show up sooner than later because people drive these cars hard. They modify the car to produce many time the stock power figures, for which the car is very good at, but then neglect the basic maintenance needs of any automotive. Then they scratch their heads and wonder why the car breaks so much, and why it seems such a money pit.

The fact is if you bide your time and pick up a MKIII that is in good condition and has been taken care of, it will prove to be an excellent, as well as fun car. If you decide to keep the modifications to a minimum the chassis and power train will last a really long time. However like most of us you’ll find the Supra to be a great platform to pull power from, it practically begs to be pushed. But like all things the more power you push, the more things you inevitably break. Especially operating at several times the factory limits, a place that, as I have said before, the Supra is very happy at. But at these levels the cars age becomes more and more a factor. Some of these cars are two decades old, the design older still. Some people overcome a few of the issues by dropping in other engines, mainly the 1JZGTE, or the 2JZGTE, shared by its younger brother the 93-02 Supra. There are endless possibilities for the MKIII platform, as well as a solid community to help you in whatever you want do. And the car is an absolute blast to drive; it's unique and keeps you coming back for more. All in all, it's a great car, with a rich heritage, good community, and a solid aftermarket. But that's just one Supra owners opinion, hope it helps.

 

[MRSUPRA]

Keep the Celica and buy a supra. Don't bother modifiing the Celica. The supra is much faster stock and can be VERY fast with just a few simple upgrades.

My 7M powered supra has been extremly reliable over the past 5 years. But I was able to find a meticulous owner who actually kept up with all maintanance- which is pretty rare with MK3 owners.

 

[AF1JZ]

What about a Lexus with the 3.0? Are they any more reliable? I see them go for reasonable prices sometimes...

I have an 01' Lexus IS300 with the 2jzge. It'll get up and go and is very reliable. But, you can also go the SC300 route. Bare in mind that both cars aren't that cheap and you're probably better off keeping the celica and getting a supra than going with a Lexus.

 

[TurboWarrior]

7m is old which is why it can get unreliable. I drove my previous close to stock supra every day to and from work for 2 winters and had nothing wrong except a power steering leak.

 

[ArthurRitus]

I had a 93 celica, that car was sweet, GREAT for a DD, i say keep it and get a supra for fun. ( is ur celica the fastback or coupe? i had a fastback and i thought it looked pretty cool =) especially compared to the coupe )

i so wish i didnt crash it....

but definitly dont use the supra as a DD ive been using mine as a DD and that crap can be a headache unless its in good condition (which it might not be)

BHG ftl

 

[johnathan1]

If you really want a MKIV Supra...GET IT. Don't even bother with the MK3, you will be disappointed when it doesn't make 400rwhp with BPU's. Seems like a lot of people tend to default to the older MK3 Supra when they find out they can't afford the newer MKIV Supra...and the truth is, they are completely different cars.

 

[DonS1mpson]

If you really want a MKIV Supra...GET IT. Don't even bother with the MK3, you will be disappointed when it doesn't make 400rwhp with BPU's. Seems like a lot of people tend to default to the older MK3 Supra when they find out they can't afford the newer MKIV Supra...and the truth is, they are completely different cars.

x2.

Exactly what i was going to say.

Get a MKIII because it's a MKIII, not because it's a "Supra".

 

[Entropy]

^ I agree, but the Mk3 does tend to grow on you after awhile.... At least it did for me, lol. Mine is pretty much stock right now, but when I really think about it, its been a very reliable car, even thought the previous owner didn't take very good care of it. The Celica would still be better in that area, I think, plus you would have Celica gas mileage, which is nice. I dunno, get a Supra anyway, Mk3 or Mk4, doesn't matter. Just get the one you like better!

 

[2543arvin]

I would get the supra anyday over keeping the celica, hell even keep the celica and buy a supra w/ some problems and slowly rebuild it back to original and then start bolting on some mods....

 

[TurboStreetCar]

I love how the 7m gets a bad rap because of there owners.

 

[Poodles]

I love how the 7m gets a bad rap because of there owners.

+876487942343249857348

seriously...

I wanted a MKIV really bad, because a newer car has less issues and less miles, ect...

I like all supras, and if I could have found a clean MKII I would have bought it.

But I got a MKIII in the options I wanted (well, I was looking for clean leather, which is damn near impossible in texas, and TEMS, but I'll do without), but I kinda wish I waited for a better condition one (those who know my car understand)

A Celica DD is great, as it gets good gas milage (which is possible with a supra, but you have to keep out of boost and tune it well), dirt reliable, and is decently sporty.

Getting a supra is going to be a money pit, pure and simple. You have to get it back up to par (unless you're lucky and find one in great condition and well looked after), and you'll want more performance, so mods get factored into your monthly budget before long...

 

[zurud]

I say get a supra if you want to cruise with top off. Decent power up to 300whp is pretty reliable and doesn't cost that much. Cruising with top off is one of the main reason I am getting the supra.

 

[kornkid]

Just got my mkiii and its a blast to drive, definitely not a DD tho. Keeping the celica would be a wise choice.

 

[Poodles]

when mine isn't down (damnit) it's my DD...

it's extremely comfortable and it's a blast to drive, even in traffic (though if you're stick, your left leg gets tired)