I'm new, buying a 1986 supra, please help!

Hey guys,

I'm new to this forum, I am purchasing a 1986 Supra non-turbo for $2k off a friend... it needs minor care... paint job, interior, the rubber lining on the trunk and other parts of the car and stuff...

I am fine with that because its my first car, I really like this supra, it looks crazy mean and i've read good reviews.. except for the blowing up of the head gasket.. lol that freaks me out...hehe

Theres a problem... I can't drive stick! this is a stick... its a 1986 and I was wondering if you guys could give me your insight on what to expect, what to look for before buying, and what to emediately have checked/fixed if i decide to buy it.. I am car stupid, but I really need the car at the moment... I'm starting college.. which you might not be able to tell by the way this is written, but its 2 30 am so I'm not trying to impress hehe...

I would really appreciate help on this because I am not quite sure about being able to care for the car 'cause of the fact that I know little about them and specially this model... all i know is i read a post where it was called a "rocket pocket" have seen them being driven and they just look amazing... and at $2k it is very very cheap, atleast I think so... but like i said i am ignorant when it comes to cars.

If someone has the time, please reply and answer/comment on the questions I've made so that I may be wiser when making the deal, or not make it at all and save myself from a huge head ache.

Thanks

I recently bought a 91 turbo from a guy for 2 grand. He'd only had the car for a week and the head gasket failed. After I got the head off I saw how exstensive the damage was. The engine needs to be replaced. I got a good deal though because there are many new parts on the car, and i've got another daily driver. But I wouldn't recommend a 17 year old supra as a first and only car. Maybe you should check out an old celica or nissan nx2000 or something. Those cars aren't as ferocious, but they're more reliable. I don't really understand why anyone would buy a non turbo MK3 supra anyways; It's just a big, heavy, complicated car with average power.

Thanks for replying,

You really think its a bad purchase? the car has no new parts, its still got its original paint and everything, except for the starter, thats the only thing that was changed, and it was changed recently also. When I went to see it, I only got a quick look at it, didn't even drive it or anything- when we started it, it kicked nasty as soon as the engine turned on, that freaked me out.

The price is $2k, its a non-turbo 86, so that does discourage me, what I was orinally told is that it was an 89.... The house power on it is 200hp 3.0 litle 24 valve...

Do you think that I could find that same model in a better condition or better year for the price i'm buying this one?

The reason I'm typing so much is because I feel you are right about what you're saying- but I also feel that with minor upgrades like, the air intake and and cooling system... stuff like that should give it significant performance upgrade don't you think? I don't mean it to be a racing car or anything of the sort- not yet... i'm on a low budget as it is, i basically want a good car for transportation but that I can upgrade as i go and make it into a "oooh nice" car thats fast and not a fast piece of poop...

Please reply Kevin,

Thanks

Just take into account the cost of repairs in the first year. If the engine sounds bad, it WILL need work soon. If there are no new parts besides the starter, something WILL fail soon. Expect to spend maybe another 2 grand on the car to make it completly sound and fix what breaks in the first 6 months or year. Look for other cars, find a newer Supra; the NA supras are a lot harder to sell so the sellers will bring the price down more. Find one that's got lots of newer parts and has had the head gasket replaced. Buying a $3000 car thats in good shape is better than buying one for 2 grand that's dying. Check cars.com for used calassified adds, that's where I found mine.