Major changes to the '89 model

Cutback · 07-07-2009, 11:25 PM

I am looking closely at an '87 supra and a '89 supra. I found and read the differences between the model changes, but being new to the supra they are just facts to me. So I was wanted to hear from anybody who has experiences with the two model years. Is the '89 significantly better, or should not worry and just chose the best of the two that I can afford. I am just wondering b/c the '89 seems like it was the biggest change in the Mk.III without going up a generation. Want would I be missing if I got the '87 instead of the '89?

Here what I got from the site: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=101639

"
1987:

Stereo changes, has different plugs on the back (All Toyota vehicles got the newer plugs in 87)
First year of the Turbo model
N/A model carries over essentially unchanged
Turbo model gets rear 1-piece spoiler, turbo badging, "Sport Package" is standard, gets 3.91:1 rear end gearing, opposed to the N/A's 4.30:1
Small light added to driver's side power window switch

1988:

Essential carry-over from 1987
Door handles no longer need to be held up to lock door
Redesigned rear 3rd brake light on rear spoiler
Interior cloth material changed
Slight changes made to the climate controller, radio, and left-side buttons (made slightly darker)
Seat belt guides added to front seats
Cloth sunvisors replace vinyl ones on hardtops
Cloth headliner replaces vinyl one on hardtop

1989:

MKIII recieves it's first major update, both on the interior and exterior
Redesigned mouldings (different shape, as well as being entirely plastic)
New rear tail-lights (3-piece, goes all the way across the rear) (non-European Countries Only)
New 3-piece rear spoiler
New mirrors on the doors (reshaped)
New steering wheel (cruise on/off switch moved to the wheel, switch replaced with coin holder)
Door handle shape changed (became slightly more rounded)
New front bumper cover (including new fog lights)
New front turn signals (not as wide)
New front grilles (2 as opposed to a single one)
Cup holders added underneath the center console lid
New climate control
New steering column stalks (turn signals/headlights/wipers)
Switches on left side of steering column changed from silver colour to black
Power window switches updated
Rear seatbelts are changed to shoulder belts
Front seatbelts get updated (the top mount plastic is redesigned)
Rear speakers get updated (2 extra are added in the rear panels beside the seats)
Instrument cluster updated (orange part on needle removed, less lines on gauges, speedo up to 260km/h - from 240km/h, lights are now completely blacked out unless lit up)
Shift boot, shift knob, e-brake handle, steering wheel, and steering column become black
Updated stereo to match other new interior components
Seats get extra power assist (tilt back/forward - changed from the old knob on side)
Turbo rear end gets changed to 3.73:1 gearing, opposed to the old 3.91:1
Headlight washers no longer an option (US Only)
Horsepower up to 232hp (from 230hp), torque up to 254ft-lbs (from 246ft-lbs)
Halfway through 1989, the engine crossmember changes, as does the wiring harness and engine mounts
Progressive speed-based power steering added
Wiring for "Super Monitor" no longer included, and it is no longer an option
"White Package" now available, includes white trim pieces, and white wheels, on a white car
Strut manufacturer changes
Car drops in height by 12mm (about 1/2")
Rear subframe receives 2 extra braces
Late models have completely standardized body harness, with wiring for every option (NA/Turbo/Manual/Auto/TEMS) -- body harness, not engine harness
At some point in the 89 model year the engine crank changed over to fully balanced 7M crank, redline dropped to 6250 from 6500
Aluminum replaces steel on the brake master cylinder
Stretchy mesh pockets on rear of front seats removed
Suit hooks added above front seatbelts
"

07-07-2009, 11:25 PM	#1
Cutback Stock Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Denver Posts: 6	Major changes to the '89 model I am looking closely at an '87 supra and a '89 supra. I found and read the differences between the model changes, but being new to the supra they are just facts to me. So I was wanted to hear from anybody who has experiences with the two model years. Is the '89 significantly better, or should not worry and just chose the best of the two that I can afford. I am just wondering b/c the '89 seems like it was the biggest change in the Mk.III without going up a generation. Want would I be missing if I got the '87 instead of the '89? Here what I got from the site: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=101639 " 1987: Stereo changes, has different plugs on the back (All Toyota vehicles got the newer plugs in 87) First year of the Turbo model N/A model carries over essentially unchanged Turbo model gets rear 1-piece spoiler, turbo badging, "Sport Package" is standard, gets 3.91:1 rear end gearing, opposed to the N/A's 4.30:1 Small light added to driver's side power window switch 1988: Essential carry-over from 1987 Door handles no longer need to be held up to lock door Redesigned rear 3rd brake light on rear spoiler Interior cloth material changed Slight changes made to the climate controller, radio, and left-side buttons (made slightly darker) Seat belt guides added to front seats Cloth sunvisors replace vinyl ones on hardtops Cloth headliner replaces vinyl one on hardtop 1989: MKIII recieves it's first major update, both on the interior and exterior Redesigned mouldings (different shape, as well as being entirely plastic) New rear tail-lights (3-piece, goes all the way across the rear) (non-European Countries Only) New 3-piece rear spoiler New mirrors on the doors (reshaped) New steering wheel (cruise on/off switch moved to the wheel, switch replaced with coin holder) Door handle shape changed (became slightly more rounded) New front bumper cover (including new fog lights) New front turn signals (not as wide) New front grilles (2 as opposed to a single one) Cup holders added underneath the center console lid New climate control New steering column stalks (turn signals/headlights/wipers) Switches on left side of steering column changed from silver colour to black Power window switches updated Rear seatbelts are changed to shoulder belts Front seatbelts get updated (the top mount plastic is redesigned) Rear speakers get updated (2 extra are added in the rear panels beside the seats) Instrument cluster updated (orange part on needle removed, less lines on gauges, speedo up to 260km/h - from 240km/h, lights are now completely blacked out unless lit up) Shift boot, shift knob, e-brake handle, steering wheel, and steering column become black Updated stereo to match other new interior components Seats get extra power assist (tilt back/forward - changed from the old knob on side) Turbo rear end gets changed to 3.73:1 gearing, opposed to the old 3.91:1 Headlight washers no longer an option (US Only) Horsepower up to 232hp (from 230hp), torque up to 254ft-lbs (from 246ft-lbs) Halfway through 1989, the engine crossmember changes, as does the wiring harness and engine mounts Progressive speed-based power steering added Wiring for "Super Monitor" no longer included, and it is no longer an option "White Package" now available, includes white trim pieces, and white wheels, on a white car Strut manufacturer changes Car drops in height by 12mm (about 1/2") Rear subframe receives 2 extra braces Late models have completely standardized body harness, with wiring for every option (NA/Turbo/Manual/Auto/TEMS) -- body harness, not engine harness At some point in the 89 model year the engine crank changed over to fully balanced 7M crank, redline dropped to 6250 from 6500 Aluminum replaces steel on the brake master cylinder Stretchy mesh pockets on rear of front seats removed Suit hooks added above front seatbelts "