Hey, I'm looking to buy a Mk III

Eamon · 12-25-2009, 07:32 PM

Hey everyone. So I just got $2000 in cash for Christmas and I think I can use this to help purchase a Supra Mk III. It'll probably have to be NA and not Turbo as I'm only 17 and need to avoid high insurance costs. Do you think me buying one will be smart? I don't know much about them now but I am willing to learn. Also do these cars perform well in the winter? I live in PA and we get quite a bit of snow and the car will be a DD. Sorry if these are all noob questions.

mirage83 · 12-25-2009, 10:00 PM

One thing you'll need to keep in mind while looking is that these cars are all about 20 years old, and not all have been taken good care of. $2000 will get you a Supra, but you're going to have to be careful when buying one, as it's very easy to get one and then shell out nearly as much or more than you paid for it just fixing the problems it's already got. It all depends on how diligent the previous owner was about doing required maintenance, and whether or not you have a regular amount of disposable income coming in to do the inevitable repairs and maintenance that goes along with buying an older vehicle.

MkIII's can be great cars, but they do tend to be something of money pits if you're not careful. Be prepared, do your homework on any car before you hand the money over.

GL to you in your hunt.

Eamon · 12-26-2009, 12:38 AM

Thanks alot.

BlueTuner · 12-26-2009, 02:24 AM

Hey, im 16 and have a 89 turbo. my suggestion is to hold on and buy a supra later on. Just because these mk3 are soo old, most of them will have small little problems, so unless you know alot about cars, you might be ending up spending alot of money for little fixes. Also these cars are not really good in winter. I fishtail crazy when i drive, even at really slow speeds, good thing if you like fishtailing. If i were you go buy a good daily driver, like a civic and buy a supra for side project.

cre · 12-26-2009, 02:41 AM

The only time I have any trouble with mine in the snow is when I wait too long to swap on my winter tires. My car handles great in the snow.

I agree with the others though; These cars may be cheap to buy, but they're not cheap to own. If you can't do your own work and can't afford to be without the car from time to time (like while you're replacing the head gasket) then forget it. I love these cars but I really don't think they're a good first car, they're not a low maintenance vehicle if for no other reason than age and they're not a cheap car.

Now, if you still decide to get one, we'll be ready to help however we can.

Eamon · 12-26-2009, 05:19 PM

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

Eamon · 01-02-2010, 07:51 PM

Looks like I won't be getting a MkIII for awhile after talking it over with my parents. They don't think it is a very practical car for me (especially in the winter) and they think maintenance will be a problem as it is difficult to find parts. D:

mirage83 · 01-02-2010, 09:27 PM

Well, your parents are probably right in this case. They aren't really a practical car for someone just starting out, especially if you don't have the means (read: disposable income) to spend on the car to fix whatever problems it's got once you've bought it. And those problems will be there, without a doubt.

Put a MkIII down on your to-do list, right alongside that cute red-head in your lit class.

Once you're in a better position to burn money regularly, then go for the Supra. Trust us, they're more jealous of your time and money than the most high-maintenance girlfriend you can possibly imagine.

brad88supra · 01-07-2010, 02:30 AM

im 16 and my 1988 N/A is my first car, the previous owners brother in law who is said to be a good mechanic rebuilt the motor. It had 6,000 on the rebuild when i aquired it, the only problems i have had are bullshit electrical problems. i can barely gat into the damn thing without setting of the alarm. With that said its a very reliable car. i paid 1400 for it because the paint and seats are for shit. the only regret i have in buying it is that i didnt get a turbo. but that will come this summer, the na is still fast enough to beat v6 camaros and firebirds and mustangs that are way newer than my car. If you can find one in good shape for the right price i would suggest gettin it.

Eamon · 01-30-2010, 01:34 AM

Ok so I still don't have a car but a dealership in my area is selling an 87 Turbo for $2700. My neighbor knows the owner so that's a plus.

Here's the Craigslist ad:
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ctd/1574582350.html

What does everyone think?

12-25-2009, 07:32 PM	#1
Eamon Stock Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 10	Hey, I'm looking to buy a Mk III Hey everyone. So I just got $2000 in cash for Christmas and I think I can use this to help purchase a Supra Mk III. It'll probably have to be NA and not Turbo as I'm only 17 and need to avoid high insurance costs. Do you think me buying one will be smart? I don't know much about them now but I am willing to learn. Also do these cars perform well in the winter? I live in PA and we get quite a bit of snow and the car will be a DD. Sorry if these are all noob questions. Last edited by Eamon; 12-25-2009 at 07:41 PM. Reason: Misspelled "buy" in title.

12-26-2009, 12:38 AM	#3
Eamon Stock Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 10	Thanks alot. __________________ My ride - 1987 Toyota Supra Turbo. Auto.

12-26-2009, 02:41 AM	#5
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	The only time I have any trouble with mine in the snow is when I wait too long to swap on my winter tires. My car handles great in the snow. I agree with the others though; These cars may be cheap to buy, but they're not cheap to own. If you can't do your own work and can't afford to be without the car from time to time (like while you're replacing the head gasket) then forget it. I love these cars but I really don't think they're a good first car, they're not a low maintenance vehicle if for no other reason than age and they're not a cheap car. Now, if you still decide to get one, we'll be ready to help however we can. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

12-26-2009, 05:19 PM	#6
Eamon Stock Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 10	Thanks for the suggestions everyone! __________________ My ride - 1987 Toyota Supra Turbo. Auto.

01-02-2010, 07:51 PM	#7
Eamon Stock Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 10	Looks like I won't be getting a MkIII for awhile after talking it over with my parents. They don't think it is a very practical car for me (especially in the winter) and they think maintenance will be a problem as it is difficult to find parts. D: __________________ My ride - 1987 Toyota Supra Turbo. Auto.

12-25-2009, 10:00 PM	#2
mirage83 12psi boost Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 359	One thing you'll need to keep in mind while looking is that these cars are all about 20 years old, and not all have been taken good care of. $2000 will get you a Supra, but you're going to have to be careful when buying one, as it's very easy to get one and then shell out nearly as much or more than you paid for it just fixing the problems it's already got. It all depends on how diligent the previous owner was about doing required maintenance, and whether or not you have a regular amount of disposable income coming in to do the inevitable repairs and maintenance that goes along with buying an older vehicle. MkIII's can be great cars, but they do tend to be something of money pits if you're not careful. Be prepared, do your homework on any car before you hand the money over. GL to you in your hunt.

12-26-2009, 02:24 AM	#4
BlueTuner Intake Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Englewood, Ohio Posts: 41	Hey, im 16 and have a 89 turbo. my suggestion is to hold on and buy a supra later on. Just because these mk3 are soo old, most of them will have small little problems, so unless you know alot about cars, you might be ending up spending alot of money for little fixes. Also these cars are not really good in winter. I fishtail crazy when i drive, even at really slow speeds, good thing if you like fishtailing. If i were you go buy a good daily driver, like a civic and buy a supra for side project.

01-02-2010, 09:27 PM	#8
mirage83 12psi boost Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 359	Well, your parents are probably right in this case. They aren't really a practical car for someone just starting out, especially if you don't have the means (read: disposable income) to spend on the car to fix whatever problems it's got once you've bought it. And those problems will be there, without a doubt. Put a MkIII down on your to-do list, right alongside that cute red-head in your lit class. Once you're in a better position to burn money regularly, then go for the Supra. Trust us, they're more jealous of your time and money than the most high-maintenance girlfriend you can possibly imagine.

01-07-2010, 02:30 AM	#9
brad88supra Intake Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 31	im 16 and my 1988 N/A is my first car, the previous owners brother in law who is said to be a good mechanic rebuilt the motor. It had 6,000 on the rebuild when i aquired it, the only problems i have had are bullshit electrical problems. i can barely gat into the damn thing without setting of the alarm. With that said its a very reliable car. i paid 1400 for it because the paint and seats are for shit. the only regret i have in buying it is that i didnt get a turbo. but that will come this summer, the na is still fast enough to beat v6 camaros and firebirds and mustangs that are way newer than my car. If you can find one in good shape for the right price i would suggest gettin it. __________________ 1988 N/A Supra, 5 speed, Targa top, Tems

01-30-2010, 01:34 AM	#10
Eamon Stock Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 10	Ok so I still don't have a car but a dealership in my area is selling an 87 Turbo for $2700. My neighbor knows the owner so that's a plus. Here's the Craigslist ad: http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ctd/1574582350.html What does everyone think? __________________ My ride - 1987 Toyota Supra Turbo. Auto.