Buying a mk3 n/a supra

[jaime]

Hello guys,

I am kinda new to the mk3 supra world so i am not informed about it until a couple days ago that i was offered one and started researching it a little bit. i am going to need advice from you guys on this buy.
A friend of mine offered me his 1987 supra n/a for $1000. He said he's had the car since 1991 and has been garage kept most of the time, that is very well taken care of. It has 140,000 miles and he said the engine has just been rebuilt and that it's still under warranty for a couple more months. I don't recall exactly but i thought i heard him say it was a 89 engine or something like that. it has a 5 speed transmission. Thats all i know, i am supposed to meet with the guy this Friday to check it out. I've been a supra fan ever since i first saw it, and i always wanted one, well a mk4 anyways but i guess i can settle for a mk3 for right now since money is kinda tight. i would definitey want a fast supra but i am kinda lost right now, reading about engines swaps and all that good stuff. First of all is it a good buy? Would it get expensive doing an engine swap? Anything i should check for?
Please guys, talk me in to it or out of it if i should. I need your help!!!

thanks in advance.

[gorillaguy8]

Well I definitely love mine, I bought it in crappy condition and then gave it a lot of elbow grease. It still has an issue once and a while but its fun to drive and a fun little project to work on here and there. I would recommend that you get it, for only $1k thats a steal.

[brad88supra]

Sounds pretty cheap for a freshly rebuilt engine, does it need cosmetic work or somethin.

[mirage83]

MkIII N/A's aren't all that fast, though insurance is definately cheaper on them and they are still fun to drive in addition to looking sharp.

Engine swaps are generally expensive, as it's never just a case of pulling and swapping... there's always more involved when you get into it. If the N/A is an issue, I'd hold out until you find a GTE in your price range.

It could be a good deal, depends on the exact condition of the engine as well as the body, interior, tranny, differential, etc. Hard to say.

[Green7mgte]

I would start by doing a compression test.

[jaime]

I really doubt there is any body damage, but again I haven't seen the car but i asked the guy if there was anything wrong with it, he said "all it needs is a new battery and an inspection". I will be seeing and checking it out on Friday and I definitely plan on taking it on to a mechanic to get it inspected. He said its been sitting on his garage for a while.

[Green7mgte]

the affect of "sitting" itself has negative effects on the brakes and braking system. but man the major thing I would check out is the rebuilt engine and any electronic issues. those are pains. everything else is something to do in your free time.

[mirage83]

Originally Posted by Green7mgte

the affect of "sitting" itself has negative effects on the brakes and braking system. but man the major thing I would check out is the rebuilt engine and any electronic issues. those are pains. everything else is something to do in your free time.

Don't forget the fuel system. Depending on just how long it sat and how much gas was in the tank, the tank and fuel pump could be corroded to junk like it was in mine when I first began working on it. Also, the injectors might need a thorough cleaning.