new purchase?

Scottw · 07-16-2010, 03:07 PM

I am interested in purchasing a 1986.5 model year automatic Supra for my 16 year old son. Non turbo, but I do not believe Toyota offered a turbo for that year anyways.

Is there anything that I should be aware of when looking at used Toyota Supra's? Are they fairly reliable? Expensive to maintain? Decent fuel mileage?

A friend of mine knows a guy at his work who has a 1986.5 non turbo with 68000 miles and has had the timing belt replaced. It appears to be in really good shape.

My son will be putting probably 5K miles on it a year over the next couple years.

I am new to Supra's, so any information will be welcomed!

btwilson86 · 07-16-2010, 05:52 PM

They are fairly reliable as long as they aren't driven hard consistently. As with any 20-something-year-old car, check for evidence of accidents, leaks, make sure all the fluids are there, etc. These Supras have a reputation for easily blowing the head gasket (although this is more common on a turbo model), so I would suggest you take it to a mechanic you trust, or at least one that is familiar with this engine; you'd be surprised how many aren't. Have them go over the vehicle with a microscope, and be sure they check for a bhg.

If the car is in good shape to start with and your son stays on top of the routine maintenance, there shouldn't be any real problem using it as a daily driver.

Scottw · 07-16-2010, 06:18 PM

From my reading, the normally aspirated 86.5 and up Supra's do not have a head gasket concern as long as they have not been abused?

Is KBB accurate for market value on these cars? KBB states a 1990 excellent worth about $4600.00.

If the head gasket is fine, is it better to leave it alone or replace the head gasket and use proper torque?

The car I am looking at is from the original owner who is turning 60 yrs. old. The car is like new, never smoked in, no interior rips/tears, automatic, hardtop, non turbo, garaged, not driven during winter months, original paint excellent...he wants $5800 for it. It does have a puff of smoke from the exhaust on start up if it has been sitting for several days, clears quickly. Once re started, no smoke upon start up.

I can turn a wrench, am willing to repair some items, but not wanting to purchase a time bomb for my son.

bhg= blown head gasket

Am guessing the tubo with t tops are the popular models bringing more money? Are the normally aspirated models over looked?

907mge · 07-16-2010, 10:32 PM

Not to rain on your parade but it is an old car that will not hold up to abuse although they are a reliable car they are old. Not knowing your son it is hard for me to say this but you might what to start with something more particle first. What I mean is that I’m sure he will take it out and see how fast it can go. I don’t think there are many people on this forum who have not taken there supra to double the speed limit or more. It is not that the car is not built well but with no airbags by today’s standards its not as safe as a modern car
As far repairs go it will be the little things that will drive you crazy like all the little hoses that will leak eventually and leaks from old seals if you keep it out side. So if it was driven 68,000 miles in 23 years it was driven less than 3000 miles per year so you will be doing almost double that mileage per year. I’m not trying to turn you away but trying to state my opinion. I would hate to see another supra in the junk yard because it got to expensive to fix or worse got wrecked.

07-16-2010, 03:07 PM	#1
Scottw Stock Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: U.S. Posts: 2	new purchase? I am interested in purchasing a 1986.5 model year automatic Supra for my 16 year old son. Non turbo, but I do not believe Toyota offered a turbo for that year anyways. Is there anything that I should be aware of when looking at used Toyota Supra's? Are they fairly reliable? Expensive to maintain? Decent fuel mileage? A friend of mine knows a guy at his work who has a 1986.5 non turbo with 68000 miles and has had the timing belt replaced. It appears to be in really good shape. My son will be putting probably 5K miles on it a year over the next couple years. I am new to Supra's, so any information will be welcomed! Last edited by Scottw; 07-16-2010 at 09:33 PM.

07-16-2010, 05:52 PM	#2
btwilson86 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Billings, Montana Posts: 1,034	They are fairly reliable as long as they aren't driven hard consistently. As with any 20-something-year-old car, check for evidence of accidents, leaks, make sure all the fluids are there, etc. These Supras have a reputation for easily blowing the head gasket (although this is more common on a turbo model), so I would suggest you take it to a mechanic you trust, or at least one that is familiar with this engine; you'd be surprised how many aren't. Have them go over the vehicle with a microscope, and be sure they check for a bhg. If the car is in good shape to start with and your son stays on top of the routine maintenance, there shouldn't be any real problem using it as a daily driver. __________________ 1989 7MGTE R154 Targa Top White Package w/Blue Interior Driftmotion 57trim CT26, Upgraded Intercooler, 2.25" Hard Pipes, 3" Turbo Back Exhaust with Test Pipe, HKS VPC w/GM 3 bar MAP sensor, APEXi S-AFC, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, ProSport EVO Series Boost / Fuel Pressure / AFR gauges, Lotek a Pillar Gauge Pod, HKS Type 0 Turbo Timer, Eibach Lowering Springs, Tokico Illumina II TEMS struts, custom powder coated Motegi Racing TrakLite wheels

07-16-2010, 06:18 PM	#3
Scottw Stock Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: U.S. Posts: 2	what is bhg? From my reading, the normally aspirated 86.5 and up Supra's do not have a head gasket concern as long as they have not been abused? Is KBB accurate for market value on these cars? KBB states a 1990 excellent worth about $4600.00. If the head gasket is fine, is it better to leave it alone or replace the head gasket and use proper torque? The car I am looking at is from the original owner who is turning 60 yrs. old. The car is like new, never smoked in, no interior rips/tears, automatic, hardtop, non turbo, garaged, not driven during winter months, original paint excellent...he wants $5800 for it. It does have a puff of smoke from the exhaust on start up if it has been sitting for several days, clears quickly. Once re started, no smoke upon start up. I can turn a wrench, am willing to repair some items, but not wanting to purchase a time bomb for my son. bhg= blown head gasket Am guessing the tubo with t tops are the popular models bringing more money? Are the normally aspirated models over looked? Last edited by Scottw; 07-16-2010 at 09:33 PM. Reason: correction

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07-16-2010, 10:32 PM	#4
907mge 20psi boost Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 759	Not to rain on your parade but it is an old car that will not hold up to abuse although they are a reliable car they are old. Not knowing your son it is hard for me to say this but you might what to start with something more particle first. What I mean is that I’m sure he will take it out and see how fast it can go. I don’t think there are many people on this forum who have not taken there supra to double the speed limit or more. It is not that the car is not built well but with no airbags by today’s standards its not as safe as a modern car As far repairs go it will be the little things that will drive you crazy like all the little hoses that will leak eventually and leaks from old seals if you keep it out side. So if it was driven 68,000 miles in 23 years it was driven less than 3000 miles per year so you will be doing almost double that mileage per year. I’m not trying to turn you away but trying to state my opinion. I would hate to see another supra in the junk yard because it got to expensive to fix or worse got wrecked.