I am helping my 16-year old look for a car. We won't get one until he turns 17 in 10 or so months, but we want an idea of what we're getting. We want a 2-door car that is sporty and considerably under $10,000, like in the $4000-$7000 range. My brother and I both like the gen 3 Supra, and we want one between a 90 and a 92 year model. He isn't going to race it or drive like a maniac, he just needs a way to get around. We have looked on the internet at sites like autotrader,cars, etc. I have several questions, like: How many miles are too many?, How dependable are gen 3 Supras?, should we get the turbo or not?, what questions should we ask someone selling one?, what would you look for to tell whether or not it's been raced? I am also having trouble finding one near west Texas. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

From what I've been told, the average person drives about 10,000 miles a year. So you could go by that. So if someone drove it every year up until now you'd be looking at around 150,000-170,000 miles. I'd consider low mileage to me anything under 100k, but that's my own opinion.

Personally, I've never owned a supra, but have been looking for one for awhile now (my budget and the prices disagree). When I looked at an '87 supra a few days ago, the first thing I checked was for head gasket problems. I looked in the radiator and founds globs of oil (that's not supposed to be there :rolleyes: ) so I'm kind of worried about buying it. Another problem I've heard about is the hatches leaking water. So I guess you should check around in the back for wet/moldy carpet?

Turbo vs N/a? It's probably just personal preference here. If he just needs the car to get around, I'd lean towards the non-turbo model. The turbo model has an extra 32 horsepower (and is capable of much more) but the non-turbo comes with a nice 200 horsies.

As far as finding them goes, good luck. There are only about 5-10 for sale within 50 miles of me and most seem to be damaged in some way or another. Good luck with finding one.

i'm turning 16 this year and let me say your son is lucky. my parents are making me earn my money and they arent going to help me at all looking for a car. but if i earn the money myself i can get whatever car i want so that works out. i would say it is reliable. naturally aspirated engines tend to live longer dont they? without the turbo to worry about u wont have to listen to your sons low roaring engine. but if your looking for a reliable one i think n/a is the way to go. and if u want a MKIII u should ask the administrator of this website she owns three i think and she tunes them up for fun. if u should ask anybody ask her. her name is suprra_girl.

I must say it is hard not to speed in a supra you could be doing 40 an dit only feels like your doing maybe 20 or 30, now you'll be doing 60 with out even realizing it. So make sure he watches his speedometer. I have 3 N/a's and I almost get myself in enough trouble with them.

u have 3? asshole...

3 :ph34r: ....SO AWSOME...i had a hard enough getting one....Jeez

Yeah 85 MKII

87 MKIII

And A 89 MKIII

Actually, jza80 Supra C-I TT, I am helping my brother look for a car, not my son. He will pay for about half of his car.

Actually, jza80 Supra C-I TT, I am helping my brother look for a car, not my son. He will pay for about half of his car.
(Whoops, forgot to put my name)

Yahoo! Autos/Autotrader.com has a lot of supras for sale...

I too am looking into purchasing a supra.

Found one for $5500.

1991 Turbo w/Targa
175,000 mi
Reupholstered interior (leather)
Replaced head gaskets
New performance tires
New paint job
No accidents, dents, scratches, etc. - overall excellent condition if I may add

Now this is my first supra - heh... also happens to be my first car (im 18).

What do you guys think? Good deal if it is mechanically sound? Im taking it to my mechanic this week to have it inspected.