Buying a 1986.5 Supra

[youkilledkennedy]

Hi guys, I've spent quite a few hours glancing around these forums over the past year as a pround owner of a 1985 Toyota Supra (with 190,000 miles).

However, I found a very nice 1986.5 Toyota Supra (N/A by default) for $4,970 with 181,000 miles on it. They offered me a trade of $1,800 on my 1985 (which is acctually $100 more than I paid). What I'd like to know is, when looking at these pictures, what do you all feel in terms of it being over/underpriced.

Known Problems:
A/C Belt is off. But the seller says that he can turn the compresser so he does not think the compressor needs to be replaced.

Fan has three broken blades, and they broke because the shroud broke off while it was being driven. However I think maybe the A/C belt broke and broke the blades and shroud.

Trunk Release cable does not work. However seems like a minor fix. Although I still might be able to get 50 bucks of the price for it.

The car has had some troubles starting. He said he recently replaced the starter, but one of the cables was very hard to get to so he thinks it might be loose. I started it once, and drove it around (brakes and clutch seem okay to the feel) but when I got back, I left the accessories on and drained the battery. Then when we tried to jump it, it would not start. (On a side note, how much does a new starter cost incase I need to negoiate with him?)

Good Things:

Only a year or so old paint job. Looks really nice. The suspension springs only have a minor amount of rust. I checked all the trouble spots you guys have pointed out on this site, and they all check out.

Engine rebuilt four years ago. Babied since then (garage, no bad weather driving, and driven by an old man and not a teenager (like me)).

Headgasket has already been replaced.

Here are some pictures:













I appreciate any comments. And please let me know what I should offer him for this nice ride. Thanks! You can e-mail me at jjacobs@ci.davenport.ia.us if you'd want.

[fulljapan]

I voted "Too Much" just because I wouldn't pay that much for that year/engine. Don't let yourself get fooled by it's beauty : I'm sure you can find another one that is close to mint and has a 7m-gte for that ~price! Be patient!

that's my opinion tho....

[scruffboy]

so what? Unless your going to use it for a driveway decoration. It sounds like a lot of mechanical problems to me. I've owned my 89 NA for over 2 years and have put almost no money into looks. I keep it clean and Armor All the interior every week and people tell me how nice the interior looks, but when we go for a drive they can't believe how it sounds with 135 thousand miles on it. I have put almost every penny into the engine or other mechanical fixes. Too me, that is what counts, keeping the thing running. If you have good mechanical skills, maybe you can bring that baby back to life. If not, it sounds like a whole bunch of headaches.

Scruffboy

[mrnickleye]

Walk Away, fast.
They salesperson makes his $$$ by telling you whatever it takes to get you to buy it.

I sold cars at Dodge and Toyota for 3 years. I finally quit that work because "I" can't lie to people (so I didn't sell as many as the liars). I'll let you, and everyone else here in on a secret......used car salesmen are liars.

You can buy an '87 n/a, with 121000 miles, in better condition than that one, right here in my town, today (I know the woman), for $900.

[dannydavi]

way too much, walk away.. i got mine with 89k miles on it for $2900. you can find better.

[scruffboy]

While this guy is getting screwed for that car with so many mechanical problems, I understand why you wouldn't want to pay anywhere near that. But what about a good running MKIII Supra in decent condition. They are getting older and rarer. I hardly ever see one on the streets. Shouldn't the price be going up? I would like to think that all the work I put into my car will someday pay off a little bit. I know I'm not going to get rich, but won't MK III Supras be desirable cars in a few more years? Kinda like the muscle car of the 80's. I had a 69 Camaro and if I still owned it I could get way more than I paid.

Scruffboy

[IHateHacks]

No possible way that motor was worked on in the last 4 years. Its too dirty under that hood. That's 20 years of dirt and grime under that hood.

Looks like they slapped a new paint job on and shipped it.

[youkilledkennedy]

Thanks for the input. I was only going to offer him 3,500 for the car in the shape it is in right now, but I'm not so sure now.

However, finding a good looking car in Iowa and in California are two very different things.

[Epicphat]

I own a 1986.5 supra with 83000 miles running perfectly, I paid 2500. This guy is trying to screw you. Steer clear friend.