Newbie Advice

[Mav]

Hi people

Just popped in as I am considering buying a mk3?? Supra (The pop up light model)

Having previously owned a Nissan S13 im looking to get back to RWD and Turbod once ive sold my BMW 325 so im well used to RWD cars.

Just a few questions if anyone can help.

1) What bhp as standard are the turbo and N/A models?

2) Do they ALL have LSD? (This is a VERY important issue for me.)

3) Can anyone share any tips on what to look for when buying please.

Thanks in advance.

MAV

[Leeky]

Welcome to the forum

Ahhh a fellow Reading'er i see! Ever been to the jap meet at comet?

In answer to your questions -

1) 230bhp for the turbo & 200bhp for the non turbo. There is also a 2.0ltr twin turbo and a 2.5ltr twin turbo which you can get as an import.

The 2.0ltr is approx 200bhp if i remember and the 2.5ltr is 280bhp.

2) All have LSD's

3) Headgaskets, rust and smoke. Check the rear arches for rust. Check under the oil and rad caps for creamy gunk. This is the sign of a dying gasket. Take it out for a spin and boost it. If you see smoke or feel/hear anything weird then walk away. A little smoke on startup is ok (my mk4 does this) but as long as it dissappears after a few seconds its ok.

Karma Supra has a mint mk3 na for sale by the way. Seen it up close and tempted to buy it myself but cant justify owning two supras He is in Henley too, so not that far

For sale

[Mav]

Thanks for that

Yeah I used to go all the time to the Comet meet when I had my Nissan 200sx as I know the guy that organises it personally.

Didnt realise the N/A was 200bhp :o so the one in Henly may well be worth a look once ive sold the BMW.

Anyone run a stock N/A at Santapod? what 1/4 mile times were they getting? do alot of events through the year with the club that I co own. (see sig) so performance is important to me.

I guess I better ask what the running costs are like on these cars, if its anything like the Nissan it shouldnt be too bad unless I use a dealership then I know its a case of bend over.

How tuneable are these cars in both N/A and Turbo forms?

I think I deally I want a Turbo but im not ruling out the N/A depending on specs.

[Karma Supra]

Firstly, mkiii supra buyers guide...

BHP, AS Leeky said. - Later 2.0 TTs have 210 bhp.

Its the torque and low down power band that makes then fast though!

Running costs are fine, -if you are handy with a spanner! There are loads of these cars being broken so parts are cheap!

AS far as I know, all UK turbos have an LSD, most N/as do....

Even if a car does not have one, they are readily avaliable from scrappies!

Turbo form is very tunable, and cheap to tune, but if not done carefully will destroy the engine! Look out for signs of lack of maintenance, people tended to nelgect them as "they will never go wrong" causing them to... well go wrong.

Head gaskets are not a problem IF FITTED PROPERLY.

AS Lee said earlier I havea nice low miler N/A for sale, -its not a turbo, (obviously :P) but its a tight car that drives very well

[Mav]

Karma ive looked at you ad mate that car looks lovely,

I wouldnt mind popping over to have a look if thats ok?

You have a pm to that end.

Mav

[Mav]

Karma it was nice to meet yo mate.

That car is lovely and I am interested, but I feel the need to try out the turbo version first before making an informed decision.

The N/A goes well but im not sure if its "enough" if that makes sense?

But thank you for showing me around the car and letting me drive the Supra, it was certainly an eye opener (in a good way).

[Karma Supra]

No worries...

Just keep your eyes open for a decent car.. as somone said on the for sale thread you can buy turbos pretty cheap.. but if its not a decent car it will cost you more to sort it out!!!!

There is always this ;)

After all if you are runnigna turbo you'll want to pull it apart and put ARP head studs, rod bolts etc ;)