1989 Toyota Supra 3.0 turbo

Summary:

Fun to drive and very reliable

Faults:

Leather drivers seat is starting to wear (19 years of constant rubbing)

Seized rear brake calipers.

Rear transmission seal leaking. (car sat for 2 years and it dried out)

General Comments:

In my opinion this is a great car all around. The 3.0L turbo charged engine delivers more than enough power in stock form, and can easily be tuned to power levels in excess of 500hp. It handles surprisingly well for its size and is very fun to drive. The adjustable leather seats are very comfortable, and that combined with the cruise control, and speed sensitive power steering makes for a very good highway car. It is the type of vehicle that you find yourself far beyond the speed limit without realizing it, while still feeling safe in this tank of a car. All in all it is a very great car, and I don't plan on selling it anytime soon.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th June, 2008

1989 Toyota Supra Turbo 3.0

Summary:

Great Vehicle!

Faults:

Head gasket at 80,000 miles

Poor sycnc gears 2nd to 3rd.

General Comments:

This car is very powerful and fast. It handles exceptionally well and serves as suitable every day driver. I love my supra’s and can’t see ever being without one. Mine has been in restoration for over a year now and needs to get back on the road. Missing it is motivating me to get back into the garage and finish it.

This is a value vehicle, however you should be able to work on it yourself. They are old enough that things go wrong and are very expensive to fix if not doing it yourself. For the do it yourselfer though, you can’t hardly find a more satisfying vehicle to own and love.

I put a Billstine performance suspension on it which lowered the front 1.5” and the rear 1.0”. The new look and handling is impressive, however the usual small animal road kill will now hit the front spoiler and undercarriage. Makes a big bang at 70mph.

I have had over 50 vehicles of all makes and models. The 89 supra is my favorite and will be worth every bit of effort and cost to completely restore. After the body is done the engine and trany will follow. I’ll perform the usual aspiration and exhaust upgrades to bring horsepower just under 400. Can’t wait!

The value of this vehicle is in the eye of the beholder. I could see paying $10K or more for one with low miles, garage stored and near perfect condition. In fact, I may just do that if I can find the right vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th April, 2007

30th Apr 2007, 09:12

"I’ll perform the usual aspiration and exhaust upgrades to bring horsepower just under 400. Can’t wait!"

That only works with a MK IV twin turbo. And even then it takes more than an exhaust and intake combo, you need an upgraded ECU to get it all to work right. You could always try to put an MK IV engine in your car, but I don't know whether it fits or not and MK IV engines go for 10k$+.

1989 Toyota Supra

Summary:

Very cool, but very expensive to keep up with and repair

Faults:

The only problem I have and have had with my car since I got it is that it over heats. We've replaced practically everything in the coolant part of the car. First my water pump was leaking, then my fan clutch went bad (twice), and then the radiator started leaking. I really don't know what is wrong with it, because everything has been replaced, but the radiator and the water pump. I pray it's one of those.

General Comments:

I love my car, it has a little too much power for a new driver like me, but it's awsome. It has leather interior, the nice expensive TEMS system and that little thing will get up and go. As long as I get this over heating problem fixed and don't end up wrecking it, I'm not selling it. However, if a buyer has to go through all the things that I have gone through with this supra, I don't recommend anyone to buy it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th June, 2005

27th Aug 2005, 18:20

I would look into getting the headgasket replaced to cure your overheating problem. It was a common problem on the Supras for the headgaskets to blow out causing over-heating, etc. The reason for the problem was in the incorrect torquing of the head bolts at the factory. The head bolts were not tightened enough causing premature gasket failure. Although that is my best guess on your problem, I cannot provide an estimate because I haven't done one before. Anyway, enjoy your Supra and good luck getting that overheating problem fixed!