1984 Toyota Supra from North America - Comments

Nothing has gone wrong with this car in the short time I owned it.

It does have a noticible driveshaft vibration at highway speed. Likely it's a universal joint or a bad rubber mount, or both.

The engine oil pan has a slight leak, due to a rusty patch, but it's easy to live with.

I had to put 4 new tires on it when purchased, the old ones were worn out completely.

A note on the tires, this car is the 'performance' type, which uses P225/60R14; a good high performance tire, but it is an unusual size. Only about 2 manufacturers make these tires, and locally, I only found BF Goodrich T/A's in that size. I hope such tires will continue to be available.

The previous owner is a good friend of mine who, in the last 12,000 km changed many wear and maitenance items, including:

the clutch,

Timing belt,

Exhaust,

all shocks and struts,

one rear control arm (due to rust and replaced with a good used one)

Brakes, (rotors, pads, calipers)

Parking Brake cable

Many small items, such as belts, fluids, etc. He was a stickler for maitenance and spent about $4000 on it in the short time he drove it.

I have owned about 25 domestic cars and trucks from the '60's to about 1990, (and one BMW) and this car is a complete revelation!!

I am amazed at the high level of performance and handling that this chassis and suspension are capable of!! It is so much better than it's domestic competitors at the time, (Mustang, Camaro; I've owned them both) and more roomy and practical than the Japanese competition.

This car has independent rear suspension, which makes a huge difference over the old live axles I'm used to. The suspension soaks up all the bumps, but has little sway and very good response in the corners. There is very little understeer; the car goes exactly where you point it, regardless of speed. It can zoom around corners with more precision and less drama than anything else I have driven.

Even at the relatively high mileage it has, the chassis is free of sqeaks and creaks. It is quiet and tight. In comparison, my '87 Mustang, with less mileage groans, twists and flexes like an old wooden ship.

The engine is a sophisticated (for the day) DOHC straight six with a good, but quite simple EFI. It has only 161 hp, but loves to rev. The 5 speed close ratio trans is very good at keeping the engine at its 4 to 5000 RPM power peak, for best perforance. Compared to todays cars, its acceleration is pretty average, but the driveline really responds and works well to wring the most performance (and fun) that's there.

The driveline works quietly and flawlessly, with no noises, oil burning os signs of wear, even though the previous owners freely admit they drove the car extremely hard, for many miles.

The driveline is all original and has never been repaired or rebuilt.

The car has all the power toys, and some nice attention to detail, like power mirris, a rear window wiper, conveniance lighting, etc.

I could do without the digital dash, though. The basic gauges that came in many Supras is much better.

The interior looks a bit cheap. There is lots of vinyl and cheap looking cloth (looks like old pyjamas to me!) However, it shows very little wear.

The seats are imitation Recaro-type sport seats that are excellent.

For a sports car, the hatchback and folding back seat make it surprisingly practical. The body style looks like a cross between an old skinny Ferrari and a hatchback. The style is a bit buisy and gimmicky, but very attractive. People do notice it.

This car is rust free, but rust is a huge bugaboo about this model. Around here, winter road salt rusted all these cars away to nothing 18 years ago. This particular car was not winter driven ever and was thoroughly rustproofed, which explains it's survival.

Other shortcomings? It could use more power to make it more 'sporty'. The chassis and handling could easily handle more.

Finally, I am really impressed at how well this car is built and how well its held up under the hard use it received. The purchase price was cheap and everything is very straightforward to repair, on the rare occasion it needs fixing.

If you can find a good, rust free one, buy it. Unless you want a tire smoking rocketship, you will not be disappointed.

Hmmm...I wrote this review... and the car is a 1984 model. There were numerous detail changes between '83 and '84 Supras.

I am not sure how it got placed in the 1983 category.

Always wanted a 82-86 Supra. I was 24 when they came out, and driving a purchased new 1980 big bad Toyota Corolla SR5 Sport Coupe 75 hp.

In '03 I had a $3-4k budget to work with, but couldn't find anything decent except for a 240k original owner on ebay.

A year earlier, a clean 84, 158k 5 speed turned up at a local high school. 2 tone red, red interior. $4500.

An '83 150k auto. sat in front of my friends house (p-model) & could of been had for 'round $1800.00.

Anyway... wound up with a 91 Celica convertible 5 spd. Maybe one day...