1988 Toyota Supra Non-Turbo 3.0L from North America

Summary:

I will never part with this car!

Faults:

The electrical windows stopped working.

The rear lights kept shorting out.

Had to replace the battery cable.

Interior is worn.

General Comments:

I absolutely love this car, and will never part with it.

My only sorrow right now is that I have to drive it to work, I want to park it and to start restoring it to its former glory.

The biggest surprise I have had when it comes to drive-ability, is that the car actually handles great in snow!!!

On dry asphalt, which it is made for, it is an absolute dream ride. The seats adjust to cushion you in, and the engines response is substantial.

Like the Camaro I once owned, the drive train is built for speed, it sucks the car down to the surface during curves, and has amazing road feel.

I have no complaints about this car whatsoever. It has been a reliable friend for 5 years now, despite its high miles. The few minor issues it has had, is something you can expect for a car this old.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th May, 2004

1988 Toyota Supra non-Turbo, sport roof 3.0L inline 6 from North America

Summary:

Most fun to be had for the money

Faults:

Original seat belt hangers flimsy and broke early; replacements much better.

Rear tranny seal leaked at 70K miles.

Clutch master cylinder blew at 100K miles.

Passenger brake caliper froze at 118K miles.

Exhaust replaced for first time at 90K miles.

General Comments:

When new, this car had more amenities than anything else in it's price range.

A bit slow off the line, but it's really a touring car and over 100mph competes with anything.

Difficult to get in/out for tall drivers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th September, 2003

1988 Toyota Supra Turbo V6 3 liter turbo from North America

Summary:

A quick car from the era when it was cool to have a bigger engine than sitting space

Faults:

The windshield needed to be replaced in order to pass inspection.

I am still having a problem with burning antifreeze and cannot pinpoint what exactly the problem is.

General Comments:

I cannot help feeling like I have blasted back to Vice City in this 1988 model.

It has so much torque.

The thing handles better than any car I have driven.

Being that it is rear-wheel drive, driving it is extremely fun. If you try it is really easy to let your back end fish-tail around corners.

The only thing I do not like is the lack of trunk space, which makes for few options when it comes to car audio. You can really only put a 12" sub-woofer, and that is with a custom-made box.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st July, 2003

24th Aug 2003, 12:12

Your problem with burning antifreeze in your 88 toyota supra is that the 7m-gte engine had problems with the head gasket being under torqued. I have an 89 toyota supra turbo and had the same problem. You need to order a steel head gasket and torque to 70 fps before it is too late!!!. please see other toyota supra web sites on this problem. please email me at rumble254@charter.net.

13th Sep 2003, 16:02

Yes, head gasket can be a problem, but after head gasket replacement I also was still leaking radiator coolant. Found it to be the heater core. Try bypassing the heater and see if it stops leaking. It worked for me!

25th Nov 2003, 18:23

Just a quick note on the engine - it is a straight 6, not a V6 as stated. It's a big enough difference that it should be noted. It's also not a matter of whether or not you'll need to replace your head gasket, it's a matter of when. I believe Toyota recalled their straight 6 engines from their truck line (same basic block) from the same era, but, not the supras. Once verified to be a healthy engine, it takes very little to make the turbo cars much quicker than stock. Fishtailing can be easy due to ample amounts of torque. One of the supras biggest downfalls is it's weight and it's quickness severely suffers from it.

20th Mar 2005, 15:22

Everyone says that the weight of the Supra really sets it back. Does anyone really know how much they do weigh? I don't know what the supra weighs in at, but it doesn't look like a very heavy car to me.