UK potential owner needs advice please

Hi there,

I'm looking at picking up a Mk4 TT but need a clearer idea of what to look for (really want a UK spec for insurance reasons) and a better idea of the likely running/maintainence costs. I'm used to running a Fiat Coupe 20Valve Turbo which ain't cheap and am hoping I can expect the Supra to be no worse - reliability offsetting the cost of parts/servicing maybe? Any help welcome. Thanks. Incidentally I'm in the Essex area if that is of any interest.

Hi, welcome to the BBS.

Supra's aren't the cheapest car to run on a daily basis, especially if you tend to drive a bit hard. Expect around 18-20 mpg average, and an oil change service every 3-5000 miles.

Obviously cheaper if you can do basic work on the car yourself like oil changes. I'm sure someone else can tell you how much Toyota services cost, but there are a few specialist around that are cheaper generally.

You should find the Supra more reliable, so cheaper in that way!

Should? Compared to a FIAT you should have no problems Whats the mileage like on the one you're looking at?

Not found the right one yet - am hoping for under 80K - maybe a 94 or 95. The Fiat is a little unpredictable yes - although I have a friend who is a specialist which helps. Is there a buyer's guide here somewhere to tell me exactly what to look for when I view? Am not being lazy - I have tried to find one

Most Uk specs come under 80k, mine has 63k on it at the moment and is a 94 TT 6 speed, you just have to look and wait for the one you want, i was lucky when i got mine, and i bought it from someone i know

I'd have said most UK spec's average on about 80k.

Not that it's a problem as there aren't too many age related faults on these cars.

I like the idea of this car more and more. If you went to the fiat coupe forum and asked for a buyer's guide you'd have a lot of reading to do - here, nothing. Gotta love Toyotas. Don;'t get me wrong - my 1300kg coupe is putting out 250 bhp and I love it but I think it's time to go RWD and have some real fun.

Generally speaking the UK's if left stock are bulletproof, you only get into trouble sometimes if they've had mods that have been poorly looked after. You should be fine with most models even with higher mileage.

Originally posted by Matt Harwood

I'd have said most UK spec's average on about 80k.

 

Not that it's a problem as there aren't too many age related faults on these cars.

If you think about it, an un-modded supra, the engine must average about 1500rpm through it's life, not stressed at all. I mean it will get the odd full out red-line session but, it's made to do that. The rest of the time it will be doing its a to b bit, I mean 80 mph is about 2.5k rpm? maybe less in a 6 speed. 50 is barely ticking over..

so I would think, this tied up with the excelent build quality, means they will go on and on. Only having problems related to the age of components, rubber perishing, things like that.

(waffle session over)

Originally posted by Timwildman

 

so I would think, this tied up with the excelent build quality, means they will go on and on. Only having problems related to the age of components, rubber perishing, things like that.

If i was looking for another UK spec car (and knowing me it could happen!) then i'd be aware of the above comments by Tim, especially as the UK car will have seen 8-11 salty british winters by now.

My old uk car was showing more signs of frontal corrosion than any of the imports i've had. I'd be looking hard at the Intercooler condition (if its original it will almost certainly be well past its best) and radiator and Power steering cooler pipes (the tubes at the front that look like the heating element in the bottom of a kettle, mine got a pin hole leak, nothing major and cheap fix but worth a look at)

Radiators, again if original could be past their best, i've certainly viewed a few 93-94 cars that have had theirs already replaced.

All i'm saying is that i'd put a 100K mile car thats had a new rad and IC, above a 75k miler that hadn't (all other things being equal)

Interior should be pretty well mint, and engine bay free of any oily parts etc, i've yet to really see a poor supra engine bay, so you should be immediately impressed when you lift the bonnet of a potential car.

The injectors (i think?) can make quite a loud ticking at idle, but i think this is normal/ok, other than that it should be pretty silent and have a very smooth idle.

All my sup's have been/are daily drivers and petrol/insurance have been by far the biggest costs. Maybe i've been lucky? and two have been NA's which rules out some of the more costly mechanical problems.

I put on 13K miles in my UK car in less than a year and it cost me very little for servicing / repairs but a whole lot in petrol money!

happy hunting..........

Oh yes roll on that fuel bill:p

I know the insurance and fuel is an issue although my Fiat only gets 25 mpg anyway and insurance on the UK TT Supra is actually LESS for me than on my modded Fiat! (£500 ish v £630 fully comp).

What other predictable, regular expenses should I budget for - i.e. cost of services and maintenance? Are there some decent specialists on Essex soil?

Ah but have you catered for driving the car for the pure pleasure of just driving. I find myself driving loads of extra miles for the sheer hell of it all the time lol. Servicing costs should be about the same as your existing car. The only thing that will eat your wallet is the one stop MOD shop that is the BBS and all its various go faster look nicer bits of kit;)

I already do the unnecessary driving thing so yes I'm prepared for that As for mods - a standard car with 326 bhp and 215 per tonne is plenty quick enough for me. Then again - I heard that popping a chip in is good for 60 bhp and quite straight forward....

Actually no.

I have ben reliably informed that the TT Supra cannot be chipped but can be modded quite easily to produce the extra BHP.

Just saw this :

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=TOYOTA&model=SUPRA&variant=&keywords=uk&min_pr=5000&max_pr=10000&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=CO4+3FP&miles=1500&max_records=50&source=0&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

The 7th car down. Seem too cheap to anyone??

Originally posted by BigMac

I know the insurance and fuel is an issue although my Fiat only gets 25 mpg anyway and insurance on the UK TT Supra is actually LESS for me than on my modded Fiat! (£500 ish v £630 fully comp).

What other predictable, regular expenses should I budget for - i.e. cost of services and maintenance? Are there some decent specialists on Essex soil?

as for specialists TDi are in essex i believe and deal with alot of tuned sup's.......... but IMO if you have a local garage you know and trust they should be able to do most of the run of the mill stuff, or DIY oil changes etc. say three/four oil changes a year @ £50 then a annual garage service for possibly coolant autobox fluid etc, shouldn't be too much.

if your running stock then lots of the service items are long lasting. look for a major 'c' service invoice on the cars history, should be for quite a bit if done at toyota and include, cambelt, most fluids, and plugs (belt and plugs good for 60K miles on a stock car).

Its the possible unregular maintenance that can cost alot, but staying stock will guard against this somewhat imo......

Originally posted by BigMac

I already do the unnecessary driving thing so yes I'm prepared for that As for mods - a standard car with 326 bhp and 215 per tonne is plenty quick enough for me. Then again - I heard that popping a chip in is good for 60 bhp and quite straight forward....

Nah you can't chip it as far as I was aware you had to get a piggy back ecu thingumy like a greddy emanage or summat like that. You can get an instant 20hp gain by paying some guy on ebay about a tenner for a piece of paper that says 20 hp on it though LOL:p Seriously fella if you go to a supe meet be prepared to want single turbo's and veilside whatnots and much BLINGness.

Just ask CJ if you doubt the power of the supe MOD squad!!

Tell me about it!

It doesnt seem that long ago that I uttered words to the effect of, "I am keping it stock as I feel the car is plenty quick enough". That was a few months and lots of money ago!

Originally posted by BigMac

Just saw this :

 

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=TOYOTA&model=SUPRA&variant=&keywords=uk&min_pr=5000&max_pr=10000&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=CO4+3FP&miles=1500&max_records=50&source=0&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

 

The 7th car down. Seem too cheap to anyone??

this car was sold privately for approx £6500. was back up for sale a few days later at the dealers for 8995 and now down to this current ad.

doesn't necessarily mean anything about the cars condition good or bad, but that's its recent history......

Originally posted by Scooter

this car was sold privately for approx £6500. was back up for sale a few days later at the dealers for 8995 and now down to this current ad.

 

doesn't necessarily mean anything about the cars condition good or bad, but that's its recent history......

Does that just not mean that an astute trader bought it from him knowing he was way underselling and is now turning it around with a wash and polish for a few quid well a lot of few quids more and basically a more realistic price?

Originally posted by dangerous brain

Does that just not mean that an astute trader bought it from him knowing he was way underselling and is now turning it around with a wash and polish for a few quid well a lot of few quids more and basically a more realistic price?

more than likely yes, all i'm saying is thats the car and thats what the dealer paid, which could be helpful if you viewed and liked it?

It also highlights the new buyers (incorrect?) preconceptions that 'cheap' always equals 'bad' and also that cheap private buys are often about and that these cars are not always bad cars, just maybe a little battle scared or rough round the edges.......

Well Bradb's car obviously wasn't a rogue and he ended up selling that for what I would describe as cheap so yeah private buys can produce a nice bargain. Getting a car from a forum member is almost as good an assurance as you can get I reckon. I think with private sales the price tag the car goes at depends heavily on how quickly you need the sale. Even rare cars like TT aero's will take a while to find the right home unless you sell it much cheapness or have a buyer lined up allready.

You might want to consider tyres if your thinking of having some chunky rims.

My tyres on my rear 275/35/18 wont be cheap in comparisons to 17"ers.

Go 19" and you will need a mortgage! I spend £300 month on petrol, they can be quite thirsty!!

Originally posted by dangerous brain

I think with private sales the price tag the car goes at depends heavily on how quickly you need the sale. Even rare cars like TT aero's will take a while to find the right home unless you sell it much cheapness or have a buyer lined up allready.

Agreed, quick sale needed & usually where the owner has long since 'paid' for it and just wants a sizeable lump of cash (to plough into their next toy or the house, kids etc) is where the bargains can be.

No harm in taking a look at the cheap ones above the Stella Artios's that are out there.