Which Supra will you choose ? Please help with a problem.

Hi All,

A bit of time has passed since i posted about my purchase of Supra MK4.

Unfortunately the car turned up to be in not very good condition, including an oil leak, which lead me to fight with a trader for my rights to return the faulty car.

At the moment i have opened small money claim in the court, as the seller does not respected the right to return.

I actually want him to return money and get the car away from my sight, but it does not look so bright as i would like to. And in the end i think the best i could get is a swap car.

On the preliminary hearing - seller offered a swap (1 to 1, no additional money will be required) with other example in better condition:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Supra-3-0-TWIN-TURBO-1998/223601942189

the key facts are:

I own Black Supra which is JDM, RZ-S, 1997, 2jz-GTE, V160 Getrag, and 156000 km on the clock. It has it bad and good points, but it was damaged according to a report i purchased.

i have archived the listing here: http://blacksupra.you2.pl/

The offered grey one has 247 000 on the clock, never involved in any accident, I have seen it personally and i need to admit that it's in a waaaay better state than the one i actually want to get rid off.

Question to you dear people, what should i do ? Swap it or not ? Is the high mileage a really bad thing ?

Maybe I should spend another money for the court fees and fight for my rights ?

What shall i do ? What would you do if you was me ?

Any word of help will be greatly appreciated.

A trader has to tell you it's had a claim on it , private dose not ??

A trader has to tell you it's had a claim on it , private dose not ??

Youd have to assume the trader knew about the damage - let's be honest cars of this age when importing it is kind of guess work

That's not a trivial amount of extra miles. It may be presented in better condition but is it really? Think of all the extra wear on components an extra 100kkm will do. You're 100kkm closer to big bills.

100% hold out for a refund. Also, that looks amazingly strong money. If I was looking to sell mine (which is a similar age RZ TT6 with less than half that mileage) I guess it's be up for similar or probably less money than that.

I don't know how helpful this is, but personally I wouldn't want another car off a trader I don't trust- even if the replacement car isn't technically going to cost anything up front.

And how do you really feel about the grey car? Do you actually want it, or would you just be taking it because it's the easier option? I only ask because I was quite specific about the spec and colour of Supra that I wanted when I was shopping around, and I don't think I'd have been happy if I'd settled for something that wasn't what I was after.

Hope things get sorted either way, and I hope this doesn't put you off Supra ownership! I think you should keep pushing for the refund.

How bad are the problems you state?

Maybe put a list of the things you have found and me and other members can try our best to give advice.

I dont trust garages as they are only there to flip profits.

why did you not hpi check the car when you purchased it?

I wouldn't personally swap being as the mileage is very high

Also - just seen youve had the car since march. Why an issue now? Surely thats quite a long time after purchase.

Its down to you really, you'll have to live with the choice you make. Is the extra mileage an issue? Almost certainly not. If you do consider a swap, get the importer to pay for a Japanese accident report, go over it with a fine tooth comb, take a mechanic/get an AA report. It's a lot of money to mess about with.

On a side note, there are far better choices of importers and dealers with very good reputations to buy from, but I'm sure you dont want to hear that.

..

And how do you really feel about the grey car? Do you actually want it, or would you just be taking it because it's the easier option?

Honestly - just the mileage puts me off from the grey one, other than that it perfectly suits me. And maybe because it is an easier option.

Hope things get sorted either way, and I hope this doesn't put you off Supra ownership! I think you should keep pushing for the refund.

This case will definitely will not put me off from supra as this is my dream car.

I will try to push for return, but this will involve more and more costs, unfortunately they are counted in thousands...

How bad are the problems you state?

Maybe put a list of the things you have found and me and other members can try our best to give advice.

This is a quotation from Extreme Performance:

ESTIMATE FOR THE FOLLOWING WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT TO THE ABOVE VEHICLE:

REPLACE FRONT HEADLIGHTS DUE TO DAMAGE/CONDENSATION

SUPPLY AND FIT NEW HAZZARD WARNING SWITCH

SUPPLY AND FIT MATCHING PAIR OF FRONT LEATHER SEATS

SUPPLY AND FIT NEW FRONT SEATBELTS

SUPPLY AND FIT NEW DIFF BUSH

INVESTIGATE WHY NO EML IS SHOWING

(REPAIR/SOLDER JOINT IF NECESSARY)

REPLACE BONNET WITH LIKE FOR LIKE

REPLACE FRONT BROKEN DUCT PANEL

REPLACE BOTH ROCKER COVER GASKETS

REPAIR HEADLAMP WIRING

SUPPLY AND FIT NEW FRONT MAIN SEAL

(POSSIBLE OIL PUMP WORN SO COULD NEED TO BE CHANGED WHICH IS A ENGINE OUT JOB TBC IN WHICH CASE NEW OIL PUMP £289, LABOUR TO FIT £950)

FULL WINDOWS OUT RESPRAY INC NEW FRONT AND REAR SEALS

REPAIR / STRAIGHTEN PREVIOUS BAD ACCIDENT DAMAGE TO CHASSIS AND FRONT END

REPLACE FRONT INTERCOOLER MOUNTING BRACKETS

SUPPLY AND FIT NEW CAT BACK EXHAUST SYSTEM (LIKE FOR LIKE)

SUPPLY AND FIT TRANSMISSION REAR OIL SEALS (2) AND NEW GEAR OIL (2LTR)

totalling at 10k GBP.

I dont trust garages as they are only there to flip profits.

why did you not hpi check the car when you purchased it?

Because i was a horny idiot... attracted by the dream car i always wanted to have. Honestly - this is only thing i can say after all... sadly...

Also - just seen youve had the car since march. Why an issue now? Surely thats quite a long time after purchase.

I rejected the car under consumer rights act straight after i found out the issues in March. The case in the court needed that waiting time as there are queues.

Why did you not hpi check the car when you purchased it?

Because i was a horny idiot

Pure gold!

It has long since been said a Supra is a cock magnet, I guess we have the proof now.

If you do consider a swap, get the importer to pay for a Japanese accident report, go over it with a fine tooth comb, take a mechanic/get an AA report. It's a lot of money to mess about with.

I have done that already anyway:

http://blacksupra.you2.pl/grey-supra.pdf

And to all you Guys ! Thanks a lot for your support.

I would go to the court to fight for the refund, but i am really afraid that this will just end up spending more money with no win

I have highlighted the things which are potentially dealer fault. The rest is just what you get with an old car or Personal preference

REPLACE FRONT HEADLIGHTS DUE TO DAMAGE/CONDENSATION - not dealer issue

SUPPLY AND FIT NEW HAZZARD WARNING SWITCH - not dealer issue unless it physically doesn’t make your hazards come on

SUPPLY AND FIT MATCHING PAIR OF FRONT LEATHER SEATS - not dealer issue

SUPPLY AND FIT NEW FRONT SEATBELTS - not dealer issue unless so worn they won’t pass MOT

SUPPLY AND FIT NEW DIFF BUSH - not detrimental

INVESTIGATE WHY NO EML IS SHOWING - potentially unknown

(REPAIR/SOLDER JOINT IF NECESSARY)

REPLACE BONNET WITH LIKE FOR LIKE - not dealer issue

REPLACE FRONT BROKEN DUCT PANEL - your choice

REPLACE BOTH ROCKER COVER GASKETS - your choice

REPAIR HEADLAMP WIRING - potentially dealer issue

SUPPLY AND FIT NEW FRONT MAIN SEAL - need more info, was it an issue?

(POSSIBLE OIL PUMP WORN SO COULD NEED TO BE CHANGED WHICH IS A ENGINE OUT JOB TBC IN WHICH CASE NEW OIL PUMP £289, LABOUR TO FIT £950)

FULL WINDOWS OUT RESPRAY INC NEW FRONT AND REAR SEALS - not dealer issue

REPAIR / STRAIGHTEN PREVIOUS BAD ACCIDENT DAMAGE TO CHASSIS AND FRONT END - did they sell it as accident free?

REPLACE FRONT INTERCOOLER MOUNTING BRACKETS - potentially missed by dealer

SUPPLY AND FIT NEW CAT BACK EXHAUST SYSTEM (LIKE FOR LIKE) - why??

SUPPLY AND FIT TRANSMISSION REAR OIL SEALS (2) AND NEW GEAR OIL (2LTR) - do they need it?

Not trying to be against you here but there is a lot which isn’t relevant to the dealer. I could be wrong but that’s my personal take on it

Thanks Tayr - i will definitely keep this info in mind.

For your reference, here is the japanese report on the supra i own at the moment:

http://blacksupra.you2.pl/black-supra.pdf

vs:

http://blacksupra.you2.pl/grey-supra.pdf

If you were to base your choice on the reports - which one will you pick ?

Thanks Tayr - i will definitely keep this info in mind.

 

For your reference, here is the japanese report on the supra i own at the moment:

http://blacksupra.you2.pl/black-supra.pdf

vs:

http://blacksupra.you2.pl/grey-supra.pdf

 

If you were to base your choice on the reports - which one will you pick ?

That’s a tough one because - It appears to be just one accident. Because it’s gone through the auction house twice is why it shows two (I think)

The XX on the bumpers and bonnets etc in this case I think just mean they have been replaced (I.e not standard)

It appears there is a small collision on the rear quarter but in fairness I don’t see that as a big deal but it obviously depends on what’s underneath and behind that panel.

For info - on another day, that may have just been classed as “grade 3” - R can mean replacement body kit or colour change too

Do you know if the UK Importer repaired it? Or was it repaired in japan?

I’d personally stick with what you have as there is hundreds of cars that go through every day with unreported collisions. Chances are most cars have had a knock or two in there 25 years

My Concern would be damage to the chassis keron mentioned, will it ever be properly straight again?

Pure gold!

 

It has long since been said a Supra is a cock magnet, I guess we have the proof now.

At least you cheered me up with this

My Concern would be damage to the chassis Keron mentioned, will it ever be properly straight again?

Keron mentioned he know proper specialist to do this properly and it will be straight. Also, Keron's word was to think about the grey one instead of repairing the black one.

I am really confused.

Just to put a bit of light on the Black One, here is how it looks like inside the oil cap.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sqScSaTfYd1Ypf2E7

If that’s what Keron said I would consider that option but with a thorough inspection before making sure the grey one is what condition it’s in.

Are you concerned about the condition of the engine too on your Blk car?

Are you concerned about the condition of the engine too on your Blk car?

I think the engine is in good condition in the black one, apart from that oil leak which will need to be investigated as Keron mentioned there is oil around the crank shaft.

I might be wrong be wrong here but the Black car isn't advertised correctly for starters.

Where's the Full TRD body kit ?

Surely that's enough to get your money back even if it had no other faults

That's the thing, i need to make myself confident enough to go to fight for my rights. I imagine the additional costs will start from 2k and will grow with any complication encountered (which i have to cover).

If i could make sure i have really strong evidences to win, i will never give up on it and happily spend the money as this will be to bear on the defendant side if i win.

But at the moment, i am not sure what sort of evidence would be enough to win the case. I think i need to go and see good solicitor and discuss my chances.

If you want to fight this in court get yourself to your local Citizens Advice Bureau and ask them to help you. Sometimes they can provide access to a lawyer who will offer you 30mins consultation for free.