Well pretty much everything said above is wrong.

The locally-delivered MA70 is NA only, and was released in 1986. The MA71 update was released in 1988 and continued until the early 90's (I can't remember when it was discontinued locally). The update included several cosmetic changes (eg rear wing and vastly improved rear tailights) as well as the introduction of the turbo 7M-GTE engine, which is pretty major really!

Note that the Mk3 Supra only came with the 7M-GE (NA) and 7M-GTE (turbo) in locally delivered models, but there are also import models out there that came with the 7M's. Obviously local models are worth more and they're probably a safer bet, so be aware of this fact if you go looking for one.

Import models also came with the 1G-GTE (GA70) and 1JZ-GTE (JZA70). The former is basically the povo version of the Mk3 Supra; it's cheap but not too inspiring. I wouldn't call them rare, there are a few around but they aren't popular because there are much better versions.

The JZA70 is the pick of the bunch, it's the newest and fastest version of the Mk3 but a good one will set you back quite a few $$$.

As for being in "good nick", you will find that in fact a lot of Mk3 Supras have been abused and/or neglected by owners who were too cheap/lazy to maintain them like they need to be. This means that you need to be REALLY careful buying one of these cars - it's all too easy to buy yourself an endless money pit. Yes I've seen this happen, and I wouldn't want it to happen to me!

[Updated on: Mon, 19 January 2004 05:34]

still most are at the APPLY MONEY HERE stage, that or people dont realise that there is money needing to be spent, most get the car not realising how it should be until you start taken' a close look under the car and see how floged out everything is, most imports are at about 90,000km - 100,000km generaly or double that for locals

You can expect todo at 100,000km if the car has had a hard life:

Bal joints
Wheel barings
Lower control arm bushes
upper control arm bushes
check rear bushes
rack bushes
Shocks
engine mounts (ALL models/years but more so round mount versions with GTE engines )

7m-gte's Head gasket (probably good idea to get the turbo checked/rebuilt too, most have another 50,000km but you dont want to be pulling that turbo off again for a LONG time)

1jz-gte's COP connectors (and again turbos esp if its had the boost turned up inevitable to the twins to try and escape out the exhaust to avoid giving you that extra boost you want)

1g-gte's again turbos probably more likey due to boosting more often with the engine being IMHO undersized for the battle ship


Allan

I hope that satisifys mr 7m brisbane because we must bow down to him

[Updated on: Wed, 21 January 2004 01:08]

i always knew u were good for something jcmf ! hehe

the guys at SSS were not entirely sure either... just said... hmmm soarer / crown ..

[Updated on: Wed, 21 January 2004 01:52]