So in my car hunt I have come across a nice not original and certainly not special 150k mile 1985 Toyota Celica Supra. From the outside it appears to be a P car but from the inside it is more L car. Repainted, but not very well, a long time ago. It seems all there, and is available around Challenge money. What would I need to look out for when considering one as a daily driver?
I also have lines on another XR4Ti as well as a 2.3t swapped Scorpio and a couple E36 3 series.
don't tease me like that on the XR4Ti
There is NOTHING wrong with a Mk II Celi Supra. Get it...NOW.
If there isn't too much rust, and it runs, it's worth it to drive. Make sure you take care of the engine, and it will take care of you.
At worst I would swap in a 2JZ or LSx engine... right?
At best, you could swap in a 1UZ Lexus V8. 
Got a friend who owns a 490+hp 2JZGTE powered MkII
I had to check your profile to see if you live in Fl. There's a 2nd gen. Supra that has been on the local CL a few times (tho I haven't seen it in the last week or so) that sounds like your car. It would be somewhat appealing if a P.O. hadn't done such a poor job on a repaint. He painted it a royal blue (barely acceptable), then ruined it (further?) by adding a white stripe down the center of the hood and top.
Like most '80s cars, rust is a big factor in whether or not to buy. That said, Supras don't seem to be big time rusters....at least not from the 2nd gen onwards. And while I have owned a 280Z, if given a choice of a Supra or a 300ZX built before 1990....I'd take the Supra, anytime.
Mkii Supra is on my short list.
However, i wouldn't mess around with a 2jz.
7mgte if i wanted to make a ton of power with almost no fab work, or a 1uz if i was feeling especially salty.
Really fun cars, I've had two. Valve seals really like to go on the 5M-GE, it's not a big deal if it smokes a little when cold (but the seller doesn't have to know that). Rear differentials go quickly, listen for a whistling noise coming from the rear at freeway speeds. Body kit can hide a lot of rust, but most crucially, check the rear trailing arms. Other than that they are bulletproof, lots of torquey fun, and they make a nice noise when you spin them up.
1/2JZ swap is kind of a huge PITA (it is NOT direct bolt-in as many people think), plus you're looking at spending 4x the value of the car on such a swap. Look at a 7M if you really want to go that far. 1UZ is neat but I would hate to work on such a thing.
Most have factory LSD and they do pretty well in the snow with real snow tires.
I have seen them rusty.. but usually it is the bottom edge of the hatch that rots out. Every single one I have seen had some rust there
John Brown wrote: At worst I would gather a bunch of parts to swap in a 2JZ or LSx engine, then sell them all at a loss before actually attempting the swap ... right?
FTFY, or is this the New And Improved John Brown (tm)? 
AngryCorvair wrote:John Brown wrote: At worst I would gather a bunch of parts to swap in a 2JZ or LSx engine, then sell them all at a loss before actually attempting the swap ... right?FTFY, or is this the New And Improved John Brown (tm)?
AngryCorvair wrote:John Brown wrote: At worst I would gather a bunch of parts to swap in a 2JZ or LSx engine, then sell them all at a loss before actually attempting the swap ... right?FTFY, or is this the New And Improved John Brown (tm)?
Which is EXACTLY why I don't want to drive a project car. I will worry about the fun stuff when the coffers are closer to full.
I just don't see it as a daily driver. Its not fast, it gets poor mileage, it was reliable in its day but as a 30 year old car is going to be a constant maintenance whore for at least the first few years you own it. It's a car you drive because you absolutely love the way it looks. That is the only reason to have a MK2 IMHO. You mentioned e36, it's what I chose as a daily driver 2 years ago to replace my Cressida that was totaled, it was a good choice. The Bimmer is fun reliable DD style transport.
oldeskewltoy wrote: Got a friend who owns a 490+hp 2JZGTE powered MkII
I would be interested in that car if he decides to sell, so please keep me in mind if that ever happens. That's the exact color combo of my old one, of course his has a lot more power. The only bad memory I had of mine was the starter was a real pain to replace.....other than that one little thing the one time it was great. I still miss it.
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