Hard decision

[UltraFlynn]

After 3 years of Supra ownership I've decided that the time has come to replace my trusty old car.

I'm going to get a few things fixed up and then I'll be putting her up for sale.

I've got several reasons for reaching this decision and top among those are:

1/ She's getting old and I want a newer car
2/ I fancy a change
3/ I'm badly struggling to maintain her. I simply cannot find the time.

Currently have a few ideas what she will be replaced with, some of those ideas are Supra related, some not. Really don't know at the moment.

[Gambit]

Well April fools was six days ago, so we must assume your serious....

[UltraFlynn]

I'm afraid so.

I'd love to say that I've enjoyed every minute of Supra ownership but to be honest the car has felt right for about 10% of the time. The other 90% of the time I'm been limping along due to issues. Issues which most people would be able to get sorted and move on but I just don't get the time.

I need something without the issues and much newer.

[J-S14A]

How about a newer (facelift) n/a? No tubbies or the associated potential problems.
For the type of car it is, the Supra will be about as reliable as they come.
The only similar car I might consider would be a 350z, but they seem to suffer plenty of reliability issues (Oil consumption being a major one)

[UltraFlynn]

You must be reading my mind because those are my two top options: -

1/ Get a 2002 NA Supra imported.
2/ A 350Z. But as you say they do have issues. Plus the cost is twice that of the NA.

The NA is actually my preference. I've given a spec to an importer and the price they are quoting is good. The only downside is that the importer I've been talking to leaves alot of the registration and conversion to the owner and doesn't provide any warranty.

[J-S14A]

I would have a word with Paul Whiffin. He's not a million miles away from you, and I bought my Supra from him and alot of parts since. He's not necessarily the cheapest trader, but you'll struggle to get better service, and the car will be first rate. At least if you go for a gunmetal facelift with a manual box, it shouldn't depreciate as quickly as many seem to these days. Either that or a pre facelift aerotop, but the age may be offputting.

My friends 350z isn't even a year old and the oil consumption is terrible. He wishes he'd gone for a Supra now. The real plus with the 350 is the interior is better than the supras.

[Mike_Mac]

I was quite shocked on first reading your post, but at least you're staying in the fold. I'd say a nice Quicksilver manual would do the job quite nicely and it'll be bombproof reliability wise.

In terms of looks I'd say the Supra wins hands-down vs 350Z! Plus in these days of spiraling fuel costs you could easily convert an NA Supra to LPG, which makes it a lot more economical and just as much fun (unless the great GB decides to hike duty on it of course!)

[Gambit]

Originally Posted by J-S14A

The real plus with the 350 is the interior is better than the supras.

Yes the Supra interior is a bit dated.

[Martin F]

Originally Posted by Flynn

After 3 years of Supra ownership I've decided that the time has come to replace my trusty old car.

Remember that word you used there 'trusty'

Originally Posted by Flynn

I'd love to say that I've enjoyed every minute of Supra ownership but to be honest the car has felt right for about 10% of the time. The other 90% of the time I'm been limping along due to issues. Issues which most people would be able to get sorted and move on but I just don't get the time.

I'm going to be completely honest here, because I've known you throughout your whole supra owning experience I'm sure my words are well placed. I believe that for many 'car enthusiasts' that their cars always have many issues, because of their enthusiasm for their chosen ride. In your case I think maybe the issues are more plentiful because of your interest in detailing\bodywork\paintwork. I know for my own part, there are always things I want to do on my car and I'll probably never ever be finished, but that doesn't take away my pleasure from driving it and the smile that comes from once in a while putting your foot down.

I still stand behind my initial assesment of your car that it was a good buy and is a pretty solid car. Yes there are a few issues, but look at any Supra in any show and I bet you can easily find at least half a dozen issues with it (my own included).

Going for an NA, just because it's a younger car, after owning a TT could be a bad move IMO. You may very well reminisce about the power of your old TT.

Even if you can live with the reduced power, an enthusiast like yourself will still find issues with it.

HTH in the sense it was meant to.

[Clayton]

i agree with martin , i owned a lovely n/a for 4 years and thought it the dogs, then the chance of buying my current ride coupled with my mate badgering me for mine came along and i changed. i must in all honesty say that the difference between the n/a and my tt is huge. i would never now go back to an n/a . this is only my opinion but if i felt i could no longer afford the tt i would probably end up with a seat leon or summut.