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Fancy a 2+2 targa top


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Guest supra_maybe

Hi Everyone.

 

I am a newbie (just joined), based in The Midlands.

 

My wife and I fancy a targa coupe for the occasional sunny days. Ideally a proper 4 seater, but there seem to be very few of these about, or they are a bit exotic (Ferrari etc). So a 2+2 is an option. We have both had full convertibles over the years, and we think the downsides of convertibles exceed the upsides.

 

So .... the candidates are ..

- Nissan 300ZX targa

- Toyota Supra Aerotop

- (don't fancy a 911).

 

 

I spent a very valuable hour last week with an extremely helpful 300ZX repair/maintenance specialist, to get the story on durability, weak points running costs, sensible price to pay for a good example, etc. I took the opportunity to peer in/around/under several examples.

 

I am looking for a similar view on the Supra. All advice and guidance welcomed.

 

Whatever we end up driving ... we would be looking for something as standard as possible (noisy exhaust pipes and wild body kits/lurid colours are definitely not for us), and it would need an auto gearbox (my wife finds the clutch/gearbox on our existing sporty coupe a bit heavy) and preferrably leather seats. Performance isn't top of the agenda, so we have an open mind on turbo or non-turbo options; also on UK or imported cars.

 

Also some functionality questions ...

- I have heard that these things have hard suspension ... is this true ?

- can anyone tell me if the Supra has more/less room in the back seats than the 300 ZX ?

- how difficult is it to fit/remove the targa top (my wife is 5 feet tall and of slight build) ... the Nissan has 2 small, light panels

- does the targa top stow in the boot ?

 

Looking forward to learning from this forum.

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Quick response as I need to shoot:

 

Suspension: Stock suspension is not hard at all IMO. But it is subjective I guess. Finding stock suspension maybe more tricky than not though.

Room in the back: Don't know the difference, but there is F all room in the back of the supra. Next to pointless the back seats.

Roof: yes, the roof stores in the boot. You'll have no room for anything else in there while the roof is stowed. As for easy or removal, the roof is light, but I suspect 300ZX will be easier due to it being in two pieces. Not sure how 300 roof is attached but, there's 4 bolts (one in each corner) that needs to be tightened / loosened on the Aerotop (supra).

Edited by Matt H (see edit history)
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Can't answer you much as not had an aero. I have an N/a an the suspension isn't at all hard for a sports car, as for space in the rear I'm 5"11 an can drive with my 5"1 wife sat behind me. I wouldn't want to drive for to long like that as I like my seat far back, but it ok for 40min blast.

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I have a Supra twin turbo aerotop. The stock suspension is soft, yet stable, and not hard at all, in my opinion. Mine's been lowered and stiffened slightly.

 

The roof comes off and stows in the boot, as MattH mentions. The roof is made of aluminium, so is as light as possible from the factory, but it is possible to buy much lighter aftermarket carbon fibre roofs at some cost, etc.

 

When the roof is off you will notice scuttle shake. You get used to it, but it doesn't really affect the handling if you're not tracking it, etc. ;)

 

The rear seats are are a bit silly, but 3 people can travel quite comfortably if the rear seat passenger puts their feet on the other seat. It's probably not advisable, but you can get a seatbelt on. Otherwise the front seats will have to be moved forward to accommodate.

 

Other than that, the Supra aerotop is a fantastic and very reliable car, but then again you'll find most of us here slightly biased that way too!

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I've not owned an Aerotop, but have had an auto. The gearbox is fantastic! Still feels modern and is the one of best auto boxes I've ever used.

 

The rear seats can be used for 2 children in reasonable comfort if the driver isn't too tall. :) I've squeezed 2 adults in the back before, but I'd only recommend that for short distances. :D the rear seat back folds flat and makes the boot quite practical for road trips for two.

 

I would always choose a Supra over a 300zx though, love the 300's looks but the Internet is rife with horror stories. Then again most quad cam engines are a PITA. The Supras 2JZ engine, in turbo or NA guises, is a joy and sounds amazing. I know you said that you weren't keen on modifications, but I would seriously recommend a subtle aftermarket exhaust to release some of that amazing engine noise.

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I've had 2 aerotops one N/A one TT. The stock J-spec N/A suspension is actually relatively soft, remember it is a GT tourer in factory form! The roof can be a bit tricky for the shorter lighter weight individual and whereas it isn't that heavy it is quite an awkward size. For the sake of the paint finish and headlining the other half would be better off having help to lift it into the boot!

Space in the back is also relative. Anyone that is driving and is tall is going to negate the rear seat behind themselves irrespective of which targa top car you buy. With the front seats pulled up a bit forwards children up to teenagers should be comfortable enough for a couple of hours, adults maybe for an hour. It is a bit claustrophobic in the back there mainly because the rear quarter windows are blacked out in most and the roof cuts down quite a lot in the back, that said with the roof off it opens it right up and makes the whole back seat experience so much better. I expect it is the exact same in the 300ZX though.

When I was looking at both cars donkeys years back there were two factors that made me get a supra. The first being the poor reliability record of the 300ZX the second being the flimsy poor quality and outdated interior of the 300ZX in comparison to the supra. The supra interior is like being in a cockpit the 300's is like being in a nissan bluebird!

If you are looking for more space in the back then I expect you'll have to invest in another complete drop head motor though.

As an occasional jolly trip motor especially with the roof off

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I have a Supra twin turbo aerotop. The stock suspension is soft, yet stable, and not hard at all, in my opinion. Mine's been lowered and stiffened slightly.

 

The roof comes off and stows in the boot, as MattH mentions. The roof is made of aluminium, so is as light as possible from the factory, but it is possible to buy much lighter aftermarket carbon fibre roofs at some cost, etc.

 

When the roof is off you will notice scuttle shake. You get used to it, but it doesn't really affect the handling if you're not tracking it, etc. ;)

 

The rear seats are are a bit silly, but 3 people can travel quite comfortably if the rear seat passenger puts their feet on the other seat. It's probably not advisable, but you can get a seatbelt on. Otherwise the front seats will have to be moved forward to accommodate.

 

Other than that, the Supra aerotop is a fantastic and very reliable car, but then again you'll find most of us here slightly biased that way too!

 

+1

You will only get an AeroTop Supra as a import, whether its a non turbo or twin turbo. All UK spec are hard tops. Also, genuine TT Aerotops are a GZ model and automatic as standard.

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Hi Kelvin,

 

To be completely honest, you're best scouring the classifieds to find one nearby to take a test drive and see what you think of it.

As mentioned, it's all subjective to what you've been driving. If I drive my brothers Volvo v70 estate and then drive mine immediately after, the suspensions feels very stiff. After a while of driving mine it's back to normal again. Smooth as anything. :)

 

I'm 5'9" (I think!) I've been a passenger in the back for a long drive and didn't find it too bad. I had my knees at either side of the front seat though. Found it more comfortable that way.

 

And I own a 200SX, same era as 300ZX's and can honestly say that build quality is so much better on the Supra than the Nissan.

Welcome to the club chap and I hope you make the right descision ;)

Edited by Iky (see edit history)
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Guest supra_maybe

Thanks everyone for all that info.

 

I am arranging to see/test a Supra next week (if it isn't sold beforehand).

 

I am interested in practicality, ease of driving (for my wife) and build quality more than outright performance.

 

 

 

kelvin

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Thanks everyone for all that info.

 

I am arranging to see/test a Supra next week (if it isn't sold beforehand).

 

I am interested in practicality, ease of driving (for my wife) and build quality more than outright performance.

 

 

 

kelvin

 

Ease of driving and all round driving experience is second to none in either the N/A or TT. The car because its auto and for its day Un-surpassed performance wise as an auto is sublime to drive. Like I said previously they handle very well for a car of it's size and if you put decent tyres on them they will out handle smaller niftier cars like lotus elises when pushed. I know this because I've race tracked both an N/A and TT on open days with very positive results.

 

The clincher I think will not be the performance driving or comfort as I know that will bowl you over! The clincher will be the roof and if or how easy you can stow it. FWIW one day I left my roof in loose and the mrs 7 months pregnant got in and drove it without realising and had it pop out and fly off on a dual carriageway. She had to run up the road before it got run over and pick it up from the road and fit it back on the car in rush hour traffic!! Not ideal but yes the roof can be man or in this instance pregnant woman handled if necessary but I stand by the statement that it would be better for a couple of women or a man to take the roof off and stow it. With a bit of practice a smaller woman could stow the roof for sure and prove me a condescending Git LOL.

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