Been offered a mkiv UK 2jz manual BUT with 240k miles looking for advice

[Guest reese646]

Hi guys first post here, as titled I have known the car for over ten years now, only 2 owners from new, the guy who has it now has had it nearly 20 years from 5k miles. Its a genuine UK twin turbo manual and I know its been maintained well, to be honest I've spoke to him alot about it over the years and its never broken down in all the time he's had it, think he had a water pump of something similair done last year and thats all I've heard go wrong, its been well serviced but it has been used as his daily drive for most of its life, straight motorway run from his house to office, I know the route basically and theres never much stop start traffic so its had a very easy life and as the guys in his late 50's he's struggling to get in and out of it basically so has decided its time to let it go, giving me the first chance on it.

 

The kicker is its done roughly 240,000 miles, like a hell of a lot, it is mechanically sound but I haven't looked underneath, the paintwork is rough, peeling laquer and the first signs of rust bubbles, not bad but there. the wheels need doing etc its been maintained well but its no show car, the interior is not bad but drivers seat is as you can imagine shot.

 

I've loved these cars since I was young and very interested in it, I'm not so much concerned by the mileage as far as the drivetrain goes as I know they are bulletproof, but he's wanting alot of money for it, I can't say exactly how much yet as he's not really made his mind up on a price but its gonna be north of 10k, I know that this is the one really desirable, really rare model and they fetch a premium if mint and low mileage but what should I be looking for, how much should I be looking at paying, how much should i be leaving over for restoration etc, any and all advice will be appreciated I think I've come to the right place

[j_jza80]

If you can get it for around £10k, I'd snap it up. The mileage isnt an issue if you're looking to just drive It, and it has a particularly thick folder of history with it.

 

Be worth checking the history for what items have been swapped, some wear items on these cars can be very expensive. The suspension bushes for example will be very tired if any are still original.

[evinX]

If its well priced and your willing to invest the work and money into it to bring it back, as its now coming to the end of its life and needs work, go for it. Most wont. Also at 240k miles alot of parts that havnt been replaced will not long after need replacing when you start using it, im 99% sure that will happen, if the paints gone and rust is coming through thats a good sign this cars near its end to me. The underside probably wont be pretty to look at unless it was treated in its time.

 

Mine was at the end of its life when i got it, but i went out the way to bring it back - Totally of the charts.

[Attero]

With that sort of mileage, I'd imagine a lot more than the water pump to go. If it hasn't, I'd carefully look over everything.

 

I think there was a 250k mile TT6 that went a while back for about £6-7k. Not sure if it was a UK or not. Anyway, in today's prices that would probably be about £9-10k. Nobody knew what issues it came with though.

[blythmrk]

Hi guys first post here, as titled I have known the car for over ten years now, only 2 owners from new, the guy who has it now has had it nearly 20 years from 5k miles. Its a genuine UK twin turbo manual and I know its been maintained well, to be honest I've spoke to him alot about it over the years and its never broken down in all the time he's had it, think he had a water pump of something similair done last year and thats all I've heard go wrong, its been well serviced but it has been used as his daily drive for most of its life, straight motorway run from his house to office, I know the route basically and theres never much stop start traffic so its had a very easy life and as the guys in his late 50's he's struggling to get in and out of it basically so has decided its time to let it go, giving me the first chance on it.

 

The kicker is its done roughly 240,000 miles, like a hell of a lot, it is mechanically sound but I haven't looked underneath, the paintwork is rough, peeling laquer and the first signs of rust bubbles, not bad but there. the wheels need doing etc its been maintained well but its no show car, the interior is not bad but drivers seat is as you can imagine shot.

 

I've loved these cars since I was young and very interested in it, I'm not so much concerned by the mileage as far as the drivetrain goes as I know they are bulletproof, but he's wanting alot of money for it, I can't say exactly how much yet as he's not really made his mind up on a price but its gonna be north of 10k, I know that this is the one really desirable, really rare model and they fetch a premium if mint and low mileage but what should I be looking for, how much should I be looking at paying, how much should i be leaving over for restoration etc, any and all advice will be appreciated I think I've come to the right place

 

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I have 2 UK manual cars 1 with 133k and one with about 90k the clock.

You are correct in they are the most desirable supra due to the low numbers produced and the specification.

I am unsure on the value but 10k sounds ok but to restore to what standard? This could easily run into many tens of thousands to get truly mint but with the mileage I would make good to a certain level to look good but useable.

I am always wary when a am older car with many miles has needed nothing more like a ticking time bomb sometimes the list of has it been replaced could run to pages but if rough on top it's 10x worse underneath.

What color is it and interior?

My car with 133k was 1 owner for 19 years the thing is they are so good out of the box people hold onto them!

Regards

Mark

[Guest reese646]

Thanks for the input guys, like I said I know the car fairly well and although the body is shabby it doesn't look like its over the hill, I'm currently doing a bare metal restore and build on a wrc escort cosworth so not overly worried about the body work but worth knowing what to look out for as its obviously seen all weather and as said alot of things might be wearing out.

 

The guy has always told me how reliable it is, I don't think he's driven it hard for a long time and as saidits had an easy life bar the mileage, how easy are engine and gearbox rebuild parts to get hold of, I'd of though due too them been an iconic engine alot is still available?

 

I'd kinda agree on 10k, I think he's going to stick too his guns on price though, can't see him letting it go for less than 12-13k which makes it really borderline, don't want to throw money at it endlessly, but would like to restore it too a good/high original standard.

[Guest reese646]

Also out of interest how many TT6spds UK are left? and If it had a documented restoration back too like new would the mileage still put off people you think in 10 years when they become a real classic?

[Frank Bullitt]

Depends on the colour and year.

 

http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?242550-UK-Spec-Supra-Register

[blythmrk]

Lots of oem parts are now discontinued especially unique UK specific items.

I am not sure if you can buy gears for the 6 speed box that's when they are 4k for a box and rising.

Engine wise you are right I think every thing is still available oem and obviously up rated parts too if you do wish.

I am not sure on the parts cost on escort cosworths but supra prices have rocketed in the last 12 months for example a new pair of oem glass UK headlights which you will probably need are now around £800 but we're sub £400 before and not many sets left.

He does want very good money he must have done his research on it!

I would be cautious at 13k it could easily be 30k done if not more and not worth it.

What mileage has the escort done I am sure that will not be 240k!

[blythmrk]

Also out of interest how many TT6spds UK are left? and If it had a documented restoration back too like new would the mileage still put off people you think in 10 years when they become a real classic?

 

I personally think people always look at the mileage when buying a car even when restored I was at the classic car show and all the old fords in the auction were mega low milers not the ones with 200,000 on but mint.

[Guest reese646]

I personally think people always look at the mileage when buying a car even when restored I was at the classic car show and all the old fords in the auction were mega low milers not the ones with 200,000 on but mint.

 

Yeah this is my bigger concern, I'd like to own it to drive it and have one as I've always loved them and to be honest its the only model I'd consider so shows people can be picky lol, that said its eventually going to be looked on as an investment and would probably spend the next 2-4 years off the road been slowly restored between work on the escort.

 

The car is black, with the light coloured leather interior on a 1995. The cosworth is a zero mile build, bare metal shell prep with WRC cage etc.....just the cradle, hubs and suspension front and back are around 15k so don't want to take on too much money wise with a Supra as well lol

Edited January 5, 2017 by reese646 (see edit history)

[Guest reese646]

can't access the database, not enough permissions, just wondered on total UK TT manuals left but interested to know how many blacks there are. As you say he knows what he has, knows they're as rare as unicorn poop and think its gonna be a hard barter if it comes to it.

[samm]

I think the high mileage will let this one down as an investment! just my two penneth worth..

[Guest reese646]

Alot of food for thought, love the car, luckily know the guy and trust him, know the history but think its too much work considering other commitments....but the Cosworth and Supra is my dream garage lol.

 

Reality is I think he'll get 13k for it off someone but its only really viable for me at 10k with a 5-6k budget for parts as I can do all the work myself.

[blythmrk]

Sorry I am not sure about how many UK manuals are left I think it's under 10 black cars, 95 seems very common year for black mine is a 95 too. It's hard to figure a full count as they keep popping up there was one the other month that had been sat in a field for 10 years again a long term owner from new if my memory serves me correctly I have had my red one 15 years I think! That is a very low UK chassis no and one of 3 red manuals built for Europe in 93.

Why not pay your £10 membership for the year or £30 for life time membership then you can search and find more!

Good luck anway post some pictures up if you buy it!

Regards

Mark

[Attero]

About 600 UK specs. Mostly autos. Over half written off, exported, or off road. A working black UK TT6 is indeed extremely rare.

 

I wanted a UK TT6 for so long but glad I didn't in the end. They were either way too high mileage leading into aging issues, way to expensive or an auto.

 

As I recently learned, you get what you pay for. You will end up paying for or more than the car would have been worth if it was low mileage in the short term. At least you have a supra at the end of the day, but just be financially prepared for what's to come (not saying that you aren't).

[Guest reese646]

Thanks for the advice again, If I do purchase, which after talking to you guys is seeming less likely I'm afraid I'd join and be an active member as I am for the other cars I have. The reality is I think its looking more like a bag of worms in the long run. Too use it and enjoy it I'd have too spend too much on it as somethings bound to break and I'd want it restored to good condition or why bother, or as an investment it would take the same amount of money and time, but wouldnt want to use it as it would hike the mileage even further and still not be worth what I'd likely spend in restoring it lol damned if you do damned if you dont.

 

That said if I don't and you see it on the market in South Wales in the near future at least you know the guys description can be trusted, I think it would be a perfect car for someone who really wants a project with a good base that they intend on keeping and using for a long time. God I hate cars......still tempted haha

[HarleyFDMD]

My biggest concern about a TT6 with that mileage would be the gearbox

 

 

[blythmrk]

Only UK TT6s will do for me!

I would also like a definitive list of how many UK tt6s are left and colours. I think I read there is only 1 silver manual UK tt6 left.

[blythmrk]

My biggest concern about a TT6 with that mileage would be the gearbox

 

/QUOTE]

 

I cannot understand why there must be an engineering company somewhere or a gearbox specialist with the tools/equipment to do this.

What exactly goes wrong with the v160/161 boxes and why cannot they be rebuilt or can they?

I thought they were pretty bullet proof especially when only running stock not even BPU just normal road use no drag racing, drifting etc.

[Nic]

Be worth checking the history for what items have been swapped, some wear items on these cars can be very expensive. The suspension bushes for example will be very tired if any are still original.

 

 

Go through the paperwork to see what has been replaced on the car over the years and what parts are original, that's the only way to know if it's worth the money. If the suspension, turbos and other ancillaries are original you'd be looking at more than the price of the car to get it back into good working order.

[j_jza80]

Yeah, not investment material because of the mileage. But like I said before, if you just want to drive it, then the mileage thing doesn't matter. In fact, you won't have to worry about putting loads of miles on it either £13k is too expensive IMO, he'll get £10k for it, i'd be surprised if anyone would pay more.

[HarleyFDMD]

I cannot understand why there must be an engineering company somewhere or a gearbox specialist with the tools/equipment to do this.

What exactly goes wrong with the v160/161 boxes and why cannot they be rebuilt or can they?

I thought they were pretty bullet proof especially when only running stock not even BPU just normal road use no drag racing, drifting etc.

That was my intial thought but its not down to having the correct tools or equipment. Its the simple fact that getrag/toyota no longer produce the gears or syncros anymore. They have all been discontinued (to my knowledge)

Therefore it doesn't matter how good of a gearbox specialist you are, if you havnt got the parts you havnt got the parts.

 

Theres a chap called Arnout who seems to have the last of the stock. From what iv read he appears to still have all the gears and bits in stock but there will inevitably come a time where he runs out and then what?

No doubt the V160s and V161s are bloody good and bloody durable but nothings indestructible, all of them will in time break.

Having one thats never been driven particularly hard and has never seen more than stock power is obviously in your favour, but it having 260k on it is most certainly not.

Who knows, maybe getrag will re commission the production of parts and everyone will be saved

 

 

[Sheefa]

Only UK TT6s will do for me!

I would also like a definitive list of how many UK tt6s are left and colours. I think I read there is only 1 silver manual UK tt6 left.

About 3 UK TT manuals in Silver left. One genuine and 2 single turbos, mine included. That's what we know of anyway.

 

 

[Swampy442]

Well if you dont go for it give me a shout as to where it is, Im interested.