New and here to buy a TT6

[Pringle]

So I’ve been dreaming of having a tastefully modified TT6 for years, and after cashing out my last fun car (e39 M5) a few months back I’ve finally got the funds to make it happen. But with the price of stock cars it doesn’t make sense to buy an unmodified one just to modify it and lose a stack of money... So it seems I’m on the look out in the dangerous world of cars other people have meddled with! And clearly these aren’t throw away money any more so I have to do it right.

 

I’m interested to hear of people’s experiance of buying already modded Supras. I’ve read plenty of buying guides, but they focus on rust areas and common problem. What about the mods to keep an eye out for? What we’re you checking when you went to buy?

 

Any advice would be amazing. A suitable one looks to have finally come up for sale only a couple hours drive from me so I’d like to go take a look but I want to be prepared. And most of the modifications seem to be bodyworkrather than engine which hopefully makes it less risky. Im a bit sceptical of the car as its for sale in the uk and not listed on here which is surely the first place anyone serious about Supras would be listing. Do people often see them come up for sale where forum members aren’t familiar with the car and owner already? Would feel a lot happier if I knew they were part of the community.

 

Cheers for any help

[blythmrk]

If you put a link up to the advert people on here will most likely know the car or the seller but it will give us more of an idea if nothing else!

[Scooter]

Is it the red one that was silver? It's at the more reasonable end of the TT6 scale and looks clean if you can live with the Bomex kit?

[Swampy442]

Buying modded cars is huge minefield, you want to know mainly who built it, are they a trusted name in the scene, is it built with quality parts or eBay XS Power bits, who mapped it and has it been abused. There's a lot to take into account

[Pringle]

Buying modded cars is huge minefield, you want to know mainly who built it, are they a trusted name in the scene, is it built with quality parts or eBay XS Power bits, who mapped it and has it been abused. There's a lot to take into account

 

That’s my worry. It seems like a minefield, but hopefully people on here might be able to share some experiance to steer me in the right direction.

 

Scooter, that’s impressive, you’re exactly right about which car I was thinking of. For others the link is below:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F333596658800

 

On the face of it, it seems like a good base to start from as the engine is stock so I should be picking through other peoples dodgy work, and the price seems to reflect that its had a colour change and that its got the awful Bomex kit (which I could live with, short term anyway). I guess the obvious question is why it had the respray in the first place. What do you guys think of it?

[Swampy442]

That looks standard mechanical wise, and cheap for a 6 speed. Like you said providing the box is good could be a good base. Colour change isn't always a bad thing but depends how good it is.

[Shane34]

- - - Updated - - -

 

Is it the red one that was silver? It's at the more reasonable end of the TT6 scale and looks clean if you can live with the Bomex kit?

 

 

I was looking at this car, not in person

 

Few points I noticed I have additional photos aswell

 

Bonnet alignment (photo now removed and re angled)

Overspray on the chassis(red spray marks everywhere)

Rear bumper looks a different colour in some photo's

Lack of import information, no documents no service history

Mot check showed oil leak

 

Minor stuff

Petrol cap alignment

Silver engine bay, can say what else no doors were opened

Different front seats

Rear torn seat

Horrendous body kit

Horrendous wheels

 

I worked it out financially you be better of buying on of the proven listed cars on the sale section. White one or the black one near the top.

 

However it could be a good buy. He rejected my 18.5k offer.

 

This has also been listed on and offer since near February

[blythmrk]

I thought it looked like a freshly blown over car judging by the overspray.

[Scooter]

The trouble these days is it's thin pickings! Even thinner at the lower cost range.....and our market seems to be the lowest now and so no deals from abroad either.

 

The positive on this is that it looks in good order, I'm sure I saw and underbody shot that was encouraging (check it wasn't a library pic!!)

 

Depends what you want arguably some spats and front bumper change are minor costs in the big scheme of things if everything else is sound?

[Pringle]

Guys, this is some amazing advice. I really really appreciate it. So refreshing to come to a forum and have people genuinely help.

 

Looks like the red one has gone. Not too surprising it didn’t stick around at that price even if stuff did need doing to it. Fortunately that one was some way within budget, so when one comes up that needs less sorting out hopefully I can jump on it. I was expecting to spend in the region of £25k when the time comes.

 

Simon_RD, getting a detailed inspection by a 3rd party is something I’d happily pay for to make sure I don’t end up with a lemon. Do you know of some specialists that do that? Obviously it’s going to depend what region the car is in but whilst I’m getting ready to pounce that’d be good knowledge to have.

 

Thanks so much for your help already everyone!

[Frank Bullitt]

This is a little over budget - http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?357657-1996-Supra-Twin-Turbo-6spd-Manual-%A328-750&p=4319420#post4319420

[Pringle]

Unfortunately, it probably is. It’s a stunning car, but really I’d have to be asking him to come down a reasonable amount to leave something in the ‘battle funds’. Also, I’m not sure why it’s noticeably more than this one:

http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?356709-040-Super-White-Nov-96-RZ-V160-A03B

 

Hopefully this doesn’t offend anyone, but to me the two seem quite comparable?

[drift_bear]

Greens a nice colour good luck with the search! As others have said don’t rush into anything and take your time

 

Edited May 18, 2020 by drift_bear (see edit history)

[Peter P]

Guys, this is some amazing advice. I really really appreciate it. So refreshing to come to a forum and have people genuinely help.

 

Looks like the red one has gone. Not too surprising it didn’t stick around at that price even if stuff did need doing to it. Fortunately that one was some way within budget, so when one comes up that needs less sorting out hopefully I can jump on it. I was expecting to spend in the region of £25k when the time comes.

 

Simon_RD, getting a detailed inspection by a 3rd party is something I’d happily pay for to make sure I don’t end up with a lemon. Do you know of some specialists that do that? Obviously it’s going to depend what region the car is in but whilst I’m getting ready to pounce that’d be good knowledge to have.

 

Thanks so much for your help already everyone!

 

Welcome to the forum first off.

 

It does depend largely on where you find the car in terms of experts to give the car a once over, some members (myself included) would happily come with you to give any potential car a once over, but if you want it done right, I’d get the car to an expert with the right facilities to check it over more thoroughly. If the seller kicks off, I’d be looking elsewhere as this isn’t pocket change and if the car is in good shape, they have nothing to worry about.

 

For me, I’d be using one of the following:

 

South East - SRD Tuning in West Sussex. Lee P and the team are brilliant, I trust them 100% with my car.

London/Enfield - Magnum Performance. Darren has been around these cars for decades and is arguably one of the best mechanics I know.

West-Wales - Garage Whifbitz, Paul Whiffin and his team have built literally hundreds of these cars from subtle street use to full blown race and drag cars. Handily he also has stock of most parts and can source anything the car may need.

 

I’d also go with JM Imports/Jurgen for anything Newcastle way. They recently bought a new shop and have all the ramps/tools etc needed. Jurgen has bought and maintained a lot of really nice cars and his team have built some lovely examples over the years.

 

Wish you the very best of luck with your purchase and hope to see/meet you at some point when we can start doing meets and shows again.

 

All the best,

 

 

Pete

[Frank Bullitt]

Hopefully this doesn’t offend anyone, but to me the two seem quite comparable?

 

Horses for courses but if I was set on a manual 6 speed the black one would be a consideration due to the rebuilt gearbox & diff. The latter not so much as the parts are still available to do this but the gearbox is a no brainer. When you consider the price being asked for knackered 6 speed or secondhand 6 speed boxes with a very high chance of not being able to rebuild them due to many discontinued parts it makes a lot of sense.

 

These cars are now between 18 and 27 years old, as such you are much better off letting you head rule your heart. This means buying on condition, ideally a long provable service history with pro active owners that are changing parts due to age rather than failure. Yearly oil changes irrespective of mileage covered and ideally as few owners as possible with previous owners being long term keepers.

 

That said, I prefer the auto and would be knocking on drift bears door asking about his. I would highly recommend you try and get a passenger ride in a manual, auto and tiptronic in stock, BPU and single turbo form before deciding.

 

What are your plans for ownership? Drive and enjoy or mod it for more power?

[Scooter]

I get the manual only thing, but if you have even a slight inkling that the auto might be ok then try one (i've had a few of both), it'll really open up your options to more cars, still pretty thin pickings mind.

 

Just got to keep looking daily, you may find a few come up in the next 6 months if the whole economy slows more?

[Pringle]

- If your out of luck either way, then just get 1000's of photos of every angle and post them up here, then watch them get pulled apart very quickly. If there is a visual problem of any kind, the people on here find it very quickly lol.

 

Haha, good point!

 

Once again guys, top notch advice.

 

Frank Bullitt, in terms of what I’m looking for, a manual is an absolute must. I find even the best of automatics fairly irksome in a fun car so I’d only really consider an auto in something so fast I can’t keep up with the gears. And my plan was to work towards a single turbo with a (relatively!) modest power goal (550bhp kind or region). I’m probably even more of an engine fan than a car fan so top of my list is the sound of a modified 2JZ. If I can find a car that’s already got a single turbo then that’d be ideal. To be honest, I’m kicking myself that I didn’t go look at the white single turbo that was for sale on here a couple months ago (I think being sold by Crash Bandicoot maybe?), but I didn’t feel ready to make an educated decision then. Probably looked at the ad every day for the best part of a month before it sold haha.

 

With that black one, isn’t it a tad concerning the gear box was crunching? I thought the boxes were pretty indestructible?

[Frank Bullitt]

Frank Bullitt, in terms of what I’m looking for, a manual is an absolute must. I find even the best of automatics fairly irksome in a fun car so I’d only really consider an auto in something so fast I can’t keep up with the gears. And my plan was to work towards a single turbo with a (relatively!) modest power goal (550bhp kind or region). I’m probably even more of an engine fan than a car fan so top of my list is the sound of a modified 2JZ. If I can find a car that’s already got a single turbo then that’d be ideal. To be honest, I’m kicking myself that I didn’t go look at the white single turbo that was for sale on here a couple months ago (I think being sold by Crash Bandicoot maybe?), but I didn’t feel ready to make an educated decision then. Probably looked at the ad every day for the best part of a month before it sold haha.

 

With that black one, isn’t it a tad concerning the gear box was crunching? I thought the boxes were pretty indestructible?

 

If you’re set on a manual it’s going to cost, I’d still recommend a drive in the auto if you can as it’s not a bad box, far from it. Even by todays standards.

 

This is what is possible on a modified A340 transmission plus a hell of a lot more.

 

 

550hp, is that at the crank or at the wheels? Either way it’s pretty much the best power level for a road going Supra. Much more than this and you will have trouble getting the power down.

 

If you haven’t seen it, although old, this is a good watch.

 

 

Yes the box was pretty indestructible when it left the assembly line running OEM power before people started playing with them but as I said above these cars and obviously the transmissions ranges anywhere from 18 and 27 years old. Being realistic unless it’s bone stock then think potentially 18 - 27 years of abuse. Parts will wear out and breakdown over time, to think otherwise would be akin to burying your head in the sand.

 

If it was being sold with a box that crutches then it would be a concern, as it’s been sorted by a reputable trader using what I will assume was the last of the available OEM parts before Toyota ran out and sold off the tooling then I would say it’s worth investigating. Also have a chat with the traders that have worked on the car, ask for their opinion.

 

Chris Wilson (07971-952084 or email [email protected]) won’t mince his words

 

Hope this helps

[Mo Reviews]

If you’re set on a manual it’s going to cost, I’d still recommend a drive in the auto if you can as it’s not a bad box, far from it. Even by todays standards.

 

This is what is possible on a modified A340 transmission plus a hell of a lot more.

 

 

550hp, is that at the crank or at the wheels? Either way it’s pretty much the best power level for a road going Supra. Much more than this and you will have trouble getting the power down.

 

If you haven’t seen it, although old, this is a good watch.

 

 

Yes the box was pretty indestructible when it left the assembly line running OEM power before people started playing with them but as I said above these cars and obviously the transmissions ranges anywhere from 18 and 27 years old. Being realistic unless it’s bone stock then think potentially 18 - 27 years of abuse. Parts will wear out and breakdown over time, to think otherwise would be akin to burying your head in the sand.

 

If it was being sold with a box that crutches then it would be a concern, as it’s been sorted by a reputable trader using what I will assume was the last of the available OEM parts before Toyota ran out and sold off the tooling then I would say it’s worth investigating. Also have a chat with the traders that have worked on the car, ask for their opinion.

 

Chris Wilson (07971-952084 or email [email protected]) won’t mince his words

 

Hope this helps

 

Pedro's Supra is by far one of the best autos on the planet. Such a humble guy too. This car is one of the main inspirations behind my upcoming build, if that isn't a compliment to the A340, I don't know what is.

[Scooter]

Haha, good point!

 

Once again guys, top notch advice.

 

Frank Bullitt, in terms of what I’m looking for, a manual is an absolute must.

 

With that black one, isn’t it a tad concerning the gear box was crunching? I thought the boxes were pretty indestructible?

 

 

 

Ok so manual is a must, fine, just looked on goonet and a some very nice ones on there but some for £40k+ before import duty and VAT!!!

 

So Japan looks a no go, so just down to here and whatever and whenever someone might sell up. With perhaps a R8 etc coming down to meet a TT6 Supra, and potentially tough economic times perhaps a long term owner might let go/move on?

 

Perhaps go to the members section list by most recently logged on and gather up a list of TT6 owners and perhaps Pm them? Otherwise live on Ebay etc, but the few traders left that know about these will nearly always beat you to anything slightly below market value as they'll be less nervous or just go and look instantly, whilst you're asking questions (not a critisism at all just your due diligence will likely move a lot slower than theirs?) caveat being their interest might have waned on taking new purchases on so that could work in your favour.....

 

At the current prices the worst thing you can do is buy a lemon as a lemon + fixing will likely be more than a minter AND likely still less appealing than the minter after the work. It's getting harder and harder to buy a Supra, but if you believe prices will hold then I think you just have to invest more into the purchase price to ensure a happy ownership experience. Also gearboxes are tough but one or two mis-shifts in a high powered one could put you in the crap, as price and availability of getrag boxes is shocking now.

 

Probably comes across as mega doom and gloom but just saying it how I see it.

 

You could go auto and convert to a different manual box, there is a single auto on ebay now cheapish?