NA or TT

[Ricepilot]

OK guys (and gals if they're not hiding)

 

In the market to buy a Mkiv Supra.

 

Been looking around for six months or so and changed preferences many times so far.

 

I've read the differences and imports and all related articles on the site but I could do with some general individual thoughts.

 

For the last couple of months been considering Manual TT but a NA manual which has been very tastefully modified has just come up as a possibility.

 

So if anybody could give me their thoughts on both pro's and cons of both TT and NA supra (yeah, I know I'm asking the world and I'm sure many other people have asked for it!!!)

 

 

 

The NA in question has been lowered (unknown springs/shocks manufacturer) subtle bodykit and 18's with an unknown aftermarket rear pipe... 35k miles on a 1993 plate.

 

£8495. Currently on the boat at the moment.

[Supraguy]

Depends where you want to go with it. Is insurance cost a factor? There is night and day difference in a TT and NA. You cant simply slap Turbos on NAs down the road, because its much more difficult / expensive. If youre just after a Supra for the looks, then maybe an NA is for you. If you want balls out performance, then the TT is the way to go.

 

I can only sit here and tell you why I would chose one over the other. It all comes down to what you want at the end of the day TBH.

[Ricepilot]

Ah yes forgot to mention that...

 

Our fave. Insurance.

 

Not a problem for either. (courtesy of being an old fart)

 

Normally prefer balls out performance but this NA looks pretty good.

 

Hence why I am trying to get a 'feel' from NA owners (no, not that kinda feel!!!)

 

I had heard (and I really don't wanna upset people here (I'll wait 6 months or so before I do that;)) That a manual NA is quicker than a Auto TT due to the box.

 

Personally I count that as http://members.lycos.co.uk/goldieno1/avatars/bullshit.gif

[GavinL]

try both, it should be obvious.

[Supraguy]

Just an FYI. Manual 6sp TT is only 0.7 sec faster 0-60 than Auto TT.

 

Those are from professional drivers, so go figure.

[suprarob]

well

its got to be the tt

I got a uk auto tt

uk car because the insurance is ( in my case ) less expensive

than a n/a import,cream leather and all the toys

auto because of a back problem that gets worse if I use a clutch

TT because its the fastest

 

but you should try and drive as many variants as posible before

you make up your mind

[Steve W2]

Mr Ricepilot,

 

I have both a 5 speed manual N/A and a Auto TT and I can assure you that whilst the N/A is an excellent car and the performance is good, it won't touch a TT.

 

If you want bags of mid range torque and effortless acceleration there's only one way to go IMHO:cool:

 

But as is the general consensus you should definetly go and have a drive of all the different variants to decide what suits you and your requirements best.

 

Once you have done that you can go and by your TT:D

[allymcmurdo]

I'm currently running an NA auto which i've owned for 2years and i love her to bits.(more than my girlfriend she'd tell you)I went for the NA for insurance reasons cos i'm a young 'un but its by no means a slow car.Its pretty much the same as what your looking at, 18" rims body kit,HKS pipe etc. and its a real headturner.

Theres also a few turbo kits available in the state for the NA, although im unaware of anyone in the uk converting one but your looking at around $5000 for 400bhp which isnt bad at all.

But as most have said.it really depends on what you want the car for.If you want looks alone, the NA will be your car.

[Scooter]

i've kinda been through a few, no auto's though, not that i ignored them just that I do prefer manuals and they came along at the right price.

I'm unique (i think) on the board for going back to an NA, but i did this due to various factors, but mainly to end up with a car half as old with half the mileage in the best (obviously IMO) colour that would not give me any major (touch wood) mechanical problems, and that is almost as quick for about the same money

You have to take my 'almost as quick' comment with a pinch of salt. The TT i had was standard and the NA i have now is about 1.5 secs slowly over the 1/4 mile. BUT on paper there is meant to be 1.5 seconds between their 0-60 secs (approx 5 and 6.5 sec's i think are the quoted figures)

Above 50-60 and the acceleration of the TT will toast an NA, and i do miss this on the motorway, but its more fun through the twisties as its noticeably lighter and the car being only 5years old is noticeably 'tighter'.

 

I would reccomend getting a drive in a TT before getting carried away the the 'looks' of the NA. Many people have regretted getting an NA and have later moved onto the TT. However as long as you don't pay over the odds for the NA upgrading later is not a problem.

[Paul Laing]

i have a NA 5 speed and i love it, it's nothing compared to a 400bhp TT, but your looking at 12k for a decent manual TT, where as for 8k you can get a manual NA, put a Turbo kit on it from the states and get 400bhp for £3000

 

I'm considering this at the moment, iv'e looked on the US boards and theres loads that do it over there. The NA has a better gear ratio aswell so you'd also get better 1/4 miles with this kit on.

 

Powerhouse Racing in america do one of the kits, and they claim a 13.4 1/4 mile on testing with 8psi boost and standard exhaust

 

Worth considering.......

 

Paul

[Andrew]

I'm glad you posted here Scooter, I for one don't feel there's alot of difference between a 5sp NA and a 6sp TT, here's my reason.......

 

When we were coming back from Portsmouth and we were all having a blast up the motorway, I was amazed at how quick your Sup was for an NA, especially when we hit a few roudabouts.

On the straights, yes a TT would pass an NA, but you won't fly passed.

I for one was well impressed, maybe its that you are an excellent driver Scooter or you've got a bottle of NOS hidden in the boot, one or the other

 

A 6sp BPU Supra like mine might be fast in a straight line, but it can be murder in the twisties and takes a lot of getting used to.

Sometimes suffers from too much power coming on when you don't want it or least expect it.

[Scooter]

I agree but mine cheats slightly as it does have 6 gears and should have a few more HP than a non vvti NA (BTW I assume mine is a vvti although there is no change of colour of the plug cover or 'VVTI' embossed on it like there is on the TT's)

The gearing means it would top out way below a TT and possibly below the 5 speed NA but it means it's very lively at normal to high cruising speeds.

It does also have the REAS suspension, and without doubt the car is much more chuckable and 'seems' to wallow less than my old TT, although this is probably partly due to the difference in the suspensions age / condition.

 

The immediate throttle response is great, the lack of the second turbo surge is not!

 

If you've not got the time / inclination / money to mod a TT the NA is not that far short of a standard TT especially when you consider the price of some of the 97/98 models are half that of the TT's.

[Scooter]

BTW Andrew, no NOS, average driver i spose, and with the roundabouts its more that the car inspires confidence. Plus i knew what company I was in so i was making sure that i was constantly at 4000rpm or above. Away from the strip and in the real world it only takes the TT driver to stay in 6th to accelerate while I redline 4th and 5th for a good impression to be made:D

 

Ricepilot FYI the following are taken from two genuine Santa pod slips. One of my standard TT and one of my standard sz-r (both 6-speeds) NB TT time is my best time from about 6 trys in April, the sz-r slip is the only run i've ever done in it (this summer) so while it was an OK run its unlikely to be its best.

 

60ft TT : 2.472 SZ-R : 2.399

330ft TT : 6.299 SZ-R : 6.639

1/8 mile TT : 9.244 (83.74mph) SZ-R : 10.081 (72.20mph)

1/4 mile TT : 13.875 (107.37mph) SZ-R : 15.485 (90.33mph)

 

[1.5 sec diff equates (roughly) to being 60m behind at the end of the 1/4 mile]

[AndyG]

Depends what you want really..

 

N/A = Fast Car, looks bloody good

TT = Very Fast Car, looks bloody good

 

I went for the N/A because for the budget I was on, I could get an excellent condition N/A as opposed to a less cared for TT.

[Paul Laing]

Scooter, 15.2 1/4 mile? I got a 15.2 in my NA SZ........

 

hehe

[Scooter]

So i got within 0.285 sec's of (presumably) your best time, with my first attempt without taking into account possible track diff's.

 

I think I can live with that

[Paul Laing]

that was with a badly blown exhaust, and only my 2nd ever run!

 

my first and 3rd were 15.4s

 

[AndyG]

And just had my insurance renewal on my N/A....

 

640 quid fully comp! Not bad for someone who is 24

[JohnK]

Just thought id bring this up as its only just been touched on and I think its a very important point.

 

In most cases a UK TT will be cheaper to insure than a J spec NA let anone a J spec TT.

 

Also with a UK car you get all the toys as standard, glass headlights and better fuel system which is ideal for future mods as long as your not planning massive power.

 

Downside is that it is slightly heavier than a J spec TT but not by enough to worry about.

[Steve W2]

I think everyone has made some very good point, but I would just like to reinforce the fact that you need to be happy if you buy an NA.

 

The reason I've got both is because when I first got the car the fist 2 people said WOW it looks amazing......wher are the turbos?

 

That was it, two weeks later I had bought a TT, I was a bit lucky and got a good deal but the point is that secretly I new I had to have a TT and it only took two occassions where I had to admit it wasn't a turbo to make me realise what I wanted!

 

Sounds stupid but it can be an expensive and time consuming excercise if you change your mind:D

[allymcmurdo]

Andy G,

My insurance is almost due for renewal.

Who are you insured with?

[Steve W2]

TESCO!

[AndyG]

Tesco!

[Ricepilot]

Thanks for all that guys...

 

Helped a lot.

 

Spent a few hours down at the Supra Centre in Newchapel (surrey) and John down there must be one of the most helpful people on the planet!!!

 

Took a variety of models out excluding an NA. Have to say I was quite suprised to find that I prefered the Auto (hey, not starting another auto/manual post here am I???)

 

I was aiming to get away from the auto (Current car is auto) but looks as if its fave at the moment. Great performance from both cars so it was all about the driving experience.

 

Soon as I've driven this NA thats arriving in country next couple of weeks I'll let u know.

 

But I do know one thing. I'll be a Supra owner within weeks.

 

I went for the N/A because for the budget I was on, I could get an excellent condition N/A as opposed to a less cared for TT.

 

At the moment thats my thinking completly, but ain't deciding till I got a taster of how the two compare. And man, I doooo love it when the second turbo spins up!!!

[AndyG]

Glad you're spending the time trying out all the different options.. and manual/auto, well it's all down to personal choice in the end

 

My N/A is spot on... for the moment! I'll run her for a couple of years, decat, xorst, some ice and maybe a Dude Spray at some point. Then look at my options - TT upgrade, Rx-8 (kitted), 350z, etc

 

Either way TT or N/A you're onto a winner. I think you'd be hard pushed to find as much (reliable) car for your money anywhere else.