Why is it some generations of special cars get no love? Sure, some cars are truly average and don’t deserve a loyal following or a premium price, but when the car in question is actually somewhat decent and still operates on a value deficit compared to similar models, it does beg the question. In the case of the third-generation Toyota Supra, this is an era of the company’s primary sports car that languishes far behind the fourth generation models in terms of value and isn’t nearly as well-loved as the second-generation cars. The seller of this clean 1987 Supra Turbo listed here on craigslist claims it is one of the best ones left and is asking $18,000.
Now, this is not an unusual phenomena: the model sandwiched between two favorites always draws the short straw. Prior this era of the Supra, Toyota’s sports coupe came with giant fender flares, chunky wheels, a squared-down stance, pop-up headlights, and rear window louvers. It looked fast just sitting there. And, of course, the fourth-generation model was a legend in its own right, combining incredible styling with a turbocharged inline-six and a rear spoiler that practically earned it a place in history right after the Richard Petty winged Mopar racers. The third-generation Supra was almost too staid in comparison, landing firmly in the category of a grand tourer.
And, sadly, the 7M-GE and 7M-GTE had a reputation for developing headgasket issues. Toyota drivetrains generally enjoy a solid reputation for reliability, but these sonorous inline-sixes usually need their headgasket replaced before too long. Thankfully, the seller of this example notes that this pain-in-the-neck job has already been done, and based on the description, it sounds like it’s been upgraded with a better part than the factory gasket. This engine made a healthy 232 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque in stock form, and they’re known to take kindly to modifications that put those numbers much higher.
Because of that, the few cars that are still on the road tend to be modified, making finding one in stock form all the more challenging. This Supra has clearly been looked after with a pristine white exterior and color-matched alloy wheels. Although the automatic transmission is a bummer, many of these turbo’d Toyotas were equipped with the two-pedal option, again owing to their reputation as being great GT cars. The seller is asking all the money for one of the lesser loved Supras, but they don’t often come around in this sort of condition. Still, if I’m spending near 20 large, I want one with three pedals. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Barney for the tip.
You are right, a manual transmission would be a plus, so would being located in a highly populated area. It’s sitting about half way between San Francisco, and Los Angeles, roughly 3+ hours each way from either, without easy access to the Central Valley. Only someone who really wants one will make the drive, but the high price will likely be a hinderance to many potential buyers.
Steve R
I may get all the hate here but I prefer these supras from this generation with an automatic. Why? Because it’s a gt car and sometimes its better to cruise and enjoy the scenery and ride than to shift and row the gears .
It’s not hate, Dan. It’s just no dice.
Maybe these are the Japanese C4 Corvette equivalent with folks either loving them or disliking them a whole bunch. I think they are great looking cars and they really captured the RadWood vibe before there was such a thing. I played in a band with a guy who bought a twin to this in 1987, and I remember being floored by the sticker price. I think it was around $24,000 USD at the time.
I agree. I can drive a stick but at this point in my life I don’t want to. When I was younger driving in traffic shifting was not a big deal. Now I would rather just cruise.
My recollection is that the cylinder heads on these were self-destroying. Wasn’t that a common Supra thing? I wonder if anyone is swapping LSes into these earlier models?
I personally don’t think it’s worth the $18k asking price but I also don’t follow the Japanese car market. With only 135k miles stated it should last you a long time
I had a pearl white 88 Turbo Targa 5 speed with red interior. It was an amazing car. Very easy to drive. I never even thought about driving a manual as extra work or distracting – it just came to me naturally. Sadly, a drunk driver bounced off the Supra causing enough damage to total it (and my neck).
Lovely looking car. Although I was still too young at the time to drive a car, I remember when the Toyota Supra looked like this. At the time I thought it was Toyota’s best looking car since the Toyota Celica Supra earlier in the decade. Given its condition and how well the car has been maintained throughout its existence, I think it deserves some respect as a collector car, maybe not a rise in buying price, but so what? Those who have owned and driven these cars deserve to be able to buy these again and enjoy these cars.
I had one of these, an 87, at the same time I had an 04 Corvette and an 89 560 SL. Of course, the SL was a potted plant in comparison to the other two, but I loved it still. It was a great looking car, Astral Silver with Navy Blue top and interior.. Of those two, the Vette was lots of fun, but the Supra was relatively terrifying, and I loved that about it. I agree with the description of it as a GT car, no rowing desired, but I had all the fun and thrills with it I cared for, and it was better than the Vette, if a little seedier by then. I loved the look of it too. Toyota was still in its era of ripping off German car styling points and even silhouettes at the time, and this one always rminded me of BMW’s 800 series coupes.
I had one of these, an 86.5. After about 130k miles I couldn’t sell it for even $500 as no one wanted it. I guess they have come back in vogue? Mine was a 5spd N/A version but had leather and tems which I don’t think this one has. $18k for this seems kinda crazy as these are not fast cars and they don’t handle all that well. I believe they had a nickname for these back in the day. “The Sled”.