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View Full Version : What Consumer Guide thought of our Supra's back in 1988



CJSREDPRA
10-20-2005, 05:17 AM
More trivia crap....

I recently found this in my room last week while cleaning up. It's the Consumer Guide Used Car Book for the year of 1988 & it covers cars from 78 - 88. I think I purchased this way back when, while I was shopping around for Supras (this is right before I bought the 80 Brownpra).

At least back in the day, they were pretty nice about it.

And just a FYI, Consumer Guide never did review any of our Supra's in their magazines. A few months ago, I found a used magazine store that had most of the CG magazines from 78 - current & no Supra's were ever reviewed/tested. Closest they got, was testing a 78 RA Celica, and a 82 RA Celica. Yet they did test the Nissan 280ZX's & the Mazda RX7's. Wusses..... :swing:

Here's what they had to say at the time.

MKI's: (they did a write-up for both the MA Supra's & the RA4x Celica's). "Second generation, 4 cylinder Celica was joined in it's second year by longer-wheelbase Supra, carrying 6 cylinder engine. Visibility and pasenger space are better than before, but back seat is minimal for adults. Notchback coupe has skimpy trunk. Soft suspension gives acceptable ride, but weaker handling, partly because luxury trappings add weight. 4 cylinder gas mileage dissappoints. Supra 6 cylinder is more potent and nearly as economical. Both engines grew in size for final season (Professors comments: RA Celica went from the 2.2L 20R to the 2.4L 22R. MA Supra went from the 2.6L 4ME to the 2.8L 5ME). Excellent repair record shows most ratings above average, none below. Regular valve (lash) adjustment is essential to prevent engine problems. Celica styling didn't last long & Supra sold poorly, but Celica delivers sports car flair in a practical package. We recommend both for their sound design & proven reliability".

1988 pricing for MKI's. 1979: Good: $2800 - $3200. Average: $2400 - $2800. Poor: $2000 - $2400. (Prof. comments: 79's sold new for a little over $9K).

1980: Good: $3700 - $4200. Average: $3200 - $3700. Poor: $2700 - $3200.

1981: Good: $5000 - $5500. Average: $4600 - $5100. Poor: $4000 - $4600. (Prof. comments: 81's in their final year were selling for a little over $12K).

This is the MKII write-up.

"6 cylinder edition of the Celica sport coupe got a boost in its performance image for 1982, along with restyled body. Fuel-injected in-line engine received new twin overhead-cam cylinder head and fully independent rear suspension replaced the old rigid axle. Acceleration matches that of rival sport/GT coupes and Supra handles confidently, yet comfort and refinement are impressive. Loaded with convenience features, it's easy and fun to drive daily. Popular from day one, used Supras are expensive but give a lot for your money, although the rear brakes can be troublesome and difficult to repair (Prof. comments: I believe we have now proven that it's not that difficult, what does CG know..). Most of the highly favorable comments for the basic Celica also apply here. With Toyota's admirable reliability and durability, Supra equals value in a high performance coupe".

1988 pricing for MKII's: 1982: Good: $6200 - $6900. Average: $5700 - $6300. Poor: $5100 - $5700. (Prof. comments: I believe 82's sold for $13K - $14K new).

1983: Good: $7300 - 8200. Average: $6800 - $7300. Poor: $6000 - $8000.

1984: Good: $9000 - $9700. Average: $8500 - $9000. Poor: $8000 - $8500.

1985: Good: $10,750 - $11,750. Average: $10,000 - $11,000. Poor: $9000 - $10,000.

1986: Good: $14,000 - $16,000. Average: $13,000 - 15,000. Poor: $11,750 - $13,500. (Prof. comments: I believe the final year MKII's were being sold new for $17K - $19K).

CG "did" do a write-up on the MKIII's. They also gave it a glowing review, but at the time the car was still too new & the 7M BHG problems were at the time a "tiny nuisance" Little did they know at the time how much worse it would really be. By then it was too late... The MKIV's were out & only a handful of MKIII's were still under the 72K mile extended warranty's & were able to have Toyota fix the BHG before the warranty ran out. And as we now know, Toyota would not retorque the heads, or put them at a higher value, they just put them back @ the stock settngs (58 ft lbs. Of course today, we now know this would not work on a 7M, even a NA one, before the HG crapped out again eventually).

-------------------

Times have changed. Decent looking MKI's are back @ 1988 resale prices.
MKII's are not even close yet. Guess it's still going to take awhile.

Yes folks, I was bored.....

Nukes25
10-20-2005, 05:40 AM
(Professors comments: RA Celica went from the 2.2L 20R to the 2.2L 22R. MA Supra went from the 2.6L 4ME to the 2.8L 5ME)


*raises hand - Oh professor, the 22r(e) is a 2.4l, not a 2.2l :P

Darrow
10-20-2005, 11:24 AM
origional reciept for my 86 shows it was purchased for ~$20,000

TOYMAN321
10-20-2005, 12:57 PM
I have the original consumer reports article for the mkii supra, I beleive I may even have it for the mki aswell. Once I figure out whats going on with me possible moving I will dig it our of storage and scan it in :)

CJSREDPRA
10-20-2005, 05:12 PM
*raises hand - Oh professor, the 22r(e) is a 2.4l, not a 2.2l :P

Crappa..... And I was even thinking of this as I was typing it. Slippery fingers. Plus just now I'm noticing more typo's. Will do some quicky editing. Thanks for pointing this out!!!

Muchbzy
10-20-2005, 05:18 PM
Crappa..... And I was even thinking of this as I was typing it. Slippery fingers. Plus just now I'm noticing more typo's. Will do some quicky editing. Thanks for pointing this out!!!

I actually have the Car&Driver review of sports cars and it has all the reviews they did on the Supra (and others). It has the 82 review and two more around the change for the 84 cars. I love reading those. There's even a comparo with the 280ZX and the Starion but not the TSi...drum roll......Supra came out on top!

84supra74vette
10-20-2005, 09:59 PM
what does the car and driver say about the 84? ive always wondered...

Phil G.
10-20-2005, 10:36 PM
what does the car and driver say about the 84? ive always wondered...

IIRC, they only tested the 1984 in a "Best Handling Import Car" comparo back in the day. I looked in the media section of CS.com and could not find it.

I remember the Porsche 944 finished first and the Honda Prelude (100 hp, front wheel drive, 185 section tires) finished second :screwy:

*edit....it is in the media section - thanks redp85*

bracham
10-20-2005, 10:38 PM
Then they mustn't've tested the Supra in that match. :P

RedP85
10-21-2005, 12:32 AM
what does the car and driver say about the 84? ive always wondered...
go see in the media section:
http://www.celicasupra.com/media84.htm

WadeT
10-21-2005, 12:54 AM
Consumer Guide is garbage since they accept add money. This is the same publication that gave the 94 Chev S10 rave reviews - and what a POS that thing turned out to be.

If you can, find a 1991 Consumer Reports check the quality ratings. The Mk2 got better quality ratings than any other car they had rated in the entire guide!

Nukes25
10-21-2005, 04:16 AM
Crappa..... And I was even thinking of this as I was typing it. Slippery fingers. Plus just now I'm noticing more typo's. Will do some quicky editing. Thanks for pointing this out!!!


no problem, I only point it out cause I got an 85 celica gt with the 22re, and I know its a 2.4l :p soo many people think its a 2.2 cause the 22r(e) :P

Dave A.
10-21-2005, 11:03 AM
Consumer Guide is garbage since they accept add money. This is the same publication that gave the 94 Chev S10 rave reviews - and what a POS that thing turned out to be.

If you can, find a 1991 Consumer Reports check the quality ratings. The Mk2 got better quality ratings than any other car they had rated in the entire guide!



Not really garbage IMO, just not near as thorough of a review as Car & Driver, Motor Trend, Sport Compact Car, etc..