Just collected another one

[sawdust123]

I've had my '03 GT for about 1.5 years now. I certainly enjoy it but I would never consider it a great car. The mileage sucks, the engine is noisy, the handling is relatively insecure and the normal wear items wear pretty fast (see asterisk below before getting defensive). Well, despite all that, I just bought a second turbo yesterday. This time it was an '05 convertible Touring Edition with the 180 HP engine. I can't believe I did this. However, my wife wanted a 4-seat convertible and we both hate the Mustang, the New Beetle is too unreliable and the Mini is too expensive. Oh yeah, the "cuteness" factor had to be high. Voila, we are left with another PT (in purple).

* My basis for comparison to the PT GT is my old Toyota Supra. It got 22 MPG (city) on regular, tires lasted 55K miles per set (without rotation), front brakes lasted over 100K miles, engine was smooth as silk (inline 6) and it handled like it was on rails. Oh yeah, I only changed the oil once or twice a year and it still ran fine (but looked like hell from neglect) when I got rid of it at ~230K miles. Other than batteries, I can count the number of non-wear related problems (i.e. required professional service) I had with that car on one hand. I wish they still made it (I never liked the later Supras). Relatively speaking, my PT requires a lot more service and care.

[SuGamer]

quote:Originally posted by sawdust123

I've had my '03 GT for about 1.5 years now. I certainly enjoy it but I would never consider it a great car. The mileage sucks, the engine is noisy, the handling is relatively insecure and the normal wear items wear pretty fast (see asterisk below before getting defensive). Well, despite all that, I just bought a second turbo yesterday. This time it was an '05 convertible Touring Edition with the 180 HP engine. I can't believe I did this. However, my wife wanted a 4-seat convertible and we both hate the Mustang, the New Beetle is too unreliable and the Mini is too expensive. Oh yeah, the "cuteness" factor had to be high. Voila, we are left with another PT (in purple).

* My basis for comparison to the PT GT is my old Toyota Supra. It got 22 MPG (city) on regular, tires lasted 55K miles per set (without rotation), front brakes lasted over 100K miles, engine was smooth as silk (inline 6) and it handled like it was on rails. Oh yeah, I only changed the oil once or twice a year and it still ran fine (but looked like hell from neglect) when I got rid of it at ~230K miles. Other than batteries, I can count the number of non-wear related problems (i.e. required professional service) I had with that car on one hand. I wish they still made it (I never liked the later Supras). Relatively speaking, my PT requires a lot more service and care.

Hey Saw: 1) The PTGT is capable of producing upwards of 500hp with the stock engine internals. 2) Why would you want to pump regular gas into any turbo or supercharged car? You're just asking to damage the engine with regular gas. 3) The stock Badyear tires are the worst I've ever had; not DC's fault, it's Goodyears aweful work. Get a set of Avon Techs and you'll be very happy. 4) Get a set of ceramic pads, and you won't worry about them wearing out soon. Plus, the way I drive, I've never had brake pads last more than a year and a half, on any car! 5) Get a set or iridium plugs gapped at .028-.033 and the engine will be so smooth, you'll think it was off. 6) Get lowering springs and anti-sway bars, and your car will drive like it's on rails. Remember, the Supra's where designed as sports cars while the PTGT's were meant to be PT's with a greater amount of power 7) Changing the oil once or twice a year is abusive to any car. I'm surprised the Toyota's engine never seized up. Try that with any variable valve timing engine like the VVTL's, VTEC's, and Toyota's own VVTI, and you'd be in a world of hurt since they are very oil dependant.

Last but not least, why would you complain about regular maintance that EVERY CAR needs? So your old car lasted 230K miles. All I can say is you were very lucky to abuse a car that way and have it last that long. I've had cars last longer than that with regular maintance and care.

[13secPTCruiser]

i dont think his supra was turbocharged.

put stage 1 in and BLOW YOUR MIND!

[sawdust123]

13sec is correct, my Supra was not turbo-charged, regular gas was specified for it. My point was that the car was extremely cheap to operate and maintain when it was using stock components. That made it a GREAT car in my book. Economy and fun are great when they can be combined.

I've run Mopar slant-6 engines well into 100K+ territory as well. My '72 Valiant (the best of the four slant-6s I had) actually ran smoother than the Supra but I had to replace the tranny 3 times and the tuneup interval was fairly short (remember points?). Of course, back then parts were cheap and you could do all the work yourself without special tools and smashed knuckles.

I don't expect the PT to handle like the Supra. We are talking about very different vehicles. I just miss having a sports car and that lowers the fun factor. I could do lots of things to improve handling but it is at the expense of comfort. I need the comfort for shuttling clients around. Besides, I still can't lower the CofG, change the f/b weight ratio or add rear drive controllable oversteer.

BTW, one of my fond memories of the Supra was when I went to a lumber yard and ordered 36-1x6 fence boards, 4-4x4x8' posts, 4-2x4s and 4-60lb bags of concrete mix to build a fence. The guy gathered the materials and asked me to pull my truck around. You should have seen the look in his face when the Supra swallowed the load. I could still close the rear hatch until I put the 4x4 posts in. The length was fine it was just the height. Not bad for a "sports" car.

[sawdust123]

13sec,

I know a lot of people have said good things about stage 1 mods. I'm in CA. As far as I know, the mod isn't CARB (CA Air Resources Board) approved. Besides, total power to wheels isn't a complaint. Torque steer is another story. The stage 1 mod can't do anything to help that, can it?

[SuGamer]

quote:Originally posted by sawdust123

13sec,

I know a lot of people have said good things about stage 1 mods. I'm in CA. As far as I know, the mod isn't CARB (CA Air Resources Board) approved. Besides, total power to wheels isn't a complaint. Torque steer is another story. The stage 1 mod can't do anything to help that, can it?

A few guys in Cali have already taken the emissions test and passed with flying colors. Stage 1 actually runs slightly leaner, thus better emissions, more power and better MPG if you drive it normally instead of standing on the throttle petal constantly like most of us do. For the torque steer, you can either hold the wheel with both hands or you can get a Limited Slip Differential. The LSD will take care of all torque steer, plus give you better driveability and traction. As for handling without losing comfort, all you have to do is get a set of anti-sway bars. You will gain alot of control, and not lose any of the ride comfort. Suspension Technique bars are about $240 for the pair, plus about $75 for the rear install kit from Tommy. $315 is not alot of cash to improve your car's handling, is it?

Oh and BTW, since your Supra wasn't turbo'ed, your PTGT has more power and torque. If you go Stage 1, you will definately have more power and torque than pre-1994 turbo'ed Supras

[Mean Green]

quote:Originally posted by SuGamer

A few guys in Cali have already taken the emissions test and passed with flying colors. Stage 1 actually runs slightly leaner, thus better emissions, more power and better MPG if you drive it normally instead of standing on the throttle petal constantly like most of us do. For the torque steer, you can either hold the wheel with both hands or you can get a Limited Slip Differential. The LSD will take care of all torque steer, plus give you better driveability and traction. As for handling without losing comfort, all you have to do is get a set of anti-sway bars. You will gain alot of control, and not lose any of the ride comfort. Suspension Technique bars are about $240 for the pair, plus about $75 for the rear install kit from Tommy. $315 is not alot of cash to improve your car's handling, is it?

Oh and BTW, since your Supra wasn't turbo'ed, your PTGT has more power and torque. If you go Stage 1, you will definately have more power and torque than pre-1994 turbo'ed Supras

Agreed [?]

[Topless in Cali]

Saw-
Sounds to me like you're just p.o.'d that your wife talked you into a car you really didn't want to buy. Try putting the pants back on...

[wait4me6920]

quote:Originally posted by Topless in Cali

Saw-
Sounds to me like you're just p.o.'d that your wife talked you into a car you really didn't want to buy. Try putting the pants back on...

Ouch! [B)]

[2step]

I've visited this thread a few times and even though I once bought a new Supra a long time ago (1982 MKII, Import Car of the Year), I haven't felt strongly enough to post. But the thought has just occured to me, the Supra is not one of the cars that I regret not still owning.

I agree that it was a nice package and not high maintenance but it turned out to be less than my "dream car". It was big, heavy, underpowered and not sporty in the least. It had great legs for over-the-road trips in comfort, a true GT in the classic sense. But around town, it was numb feeling and had a odd feeling clutch engagement. It simply was not fun to drive.

I paid more for the Supra 23 years ago than I did for the Cruiser GT a year and a half ago. The Cruiser has its shortcomings but dollar for dollar, was a better buy. When it's gone, I'll miss it.