REDLINE ALLEYToyota Supra A80 buying guide
1993 to 2002. An A80 suits a buyer after the twin turbo icon who will pay for a specialist to check a standard or well documented car.
Big jobs
- Sequential twin turbos. The 2JZ-GTE twin turbos run in sequence. A failed first turbo gives no boost low down; a failed second turbo makes boost drop at about 4000 rpm and slowly recover. The actuators can be the cause.
- Cooling system and head gasket. Corroded radiators and leaking expansion tanks are reported, and coolant emulsion signals a failed head gasket. The 2JZ can trap air, which makes hot spots.
- Rust hidden behind side skirts. Rust is reported behind the sill covers and side skirts, in the floor and jacking points, the front crossmember under the radiator, round the tailgate glass and in the wheel arches.
- Getrag 6 speed and clutch. The Getrag 6 speed gets abused. Look for gears jumping out, synchro grinding, flywheel rattle and clutch slip.
- A340E automatic. The 4 speed auto can struggle once power is raised well past standard, and heat is its biggest killer.
- Modified and decat Japanese cars. A big decat exhaust on a Japanese twin turbo can raise boost to 25 psi or more, which can destroy the engine. Many cars have been modified.
Workshop jobs
- Oil leaks round the 2JZ. Valve cover leaks are very common. Other leak points are the cam seals, the VVTi gear, the rear main seal and, on turbo cars, the turbo oil return line.
- Targa roof leaks. Targa cars are more likely to leak, and the front driver side roof bolt under the sun visor can seize.
Questions for the seller
- Is it the twin turbo 2JZ-GTE or the non turbo, and manual or auto?
- When were the cambelt and water pump last done, and at what km?
- What has been modified, and what boost does it run?
- Is the catalytic converter still fitted?
- Have the side skirts ever been removed to check for rust?
Sources
Researched 2026-11-01. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.