• The 1989 Toyota Supra is a grand-touring sports car that is part of the Mark III Supra line, produced for the U.S. market between the 1987 through 1992 model-years. Available in both naturally-aspirated and turbo-charged variants, the Supra competed directly with the Mazda RX-7 and Nissan 300ZX for the Japanese sports car crown.
  
  

Engine

• Powering the 1989 non-turbo Supra is Toyota's 7M-GE inline six-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 188 ft.-lbs. of torque. The dual-overhead cam, 16-valve unit has a bore and stroke of 3.27 by 3.58 inches and a 9.2:1 compression ratio. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 18 miles per gallon in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. While a high-tech and powerful engine in its day, the 7M-GE engine was plagued by an extremely common head gasket failure problem resulting from improper torque to the head gasket bolts. If Mark III owners do not rectify this problem by re-torquing the bolts or switching to a metal gasket, a blown head gasket will often result in devastating effects.
  
  

Drive Train and Chassis

• The Supra uses a front-engine, rear-wheel drive architecture. Two transmissions were available for 1989 non-turbo models, a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic with overdrive. The suspension system consists of double wishbones, stabilizer bars and coil springs found both front and rear. The automaker installed its Toyota Electronically Modulated Suspension (TEMS) system featuring driver-adjustable damper rates with two settings. An automatically applied third TEMS setting was initiated in times of wide-open throttle, hard braking and aggressive cornering. Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with an optional four-channel ABS system provide the Supra's stopping power.
  
  

Exterior and Interior

• The Mark III model grew considerably over previous Supra editions and was built on a dedicated platform instead of the modified version of the Celica platform found on Mark II cars. Riding on a 102.2-inch wheelbase, the 1989 model measures 181.9 inches long, 68.7 inches wide and 51.2 inches high. Curb weight for the non-turbo ranges from 3,400 to 3,500 lbs., depending on transmission and option choices. A moonroof is equipped on some models. The 1989 Supra seats four in a two-plus-two configuration with 43.6 inches of front and 24.7 inches of rear legroom. The rear seats are best suited for children or for very short trips when carrying full-sized adults. The interior features leather upholstery, but airbags are not available in this model-year.