I had an 87 n/a supra for a while before I realized my budget/goals in the performance world
. But my budget was WAY under 5000 and I really wanted a different outcome overall for about that, that's why I got a crx, to have a car that can handle like a top and have power in reserve(b16 swap hopefully in 6 months).
But while I had the supra I was most impressed not by the power, which can be greatly improved upon for a relatively small amount of money, but it's creature comforts, power leather seats, nice spacey interior, and the suspension, which while *I* don't feel was made to zigzag it definately carved quite a few corners with precision on the country backroad around me at well over 100.
I was able to pick up a 3rd generation(87-91) supra with a perfect body(no rust) and a running engine for 1500. That plus some eibach springs bushings, and shocks I'm guessing around 2200. Then custom intake and exhaust, another 300, so 2500. And that leaves your friend to do some maintenance for about 500 fixing loose ends. So he'll have 3000 to drop in a turbo motor, or whatever else he wants. AND their rwd, and that's good for the neck/back pain