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Denham Melder
Tinkerer
Victoria
V8

Posts: 67
Reg: 01-2006

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Monday, March 06, 2006 - 02:55 pm, by:  Denham Melder (Inasnt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes, if the traction control is off a dash light will indicate TRC OFF
Mike Beck
TryHard
New Zeland
no soarer... v8 has been sold..

Posts: 268
Reg: 11-2005

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Monday, March 06, 2006 - 03:15 pm, by:  Mike Beck (Gold_40gt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Oh good. There is a TRC off button. Just in a review it stated the trc is full time...

One other thing are these 250hp against 255hp in the soarer? I keep seeing specs with 250hp/186kw for the celsior, Is that true?
Mike Beck
TryHard
New Zeland
no soarer... v8 has been sold.. Celsior as replacment perhaps?

Posts: 292
Reg: 11-2005

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Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 08:09 pm, by:  Mike Beck (Gold_40gt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well - Im going to see that car tomorrow evening. 5pm-ish...

Hopefully it will all be fine, air struts working perfectly, interior tidy, engine running smoothly with no loud tapping noise!, body free of large dents and marks and obviously the right price.

When I called the guy up he mentioned the engine made no sounds and was interior smoke free car. So far so good. Another bonus was he would allow an full AA check at the testing station/ Must mean the cars all fine then if hes willing to do one.

Anyway Ill take a bunch of pictures of the car, post them up tomorrow night after I see the celsior or on saturday!
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have LESS Soarers than Hayden :-(

Posts: 2804
Reg: 05-2005

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Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 08:41 pm, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Very good: Report back tomorrow.
Mike Beck
TryHard
New Zeland
no soarer... v8 has been sold.. Celsior as replacment perhaps?

Posts: 299
Reg: 11-2005

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Friday, March 10, 2006 - 08:25 pm, by:  Mike Beck (Gold_40gt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Right.. Well I looked at the White Celsior at 6pm today. I came to this Chinese guys apartment and he drove it out on to the road. First off looked nice and shinny, looked pretty good :-)

Here it is parked. Looks quite nice...


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Next gave walk around the car. Paint was good; bumpers had a fair bit of paint cracking however there were other small problems, like the Lexus badge being ripped off by some drop kick. To the left it the owner.


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I also asked if he had the original celsior badges - but he didn’t... arggh! :-(


Moving on to the left side, this is where I became suspicious. The rear door bottom door colour was much darker than the front door - perhaps an accident was repaired or a sign of it not being looked after.


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Hmm - quite interesting.... Any ideas on it?

(End of exterior, next up Engine.)
Paul Susanto
Tinkerer
Western Australia
1996 JZZ30 Soarer, 2001 Harrier 3.0FOUR G-Package

Posts: 41
Reg: 02-2006

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Friday, March 10, 2006 - 08:48 pm, by:  Paul Susanto (Soaring) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi Mike,

I've been looking through your thread, and it's good you've had a good look at the above white Celsior.

Have you any engine bay and interior shots?

The rear left hand side door seems a bit dodgy for a vehicle considered elite in its home country of Japan. Most Celsiors I've come across have had impeccable, if not above average, repair and panel work done to them if involved in an accident. A different paint colour shade may mean that the Celsior may have had a quick paint job, rather than a good paint job.

I'd have to be personally inspecting the car to give you any further guidance. Be wary, as it is a car of age.

Good luck and keep us all updated!
Mike Beck
TryHard
New Zeland
no soarer... v8 has been sold.. Celsior as replacment perhaps?

Posts: 302
Reg: 11-2005

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Friday, March 10, 2006 - 08:56 pm, by:  Mike Beck (Gold_40gt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Now on to the engine. Went popped up the bonnet. Those gas stays are awesome! Really great.. Anyway it started up fine, no smoke etc, idled just fine. Sounded just like my old Soarer!

Had a slight taping noise but hard to hear with bonnet closed. Exactly like my old Soarer - guess its how they are meant to sound...

It was rather dirty though - this car had not been washed for a long time! For example dirt ad leaves in the wiper blade ditch... Not good!

Heres the engine.


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I noticed this strange part near the intake on top of the engine. Is it meant to look like this?

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What is this part? It looks like a covers missing.

Over all Engine sounded fine... God I miss that quite rumble... The oil for engine/trans was okay... need changing soon last service was 4000kms ago!!

The exhaust was stock, 5 mufflers... The tips were very dirty however.

Moving to the wheels/air suspension... The wheels were 235s 18" looked good had 1/2 tread and lots of curb marks.

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The air suspension seemed okay - occasionally made a Pisst sound? Is it normal? However I asked about when it’s turned off if it sinks at the back. He said it does - from what ive read this means the air suspension has a leak??

Next Part is interior!
Mike Beck
TryHard
New Zeland
no soarer... v8 has been sold.. Celsior as replacment perhaps?

Posts: 303
Reg: 11-2005

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Friday, March 10, 2006 - 09:29 pm, by:  Mike Beck (Gold_40gt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The interior was good, Great quality - From sitting in this celsior for the first I have now instantly like the celsior so much more than the Soarer. They are just more complete some how... I guess due to the extra buttons and room to move. Very nice - I didn’t want to get out!

Heres the interior. Dash was tidy needed a dust though. I felt it was allot better than the Soarer instantly


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One thing - those snoopy toys.... what is with Asians and this crap? Very odd. There’s 3 in that picture. Regarding the fur on the seats there’s a reason... This is what the seats are like. Hence covering them up.


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I was really annoyed about the leather seats being cracked. Still they would have been better with a good clean. But there were no rips :-) Both seats electrics worked great. Even had the seat Heaters!

Unfortunately this was suffering from 1/2 bled a/c screen!! Arggh. :-(


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Another thing was the stereo head deck was replaced with this JVC one so the rear radio controls didn’t work (Oh well) also had a new 10-disk cd stacker in the boot... Nice close up of the snoopy gear shift cover. I looked underneath and leather shifter was in good condition :-)

The rear seats condition was okay to good. Some cracking. Needed a good clean really. This model had the vibration, moving headrest and reclining function. Worked perfectly all were nice features. Heater there as well! Love those seats... :-) Heres some pictures


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The original floor mats were still there!

One of my favorite features was the dash. Looked awesome. Similar to the soarer accept better in my opinion. Looks very neat.


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Underneat it was the steering column, moved by electrics. A nice feature also!

One odd feature was the hand break! A small pedal is pushed on the left and then a leaver is pulled. Very interesting

Next Driving test, conclusion and decision.
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have LESS Soarers than Hayden :-(

Posts: 2827
Reg: 05-2005

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Friday, March 10, 2006 - 09:33 pm, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mike, looks OK so far...........everything you've noted, is merely cosmetics. Like, I wouldn't worry overly much about the LH rear door panel, as they are only a plastic thingo, and possibly has been added from a different coloured Celsior. As in: The green ones have a darker Silver lower door panel on them, so possibly the owner fitted it due to lack of the correct panel being available.

The missing doohicky in the engine compartment that you are reffering to, is in fact the under bonnet diagnostics port cover, and is no biggy!.

The Air-suspension, I cannot comment on, and I will leave that to the experts on the Forum to answer.

But, so far, it's looking good!
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have LESS Soarers than Hayden :-(

Posts: 2828
Reg: 05-2005

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Friday, March 10, 2006 - 09:42 pm, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ok, now I've seen the interior pics,

Still looking OK. The wear is indicative of slightly un-caring owners, but again, I would say this is no biggy.
I would frankly forget about the mileage (As it's probably bollocks!), and concentrate on the overall condition.

Having said that, it's cheap(ish) at the price, PROVIDING everything else stacks up!.

BUT, my advise is,......If you don't feel at all comfortable with the deal.........WALK AWAY!.
There WILL be others, OR you may well find a Soarer that takes your fancy.

Mike Beck
TryHard
New Zeland
no soarer... v8 has been sold.. Celsior as replacment perhaps?

Posts: 304
Reg: 11-2005

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Friday, March 10, 2006 - 09:47 pm, by:  Mike Beck (Gold_40gt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I took the car for a quick drive. It was smooth and quite like I expected. Steering was responsive and was quite quick off the mark, especially after driving a 2litre Honda!
Brakes were fine. It was a great drive...

Overall the car was average. I suspected the 129,000kms were not genuine and so did my pal. It seamed more like 190,000kms to me! The car needed a massive wash. It had not being looked after by this Asian guy, really annoyed me. There was dirt in ever part possible, around door seal, window seals etc not a good sign. Old dry dirt on bottom skirting. It would have come up quite well with a hard couple of washes so wasnt a bigge... But still shows neglect! How could you neglect a superb v8 celsior! Arghh some people!!!!

There were a few other problems around. The passenger door lock had an attempted break in with a screwdriver so rust had formed on he right of the door lock. All lights worked in the car, the ultra sonic mirrors did but the mirror-retracting button was jammed. So they wouldn’t go in and out... He also mentioned the front wheel bearing needs replacing and the front tire makes noise at hight speeds.. it may have been since the two front tires were different brands.

The owner wanted $7000 NZD for this, no lower! I offered Him $6000 and he basically refused... So I wont be buying this one. I felt $6000 was allot for the condition it was in, it was an awesome car but not in the best condition ive seen. I know ill find better! Even my friend that was with me felt 6K was pushing it. Glad I got his opinion too.

But ive decided the Celsior is the way to go, UCF11 model of course! . Ill have to spend a tad more to get a better one so ill keep my eye out. So no more soarers for me - the just seem like they are missing something where the big celsior takes everything. I love them! :-)
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have LESS Soarers than Hayden :-(

Posts: 2829
Reg: 05-2005

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Friday, March 10, 2006 - 10:31 pm, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Good decision x 2. As in good that you walked away from this oinker, AND good decision about concentrating on a Celsior.
Paul Susanto
Tinkerer
Western Australia
1996 JZZ30 Soarer, 2001 Harrier 3.0FOUR G-Package

Posts: 42
Reg: 02-2006

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Friday, March 10, 2006 - 10:34 pm, by:  Paul Susanto (Soaring) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Toyota's JDM UCF11 Celsior is a good car, but I agree with many of you above: Walk away from this one; there are other better condition cars than this white Celsior.

Nevertheless, never give your hopes up and keep your eyes open, it could tomorrow that another Celsior may come your way !
Mike Beck
TryHard
New Zeland
no soarer... v8 has been sold.. Celsior as replacment perhaps?

Posts: 307
Reg: 11-2005

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Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 07:07 am, by:  Mike Beck (Gold_40gt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah. I can believe ive never looked into buying a celsior until now... such a nice car....
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have LESS Soarers than Hayden :-(

Posts: 2834
Reg: 05-2005

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Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 07:20 am, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There's quite a few on Trade Me at the mo, which might be worth a looky-loo
Mike Beck
TryHard
New Zeland
no soarer... v8 has been sold.. Celsior as replacment perhaps?

Posts: 309
Reg: 11-2005

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Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 07:51 am, by:  Mike Beck (Gold_40gt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Theres this one - But i think i can do better. Plus its in Wellington and I dont have the time to go down there..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Toyota/auction-49810903.htm
Paul Susanto
Tinkerer
Western Australia
1996 JZZ30 Soarer, 2001 Harrier 3.0FOUR G-Package

Posts: 45
Reg: 02-2006

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Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 12:19 pm, by:  Paul Susanto (Soaring) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mike,

NICE Celsior! 1992 Built with 140,000km on the clock. And it's even got the JDM Toyota Aristo (Lexus GS300) wheels!

Take note that the advertisement says that the front window needs resealing (I'm not too sure how much this would cost you for parts and labour), and paint blemishes to room / front / rear bumper.

Needs attention, but much better than the white one you showed above.
Mike Beck
TryHard
New Zeland
no soarer... v8 has been sold.. Celsior as replacment perhaps?

Posts: 313
Reg: 11-2005

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Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 05:42 pm, by:  Mike Beck (Gold_40gt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well, what I have decided is I will purchase a decent soarer (uzz30) or a celsior (with leather! :-)) only if they are a really good example and decent price 6-9k (ill spend more this time) with around ~100,000kms... It Will all depend on which one comes up first for sale!
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have LESS Soarers than Hayden :-(

Posts: 2839
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Monday, March 13, 2006 - 12:20 pm, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mike old chap.
As I've said HEAPS of times before...........IGNORE the displayed kms...........they're mostly bollocks.

CONCENTRATE on condition at time of inspection.

The chances are that a 91 - 93 Celsior/Soarer, UNLESS it was bought in by Toyota as part of their "Signature Class" range will have between 160 & 260 thousand kms on it in REALITY.

A low mileage one of these things will have done 150k, and an average mileage one will have done 185 - 220k kms, and a high mileage one will have done between 260 - 300kms assuming the speedo has never been "Clocked" or replaced.

Mike Beck
TryHard
New Zeland
Honda

Posts: 314
Reg: 11-2005

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Monday, March 13, 2006 - 03:33 pm, by:  Mike Beck (Gold_40gt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

yes you are correct. Condition is everything really. Ill now focus on that more than the amount of kms it has done on the clock..
Mike Beck
TryHard
New Zeland
Honda

Posts: 315
Reg: 11-2005

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Monday, March 13, 2006 - 05:17 pm, by:  Mike Beck (Gold_40gt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This limited soarer looks very tidy.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=50469215

149,000kms puts me off but like you said Don it only matters what condition its in and it looks in nice condition. If he wants no more than 8500 i may have a look a it... What i like most is it has the spoiler and the front spoiler! 2 nice add ons plus EMV model and stock! :-)
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have LESS Soarers than Hayden :-(

Posts: 2845
Reg: 05-2005

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Monday, March 13, 2006 - 06:43 pm, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah Mike. Looks ok, and the guys answers seem genuine........worth a look I reckon

This one also reads well, and is $8k ono. PLUS has sunroof and front parking antenna.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Toyota/auction-49377362.htm
Mike Beck
TryHard
New Zeland
Honda

Posts: 316
Reg: 11-2005

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Monday, March 13, 2006 - 06:52 pm, by:  Mike Beck (Gold_40gt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah, Kms getting tad high for what im after but as you have said it only really matters what condition the cars in. But if its in tidy condition and then i suppose its a decent one regardless of the 179,000kms done.

I think a good way to tell how well looked after the car is to look at the amount of wear on the leather seats, steering wheel and gearshifter. The seats in the celsior were pretty tired so its was pretty well worn indicating highish kms...
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have LESS Soarers than Hayden :-(

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Monday, March 13, 2006 - 07:13 pm, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think that Celsior had done a HEAP more kays than what was showing..........looked more like 300k!.

What attracted me to the $8k ono one is that they've owned it 6.5 years, and have always serviced it at Giltrap Toyota, and are only selling because they need a larger vehicle.

I would ask him a couple of questions on trade me, and see what sorta response you get.
Plus it may not be that far away for you to look at

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