| Author |
Message |
Chris Davey
Goo Roo
QLD
Corona
Posts: 1164
Reg: 07-2005
|
JZZ30 VS JZS147
Aim: daily driver, reliable, "ok" on fuel, run 12's or low 13's.
Price: Soarers are getting pretty cheap at around $10k or so.
I was told I should be able to get a decent aristo for $13k
Racing: I know soarers can run 12's on stock turbos. Plenty have done it now. Would like to see how difficult it is to do with an aristo being a bit heavier than a soarer but with an extra .5L.
Rarity: obviously the aristos are less common now but I think there will be just as many aristos as soarers in 2 years time.
luxury: soarers seem very nice inside. Aristos look nice also but maybe not quite up to soarer spec from what I have seen.
Parts: Quite a few wrecked 1jz's and soarers so not too difficult. Engine bits should be fine for Aristo but any panels or anything like that would be harder to find in the short term. |
Lew Radbourn
Trader
Queensland
jzs147 92 / 95 jzz31 98' / jzz30 ute92' / uzz30 93'/ 2 X uzz31 92' s
Posts: 1658
Reg: 07-2005
|
Chris
Yer mate you are correct on all the above
what i think the Aristo has over the Soarer is
4 DOORS
the Aristo would be a fantastic car for a guy that is married and has a Soarer.
Now his wife wants to have children
so it makes every thing a lot easier
So on those special nights when the wife has not any nappies left for the baby
and the super market is only 10 mins down the road,
BUT the round trip takes you 1 hr
hahaha
what i am saying is it is a toy for us boys as well as a family car.
and you can still make them look good as well |
Lew Radbourn
Trader
Queensland
jzs147 92 / 95 jzz31 98' / jzz30 ute92' / uzz30 93'/ 2 X uzz31 92' s
Posts: 1659
Reg: 07-2005
|
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Lew Radbourn
Trader
Queensland
jzs147 92 / 95 jzz31 98' / jzz30 ute92' / uzz30 93'/ 2 X uzz31 92' s
Posts: 1660
Reg: 07-2005
|
these two Aristos can be landed and complied for $13,000
the gold mags will be fitted to the black one and i have other 18" alloys to go on the silver one |
Chris Davey
Goo Roo
QLD
Corona
Posts: 1165
Reg: 07-2005
|
Yeah, that is what I figured.
Might need the back seats at some stage in the near future so may as well go for a car that has 4 doors now rather than buy and sell later.
I can't get one for another 2 months as I just started a new job. So many options with importing that it is confusing me! |
Lew Radbourn
Trader
Queensland
jzs147 92 / 95 jzz31 98' / jzz30 ute92' / uzz30 93'/ 2 X uzz31 92' s
Posts: 1662
Reg: 07-2005
|
Chris the best thing about getting direct out of japan is you don't need the full 13,000 up front
you do it in stages
1/ purchase.6000
2/delivery.3000
3/ compliance and reg.4000
the black one above would be the pick of the two as it is a 95' with dual air bags
so from what i have been told it's got 4 pot brakes as standard.
that is what i was told |
Gareth Richards
TryHard
Bristol UK
GTT-L twin turbo auto / Lexus GS300 SE Mk2
Posts: 193
Reg: 07-2005
|
Lew Radbourn wrote on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 01:23 pm:......from what I have been told it's got 4 pot brakes as standard.
As far as I know, all Aristos / GS300s came with two pot sliding caliper fronts, but they are the same as the Soarer TT brakes so accept the same upgrades (clearance permitting). |
Chris Davey
Goo Roo
QLD
Corona
Posts: 1166
Reg: 07-2005
|
Does the black one have a sunroof?
I know that people want them with sunroofs but I would prefer one without. Would like to get some more info. on that black one if possible Lew. Even though I don't have the money now it is good to see what is on the market for when I am ready to purchase. Have to get a loan to pay for it. Then I will probably be selling my Corona (god forbid!) to pay back the loan. |
Lew Radbourn
Trader
Queensland
jzs147 92 / 95 jzz31 98' / jzz30 ute92' / uzz30 93'/ 2 X uzz31 92' s
Posts: 1663
Reg: 07-2005
|
Gareth;
only going by what Neil told me
so i am yet to see what it has on it.
Chris
yes mate both have sun roofs |
Aaron Mead
DieHard
NT
TT
Posts: 979
Reg: 03-2006
|
I went through this argument with myself, and came to the conclusion its impossible to compare 2 doors vs 4 doors.
So the solution really is to get both. That what im planning on doing this year. Finishing the Soarer to at least 350rwkw (93% there), then getting an Aristo, and just livening it up a little. (like that ever lasts......)  |
Marc Vipond
TryHard
Queensland
JZZ30 GT35R
Posts: 355
Reg: 05-2006
|
Yeah I agree with Aaron as I am doing the exact same thing as him. My car is set to make around 350rwkw and I'm 99% done, then I'm gonna buy one of those 4wd V8 Aristos and try my luck at twin turboing that bad boy. Yep it is going to be an expensive and probably problem riddled conversion but after having just finished the soarer I'm full of confidence! |
Gareth Richards
TryHard
Bristol UK
GTT-L twin turbo auto / Lexus GS300 SE Mk2
Posts: 194
Reg: 07-2005
|
Neil Griffiths wrote on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 07:37 pm:Mid 95 to 97 have Celsior 4 pots fitted.
Interesting, on two counts. One is that I know someone with a 1999 Aristo TT, and he fitted LS400 4-pots to replace the standard sliding calipers, and the second is that the EPC shows only the 2-pots (same as my JZS160 GS). Could the big brakes have been an option in Japan?
All useful info, though. Might save me some money if I replace the GS with an Aristo. |
Aaron Klaver
Trader
Victoria
TT and T
Posts: 1099
Reg: 08-2005
|
Neil Griffiths wrote on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 07:37 pm:Mid 95 to 97 have 4 Celsior 4 Pots fitted.
You can tell if it has these by looking for the Passenger Air Bag ( Series 2 )
I've seen 2 97 models now and they still had the 2 pot fronts Neil, I'm yet to see an Aristo with anything other than the regular two pots. I don't even think the JZS161 come with anything other than the two pots.
Of course, this means the Celsior and Supra 4 pots are a bolt on proposition |
Aaron Klaver
Trader
Victoria
TT and T
Posts: 1100
Reg: 08-2005
|
As for which car to go for.
Get the Aristo if you want something a little rarer and more sedate, a superior engine capabable of serious HP and good leg room in the back.
I've slapped some coilovers in mine and while it's never going to make a great track car without serious weight loss and suspension mods, through the twisty stuff with some mates, she wasn't put to shame
The earlier Aristos don't have cup holders at all. I've slowly been picking up late model console lids, which do have slide out cup holders
They also have a foot operated park brake which I absolutely HATE. I've seen Aristos converted to manual and a proper handbrake conversion done, all in Japan of course - but there is hope
The best analogy I can come up with is - Celsior+Supra = Aristo |
Chris Davey
Goo Roo
QLD
Corona
Posts: 1167
Reg: 07-2005
|
Thanks for the info. guys |
Ben Evans
DieHard
Qld
"Master Power" Turbo 1J With Xtras
Posts: 567
Reg: 07-2005
|
By the way, dont expect to get your car for the quoted price. I found this out the expensive way.
Shipping was quoted at $3200 max and it cost me $3900 due to extras, like quarantine decontamination, port handling fees, dead car surcharge (which is currently being disputed) etc..
I was quoted 13,200 landed and complied for a car that had a full mechanical report and apart from a minor water leak in perfect condition.
So far its going to cost me $16000 without fixing the $3500 worth of shipping damage they caused and wont own up to. Front bar is destroyed, rear bar cracked, side skirt scratched, mags gutter rashed, passenger front gaurd smashed.
My advise, if you import, make sure its stock as a rock, at stock height, has no bodykit and starts perfectly, otherwise you're in for a head-ache. |
Aaron Klaver
Trader
Victoria
TT and T
Posts: 1102
Reg: 08-2005
|
All too common a story mate. Did you buy from Auction or from a dealer? Who did you ship with?
Had a customer bring his Aristo in a couple of days ago, needing some bits and pieces to get through RWC. Car arrived, genuine veilside bodykit almost destroyed, one piston was r00ted and the stereo doesn't fire up at all. He paid through the nose too. Rest of the car was nice, interior immaculate, sunroof, leather perfect. |
Chris Davey
Goo Roo
QLD
Corona
Posts: 1168
Reg: 07-2005
|
Scary stuff.
Makes buying a local soarer look a bit more attractive. |
Lew Radbourn
Trader
Queensland
jzs147 92 / 95 jzz31 98' / jzz30 ute92' / uzz30 93'/ 2 X uzz31 92' s
Posts: 1670
Reg: 07-2005
|
Chris
Mate don't be to disgruntled about importing mate
the above that Aaron and Ben
are talking about would only be 5% of the overall cars that are bought in every year
the 6 cars i have imported have all had no damage
But the parts inside went missing that is another story...BASTARDS |
Aaron Klaver
Trader
Victoria
TT and T
Posts: 1103
Reg: 08-2005
|
Chris, Lew is right - it's only a small percentage - I've imported 8 cars of my own and double that for other people and (touch wood) not one of my cars has been damaged or had anything stolen - I don't put anything in the cars though, anything of value is removed and shipped either in container or sent over via ems.
A lot of it comes down to using the right companies both in Japan and for shipping to Oz - though they can't control what random dock workers will do, the docks are much better than they once were (I have a mate who works on the docks and he lets the cars idle for at LEAST 20 seconds before thrashing the ring out of them  ) |
Ben Evans
DieHard
Qld
"Master Power" Turbo 1J With Xtras
Posts: 571
Reg: 07-2005
|
Im not yet willing to disclose the shipping company as im still trying to fight them for the repairs. What i will say is, Craig and Ben at J-spec are awesome! Ive been dealing with Craig primarily, and even though they've done their job by getting me the car, they're acting on my behalf trying to get the shipping bastards to pay for their damage. Its really nice to know that someone is wanting to help you out when you're stuck.
Honsetly, buy an aristo! They're awesome! I dare say that they're better than a soarer, more power and more space. A bit less sporty, but who cares when you got a 2J!
Just import a stocka then mod it here. A lot less hassle then.
Chris, if you want, gimme a call (0417 366 372) on the weekend and you can come down to redcliffe and check mine out. Thats if you haven't seen one yet
Ben |
Lew Radbourn
Trader
Queensland
jzs147 92 / 95 jzz31 98' / jzz30 ute92' / uzz30 93'/ 2 X uzz31 92' s
Posts: 1672
Reg: 07-2005
|
Ben i recon the shipping company would have to be seaways? |
Aaron Klaver
Trader
Victoria
TT and T
Posts: 1105
Reg: 08-2005
|
My thinking also. Go Kiwi. |
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have WAY less Soarers than Hayden :-(
Posts: 5430
Reg: 05-2005
|
Kiwi(s) ROCK! 
(In my NOT so humble opinion) |
Aaron Klaver
Trader
Victoria
TT and T
Posts: 1106
Reg: 08-2005
|
They all point fingers at everyone else. I have a mate who had pics of his VIP Cima in the storage yard in Japan, pristine condition - imported with a certain shipper who only comes into Brisbane - front bumper and side skirts were absolutely munted. Made a claim through the shipper and gave up after 8 months, despite having auction pics, pics at the docks AND the shippers own condition report.
Go figure.
Mitsui/O.S.K have been good for me, I used to only use Kiwi - their processes are good and headache free, but they only ship in via Brisbane and then TNT takes the car the rest of the way - works out more expensive (only a little) but the less hands my car has to pass through the better imho
Plus my mate works on the docks here and often gets to see the car come off the boat |
Justin Leafe
Tinkerer
Queensland
Celsior
Posts: 81
Reg: 09-2005
|
When I picked up my Celsior it had 2 flat rear tyres, they were flat because they were abused so much they couldn't hold air any longer. Of course it was already like that :/. 275/30/19 x2 is just what you want to buy as soon as you pick up your car. |
Aaron Klaver
Trader
Victoria
TT and T
Posts: 1107
Reg: 08-2005
|
ouch, now THAT hurts.  |
Ben Evans
DieHard
Qld
"Master Power" Turbo 1J With Xtras
Posts: 573
Reg: 07-2005
|
ok, you've convinced me, it was seaways using Kiwi car carriers as the shippers.
I have no proof who caused the damage, so Im not going to blame anyone. Could be the docks, could be the shippers, could be the towey who tried picking it up off the docks, hell, it could even be the dealer in japan before it left. Im still waiting on numerous reports to tell me when the damage occured, im just not happy, no matter who caused it.
Heres a couple of pics to give you an idea of what can happen.
Before....
After
|
Dan McColl
Goo Roo
Victoria
Bog Standard Active and a pos factory Manual XF Falcon.
Posts: 1714
Reg: 07-2005
|
Holy ••••• •••••• Cockhead •••••• arseholes.
If you put it in a container then it will arrive fine. |
Aaron Mead
DieHard
NT
TT
Posts: 1000
Reg: 03-2006
|
Wow, I didnt know this was so common. I've always had a feeling its the small percentage of wanker dockies and transport companies that do this damage. A friends JZA80 was absolutely ratshit by the time it came up here. Bald, and I mean BALD 285/18's, gutter rashed beyond repair Work VSx rims, smashed bodykit (Fibregalss hanging off both skirts, scratches all over.
But the worst was the burnt diff oil, burnt g'box oil, no engine oil (spun a bearing), and the crunchiest of crunchy 6 speeds!!!
So, I made some calls to a few old mates, and yes, there are a group of known individuals, who make it their goal to remove recogniseable items of value from imported cars, particularly japanese, and of course they know what to look for, and to thrash the ••••• out of em.
I spotted one of the car carrying employees up here at the local speed shop bragging about a SOARER he'd just thrashed the •••• out of to his mate. While I'd love to throttle him on the spot, Ill wait till I see the new soarer around town, and maybe ask the guy which carrier he used.
I've been looking at the dock facilities up here in Darwin, and wouldnt it be great to personally see each and every container of yours being unloaded before your eyes?
Looks like someone is already doing it though, there was 2 R32's and a Chaser parked (out in the rain!) inside the dock area (its all really visible here, there are no walls and you can get right up close and personal to the docks. Even walk on the pier/chat with el capitan! |
Ben Daniel
DieHard
WA
Twin Turbo
Posts: 835
Reg: 03-2006
|
I imported my Soarer through J-spec and personally I wouldn't recommend them. Afer I paid for the car that was the last I ever heard from them. I had to organise my own shipping, import approval, compliance, Quarantine ••••• Transport from Docks and the rest. Needless to say I was pissed off cause the site did say that all I had to do was tell them what Car I wanted, they would find it and take care of all the rest. I e-mailed them and demanded half of my $1000 service fee back as the service was not fulfilled but once again, didn't get a reply.
Apart from that BS everything else was fine, when it came to shipping I had 2 options. Roll on roll off for $1200 (which is notorious for cars getting damaged and broken into) or a single container with protective packaging for $3270. I chose the container and I know I made the right choice as the car came un-harmed and altho a bit •••••• (but re-assuring) I was sent a bill of $30 for disposing the ~200kg of protective packaging and wrapping. Maybe I got sticked on that one, but who knows.
Compliance was a Breeze, I was recommended to Raj by Regan at DCI who is very well known by WA soarer owners. Raj did a superb job, had no issues with me coming in every couple of days to check on my car and wander round the shop and ran me through with getting the car over the pits and registered. Altho this bit doesn't really help you because you live in Qld i thought i'd share my experience.
Through Regan I also met a guy called Nigel who I told I was gonna be getting a second Soarer soonish. I told him my experience with J-spec and said it wasn't out of the ordinary. He put me through to a man named Mark Hocking at My Trading who is an importer. I have heard LOTS of positive things about Mark and maybe some other forum members can vouch for him too. His website is www.mytrading.org and its a testament to the kind of service you will receive. You may pay a little more, but you are guaranteed to get the pick of the litter. When I do get my second soarer I will be importing again and after speaking to Mark personally I can tell you I wont be going anywhere else. |
Ben Evans
DieHard
Qld
"Master Power" Turbo 1J With Xtras
Posts: 574
Reg: 07-2005
|
wow, its crazy to think that the docks did most of the damage to most of the cars. Does anyone know if the damage can be claimed through insurance?
I realise, if the damage was caused at the docks, its not the shipping companies fault, but surely there must be some insurance that covers them whilst there waiting for pickup?
I find it suprising regarding J-spec's non-help. They actually contract your customs etc.. through another logistics company to organise customs, shipping, paperwork, etc... so maybe its them at fault for not contacting you?
I know that i had to get the number for seaways logistics and contact them to get their ass into gear as they were "waiting on a call from me before doing anything", in other words, weren't gunna do a thing.
I think if you email j-spec you get a slow response. If you call them, sometimes you'll get through and find the answers you've been looking for. Just remember that j-spec deal with HEAPS of cars being imported, which is why they're soo busy all the time.
Im not saying they didnt f you over, but for me they've been nothing but helpful. |
Ben Daniel
DieHard
WA
Twin Turbo
Posts: 839
Reg: 03-2006
|
The only reason I went through J-Spec was because my friend had bought 2 cars off them and said they were pretty good, he even got me in touch directly with the person he went through. But yeah, everything went pear shaped with them for me. Maybe they weren't getting my e-mails ?? I dont know. It was just a pain in the ass as I had no idea what to do but thankfully Nigel helped me with the most of it. I nearly lost out too as the car was on the ship and on its way and Nigel rang me and said "we need your import approval for compliance" and I was like "import approval?????" and he then told me that if the car landed in Aus and I didn't have import approval then the car would be sent back to Japan at my expense. Luckilly I got my import approval sorted a week before the car got here. I would of been royally pissed if that had actually happened not to mention broke too. |
Steve Petkos
TryHard
Vic
Celsior V8
Posts: 175
Reg: 02-2006
|
is that a tow point behind the front bar?
looks to me that who ever towed the car to stick it on a flat bed has hooked up UNDER the front bar and ripped the •••• out of it when towing it up the bed.....just my guess?? |
Ben Evans
DieHard
Qld
"Master Power" Turbo 1J With Xtras
Posts: 575
Reg: 07-2005
|
yep, thats exaclty whats happened. When the car has hit the flatbed, or ship ramp, they kept going which pushed the gaurd out and smashed all the bottom of the front bar. My guess is it was either on or off the boat, as the rear bar has hit the ground as well. I towey would usually stop if it hits... usually.... |
Daniel Clarke
Goo Roo
NSW
TT 2.5L 6 cylinder
Posts: 1124
Reg: 03-2006
|
A good reason to buy an already landed car in my opinion. When others are involved, its out of your hands. And with my luck, i would definately be one of the 5%.
5% is still a damn lot. 5 out of every 100 or 1 out of every 20 will be damaged. Thats 1 out of 20 people importing a car who will need more money thatn originally needed and heartache.
Buy local and save your soul. |
Ben Evans
DieHard
Qld
"Master Power" Turbo 1J With Xtras
Posts: 576
Reg: 07-2005
|
or, pay an extra 2 grand and get put it in a container!!! |
Ben Daniel
DieHard
WA
Twin Turbo
Posts: 850
Reg: 03-2006
|
A lot of people go roll on roll off because yes it is cheaper but little do people realise the risk they are taking. The people dont give a toss about your car or how it arrives, its not THEIR car and its sad because thats the attitude that a lot of them will have when your cars getting put on the boat and because their asses are covered and they wont cop the blame they just dont care. |
Daniel Clarke
Goo Roo
NSW
TT 2.5L 6 cylinder
Posts: 1128
Reg: 03-2006
|
Or what Ben Evans has said. Pay the extra $$$ . It sounds like insurance. |
Ben Daniel
DieHard
WA
Twin Turbo
Posts: 856
Reg: 03-2006
|
I believe container shipping comes with insurance. |
Phil Gibson
DieHard
WA
'94 black/black UZZ31
Posts: 872
Reg: 07-2005
|
I would be more inclined to go for a container with a car that has a valuable body kit on or any "desirable" interior parts but other than that i dont think i could justify the price.
I think a lot of it depends on the carrier and which port the car is going to and this is where a bit of research and the opinions of others helps a bit.
I was able to see my car unloaded and driven onto the docks in Fremantle and yeah there was nothing unusual going on
http://imagestore.ugbox.net/aview/e47ca9821443e1247c8841a9acba6a23
http://imagestore.ugbox.net/aview/87bd87aacb5d50e4a4c999a1822240e3 |
Aaron Klaver
Trader
Victoria
TT and T
Posts: 1108
Reg: 08-2005
|
Phil, that's what it's like at the docks in Auckland too. When I went there year before last, we were walking to dinner and there was an ro/ro vessel there unloading - the back of the ship was probably 100-150m away from the fence and the holding yard was right in front of the fence, so every car that was unloaded drove past about 20m away. I won't talk about the cars that came off, it's too depressing |
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have WAY less Soarers than Hayden :-(
Posts: 5495
Reg: 05-2005
|
Aaron Klaver wrote on Tuesday, January 09, 2007 - 08:10 am:I won't talk about the cars that came off, it's too depressing
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Kiwi! Kiwi!  |
Dominik Bloemhard
TryHard
NSW
V6
Posts: 253
Reg: 08-2005
|
When i imported my widebody Cima, J-spec offered me another shipping option: Non-refrigerated container or something like that. Basically it was shipped in a refridgerated container that was turned off for the Journey. Story goes that goods are shipped to Japan in these containers, and then the containers usually get shipped back empty.
Shipping it this way cost me about $500 more than it cost me to ship my Soarer a couple of years ago - and the Cima was ALOT larger than the Soarer.
Added benefit is that a refrigerated container has more heat insulation. When going through indonesia i have heard the insides of the container get VERY hot and that can cause other problems.
Oh, oh there was one more thing - being a container that was shipped by a specific company, meant the container was unloaded on their private yard. I wasnt able to be there when they unloaded it (security issues), but i could see it DIRECTLY afterwards and before it was driven.
If i was doing the importing thing again, regardless of whether it was a widebody vip car or a stock standard smart car, i would use the same method!!! |
Avin Luther
Goo Roo
vic
Soarer uzz31 Limited
Posts: 1148
Reg: 07-2005
|
who ships whole cars these days? I bought mine piece by piece from the Lexus parts department and put it together in the back yard.
 |
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