Author |
Message |
Rory Braatvedt
TryHard North Island Soarer v8
Posts: 138 Reg: 06-2009
| Like most other Soarer owners i've had many a dark thought on converting to the Aristo. Reasoning? Obviously the 2JZ under the hood, the practicality of 4 doors, and the slightly 'WTF is that?' mentality they have on the road. Only problem is, where i come from (NZ) I can never get to test drive one locally as they are so rare. Can someone who has driven 2 out of the 3 cars above compare them for me please? Things like comfort, handling, power (pickup/acceleration feel) and so on? Am seriously considering selling my V8 for one of these. |
Joshua Rao
Goo Roo WA TT (for sale $5.2k), 97 Blk UZZ31, 97 JZZ30 vvti turbo white manual, 96 vvti turbo manual, Legnum VR4, MR2 sw20, Alfa 156
Posts: 3211 Reg: 09-2006
| Go the tt! V8 is boring if u like power. Aristos are too long and big imho |
Boris Siljanoski
Goo Roo Western Australia LS400 + Soarer.
Posts: 1914 Reg: 11-2007
| V8's have great low end pull that the TT will never have but the twin turbo is much more powerful anything after that, and the V8 costs too much money to mod to get more power. V8 is an Excellent Cruiser and usually has nice seats and some have a display. Aristo has it all Luxury and Power. |
Rory Braatvedt
TryHard North Island Soarer v8
Posts: 139 Reg: 06-2009
| I must say i do appreciate the low-down RPM drivability of the V8. Has anyone driven the Aristo who can compare the driving experience? |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo New Zealand BMW E36 Coupe 1UZFE V8 340i
Posts: 5706 Reg: 11-2005
| Look for a V8 4wd Aristo, that might fit your bill What year of 2JZ Aristo are you talking about? I've driven a 1999 2JZGE, very nice car smooth and well made, little bit of grunt with the vvti engine. Certainly more nimble than a Celsior, but not as quick. |
Daniel Lee
Goo Roo Victoria JZX110 (1JZ-GTE VVTI)
Posts: 2359 Reg: 07-2005
| How about JZX110 1JZGTE VVTI? They have leather interior, heated mirrors, EMV and four doors! |
Rory Braatvedt
TryHard North Island Soarer v8
Posts: 140 Reg: 06-2009
| In New Zealand you can get a TT, V8, or Aristo for $5000. The JZX110 or Chaser are at least $13,000. That would be why |
Mark Donovan
DieHard Auckland V8 Limited
Posts: 831 Reg: 07-2005
| Get yourself a soarer V8 and a soarer TT, then you'll have the best of both. The Soarer is IMO a classic design and the Aristo is almost entirely forgettable. |
Evan Kaio
Goo Roo 04 country '91 UZZ31. 92 TT
Posts: 1054 Reg: 01-2007
| No Aristo V8 4WD's on TMe at the mo. Use to be heaps of them. Thought I would buy one, Jeeze what was I thinking?
Mark Donovan wrote on Monday, April 01, 2013 - 04:39 pm:Get yourself a soarer V8 and a soarer TT, then you'll have the best of both. The Soarer is IMO a classic design and the Aristo is almost entirely forgettable.
Might have to agree with Mark. Has anyone re-powered a Celsior with a 2jzgte big single,in NZ? |
Rory Braatvedt
TryHard North Island Soarer v8
Posts: 142 Reg: 06-2009
| I don't see the point of owning a TT AND a V8 Soarer. The reason i'd consider an Aristo is because they are just so different on the roads of NZ. I agree about the styling, the Aristo is forgettable and the Soarer is a timeless classic. At the same time, an Aristo makes a nice sleeper - even a stock Soarer looks like it's ready to race someone. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo New Zealand BMW E36 Coupe 1UZFE V8 340i
Posts: 5708 Reg: 11-2005
|
Evan Kaio wrote on Monday, April 01, 2013 - 05:26 pm:Has anyone re-powered a Celsior with a 2jzgte big single,in NZ?
I'd love to do that. I think the early Celsior looks great, subtle classic shape. A nice tidy install with a few upgrades up to the 400hp mark, probably best to run a modified A340e with the TCM-2000 as a tiptronic setup + LSD Better wheels etc, subtle exhaust note etc. Probably nice to keep stock suspension, so it's just a really fast lounge. Then again, one could just wack a twin screw on a V8 celsior and be away laughing. |
Rory Braatvedt
TryHard North Island Soarer v8
Posts: 144 Reg: 06-2009
| Well just to update, i was about to buy an Aristo (and keep my Soarer). Was bidding at an auction on TradeMe which i was leading (reserve met @ $3,000) and then the trader withdrew the listing on the final day. So annoyed. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo New Zealand BMW E36 Coupe 1UZFE V8 340i
Posts: 5710 Reg: 11-2005
| Well that was a pain! I assume it is a 2JZGE model? |
Rory Braatvedt
TryHard North Island Soarer v8
Posts: 145 Reg: 06-2009
| 2GJGTE. Turbo - reserve was $2500 and on the final day of auction it was only me and one other guy bidding to $3000. Would have finished for around 3,500 which is still a bargain. Stock as a rock 177,000kms. I was all ready to pick the damn thing up before the guy withdrew it - so back to the bargain hunting for me! |
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo SA Soarer TT manual, plus TT track car, plus a spare shell
Posts: 3377 Reg: 04-2006
| A mate had the basic 2jz aristo. Apart from being auto, i loved the thing. Nice set of mesh wheels and a subtle lowering and they look very nice |
David Ward
DieHard Victoria 2.5 TT & 3.0 TT
Posts: 622 Reg: 10-2006
| ....and go like stink. Very nicely appointed, handle quite well with coilovers, very understated. |
Tai Johnsen
Goo Roo QLD JZZ30 Pov Manual LSD & black!
Posts: 1361 Reg: 04-2006
| Yeah, if they came with the supra 6 speed there would be one in my garage for sure.. |
Rory Braatvedt
TryHard North Island Soarer v8
Posts: 146 Reg: 06-2009
| Update The car has been relisted.. this time it has 2 problems: smokes on startup and idling issue. Funny, problem wasn't listed last time. Either way, might bid up to a reasonable amount. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=579485484 } |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo New Zealand BMW E36 Coupe 1UZFE V8 340i
Posts: 5711 Reg: 11-2005
| Pretty cheap going for what they are under the body. I think their looks are just a put off for most buyers though, mainly the side profile - big and doofy, very Camry-esque... I never felt they were a true 'Lexus' like the Soarer or Celsior - those two models seemed to have the extra details and quality put into them which makes them standout (if in good condition) |
Rory Braatvedt
TryHard North Island Soarer v8
Posts: 147 Reg: 06-2009
| I would have to agree about the styling. They don't really seem like a true 'Lexus' and they really don't have a nice side profile. In fact, the whole car would be entirely forgettable if it didn't have that engine under the hood. Even still... the idea of having something Supra-powered for under 5k is naturally appealing.... |
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo SA Soarer TT manual, plus TT track car, plus a spare shell
Posts: 3379 Reg: 04-2006
| If Toyota sold both the turbo and v8 in Australia, they woulda given HSV and Tickford a run for their money, and TRD would have had something worth dressing up. TRD might have had a chance to survive |
Joshua Rao
Goo Roo WA TT (for sale $5.2k), 97 Blk UZZ31, 97 JZZ30 vvti turbo white manual, 96 vvti turbo manual, Legnum VR4, MR2 sw20, Alfa 156
Posts: 3214 Reg: 09-2006
| Haha good call better then a SC FWD! If the Soarer was sold domestically it would be fairly expensive when competing with HSV FPV as the early 90s were characterised by significant import taxes |
Gareth Richards
TryHard Bristol UK GTT Manual/GTT-L auto / Aristo Mk1 TT / Lexus GS300 SE Mk2
Posts: 320 Reg: 07-2005
|
Joshua Rao wrote on Sunday, March 31, 2013 - 09:06 pm:Aristos are too long and big imho
Aristo - Length 4920mm Soarer - Length 4860mm Soarer I-------------------------------------------------I Aristo Not a huge difference. Although when I parked them side by side I was surprised that the Aristo wasn't a lot longer. |
Daniel Marshall
TryHard QLD V8 UZZ31 X2
Posts: 387 Reg: 07-2011
| Aristos don't drive to much different its just a little more Camry feel. I was originally looking for one before my soarer/ers purchase. 4doors are more useful that's for shore. If the 2j is a little bit worked they do drive more fun but it feels a little bulky going into turns. Could be old stock suspension compared to better soarer suspension between my test drives not 100% sure |