Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 05:18 pm, by: Timothy Barnes(Timmo1)
Gidday guys A few years ago I sold my Jzz30 when I moved to Japan. Im back now and after driving an MR2 for a while and now a Caldina (yawn) I think its time to get something a bit more exciting....Im considering a Chaser or MkII or another Soarer.
So, Ive got some questions mostly relating to fuel consumption and insurance (i.e. costs after the initial purchase price) Im moving up to Auckland in the very near future to start a new job....Im not sure where ill be living yet but somewhere around Ponsonby or Greylynn i'd imagine.
So, how much fuel consumption difference is there between a TT and a NA? Id be using it on longer weekend trips mostly..
..and what is it like living with a Soarer in Auckland? Is insurance ridiculous? (25.9 y/o Male, one speeding ticket in the last 5 years)
Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 05:26 pm, by: Timothy Barnes(Timmo1)
Oh I should add, as well as my 'real job', im a student pilot so dont want to be spending a huge amount of money on driving...will a NA still give me thrills without the bills?
(ive heard the Gita wagons which use the 2JZ-Ge like a drink a bit? Is the soarer the same?)
Mike Triggs DieHard Western Australia 3.0GT G-Pack
Friday, December 07, 2007 - 11:17 am, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
Haven't owned a TT, Timothy, but the experience over here is that the n/a is cheaper to insure and gets a bit better economy (and would be cheaper to maintain, in the long run). TTs seem to lend themselves having buckets of money spent on them while the n/a is perfect as it is
We drove nearly 800km a few weeks ago (Exmouth to Carnarvon) and got 9 km/l going down and 11 km/l coming back, sitting on 115-130 km/hr (with occasional bursts to overtake)
There was a strong headwind going down (South) and a tailwind on the way back, but major difference was probably that we could fill with BP Ultimate in Carnarvon, while locally we can only get the Caltex 95 RON crap.
Considering the two cars you've shown, I'd go for the later model any day, despite having a weak spot for the gold colour.
How far is a "bit far" in NZ? The next town south from here is 370 kms away! One roadhouse in between!
Friday, December 07, 2007 - 02:14 pm, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Insurance - I was paying about $70 per month for full cover on my UZZ30 at 27 Y/O with a clean driving record and full no claims - that was 6 years ago mind.
Fuel, well was never a problem for me, but I was single and earning pretty good money.
Friday, December 07, 2007 - 02:37 pm, by: Timothy Barnes(Timmo1)
cheers guys- From memory I was paying a little over a grand for full cover when I had the Jzz30 TT and was 23 at the time. I turn 26 at the start of Jan so hopefully that will result in lower premiums.
I should clarify im comparing the Jzz30 TT and Jzz31 NA not the U3x V8 Soarers.
Obviously the NA soarer wont be quite as impressive as a TT or V8 but, in terms of handling im guessing they are pretty much identical to a TT? (presumably the weight in the front is similar between the two? No turbo Vs heavier 2j block)
The one in Wanganui looks quite nice: well maintained and specced. Tim
Mike Triggs DieHard Western Australia 3.0GT G-Pack
Saturday, December 08, 2007 - 09:40 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
No, the 2JZ-GE block is the same as the 2JZ-GTE block, so if anything probably tougher than the 1JZ-GTE block. I'd expect the 1JZ block to be a little lighter anyway as it is a little shorter I think - also would make sense as the turbo gear would weigh in at a lot more than 25KG's.
Handling should be much the same - the TT will out brake the 3 litre of course, so I guess you have to factor that in.
I'm quite happy with my JZZ31 though - it uses a lot less petrol than the UZZ30 did - and now that petrol is heading towards $2 per litre thats a good thing.
Monday, December 10, 2007 - 06:03 pm, by: Timothy Barnes(Timmo1)
Well, I took a local Jzz31 for a test drive on the weekend...it had high Ks but looked Ok from the photos on Trademe (red one with over 200K on the clock). When I got there it was a lot rougher in the flesh so that one is off the list...lots of little things which would add up and just the general state of it put me off: If the owner isnt prepared to give it a clean before a prospective buyer comes to look at it then....??!! I was quite impressed with the 2j power though! not as bad as I expected thats for sure
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 09:43 am, by: Timothy Barnes(Timmo1)
Hey basically said make me an offer....I reckon you could get it for 2? 2.5?
But, from memory:
Brakes need bleeding (didnt check discs) Ding on LR panel which has been fixed before, needs repairing properly. Clear coat peeling in a number of places and there are few other dings. Interior needs a GOOD clean. Door handles have the usual problems Driver electric window not working- said he has ordered the part Rear speakers not working? Trans fluid looked old. Lots of bits of trim broken (rear seatbelt surrounds, handbrake cover, small cubby near arm rest broken, arm rest top has loose hinge) Second key missing. Passenger door lock barrel missing/plugged. Front rubber spoiler broken in two places Front tyres worn on inside- Bushes/Alignment? Boot lining doesnt seem to fit properly.
The engine seems quite strong though. Trans wasnt too bad.
You can get (again, going from Trademe pics) decent Jzz31s for 4-5 grand anyway so im not sure if it would be worth it?
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 03:36 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Lol sounds like rubbish then Comparing it to mine, when I got my UZZ30 Soarer, it had very few issues...
These were Blown A/C display bulbs, slight bleeding of a/c display, some cracks in door trims, other than those which I quickly fixed it was flawless.
On the celsior, I replaced the Sub in the boot, and some bulbs, fixed a/c display blown bulbs and just serviced almost everything as a caring owner does. Only thing that doesnt work Ive found is the Handbrake light on the dash when its engaged... Bulb is fine too so not sure what it is..
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 03:56 pm, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
What year is it? 1994?
My JZZ31 was $6995, over two years ago. Its 1996, it had only 85,000 on the clock, a recent Japanese service docket showing the milage was likely genuine, everything works, at the time it had only 1 of the usual door cracks (has developed another since) and was generally a very tidy car.
I'd probably ask $6K and expect to get 4-5K selling it now if I cleaned it up nicely and took it to the car fair. It now has 135,000 on the clock and hasn't missed a beat.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 09:00 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Not planning on selling it for at least another year anyway - though with the baby due in a month that may change as we are going to need at least one 4 door car, and Julie's AE101 is pretty worthless now as a trade in.
Sunday, December 16, 2007 - 04:19 pm, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Yes, when its time I'd definitely look at an Aristo. I've never driven one though so I don't really know what to expect there. Also I'd want to get at least a 1999 model, and I don't know if they still made them in '99, and if they are importable?
An Alteza might be worth considering too - the Gita wagon might make quite a practical family car, and there are plenty to choose from.
Sunday, December 16, 2007 - 05:02 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Matthew Sharpe wrote on Sunday, December 16, 2007 - 04:19 pm:
Gita wagon might make quite a practical family car, and there are plenty to choose from.
Yeah definitely. Much nicer than the Sedan and 2JZ power with VVTi so you couldnt ask for more really. Id say that would be quite a good car to go for over an Aristo. Best to look into it more when the time comes I guess.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 07:07 am, by: Timothy Barnes(Timmo1)
Just thought I'd give an update here- In the end I bought a MR2 Turbo, 1992 hardtop in white....
Goes like a cut cat, the steering is much more direct than the Soarer but the ride just doesnt compare (17" wheels, stiffened suspension and Recaro seats = Kidney jarring ride)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 08:06 am, by: Joshua Rao(Soaren1)
Hi Timothy, Caldina's are awesome! A bit rare and overpriced here though. Mike Beck's explanation is quite spot on. The JZZ31 and JZZ30 are actually quite similar in petrol in my experience. The JZZ31 is only marginally better.
Take both for a drive and see which you prefer. They are very different.
Oh and I NEVER had any problems in over 2 years of JZZ31 ownership