Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 10:22 am, by: Greg Nikitiuk(Jestr)
what made you stop and say... Soarer! I want one of these!!
I know that after taking one for a quick drive would have sealed the deal, hence we are all here.
Question is, how did you or why did you choose soarer. Many people graduate from VB commodore or EA falcon to current SS or XR variety corolla to camry....etc
Why soarer?
Personally few years ago I noticed them on the road. Not many, just a hand full and heard they are luxury kind of jap vehicle with lots of goodies. They started around $20K mark. One day at the prestige auction with my brother in law, I saw a FSG TT. I thought... hmmm 2 turbos, must be quick, clean, not bad. My brother in law noticed that I was interested. He suggested "why don't you bid?" I said " nice but I never driven one and really I know jack •••• about them" He said "how much would you go up to?" Jokingly I replied " $14K max" knowing very well they sell for $18+.
Short story is, I had to return to work and left him there to just look around (he was after a jag)
2 hours later he call me and says "Congrats mate I got it for you for $13K!!!"
WTF???
The rest is history...I loved it!
I bought him JW black label, but I do not take him to auction any more
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 10:42 am, by: Maurice Diggler(Mau_rice)
I had a 1984 MK2 Supra and I loved it so much I was going to upgrade to a MK3 Supra, I test drove a few 7M's with 3L turbo motors in my time and was pretty close to buying one, then a distant friend said "don't get a 7M, get a 1J" "1JZ?" says me?
So, I came home, did a google search for 1JZ-GTE and I found the old ALSC which has back in 2003, I read it for over a year, then signed up in 2004 (I think?) I fell in love with the luxury / shape / power available from the 1JZ Soarers and I was sold.
I researched for another 12 months or so, then contacted my main man Lew Radbourn and he imported the car for me.
Had it for 18 months now, and I can honestly say, I LOVE this car, I spend more time cleaning / admiring / drooling over the car than driving it.
Best money I've ever ever spent, don't plan on selling it any time soon
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 10:50 am, by: Shane McInnes(Soarin_tt)
Back at high School yr 9/10 my best mate used to get his cousin to pick him up in a 89 Model Soarer Turbo. I loved the look of them and wanted one of them or a WRX (loved the sound of the WRX and were the car to have back then) So always said at School i wanna WRX or my mates cousins Soarer.
My mates cousin took me for a drive in his soarer and i was hooked. I loved it. I was like yeah im getting this. A couple years went by, The soarer was off the road getting rebuilt with 1jz and big turbo.
Then my same mate has another cousin with a 92 TT Soarer he took me for a drive, I was like i want this one now, more luxury and more Faster, Plus the look of them was hot.
I was 18 now and just saved Money plus got a Loan, so i was in the hunt for a Soarer TT my old coach bought one for cheap of a friend at a car yard and was looking to sell it for a small profit. He came over and Showed me and let me test drive it. lol 1st time i ever drove a Soarer. He told me to give it a hit as i was driving carefully.
Man did it through me back and i couldnt get the smile of my face. Time i got back i said im buying this.
I bought it a couple days later was the 1st soarer i ever looked at, I sorta regret rushing into buying the 1st Soarer i saw (because it has the crapest paint job ever) it was a cheap price considering what they were worth 3and half yrs ago.
So my 93 SoarerTT was my 1st car. Its come along way since ive owned it. I love it.
BTW i was browsing HOT 4's forum just before i bought my car and a member on there said to check out the ALSC website. Ive been coming here ever since.
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 10:58 am, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
My wife is infatuated with 2-door cars (personally I like station wagons)and wanted a Celica. After searching our favourite Japanese car yard (where we had bought a car previously) and others I came to the conclusion that auto Celicas in a decent colour and in SSII level (the base car has only the 2.0 motor used all over the place including many medium cars and Rav4) was nearly impossible. They only come in gun grey, black, white , dk blue and red anyway. Boring.
I saw a Soarer and did some research and figured they were way above the Celica for not much more money (at least in Japan). We now have two, both pearl (a universe above crappy old white) and as far as looks, performance and quality goes they are easily the best cars we've ever owned. They are still impractical in terms of interior space (especially the boot) but as a tourer for two the Soarer would be very hard to surpass, especially as I'm tall and fit comfortably in few cars. I can't wait to get ours onto a decent road.
Another factor in our decision was that Celicas were hard to find with one airbag let alone two like the '97 G-pack.
Supras are nice but even the base models were twice what we paid for the Soarer in Japan, although we did get the '97 very cheap as it was "low grade" (read minor bingles and dirty interior).
Steven Soknacki Tinkerer Ontario Possibly a TT, but most likely an SC400 V8
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 11:18 am, by: Steven Soknacki(Sc_coupe)
The obsession started when I was 14. Ever since I can remember I have loved cars. At that age, I was starting to think about what car I wanted to buy when I turned 16. I wanted something 2-door, reliable, fast, stylish and luxurious.
I was in British Columbia about a year and 2 years ago and noticed an SC400 in a parking lot. I loved it. The styling was unlike anything else, the rounded shape, the unique headlights.
As soon as I got back to my home in Toronto, I researched all I could on this car. I had my heart set on an SC400. Then, about 6 months ago, I stumbled upon terra2imports.ca and realised I could import a '91 Soarer to Canada.
I'm 16 now and I'm currently looking for an SC/Soarer, but I'm in no hurry because I would rather buy the car in the spring after the snow melts.
Last week I found a red SC400 for sale about 5 mins from my house and I plan to go look at it next week. Ideally, I will be able to find a nice Soarer GT-TL next spring but I can only hope...
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 11:56 am, by: Michael Machin(Minz)
I was 16 and into my Toyotas. I said to a mate that if Toyota had a V8, I'd want one. He said "well as a matter of fact..." Ten years later I still want one (one that actually goes, not a shell). Beauty, power, luxury all in one. What's not to like?
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 02:14 pm, by: Ben Daniel(Lexustt)
I've been into cars all my life, my dad was a Ford fanatic (mainly old school mustangs) and was always buyin and sellin cars. At first when I was young tho I was more into 4WD's as I liked the feeling of sitting high then 1 day my uncle took me for a spin in his mates Porsche and ever since have loved Porsches. The same friend of my uncles was also 1 of the first people in Aus to own a TT 6spd Supra. Was a Silver 93 stock as a rock and I fell in love with it the second I saw it and knew it was the car I wanted. When I was 19 i received a sum of money from my dad passing and went out and bought my own Supra which was a Red 93 TT 6spd which cost me $35k Only mods were an exhaust and 18's. I loved that car to bits but only had it 3 months before I got rid of it. Reasons being I couldn't get insurance, it didn't fit in the garage, I was at Tafe and deliverring pizzas and didn't have enough money to keep it on the road. Also I was on P-plates and I strongly believe no P-plater should have anything bigger than a 4cylinder until their off P's. I was heartbroken to sell it but it was the wise choice. The after 2 years I was off my P's and had just recently crashed my Civic and was looking for a new car, I spent most the money I got from selling the Supra on lots of food, piss, weed and general living and only had $15k to spend. I test drove heaps of cars from SS's, XR8's, Silvias, Skylines, RX7's. Then my mate took me for a drive in his Soarer and I instantly loved it, loved the interior, the features and the power it had. I test drove a couple and finally picked up a 91 Pearl white with 63,000km's on it for $12,500. Its the best motoring choice I've ever made and I will probably stick with Soarers until they're extinct I loved the supra to bits too but they aren't really a practical car. The rear vision in them is Lame, no boot space and the rear seats... I mean come on, whats the point of having them there when no one can use them ? Its mainly a drivers car, I love how its designed on the inside with everything pointing to the driver, its like your in a jet fighter or something not to mention the crazy power its got
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 02:47 pm, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
I have spent most of my motoring life in mid level Euro sporty saloons. Four doors were practical, they were inoffensive to the fuzz and bit of a Q-ship, being faster than other cars expected them to be thanks to their excellent suspensions and an engine/gearbox package that worked. However, way back in the 60s, my motoring heart was pretty much taken by the Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta Lusso, still one of the most beautiful cars god and Pininfarina ever put on the planet. I liked the concept of the GT as it existed then, a very fast but comfortable two-seater coupe to travel long distances (which we have here rather more than in Europe).
In early 2002 I was driving a Volvo S80T6, a big luxury car with some power, but still desired a two-seater GT as a second car. I looked at some Porsches and drove a 928. It was loud, hard, slow under throttle (3 Sp auto did not help) with heavy steering and not too many luxury bits. Alternatives (e.g. a 90s 911 or a Maserati Ghibli) were way over budget as a second car. I gave up on that idea, sold the Volvo and bought the IS300 in 2003. This was more like my usual Euro solution but near the top of that tree and is still immensely satisfying to own and drive.
A year later, Peter Burrett turned up in the car park of the place we were both working at the time in a lovely Soarer 2.5 VVTi single turbo. I had never seen these cars before and became more enamoured of it all the time. I had also the excuse of a need to travel to Sydney more often and was keen to keep down my usual high mileage on the IS300 for reasons of resale value. Since I was after a fast cruising car, a V8 with everything on it was my choice and after due research I picked up a fine example on import. Since then I have added some speed and a manual gearbox to it and now have a modern exemplar of the classic GT.
I'm happy.
Daniel Lee DieHard Victoria Soarer GT Limited UZZ31 V8
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 04:32 pm, by: Daniel Lee(Son_gokou)
Been driving the 1980 Toyota Corona for almost 7 years, I finally decided time to get another car.
At first, I was thinking of getting the FTO as I really like them back in 1997 when I first saw it on Grand Turismo for Playstation.
Then later I found out the FTO is FWD and heard they are really expensive to maintain.
Later I want a RWD with luxury and abit of power, and then I saw someone posted on the OCAU forum asking about Soarers. Saw a few photos of them and they look pretty good then I started do some researched on the net.
This was back in late 2003 and I found the sites Planet Soarer and ALSC. After some reading on Planet Soarer, I’ve had decided that I want the UZZ31.
Then early 2004 saw one member was selling his 1991 White UZZ31 on ALSC and he lived pretty closed to me, then I contacted him and then I went to inspect the Soarer.
After the inspection, I’ve bought the Soarer off him and been driving the Soarer for almost 3 years now. So far no major problem and very happy with it.
First time I saw the Soarer was back in 1997 and I don’t know what car it is until my brother told me is a Toyota Soarer. Back then I never heard of Soarer and I only know Skyline GTR and the Subaru WRX.
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 05:32 pm, by: Justin Cook(Justin)
A friend at work had a 89 model, with the 7M in it with an upgraded turbo. I fell in love with the digital dash, and just had to have a Soarer. He was selling that one, but in the end at the time I didnt' have time money, luckily because the car was falling apart in the ol' cooling system, stuffed pipes, radiator etc.
Anyhow I was making some money and decided that a good car would be good before I save to buy a house, walked into this import yard in Brizzie on the miracle mile. My Soarer was under a light (was a Sunday night) and with the paint job (blue) with purple pearl...you should have seen it....just beautiful! Anyhow I said its mine. Went back on Monday and bought it.
Should have bartered a bit more, but I have never looked back, I loved it then and still do now, although she's a money pit with mods.
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 07:38 pm, by: Vinh Bui(Hyudsjk)
Funnily enough, one of my best friends had a '96 UZZ31 when we were in year 12. Long story short, he crashed it and knocked down a telegraph pole and some brick fences in the process.
One day, when I was at his house I decided to jump into the wrecked car (damage was only done to the bonnet). I had never been in his car before that day since I had my own car and stuff. All I could say was that I was that I just simply fell in love with the luxury and comfort. That was when I said to myself "I'm gonna get one"
So a few months later, I did! Dark blue '94 UZZ31 with all the goodies. A year or two later, the turbo bug hit me so I got myself a TT as well! So at the end of the day, I get the best of both worlds. The V8 for everyday cruising, and the TT for pure power
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 08:04 pm, by: Marc Vipond(04awe)
Because they are stealthy! You can do them up to have 500hp+++ and still have the image of a stock oldies luxury cruiser I've owned 9 different japanese turbo vehicles and the soarer has attracted the least attention out of any from the law.
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 08:36 pm, by: Jeff Smith(Mozzie)
It was simple for me I test drove my Mum's car(Di Smith) It was a V8 limited.After that I joined Di on some soarer cruize's and met Neil,Manny,Reepa and the rest of the gang,So from then on I had to be part of this great club (A.L.S.C) also the forum Soarer Central with a bonus of a stylish/stunning car.And the bang for your buck was the turning point. With that in mind I went out to find my perfect soarer,V8 was my main choice but with lots of bad V8's on offer on parramatta RD I found the next best thing A GTT-L.I got a TT with luxury and power."Two big tick's in my book" From that day I had no intension's to modify it.HA! I GOT THE BUG! Like the rest of the TT guy's.But what blow's me away is the small cost to wakeup the TT soarer,Compeared to a Nissan.
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 08:39 pm, by: Ben Lipman(Ben12a)
Supra has always been on the list. I was looking for something to replace the Rx-7 ser II as we were having a baby. We were looking at WRX, BMW etc. The brief from the wife was "4 doors no turbos". I may have got confused along the line. 2 door and 2 turbos. Still adds up to four...
I saw a black one at her work. I had no idea what it was. I just knew I wanted one. Chased a V8 manual for a while (obviously we now know they were never built). Went to the Toy Shop in Newcastle and told them what I was after. They found this one. Sold.
Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 08:45 am, by: Malcolm Hall(Neddy)
Many years ago in my youth I drooled over a classic E-Type (I really wanted a Ferrari Daytona, but maybe that was being a tad unrealistic) and never had enough cash to be able to afford one. A couple of years ago I decided that I would get a true Grand Touring machine and started looking for an E-Type, but by then although they still looked fantastic, they were getting long in the tooth and I realised that I needed 4 seats. It would have had to be a type 3 - not quite as pretty as the original 3.8 or even the 4.2, so I started to look for something younger but with similar performance and stumbled on the Soarer.
The lines grabbed my attention straight away - a modern classic - and the V8 Ltd had so much more in the line of luxury touches than any E-Type could ever have offered. When I found ALSC and realised what great support there was for this car, and that I could get a luvverly mint one on the road and still get change from $20K I was hooked. I flew down to the Brisbane / Gold Coast area and spent a couple of days touring the yards and looking at some private sales, found one that had just arrived and been complianced and drove it back to Townsville - never looked back.
It's my daily driver, I look after it better than any other car I have ever owned and regularly take it on long runs (Melbourne and Coffs Harbour are favourite 2-day spins). I developed the Soarer Grin as soon as I sat in the driver's seat for the first time and I still get every time I turn the key - best buy I ever made.
Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 09:02 am, by: Stefan Kjellberg(Stefank)
After driving a Nissan Patrol for 10 years I was sick of driving a truck. I looked around for a small sporty car, preferably convertible that has performance and costs peanuts to buy. I ended up with a 1984 300ZX, which was a great car, but engine was troublesome. So I got rid of that and got a 1981 280ZX instead. That's a great car to drive, easy to work on and more practical than you think.
But, it was an old car, getting rusty, so I did a lot of research - 180SX, 200SX, Skyline, Supra, 300ZX, Soarer. Looking at value for money, it is very hard to beat the 300ZX and the Soarer. I've always had a dislike of Toyotas having owned several Nissans, but I went out looking - one week for a Soarer, then next week for a 300ZX. Came to the conclusion the ZED was too impractical and the engine a bit fragile, so ended up buying a 91 V8 Limited Soarer.
Fantastic car to drive, perfect for commuting (or would be if it had a proper radio), very luxurious, but in the long term a bit boring.
So I found this little red 300ZX convertible and bought that too. Soarer for travel to from work or when it's raining or I need to take passengers. ZED for weekends. Best of both worlds. After a couple of days in the Soarer, I long for the ZED and after a weekend in the open, I look forward to the comfort of the Soarer.
Don Bagnall Moderator New Zealand I have WAY less Soarers than Hayden :-(
Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 11:14 am, by: Don Bagnall(Baggs)
I first had dealings with Soarers because of my job involving research of Jap imports that were coming into NZ from 1987. I was an automotive parts researcher for a company called Brake & Transmission NZ Ltd (now B n'T).
I remember thinking..........Nice looking car, dumb sounding name!
Then about 1993 I saw my 1st. one in the flesh........a Silver Ltd wooshing quietly up the Auckland Harbour Bridge..........Noice! I thought, and didn't do any more about poichasing one, as they were in the high $30/low $40k bracket in those days, and we already had a 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV coupe, a 1985 R30 Skyline Turbo, a 1983 Nissan Leopard Turbo Coupe, AND a 4WD Mitsi L200 in Black with all the off-road bling shizzle on it, so parking was, to say the least, at a premium!.
To make a long story LONGER, in 2004 we had a minty-poo Mitsi GTO which was doing me back in, getting into and out of (the pain, the pain!), and I happened to drop in on me mates car yard down here in New Plymouth..........and guess what was sitting on the yard in freshly traded condition (read: needs a good grooming!), YES that's right, a Series I Landrover .
Umm..Err..NO, it wuz our beloved 4.0 GT Snoarer. I thought to meself.....I remember these thingos, I wonder what they're like to drive?.
Mate said to take it for a blatt, and see what's what. So I did, and wuz instantly smitten with the silence, the responsiveness (anyone who's driven an Automatic GTO will know what I mean!), the build quality, and all the twiddly bits that come as standard..........NOICE! .
This would be my first Toyota purchase, unless you count the Wifey-gadget's RAV 3 dr, which is just a bouncing beer can to go shopping in!
I semi immediately did a straight swap for the GTO, and have been preaching the Gospel according to Saint Soarer ever since............and will continue to do so for, like, forever!
Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 02:39 pm, by: Sam Koek(Samkoek)
In my country(Malaysia) car is very expensive same price as house there, so i can't pay for a car, so i got a 250cc Ninja kawasaki motorcyc, because i enjoy driving fast, and my bike always faster then car. Then when i came to Australia 7 years ago, always heard people talk about V8 supercar FOLD!!! HOLDEN!!! they fast they good! So my first car was V6 holden paid just under 30k that time for second hand, then modify the exhaust system and K&N filter kit drive very fast all the time and just like the other holden or ford driver always think their car is faster then other on the road. Until one day on of my mate bought a Subaru B4 twin turbo and had a drag on the street then i realise my holden was not built for drag, it is just a family car, i was very suprise my mate's car subaru B4, i was very very far behind him. He know about car more then me, he told me a lot about japanese import car, i had learn so much about turbo thing from him, then i start looking for turbo car and start read the japanese import car's magazine. I love GTR very much because they fast, but very expensive, my wife allow me to change my holden but can only buy soarer, because it's LEXUS! She only know Lexus is a good brand and luxury car. That's right we end up buying Lexus soarer, I have no regret to soarer until today, but i still love the R34 GTR, i used to told my wife i must want R34 GTR one day, and she said 'ok if you work hard and paid off the house then you can Buy Your GTR.' So i always work hard and try to paid off my house and year after year three years later now i think i already change my mind, because if i really have money, i will buy another house and another house. I believe i am getting old now, that's right i have this kind of plan.
Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 07:11 pm, by: Ray Crawford(Ray)
Great thread. I suppose the reason I got my Soarer was a story of evolution dating back to 1961 when I saw the E-type Jaguar at the Sydney Motor Show. It aroused my interest in performance cars and started my quest to the Soarer today. My father was a car buff and was always getting different cars. Mainly old bombs or rare cars. My first car purchase was a very rare 1951 Austin A40 Sports with Jensen aluminium body. My father had a Mark V Jaguar that I learnt to drive in and I liked it's luxury and performance (for those days). My first new car purchase was a 1973 Toyota Celica and was impressed with it's quality of finish and reliability compared to other cars of that era. In 1979 I bought another new Celica and read in 1981 in Wheels magazine of Toyota's new high performance coupe, the Toyota Soarer. I wanted one then as it it brought back memories of that E-type Jaguar. Six cylinder twin cam, all independant suspension, four wheel disc brakes, etc. But alas, it never came to Australia. Which is just as well as I probably couldn't have afforded one if they were brought in by Toyota Australia. Fast forward to 1992 and the import laws allowed second hand Soarers to come to Australia, I bought a 1985 3.0 GT Soarer and was hooked. 1994 I sold the 1985 model and I bought a 1986 GT Limited with the 7MGTE motor. Finally in 1999 I was able to get a 1992 GT Limited with the works and this is the longest time I have ever held onto a car.
Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 10:25 pm, by: Ian Johnston(Ted)
I sold my motorbike to try and slow down( and hopefully live longer), so wanted another car( cruise control had to be). I was into American cars, having had 1955 Chev, 1964 Chev, 1980 Z28 Camaro, 1978Chev pickup. Usual run of Holdens, and Datsuns,etc. I went to Adelaide to look at a R33 Skyline, as a friend had one and I quite liked it, so while looking at a couple of Skylines on Nth East Rd, I spotted a Soarer, and asked what it was, and could I have a look at it. Well, the rest is history, so much more room than the Skyline, more comfort, and I liked the style. I did my homework on the Internet, while waiting to sell my bike, and found out heaps of info, so when bike sold, after looking thru the trading post, I went to Adelaide and started looking. After looking at a heap of them, TTs mainly, I had almost given up, when I found out about one in a car yard on Marion Rd, so went for a look, and a drive. Fantastic, come back tomorrow said the salesman, and we can do a deal. Next morning, which happened to be Thursday, I got the Trading Post just for another look, and there was one on South Rd at a car yard, as the weekly special. So, I had to go past there on my way to the other yard, so I called in, looked at it, bought it, and drove it home without even test driving it. And since then I have no regrets on the desicion I made.
Monday, October 16, 2006 - 03:23 am, by: Benny Gammelmark(Oldfield)
I saw one in Sydney in late '98 and just thought it was way out of my price range. Then when the lease ran out on my SVX I went to Lexus and they had one sitting there. I had been testing Beemers, Audis, Peugeots and the like but this one beat them all. I paid too much for it but I've never regretted buying it.
Monday, October 16, 2006 - 08:42 am, by: Tim Appleton(Timbo)
Well, at uni I always wanted something fast for a car when I graduated and could afford a decent car.
I grew up with Holdens and while at uni I drove a hand-me-down VK Berlina which you would fill the oil and check the fuel. Because of the Holden connection I wanted a new SS ute, which I'd driven once or twice, but couldn't afford while at uni.
After working in NZ for a short while before finishing uni, a mate and I decided to go test driving cars in Christchurch. I drove an R32 GTR and a boosted up '96 6-speed TT Supra back to back, and the Supra crapped all over the GTR in terms of thrills. I'm sure it was the quickest car in a straight line that I've ever driven. I always liked the Supra, but never realised how fast they could be, so now I wanted a Supra instead of a Ute. The Soarer figured into the equation as to me it was the slower, more affordable, luxury version of the Supra (excluding N/A versions). I'd seen a dumped Soarer driving around with the rear wheels tucked well and truly under the guards and loved the look of it.
I finally finished uni and got myself a job. I started to worry that the old Commondore would cark it half-way up the Gateway Bridge, so decided it was finally time to get a decent car. The maths said I could pay off a Soarer in less than 18 months and would hopefully be more economical than a turbo or big pushrod V8. And a manual would be annoying trudging along in traffic up and down the bridge.
So i decided on a Soarer and started looking around. There was a V8 in a local yard with exhaust, sunroof and wheels that looked rather clean. I checked other examples in yards around the place, but none seemed to have the sunroof or exhaust like i wanted. So after some bargaining, I bought it for a bit more than it was worth, but I got the car I wanted, so I was, and still am happy with my purchase.
Reasons for buying a Soarer: Luxury, so easy and comfortable to drive, Toyota reliability, V8 burble (with non-OEM exhaust), economical for a V8.
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