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Eldin Didic (dvine)
TryHard
NSW
UZZ30 V8

Posts: 58
Reg: 07-2005

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Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 01:25 pm, by:  Eldin Didic (dvine) (Dvine) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Does anybody have access to the entire article? Could they post it up somewhere?
Don Bagnall
Moderator
Taranaki
GT4.0 V8

Posts: 640
Reg: 05-2005

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Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 03:45 pm, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Of COURSE.......enjoy

Autospeed Article: Step Into a Soarer
Step into a Soarer

Thinking about buying a Japanese import Toyota Soarer? We give you all the latest info...

Words by Michael Knowling [Autospeed Magazine]

One of the most popular Japanese imports in Australia is the Toyota Soarer. The big Toyota’s broad appeal is one of the main reasons for its popularity. The Soarer is part personal coupe, part luxury prestige, part weirdo pimp cruiser and, depending on engine choice, part performance car. It attracts a very wide range of buyers.

When Soarers first appeared in Australia during the mid ‘90s, they typically sold for over AUD$100,000. And now? Well, you can pick one up for the same price as a late-model used bread-and-butter Holden Commodore – around 20 grand.

One of Australia’s most experienced Soarer dealers – Melbourne’s Sports and Luxury Cars – currently sells twin-turbo Soarers from around AUD$15,000, V8s from AUD$17,000 and later models (from 1994) start in the low 20s. The leather-trimmed 1994 V8 seen here has a genuine 73,000 kilometres and is marked at just AUD$23,990.

About now you may recall that you’ve seen Soarers advertised for about 10 grand. And you’re right – you can find them ultra cheaply, but Craig Dean from Sports and Luxury Cars is only too happy to explain the difference between a good ‘un and a bad ‘un...

“The first thing to look for on a Soarer is a RAWS plate - a purple colour tag in the engine bay,” says Craig.

“If the car has a RAWS plate it should be essentially okay - all of the cars that are ADR’d under the RAWS scheme meet a very high standard. But if the car has a green compliance plate which was issued under the old scheme, there’s a chance that the car has been damaged or involved in an accident.”

Craig says many early Soarers (1991 – 1992) were fitted with a replacement digital instrument cluster following a recall in Japan. These new clusters (showing zero kilometres at the time of installation) make it apear a vehicle has travelled a shorter distance than it really has. Craig suggests that you judge kilometres on the overall condition of the car - not the odometer reading.

Soarers should feel tight and have no rattles. Check the vehicle tracks in a straight line, inspect the inner wishbone bushes for wear (which can be an issue on high kilometre examples) and watch for power steering pump leaks. Models equipped with airbag suspension can also have problems. The airbags perish with age and can tear apart when the car is lifted on a hoist or jack. New replacements are around AUD$880 per corner...

Craig says the Soarer twin turbo engines are generally bullet-proof if well maintained – but we have seen turbocharger problems with boosted and neglected examples. The V8 engine is very reliable but can develop a noisy valvetrain and puff smoke on start-up when not driven frequently – Craig suggests letting the car warm up and taking it for a lengthy highway run before buying. Transmissions are strong and reliable at standard power levels.

“If you have a choice, I think it’s best to buy one of the later model Soarers from 1994,” says Craig.

“The later models have a lot of small upgrades, the airbag suspension has better valving [where fitted] and they are less prone to instrument cluster problems. And, being newer, they are generally in better condition and have less kilometres.”

So now you know what to watch out for when buying a Soarer - let’s outline of the range of models, engines and options...


All Soarers come equipped with power windows, cruise control and an electric tilt-away steering column to improve driver’s seat access. Other features include a CD stacker, sub woofer, a full-function centre display (with calendar, television, navigation and reversing camera) and auto-slide front seats. These items are fitted as standard on high-end V8 models but are optional on other models. Twin airbags were also fitted in 1997 models.

No matter what type of cars you’re used to, it only takes a few minutes onboard the Soarer to appreciate its luxury and quality. There’s a tasteful amount of woodgrain trim, high quality coverings (leather on some models) and thick-pile carpet. No expense is spared.

Unfortunately, Toyota didn’t bother attempting to make the Soarer roomy. This is a big car but you’ll find it is possible to slide back the front seat so that it almost touches the rear seat cushion... Rear seat accommodation is, in a word, terrible. The boot is also quite limited in terms of volume and access - there’s enough space for a couple of large soft bags but that’s about it.

The biggest differences across the Soarer range are the engines – you can get a base-spec NA 3 litre, go-fast 2.5 litre turbo or a 4 litre V8.

The 4 litre V8 (coded 1UZ-FE) boasts DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder heads and a 10.0:1 compression ratio to ease out 191kW at 5400 rpm and 353Nm at 4600 rpm. The 1UZ-FE isn’t the sort of V8 that oozes grunt at low revs – it’s a free-spinner that performs best through the mid-range. Oh, and note that the V8 comes only with an automatic transmission.


The high-performance turbocharged version uses a 2.5 litre straight six (coded 1JZ-GTE). Early models are fitted with parallel twin turbochargers which give 206kW at 6200 rpm and 363Nm at 4800 rpm. Unfortunately, the TT engine is quite doughy at the bottom end of the rev range - the transmission’s torque converter needs to flare to get the engine revving (a trait that becomes tiresome, especially when a loud aftermarket exhaust is fitted). A 5-speed manual gearbox was fitted to a small number of examples.

Interestingly, the twin turbo set-up was dropped from 1997 in favour of a large, single turbocharger teamed with VVT-i. This combo provides a dramatically improved on-road feel – peak torque (now 378Nm) is accessible at just 2400 rpm!

The base-spec 3 litre straight six (2JZ-GE) is no stormer but is more than capable. With 160kW and a strong torque curve, the auto-only 3 litre Soarer is smooth, refined and responsive. Just don’t buy it if you want to go fast.

Soarers also vary in suspension type.

Low grade models are fitted with conventional springs and dampers, while other models are fitted with TEMS (Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension), airbags or hydraulic active suspension (on the top-line V8 only). To be honest, none of the suspension set-ups feel dramatically different from each other – all provide a compliant ride with good control. Some models are fitted with traction control (which offers smooth and effective operation) and the top-line V8 comes with four-wheel-steer.


Visually, it’s almost impossible to pick one model Soarer from another – you need to look under the bonnet and inside the cabin to determine specs. Some examples are equipped with a front lip and rear spoiler while later models are identified by their revised grille and taillights.

Whichever version you chose, the Toyota Soarer represents an incredible amount of vehicle for the money. If you’re prepared to put up with its lack of rear passenger space and limited boot volume, there’s nothing else that’s in the same league.

For articles relating to each model in the Soarer range see:
Pre-Owned Performance - Lexus SC400/Soarer V8,
Toyota Soarer Twin-Turbo,
The Highest Soarer,
Sumptuous Soarer
Soarer 3-litre
Mike Triggs
TryHard
Norfolk Island
3.0GT G-Pack

Posts: 130
Reg: 07-2005

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Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 07:19 pm, by:  Mike Triggs (Mikeandimah) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for that Don. There are a few errors in that report, the first of which is "if you want to go fast, don't buy the 3 litre"
Marshall Hughes
Tinkerer
Victoria
UZZ31

Posts: 35
Reg: 07-2005

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Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 07:49 pm, by:  Marshall Hughes (Sierra055) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Think about it...

RAWS complied cars are only around 18 months old. Chances are that people read the article, become (or are more) interested in the car. The shop around and see all these green plated cars, and remembering those sage words go to S&LC and find ones with purple ones.

It simply encourages the reader to purchase a newly complied vehicle from somewhere like S&LC. Marketing.
Avin Luther
TryHard
vic
Soarer V8 uzz31

Posts: 83
Reg: 07-2005

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Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 08:12 pm, by:  Avin Luther (Lex_luther) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

obviously a lot of the guys who posted before reading the full article are not Sports and Luxury cars customers! either for sales or service.
Couldnt meet a nicer, more helpful bunch!
oh and have a look at who is sponsoring this forum.
I have a green plate on my car and yes there were shonky things done, which i have since discovered at compliance time. I would have saved money buying a more expensive car from SLC in the first place, but like you guys i thought i knew everything back then too!
Emanuel Spinola
Moderator
NSW
JZZ30

Posts: 359
Reg: 07-2005

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Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 08:19 pm, by:  Emanuel Spinola (Manny) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Avin
What does that say for all the green plated Soarers that Craig/S&LC complied over many years?
Eldin Didic
TryHard
NSW
UZZ30 V8

Posts: 59
Reg: 07-2005

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Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 09:02 pm, by:  Eldin Didic (Dvine) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Don,

Thanks for that mate. Made an interesting read.

Cheers. Go the V8's ;)
Avin Luther
TryHard
vic
Soarer V8 uzz31

Posts: 84
Reg: 07-2005

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Friday, September 09, 2005 - 01:22 am, by:  Avin Luther (Lex_luther) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Manny: absolutely nothing! i made no reference to all green plates, just that under the old scheme it appears more could get passed than is possible under the new scheme!
that is not to say that all vehicles with a green plate are no good, just that it allows a greater tollerance for error.
Benny Gammelmark
TryHard
NSW
V8 UZZ31

Posts: 624
Reg: 07-2005

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Friday, September 09, 2005 - 02:09 am, by:  Benny Gammelmark (Oldfield) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Most of this is just a bit of banter anyway.

The whole issue is that the article sort of very easily skips across the "chance" bit.

If you quick-read the thing it gets to sound as if you have bought a lemon if you have a green plate. I don't think there's anything directly incorrect about the green plate in the article.


The article says (Don wrote on - was so friendly as to copy, , ):

“The first thing to look for on a Soarer is a RAWS plate - a purple colour tag in the engine bay,” says Craig.




And that's the offending statement.

The first thing to look for when you buy any car is it's overall condition. Not whether it's got a purple sticker or not.
Hesham Hammoudah
Tinkerer
Victoria
JZZ30 TT factory manual

Posts: 89
Reg: 04-2006

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Friday, May 19, 2006 - 06:46 pm, by:  Hesham Hammoudah (Iverson) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

my car has purple plates...so that means theres nothing wrong with it? and no accident records? and is that part of the reason why i paid $17K for it because thats a very big sum for a soarer, or is it more to the fact that it has a body kit, rims, n the other mods which bumped up the price?
Hesham Hammoudah
Tinkerer
Victoria
JZZ30 TT factory manual

Posts: 90
Reg: 04-2006

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Friday, May 19, 2006 - 07:09 pm, by:  Hesham Hammoudah (Iverson) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

my car was $17200, is that what i should of paid for it or was it over priced or what?
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have LESS Soarers than Hayden :-(

Posts: 3622
Reg: 05-2005

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Friday, May 19, 2006 - 08:11 pm, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

From your profile pic, I'd say it was worth it

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