Monday, May 26, 2008 - 10:46 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
If only sooner I had realized what a step forward buying a good Limited V8 91' Soarer would be from day one, I would have never looked back....
As most of you know Ive been through a fair few of the Toyota/Lexus mark cars, so gained a fair idea of what each Is like, whats their pros & cons are... that sort of thing.
Owning this new Limited V8 (UZZ31-0005774, Don, any chance you could find out the month of manufacturer? ) over the last couple of weeks has just shown what an incredible car these simply are, considering the fact it's 17 years old is unbelievable and how few problems it has in the general perspective compared to other cars with this level of equipment, just showed how well the Toyota engineers designed and put together these a cars.
It does have its fair share of issues which are only the common ones, due to time and use which is to be expected like anything. So through fiddling around and doing some testing & limited driving, Ive found the power steering pump valve is leaking, and slightly from the end bearing, like all V8s suffer at some stage, in turn the alternator is not working properly due to some kinda PS fluid visiting its internals so that's on its way out, it occasionally chargers for a short period then gives up. Both generally easily fixed with care time and the parts from Toyota - Priority at the moment! Another issue are the brakes, often a very neglected part, have yet to look into whats going on with the brakes in more detail but for on the surface a full flush of the TRC system and brake lines etc is definitely required. It also feels like the nitrogen accumulator has low nitrogen pressure and will need re gassing for the power assist to work properly.
Other than that it all works very well, motor and gearbox are in perfect running order, amazing motors these 1UZ-FE's - just sound like music, even factory. To keep healthy - a large 100k service is on the cards, plus the 3 above issues sorted before any more lengthly driving is done. Will be a joy once its back running fully refreshed...
On comparison to the other cars Ive owned, and well still own in regards to the 3.0GT soarer. Thats a nice car, would have been nice to do the supercharged setup I had planned but after hopping into this Limited it no longer made sense to do, but instead SC this V8. The 3.0GT is really a good car as it is, just with a simple BFI the 2JZ soarer gets along very well and sounds like very few cars out there, the performance might not be what most people want but I find it more than sufficient, especially as a daily driver.
Going back the long gone cars, the Celsior, What a machine -
Easily on par with the Limited soarer, but quieter amd smoother by a mile. Nothing comes close to that almost floating ride given by the air suspension system found in them, not so impressive for handling though as expected. Quality was everywhere through out it. However compared to the soarer's they easily lack the sporting edge obviously, unique style (even though the Celsior is a very, very nice looking car) and the almost alive presence the soarer's give when you look at them, some times I can just stair at these cars for a few moments wondering how very few cars have come close to the same simple styling that never really gets old, even today.
I could go on! But enough idle raving for one day, at least now I know I've made the right choice in buying a Limited V8 soarer, these are by far the car to own for dollar value and performance, I can't see anything at all that comes close! If anyones interested in going for a Limited, find a good one and go for it!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - 09:23 am, by: Glen Muller(Doom_and_gloom)
Mike Beck wrote on Monday, May 26, 2008 - 10:46 pm:
some times I can just stair at these cars for a few moments wondering how very few cars have come close to the same simple styling that never really gets old, even today.
I'm guilty of that... sometimes I'll be standing in the backyard with a beer and a ciggie, gazing at my pride and joy... Soarers just ooze that motoring goodness. Such an awesome car for the pittance they're worth these days.