Soarer Central: End of the budget - End of an era. Thanks for all the fish.

Soarer Central General Soarer Chat End of the budget - End of an era. Thanks for all the fish.

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Doran Guthrie
Tinkerer
WA
VVTI Turbo

Posts: 32
Reg: 10-2007

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Monday, January 12, 2009 - 08:13 pm, by: Doran Guthrie (Dozzly)

10 years ago while working for an automotive retailer I was throwing every cent I had into several rusty pieces of crap well and truely bitten by the 'One Day I'll Be Proud Of It' symdrome. An RX3, RX7 and 2 KE TX3's (my faves) but it all came to a halt when one day when I was getting ready to go to work and not one of my 'investments' would start. After a long walk in the rain, my boss ripping me for being late and assessing the cost of getting repairs done, I sold the lot.
Since then I've always had a build budget and owned quite a few play things;

In descending order.
Plate; DABGDAWG - Green 97 VVTI Soarer, true testament to quality engineering. This car has not had 1 fault that has cost me more than $120 and 2 hours work.
Plate; PEARL - White 32 Skyline $4000 Pearl + Gold flake paint with stock internals, dog of a car to drive and shoot me if I'm wrong but fellow skyline 'enthsiasts' can be to55ers.
Plate; TRAKTOR - KE BPT 88 4WD TX3, no show - all go. One of my favs, managed a 12.9 pass when I was just 20 then detonated the gearbox.
Plate; TRUELY - 88 VL Turbo Commonwhore, worst of the lot, hated that car. One night when driving through Langford (you Perthies know the 'hairy dog balls' of all suburbs) a coloured individual actually jumped in, punched me in the face and shanked me in the neck with a screwdriver. Fortunatley I was able to drive myself (slowly) to hospital because the car kept stalling when he tried to drive off down the road, kind of my inverse security system.

And the above mentioned bunkies.

ANYWAY, back on topic, after selling my old Skyline I was really wanting the best of all worlds, I wanted the GO, wanted the Show and also wanted 'da Flow' (as my homies would say).
After 2 months of research finally deciding on the late model Soarer for;
The Proven Updated 1JZ, seriously I know all you 1J-TT boys love your engine but the VVTI drives like a different motor altogether, I couldn't belive the difference in every day driveablility (is the a word?) until I got in one. Personally I think it drives more like the UZ than the JZ.
Single spinner with VVTI, great combo.
The Look, it cost very little to update the look of even a 91 Soarer. Personally it is one of the 'timeless' stylings that is very hard for a non-enthusiast to date.
And my biggest surprise - the build quality. Never have I had the pleasure of working on such a fastidiously put together machine, the nearest a colleague of mine has put it was with an old school M3, which were quite literally hand built.

So to end my mad ravings all things have come to and end - $6000 later, my budget exhausted DABGDAWG is finished.
Bought for $14,000 16 months ago and slowly tinkered with its now time to enjoy while I look for the next toy - If anyone knows of a good Legnum in Perth PM me ;)

Brief details of my Soarer are below with pics

Interior
Bugger All
- Factory Stock and I wouldnt change a thing, quick side note, it truely is a Grand Tourer, ride quality, even on 18's is fantastic. At one stage I had 19's - not worth it you just sacrifice too much comfort. With that plush interior you need to enjoy it.

Exterior
T&E Clear Indicators
Full Headlight Conversion - RHD modded
SC430 Badging
Chrome Detailing
Star Corp Shadow 'Fatpack' Impuls - 225 Front 265 Rear, great budget drifter/drag rims.
Custom Springs - anyone with a 97+ will know the fronts are easy to source but the rears are a bitch. Everyone rips Pedders but the Myaree boys here in Perth did a fantastic job with 8! test fits for the rear.
Custom Turbo Back Stainless Exhaust - again Fred from Myaree Exhaust Centre went the hard yards and found a set of old Lukey's that I requested and fabricated one of the cleanest 3" -> split 2.5" systems I've seen. No drone, until boost then all hell breaks loose, the man's an artist all for only $900.
Carbon 'Purpose Racing' GT Wing - for all you haters, I like it although next time would go for a low mount double wing. Bring the flame.
Not Fitted - Carbon Ganador Mirrors got broken in transit

and the refund got lost in translation... Ive drilled the good one on to the bathroom wall, my GF thinks its a makeup mirror, my loss her win.

Under The Bonnet + Electrical
Gizzmo MS-IBC Boost Controller
Blitz Multi-FATT Turbo Timer, useless thing but it's coooool
Apexi AFC-NEO
Cruise Delimit
Speed Delimit
Blitz Intake
GReddy LS Front Mount
Sard Injectors (forget what size - not huge though)
Torsen LSD
God knows what else, i've lost track of all the small things, batteries, black silicone, etc.

Keep an eye out for it in the FORSALE section soon, like mentioned above once a get my hands a a sweet Legnum I'll be saying goodbye.

Forgive my long post, it took a few beers to get to the end!

Aaron Holland
Tinkerer
Tasmania
GTT

Posts: 83
Reg: 04-2007

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Monday, January 12, 2009 - 08:37 pm, by: Aaron Holland (Aholland)

I actually like big wings and I don't understand why people want to remove the stock spoilers (I'm probably in a minority on this forum)
The car looks sweet, good luck with the sale

Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 4012
Reg: 10-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 07:21 am, by: Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt)

Needs more stickers, I can still see some paint!

Seriously though, why a Legnum? My brother in law has a '98 model and its a horrid car. Mind you its not the VR4, that might be quite a different thing I guess.

Vinh Bui
Goo Roo
NSW
94 UZZ31 (V8) / 96 JZZ30 (TT) / 97 JZA80 (TT)

Posts: 2688
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 08:40 am, by: Vinh Bui (Hyudsjk)

Lovely example of a late model Soarer you have there. Only thing I'd do different would be to remove the stickers! But then that might make the wing look out of place...

Never the less, great car. Shame to hear that you're planning on letting it go

Doran Guthrie
Tinkerer
WA
VVTI Turbo

Posts: 33
Reg: 10-2007

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 11:48 am, by: Doran Guthrie (Dozzly)

When it goes up forsale the wing will come off it and the decals removed - any car salesman will tel you the less modified a car looks the easier the sale. Actually the cheapest cars are those that have been heavilly modded when the owners start to get desperate for the cash, how many times have you seen show level cars 'reduced for a quick sale' by private owners or my fave 'going overseas'.
As for buying a Legnum, first thing that popped into my head was a close friend saying 'why the hell did you buy a soarer?', 18 months ago, 'They make a autosparkies millionares'.
Thankfully he was wrong

Mark Donovan
TryHard
Auckland
V8 Limited

Posts: 377
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 12:12 pm, by: Mark Donovan (Mark_donovan)

more stickers = more fast

but that is a lovely example and would snap it up if I were in Aussie.

Joe Russell
TryHard
Marlborough
4.0 V8 GT-L

Posts: 111
Reg: 10-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 01:32 pm, by: Joe Russell (Joe_r)

Very nice. Love the lights, all of them! May I ask what type they all are?
And the spoiler looks drift/race spec, I like it, works well with the rims.

Gutted to see you selling it for a Legnum, to be honest every mitsi I've seen has(or is) falling apart(especially starions, which are loads of fun though!)

Hope you get a decent price, shes very cool.

James Harris
Goo Roo
QLD
XTR T-66 Turbo

Posts: 2322
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 02:10 pm, by: James Harris (Haro)

Great looking car mate !

Not sure about that wing on the back ... i mean i dont mind wings but perhaps not that big. But it all works well as a package.

Stickers can be like "one man's treasure is another man's trash". I do like the VVTI sticker/badge though on the side

Legnums are really good cars hey ! a little under rated in my opinion. If i wanted a hot wagon though i would be getting myself a Nissan Stagea for sure.

Joe Russell wrote on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 01:32 pm:
Very nice. Love the lights, all of them! May I ask what type they all are?

Tail lights are stocko 97 model jobs.

Headlights can be bought online now on ebay.com.au some people have had a few dramas with them but not a bad looking light just as long as you buy the high beam also to match. You can also get them with a black inside instead of chrome.

---------------------------

I shall now sit back , put my feet up and wait for Mike to enter the arena

Joe Russell
TryHard
Marlborough
4.0 V8 GT-L

Posts: 113
Reg: 10-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 03:05 pm, by: Joe Russell (Joe_r)

Thanks James

Haha yea come on Mike. I like the red wings with the silver griffin too, just a little different.

Doran Guthrie
Tinkerer
WA
VVTI Turbo

Posts: 34
Reg: 10-2007

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 03:31 pm, by: Doran Guthrie (Dozzly)

I've test drove a Stagea, WRX Hatch and Legnum so far and really was only impressed by the Legnum.
But in saying that I always try to keep my mind open unless something special drops in my lap.
The Legnum I drove had only 70k on the clock and looked and felt like new, alas it was already sold

Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
NSW
Soarer TT manual

Posts: 1169
Reg: 04-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 06:53 pm, by: Ben Lipman (Ben12a)

James Harris wrote on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 02:10 pm:
I shall now sit back , put my feet up and wait for Mike to enter the arena

Ahhh the Soarer Policeman.

James Harris
Goo Roo
QLD
XTR T-66 Turbo

Posts: 2327
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 11:48 pm, by: James Harris (Haro)

Justin Camilleri
DieHard
QLD
Had a 85 MZ10, 92 TT, Now 91 TT

Posts: 912
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 12:45 am, by: Justin Camilleri (Just)

What about a twin turbo Subaru Legacy?

Shadi Damouni
Tinkerer
WA
vvti single turbo

Posts: 91
Reg: 07-2007

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 01:21 am, by: Shadi Damouni (Shado)

Hey Doran,

Thanks again mate. That is a very tastefully modified soarer in my opinion. What are your power figures? I have the Neo, k&n, FMIC spec ls all on there way.

Would like to to see it one day and maybe grab some ideas and advice.

Good luck with what ever you choose to do with it.

Doran Guthrie
Tinkerer
WA
VVTI Turbo

Posts: 36
Reg: 10-2007

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 09:11 am, by: Doran Guthrie (Dozzly)

Anyone with opinions about large hot hatches or wagons throw them up, what I'm looking for is something large enough for a kayak on the roof and two dogs in the back. It must be putting out 206kw and preferable turbo but other than that nothing specific. I know Legnums eat gearboxes like Oprah in a room with a cheesecake and Stagea's are a little under engineered with looks like Lindsy Lohans girlfriend so they all have problems - its the cons i'm looking at. 4WD, active yaw control, all the 'little' things.
I hadn't even considered a Legacy.......
Shadi - it's booked in for a final service and tune at x-speed in 5 weeks I'll post up dyno figures then.

Mitchell Comfort
Tinkerer
QLD
TT

Posts: 6
Reg: 11-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 10:33 am, by: Mitchell Comfort (Bombercomfort)

I love love love your wing. It kicks ar$$. Nice car mate. If I was in WA and looking for a soarer I would buy it. I like the customs... means I would not have to do it. How much you selling for?

Also is that engine a 2j???

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8

Posts: 3186
Reg: 11-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 11:18 am, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

Hmmmmm

Looks like a great car......

Minus the horrid spoiler. (What is that, honestly)
Minus EVERY single pointless sticker
Minus that gay number plate! (Dawg!)

Pod filter replaced with lovely complete BFI & TRD filter.

and.. of course those shocking headlights swapped out for new factory ones.

9.9/10 Soarer Then!

James Harris wrote on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 02:10 pm:
I shall now sit back , put my feet up and wait for Mike to enter the arena

The you go James! Police Man Mike has spoken Haha.

Nah but actually it's not that bad a Soarer, those few things I dont like but its a clean looking machine no doubt!

Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
NSW
Soarer TT manual

Posts: 1174
Reg: 04-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 12:11 pm, by: Ben Lipman (Ben12a)

Mike's back!

Gary Poloskei
TryHard
A.C.T
JZZ30

Posts: 233
Reg: 01-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 01:05 pm, by: Gary Poloskei (Mikrucio)

im scared to post pictures of my car because of mike. lololololol

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8

Posts: 3190
Reg: 11-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 01:17 pm, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

HAHA

"I WON'T Bite!"

Doran Guthrie
Tinkerer
WA
VVTI Turbo

Posts: 38
Reg: 10-2007

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 03:13 pm, by: Doran Guthrie (Dozzly)

I love it how Mike thinks my car would be a 9.9/10 if it was stripped down to the motor - no wait 'needs BFI'. So if just the engine was sitting on the ground it would still just be 5/10.......

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8

Posts: 3195
Reg: 11-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 03:39 pm, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

HAHA.

This is all that should be done to fix it:

Mike Beck wrote on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 11:18 am:
Minus the horrid spoiler. (What is that, honestly)
Minus EVERY single pointless sticker
Minus that gay number plate! (Dawg!)
Pod filter replaced with lovely complete BFI & TRD filter.

and.. of course those shocking headlights swapped out for new factory ones.

All the rest of the performance mods are great - why would you want to make it slower stripping it to the motor? A BFI would just make it quicker than the heat gathering pod filter! Much better!

James Harris
Goo Roo
QLD
XTR T-66 Turbo

Posts: 2328
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 05:37 pm, by: James Harris (Haro)

Have you considered the Toyota Caldina ?

I think they are hot wagons.

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/TOYOTA/CALDINA/details.aspx?R=5703315&Make=TOYOTA&__Ns= pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime %7c1&Model=CALDINA&__N=4294962861%200%201216%20834%20285%20257%204294954166&State=All%20States&dista nce=25&silo=1003&seot=0&Cr=2&__Nne=20&trecs=14&state_id=0&__sid=11EC52BD92AE

Doran Guthrie
Tinkerer
WA
VVTI Turbo

Posts: 39
Reg: 10-2007

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 08:20 pm, by: Doran Guthrie (Dozzly)

Thanks for the handball, I've never seen a Caldina in the flesh only read an article years ago about them, basically an Avensis? with full Celica GT4 AWD running gear and 3S-GTE. What does the highly strung 3S-GTE churn out? 170kw from memory? Not to shabby but I think I need more oomph....
Will definately see if an importer has on for a test drive though.

James Harris
Goo Roo
QLD
XTR T-66 Turbo

Posts: 2329
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 10:43 pm, by: James Harris (Haro)

ive seen a couple getting around here in Brissy, one had a nice big front mount and an exhaust (and perhaps other things)
sounded great and went VERY well indeed.

Although i have not driven one i would certainly check one of them out if i was you. OH and you can get later models also (check on carsales) and they are SWEET !! but expensive

James Harris
Goo Roo
QLD
XTR T-66 Turbo

Posts: 2330
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 10:48 pm, by: James Harris (Haro)

Here is a newer one

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/TOYOTA/CALDINA/details.aspx?R=5964451&Make=TOYOTA&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime%7c1&Model=CALDINA&__N=4294962861%200%201216%20834%20285%20257%204294954166&State=All%20States&distance=25&silo=1003&seot=0&Cr=5&__Nne=20&trecs=14&state_id=0&__sid=11EC52BD92AE

Upload

OH and no worries bout the handball ? is that like a curveball?

Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 4021
Reg: 10-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 06:30 am, by: Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt)

Caldina FTW, they are awesome, new shape and old. Only problem is Caldina GT-T's are common as muck here in Auckland, and almost all of them seem to have a stupid canon exhaust fitted.

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8

Posts: 3202
Reg: 11-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 07:20 am, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

Yeah, they are good wagons.

Typical about the tacky modifying of them, but what isn't these days.

I mean, I once saw a 740i with cannons............

Doran Guthrie
Tinkerer
WA
VVTI Turbo

Posts: 40
Reg: 10-2007

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 08:20 am, by: Doran Guthrie (Dozzly)

Perth is like another planet when it comes to imports, we seem to follow the trends 12 months after everyone else. One aspect is that hot wagons have never taken off here, they are extremely hard to source from importers and then they are only willing to source cheaper base models for the easier sale.
I'm off to Sydney for a couple of weeks in Feb and will make the time for some 'shopping', any recommendations of importers with stock on hand?
Otherwise I will be putting money in Prestige Motorsports hand and sending brokers off to find me a sweet Jap ride, it's just the waiting that does my head in when importing. Oh, and the fact that heaps of crap get stripped in transport, like gauges, subs, anthing not bolted down......

James Harris
Goo Roo
QLD
XTR T-66 Turbo

Posts: 2337
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 11:18 am, by: James Harris (Haro)

YUP a big tick for Prestige Motorsport from me.

I have used them and so have a few of my mates from my recommendation. Geoff runs a very tight and open shop, he speaks directly with most of his customers and gives honest opinions regarding his cars he finds.

YUP heaps of sh1t gets flogged from cars by the stinky warfies , but sadly most of it is organised crime so there is not much you can do. The shipping people claim no responsibility and you can not get insurance for the bits... you CAN get insurance for the whole car if the barge sinks though.

When i was importing a few cars a while ago we would get all the little bits removed or well hidden (i.e right up under the dash for gauges, ebc etc) and sent over to us via the post.

One time we lost 4 VOLK Racing wheels, a TO4z turbo (which was inside the car under ALL the rims) plus some other bits. The •••• warfies had pulled the volks off the car , put the stock GTR rims back on it (which were in the back of the car) and in the process found the new turbo and flogged that also.

OUCH.

Anyways, its not all bad, you can get some great deals from Japan... pity about our poo dollar.

David Shaw
TryHard
Western Australia
Supercharged and Intercooled UZZ31

Posts: 117
Reg: 12-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 12:46 pm, by: David Shaw (Shawy)

Hey Doran, have you checked out j-spec.com.au? They have LOADS of hot wagons available and can also help sourcing anything your after! My mate just bought an 05 Stagea through them. It's an absolutely brilliant cruiser and has some serious balls. Didn't perform all that badly on a track either ;-) lol But try through them as they end up being very well priced and instead of settling for a car you can specify exactly what your after

James Harris
Goo Roo
QLD
XTR T-66 Turbo

Posts: 2341
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 01:20 pm, by: James Harris (Haro)

David Shaw wrote on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 12:46 pm:
instead of settling for a car you can specify exactly what your after

that is the same service that Geoff offers also. The cars that pop up on his site are simply ones he has seen and throws up for interests sake.

When my friend Adriana wanted her Soarer we told him it must be a 94+, have a sunroof, be BLACK and tidy. She got what she wanted AND MORE !! Bloody thing has an LSD , shift kit, and Bilstien suspension. OH and a service history with 89K on the clock.

OH OH and it was one of the special "BLACK and WHITE" Series, which meant her TT has chrome trim around the windows....

dam her hahah

James Harris
Goo Roo
QLD
XTR T-66 Turbo

Posts: 2342
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 01:23 pm, by: James Harris (Haro)

WOW ! just checked out J-spec and spotted a bloody great Soarer.

96 TT, Manual , Black on Black... low kms and SHHHWEEEEEEEEEEETT

http://www.j-spec.com.au/list/index.php?ID=13850

David Shaw
TryHard
Western Australia
Supercharged and Intercooled UZZ31

Posts: 119
Reg: 12-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 01:41 pm, by: David Shaw (Shawy)

Yeah these importers can certainly get there hands on some awesome vehicles out in Japan hey James! I saw that black on black soarer too...it's a damn good buy!

Aaron Casey
DieHard
nsw
'94 jzz30 gttl, 2 mini's one supercharged :-)

Posts: 821
Reg: 08-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 07:48 pm, by: Aaron Casey (Blownminiturbo)

that car looks pretty sweet its a pity you have to sell cause you wont get much money back for it these days

let us know if you get rid of the wing cheap

as i am going to get another boot so i can put a wing on it for wakefield when i finally get out there..

Joshua Rao
Goo Roo
WA
JZZ30 vvti GT-L

Posts: 1303
Reg: 09-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, January 16, 2009 - 12:21 pm, by: Joshua Rao (Soaren1)

Hi Doran

Great and very interesting read. Perhaps I could shed some light on your situation. I had a JZZ31 for a while and upgraded to what I believe to be the top soarer...a vvti jzz30. However I run a DJ Business so I need a car for work as well, as 2 doors + DJ Equipment = Epic Failure

Therefore recently I bought an 02 Magna station wagon. PERFECT for work the car was great in nearly everyway ie economy, space etc. However something in my heart was missing. I always wanted a legnum because they look so riduculously hot for a wagon however when I got the magna I couldnt find any nice affordable Legnums.

A few weeks back I found the perfect one and bought it and today sold the magna. Havent had the chance to fully experience the legnum yet but so far I love it. Its not as nice as the soarer and I still believe the soarer to be the ultimate car. This being said I think if you sell the vvti you will regret it as a legnum is never going to be as good as a soarer.

Reasons why I bought the legnum
- Hottest looking hatch
- Lack of affordable alternatives in the price range ie for example wrx hatch's (expensive even old ones), Stagea (hideous), Caldina (rare, expensive and not as nice in looks as legnum), legacy (expensive).
- Rare

If possible have the soarer and legnum like me and we can form a soarnum club, forum and go on cruises! Membership may be

Or else I really wouldn' sell the soarer for a legnum.

But seeing as I have one if you want a closer look and a drive feel free to see mine! Its a Series 2, triptronic no AYC etc though.

Doran Guthrie wrote on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 08:13 pm:
The Proven Updated 1JZ, seriously I know all you 1J-TT boys love your engine but the VVTI drives like a different motor altogether, I couldn't belive the difference in every day driveablility (is the a word?) until I got in one. Personally I think it drives more like the UZ than the JZ.
Single spinner with VVTI, great combo.

Good description. X2. The vvti is the greatest IMO

Doran Guthrie wrote on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 08:13 pm:
Bought for $14,000 16 months ago and slowly tinkered with its now time to enjoy while I look for the next toy - If anyone knows of a good Legnum in Perth PM me ;)

Thats cheap for your 97 vvi 16 months ago! You can buy my legnum

but unless you can find a nice reasonable priced one in perth maybe import it. Mine took nearly a year to come as they couldnt find the chid restraint bolts apparently.

Doran Guthrie wrote on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 08:13 pm:
Custom Turbo Back Stainless Exhaust - again Fred from Myaree Exhaust Centre went the hard yards and found a set of old Lukey's that I requested and fabricated one of the cleanest 3" -> split 2.5" systems I've seen. No drone, until boost then all hell breaks loose, the man's an artist all for only $900.
Thats a good price. How is the exhaust? Big perfomance difference?

Doran Guthrie wrote on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 08:13 pm:
GReddy LS Front Mount

I wouldn't mind buying this off you later

Doran Guthrie
Tinkerer
WA
VVTI Turbo

Posts: 41
Reg: 10-2007

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, January 16, 2009 - 05:47 pm, by: Doran Guthrie (Dozzly)

Joshua Rao wrote on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 12:21 pm:
Thats cheap for your 97 vvi 16 months ago! You can buy my legnum but unless you can find a nice reasonable priced one in perth maybe import it. Mine took nearly a year to come as they couldnt find the chid restraint bolts apparently.

The dollar was almost $1 against 90 yen a year ago and now only $1 to 55ish lately, to import was almost a sin, but a VERY cheap sin.

As for the exhaust - magic. Most people crap on how they get more 'power' and 'killer wasps' they get but a great performance exhaust will kick you into boost earlier and allow you a much more diverse torque range. I really noticed her hitting boost harder and faster in the 0 - 80k mark.

I've found an importer that has 6 Legnums and 3 Caldinas in stock in Freo, going to take a look on Sat morning. Hopefully something will jump out at me. Talking to the importer he has had these for over 12 weeks and has very little interest (but he is technically a used car salesman so is probably full of s$%T) and is looking at on selling them for new coupe stock.

Aaron Casey wrote on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 07:48 pm:
If possible have the soarer and legnum like me and we can form a soarnum club, forum and go on cruises! Membership may be Or else I really wouldn' sell the soarer for a legnum.

We may be able to head on them and create Leoarer, be the equivalent of a Soarer limo.....

Tristan Gregory
Tinkerer
QLD
Soarer 2jz

Posts: 12
Reg: 10-2008

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Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 12:53 pm, by: Tristan Gregory (Midnight)

I love those headlights. They look really schmick.

Mitchell Comfort wrote on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 10:33 am:
Also is that engine a 2j???

It's a VVTI 1jz.

James Harris
Goo Roo
QLD
XTR T-66 Turbo

Posts: 2370
Reg: 07-2005

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Monday, January 19, 2009 - 10:49 pm, by: James Harris (Haro)

How did you go Doran ?

Doran Guthrie
Tinkerer
WA
VVTI Turbo

Posts: 43
Reg: 10-2007

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 07:46 pm, by: Doran Guthrie (Dozzly)

James Harris wrote on Monday, January 19, 2009 - 10:49 pm:
How did you go Doran ?

Not as good as I hoped

There is a huge difference between Legnums and Caldinas - this is where i need to make a choice.
I've driven the last series Legnum, they are quite laggy due to weight and a strange gear ratio that must be designed (much like the soarer) to put less stress on the drivetrain and gearbox, they really 'slush' through 1st -> 3rd. This may of been the vehicle I drove but I've been told this is normal, they've delayed gear changes because the tiptronic has a tendence to go boom.
I've also driven the first and last series Caldina's - gotta say they've feel like a much better put together option, the little 3S-GTE loves to rev and feels like a ferret on roids kicking around under the bonnet; which is put down to all paws quite viciously. The funny thing is they (both Caldinas) seemed so eager and so skittish to get going but when i looked down at the speedo, it just wasnt that fast - not like the Legnum which liked to tap you on the shoulder then sucker punch you in groin when it hit its torque range.

The last series Caldina is definitely the best but most expensive option. On the flip side I could get a nice Legnum for half the price and inject some japanese steriods. At the moment I'm leaning towards the latter but it soooooo difficult to find a Mitsu that is in good mechanical condition in WA the one I really liked had seals gone all over the place. Oh, the dilemmas!

At least I'm not in a rush, the Soarer is still sexy and I've got no problems waiting until what I want comes along.

Joshua Rao
Goo Roo
WA
JZZ30 vvti GT-L

Posts: 1320
Reg: 09-2006

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 03:01 am, by: Joshua Rao (Soaren1)

You wait man, you will regret your decision either way.

Anyway

I came to the same crossroad as you between the legnum and caldina.

I went with the legnum over the caldina because:
- Looks way better, caldina is sort of usual toyota boring stying
- Faster car
- Caldina were too rare and expensive ie an average caldina would get you a very nice manual S2 Legnum.

Mainly went leggy for looks though. I do think that the Caldina was probably made better, has more parts availabe and is cheaper on fuel being a 2L.

Doran Guthrie wrote on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 07:46 pm:
not like the Legnum which liked to tap you on the shoulder then sucker punch you in groin when it hit its torque range.

Totally agree, when I test drove mine I was like yes that is not bad / glanced at the speedo and ohh no bye bye licence speed without even noticing.

I may even go as far as infering that my legnum with full jap exhaust may be close to or better than my stock vvti soarer. Will drag them one day!

Doran Guthrie wrote on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 07:46 pm:
On the flip side I could get a nice Legnum for half the price and inject some japanese steriods.

I think go this option, definately most fun option

That freo guys stock is pretty average and overpriced IMO, but I wanted you to see that first before I tainted your view.

Check this forum out for all legnum stuff.
http://www.ozvr4.com/

A few for sale here
http://ozvr4.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37

Check what I wrote
http://ozvr4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4282

Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 4042
Reg: 10-2005

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Saturday, January 24, 2009 - 01:26 pm, by: Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt)

Vote with your concience, remember mitsubishi motors are convicted corporate murderers who deliberately and repeatedly hid safty recall faults with there vehicles until several people had died. Mitsubisi motors wouldn't even exist today if mitsubisi Corp hadn't bailed them out in '99. For that reason alone I'll never buy one.

Adrain Parsons
DieHard
Qld
JZZ30 tt

Posts: 935
Reg: 08-2005

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Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 10:05 am, by: Adrain Parsons (Ace1975)

thats a very nice looking soarer mate.

Trent McKinnon
Tinkerer
NSW
1GGTE

Posts: 14
Reg: 08-2009

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Monday, December 21, 2009 - 07:39 pm, by: Trent McKinnon (Trentke30)

hey doran nice soarer, just wondering if you could get me the part number on the greddy intercooler thanks man!

Ali Saeed
Goo Roo
WA
V8 Limited

Posts: 1531
Reg: 09-2007

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Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 01:39 am, by: Ali Saeed (Ali)

pretty sure they dont make greddy intercoolers now..

Joshua Rao
Goo Roo
WA
JZZ30 vvti auto GT-L (for sale), 97 Blk UZZ31, JZZ30 vvti turbo BLK manual, V8 UZZ31 & TT (being wrecked), Legnum VR4, Alfa 156

Posts: 2127
Reg: 09-2006

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Monday, October 11, 2010 - 07:50 pm, by: Joshua Rao (Soaren1)

Anyone know what Doran ended up getting?

David Grima
DieHard
WA
1JZ-GTE TT

Posts: 673
Reg: 07-2007

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Monday, October 11, 2010 - 08:57 pm, by: David Grima (Maltezr)

I think he said a while back on here somewhere he was buying a xr5 turbo Ford Focus or Mondeo.

Joshua Rao
Goo Roo
WA
JZZ30 vvti auto GT-L (for sale), 97 Blk UZZ31, JZZ30 vvti turbo BLK manual, V8 UZZ31 & TT (being wrecked), Legnum VR4, Alfa 156

Posts: 2128
Reg: 09-2006

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Monday, October 11, 2010 - 09:25 pm, by: Joshua Rao (Soaren1)

err ouck, was hoping he got the legnum.

I saw this car on Stirling Hwy, what a bargain the vvti turbos are working out to be