Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 10:23 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Constantly I keep on thinking which is the better buy, A V8 Soarer 1991-1994 or a I6 Soarer 1994-1997. So though about comparing their main good points and bad points…
Starting with the v8 (4.0GT/Limited): >Pros: - A V8 - Have plenty of features, Electric seats, TEMS, scroll info dash etc... - Plenty of power and torque standard
>Cons - Age, most are 1991-1992. The odd 1993 models pop up and very rarely a 1994. This means they are showing signs of wearing out and require more maintenance - Being a v8 these days and driving around town make them an expensive car to run. - Allot are not looked after very well so it can be hard to find one in a decent condition.
Now on to the I6: >Pros - Made from 1994+ Means Most have lower KMS and are in better condition than the older v8s - Fantastic 2jz-ge motor found in the supra/aristo. Even better with VVTi in the late 1996 soarers. - Lighter than most of the other soarers. - Not great but better on gas than the v8 - Obviously require less replacement parts than some of the early models. - Since they are classified as the 'boring' Soarer models they can be relatively cheap. - Perhaps more original buying one of these than the v8.
Cons - Need a few modifications to bring their performance up to the v8 standard. - Rather low on features compared to the v8
So what do you guys think is the really better overall car for general trouble free driving? From my points above I think the 3.0GT is probably the better all round car mainly due to the lower age of them and slightly more economical motor.
Monday, August 21, 2006 - 06:52 am, by: Graham Dollisson(Alloyvee)
If I was looking for another Soarer, I would go for the VVTI JZZ31. Mainly because of the fact I have "done the turbo thing already", and all your points above. The "Rather low on features compared to the v8" could be an advantage, as there is less things to go wrong. BUT....it is true that you just can't beat the burble of a V8. I heard one at the McDonalds at Marsden, the other day. It just burbled past...
Monday, August 21, 2006 - 07:15 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
The problem Mike has is that good V8's (and TT's for that matter) are scarce as hens teeth in NZ, whereas JZZ31's are actually around (a total of 6 for sale on Autotrader.co.nz last time I checked) and there are a few 1997+ models to look at too.
Mike, if you do decide on a V8, you should seriously look at importing one yourself or getting an importer to find a late model one for you... might not cost as much as you think. Honestly I haven't seen one I'd want to own around Auckland for ages.
Monday, August 21, 2006 - 08:03 am, by: Darryn Dewar(Mrphreak)
I disagree, there are plenty of good V8's and TT's around, but the rubbish ones have absolutely shafted the market so most people aren't actively trying to sell them (Especially when the majority of people won't pay more than $5k for one since that's what they can get one for on TM)
Monday, August 21, 2006 - 08:22 am, by: Graham Dollisson(Alloyvee)
I like what he's written at the bottom of the listing..... "with traction controller and factory LSD, standard 280hps 5 speed manual, could be high class drifting project." Just imagine ripping a beautiful car apart, like that, to make a drift pig out of it!!
Monday, August 21, 2006 - 08:36 am, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
Looks to me like Mike has considered the performance and comfort advantages of the V8 and is still thinking an il6 may be more practical. The question therefore becomes "will he be disappointed with the il6 instead of the V8?" I think probably not. Look at Khan's thread http://soarercentral.com/sc-forum/messages/285/92413.html?1156081264#POST124673 where he traded from a V8, [Edit: Whoops! You already have.] or comments by Sam Schreck and other JZZ31 3ltr owners. Still a good Soarer
Monday, August 21, 2006 - 09:59 am, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
While I haven't owned a Soarer V8 (with what I consider to be one of the best V8s ever made) I have owned other V8s, and it's true you can't beat the sound. We have both VVTi and non-VVTi Soarers and in some ways I prefer the older one's engine for some reason, it feels sportier. We don't get much chance to "let 'er rip" here though. The newer car uses less fuel. On the basis of comparison with our Subaru (which spent time here as well as the wide open western plains of NSW) I'd expect 11 km/l or better out of the VVTi in cruise mode.
The '97 doesn't lack for features, as it's G-Pack. Personally I don't think electric seats are that big a deal but they are nice. I can live without TEMS and airbag suspension, many cars with airbags need them replaced in time and it's neither cheap nor all that easy.
As for the EMV screen which comes with many V8s but not 6s, these seem to be more of a liability than an asset, although they can be fixed and with money, it seems things can be done with them to make them work better.
As for looks, they look pretty much the same ( well, a late model 6 has the upgrade body and looks better than any stock V8!) and 9/10 people wouldn't know one was V8 or 6 in the same year/body.
Monday, August 21, 2006 - 10:15 am, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
As for the scroll info dash, there are a couple of features (trip computer) I'd like and miss on the VVTi. The upside is they don't get "blinky dash" because they don't have the fluoro light to break down. I hope to get a "ScanGaugeII" soon, which plugs into the OBDII port (not present on the '95 model), this functions as a trouble code reader. reset as well as a trip computer and electronic gauge.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 07:04 pm, by: Peter Burrett(Burrett)
and Sam, I didn't know that you were into barges? Have you got a Master Mariner's licence? Look at the TIF forum home page and compare the beauty of the Series 3 with the @!3#$@#2 awful shape of the 430.... they may have upped the goodies, but they lost the aesthetic plot entirely IMHO (Oh, OK, IMO, forget the humble)
Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 08:21 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
One of the real key factors between these cars is simply the engine. (Disregarding the different power output figures) Well at the end of the day, 4.0GTs and Limited models are actually V8s! Not only do they sound like heaven, they run like a dream and it really surprises people when you tell them it’s a v8 – When I showed my past one to friends that had no idea about this car it was really quite fun to see their surprised reactions!
The 3.0GTS obviously have the fantastic Straight 6.. However whenever I think about them I tend to feel they just lack that something which the v8 has.….. I suppose that something they lack is not having that superb v8 exhaust tone and they perhaps are a bit dull when you say ‘its a 3 Litre 6’, people predict a car like this to have so they don’t sort of go, 'oh wow, I didn’t know Toyota made v8s!' That’s what I got mostly, ‘Oh is it a v6?’ every time....
Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 02:07 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Your not wrong, When I saw your 2jz motor I was actually surprised at how long it is. Very nice unit. I find they are much more apealling than a v6 which tend look rather compact and boring in some cases, plus theres not alot of straight six motors out there, mostly the 6 cylinders are v6s!
Friday, August 25, 2006 - 06:44 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
I think you are definitely hooked on the V8 though, so you should probably stick to it. If you look long enough, something good will come up. I guess the problem is being ready to buy it when its there...