Thursday, February 04, 2010 - 05:12 pm, by: Robert Timson(Rjet)
Interesting that a lot of the guys that frequent the LEXUS (LS400)american forums are wanting the Celsior gear. Particularly badges etc to make their cars stand out.
Thursday, February 04, 2010 - 05:21 pm, by: James Walker(Jimmywalker)
Very true, they are both a good car, and I do not really see the bad side of having the celsior and other imports here, they do bring along more parts for both ls400 driver's. If we could make as good car in Australia I would buy it, But we suck at making good performance cars here(at a reasonable price)
Andrew Ferres Goo Roo WA '90 C-F Celsior V8, '84 Soarer V8
Thursday, February 04, 2010 - 06:53 pm, by: Andrew Ferres(Peewee)
Bought a CF with cream leather and sunroof about 3 years ago. Best car I've ever owned.
Cost $9k including shipping to Perth
Cost another ~$2k to get it over the pits (needed ADR belts, immob, etc)
Spent abou $1k on getting the aircon working again (still working 3 years later, ICEY cold)
Mechanically I've replaced the steering rack bushes and dampener (dampener was by choice, found one on eBay), had two alternators fail (2nd alternator was also 2nd hand not rebuilt), and front discs skimmed (new pads). Also replaced the thermostat (started leaking)
Not bad for 60,000km's.
Had "120,000kms" when I bought it, now 180,000km.
18" Wisesport rims and exhaust are only mods (apart from stereo)
Airbags still work, although shocks are rooted. I plan on replacing all the bushes and airbags, but can't justify the ~$3k yet.
Recently swapped the interior over to grey velour as I was sick of cream/brown and sick of leather.
Thursday, February 04, 2010 - 11:13 pm, by: Scott Faulks(Faulksy)
My UCF11 cost me $4800 but was aware of issues and spend some money to bring up to scratch
The suspension is no longer airbags but lowered with king springs and KYB shocks
Every single rear bush was routed and were replaced at the same time as the springs. Also had to replace one of the control arms. Looks like the car must have taken a hit on the wheel at some stage
Disc brakes were replaced and rotors machined
Rear window had a large crack but car came with a spare rear. Was replaced when tinted it
Radiator top tank was cracked and replaced with a new top tank
Stock wheels replaced with 18's from a Lexus 4wd
One of the engine mounts have failed but will be replacing both next week
Air con needs gassed and will be done at same time as the mounts
Head unit been replaced with a double din Alpine Digital Media Unit
Bonnet struts have been replaced. They are the same as Excels strangely
Clear indicators fitted
Future mods are probably minimal as already have project cars but this is my daily but planning the following: - replacing the A/C LCD is not readable due to screen bleeding - I have a rebuild Trans (by MV Automatics) with a stage one shift kit and will go in at some stage. No rush as no issues with current trans - cluster needles are displaced. I was going to line them up but recently noticed the fuel guage needle faded out on the tip. I have a spare cluster but haven't tested it yet for issues - not impressed with the stock brakes and will consider upgrading to some 4 pots - heaters in rear seats are functional. Haven't looked for the cause as yet - maybe some HID headlights
My celsior is an 89 model so one of the first ones. Number 73 in fact. Nice to have one of the 1st 100 made as doubt many of them are still around
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 - 08:45 pm, by: Andrew Ferres(Peewee)
Boris Siljanoski wrote on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 - 10:43 am:
Andrew what about 1992 and 1993 UCF10's ? Did the rule affect those?
The rule affected ANY car imported from Japan that had an Australian equivalent. As the LS400 was available in Australia, all Celsior's were canned. The Soarer kept coming as there was no equivalent in Australia (the SC400 was never released here).
There are of course some private imports of each, which is why there are cars that seem to have gotten through.
95% of the UCF10's in the country are genuine LS400's too. Very few were imported as they weren't worth as much (a lot less features)