Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 02:52 pm, by: Stuart Geldard(Stewyg86)
Gday all. Well I finally got around to actually joining Soarer Central. I have been reading posts and taking a great interest in what's going on in the Soarer enthusiast community. I purchased my 1992 UZZ31 Limited in September of last year and am more then pleased with the car in its standard configuration. I've wanted a Soarer since seeing my first one when I was about 8 years old and I finally have one! Seeing as I don't want to bore you all with reading paragraphs about my car and the pleasures (mostly) and pains (not often) of owning my very own Soarer here it is in list form!
The car: - 1992 UZZ31 Limited Soarer - 1UZFE (duh) - 4 speed auto (again duh) - NO EMV! (I don't like them, don't really know why, just don't) - All the usual cool stuff like memory seats, leather, auto-retract steering wheel, auto lights etc. - All the usual not so cool stuff like foggy yellow headlights... actually thats about it there.
After market stuff - 19 inch wheels - Pod filter (soon to be replaced with stock item, or BFI if I can be bothered) - DVD player with 7 inch El-Cheapo LCD.
Pleasures - It goes hard when I want it to. - Luxury on a budget. I could have spent double the money and still not got a car that even holds a candle to the quality and features of this car. - I'm 99% sure that the TEMS struts have been replaced sometime in its life. So they should last a while. Pains - Its getting older now. Just the common issues radiator top tank, Power steering etc. Not the end of the world.
I'm not planning any real big modifications to the car any time soon as I'm more then happy with it just the way it is. I do enjoy a spirited drive on an open and deserted road every so often and this car offers me the opportunity to do that at my leisure.
Yes, I do break the law whilst driving my car. No I don't act like a common hoon in built up areas and busy roads. Yes I'm willing to deal with the consequences of my actions if I am caught breaking the law. I understand that the best way to avoid getting fined or worse injuring myself and my car or even worse injuring someone else is to stick to the road rules, however, if I feel I want to "open it up" I do so on open and deserted sections of road where the risk of personal injury and fines is minimized.
I have stated the above to avoid the S**t fight that started in another thread regarding these issues.
I'm here to enjoy the resources available by being a part of a community of enthusiasts that know far more about this great car then I do.
So here's a couple of pictures. If anyone recognizes the skirts (front, back and sides) on my car let me know. You'll also notice some "Customizing" of the front lip just under the passenger headlight, this was done by a friendly rabbit that decided some extra bodywork just there would look good.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 06:29 pm, by: Garion Gibson(Gordy)
If i was you i wouldn't have said anything about being a hoon at all just to avoid the commotion. I also wouldn't "open it up" to much, these cars were never made to be like that. They are more of a steady cruising car. You will find that it wont last to long when driven like crap.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 07:03 pm, by: Glen Muller(Doom_and_gloom)
Stuart Geldard wrote on Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 02:52 pm:
if I feel I want to "open it up" I do so on open and deserted sections of road where the risk of personal injury and fines is minimized.
I'm not going to stand on a soap box mate, I've been there and done that. My driving history is probably far more colourful than yours, but here's what I've learned:
1. 10 seconds at 200km/h on a public road - lose your licence for who knows long, massive fines, etc etc etc.
2. All day at whatever speed you can achieve on a private race track - a few hundred bucks and you keep your licence.
Track days SH1T on speeding on the road... it's more fun, safer and totally legal.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 07:10 pm, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Stuarts being sensible though. He'll it's only 7 years ago I drove my first soarer from tokoroa to turangi via backroads and the speedo would rarely have dipped below 130, and often been hitting the speed limiter.
Stupid perhaps but the road was diserted and I was young. I still rate it as one of the best drves I've ever done.
The whole trip I saw one other car and he was going the same direction as me.
I wouldn't ever drive like that now I'm mr speed limit now I have a little boy to think of, but if you do have to hoon, it's not too hard to pick a time and a place that doesn't put everyone else at risk.
Thursday, February 05, 2009 - 09:17 am, by: Stuart Geldard(Stewyg86)
yeah Matthew, you got my point in one.
Garion, it's a 1600kg+ car... it's nothing but a cruiser, by my reckoning there is a pretty big difference between opening it up for a little spirited driving and flogging the c**p out of it. If I was that much of a tool I would have bought an R33 Skyline (non-turbo) cause if your a tool in toowoomba that's what you drive.
Glen, thanks for the advice I usually baby my soarer around town, I like it too much i think. Your track day plan sounds good. Oh and unfortunately 200kph is a dream for me, the computer speed limiter is still in place and will probably stay there.
Oh, and just thought I'd mention. A father of a friend just bought a brand new V8 commodore, you can balance a 50c coin on my engine while running and it will not fall, the trick won't work on his. says alot for the build quality and engineering of a Soarer doesn't it.
Thursday, February 05, 2009 - 09:25 am, by: Gary Poloskei(Mikrucio)
oh yeah I was under my car last night with the engine on. and if you blocked your ears, there is NO WAY to tell the engine is on! dead still. gotta love Toyota balance.
Thursday, February 05, 2009 - 11:15 am, by: Stephen So(Stofut)
Hey there buddy =]. Glad to have you with us! The soarer is a beautiful car suited for highway cruising and that is where you will best feel the soarer's abilities! If anything goes wrong with your car there is plenty of help to be found here and sometimes you can find yourself a nice deal on soarer stuff if you need a replacement part or just a little extra to make your car look better. Nice car btw, looks very clean and tasteful =]
Thursday, February 05, 2009 - 05:15 pm, by: Glen Muller(Doom_and_gloom)
Stuart Geldard wrote on Thursday, February 05, 2009 - 09:17 am:
says alot for the build quality and engineering of a Soarer doesn't it.
Damn straight! Take care of your car man, you'll love it.
Matthew Sharpe wrote on Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 07:10 pm:
it's not too hard to pick a time and a place that doesn't put everyone else at risk.
I do agree. I've had runs from Jindabyne to Cooma around the back way past Dalgety that have taken less than 25 minutes for an 87km ride... that's on my old GSX though... that's an average speed of over 220. The whole time I never saw another car or bike, apart from the guys I was riding with.
But then again, I've done my licence in enough times that I'm over all that stuff and I only take it to the track now. I HATE walking everywhere... and public transport is worse.
Friday, February 06, 2009 - 07:43 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Glen Muller wrote on Thursday, February 05, 2009 - 05:15 pm:
But then again, I've done my licence in enough times that I'm over all that stuff and I only take it to the track now. I HATE walking everywhere... and public transport is worse.
Hah, I'm lucky the highest speed I ever got booked at when I was younger was 120 in a 100 zone, though cops were very predictable back then so again, it was easy to know where and when they would be and avoid them.
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If i was you i wouldn't have said anything about being a hoon at all just to avoid the commotion. 
