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Gary Baker
Newbie
nsw
uzz31 V8

Posts: 1
Reg: 08-2015

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Sunday, August 16, 2015 - 03:17 pm, by:  Gary Baker (Senior_citizen) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have only yesterday purchased my first Toyota Soarer, following are my first impressions and questions if you would be so kind.

A brief history
Model 1995 UZZ 31 colour dark metallic green completely stock with no modifications as far as I can tell. Was imported into Australia by Morwell 4X4 dismantlers and received ADR compliance 6/98 with 30,000 km on it. Vehicle was purchased from an elderly gentleman from down Leongatha way who said he was to old to use it anymore. It appears to have been garaged all its life and now has 123,000 k"s and was unregistered when purchased. Previous owner said he rarely used it since 2008, came with a service history record and was serviced regularly every 5000K's up until 80,000 k's then nothing after ( change of ownership?).
First impressions.
I put on a set of number plates for appearances for the drive back to its new home a trip of some 800km's, before leaving I checked it over for roadworthiness tyres good, oil clean and full, transmission fluid full but a little dark, water ok pink colour, placed a new battery in, lights and blinkers working, I'm basing my findings compared to a 1998 Ford LTD V8 which I presently own....First thing I noticed was it is an old car, brakes feel very wooden and not what I would expect from a sports car, not sure about the suspension as it was very unresponsive to small bumps ie. expansion strips and other minor bumps appears as if the tyres take the full force of these type of bumps and it transmits a loud noise into the cabin ( as this is air suspension is this normal?) ride comfort was below the ford, seat comfort about equal to the ford, road noise about the same, handling was superior to the ford in every way.... was disappointed with the performance and acceleration, no better than the Ford, maybe the soarer is more a grand tourer than an out and out sports car? I needed to use the headlights before I got home, they are rubbish two candles would have worked better high beam was worst than low beam on most cars.
Problems found to date.
This car is in very good condition for its age, the body has a few very minor dents and some small scrapes and scratches to the paintwork no rust as far as I can tell before a through going over ....Headlights appear to have a lot of dirt or grime inside them as I could not clean them, drivers seat lumbar support button is broken and not working, some wear and cracking on the drivers seat, drivers door cracking on the consul and near the bottom speaker, carpet grungy, the plastic piece below the leather gear shift handle is cracked and broken and lastly the centre tv screen thingy is not working ( should this come on with the car started ? if so its completely blank or does it need a switch to turn on and if so where is said switch.
Are these problems normal for this model ? and where does one find replacement parts ?
Thanks in advance.
cheers Gary
John Street
DieHard
NSW
Uzz31 V8 , 2015 VW Jetta TDI, 2009 Saab 9-3 Turbo

Posts: 510
Reg: 08-2005

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Sunday, August 16, 2015 - 07:36 pm, by:  John Street (Rex2ce) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Gday Gary, welcome to Soarer Central, to answer your questions
An upgrade to TT front brakes fixes the brakes, they are regularly for sale on here, cost about $100
UZZ31's have airbag suspension, it is common for the airbags (springs) to be good, but the shockies to be no good, cheap fix is to get springs and shocks from Twin Turbo and fit
Performance wise the Twin Turbo is the "Oh one , the V8 is the cruiser, but they can be Supercharged to give the "Oh response
HID headlights are less than $50 and fix the headlights
Post some pics of your headlights
EMV should run when ignition is on, someone on here will help you with that
Replacement parts are plentiful, but getting dearer
Hope this helps
John
Gary Baker
Newbie
nsw
uzz31 V8

Posts: 3
Reg: 08-2015

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Tuesday, August 18, 2015 - 03:57 pm, by:  Gary Baker (Senior_citizen) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A bit more to the history. The Australian approval plate says its a 95 model as does the previous Vic rego papers but the original jap plate says different "frame UZZ31- 0003938" which places it as a mid year 91 model, the tail lights are 91 type and the cruse control says AD not cruse control this was changed to cruse control for the 92 model so I suspect I have a 91 model so I may have paid more than I should have ?

The EMV is totally blank so I checked all fuses under bonnet and kick panel all ok so it looks like I have to remove it and get a replacement or attempt to repair it...any suggestions?... when I get a chance I will upload some pics

cheers Gary
John Street
DieHard
NSW
Uzz31 V8 , 2015 VW Jetta TDI, 2009 Saab 9-3 Turbo

Posts: 511
Reg: 08-2005

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Tuesday, August 18, 2015 - 05:07 pm, by:  John Street (Rex2ce) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Post a pic of your compliance plate to clarify
Blank EMV will be EMV computer or EMV backlight, both of which can be replaced cheaply.

Cruise control on these cars said A/D until 1994 upgrade, I have a 1992 which says A/D
If yours is a 1994 or better it will show the outside temp in the bottom row of the dash
Daniel Bonnor
Tinkerer
Queensland
soarer uuz31

Posts: 22
Reg: 06-2014

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Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - 09:57 am, by:  Daniel Bonnor (Majorlunacy) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

re compliance plate i had a similar issue it comes down to the car may have been built in 91 to jap design rules but it was complained to meet australian design rules in 95
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
UZZ30 UZZ31

Posts: 12798
Reg: 11-2004

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Saturday, August 29, 2015 - 01:10 pm, by:  Peter Nitschke (Pen) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

New decent brake pads will make a huge difference to the brakes, there are plenty of good ones available, eg Lucas.
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
UZZ30 UZZ31

Posts: 12799
Reg: 11-2004

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Saturday, August 29, 2015 - 01:11 pm, by:  Peter Nitschke (Pen) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There is also a tutorial for removing and splitting the headlights to clean the inside.

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