Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 12:26 pm, by: Michael Kay(Kayak)
Hi all,
I'm looking at buying a Soarer V8 in the next 8 to 12 months and I wondered if anyone would like to offer advice to a prospective buyer.
For the last couple of months, I've been reading-up on Soarers; magazine articles, online forums, Soarer Club archives, etc. I've also contacted Neil G. at RUSH and he suggested that an 'Active' UZZ32 would fit the bill perfectly.
I want a dark green or dark blue car (did they come in dark grey?) car with grey leather, but without a sunroof (at 6FT I can't fit!) I drive swiftly and enjoy the occasional blast into the mountains to clear the cobwebs. Wakefield park is only an hour away, and a track day or three a year would be great.
I am concerned with the UZZ32s additional 140 kilos, over the 'base' model V8. That's a lot of extra weight to carry and I not convinced that a well sorted spring/damper setup would be less competent than the active airbag suspension.
My other major concern with the top spec model is that there is the potential for a lot of costly repairs; TEMS, touch screen, dash, etc. The Soarer is an electronically complex car and I (read "my wife") can't afford to pour money into an automotive 'black hole'.
When I do buy a Soarer, I'll be looking for an immaculate, low mileage(ish) car. Sensible mods such as Twin Turbo model brakes, extractors and 17or 18 inch wheels would be a bonus. I'll have about $15,000.00 to spend.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 12:47 pm, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
If you have a look at the advertised cars, inspect some and see what Neil has on offer then your will know more about the realism of your criteria than a possibly unrealistic opinion we might give.
An active will have better grip but complexity does add cost if the car is not already up to standard. If you are performance-oriented (but not keen on a TT) and want to avoid some of the weight and complexity, then a 4.0GT (UZZ30) may be a good option for you and fit in to the price range.
You are welcome to have a look at and discuss what is good and bad about my car if that might help your deliberations. Of course, my car is not for sale but a UZZ31 with all the bells and whistles does not sound like the model you want anyway. Still, I can give you a frank view of what does and does not cost money in them.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 03:29 pm, by: Don Bagnall(Baggs)
Firstly Michael, a warm welcome to the ALSC.
I feel that for your listed, and perceived requirements, a UZZ31 or "Limited" would fit the bill nicely.
I would suggest having a look,as David has suggested, at his car, which is an excellent condition example maintained in the correct manner.
Dark green, or "Imperial Jade Mica" (6M2) as it's correctly known, or "Frog S**t Green" (FSG) as it's commonly called is the easiest colour to find. Where as the Dark Blue or "Dark Blue Mica Phthalocyanine" (8J5) is one of the hardest colours to obtain.
The UZZ31 GT4.0-Ltd provides the perfect mix of luxury, practicality, innovation and poise to suit the most discerning buyer.
I would however suggest upping the ante to $17000 as a realistic figure for a quality vehicle with a known history.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 03:36 pm, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
Nearly all actives have the EMV touch screen. Some of the lesser V8s didn't have it. I can fix EMVs, Tvs, radio/CD/stereo systems relatively cheaply in these cars so the complexity is not a real problem. Allow to spend about $1k if you want the radio properly converted and TV working. Also allow $100 to $200 to get the CD stacker working properly ($340 if you want new laser--not necessary normally) Other than that the electronic complexity of these cars is not a huge problem. I personally would always go for an EMV equipped car ('cos I know I can fix it if needed; and they are a better setup) Airbag cars are getting old enough to want new airbag/shocks...$3k + fitting (easy job) Actives will most likely need the struts re-gassed/rebuilt (can't rebuild airbag struts). $15k should pick up a decent UZZ31 with most goodies or a slightly used UZZ32. A good '32 will normally pull a little more...
Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 07:39 pm, by: Benny Gammelmark(Oldfield)
Hi Marcus. Be aware that a lot of these cars have been clocked. Make sure the milage fits the state of the car when buying. Get everything checked.
A really good '32 with low milage will set you back at least $20K. I agree with David, the simplest to upgrade and maintain plus the cheapest to buy is the UZZ30. It's also the lightest of them.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 07:42 pm, by: Ian Johnston(Ted)
Welcome Michael. I have a V8GT which, over the 12 months I have had it, I have updated to TT brakes, TTwheels, 12 stacker stereo system, and added some spare parts to my shed for later. All of this for not a lot of money by being in this club, checking the for sale section and living on Ebay. These cars are no more expensive than any other to maintain considering the quality of car you are getting. You will not regret it.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005 - 08:53 pm, by: Michael Kay(Kayak)
Thank you all very much for your extremely useful and interesting feedback.
By the looks of things, I think a UZZ30 will fit the bill nicely. Can you get a UZZ30 with leather and without a sunroof though? Extra's such as heated wing mirrors and memory seats/steering column would be nice as well.
FYI: The reason that I'm not (at this stage at least) interested in a TT is that older, ceramic bladed, turbos have even more potential for expensive repairs than V8's !
Wednesday, November 09, 2005 - 08:57 pm, by: Colin Kirkpatrick(Colin)
Michael If you are looking for the extras in a UZZ30 series they will all be after factory fitted items. As the UZZ30 is the basic of the V8's If you are in Sydney, you are welcome to have a look at my UZZ31 and UZZ32 as they are both 1996 models. Then you can see all the difference when you drive a 30 to the 31 & 32 models.
Don Bagnall Moderator New Zealand 1991 UZZ30 GT4.0 V8
Wednesday, November 09, 2005 - 09:41 pm, by: Michael Kay(Kayak)
Thanks for the offer Colin, but I'm in Canberra and I'm not planning any trips to Sydney until early in the New Year.
Do you know if there's a specification info sheet somewhere on this site that lists which V8s models came with what 'stuff' as standard or as an option?
Thursday, November 10, 2005 - 02:41 am, by: Peter Nitschke(Pen)
Michael, the velour in a UZZ30 appears to be better than the velour in TT's but that might just be the ones I have noticed.
I love the velour as it isn't too hot or too cold, doesn't crack and grips you really well in the twisties.
The steering wheel doesn't have electro memory, but it does in fact have a mechanical memory for up-down settings if you need to raise it to get in/out of the car.
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