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Sam Fairbank
Newbie
VIC
-

Posts: 4
Reg: 11-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 01:32 pm, by: Sam Fairbank (Icebox425)

Hey guys,

I've been really interested in soarers for a while now, they're such great cars let alone for the money. I've been actively looking to get one but over the last couple of days I have had second thoughts about getting one...mainly because they're 12-16 years old and have lots of technology in them (ie things to go wrong). I'm concerned that if I buy one for say $13,000 now, in 3 years time it will be worth $4000 or even worse, be impossible to sell.

How hard have people found their soarers to sell lately? They seem to be hanging around on CarSales for awhile. Am I stupid thinking I could afford to maintain one on a student's income?

BTW, I'd love a V8 with leather but the EMVs worry me a bit and I'd rather not have one. Is it possible to replace the EMV with the standard console found in TTs?

Thanks.

Darryn Dewar
DieHard
Gisborne
UZZ30 Soarer

Posts: 525
Reg: 09-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 01:36 pm, by: Darryn Dewar (Mrphreak)

Sam Fairbank wrote on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 01:32 pm:
Am I stupid thinking I could afford to maintain one on a student's income?

Yup, but that didn't stop me

Aaron Mead
Goo Roo
NT
TT

Posts: 1090
Reg: 03-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 01:40 pm, by: Aaron Mead (Aaron)

anything bigger than 2.2Litres is tough to sell these days.

The soarers are awesome. More reliability than a brand new commodore or falcon (and ive had both, new)

Parts are dirt cheap, if you stack it, panels are even cheaper, theres no guineapigging with modifications, unless you want to 4wd, tripple turbo, and supercharge a stroked 5.0l soarer.

$13,000 will buy you a sweet ride. 15k plus buys you immacculate stuff.

In three years time, a very good example should still fetch a ways over 10k. Buy a new and car and its worht a couple of K less straight away.

Talk to people here, ask questions (after youve searched of course!) about anything, they will all help you get the info you need.

I only got my soarer last year, and its been an absolute pleasure. Everything that was factory fitted is still in 100% working order. You can replace the EMV with a standard console.

Its a toyota. 'Nuff said.

Michael Long
Tinkerer
victoria
UZZ31

Posts: 100
Reg: 03-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 02:06 pm, by: Michael Long (Longy)

Also they made limiteds without the EMV.

Sam Fairbank
Newbie
VIC
-

Posts: 5
Reg: 11-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 02:10 pm, by: Sam Fairbank (Icebox425)

I know they made them without EMVs but I've found them pretty hard to find.

Mike Bradberry
TryHard
Queensland
V8 Limited

Posts: 433
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 02:16 pm, by: Mike Bradberry (Halflife)

Sam, depending on the money you want to spend, you could get a same shape soarer (lexus) only eight years old.
Most people on this site are really happy to own a legend er, ah, car that provides them with near on everything anyone could wish for.

Graham Dollisson
Goo Roo
QLD
GTTL , Morris Marina, P76 V8 Super

Posts: 1118
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 02:42 pm, by: Graham Dollisson (Alloyvee)

Just buy a UZZ30. V8 with coil springs and TT type interior. A lot less to go wrong if you are on a budget. Make sure you get one that has had the timing belt and water pump done already. Also the control arm bushes.

If you think you can't afford to get things fixed if it were to have a problem, then you probably can't!!

Avin Luther
Goo Roo
vic
Soarer uzz31 Limited

Posts: 1165
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 03:52 pm, by: Avin Luther (Lex_luther)

i think they are better for a student! money is not the problem. you can get bits cheap. i find Time the killer!
as a student you can run around to wreckers, find bits on the net and do it yourself.. cheap!

very hard when stuck behind a desk.

i have a V8 without an EMV and hte only problems i have had are ones i caused myself (illegal mods etc...
maintenance wise its been fine.. no more than i would have expected from any car

Michael Keen
TryHard
NSW
91 & 93 TT Manuals

Posts: 420
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 05:56 pm, by: Michael Keen (Jzz30man)

Sam, I share your sentiments about the EMV and things going wrong with the V8s, while i also like the leather. Hence why i have a TT manual with v8 leather. The leather seats are not that hard to find. I have two sets actually.
changing out the EMV is not an option. It runs too much stuff.
You could get a V8GT UZ30 (not the Limited UZ31 or 32) and put the leather in it if you really want a v8.

Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 1930
Reg: 10-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 06:32 pm, by: Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt)

Sam, I'd say it all depends on your willingness to do work yourself. Parts are generally not too expensive, so its more dependent on what you feel capable of doing yourself. If you aren't happy doing even basic maintenance yourself, then a aging V8 is probably not the car for you. Otherwise, go for it!

Toan Nguyen
TryHard
VIC
TT

Posts: 167
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 09:07 pm, by: Toan Nguyen (Soarer_gt)

I'd recommend you get a nice TT. Everything is simpler with more upgrade options in the future when the boost bug hits.

Callum Finch
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT & Corolla

Posts: 2416
Reg: 09-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 10:13 pm, by: Callum Finch (Sigeneat)

Be prepared to spend up to $5k on any Soarer you buy. You may not have to pay that (some people havent had any faults for up to 5years or beyond!) however you may just find that everything breaks, and a year later you have spent close to $13,000 on repairs.

TT's will moreso suffer the "broken" bug, and usually in more expensive areas such as the turbos and transmissions. You have to remember that the cars have been on the market here for going on 7 or 8 years now (or close to that) so during that time the young hoons who want a cheap turbo car with comfy extras will have flogged every second TT available.

If you like the v8's then get one. They sound HOT with the right exhaust. AND I MEAN HOT!
Oh god its making my pants wet now...

Honestly, i think if i had my time again and the car i bought was not available and i had all the knowledge and experiences i have now, i would be looking for a very nice condition uzz31 like Phil's 1994. That car is _MINT_

Good luck mate =P

Daniel Czechowski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
Soarer GT-T

Posts: 2191
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 10:46 am, by: Daniel Czechowski (Dan)

It's all got to do with luck really. I had my car since June 05, up until recently, apart from few little things (such as timing belt, radiator top tank etc.) nothing has broken down ever, hasn't missed a beat.

Two months ago I had to take my car off the road to fix a blown turbo. I could have fixed it for 400 bucks by buying a second hand ceramic one and putting it in myself, but decided to mod it instead. 2nd hand steel wheels and exhaust upgrade, plus SAFCII and EBC all up cost me 4 grand or something (don't even wanna know hehe), installed it mostly myself, so no labour cost involved.

Some people (like Callum lol!) have been extremely unlucky where a lot of things have broken down. Most of the people however seem to be spending money on mods and so on. And the mod bug WILL bite you, so yeah just be aware of that.

Soarers may be 15 years old now, but they are still as reliable if not more as a 2 yr old Falcon or Commodore anyway (had one of those in the past so I can compare) at least to me.

If I can give you one word of advice, if you do decide to buy one, I strongly suggest you buy it off one of the reputable members here on the forums, just check the cars for sale section. All of us here love our cars and take care of them like our own flesh and blood, so you can't go wrong.

Michael Keen
TryHard
NSW
91 & 93 TT Manuals

Posts: 421
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 01:08 pm, by: Michael Keen (Jzz30man)

LONGEVITY: I have had my 91 Manual TT with leather for 5 years now and had to do nothing other than scheduled maintenance and 1 drivers window regulator. Turbo's are still strong running up to 12psi for the last 100,000km, and its done 168,000km. Turbo's still seem good and not noisy. Trouble free and fun motoring for me.
PS: This 91 model will be for sale soon, as i need a bigger car, but i will be keeping my foot in Soarer's with my 93 manual for a project.

Adriana Radoszko
Newbie
SA
TT

Posts: 5
Reg: 01-2007

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 03:27 pm, by: Adriana Radoszko (Adriana)

Don't be trusting every post on car sales. Half the cars on there have already been sold and because the owners are to lazy to ring and tell the peeps at car sales to take their add's off, they stay on there for ages...

Tref Abbott
TryHard
queensland
soarer 2.5 TT

Posts: 104
Reg: 10-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 09:11 am, by: Tref Abbott (Tref)

I've had my TT for 6 years now and apart from the paintwork, the cars been brilliant. Had to have a new starter motor but the car has been THE MOST reliable car I've ever owned (and I've owned BM's. Mercs etc). I have always found that these quality cars are so much more reliable and that it's well worth shelling out to buy a second hand quality car rather than getting a new 'budget' car. However, that is only my experience. It does seem that newer budget cars appear more reliable now.

Shane McInnes
DieHard
NSW
JZZ30 GT-TL Manual

Posts: 835
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 04:07 pm, by: Shane McInnes (Soarin_tt)

Daniel is right it all comes down luck.

Ive lost count at how many things ive had to replace on my TT, It almost seems ive replaced every part except the motor.

But i still love my car and am not giving up on it yet.

Ian Johnston
DieHard
South Australia
UZZ30 GT 4.0

Posts: 760
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 08:55 pm, by: Ian Johnston (Ted)

I have had my 4.0GT for 2 years, and bar doing the lower front bushes when I 1st got it, I have not had any failures.
I did one 3,000k trip, used no oil(doesnt use any), averaged 10k/lt fuel, was super comfortable, and is far superior than any Aussie car still made today.
I have upgraded stuff to suit my requirements, but have found it to be fantastic. It is used as an every day car by my wife.
As stated, look for a UZZ30, and upgrade the trim if you feel the need.
It is a buyers market at the moment, as people panic over fuel prices( I cant work out why you would borrow money to buy a fuel miser 4cyl, instead of keeping your Soarer

)
and spending the saved money on something you enjoy.

Ben Daniel
DieHard
WA
Twin Turbo

Posts: 915
Reg: 03-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 11:08 pm, by: Ben Daniel (Lexustt)

2 Soarers spanning over 4 years a 91 TT and a 95 TT. The only things I've had to replace are brake rotors on the 91 TT... only because I was stupid enough to let the pad go all the way to the base and on the 95 TT a Fuse which was $30

Aaron Mead
Goo Roo
NT
TT

Posts: 1113
Reg: 03-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, January 19, 2007 - 12:03 am, by: Aaron Mead (Aaron)

Do your homework. I bought a car with mods already done, a rebuilt trans, a new motor, coilovers etc.....all interior PUUURFECT i.e. all trims repaired perfectly, everything functional, decent paint, was 19k start of last year. Nothing has gone wrong except for blowing a turbo (went to turn the boost down, but turned the wrong way. 22 p.s.i.) and a soldering problem on the aftermarket computer.

Basically, everything thats factory has been 100%. Only the stuff I •••• with seems to break! I wonder why.....

Adam Foster
TryHard
SA
SC400 Limited GT

Posts: 357
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, January 19, 2007 - 07:27 am, by: Adam Foster (Adam)

doesn't andy xie have a 31 forsale without the emv which has the features he wants

Mark Ribbans
TryHard
SA
UZZ-031 V8

Posts: 115
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Monday, January 22, 2007 - 03:09 pm, by: Mark Ribbans (V8gtsoarer)

Sam my 2c

Just get one. If it all turns pear shaped then at least you had one for a while so as far as i see you've already won.

These are high quality cars and were hideously expensive when new, so i can't forsee the resale price dropping dramatically in the next few years.

One thing i've found is that there is sh1tloads of support for these cars in Australia. If something goes wrong, more than likely there will be a tutorial with colour photos on how to fix it plus heaps of friendly people willing to share their experiences and help out.

Depending on what you're into i'd get a V8 Limited because you simply get a LOT of car for your money. There is just no comparison to anything else in the similar price bracket (i.e Commodores, Skylines etc..) which might have the same or better power but the interior especially is nothing compared to a Limited Soarer.

Sam Fairbank
Tinkerer
VIC
-

Posts: 7
Reg: 11-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, February 02, 2007 - 04:58 pm, by: Sam Fairbank (Icebox425)

Thanks for the help guys. I think I'm going to take a punt and go for one. I spotted this one I'm pretty interested in but for a '97 model it just seems way too cheap? I know it has a lot of K's, but still. I went out and inspected it but the car appears to be in great condition. I havent had a chance to run it yet but it comes with a 12 month warranty anyway? What am I missing?

http://search.carsguide.news.com.au/news/find-a-car/power-search/search-results/car-details.do?make= TOYOTA&model=SOARER&make2=&model2=&make3=&model3=&keyword=&priceFrom=&priceTo=15000&body=&newBody=&t ransmission=&lifeStyle=&yearFrom=&yearTo=&location=VIC&postcode=&radius=&stockNumber=&sortFields=A&a sc=true&pageNumber=&searchType=4&dealerId=&featureAd=false&vehicleId=NIMCGQC002%3AOJA082&vehicleType =1

Mike Bradberry
TryHard
Queensland
V8 Limited

Posts: 454
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, February 02, 2007 - 06:04 pm, by: Mike Bradberry (Halflife)

Sam, it doesn't look like a 97'model to me. The front bar is wrong, the taillights are wrong and so is the price for that year.
My guess is that it's a 91 or 92 model which makes the price for a car with that many K's not at all special.

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
Ellerslie
Soarer 4.0GT

Posts: 1077
Reg: 11-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, February 02, 2007 - 06:41 pm, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

Sam Fairbank wrote on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 01:32 pm:
mainly because they're 12-16 years old and have lots of technology in them (ie things to go wrong).

They are not that bad, Better than most cars - All Im doing is replacing common wear parts before they go on my soarer over 2007 so it will last for another 10 years , you just look after them and they go like magic - Of course it will cost a deal of money - But I dont care one bit, I love mine like nothing else - Its a huge obsession, I treat it like gold and will do for years.

Just by one and marvel at how reliable and effortless they are - I assure you, you will feel like a king on the road!

After owning my second and best one - Im now totally obsessed with these soarers even celsiors, My goal is just to buy a few over the next 5 years and keep them going and going. They are just priceless to me! Who the heck wants a new car! Pfftt give me one of these any day!

Greg Nikitiuk
DieHard
Vic
Celsior

Posts: 857
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, February 02, 2007 - 06:51 pm, by: Greg Nikitiuk (Jestr)

Mike Beck wrote on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 06:41 pm:
After owning my second and best one - Im now totally obsessed with these soarers even celsiors, My goal is just to buy a few over the next 5 years and keep them going and going. They are just priceless to me! Who the heck wants a new car! Pfftt give me one of these any day!

Mike = 100% right