| Author |
Message |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2757
Reg: 11-2005
|
Since I learn't my lesson the hard way, having my Soarer crashed into on a busy Tuesday afternoon, I've decided its too nice a car to have driven around during the week with the amount of dopey drivers on NZ's roads, especially an issue since I'm obsessed with making it tidy etc and just reserving it for the weekends and sporty events.
To do the weekly driving I found a mechanically sound 3.2 V6 Legend coupe, I just had to get something on the same wavelength as the soarer, and it sure is! What fantastic cars these car, so smooth and has a bit of power under the hood for what it is. Body is reasonable but it all works and is definitely worth it.
Soarer is just a few steps ahead though, the Honda being Front wheel drive makes it a bit 'odd' but if your careful putting the power down it makes for a great peppy car. Perfect for going up and down the motorway like I need it for.
Only things Ill need to keep a close eye on and service this week are the:
Brakes - fluid flush should do the trick
Coolant system - as they can get BHG's if not taken care of, fortunately it looks like this one has though, doing fluid changes tomorrow though.
The engine oil - dont want to run those complicated Honda valve system dry!
And the gearbox, definitely a full flush on that this week, fluid smells good but I want to make sure, they can get fussy these boxes if not maintained - more so on the 5 speed auto ones though.
Goes great though. Definitely enjoyable for what it offers. Will post some pictures later. |
Evan Kaio
TryHard
The Hutt
'91 UZZ31
Posts: 279
Reg: 01-2007
|
Won't be long before your modding it, Mike. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2758
Reg: 11-2005
|
Already done a BFI Evan - I couldnt help myself! Hahaha
Love that sorta suedo vtec system kick in at 4500RPM, very grunty...
It's actually quite a quick car, wouldn't be far behind my soarer if not the same!
Just FF ruins it! |
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31
Posts: 3875
Reg: 10-2005
|
Legends are nice looking cars. Nothing wrong with FWD for a runnabout, though once you get up to that kind of power torque steer can get a bit intrusive - some setups are better than others though. How does the Honda feel under load? |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2759
Reg: 11-2005
|
Rather noticeable torque steer, VERY different the soarer for obvious reasons, you really need to kinda 'battle' with the wheel, no one arm stuff like you can do in the soarer during acceleration.
Its not too bad, but at full kick down its there alright.
Thats actually one area where the soarer is better, the gearbox/throttle control is much more smooth and precise. Honda is a little on and off, especially when hitting the kick down button.
A ECU reset might make it more responsive. |
Doran Guthrie
Tinkerer
WA
VVTI Turbo
Posts: 20
Reg: 10-2007
|
I owned an old model 2.7L Legend for 2 years and loved that car, FULL leather trim (bloody roof was even cow) 2 tone paint (very pimp) and an awesome 3 way sunroof which I miss ssoooo much. Thankfully nothing mechanically really goes wrong with them just the over abundance of electrics (like the soarer) can drive you crazy when it decides to pack it in.
Only thing I hated was having to drive with a bucket between your legs those tanks lurch around like a bogan on Australia day! |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2765
Reg: 11-2005
|
Your not wrong Doran, this one does enough!
I'm sure it was worse in the older 2.7 Models, being from the 80's, fairly soft suspension in them.
Main reason I went for this, is because they are the next best thing thats not a Soarer and from Japan. I plan to use it as a comfortable cruiser for going up and down the motorway return, 5-6 times a week, traveling about 60kms in a return trip next year for around 44 weeks (Study Course)
NO way in hell I would use my soarer for that! Too precious, especially once I get it back from the repair yard - gosh I'll make sure nothing like that happens again! It's quite sad the car been gone for two weeks after that stupid accident. Be superb once I get it back however!
Just working it it out its like 300-400km's per week, making it about ~16,000kms+ for the year. I'm sure this Honda can handle it, as long as I look after the cooling system, engine and gearbox.
Interesting...
 |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2766
Reg: 11-2005
|
Heres some pictures.
Interior is pretty good, body has a fair few dents and bumps on the bumpers but mechanically, its good. Still shocked at how similar the performance is compared to the Soarer, it would keep up right behind it I'm sure, but the Toyota kills it for the extra development and build quality - Not to mention being rwd.
|
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31
Posts: 3880
Reg: 10-2005
|
Might keep up from a standing start, but I doubt it would still be there once you got over 100. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2767
Reg: 11-2005
|
Well it's funny, I found the performance 80-1XX amazing. Once I get my V8 back I'll be able to tell the difference.
I was genuinely shocked as I though these were wimpy front wheel drive things, certainly not the case!
I can tell you one thing it would be faster than the 3.0GT Soarer, 0-80km/h the 3.0GT would have it the edge... but I'm certain after that the Honda would pass it to its similar top speed.
Check out this review on one in the states, has some reference to the SC400 at the end, saying the Honda handles better?! |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2768
Reg: 11-2005
|
http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=_LxnrTeUvDc
Love the 90's intro music. |
Timothy Barnes
Tinkerer
Auckland
MR2 GTS
Posts: 83
Reg: 08-2005
|
two questions: Is that a North South FWD V6?? Odd...and what the heck is with the gear selector?! It looks 12 inches long?! |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2773
Reg: 11-2005
|
Hahaha, yeah Timothy it sure is... one of Honda's qwerky features having a front wheel drive NS motor, quite a few of their cars are like that!
Mmmmmmm very nasty shifter alright, far too high! Id like to shorten it but ehh it does the job.
|
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31
Posts: 3890
Reg: 10-2005
|
Yeah, its a bigger, more complex engine in a lighter car, so I'd assume it'd beat the JZZ31 too. Do you know what its factory output figures are?
Honda have really only recently been making really nice interiors. Prior to about 2000 they are all a but yuck inside. |
Timothy Barnes
Tinkerer
Auckland
MR2 GTS
Posts: 84
Reg: 08-2005
|
158 kw/299 nm.....very similar to a Jzz31 Soarer
http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/honda/legend/1991_10/13220/ |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2779
Reg: 11-2005
|
Hmmm yeah its not bad, fairly torquey!
JZZ31 is far superior though (Being toyota)
These are far too Honda-ish, quite a few small things I dont like about them where the Toyota's are light years ahead.
I just trust it can go up and down the motorway 6 days a week without having any major failures, other than doing the usual basic servicing, specifically I don't want a BHG or stuffed transmission. I dont see that happening as this is definitely NOT a car to drive hard or do any 'passionate driving' in and I plan to religiously service it, I just spent a couple of hundred on fluids and parts at the start of the week.
It's a fun car, but I'm not keen to pump money into it - I intent to 'baby' it around while I have it. In saying that when these were new, wow what a fun car they would have been but this is now a 14 year old 126k mile Honda.
At least I can spend my spare time making my UZZ31 Mint, as it deserves, why not I say?! It certainly wont be doing any more shopping trips risking car park dents or peak hour traffic runs etc - one of my worse nightmares it getting hit any worse than it did on the 21st of October!
Gosh! |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2782
Reg: 11-2005
|
Little things like this are good to do, I cleaned the engine with some WD40, water and rags.
Pretty good results,
|
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
UZZ30 UZZ31
Posts: 10249
Reg: 11-2004
|
Looks like you are good with the rags mike! |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2785
Reg: 11-2005
|
Haha, yeah not too bad, that job took no longer than 10 minutes.
Quick and easy, the WD40 really works wonders at cleaning engine bays.
|
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31
Posts: 3894
Reg: 10-2005
|
Makes me feel guilty looking at it and knowing what a mess mine is. Oh well, transmission flush time this weekend, so maybe I should get a can of WD-40 while I'm at it. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2788
Reg: 11-2005
|
Haha, I feel guilty for having spare time to clean things like this! |
Justin Cook
Goo Roo
QLD
JZZ30 TT
Posts: 1352
Reg: 07-2005
|
Wheres the turbo on that car?
:-> |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2789
Reg: 11-2005
|
Haha, you would have to be mad to turbo one of these!
It might go ok for a few days, but $$$, its a Honda, weak drive terrain, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
The guys in the USA do though, crazy...
 |
Timothy Barnes
Tinkerer
Auckland
MR2 GTS
Posts: 85
Reg: 08-2005
|
hmm I always found that using WD40 (or other light grade solvents) left a bit of a residue which attracted dust? Do you wash it off first? |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 2806
Reg: 11-2005
|
Wash it off. |
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