Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 06:45 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Hahaha its too bad your in Aussi Kevin!
Well I tested the low km limited.
It was pretty good but needed a good tidy and clean though. A lot of potential! But I did find a few interesting things
I hate the EMV's they are stupid, pointless and way too fiddly. Normal Dash definitely! Other than that the car was good, quiet very few rattles... Had a nice exhaust which was good, I think my car with a good exhaust would still be slightly preferable though.
But now Im 50/50 between which I prefer. At this rate I think Ill try some JZZ30's and UZZ30's if I can find them and see what goes from there. I may look next year at buying a soarer when I can afford one, keeping my celsior as I think It would be a HUGE MISTAKE to sell my celsior when there is so much enjoyment and things to do with it.
Definitely ruling out a EMV limited. Not my cup of tea.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 08:51 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Heres pictures of it anyway. Was on par and slightly better than my old UZZ30. Some things needed attention, engine bay needed a full clean and paint needed a clean, wax and polish. Other than that it was very nice indeed. Interior would have come up mint.
If I owned this car for a couple of weeks I could make it spotless with my attention to the small things, be great fun too. Still I dont think a Limited suits me. UZZ30 really have yet to find a decent one!
One thing I did notice is how much sportier the Soarer looked with my car behind it. Exteriors are both quite aggressive yet subtle but the interior of the soarer is more streamlined and driver focused. My Blue Celsior interior seemed like a a lounge compared, mainly due to those grand daddy seats.. Hmmm
Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 10:13 am, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Yeah it be interesting to know all the stories of what soarers are in Auckland. Theres heaps but many hide away. Need more on the forum!
Heres a Video of this exhaust from that car. Was great to hear after my boring stock exhaust on the celsior thats for sure. Used 2" tube, No cats, Shared center muffler, H pipe and two small rear mufflers.
Was a little clacky and loud though, better mufflers and resonators would sort it but it sounded pretty good. Definitely a kick to make me get my exhaust done asap, once I have a work car bought Ill get it done!
Im going to have 2.25" From Headers, No Cats, H pipe, two 14" resonators and dual Mercury straight through mufflers. Should sound quite decent with the slightly better headers celsiors have too. Cant wait!
Friday, December 21, 2007 - 06:07 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Hah, I think I might go as far as gutting my cat while I have some time off over xmas - and finish off my BFI, finally! But that's all I think I'll do.
Mike Beck Goo Roo New Zealand Celsior UCF11 V8 & Soarer JZZ31 I6
Sunday, December 23, 2007 - 04:22 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
In the space of a few days I have ended up buying a 1996 Toyota Soarer JZZ31 3.0GT with only 132,000kms
Needs a bit of TLC, new door hinges and a few other minor things. But goes brilliantly! Faster than the Celsior, handles like a rock and stops on a dime.... Mechanically perfect - Just some minor cosmetic issues Ill have a great time sorting out!
Only a tad slower than my old V8! Sounds great too.
Will post some nicer pictures once I have given it a top clean and tidy up. Heres a couple to get an idea...
Monday, December 24, 2007 - 07:41 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Haha of course Peter.
Man I took it for a wee drive before. Cant get over how it 'actually' handles. The celsior is miles behind it really shows up how much more of a GT car the soarers are, especially a 1996 model which is rather fresh mechanically compared to the older 1991 models.
The 2JZ definitely feels sportier with the way it revs up, reminds me with a porsche some how. Really nice...
Don Bagnall Moderator New Zealand I have WAY less Soarers than Hayden :-(
Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 03:20 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Yeah Mate, Great car I really underestimated them in the past, but was I wrong!
Did a BFI like on my old soarer V8 and it sounds terrific. I cant get over the pull in these though its great... most definitely faster than the celsior thats for sure!
.......and I can actually go around a corner now once again!
Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 04:08 pm, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Yup Mike, just got back from Coromandel and the speedo is at around 134,000 - due for an oil and filter in 1000. So your car is a month younger than mine! =)
Mike Beck Goo Roo New Zealand Soarer JZZ31 I6 & UCF11 V8 Celsior
Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 04:21 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Haha, Just a shame my paint needs a good clay bar clean and serious wax. yours seems to be in better condition but with some effort I can get this about the same grade as yours, need to do a few things though...
Since its a Pov pack, Im going to upgrade the Stereo to a decent 7 speaker system hopefully, Insert wood trims to the dash and a few other things like what I did to my UZZ30 to make a it more presentable, like the Satin Black trim sprays, Red dash lights etc...
On a whole its fine but I need to get a new Panel around the gear shifter as the current ones a bit marked, replace both door hinges - the drivers ones got a fair bit of play in it, so far on Trade Me a couple of people have good ones so that handy. Still I'm enjoying this 3.0GT more than the Celsior so far!
Friday, December 28, 2007 - 07:32 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
My door hinge drivers side is well on the way out too, so if you do end up with a crap spare let me know I might be interested in having a crack at resleaving it.
Looks like the Soarer might be going in a few months anyway as Julie and I have agreed we really don't need two cars now she's finished work, so we'll get rid of both cars and it'll be my choice on a replacement 4 door.
Mike Beck Goo Roo New Zealand Soarer JZZ31 I6 & UCF11 V8 Celsior
Friday, December 28, 2007 - 03:23 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Matthew Sharpe wrote on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 07:32 am:
Looks like the Soarer might be going in a few months anyway as Julie and I have agreed we really don't need two cars now she's finished work, so we'll get rid of both cars and it'll be my choice on a replacement 4 door.
Yeah, be nice to keep it but as mentioned before you cant go wrong with a 2JZ Aristo or Altezza instead