Looking at Buying...

[Keke]

Hi All

I'm looking at buying a turbo Aristo and since I have no experience at all with these cars (except that my brother used to own an Australian delivered GS300, which was terrific), I thought I'd gather all info I can on these cars.

The car won't be a daily driver as such, I have another car for that purpose, but I want something with performance, luxury and class, and the Aristo seems to fit the bill.

Anything specific to look out for in these cars? Do these cars rust from any specific spots? What are the bad points that are bound to fail? What type are the turbos in these cars and do they ever fail? Where do you have your cars serviced and how expensive is servicing? What about getting spare parts? What about insurance for a semi-gray haired male, with rating one for longer than I care to remember?

And what sorts of performance figures do you get from these cars, dead stock standard?

Any further info you can give me, would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Keke

[Forsaken]

congrats on your choice mate. use the search function on the right and you'll find answers to all your questions. They've been covered a number of times

...except maybe rust, which I've never seen on any aristo yet
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Gabor


"He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever."

[Miggy]

Galvanised body, that’s why you don’t see any rust
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Aristo 454hp @ 22psi / C20 350 chev pickup / AE92 corolla

[WAYNUK]

performance wise expect acceleration is around the high 5-flat 6 seconds to 100km/h although unlike a lot of cars it actually becomes more aggresive once you hit the 100km/h mark. this is mostly due to its weight bogging it down off the line and the fact that the car runs a sequential turbo setup, converting to true twin turbo at higher speeds.

the top speed is limited to 160kmh factory however can easily be removed with a mines ecu, supra ecu or an alternate aftermarket ecu...

an oil change + filter will set you back about $130 if you go through your local toyota, transmission will cost you about $200 for a full flush with genuine fluid.

insurance wise.... well lets just call it bloody expensive!!

but theyre worth it hope this helps

[Ari]

The speed is limited to 180km/h actually not 160km/h
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Alexei.

[WAYNUK]

aww man i almost looked like i knew what i was talking about, then you came and buggered it up for me lol

[infotechplus]

These cars were built for people like you and me. Forget these young blokes and their 6" exhaust tips, FMICs and single tubo conversions.

At 1700kgs these cars have been described (uncharitably) as 'land barges'. But that's what they are. Toyota built this car for maximum cruising comfort but the 2JZ-GTE is a reliable powerplant that will take you anywhere, all day.

Get yourself an unmodded one and you can't go wrong. A lowered unit may have lower ball joint failure. Look for all electronic parts to be functioning - needles on dash, lights, interior lights, lock/unlock, etc.

Make sure you get at least two spare keys cut - you'll probably only get one when you take delivery of your car.

Stereo is great stock standard - you'll either get a stacker version or a single disc version. The stacker has DSP. The 12" woofer in the parcel shelf will probably have perished (at least its paper cone surround) so look to replace that.

Don't trust the odometer reading. Sometimes they are 'adjusted' in Japan.

The Aristo has most of the mod cons, and the coldest AC I've ever experienced.

It's a fabulous car to drive and doesn't it raise a few eyebrows when you put the right foot hard down. Oh yeah!

Hope this helps you in your decision-making,

Peter
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1996 Aristo JZS147 Series 2

[arist_me]

Excuse me but what is wrong with a 6 inch tips, FMIC and single turbo? Mad flutterz ftw. Joking

[WAYNUK]

[Keke]

Thanks so much for all your replies. You have been most helpful. I have now figured out how to use the 'search' button, so I'll have a search around as well.

And thanks Peter especially for your post. I'll be looking at a stock standard unit and keeping it that way. The car is simply for some weekend enjoyment and since I still have kids at home, the backseat will come in handy.

Cheers

Mark

[skeez]

careful with some of the sites out there advertising aristos for 12k or so imported. Remember to factor in a grand or so on top of that for compliance related issues.