The Aristo AWD is nothing like the GT4, theres no comparison. For starters the Aristo uses a very non-performance open diff setup with a chain-driven transfer case whereas the Celica uses a Viscous and Torsen setup with superstrut suspension
And ive driven (and owned) enough V8 Soarers to know that you have to try pretty hard to have traction problems, especially with half-decent rubber and an LSD. And bear in mind a Soarer is over 100kg lighter than the V8 Aristo.
Have a look at any AWD car whether it be Subaru, Audi, whatever and you will see that unless they have some electronic diff control or a set rearward torque bias they will be determined understeerers when pushed hard (early WRX for example) whereas a RWD equivalent will be a more neutral or even oversteering car when pushed. A car that does nothing but understeer when pushed may well be safe(r) but good-handling it is not.
So what i am saying is i doubt very much the AWD Aristo will be better handling than the RWD version and it certainly wont be as quick. Buying one for some illusion of added performance im pretty sure will lead to disappointment!
Why you *would* get one though is if you want
* The extra toys or leather
* Air suspension (which if in good condition is actually pretty decent)
* The extra traction if you do a lot of dirt or snow driving
* Bragging rights?
"The Aristo AWD is nothing like the GT4, theres no comparison."
That's not what I was saying....the technology that built rally winning GT4's led to the development of AWD systems in Aristos. The design specs for the V8 Luxury sedan are completely different therefore the AWD system was not based on a performance spec. It was based on providing superior driver control and safety.
"And ive driven (and owned) enough V8 Soarers to know that you have to try pretty hard to have traction problems, especially with half-decent rubber and an LSD. And bear in mind a Soarer is over 100kg lighter than the V8 Aristo."
That may be so ...but the two vehicles are of a completely different ilk. The Soarers are not family orientated luxury sedans. Their dynamics and chassis specs are completely different. Like you said before there is no comparison.
"Have a look at any AWD car whether it be Subaru, Audi, whatever and you will see that unless they have some electronic diff control or a set rearward torque bias they will be determined understeerers when pushed hard (early WRX for example) whereas a RWD equivalent will be a more neutral or even oversteering car when pushed. A car that does nothing but understeer when pushed may well be safe(r) but good-handling it is not."
V8 Aristos are not boy racer WRX's EVO's or any other performance orientated car.....Toyota design specs were aimed at ...European thoroughbreds...Mercedes S Class , BMW and Audi Quattro's. This is the market Toyota / Lexus competes in.
Your supposition that the V8 AWD would be no better handling than the 3.0 in either straight 6 or TT is a strange stance to take and pits you against the Toyota engineers who thought otherwise.
The Nissan engineers also thought otherwise with the GTR and the WGNC34 Stageas.
"Buying one for some illusion of added performance im pretty sure will lead to disappointment! "
Why ? The V8 Aristo is in all probabliity a very fine motor vehicle 191kw AWD , is it better than the Aristo TT 206kw RWD who knows.... that's the point of this forum. There are many aspects to a motor vehicle its not all about 0-100.
"Why you *would* get one though is if you want "
You might like the "World Class" handling.
You might like the 'torque' and feel of a V8.
You might like the cheap insurance.
You might like 'touring' rather than 'racing'.
....but then I still like my first car a Morris 1100.
Of Course I could just buy a MR2 Le Mans Spec.....
The Sard MC8-R was a modified and lengthened version of the SW20 built for GT racing by Toyota's works team SARD (Sigma Advanced Research Development).
The MC8-R housed a twin turbo version of the 1UZ-FE V8 giving out 600bhp.
not sure if it's been stated yet, but one of the guys here who used to own a V8 model said he liked it cos it was more unique, with apparently only 500 being made. the trade off is that some parts may be a lot harder to get.
performance wise, sure, TT has more power, but nothing a SC kit couldn't fix _________________
Dazwaaah wrote:
techno vikings EVERYWHERE!!!!
seriously thats how they all dance... walk for a bit.. then viking that shit... walk... VIKING... WAAAAALK... VVVVIIIIKKKKIIIINNNNGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!
Joined: 11 Aug 2008 Posts: 342 Location: SA Northern Burbs AKA the Desert
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:24 am Post subject:
Uzz31 wrote:
Not really a huge fan of AWD myself, the JDM AWD variants of non-performance models (ie, not GT-R, EVO, etc) were designed purely for the snowy parts of Japan and will not be any faster or better handling than stock RWD models. In fact, as in the Aristo they will be slower because of the weight penalty and drivetrain losses, and will typically understeer more when driven hard becasue they dont have a rear torque bias
And lets face it, in a 1750kg car with a 1UZ, as nice an engine as they are you arent going to have any kind of traction problems that would make AWD beneficial until youre running a decent turbo or S/C setup, and even then the strength of the drivetrain at those power levels is an unknown.
So yeah in my opinion other than bragging rights there isnt much point to it
^^^I think this is on the money.
If you really want one, just get it. Just make sure you know what you're buying.
Like plenty have said, it will be a slow, understeering pimp of a car with a great exhaust note, but that might be just what you want. Try and get as low KMs as you can too....the AWD system and suspension could cause big headaches and $$ if they fail (check out the thread where the guy tried to find a replacement airbag ) and if your planning to pump a bit of power through it down the track (when you get sick of getting hosed by VN commodores ) that'll only happen quicker.
I agree about the Supercharger kits. BULLET make a few different packages for the engine. Drive in drive out solution for $7k.
The understeer people are talking about???? Is this from experience or something you have been told? And when you say understeer, do you mean like a Pulsar GTIR or like WRX? If it is like a WRX then that is manageable, if like the GTIR then there are obvious mods you can do to reduce this.
I will be able to confirm these in the next week after I take delivery of mine!
not to be a fool, but this discussion in regards to 'handling' weather it's AWD or 2WD is irrelevant.
The Aristo is not a race car even with coilovers big rubber, sway bars, etc etc it still a ton and half, the only thing that makes the car oversteery is a bag full of the right foot.
I am not bagging the car, nor saying you cant dial out and improve the handling but it's never going to be an awesome car thru the hills.
I know there will be some one jump up and down and tell me how wrong I am
not to be a fool, but this discussion in regards to 'handling' weather it's AWD or 2WD is irrelevant.
The Aristo is not a race car even with coilovers big rubber, sway bars, etc etc it still a ton and half, the only thing that makes the car oversteery is a bag full of the right foot.
I am not bagging the car, nor saying you cant dial out and improve the handling but it's never going to be an awesome car thru the hills.
I know there will be some one jump up and down and tell me how wrong I am
I agree to a certain extent.
I think what everyone is really talking about is how good they handle considering they are big BOATS.
As I have had mine for a week now, and it has been raining flat out in Vic lately, I can positively assure people that the AWD is nothing short of brilliant!
I have owned an EVO and a Legnum, both having AYC, and this big barge is not far off them in terms of AWD smarts. Of course no where near as nimble as the EVO but very close to the point in, and exit from a corner to the Legnum.
With the coilovers in it, and some suspension mods (nothing over the top) it should handle the hills better than most cars. It would be the same for the rear wheel drive cars aswell, only requiring a little more foresight on the oversteer! lol
I agree you should not be comparing the Aristo in either AWD or RWD to a sports car. However just becuase it rolled off the factory line FAT and made to cruise, doesnt mean you cant make it fast through the hills. Especially if you keep in mind the V8 Super cars rolled off the production line in much the same fashion!! FAT and made for family!
In summary:
An Aristo AWD or RWD with the right suspension mods WILL handle as good if not better than a STOCK WRX. So...depending on how much coin you throw at it.....that is pretty good in my opinion!
If you wanted to track the Aristo, and not drift it....you might need to throw some big dollars at it. But anything is achievable, if you write the right cheque!
Alcon 6 pots
Coilovers
Brake bias
Cage
Tower braces
Castor - Camber adjusters
Toe settings
Corner weighted
etc
etc _________________
oh please dont talk about the v8 supercabs please....I have a distinct hatred of them..LOL
The v8 series in the 90's and early 00's were the best years.
We drove the aristo from Brisbane down to Sydney a couple of years back and then while we were staying with the family one day we went for a run out to Bathurst. So She copped a fair work out that week. Fun drive out to Bathurst and then awesome around the track, but the journey down and back to Brisbane was great...very good car for over the distance.
The Aristo handles good for sure, but even fully spec'ed out the weight is the biggest down fall.
I am coming from the perspective that when ever I jump out of my car - bmw e36 325 coupe into the wives aristo it is a boat...
It's great as the 'family' car though!!!!
I am the owner of a 1993 model toyota Aristo V4i.I have owned the car about year and a half and its my daily driver.
Its funny how people can make a decision on a car without actually going for a drive in it. I have done some very spirited driving along some mountain roads (my dad is a motorcycle rider so i know some windy tracks) and pushed my car pretty hard at times.
HANDLING
It has a tendency to understeer as you exit a corner when you put the power back on . this is only slight understeer and is easily corrected.
going into a corner the car does feel heavy and and needs smooth yet firm braking and steering movements.
If you go into the corner a little too hot the abs and traction control go on when it knows things are fully out of control but still allow small amounts of sliding if drifintg into a corner . this works well by not bein overbearing on your driving style. _________________
V8 full leather , airbagged , all wheel drive...
Collecting reflective road markers since 2008
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) and if your planning to pump a bit of power through it down the track (when you get sick of getting hosed by VN commodores 
) that'll only happen quicker.
