Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:14 pm Post subject: Toyota Aristo Vs. Lexus GS300
Ok, so i know there is a difference between them, but i don't know what the difference is, i've got a mate that thinks that his tt aristo is right or wrong a lexus GS300 and I want to prove him wrong for once and for all, what are the differences? _________________
Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 2211 Location: Southside, Adelaide
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:15 pm Post subject:
lol@capslock
The US GS300 is LHD, always non turbo, and also has a way uglier front bar with no little "vents" at the bottom.
Correct, the GS300 sold in Australia is the JZS160 platform. We never got the 147 domestically (maybe a very very limited number? I've never got a straight answer on this question)
Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 3441 Location: Melbourne Australia
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:21 pm Post subject:
Everyone is on the right track.
The Aristo JZS147 was only sold and badged as an Aristo in Japan. It was released in 3 engine configurations. 2JZ-GE, 2JZ-GTE and the rare 4WD V8. (Toyota Japan didn't badge any Toyota domestically with Lexus badges until 2005.)
The JZS147 export model was sold and badged as a LEXUS GS300. For the US market as LHD, and only in the 2JZ-GE config. Also, the stereo system and as mentioned, other things such as body features are different.
Lexus Australia did not sell the GS300 here until the JZS160 model and always in '160' NA form, never in the Twin turbo '161' model that Toyota sold in Japan.
So, as mentioned, if your car is a JZS147, has LEXUS badging, a 2JZ-GTE and is RHD it is an Aristo with Lexus badges put on. Nothing more, nothing less.
Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 4010 Location: Perth, WA
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:41 am Post subject:
It's all really much of a muchness.
Chris has it right.. basically it comes down to what you call is "the same car".. most people would say "the same model code = the same car".
thus, we all drive JZS147's
Of them, all delivered to the US were badged lexus gs300's and were LHD and NA.
All delivered JDM were badged toyota aristo's and were RHD, and came in either the NA or TT. Technically you could call the 4wd variant a different car entirely cos it has a different model code. *shrug*
Then there was the Eurospec mob, which i'm not too familiar with, but I believe they came in NA or TT, RHD or LHD, depending on which country you were in etc. They were all called Lexus GS300's I believe. Hopefully we can get someone from that area to confirm, but I believe you could buy a RHD TT "Lexus GS300" in some areas of the world.
Given all that, basically all of them in Australia are JDM JZS147's that started their life as an "Aristo". That said, you could get away with calling them a GS300, as if they were factory delivered here, that's what they would be called. Personally, I prefer to say I drive an Aristo when people ask. But mine is fully badged and registered/insured in Aus as a Lexus GS300. _________________
1994 Black JZS147 Aristo - RIP. Went swimming
New 1992 Aristo Project
Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 3441 Location: Melbourne Australia
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:28 am Post subject:
Rusty P wrote:
Given all that, basically all of them in Australia are JDM JZS147's that started their life as an "Aristo". That said, you could get away with calling them a GS300, as if they were factory delivered here, that's what they would be called. Personally, I prefer to say I drive an Aristo when people ask. But mine is fully badged and registered/insured in Aus as a Lexus GS300.
Now this is the part I really don't under stand?
How can a Toyota car from Japan, come to Australia under SEVS and be actually re-named under a different marque?
So if I put a Chev badge on my shitbox Holden, you are saying that I can now register it and insure it as a Chev?????
I don't really understand? But if that is the case, then your friend might be able to say that his car is a LEXUS afterall. I mean, if his Aristo has been re-badged and the rego says Lexus, then you will have to consede, even though you know that it is an Aristo!!!
i know its an aristo, because i knew the car before he brought it, when he got it it had toyota badges all round and aristo written on the arse, but he backed into something n smashed the center garnish and left it off so now its just black, he cut up the toyota grille to put on the lexus badge on the front, took the toyota badge off the rear n didn't fill the holes n stuck a lexus badge there too and got a LS430 badge n stuck it on the side _________________
The rear of the gs300 is different as well is it not? I was sure I was following behind one the other day and it looked different from the back... _________________
So is there any traction on the tyre or is it like throwing a sausage down a hall way
Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 4010 Location: Perth, WA
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 1:05 am Post subject:
That's basically how it went Chris.. It came in with Lexus stamped all over it.. when it went over the pits for first inspection/registration they just took the name off that and registered the new VIN as a lexus. Overall, there is bugger all difference - It's just a name. As long as the model number is the same, it's the same car.
USDM have different tail lights, different to the series1/series2 ones we see in JDM models, but they look almost the same. Perhaps that's what you meant?
Other than that, the bodywork / panels are the same world-round. _________________
1994 Black JZS147 Aristo - RIP. Went swimming
New 1992 Aristo Project
everything that was badged as lexus only came with 2JZ GT even the rhd lexus in th eUK.no turbo.lexus has a external radio antenna on the left rear 1/4 panel.gauge cluster was different
all lexus only came with leather interior,brakes are differnt between the 2 .Turbo aristo radiator did not come in the lexus as well as no hydrolic fan in lexus.no air purifyer,no bumper poles,no proximity sensors,no curtans,no folding and heated mirrors and all lexus LHD and RHD had dual airbags even as back as 1992.front bumpers and rear bumpers are different as well as head lights and rear tails.also the 3 piece rear wing was not available on the lexus
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