Toyota Blade Master G, your Gran's Auris on steroids
Discussion
samj2014 said:
Yeah I've been seeing loads (or should I say heaps) of these in NZ.
The reason you don't see many in the UK is because there are so many people there, we have enough UK models of cars to not need to import many.
As much as I think the Blade is cool, and I'd have one here in NZ, I can think of a ton of other cars I'd sooner have imported to the UK.
Most of them you've seen are (inexplicably) Blades with the 2.4 litre 4 pot 160bhp motor, the 'Blade Master' gets the 3.5 litre V6, same fuel economy as the Blade but with an added 120bhp.The reason you don't see many in the UK is because there are so many people there, we have enough UK models of cars to not need to import many.
As much as I think the Blade is cool, and I'd have one here in NZ, I can think of a ton of other cars I'd sooner have imported to the UK.
Edited by samj2014 on Wednesday 4th July 10:40
As for what you'd sooner have imported to the UK I understand but I wanted a comfortable, well appointed, reliable sleeper hatch with 6 cylinders and, give or take, 300bhp for around £6k, I don't think there's any other choice.
Sure, there's others, Alfa do the the GTA, Audi with their 3.2 A3 or a Golf R32 packing the same Audi motor but they don't tick all the above boxes for me.
For poster 'Heaveho' :
The Balde Master runs the same basic 2GR-FE engine as the GS300 but that car gains direct injection and more cam overlap for a 310bhp output, designated 2GR-FSE
cheddar said:
Most of them you've seen are (inexplicably) Blades with the 2.4 litre 4 pot 160bhp motor, the 'Blade Master' gets the 3.5 litre V6, same fuel economy as the Blade but with an added 120bhp.
As for what you'd sooner have imported to the UK I understand but I wanted a comfortable, well appointed, reliable sleeper hatch with 6 cylinders and, give or take, 300bhp for around £6k, I don't think there's any other choice.
Sure, there's others, Alfa do the the GTA, Audi with their 3.2 A3 or a Golf R32 packing the same Audi motor but they don't tick all the above boxes for me.
For poster 'Heaveho' :
The Balde Master runs the same basic 2GR-FE engine as the GS300 but that car gains direct injection and more cam overlap for a 310bhp output, designated 2GR-FSE
Thanks for the replies.As for what you'd sooner have imported to the UK I understand but I wanted a comfortable, well appointed, reliable sleeper hatch with 6 cylinders and, give or take, 300bhp for around £6k, I don't think there's any other choice.
Sure, there's others, Alfa do the the GTA, Audi with their 3.2 A3 or a Golf R32 packing the same Audi motor but they don't tick all the above boxes for me.
For poster 'Heaveho' :
The Balde Master runs the same basic 2GR-FE engine as the GS300 but that car gains direct injection and more cam overlap for a 310bhp output, designated 2GR-FSE
Have you had any trouble sourcing parts for it?
smudgerebt said:
Since this thread started have looked to see if any imported, but the cost compaired to other things of same value just stops it for me.
By that i mean you can get some proper fast cars for the same price as importing one of these.
Pitu really.
Like what? Genuinely interested what you can get for about £6.5k that is quicker than a hatch with 280 bhp and isn’t a big old barge....By that i mean you can get some proper fast cars for the same price as importing one of these.
Pitu really.
rossub said:
Like what? Genuinely interested what you can get for about £6.5k that is quicker than a hatch with 280 bhp and isn’t a big old barge....
Um it's certainly a quirky and interesting hatch, but a heavier 280bhp V6 through a slush box probably isn't going to be any faster in the real world than a Mk5 Golf GTI with 210bhp.Edited by Olivera on Saturday 7th July 11:35
Olivera said:
Um it's certainly a quirky and interesting hatch, but a heavier 280bhp V6 through a slush box probably isn't going to be any faster in the real world than a Mk5 Golf GTI with 210bhp.
But fortunately likely to be significantly more reliable. That fact alone kills off many, many cars I ever have on a wish list. It'll also have significantly more torque than many others, meaning a more relaxed drive. Which is exactly what SHMBO would specify.Edited by Olivera on Saturday 7th July 11:35
Heaveho said:
But fortunately likely to be significantly more reliable. That fact alone kills off many, many cars I ever have on a wish list. It'll also have significantly more torque than many others, meaning a more relaxed drive. Which is exactly what SHMBO would specify.
In all likelihood (can't find an exact dyno graph for the Toyota) the Golf will be putting out more torque lower down the rev range than the Blade, with the Toyota only making more when revved out to 4k+ rpm.I'd give the Toyota the edge over the Golf in perhaps reliability and comfort, but the handling, steering, styling and better mpg to the Golf.
In all honesty you'd be a crackpot to import one of these to the UK for more money than a Mk5 GTI.
Olivera said:
In all likelihood (can't find an exact dyno graph for the Toyota) the Golf will be putting out more torque lower down the rev range than the Blade, with the Toyota only making more when revved out to 4k+ rpm.
I'd give the Toyota the edge over the Golf in perhaps reliability and comfort, but the handling, steering, styling and better mpg to the Golf.
In all honesty you'd be a crackpot to import one of these to the UK for more money than a Mk5 GTI.
I've sampled what VW laughably refer to as " reliability " with one in the past. Never again.I'd give the Toyota the edge over the Golf in perhaps reliability and comfort, but the handling, steering, styling and better mpg to the Golf.
In all honesty you'd be a crackpot to import one of these to the UK for more money than a Mk5 GTI.
I used to process warranty claims for Toyota and Lexus. This particular crackpot will stick to what he knows he can trust, but thanks for the character evaluation.
This will be for my other half.........her criteria is reliability ( so Jap only generally, based on both of our motor trade backgrounds ), longevity, quick, large NA engine, auto, 5 door hatch or estate big enough for a border collie size dog, nice place to be, quiet with a decent ride.
Your preferences for handling, steering, styling and mpg don't enter into the equation for her. Nor mine if a Golf GTI is the default option.
I'm already taking what I regard as a chance with one German car in the garage at the moment, but it's not my only car and doesn't matter if I can't use it when or if it pegs out. Her car will be the only thing she can drive, as it's the only auto, therefore it needs to stay in one piece. Plus, she likes the idea of it, and it's her money.
Edited by Heaveho on Saturday 7th July 14:32
Heaveho said:
I've sampled what VW laughably refer to as " reliability " with one in the past. Never again.
I used to process warranty claims for Toyota and Lexus. This particular crackpot will stick to what he knows he can trust, but thanks for the character evaluation.
This will be for my other half.........her criteria is reliability ( so Jap only generally, based on both of our motor trade backgrounds ), longevity, quick, large NA engine, auto, 5 door hatch or estate big enough for a border collie size dog, nice place to be, quiet with a decent ride.
Your preferences for handling, steering, styling and mpg don't enter into the equation for her. Nor mine if a Golf GTI is the default option.
I'm already taking what I regard as a chance with one German car in the garage at the moment, but it's not my only car and doesn't matter if I can't use it when or if it pegs out. Her car will be the only thing she can drive, as it's the only auto, therefore it needs to stay in one piece. Plus, she likes the idea of it, and it's her money.
I'd have this any day of the week over a £6k Golf GTi. Great left field choice OP.I used to process warranty claims for Toyota and Lexus. This particular crackpot will stick to what he knows he can trust, but thanks for the character evaluation.
This will be for my other half.........her criteria is reliability ( so Jap only generally, based on both of our motor trade backgrounds ), longevity, quick, large NA engine, auto, 5 door hatch or estate big enough for a border collie size dog, nice place to be, quiet with a decent ride.
Your preferences for handling, steering, styling and mpg don't enter into the equation for her. Nor mine if a Golf GTI is the default option.
I'm already taking what I regard as a chance with one German car in the garage at the moment, but it's not my only car and doesn't matter if I can't use it when or if it pegs out. Her car will be the only thing she can drive, as it's the only auto, therefore it needs to stay in one piece. Plus, she likes the idea of it, and it's her money.
Edited by Heaveho on Saturday 7th July 14:32
rossub said:
Figures seem to be 6 secs for the blade to 60 and the Golf is slower than that. Once running, the Blade would be significantly quicker I reckon.
The t'internet isn't awash with info on this oddity but one YouTube clip shows 0 - 100mph in 13 seconds, even my ED 30 MK5 Golf couldn't do that.But......it's not about whooshty blasty bang bang, more luxo car equipment and a nice V6 wrapped in a small car package, throw in 30+mpg and grade A reliability and you could almost call it sensible.
cheddar said:
The t'internet isn't awash with info on this oddity but one YouTube clip shows 0 - 100mph in 13 seconds, even my ED 30 MK5 Golf couldn't do that.
But......it's not about whooshty blasty bang bang, more luxo car equipment and a nice V6 wrapped in a small car package, throw in 30+mpg and grade A reliability and you could almost call it sensible.
If that's accurate then13 seconds to 100 is properly quick. A Jaguar XFR 5.0 is just over 10 seconds. But......it's not about whooshty blasty bang bang, more luxo car equipment and a nice V6 wrapped in a small car package, throw in 30+mpg and grade A reliability and you could almost call it sensible.
In any case a 6k Golf GTi will be dog eared, is unlikely to be as well equipped as this, has 70% of the power, is at least one cylinder shy of being an interesting engine, and will be beginning to self destruct in expensive ways in the manner that modern German cars always do at 10 years old.
Oh and it'll also be boring.
The closest European equivalents I can think of would be things like the old 6 cylinder Audi A3 models, maybe a Volvo S40 T5, both in SE spec. Neither of those is going to be as powerful or have anything like the same reliability.
dme123 said:
If that's accurate then13 seconds to 100 is properly quick
I think it's accurate but the outside temperature gauge might not be https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=INlDKnqlQ-k
dme123 said:
If that's accurate then13 seconds to 100 is properly quick. A Jaguar XFR 5.0 is just over 10 seconds.
In any case a 6k Golf GTi will be dog eared, is unlikely to be as well equipped as this, has 70% of the power, is at least one cylinder shy of being an interesting engine, and will be beginning to self destruct in expensive ways in the manner that modern German cars always do at 10 years old.
Oh and it'll also be boring. .
Blimey, finally another forum member with the same views as me on over rated Kraut tat. Nice one!In any case a 6k Golf GTi will be dog eared, is unlikely to be as well equipped as this, has 70% of the power, is at least one cylinder shy of being an interesting engine, and will be beginning to self destruct in expensive ways in the manner that modern German cars always do at 10 years old.
Oh and it'll also be boring. .
13 seconds to 100 is quick, my 400 brake Evo did the ton in 9.9 at Santa Pod a few years ago, but you would expect fireworks from that. A Toyota that looks like that, but goes like that will be a riot, at least in a straight line. I doubt my Boxser S could see that off to a ton. If I can find one, and get more info, I'm in. I'll talk to Fensport next week, they've been dead helpful with other stuff I've done.
Heaveho said:
Blimey, finally another forum member with the same views as me on over rated Kraut tat. Nice one!
13 seconds to 100 is quick, my 400 brake Evo did the ton in 9.9 at Santa Pod a few years ago, but you would expect fireworks from that. A Toyota that looks like that, but goes like that will be a riot, at least in a straight line. I doubt my Boxser S could see that off to a ton. If I can find one, and get more info, I'm in. I'll talk to Fensport next week, they've been dead helpful with other stuff I've done.
You’ve another one here. I’ve no interest in anything German... mainly because I’m sick of the sight of them. 4 cars between me and her indoors - 3 JDM imports and a Swift Sport.13 seconds to 100 is quick, my 400 brake Evo did the ton in 9.9 at Santa Pod a few years ago, but you would expect fireworks from that. A Toyota that looks like that, but goes like that will be a riot, at least in a straight line. I doubt my Boxser S could see that off to a ton. If I can find one, and get more info, I'm in. I'll talk to Fensport next week, they've been dead helpful with other stuff I've done.
Really intrigued by the Blade as a future Swift replacement.
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