lexus / toyota soarers
Discussion
What are they all about? looking through the autotrader i have noticed they are relativly cheap, you can get either a 2.5 twin turbo or a stonking 4.0 v8, with tidy examples going for around 5k, but one thing is confusing me, were they ever a UK car?, if so which one, the lexus badged or toyota ?, Is it a good buy? dificulty of servicing? did they make any manuals?
any help on the matter will be much appreciated.
>>> Edited by umar b on Wednesday 16th October 18:12
any help on the matter will be much appreciated.
>>> Edited by umar b on Wednesday 16th October 18:12
.....
hello????The lexus brand does not exist in japan, hence all jap market cars will be branded as toyotas, even though the same vehicle may be sold in the usa or europe branded as a lexus.
Honda do exactly the same with their upmarket models in the usa - they use "Acura" rather than Honda (e.g. NSX).
The soarer was never imported officially to uk, so all the cars you see are imports. The car was badged Lexus for some markets and Toyota for others (see above) but i wouldn't worry if some importer chappy has slapped a lexus badge on a car, as in effect this is all the 'official' importer would have done anyway. Just don't go paying more for lexus vs toyota - buyer beware and all that.
For some models thought there ARE spec differences that justify some price anomilies - e.g the altezza/IS200 uk spec gets a few more toys than the jap spec model.
Regarding buying a used import - all the normal rules apply to these: your service history (if there is one) will be something you can't read unless you can understand japanese. It may have had a dodgy past, and have been stolen or damaged/repaired - a uk HPI checks won't show up if it was a cut and shut in tokyo. Parts may be difficult to get and some insurers may want to charge you more as a result of this.
That said, toyota are mostly reliable vehicles that are well engineered if a little dull to drive.
You could have some fun for not much cash, especially with one of the more powerful versions, but if you're worried about the above, then maybe something like a nice uk spec corrado vr6 would be a better bet? If you want a jap car maybe (uk) supra?
Don't mean to put you off but if you are having to ask those sort of questions you probably don't know what potential problems you are getting into.
Honda do exactly the same with their upmarket models in the usa - they use "Acura" rather than Honda (e.g. NSX).
The soarer was never imported officially to uk, so all the cars you see are imports. The car was badged Lexus for some markets and Toyota for others (see above) but i wouldn't worry if some importer chappy has slapped a lexus badge on a car, as in effect this is all the 'official' importer would have done anyway. Just don't go paying more for lexus vs toyota - buyer beware and all that.
For some models thought there ARE spec differences that justify some price anomilies - e.g the altezza/IS200 uk spec gets a few more toys than the jap spec model.
Regarding buying a used import - all the normal rules apply to these: your service history (if there is one) will be something you can't read unless you can understand japanese. It may have had a dodgy past, and have been stolen or damaged/repaired - a uk HPI checks won't show up if it was a cut and shut in tokyo. Parts may be difficult to get and some insurers may want to charge you more as a result of this.
That said, toyota are mostly reliable vehicles that are well engineered if a little dull to drive.
You could have some fun for not much cash, especially with one of the more powerful versions, but if you're worried about the above, then maybe something like a nice uk spec corrado vr6 would be a better bet? If you want a jap car maybe (uk) supra?
Don't mean to put you off but if you are having to ask those sort of questions you probably don't know what potential problems you are getting into.
Funny old game, this Lexus/Toyota thing.
Yes, the Totota's generally have that certain Japanese combination of slight tack combined with Germanic build quality and thus offer fine value for one's wonga.
However, even what is officially badged as Lexus isn't always that hot. The cars may be solid and generally credible, in a sort of commendable but sub-Audi/BMW/Merc way. I had a one of those RX300 'Harrier' jobs for a short period and it was briliantly put together and altogether, actually surprisingly impressive. Cheap as chips (cringe) to look at inside though. But then so's a Skyline...
Only the LS400/430 (and yes I'm totally biased) appears to have upheld the stated core values of whatever it is Lexus reckons it's trying to achieve.
But, the Soarer does have a Lexus engine so is smoother than butter treated with baby lotion. And it's quick too and has more toys than Hamley's.
For £3.50, why on earth not?
Yes, the Totota's generally have that certain Japanese combination of slight tack combined with Germanic build quality and thus offer fine value for one's wonga.
However, even what is officially badged as Lexus isn't always that hot. The cars may be solid and generally credible, in a sort of commendable but sub-Audi/BMW/Merc way. I had a one of those RX300 'Harrier' jobs for a short period and it was briliantly put together and altogether, actually surprisingly impressive. Cheap as chips (cringe) to look at inside though. But then so's a Skyline...
Only the LS400/430 (and yes I'm totally biased) appears to have upheld the stated core values of whatever it is Lexus reckons it's trying to achieve.
But, the Soarer does have a Lexus engine so is smoother than butter treated with baby lotion. And it's quick too and has more toys than Hamley's.
For £3.50, why on earth not?
Exaclty, Rob; rumour is that the next LS will feature a 5.0 litre lump. If they can speak to Ralliart about chassis design and Brabus about elongating the fallic measurements on the machismo charts I may well stick with them.
And since I currently pickle myself in the brine of the mobile vat that is the underwhelmingly styled LS430, they can get it designed by Polonez for all I care (well, maybe not quite that); I do think Mercedes lost it with the sleeker style. Same with Bentley's Arnage. These brands are all about big, imposing, stateliness; not appeasing the eco-weenies. Barges have there place, IMHO.
Anyone remember the Toyota Crown 2.8i of the early 80s? Great car of it's time with the best fridge ever to grace a human habitat - significantly colder than Electrolux's 'Fridgidaire' series of the day; here was a car massively ahead of the contemporary Granada 2.8i Ghia X (auto) or even the SD1 Rovers of the day (although I always loved my mate's dad's 3.5 VDP - joy!) And on the subject of creamy power delivery, anyone care for the Vauxhall Royale (aka the Opel Monza abroad)? The best crushed velour I ever did wallow in. Magnificent stuff. Proper cars in a time before dodgy beards meant unchecked political prowess.
And since I currently pickle myself in the brine of the mobile vat that is the underwhelmingly styled LS430, they can get it designed by Polonez for all I care (well, maybe not quite that); I do think Mercedes lost it with the sleeker style. Same with Bentley's Arnage. These brands are all about big, imposing, stateliness; not appeasing the eco-weenies. Barges have there place, IMHO.
Anyone remember the Toyota Crown 2.8i of the early 80s? Great car of it's time with the best fridge ever to grace a human habitat - significantly colder than Electrolux's 'Fridgidaire' series of the day; here was a car massively ahead of the contemporary Granada 2.8i Ghia X (auto) or even the SD1 Rovers of the day (although I always loved my mate's dad's 3.5 VDP - joy!) And on the subject of creamy power delivery, anyone care for the Vauxhall Royale (aka the Opel Monza abroad)? The best crushed velour I ever did wallow in. Magnificent stuff. Proper cars in a time before dodgy beards meant unchecked political prowess.
Don't mean to put you off but if you are having to ask those sort of questions you probably don't know what potential problems you are getting into.
Dont worry mate you haven't put me off! i wasn't really considering one as the insurence for one of those cars are VERY ecpensive fir a 22 year old, it does seem like a good car with a powerfull engine and worth considering after doing a LOT of reserch.
thanks for the replys lads !!
The 2.5TT is the one to buy if you're a speed freak, it's an absolutely stunning engine with loads of tuning potential. V8 models are comfy sports tourers. Loads of toys, well built, I really want one!
Check out www.lexusclub.co.uk for loads more info, buying guides, etc.
Check out www.lexusclub.co.uk for loads more info, buying guides, etc.
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