Japanese market only 'WESLEY'
Discussion
'WESLEY'
After 30 years of marriage I'd thought I'd seen it all from the wife - however occasionally she does surprise me
Today after a long search for a machine to replace her beloved Beetle, [which she'd had for 10 years] I saw this parked outside the house when I arrived home from work:-
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Initially I'd thought one of the neighbours had parked it outside our house, during dinner, she mentioned buying a car today. Of course it took me awhile to realise exactly what car it was. I'd never seen or heard of one and after a quick look, I still didn't realise the significance of the car, to me it looked like a standard small [very boring] hatch though I loved the 1970's color!!
We went for a long drive [with her driving] even then I didn't catch on - sure the interior is waaay better than any other hatch I'd ever been in, the car is totally silent inside, the ICE is awesome, only when she stopped and we swopped over and I drove 'Wesley' home did the penny drop [just like my jaw]. Although I hate driving modern FWD cars I have to admit this simply ain't a normal FWD hatch.
The colour, the sheer blandness and quietness of the car in no way draws attention or shouts at you, even the 3" diameter exhaust [no crappy large diameter tailpipes here] is hidden from view - IMO this is much better than any other 'supposedly hot hatch' hatch with all the stupid spoilers, naff noisy exhaust's, etc etc.
'Wesley's' a true Wolf in Sheeps clothing - not at all what I would have expected from a small Hatch
Well for any of you Jap car nerds by now you'll be grinning methinks
For anyone else interested here's the spec:-
It's Fiesta size with aToyota 2grfe - 3.5V6 - 280BHP engine - 6AT trans with paddleshift - more toys than I've ever seen in a car & not a scoop or Poxy spoiler in sight - Only 5 in UK according to wife - unless of course you know different? Please do tell
So what I need from you lot please -
Does anyone know where to get an English language Handbook or Manual for it?
What Tyre pressures are normal - should we use?
Any UK Clubs for this and other Rare Jap only cars.
Any other Tips & Info' etc on ownership, in fact any Info on the car at all There's very little online, or maybe, I wasn't looking in the right place?
Anyone else on here own one??? & want to go for a serious drive - we live in Mid Wales so plenty of awesome roads locally to us
let me know
Rene
PS - by now You may have worked out the wife has named it - WESLEY [after the movie -'BLADE' featuring 'WESLEY' Snipes]
After 30 years of marriage I'd thought I'd seen it all from the wife - however occasionally she does surprise me
Today after a long search for a machine to replace her beloved Beetle, [which she'd had for 10 years] I saw this parked outside the house when I arrived home from work:-
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>
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Initially I'd thought one of the neighbours had parked it outside our house, during dinner, she mentioned buying a car today. Of course it took me awhile to realise exactly what car it was. I'd never seen or heard of one and after a quick look, I still didn't realise the significance of the car, to me it looked like a standard small [very boring] hatch though I loved the 1970's color!!
We went for a long drive [with her driving] even then I didn't catch on - sure the interior is waaay better than any other hatch I'd ever been in, the car is totally silent inside, the ICE is awesome, only when she stopped and we swopped over and I drove 'Wesley' home did the penny drop [just like my jaw]. Although I hate driving modern FWD cars I have to admit this simply ain't a normal FWD hatch.
The colour, the sheer blandness and quietness of the car in no way draws attention or shouts at you, even the 3" diameter exhaust [no crappy large diameter tailpipes here] is hidden from view - IMO this is much better than any other 'supposedly hot hatch' hatch with all the stupid spoilers, naff noisy exhaust's, etc etc.
'Wesley's' a true Wolf in Sheeps clothing - not at all what I would have expected from a small Hatch
Well for any of you Jap car nerds by now you'll be grinning methinks
For anyone else interested here's the spec:-
It's Fiesta size with aToyota 2grfe - 3.5V6 - 280BHP engine - 6AT trans with paddleshift - more toys than I've ever seen in a car & not a scoop or Poxy spoiler in sight - Only 5 in UK according to wife - unless of course you know different? Please do tell
So what I need from you lot please
- Does anyone know where to get an English language Handbook or Manual for it?
What Tyre pressures are normal - should we use?
Any UK Clubs for this and other Rare Jap only cars.
Any other Tips & Info' etc on ownership, in fact any Info on the car at all
There's very little online, or maybe, I wasn't looking in the right place?Anyone else on here own one??? & want to go for a serious drive - we live in Mid Wales so plenty of awesome roads locally to us
let me know
Rene
PS - by now You may have worked out the wife has named it - WESLEY [after the movie -'BLADE' featuring 'WESLEY' Snipes]
TommoAE86
Thanks for ur reply - Toyota crown HUH ! - that must rare too - my dad owned one in 1960's sadly it rusted away in a few years if i remember, nice car though for - kind of a light green colour
I'm not on FB so can you post any details of jap meets on this thread THX
I checked the door opening yep there;'s stickers there and yep the tyre pressures are given in BAR and some other pressure[not PSI though] but thats OK Bar works for - Thanks for that tip.
For sure the wife is gonna love this car its simply so understated
Thanks for all the suggestions
RENE
Thanks for ur reply - Toyota crown HUH ! - that must rare too - my dad owned one in 1960's sadly it rusted away in a few years if i remember, nice car though for - kind of a light green colour
I'm not on FB so can you post any details of jap meets on this thread THX
I checked the door opening yep there;'s stickers there and yep the tyre pressures are given in BAR and some other pressure[not PSI though] but thats OK Bar works for - Thanks for that tip.
For sure the wife is gonna love this car its simply so understated
Thanks for all the suggestions
RENE
TommoAE86
Thanks for the link - yours looks great, but the Crown my dad owned was several generations older than yours
Maybe see you at one of the shows next year - we'll be be one with the absolutely standard Blademaster G in Brown photochromic pearl.
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Cheddar
Many thanks for your great post, My wife has always been a petrolhead, B4 the beetle she drove a new Caterham - which I built from the KIt, for 6 years, & a new Morgan for 3 years [horrible compared to Caterham IMO] - so having been happy with the beetle for past 10 years [OOI I hated it - biggest piece of crap ever, so many electrical faults and awful smug unhelpful dealers/owners]. B4 all these cars she had a Corolla which she loved until it rusted away and failed it's MOT, so Its no surprise to me she bought another Toyota, 'Wesley'. NOW - how she found out about Wesley I haven't yet discovered, what I will say about Wesley is that having done only 40K miles he looks brand new from underneath when I put him on a ramp, All the bolts underneath still have the gold colored and/or zinc plated finish, If I had to say I don't reckon he's ever been driven in the wet!!!!
VVTI oil line sounds like something I need to look at ASAP - any chance of a photo of it's location? and hopefully I can buy a Workshop manual to sort out cam chain tensioner, tho' at the mo' its silent
The car came with a huge file of paperwork which is in Japanese - be good to find out exactly what this is? One thing I've noticed when I lock the car with either of the plipper's the passengers door doesn't lock - However If I lock the car from passenger side then it's the drivers door doesn't lock?? - Any Ideas why this is happening? when she bought the car The dealer showed her how to open the door without using the plipper - by pressing a small button on the door handle, both drivers & passengers door have this button, but to me it seems pointless [use the plippers] - a Handbook may explain this properly, at the mo I'm scratching my head on this one??
Now we are older - Like me the Wife hates Noisy, Shouty cars - prefering to go unnoticed - 'Wesley' does this, and like my Legacy, Lotus 7 and LS1 Camaro would easily blow them Noisy Shouty cars away in total silence which is what it's all about
Where about's are you? We're in Mid Wales, be good to meet up sometime
Once again thanks to everyone for all the info'
Rene
Thanks for the link - yours looks great, but the Crown my dad owned was several generations older than yours
Maybe see you at one of the shows next year - we'll be be one with the absolutely standard Blademaster G in Brown photochromic pearl.
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Cheddar
Many thanks for your great post, My wife has always been a petrolhead, B4 the beetle she drove a new Caterham - which I built from the KIt, for 6 years, & a new Morgan for 3 years [horrible compared to Caterham IMO] - so having been happy with the beetle for past 10 years [OOI I hated it - biggest piece of crap ever, so many electrical faults and awful smug unhelpful dealers/owners]. B4 all these cars she had a Corolla which she loved until it rusted away and failed it's MOT, so Its no surprise to me she bought another Toyota, 'Wesley'. NOW - how she found out about Wesley I haven't yet discovered, what I will say about Wesley is that having done only 40K miles he looks brand new from underneath when I put him on a ramp, All the bolts underneath still have the gold colored and/or zinc plated finish, If I had to say I don't reckon he's ever been driven in the wet!!!!
VVTI oil line sounds like something I need to look at ASAP - any chance of a photo of it's location? and hopefully I can buy a Workshop manual to sort out cam chain tensioner, tho' at the mo' its silent
The car came with a huge file of paperwork which is in Japanese - be good to find out exactly what this is? One thing I've noticed when I lock the car with either of the plipper's the passengers door doesn't lock - However If I lock the car from passenger side then it's the drivers door doesn't lock?? - Any Ideas why this is happening? when she bought the car The dealer showed her how to open the door without using the plipper - by pressing a small button on the door handle, both drivers & passengers door have this button, but to me it seems pointless [use the plippers] - a Handbook may explain this properly, at the mo I'm scratching my head on this one??
Now we are older - Like me the Wife hates Noisy, Shouty cars - prefering to go unnoticed - 'Wesley' does this, and like my Legacy, Lotus 7 and LS1 Camaro would easily blow them Noisy Shouty cars away in total silence which is what it's all about
Where about's are you? We're in Mid Wales, be good to meet up sometime
Once again thanks to everyone for all the info'
Rene
Edited by rene7 on Thursday 3rd December 11:16
TommoAE86
Yep that's it exactly the paint does weird things to your eyes if you stare at it, my camera hates exposure is all over the place
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Cheddar
Thanks for the VVTi pipe tip I'll check it out tomorrow.
Wife's is a Blade master G in Brown exactly like the photo put up by 'TommoAE86' - yes it has proximity keys and push button start, radar cruise etc etc.
The door problem maybe to do with the door handle buttons, the wife said pushing the door button with your hand behind the handle opens only that door, but that doesn;t explain why one side doesn't lock - I'm stumped so far on this. But has has been mentioned its a lot of car for the money, the wife's is like new So I'm well pleased she picked a good 'un - after all I gotta do all the sevicing etc on it so its a great position to start from, time will tell though
Any ideas where to buy a spare wheel, or a set, the car has an unused spacesaver which will end up in the bin when I get an essential fullsize wheel to replace it?
THX
Rene
Yep that's it exactly the paint does weird things to your eyes if you stare at it, my camera hates exposure is all over the place
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Cheddar
Thanks for the VVTi pipe tip I'll check it out tomorrow.
Wife's is a Blade master G in Brown exactly like the photo put up by 'TommoAE86' - yes it has proximity keys and push button start, radar cruise etc etc.
The door problem maybe to do with the door handle buttons, the wife said pushing the door button with your hand behind the handle opens only that door, but that doesn;t explain why one side doesn't lock - I'm stumped so far on this. But has has been mentioned its a lot of car for the money, the wife's is like new
So I'm well pleased she picked a good 'un - after all I gotta do all the sevicing etc on it so its a great position to start from, time will tell thoughAny ideas where to buy a spare wheel, or a set, the car has an unused spacesaver which will end up in the bin when I get an essential fullsize wheel to replace it?
THX
Rene
Edited by rene7 on Thursday 3rd December 21:58
Cheddar
Thanks for that!!!!!! - looks like an interesting job - did you do it on Your car or did you get a garage to do it? - if so how much £ did it cost?
In the Camry video the guy removed Power steeeing pump / Anti roll bar / Disc & caliper / & the drive shaft - thats not gonna be an hour job!!
FYI - Building a new Caterham is simple, the wife did most of hers [I just checked it ]
I haven't checked yet but does the blade have a removable inner wheel cover like the Camry shown in the vid? I watched another Youtube vid where the pipe was changed on a rav4 4x4 where the guy did the whole thing from underneath without removing any major items, though it still looked awkward.
At the mo we're having snow so I 'll buy the parts next week and leave it till weather improves! - no that's not a cop out honest
Once again thanks for your help
Rene
PS
Anybody else reading this swopped this pipe an a Blademaster ?
Thanks for that!!!!!! - looks like an interesting job - did you do it on Your car or did you get a garage to do it? - if so how much £ did it cost?
In the Camry video the guy removed Power steeeing pump / Anti roll bar / Disc & caliper / & the drive shaft - thats not gonna be an hour job!!
FYI - Building a new Caterham is simple, the wife did most of hers [I just checked it ]
I haven't checked yet but does the blade have a removable inner wheel cover like the Camry shown in the vid? I watched another Youtube vid where the pipe was changed on a rav4 4x4 where the guy did the whole thing from underneath without removing any major items, though it still looked awkward.
At the mo we're having snow
so I 'll buy the parts next week and leave it till weather improves! - no that's not a cop out honest Once again thanks for your help
Rene
PS
Anybody else reading this swopped this pipe an a Blademaster ?
Cheddar
Thanks for letting me know that yours has that yellpw stripe pipe fitted too, that's a relief, at least I know where I'm at now with this - I have a mate who owns a small garage, when I see him I'll mention the pipe and get him to do it when he's quiet - he has a ramp which makes this job easier, he does good reliable work for a fair rate. It's the wifes car so she can pay for it I'm not as agile as I was, and this looks like a bit of a barsteward of a job, I'll get a new all steel pipe and gaskets etc, ready for him to do it - then pipe hopefully sorted. Where about's in UK are you?
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Monkey business
UK tax is £270/year for the car as mentioned all imports cost this to tax I believe
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Thanks for letting me know that yours has that yellpw stripe pipe fitted too, that's a relief, at least I know where I'm at now with this - I have a mate who owns a small garage, when I see him I'll mention the pipe and get him to do it when he's quiet - he has a ramp which makes this job easier, he does good reliable work for a fair rate. It's the wifes car so she can pay for it
I'm not as agile as I was, and this looks like a bit of a barsteward of a job, I'll get a new all steel pipe and gaskets etc, ready for him to do it - then pipe hopefully sorted. Where about's in UK are you?>
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Monkey business
UK tax is £270/year for the car as mentioned all imports cost this to tax I believe
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Cheddar
'New Zealand' Oh Well, somewhere I've never been, always wanted to ski on south island though, distance, different seasons and work mean't I never made it. My boss moved to Queenstown when he retired, always envied him but never joined him there despite all the good things he said about the place!
With a 'Handle' like Cheddar I thought you may have been more local to me
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Thanks for all your help on this thread
Rene
'New Zealand' Oh Well, somewhere I've never been, always wanted to ski on south island though, distance, different seasons and work mean't I never made it. My boss moved to Queenstown when he retired, always envied him but never joined him there despite all the good things he said about the place!
With a 'Handle' like Cheddar I thought you may have been more local to me
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Thanks for all your help on this thread
Rene
Tommo AE86
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Nope she showed me the site she used - there's plenty of other Toyota's there - But no Crown - did it [your car] have another name in Japan?
It's as if the crown doesn't exist?? - or maybe it's an old git's car that always gets garage serviced - [ONLY joking}
I also downloaded a 1000 page PDF manual for the 2GR-FE engine FOC I can post the link if interested
Rene
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Nope she showed me the site she used - there's plenty of other Toyota's there - But no Crown - did it [your car] have another name in Japan?
It's as if the crown doesn't exist?? - or maybe it's an old git's car that always gets garage serviced
- [ONLY joking} I also downloaded a 1000 page PDF manual for the 2GR-FE engine FOC
I can post the link if interestedRene
Hey Guys - Well it's been a long cold/wet Covid winter and Wesleys not done a lot, now with the Sun starting to appear he's had a few local runs out, most things are fine - one irritation is that we are unable to re-set the clock to the correct time [and date] - I've done what it says in handbook but this has no effect whatsoever other than re-setting the clock to 00.00?? - Any Ideas how to set the Clock to actual time?? If not I'll have to wait till 00.00 on the day when I set it
No Ideas how to get the date to change either - it resets to the factory default date, but there's no way to change this date - any suggestions??
Here's the Incorrect Handbook instructions
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TA Rene
No Ideas how to get the date to change either - it resets to the factory default date, but there's no way to change this date - any suggestions??
Here's the Incorrect Handbook instructions
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TA Rene
xmyph
Thanks for the link - That's exactly how I'd expect to reset the clock - But on our car the 'disp' button does'nt allow me to alter anything? - all the 'disp' does is go through the clock/date menu's, I'm guessing another button must enable the alter the time function etc. however I've tried all other buttons and presssing the 'disp' button in various ways but none have any effect? I'm baffled??
Rene
Thanks for the link - That's exactly how I'd expect to reset the clock - But on our car the 'disp' button does'nt allow me to alter anything? - all the 'disp' does is go through the clock/date menu's, I'm guessing another button must enable the alter the time function etc. however I've tried all other buttons and presssing the 'disp' button in various ways but none have any effect? I'm baffled??
Rene
Hi Guys
Well Wesley has proven amazing, the wife loves him, and I'm staggered at the comical performance of this bland/unassuming hatch. One problem I do have is dust sticking on the special paint - eg. any rain or water splashes etc. when they dry the dust particles [which were in the water?] show up on the dark brown paintwork?? Can anybody recommend me an 'anti stick' polish/coating which the dust wouldn't stick too like s
t to shovel?
Otherwise Wesley's all good, If you were thinking of getting your own Wesley - just DO IT what effin' bargin'!!
Here's a holiday snap, still haven't worked out how to capture the full light spectrum effect of the paintwork, my camera simply can't capture the full spectrum - in this pic the vivid bright red doesn't get captured, though the bright gold + dark brown part of the spectrum does, any ideas how to get the full color spectrum captured?
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Sadly I'm gonna miss JDM Combe this year - any other JDM shows worth attending this year?
Hope to catch up with some you at a show sometime.
TA
Rene
Well Wesley has proven amazing, the wife loves him, and I'm staggered at the comical performance of this bland/unassuming hatch. One problem I do have is dust sticking on the special paint - eg. any rain or water splashes etc. when they dry the dust particles [which were in the water?] show up on the dark brown paintwork?? Can anybody recommend me an 'anti stick' polish/coating which the dust wouldn't stick too like s
t to shovel? Otherwise Wesley's all good, If you were thinking of getting your own Wesley - just DO IT what effin' bargin'!!
Here's a holiday snap, still haven't worked out how to capture the full light spectrum effect of the paintwork, my camera simply can't capture the full spectrum - in this pic the vivid bright red doesn't get captured, though the bright gold + dark brown part of the spectrum does, any ideas how to get the full color spectrum captured?
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Sadly I'm gonna miss JDM Combe this year - any other JDM shows worth attending this year?
Hope to catch up with some you at a show sometime.
TA
Rene
Hey guys do any of you have any contacts in Japan - I really need to buy a OEM paint touch up stick or [whatever they are called in Japan] Toyota UK can't supply my color [4T7] because it was never a UK color option, I've tried ebay and bought 2 different sticks off there but the non OEM color is a very poor match.
Any one able to help
TA
Rene
PS
Wesley's awesome - still yet to see another on UK roads
Any one able to help
TA
Rene
PS
Wesley's awesome - still yet to see another on UK roads
xmyph
I agree with you on the standard wheels etc. I've been trying to buy a 2nd set of OEM wheels here in UK, but Covid has made this very difficult.
17" have a great selection of tyre brand, and IMO the car looks better being absolutely Bog standard, for sure it's not the best around the bends, but for the wife as a shopping trolley, it's ideal, whenever I drive it - cornering can be lairy, but I also own a lotus and a 350 Chevy camaro, I'd put wesley about the same as camaro, though the FWD, requires a totally different driving style to the RWD cars to proceed quickly, I doubt few drivers will exceed Wesleys limit on the road, because it starts complaining a long time B4 it gets really dangerous, the straight line acceleration is staggering especially from motorway speeds 70-80mph, though not quite as severe as the chevy.
Do you know the weight difference between the 3.5 and 2.4 cars? Unless its more than 150Kgs, the difference in handling would be small IMO, FWD ain't the best around bends, especially given the weight of today's FWD cars, best FWD car I've driven was a1966 Mini cooper 's', which only weighs ~670Kgs or less than half what Wesley does!! My Lotus at ~590 Kgs will pee all over anything FWD. But Wesley's NOT a hot hatch so being nice and bland suits him, the wife bought a corker and we're both very pleased with Wesley
I agree with you on the standard wheels etc. I've been trying to buy a 2nd set of OEM wheels here in UK, but Covid has made this very difficult.
17" have a great selection of tyre brand, and IMO the car looks better being absolutely Bog standard, for sure it's not the best around the bends, but for the wife as a shopping trolley, it's ideal, whenever I drive it - cornering can be lairy, but I also own a lotus and a 350 Chevy camaro, I'd put wesley about the same as camaro, though the FWD, requires a totally different driving style to the RWD cars to proceed quickly, I doubt few drivers will exceed Wesleys limit on the road, because it starts complaining a long time B4 it gets really dangerous, the straight line acceleration is staggering especially from motorway speeds 70-80mph, though not quite as severe as the chevy.
Do you know the weight difference between the 3.5 and 2.4 cars? Unless its more than 150Kgs, the difference in handling would be small IMO, FWD ain't the best around bends, especially given the weight of today's FWD cars, best FWD car I've driven was a1966 Mini cooper 's', which only weighs ~670Kgs or less than half what Wesley does!! My Lotus at ~590 Kgs will pee all over anything FWD. But Wesley's NOT a hot hatch so being nice and bland suits him, the wife bought a corker and we're both very pleased with Wesley
Well she's owned it for over a year - apart from a failed alternator - no major problems, recently changed the oil & filters, here's a how to and the part numbers for these filters, it needed over 6 litres of 5/30 synthetic oil which surprised me, even my 350 camaro only needs 5 litres to fill the sump! The oil filter change was simplicity itself, just make sure you have the correct filter removal gadget [see pic] before you start
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We're hoping to make it to JDM Coombe this year, does anyone know whether taking a car there gives you and passenger Free admission? I've attended Kit car shows at castle coombe in years gone by where the driver & passenger gets in free
Does anyone know of any other JDM shows in S West, Midlands or Scotland this year?
We still ain't seen another Blade on UK roads - though the car was recognised by a enthusiastic Kia H/B driver [Hi Phil] who we spoke to about the car at length in a Tenby car park!!
Rene
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We're hoping to make it to JDM Coombe this year, does anyone know whether taking a car there gives you and passenger Free admission? I've attended Kit car shows at castle coombe in years gone by where the driver & passenger gets in free
Does anyone know of any other JDM shows in S West, Midlands or Scotland this year?
We still ain't seen another Blade on UK roads - though the car was recognised by a enthusiastic Kia H/B driver [Hi Phil] who we spoke to about the car at length in a Tenby car park!!
Rene
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