One of the most popular Japanese imports in Australia is the Toyota Soarer.
The big Toyota’s broad appeal is one of the main reasons for its popularity. The
Soarer is part personal coupe, part luxury prestige, part weirdo pimp cruiser
and, depending on engine choice, part performance car. It attracts a very wide
range of buyers.
When Soarers first appeared in Australia during the mid ‘90s, they
typically sold for over AUD$100,000. And now? Well, you can pick one up for the
same price as a late-model used bread-and-butter Holden Commodore – around 20 grand.
One of Australia’s most experienced Soarer dealers –
Melbourne’s Sports and Luxury Cars – currently sells twin-turbo Soarers from
around AUD$15,000, V8s from AUD$17,000 and later models (from 1994) start in the
low 20s. The leather-trimmed 1994 V8 seen here has a genuine 73,000 kilometres
and is marked at just AUD$23,990.
About now you may recall that you’ve seen Soarers advertised for about 10
grand. And you’re right – you can find them ultra cheaply, but Craig Dean from
Sports and Luxury Cars is only too happy to explain the difference between a
good ‘un and a bad ‘un...
“The first thing to look for on a Soarer is a RAWS plate - a purple colour
tag in the engine bay,” says Craig.
“If the car has a RAWS plate it should be essentially okay - all of the cars
that are ADR’d under the RAWS scheme meet a very high standard. But if the car
has a green compliance plate which was issued under the old scheme, there’s a
chance that the car has been damaged or involved in an accident.”
Craig says many early Soarers (1991 – 1992) were fitted with
a replacement digital instrument cluster following a recall in Japan. These new
clusters (showing zero kilometres at the time of installation) make it apear a vehicle has travelled a shorter distance than it really has. Craig suggests
that you judge kilometres on the overall condition of the car - not the odometer reading.
Soarers should feel tight and have no rattles. Check the vehicle tracks in a straight line, inspect the inner wishbone
bushes for wear (which can be an issue on high kilometre examples) and watch for
power steering pump leaks. Models equipped with airbag suspension can also have
problems. The airbags perish with age and can tear apart when the car is lifted
on a hoist or jack. New replacements are around AUD$880 per corner...
Craig
says the Soarer twin turbo engines are generally bullet-proof if well maintained
– but we have seen turbocharger problems with boosted and neglected examples.
The V8 engine is very reliable but can develop a noisy valvetrain and puff smoke
on start-up when not driven frequently – Craig suggests letting the car warm up
and taking it for a lengthy highway run before buying. Transmissions are strong and reliable
at standard power levels.
“If you have a choice, I think it’s best to buy one of the later model
Soarers from 1994,” says Craig.
“The later models have a lot of small upgrades, the airbag suspension has
better valving [where fitted] and they are less prone to instrument cluster
problems. And, being newer, they are generally in better condition and have less
kilometres.”
So now you know what to watch out for when buying a Soarer -
let’s outline of the range of models, engines and options...
All Soarers come equipped with power windows, cruise
control and an electric tilt-away steering column to improve driver’s seat
access. Other features include a CD stacker, sub woofer, a full-function centre
display (with calendar, television, navigation and reversing camera) and
auto-slide front seats. These items are fitted as standard on high-end V8 models
but are optional on other models. Twin airbags were also fitted in 1997 models.
No matter what type of cars you’re used to, it only takes a few minutes
onboard the Soarer to appreciate its luxury and quality. There’s a tasteful
amount of woodgrain trim, high quality coverings (leather on some models) and
thick-pile carpet. No expense is spared.
Unfortunately, Toyota didn’t bother attempting to make the Soarer roomy. This
is a big car but you’ll find it is possible to slide back the front seat so that
it almost touches the rear seat cushion... Rear seat accommodation is, in a word,
terrible. The boot is also quite limited in terms of volume and access - there’s
enough space for a couple of large soft bags but that’s about it.
The biggest differences across the Soarer range are the engines – you can get a
base-spec NA 3 litre, go-fast 2.5 litre turbo or a 4 litre V8.
The 4 litre V8 (coded 1UZ-FE) boasts DOHC,
4-valve-per-cylinder heads and a 10.0:1 compression ratio to ease out 191kW at
5400 rpm and 353Nm at 4600 rpm. The 1UZ-FE isn’t the sort of V8 that oozes grunt
at low revs – it’s a free-spinner that performs best through the mid-range. Oh,
and note that the V8 comes only with an automatic transmission.
The
high-performance turbocharged version uses a 2.5 litre straight six (coded
1JZ-GTE). Early models are fitted with parallel twin turbochargers which give
206kW at 6200 rpm and 363Nm at 4800 rpm. Unfortunately, the TT engine is quite
doughy at the bottom end of the rev range - the transmission’s torque converter
needs to flare to get the engine revving (a trait that becomes tiresome,
especially when a loud aftermarket exhaust is fitted). A 5-speed manual gearbox
was fitted to a small number of examples.
Interestingly, the twin turbo
set-up was dropped from 1997 in favour of a large, single turbocharger teamed
with VVT-i. This combo provides a dramatically improved on-road feel – peak
torque (now 378Nm) is accessible at just 2400 rpm!
The
base-spec 3 litre straight six (2JZ-GE) is no stormer but is more than capable.
With 160kW and a strong torque curve, the auto-only 3 litre Soarer is smooth,
refined and responsive. Just don’t buy it if you want to go fast.
Soarers also vary in suspension type.
Low grade models are fitted with conventional springs and
dampers, while other models are fitted with TEMS (Toyota Electronic Modulated
Suspension), airbags or hydraulic active suspension (on the top-line V8 only).
To be honest, none of the suspension set-ups feel dramatically different from
each other – all provide a compliant ride with good control. Some models are
fitted with traction control (which offers smooth and effective operation) and
the top-line V8 comes with four-wheel-steer.
Visually, it’s almost impossible to pick one model Soarer from
another – you need to look under the bonnet and inside the cabin to determine
specs. Some examples are equipped with a front lip and rear spoiler while later
models are identified by their revised grille and taillights.
Whichever version you chose, the Toyota Soarer represents an
incredible amount of vehicle for the money. If you’re prepared to put up with
its lack of rear passenger space and limited boot volume, there’s nothing else
that’s in the same league.
For articles relating to each model in the Soarer range see:
Pre-Owned Performance - Lexus SC400/Soarer V8,
Toyota Soarer Twin-Turbo,
The Highest Soarer,
Sumptuous Soarer
Soarer 3-litre
Contact:
Sports and Luxury Cars
+61 3
9753 5799
www.sportsluxurycars.com.au
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