JDM Import - Dad Edition

"Kanaric" (Kanaric1) 10/22/2015 at 19:48 • Filed to: None

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So having a Skyline here in the US not only converted my dad to Imports but now he wants to import something JDM. A Toyota Soarer is pretty much JDM Dad Edition as it sits. It has what he wants, something not sold in the US and capable of being a fast car.

All the really known/cool vehicles have skyrocketed in price it seems. Pulsar GTIR used to be $2000 now i’ve seen them sold for $7k. Same for Skyline GTS-T, 180SX and Silvias and things like that. He wants something inexpensive and these are one of the hold outs on that front.

Anyone know anything about these cars here ? Things I should know? They seem like they pretty much are MK3 Supras just with a different design. Do suspension parts and things from a Supra fit these? Any opinions on the 1GGTE vs 7MGTE? My dad is VERY good working on cars so doing a head gasket on a 7M is something he is willing to do.

Aside this any other Dad cars to consider? Mazda Cosmo is on the list already.

Thanks for the help OPPO if you have anything to offer. Otherwise here is some more Soarer pics:

I want to find him one that looks like this

Sam > Kanaric 10/22/2015 at 19:54

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These aren’t really Dad cars, but I’ve convinced my dad to import a Toyota Sera as soon as he gets the opportunity. He’s debating whether or not to wait a year for the Nissan Figaro to become eligible, though.

Sera

Figaro

StudyStudyStudy > Kanaric 10/22/2015 at 20:00

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Haven’t heard much of the 1ggte other then the fact that is is lower displacement and quite a bit slower.

I have a 7mgte in my Datsun and it pulls it plenty, I can hop into a parts store and order water pumps, thermostats, gaskets, belts and have it in stock or in a couple hours, I imagine with a 1ggte if the parts weren’t used over here it may be more of a wait.

I would be inclined to say if you can find a 7mgte with the head gasket and studs done already you would be quite ahead of the game, or just plan on swapping in a 2jz-gte and don’t worry about head gaskets.

R31’s are still relatively cheap, and you can have all sorts of fun playing around with the L series engines or upgrade to the RB engines.

Kanaric > StudyStudyStudy 10/22/2015 at 20:03

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“I have a 7mgte in my Datsun and it pulls it plenty, I can hop into a parts store and order water pumps, thermostats, gaskets, belts and have it in stock or in a couple hours”

That’s how he does things so he would love that lol.

“R31’s are still relatively cheap”

Forgot about these. I will look for them as well.

Kanaric > Sam 10/22/2015 at 20:04

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Those are cool. My dad used to have a MG but after that he swore off smaller cars. He like’s bigger coupes. I showed him the Sera before and he liked it, they pretty much have universal appeal lol.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Kanaric 10/22/2015 at 20:04

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Toyota Celica All-Trac. They’re pretty rare in Japan, but if you can find a GT-4 model with all the buttons clicked, those are pretty awesome. Parts for 3SGTEs are pretty plentiful.

itschrome > Kanaric 10/22/2015 at 20:06

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wants something cheap, Also wants a cosmo. Don’t think those are equal things.

wasn’t there some one on here with a Soarer? what ever happen with that/them? I love the look of them and would rock the crap out of one my self. Sweet ride, I hope he gets one.

Kanaric > StudyStudyStudy 10/22/2015 at 20:06

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It seems Soarers are way more common than desirable (turbo) R31s but i’ll for sure keep them on the list.

Nauraushaun > Sam 10/22/2015 at 20:14

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You’ve made the right choice

Nauraushaun > Kanaric 10/22/2015 at 20:14

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Have you considered the Aerocabin?

StudyStudyStudy > Kanaric 10/22/2015 at 20:16

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Keep in mind, if it is just for enjoyment, no reason you have to get the turbo. You can fit an L-series engine in the R31 pretty easily and cruise around with triple side draft carbs and a killer engine sound track!

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Kanaric 10/22/2015 at 20:43

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JZX100 Chasers are pretty much a 4-door Supra.

Kanaric > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 10/22/2015 at 20:50

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Can’t import those though.

Kanaric > StudyStudyStudy 10/22/2015 at 20:50

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I’ll have to ask him if he cares about that. I think he wants a turbocharged car though.

Kanaric > Nauraushaun 10/22/2015 at 20:50

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I know what those are if I can find one i’ll consider it but I see none in auction right now.

Kanaric > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 10/22/2015 at 20:51

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Ya I saw the prices on them and they were really low. I mentioned it to him and he would have one.

Good thing about a car like that, and the soarer really, is most of the parts are locally available.

Bird > Kanaric 10/22/2015 at 20:57

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Our Aerocabin is a 7MGTE. We did the headgasket, so as long as you know that’s a thing with them, they’re fine. I love the way the car drives, I can’t imagine the 1GGTE car pulls as well as the 7MGTE. The car is heavy, and the extra torque helps a lot I’m sure.

Parts are almost all interchangeable with Mk3 Supra stuff.

StudyStudyStudy > Kanaric 10/22/2015 at 20:58

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Ah, well I think you have quite a few excellent choices going for ya there.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Kanaric 10/22/2015 at 20:58

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Oh. Jzx80 then. They had twin turbo 1JZ’s in 1990

Nauraushaun > Kanaric 10/22/2015 at 21:35

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They are exceptionally rare. Probably unlikely that you’d find one at the right condition and price, but there’s a chance :)

Kanaric > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 10/22/2015 at 21:49

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Interesting cars not much info about them.

Kanaric > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 10/22/2015 at 21:53

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Wow the Toyota Cresta with 1JZs are ridiculously cheap

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Kanaric 10/22/2015 at 22:18

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They’d be a good sleeper. Honestly if I had to import a Toyota that old Id go a Soarer. The Chasers and crestas were a bit plain until the mid 90s.

Speed > Kanaric 10/23/2015 at 07:29

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I browse http://www.japaneseclassicsllc.com every week or two ever since Doug mentioned the place on here. Soarers are one of the main things I look for. Every now and then an R31 pops up too. The Z30 (SC300 body style) Soarers will be legal in 2016. I like the 1JZGTE version of the MKIII Supras too. They just had one recently.

I’m wondering how the MKIV Supras will be priced when they’re legal.

Kanaric > Speed 10/24/2015 at 23:07

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Those people are super expensive. I like the 1JZ engine but I don’t like the later soarers. A 1JZ MK3 supra would be amazing though, especially a total bare bones base one with that engine.

MK4 supras will probably be like $15k like a GTR is when that time comes.

Speed > Kanaric 10/25/2015 at 00:02

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The 1Z Supras are really cool cars. Most of the potential you’d get with an MKIV, but with that old school Japanese styling and being able to fly under the radar. They’re truly unique and I’m surprised at how many Supra fans don’t know anything about them.

If those guys are pricey, where do you usually look? It’d be nice to find things I could afford!

Kanaric > Speed 10/25/2015 at 22:43

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http://pacificcoastjdm.com/auctionsearch

They are auction based and their prices are very resonable. If you use them tack on like $2000 for all fees to get the car into the country.

Speed > Kanaric 10/26/2015 at 21:57

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Thanks for the link! *goes shopping*