Unassuming 90s jellybean JDM Toyota almost-Supra sedans will soon be eligible to import to the US!

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein) 10/20/2017 at 10:19 • Filed to: None

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The Mark IV Toyota Supra Turbo and its 2JZ NO SHIT motor is very well known around these parts. But back in (overnight parts from) Japan, the 2JZ-GTE and its “276 hp” 2.5 liter twin turbo I6 1JZ-GTE little brother came in an array of cars. The’re about to hit 25 years old, which means we can import them soon!

If you want a 2JZ-GTE sedan, you’re in luck, because the Toyota Aristo, a.k.a. Lexus GS, was sold with one. The Aristo 3.0V had a 2JZ-GTE and a 4-speed automatic transmission. It came out for the 1992 model year, so it’s already eligible for sale in the US. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

The Aristo 3.0V is cool, because it’s a twin turbo RHD version of a first-gen Lexus GS that can be had with cloth seats. But if you want a manual transmission, well, let’s go on a little tangent about why there are so many slightly-different JDM cars within the same brand.

In Japan, the car companies break their lineups into not-quite sub brands. They’re more like different dealership chains where certain models are only available at those chains. Some cars are unique to certain chains, other times there are a few identical but subtly-different-styled versions at the different chains.

In the early 90s, the Aristo was the top luxury sedan available at Toyota Vista Store dealerships. Directly below the Aristo were the Chaser and Cresta. For 1993, the new JZX90 Chaser & Cresta introduced a Tourer V trim that came with a 1JZ-GTE, stiffened body structure & suspension, and available manual transmissions and limited slip differentials.

The Mark II is another car that shared the JZX90 platform and came in Tourer V trim. But the Mark II was sold at Toyopet Store dealerships. Like the Chaser and Cresta, the Mark II was the second-from-the-top luxury sedan available in Toyopet Stores, with the top level sedan there being the Celsior, a.k.a. Lexus LS.

The Chaser, Cresta and Mark II Tourer V are all basically the same car with different styling.

Chaser Tourer V

Cresta Tourer V

Mark II Tourer V

The Chaser and Mark II have frameless windows, the Chaser being more rounded and the Mark II a little more angular. The Cresta has window frames and reminds me of a mix of XV30 Camry and original Lexus LS.

I like these cars a lot . They have twin turbo inline 6 motors with plenty of tuning potential (although not quite the astronomical numbers of the 2JZ-GTE), they’re relatively lightweight at about 3200 lbs, they’re rwd with manual transmissions and LSDs, and they’re totally boring looking to the point that nobody would really notice them in the US even though they were never sold here. The only giveaway is the driver being on the wrong side of the car. Otherwise they could just as easily be confused for a mid-90s Camry or Lexus.

If you absolutely must have some manual transmission rwd 1JZ-GTE boring looking Toyota sedan goodness right now, or you prefer your 1JZ-GTE with boxy 80s styling,   the 1JZ-GTE motor was actually introduced in 1990, mid-way through the previous JZX81 generation of the Chaser, Cresta and Mark II, on the 2.5GT Twin Turbo trim. They didn’t have the chassis enhancements of the later Tourer V models, but they do have the 1JZ-GTE and available manual transmission.

Chaser 2.5GT Twin Turbo

Cresta 2.5GT Twin Turbo

Mark II 2.5GT Twin Turbo

(The 1JZ-GTE also came in the MkIII Supra and various Soarer models, but we’re talking sedans here.)

All these cars, while never sold in the US, were and are very popular with tuners in Japan and other places like Australia and New Zealand. In theory it shouldn’t be too hard to find parts for them. The JZX81 platform was sold here in the US as the Cressida, so maybe that would help parts availability here, but who knows?

The 1JZ-GTE is probably the best available motor in any importable JDM, rwd, manual transmission boring sedan. The R33 Skyline GTS-25t comes close, but its RB25DET is a single turbo, and I think it’s kinda weird looking, unlike the boringly handsome Toyotas.

The facelifted version is a little more something,  but it’s still a few years away since it came out in 1996.

Anyway, screw these Skylines! Give me some 1JZ Toyotas!

Personally, my favorite JZX90 is the Mark II, and JZX81 is the Chaser. But I mean, each generation, all 3 models only differ in styling.

While I like the boxy 80s styling of the JZX81, I definitely prefer the more modern JZX90 platform, especially since the Tourer V has extra goodies. AND THEY ALL HAVE REAR WIPERS. If you want cup holders along with your 1JZ, well, then you have to wait until the JZX100 models hit 25 years. Unless you live in Canada, then you’re in luck!

Time to start firing up the JDMImportulator...

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2017 at 10:31

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I’d importa Savanna rx7 and say fuck it, or a 20b Cosmo... Or even a 13b Cosmo

WilliamsSW > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2017 at 10:38

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The wheels and the steering wheel in that Aristo have GOT to go - they’re hideous. But if I had the patience to deal with an RHD car (sorry, I don’t), I’d be all over that car.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2017 at 10:40

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You reminded me that I saw a second-gen Acura Legend this morning so I looked up to see if they had any cool performance options and found this:

Honda decided not to upgrade the size of the engine to a V8 because it would have upstaged the Acura NSX

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2017 at 10:40

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Why import an Aristo when you can buy the identical GS300?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/20/2017 at 10:40

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Other than dat JDM cred

Also I want that jellybean chaser

Textured Soy Protein > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/20/2017 at 10:43

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The GS300 doesn’t have a 2JZ-G T E like the Aristo.

Also there was an Aristo 4.0Zi-Four with a 2UZ and awd.

Textured Soy Protein > WilliamsSW 10/20/2017 at 10:45

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Other than drive-thrus, what’s aggravating about an automatic transmission RHD car?

Discerning > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2017 at 10:45

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You left out the C34 Laurel... This makes me sad.

WilliamsSW > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2017 at 10:50

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Probably not all that much, TBH - and I actually don’t go through drive-throughs all that often.

Might be just due to the fact that I’m getting old, and sometimes yell at clouds. :) :)

Textured Soy Protein > Discerning 10/20/2017 at 10:51

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As far as I know the Laurel with the RB25DET was only available with an automatic transmission. Same with the VG30DET and VQ30DET versions of the Cedric, Cima & Gloria.

WilliamsSW > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/20/2017 at 10:52

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“How Honda screwed up Acura, part 236"

Discerning > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2017 at 10:54

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Yeah, true

interstate366, now In The Industry > WilliamsSW 10/20/2017 at 11:08

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Dad? Is that you?

WilliamsSW > interstate366, now In The Industry 10/20/2017 at 11:11

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LOL, I’m probably old enough to be your dad, so there’s that.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > WilliamsSW 10/20/2017 at 11:26

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haha “fuck you cloud”.

I’ll remember that, the day i yell at a cloud is the day I’ll know I’m getting old.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2017 at 11:29

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Ohhh that’s right, we just get the GE...

WilliamsSW > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 10/20/2017 at 12:18

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Someday this will be you!

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > WilliamsSW 10/20/2017 at 12:47

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Haha now I remember why this is a thing! Is the fact that I forgot it’s a thing a sign that I’m old? UH OH!

WilliamsSW > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 10/20/2017 at 12:51

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https://www.aarp.org/members/join-aarp-membership/

Come. Come join us. It’s time. Time for the life of early bird dinner specials, dark socks with plaid shorts, and complaining about the ‘kids these days’.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > WilliamsSW 10/20/2017 at 12:54

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https://www.walgreens.com/q/throat+lozenges

https://www.werthers-original.us/

https://www.google.com/search?q=mercury+grand+marquis

Above is the remainder of my starter pack.

WilliamsSW > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 10/20/2017 at 13:33

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Ah, I see you chose the Panther over the Avalon. Wise move. At least your Oppo cred remains intact.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > WilliamsSW 10/20/2017 at 13:53

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This is a silver lining. I don’t get too many of those anymore now that I am old as of 12:54pm today, to the best of my knowledge.

WilliamsSW > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 10/20/2017 at 13:55

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https://www.centrum.com/centrum-silver-adults-50-plus

Oh you’ll get plenty of silver - silver hair, Centrum silver, etc.

S65 > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2017 at 14:06

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I’m starting to think those straight six powered sedans and other unassuming ish JDM cars are cooler than the big Supras and GT-Rs and the like, maybe it’s just the OPPO running off on me. I’d dig an R31 wagon

Textured Soy Protein > S65 10/20/2017 at 14:12

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I like the R31 but the top motor is the RB20DET which is a little wimpy, although they can be tuned up of course. I don’t think it came in the wagon.

S65 > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2017 at 14:17

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Yeah I think the RB20DET only came in the GTS-R, later RB swaps are probably common in R31s

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > WilliamsSW 10/20/2017 at 14:40

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Ugh, I’m going to go post some snaps and send some instagrams to feel young again.

Kanaric > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2017 at 16:52

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The RB20 is fine unless you are some horsepower chaser.

Get a turbo that will do 300-350hp and you have a very fast and cool car. Especially if you have a GTS-R with the original exhaust manifold on it.

Kanaric > S65 10/20/2017 at 16:52

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RB20det came in GTS-X as well. The R has a larger turbo and a tubular header.

Kanaric > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2017 at 16:54

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If I were importing now on the budget I had when I imported the R32 GTS-T I would get a JZX90 Mark II right now. It’s a vastly superior car. I think it’s even better than a R33 Skyline (non-gtr). The X90 and X100 cars are great.

I’ve been trying to get this RX7 imported but if it fails I will go after one of these probably.

Kanaric > Discerning 10/20/2017 at 16:54

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IMO it’s not on the same level as the X90. Toyota made a uniquely good car here.

Kanaric > WilliamsSW 10/20/2017 at 16:55

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I drive RHD and LHD cars all the time, there is no difference. You are just on the other side of the car.

interstate366, now In The Industry > WilliamsSW 10/20/2017 at 17:00

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My dad said the only thing that would stop him from importing a Prelude Type S from Japan is the RHD part. For me, in a car I’m going to drive at most once a week, RHD is something I can deal with.

Tareim - V8 powered > Textured Soy Protein 10/21/2017 at 15:06

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R31 wagon with a 1jz

RT > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2017 at 13:05

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I also have my eye on the 80s Toyota X-cars.

You get less out of their motors, but more character and .

Textured Soy Protein > RT 10/22/2017 at 13:48

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The top motor in these cars, plus the Supra and Soarer, before the 1JZ came around, was the 1G-GTE twin turbo 2.0 liter I6. Stock it topped out at 210 hp. It’s got an old school flapper door airflow meter and small turbos, but can be at least somewhat hotrodded, and it likes to rev.

Outside Japan, the 7M-GTE single turbo 3.0 liter was the top motor in the MkIII Supra, for more torque, but it took a few more years before the JDM stuff got the 1JZ-GTE.