1997 Toyota Aristo V300
Sold: $25,995
Stock#5585
The JZS161 Toyota Aristo V300 is one of the brand's best kept secrets, and this second-generation model is a freshly legal import, ready to take stateside streets by storm. At first glance, the Aristo appears to be no different than your typical US market Lexus GS300, however, a quick pop of the hood reveals the legendary, twin-turbocharged, 2JZ-GTE out of the Mk4 Supra. Our 1997 Aristo sports the "Vertex Edition" option package and is offered with just 93k verified/documented miles. Decked out in Toyota's Silver Metallic paint (199), this sleek sedan will surely turn plenty of heads, and a set of OEM rain guards, a factory spoiler, and factory xenon headlights will please every Toyota enthusiast. To continue the OEM appearance a set of late model Lexus alloys have been installed and look great against the Aristo's curvaceous body lines. A beautiful blank canvas with plenty of potential for power, this Aristo is a fiercely fast four-door and our first arrival of a legendary Japanese Classic!
The interior is quite appropriate for Toyota's flagship luxury sedan at the time, and features a healthy amount of power amenities and premium materials to keep the ride comfortable for both pilots and passengers alike. The dash is trimmed in an attractive black with grey tortoise trim and is in good nick, with no cracking, sun fading, or other unwanted age-related defects. Dual-zone digital automatic climate control is fully operational for picky passengers, and cold A/C is on the ready to help power through those remaining summer months. The factory head unit has been ditched in favor of a modern Kenwood touch screen, with MP3 compatibility. Toyota has been long known for having intuitive cabins and the Aristo is no different, with a plethora of power options available for any driving situation! Power windows, power folding mirrors, and a power moonroof are all in good working order and operate smoothly. Both driver and passenger heated seats benefit from 4-way power adjustability, with adjustable driver's lumbar support coming in handy for those long road trips. The black leather upholstery presents nicely, with only some light expected bolster wear, and the rear seats are plush and offer plenty of legroom if needed. The headliner is tidy and taut, and aside from the wear on the seats this interior is nearly flawless and should satisfy even the most demanding drivers. It’s clear to us this Aristo was well cared for in a prior life and even includes its original carpeted floor mats, maintenance booklet, owners manual, and 2 spare keys to boot.
The 3.0l twin turbo powerplant in this Aristo truly needs no introduction, yet we think it's worth mentioning that the JZS161 platform was the first to receive the refreshed VVT-i iteration of the 2JZGTE. With a powerful punch down low and plenty of spool to carry you into the triple digits, the Aristo is a hoot to drive in stock form, although this platform has been known to take quite nicely to power modifications. A Fujitsubo catback slightly enhances that sweet straight six exhaust note without being too overbearing or droney at cruising RPM's. Our trained technicians have already installed a new timing belt, water pump, valve cover gaskets and new cam seals to get this 2J up to date on maintenance, and a new 12V battery and fresh oil and filter change allows this beast to crank up every time and run healthy and smooth. Shifts through the automatic transmission are smooth and predictable, and a selectable manual mode is at the ready for when the driver wants to command their own gear shifts. Those familiar with the luxury Toyota driving experience should know that the brand accepts no compromises on ride quality, and this terrific saloon glides over road imperfections large and small without making a peep. While the Aristo shines as a highway cruiser, the suspension has no problem staying planted during more demanding twists and turns, and an in-house replacement of the inner and outer 4 wheel steering arms ensures that you won't run into any surprises during rigorous drives. New pads and rotors on the front come in handy when 70mph traffic turns into stop-and-go, and a freshly mounted set of Falken rubber will keep this beautiful boat riding smoothly for tens of thousands of miles to come! A fresh alignment caps off the reconditioning items and ensures this Toyota tracks straight as an arrow!
*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.