Stock #6436
Exterior Overview
Day in and day out, we’re consistently impressed with the Toyota Aristo’s versatility. It has a luxury car demeanor when cruising, but its roots as a powerful sport sedan really show when you mash the throttle! It also features exceptional build quality, modern materials and amenities, and steadfast Toyota reliability that you’ve come to expect over the years. Our 1998 V300 is a great unit in a fantastic spec, and the Atlantic Blue Pearl (8L4) paint doesn’t look a day over 25, despite some typical age related imperfections, and a noted front bumper replacement in Japan. It also has a few upgrades to enhance the aesthetic, namely OEM rainguards, a tasteful rear spoiler, and 18″ SSR Visconti alloys. Best of all, the 45k miles on the clock are verified and documented, which is impressive by all standards. It’s easy to fall in love with a second generation Aristo. They’re fast, fun, and perfect for nearly every day-to-day scenario. With a Supra’s heart under the hood, why wouldn’t this be considered a Japanese Classic?
Interior Overview
The interior is downright cool, as this Vertex Edition boasts optional color matched upholstery. It’s also in dang good shape, and Toyota really knew what they were doing as the materials tend to hold up better than most 25 year old cockpits we see. Both driver and passenger gain power adjustable seating, and a tilt and telescoping steering column can be dialed in accordingly to accommodate drivers of all shapes and sizes. Dual SRS airbags are also present in the front and sides, and a full slate of power equipment is on hand to aid daily use. This includes power windows, locks, and mirrors that electrically fold to aid tight parking jobs. The center stack frames an OEM touch screen that integrates dual zone automatic climate control with optional JBL audio, which sounds great for being a factory system. To dial in cabin comfort, both A/C and heat work on command, and can be adjusted independently for both driver and passenger. The rear seats are plenty spacious, as is the trunk, and head and legroom are seldom a concern for most occupants. The headliner is tight and tidy, and the carpets are in good shape too. We even held on to the original maintenance booklet to preserve some of this Aristo’s history!
Mechanical Overview
The most valuable component of this sedan can be found under the hood, which says a lot considering how well constructed the rest of the chassis is. The 2JZ-GTE I6 is shared with the fabled MKIV Supra, and ours is fresh off a recent service, where we addressed a number of typical JZ wear items as well as some preventative maintenance. To prevent any unwanted oil leaks, we’ve changed the cam seals, and valve cover gaskets, and installed a new timing belt, water pump, and serpentine belt while we had the motor apart. We also installed a new thermostat for good measure, and this 2J cranks over with haste and settles into a smooth idle. It’s also a riot to drive, and watching the needle sweep the speedo is a common occurrence when jetting up to highway speeds. To keep the drivetrain responsive and compliant, new front caster arms and steering rack bushings were installed, and the adjustable HKS Hipermax suspension does a swell job at soaking up bumps and larger road imperfections. The factory active rear steering assists in low speed maneuverability, and the antilock brakes are bolstered by new pads and rotors up front. Finishing off the reconditioning, we wrapped the alloys in fresh rubber. Perfect for tens of thousands of miles of uninterrupted grip to come!
*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.
