1998 Toyota Aristo Vertex Edition

Stock #6406

Ideal as a tarmac gobbling road tripper, unique daily driver, or cool modified weekend cruiser, this terrific Japanese Classic always fits the bill.

Exterior Overview

Powerful, spacious, luxurious, and safe, the JZS161 Aristo is the full package. Finished in a lovely Natural White (056) this sedan is set off by a TTE style front lip, facelift grille, halo headlamps, machine-finished OEM Lexus alloys, LED tail lamps, and some subtle privacy tint. Aside from a few light dings, chips and scuffs, the paint is in good shape and this classy little saloon is fresh off a recent service. Propelled by the same twin-turbo powerplant from the iconic JZA80 Supra, this recently serviced Toyota boasts a mere 87k verified and documented miles on the clock. Ideal as a tarmac gobbling road tripper, unique daily driver, or cool modified weekend cruiser, this terrific Japanese Classic always fits the bill. For the enthusiasts with a taste for the finer things in life, an Aristo will never let you down!

Interior Overview

The cabin is in good nick overall, and includes a few factory and aftermarket upgrades. Entering the cockpit is seamless thanks to a keyless fob, and the driver benefits from an electric adjustable steering column to find the ideal driving position. Atop the dashboard, which lacks any cracking or fading, an Auto Gauge boost dial keeps an eye on the positive pressure and an HKS turbo timer below allows the oil to cool down before shutoff. For some tunes to supplement your road trip, a Pioneer head unit upgrade is on hand. It funnels sound through the OEM optional JBL sound system and sounds decent for a vehicle of this age. Dual SRS front and side airbags are standard for those riding up front, and both chairs are power adjustable. Power windows, locks, and power-folding mirrors work in typical Toyota fashion, making daily use more enjoyable. The headliner, door cards and carpets have fared well over the past 25 years and lack any major blemishes. The OEM floor mats, original maintenance booklets, and owner’s manual are even included with the purchase!

Mechanical Overview

The star of the show is the 2JZ-GTE engine, and we all know it. For gawkers at the local Cars & Coffee, a new set of hood struts allow the bonnet to be quickly raised, displaying that iconic teal valve cover. This VVT-i equipped mill is fresh off an oil and filter service and churns to life care of a new 12v battery. The inline six is a nearly vibration-free mill, known for its refinement and ability to handle supporting modifications. To ensure proper fuel delivery a new pump was installed by one of our trained techs. Combustion is improved by a new set of spark plugs and a Blitz intake and front mount intercooler supplies an abundance of air and sounds terrific, as it feeds an aftermarket exhaust system. A Koyo copper radiator is on hand to keep engine temps in check and we have performed a coolant flush so that it maintains proper thermal management. Adding a few more ponies is a free-flowing catback and a Greddy front mount intercooler. The modifications make stoplight to stoplight affairs more lively and this sedan is an absolute hoss on the highway. The automatic transmission shifts properly and sends power to the rear wheels, just as it should in a true luxury sedan. To shore up the driveline we resealed the transmission pan and topped it off with fluid. As quickly as this Aristo accelerates to legal highway speeds and above, it slows down equally well. ABS brakes are standard and are further bolstered by new pads and rotors up front. New adjustable coilovers reduced those unsightly fender gaps and allow this Toyota to corner more flatly. For state safety inspection we installed new front caster arm bushings and then performed a fresh alignment. The power steering is power-assisted and on point thanks to a fresh alignment. Four brand new tires have been mounted and balanced at each corner. Reducing road noise the new rubber will last for tens of thousands of miles to come. Turn key and ready to roll, this smooth and powerful sedan leaves little to be desired and is an all around top tier performer.

*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.