AntzCro

Hey guys.

So recently I've been thinking to myself about getting a Toyota soarer ( SC300 ) Down here in Australia. My friend has had one in his garage for a few years and doesn't drive it because it is not road worthy. I was thinking of buying it just as a project car to have some fun with.

It is a 2001 Toyota soarer but the cool thing is that it has a 2JZ-GTE conversion from a supra. I've always been looking for more power. Don't get me wrong the ES300 is a dream to drive but I have always wanted that extra kick.

I just wanted some advice or basically what you guys thought. it's a 3 litre twin-turbo. It has 100K miles on it and he was looking for about $4k. The only this is it needs a taillight and bumper replacement and probably a few other things like spark plugs and fuel pump/filter. I was thinking i could get it for roughly $3k. The SC300 offers a lot more HP than my current ES300.

Any opinions ? thoughts ?

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Be careful buying one at a low price. Parts are very expensive for those cars and sometimes it is cheaper to get a clean example at a higher price than to fix one up.

ES300NZ

It's always better to start with a good running car, then a project car that has issues. That said, any car which has been sitting a long period of time will have issues that you cant see, like bad brake callipers (seals) and damaged brake calliper pistons (because brake fluid is hydroscopic). and ruined tyres (flat spots). all the fluids would have to be replaced. (brakes, auto, engine, powersteering). Some of the hoses too most likely all the brake ones are cracked.

.. sometimes it's just better to get a car that has higher km's.

AntzCro

I'm going later today to take a look at it and inspect pretty much everything the eye can see.
I don't have many financial commitments so It wouldn't be much of an issue sourcing parts/ repairing things. I'm trying to learn how to do things myself so i'd be doing all of the work. The only thing i need is time as I am currently at college. I know it's going to be a big job. and I wouldn't expect it to be ready for a few months or maybe a year. I've been looking in Australia for a soarer and i can find the 2.5 litre single with single turbo, which goes for around $8000 with 100k miles aswell.
my uncle is also a mechanic so if it doesn't look too bad i'll get him to take a thorough look at it and decide if it's worth it.

ES300NZ

You really need to put it up on a hoist and have a good 30 minute look over things, run the engine for a little while. check things out. It would be worth paying for a tow truck to take it somewhere to make that happen (and back).

Sometimes its smart to invest a bit of money you'll never see again just to make sure you're not making a mistake.

AntzCro

They person I want to buy it off is a friend I used to work with so I have no reason to believe he is being dishonest with me. I spoke with him today and i'm going to take some fuel over and turn it on and inspect literally everything. i'll take it for a test drive and what not to make sure theres no other issues. I told him that if he wants to make the sale, I will have to thoroughly test it and possibly pay around $200 for a third party inspection from a reputable mechanic.

I just want something as a project. From what he's said the car runs perfectly fine it's just not roadworthy due to a broken taillight. ( easily fixed ) I am rather skeptical however so I won't be rushing any aspects of the process.

ES300NZ

nah mate, I didn't mean as a trust thing, I meant it as a learn the car's condition thing.
- your mate might not know alot about cars, or about the condition of this car,