Imported Toyotas

Submitted: Monday, May 17, 2004 at 21:50
ThreadID: 12957 Views:2264 Replies:5 FollowUps:8
This Thread has been Archived
A few weeks ago there was a long thread about imported Toyotas. Well, saw one yesterday and was very impressed. Good looking, shiny - this drew the eye - listened to the sound and started talking to the owner. This particular one was an 80s turbo diesel automatic (looked like a Sahara) with 35,000 klms and bought for $17,000, and in the words of someone who knows "goes like the clappers". It is the first 4by for the young guy who bought it and he's stoked. Surprised me.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Aandy(WA) - Monday, May 17, 2004 at 22:38

Monday, May 17, 2004 at 22:38
Nearly all Toyotas in Australia are imported Ruth. Camry and Avalon are built here and exported. Corolla used to be built here but is not now.
AnswerID: 59005

Follow Up By: Patrol22 (Queanbeyan - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 12:49

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 12:49
Yeah but I think she is talking about the grey imports - ie those that aren't sold here normally but are imported second hand.
0
FollowupID: 320707

Follow Up By: Aandy(WA) - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 23:08

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 23:08
Oh OK I've not heard of those before ... thanks!
0
FollowupID: 320826

Reply By: chenj3 - Monday, May 17, 2004 at 22:47

Monday, May 17, 2004 at 22:47
Have done a lot of research for grep imported Landcruiser and I recken it is a good buy if you just want a decent turbo diesel 4by without costing a arm and a leg. The local Landcruiser turbo diesel are normally over priced, a early 80 series turbo diesel still will cost you 20,000+ ( some even asking late 20,000) while a imported 60 series only cost you 13,000 with less 200K on the clock. However, do NOT trust the mileage as I personally saw one dealer wound back the clock from 240,000KMS to 120,000KMs in Brisbane. Do NOT pay retail price, import your own. easy and simple.

Most of local car yards only import the lowest auction grade of 60 series Landcruiser turbo diesel for under A$4,000 + A$5000 for freight and compliance then wind back the clock and put them on the market for A$17,000+, it is rediculus, isn't it.

I am in the process importing my own Landcruiser turbo diesel from Japan, the more I discover, the more ripping off I doscover.

Overall speaking, imported Landcruiser TD is the cheapest way to own a TD 4by and bash it in the bush without worrying about the depreciation.
my 2 cent view.

AnswerID: 59008

Follow Up By: vuduguru - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 04:37

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 04:37
Hi chenj3,
Can you explain the process for importing. I too have seen these 60's but at around $17k they are still to expensive. Personally I would like to import a bundera bodied LC... the missus wants a convertible! Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks
Shane
0
FollowupID: 320670

Follow Up By: chenj3 - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 09:23

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 09:23
Again, Do NOT BUY WOUND JAP IMPORT! IMPORT YOUR OWN!

On average, the cost of 1988/1989 Toyota Landcruiser Turbo Diesel Sahara auto at the most car yard is about $12,000 and they are asking around A$17,000 + on road charge. To cost down, they normally bid for the bottom end of L/C in Japan and then brush up with soap and water,and of course do the tricks.

I have looked almost 20 imported L/C and did NOT find any difference in radiator between local L/C and imported ones. maybe I am wrong. however, mind you these imported L/C is 24 volts , you may need to do some mods by yourself.

send me a mail adsleypg@tpg.com.au, Will tell you more about how to do it yourself. ( I am NOT a auto dealer or alike, just a normal office worker)
0
FollowupID: 320680

Reply By: PradoBoy - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 00:04

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 00:04
Folks - I am not 100% sure but I think Toyota spend a few more development $$$ when they bring out a new vehicle in Australia - generally to do with larger radiators for cooling purposes. I seem to remember vaguely reading something about the new Prado's being tested here for several months prior to their offical release - and the rumour was that Toyota was fitting larger radiators etc.

Not 100% sure. If that is the case - then purchasing an imported Tojo (not built for Aussie conditions - ie. not ear marked at the factory for sale in Australia) might mean that your beasty doesn't have the mods made by Toyota for Australian conditions. Mind you - they're all pretty damn solid and durable - might not make that much difference.

Maybe David from Adelaide can shed some more light on this? Do Toyota make minor mods for models released in Oz???

Cheers,
PradoBoy
AnswerID: 59020

Follow Up By: Outnabout David (SA) - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 10:36

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 10:36
When the TD Prado was first released it was only available in manual because the auto overheated. It was about twelve months before this was sorted and the auto released. Hilux surfs (similar motor in the late ones) had similar problems of overheating on some.
Bottom line if you buy one of these optioned up imports for the right price the upgrading cost if any is minimal in the big picture.
0
FollowupID: 320686

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 15:48

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 15:48
Yeah the 1kz-te mated to an auto (in the surf) has an oil cooler built into the bottom of the only moderatly sized radiator. Thats why my surf has a third party oil cooler strapped behind the radiator for the gear box. Also the 1kz-te motor in australia (ie prado/hilux) have a larger raditator, hence some problems fitting dual batteries, the surf has a smaller radiator and dual bat's std. The Jap configuration with a 3rd party trany oil cooler will work fine even in 40c heat in sand as long as it's regualry cleaned and serviced, ie once a year before the summer. (good practice anyway IMHO).
The landcruisers have a lot more room under bonnet than the Smurf's so perhaps there was no need to have a smaller radiator and they are quite possibly the same. If they don't have an auto trany cooler, probally best to just whack one in for peice of mind.
0
FollowupID: 320722

Follow Up By: PradoBoy - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 20:27

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 20:27
Vague and fading memory now jogged - thanks for straightening that out guys!

Cheers,
PradoBoy
0
FollowupID: 320789

Reply By: Slammin - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 22:40

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 22:40
Just out of interest the number of companys that do their testing here in Alice prior to not just Australian but worldwide release is phenomenol, Come here in summer and at any one time and theres always 3 or 4 different crews with plastic wrapped and striped cars doing dust and heat testing. Geeze Australias got good dust!
AnswerID: 59189

Follow Up By: Member - StevenL - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 22:56

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 22:56
No speed limits, gunbarrel straight roads, plenty of dusty tracks, remote locations with a minimum of snappers, 40 plus degree heat changing to zero degrees overnight.

What more could the White Coats ask for. The perfect automotive laboratory!
0
FollowupID: 320823

Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 10:48

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 10:48
Oh yeah another point about import diesels is that Japan (like many other countires) have been using much lower levels of sulfer in the fuel for many years now, hence less break down of oil in the motor, less corrosive acids in the motor, less wear.
AnswerID: 59229

Sponsored Links