Owner reviews of Gs II
Good day to all!
Lexus fell into my hands unplanned. I drove my Saab 9-5 diesel “pool”, and at that time I didn’t even think about replacing it, especially such a cardinal one. But a friend accidentally called and asked if I wanted to sell the Saab? I replied that if someone wants to buy, then why not. As a result, Saab sold well, well, he was left without a car. My friend had the same Lexus for about 5 years and he immediately offered it to me. At one time, the car was a representative car in Germany in the Lesus center, i.e. the history of the car was known. At the time of bringing it from the Bundes, the mileage was (I don’t remember exactly) about 90,000 km. Because my friend drives very little, then in 5 years the car ran on our roads only about 35,000 km. I knew where and how it was repaired, so I took the proposed car without thinking twice.
In general, the unit is certainly cool! Softly, as if you are floating on the roads, acceleration is smooth, but not to say that it is very slow (although of course it was difficult at first to get used to the aspirated engine after a turbo car), it swallows pits, but not to say that they love our miserable roads, in a word I am satisfied. Separately, I want to pay attention to the reliability and relative cheapness of maintenance in comparison with competitors.
Strengths:
- Spacious interior
- Soft move
- Reliability
- Etc.
Weak sides:
- The consumption is too big (in the city 13-15 l / 100km, the highway - less than 10l / 100km does not work, even at a cruising speed of 100km / h)
- Not enough power (better than GS430 - consumption is almost the same, but more powerful)
How did you get it? I changed Lupar Merc 1996 and finished off with money. Took in the winter. Of course, first of all I took it because of the appearance. Lupar also looked good in our city in those days, but the Lexus is even more modern.
The interior impressed me with its comfort, the touchscreen was something new for me (although I took the car in 2006, and it was made in 1998, how far we are behind Japan), the stove warmed up, God forbid.
What was immediately unpleasantly surprised was poor visibility at night, there is xenon, but without the sidelights turned on you can’t see anything, you go by feel. Although I read reviews before purchasing, some reviews described this problem.
Strengths:
- Stylish body design
- Comfort in the cabin
- Clear engine operation
- Smooth machine
Weak sides:
- Poor visibility at night
- Steering wheel rattling on small bumps
- Expensive spare parts
Review of Lexus GS 300 (Lexus GES) 1998
I chose a car for a long time, guided mainly by my knowledge in this area, and of some reviews on the network. Unfortunately, we can say that there is no choice of cars in our city, so when the opportunity arose to look at the Lexus GS 300 98 g / w in green, there were not too many thoughts. I drove it for diagnostics to an authoritative (but unfortunately not specialized) auto center and, guided by the positive results of the diagnostics, decided to purchase. I will say right away, despite the fact that the car was probably mercilessly exploited before me, obviously not competent specialists served it, and the owner did not pay enough attention to it, although he had such an opportunity, Lexus never failed and delivered, basically, only positive emotions.
Usually for me, the period of owning a car was no more than two years, or even less, this GS was also purchased with such a calculation, but if other cars after a year of use became simply disgusting, well, or at least not interesting, then I just forced myself to sell guided by the fact that he lost quite a lot in price for 2 years. Of course, in the first place, I was spurred to this decision by the fact that the maintenance of this car is quite expensive. In addition to the fact that the loss in value over 2 years was about 15%, I want to note the following costs, firstly, tax, for cars with engine power from 200 to 250 hp. (in this case, 215 hp) in my region is fourteen and a half thousand rubles a year, which is not entirely pleasant to give away for a ten-year-old car.
Secondly, fuel consumption: in the city it makes no sense to count on a consumption of less than 15-18 liters per hundred, on the highway it’s about 11-12 and this is without much acceleration (although who counts these liters when there is such a herd of horses under the gas pedal, the control of which gives unforgettable moments of acceleration, the effect of pressing into the seat, and other pleasant emotions that impressive acceleration from any speed can give - it especially helps on the track - I forgot what dangerous overtaking is when you don’t know if you’ll make it in time or not, on the GS this question does not even arise :)) Thirdly, spare parts for the chassis.
Strengths: Excellent driving properties: good noise and vibration isolation, balanced, reliable and unpretentious power unit, smooth automatic transmission shifts, good ride, excellent handling, very wear-resistant suspension (with a few exceptions), excellent aerodynamics, noise does not bother at speeds up to 220, I haven’t tried it anywhere else: ), excellent ergonomics, comfortable interior, excellent visibility from the driver's seat, great opportunities for adjusting the seat, steering wheel in height and reach, and even with memory for 2 drivers, many different pleasant things in the form of electronic gadgets, various niches, touch screen monitor , highlights, etc. Beautiful and respectable car, och. presentable appearance, on the road, few people have a desire (and an opportunity :)) to cut, not to miss. The loyal attitude of the traffic police officers, for all the time they stopped only a couple of times (violations do not count) Cruising and very comfortable speed of about 150 km / h. Very effective security systems (protivozanosnaya and ABS — airbags have not tested :)) Good full-time music.
Weak sides: The impressive cost of maintaining a car. High fuel consumption. It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the chassis, namely the ball bearings, the lower front ones are a rather weak point of the car, and if we take into account the possibility that in the event of an unfavorable outcome, it is possible to stand in the middle of the road like on the VAZ classic, this node should be given increased attention. The rear suspension and stabilizer bushings also require attention. Weak brake pads. Malfunctions sometimes cannot even be found at the service (although this is probably the trouble of the services: () The steering column is not repaired (an unpleasant knock appears over the years) - treatment is only by replacing the assembly (not to be confused with the rail). The brake booster unit and ABS become unusable (as it turned out for many), probably the result of an untimely replacement of the brake fluid. In the case of intense acceleration, braking, the engine and gearbox mounts are torn. The radiator loses its tightness due to solutions on the road. The electric door lock fails. Electronic systems, including brakes, require maintenance only by very competent specialists Fatal abrasions of the interior.
Review of Lexus GS 300 (Lexus GES) 1999
In the spring of 2005, I decided to change my right-hand drive Toyota Celica for something more solid, to tell the truth, I really wanted to take Camry, I studied the ads for sale for a very long time and scrupulously, drove to the car markets, but I couldn’t find anything suitable for the price and quality, I really didn’t want to buy a car from the USA after an insurance accident, and for the unshaken Europeans they asked for a lot of $$$.
The saga with the search for the car lasted about a month, once again walking through the Lyubertsy market, I stumbled upon IT — it was a 1999 Lexus GS 300. it shone in all its glory: metallic blue, beautiful R17 wheels with low-profile sports tires, black leather interior, engine - 3-liter inline-six 222 hp, automatic transmission, perhaps only a TV was missing from the bells and whistles. Before selling the car was in Russia for 2 years. The price suited me. After a short dialogue with the seller, he agreed to a visit to a forensic expert and to a technical center for diagnostics.
After the positive results of the check, test drive and a little bargaining, I became the proud owner of this device. Before me, 2 years of operation in Russia had almost no effect on its technical condition, only chipped paint on the front bumper and hood, and also required replacement of the front brake discs (there was a slight beating in the steering wheel when braking). When I first visited the service, I was pleasantly surprised by the prices for spare parts. Brake discs front original 150 $ - piece, front pads 1500 r. non-original, 2800 r. original, all filters from 400 to 1500 rubles. On the road, the car pleased with excellent comfort, amazing acceleration dynamics and excellent handling in all speed ranges.
Strengths:
Weak sides:
Isn't that why powerful jeeps, expensive sports coupes, "accelerated" sedans ran along our roads? The modern businessman is young at heart, trained in body and not constrained by corporate rules. It is for them that cars like this are created. Toyota Aristo- business class sedans with a pronounced sporty appearance. Such a car seems to emphasize the credo of its owner - I am rich, successful. And I love life!
There are more than enough reasons to classify "Aristo" as "athletes-businessmen". It is worth looking around it and catching yourself in an exciting sense of deja vu. Separate head optics, muscular front end… Well, of course – the unforgettable Mercedes-Benz, sung in jokes! Japanese constructors and designers have never been shy about borrowing the best from competitors, but they used everything in their own way: original and extremely practical. So, in the already mentioned optics, through the efforts of engineers who have departed from standard solutions, not only high and low beam headlights, but also “turn signals” disappeared under one glass. Original? Still would! By the way, the taillights also have a complex structure. They consist of several lenses and have separate small brake lights, which are also unusually, non-standard. But on the outward similarity between the "Aristo" and the "Mercedes" ends. Let's not forget that Mercedes-Benz is an automotive classic, conservative aristocracy, pure business class. "Aristo" is not so formal. He, too, is an aristocrat, but not puffed up and self-satisfied, but lively, impudent, irreverent. Even the ellipse, which is the basis of the body's external pattern, gives it both aggressive swiftness and graceful solidity. Perhaps this atypicality makes him yield on the road not only to his “classmates”, but also to a car of a higher class. However, do not forget that the Aristo was designed as a premium class model.
By birthright
Throughout its recent history, Japan has not abandoned its attempts to conquer America. Moreover, along with active ones, such as Pearl Harbor, other methods were also used, less aggressive, but more effective. For example, trade expansion. The success of its automotive component was obvious. But not in all sectors of the front. Until the end of the eighties, the Japanese, and in particular Toyota, could not manage to push really expensive cars into the North American market. The sector was dominated by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar and the Americans themselves. For the Yankees, Toyota had a strong reputation as a car of mass, reliable, but ... not prestigious. Of course, older fans of the "true Americans" will never change once and for all the chosen models, but 40-50-year-olds will be able to switch to the "Japanese", provided that they are given the appropriate level of prestige, safety, driving performance and design. And it was decided to produce business-class cars ... under a different brand. For example, Lexus, a name consonant with the word lux ("luxury"). The first sign was the executive model LS400 in 1988.
Later, in 1990, the GS300 business class model appeared. All Lexus cars were also sold in Japan, however, already under the Toyota brand and with other names. For example, the Lexus LS400 was called the Toyota Celsior, while the GS300 was available under the name Toyota Aristo. First generation Lexus GS300/Toyota Aristo lasted until July 1998. In August 1998, it was replaced by the second generation Aristo, which existed until November 2004. It should be noted that GS300/Aristo It doesn't look like a Japanese car at all. It was originally focused on the Americans, therefore it turned out to be very European - the design was carried out by the Italian studio ItalDesign under the guidance of the world-famous maestro Giorgetto Giugiaro.
At first, the stylish sedan was equipped with a 3-liter in-line “six” with a capacity of 212 hp. and automatic transmission - four- or five-speed. That did not prevent him from being a very dynamic car - the maximum speed reached 230 km / h, and acceleration to "hundreds" took place in 8.8 seconds. In 1998, the range of engines was expanded. The second generation "Aristo" acquired an eight-cylinder 4-liter version, which developed a power of 294 hp. The dynamics of such an “engine” was also impressive, it “did a hundred” in 5.7 seconds. But the maximum speed, in the best traditions of cars in this class, was limited to 250 km / h. And in 2000, Toyota engineers made the last gift to Aristo - they installed another engine, also a G8, but 4.3 liters. How sad it is to admit, but this castling only reduced the outstanding performance of the “semi-aristocrat”. Power dropped to 283 hp, acceleration to “hundreds” increased to 6.3 seconds. Only the "maximum speed" remained the same. And thanks for that.
Rich inner world
In Aristo, content is inseparable from form. Appearance is not in doubt in the by no means plebeian origin. In the design of the cabin, you should also expect the corresponding luxury. The future owner will feel a respectful attitude towards him, as soon as he takes the driver's seat. The interior trim of the Vertex Edition (shown in the pictures) uses pure black plastic. But its tonality evokes only respectful reverence, without sad associations - all materials, as well as the quality of finishes, correspond to the level of the premium segment. Let us recall, however, that the Aristo is a business-class car. And true businessmen cannot do without convenient and comfortable chairs. IN Aristo the seats are soft, comfortable, perfectly fixing the body. There are a lot of adjustments, including outlandish ones - for example, lumbar support. What is nice, they all have a fairly large range of movement. Additional convenience is provided by an adjustable steering column. The steering wheel itself is three-spoke, and the diameter and section of the rim are selected taking into account the sports component of the car. Turning the ignition key causes three deep “wells” of the dashboard to glow with a soft green light. The “tidy” is not rich, but extremely informative: a speedometer, a tachometer, and on the left is a “well” with a strip indicating the selected automatic transmission mode, a fuel gauge in the tank and a coolant temperature gauge.
Racer's dream
Let's not forget that "Aristo" is only half an aristocrat. On the other, untitled, he is a daredevil racer. To make sure that it was “sharpened” at the factory for these tasks, it is enough to get acquainted with the suspension. But first, the "engine". Ride on Toyota Aristo it is equally pleasing to both brisk young and sedate adults. Under the hood is a 2JZ-GTE engine. He is something of an icon among drag racers. Do you want to inject a dose of adrenaline? No problem! Pedal to the floor - and count the beats of the heart. The car will run to “hundreds” in 7.2 seconds. Oh, it's not for you?! Then turn on the cruise control, which, by the way, already works from 40 km / h, and you can, without being distracted by control, have a leisurely conversation with a passenger or on the phone. What contributes to the perfect soundproofing. It blocks the driver and passengers from what is happening outside and creates the impression that inside the car there is one world - cozy and warm, and outside the window - a completely different one - not so attractive and friendly.
Chassis Aristo simple but very interesting. Suspension - independent multi-link with anti-roll bars front and rear. All brakes are disc, front - ventilated. ABS helps to effectively "pick up" the car when braking. The Vertex Edition version, among other things, is distinguished by the presence of the 4WS system - rear wheel steering. At low speeds, they turn in the direction opposite to the rotation of the steering wheel, and upon reaching a certain speed limit, on the contrary, in the direction of rotation of the steering wheel. In the first case, the turning radius is reduced, in the second, controllability at high speed is improved. Where and how much to turn the wheels, the computer decides. To facilitate handling on slippery surfaces, TRC (traction control) and VCS have been added to the system. The latter, if necessary, corrects the situation by slowing down the necessary wheels.
In move Aristo also beyond praise. It is curious that the suspension is adjusted differently for different countries: for America it is soft and sluggish, for Europe it is sporty hard, and for Japan it is a kind of “golden mean”. It is enough to move the car from a place, as the feeling of flying over the road comes. The machine seems to swallow any roughness, pits and bumps, without distracting the owner from important thoughts and conversations. The same is true in turns: rolls are practically not felt, and an extremely informative steering wheel makes it easy and accurate to calculate the force and angle of rotation.
Spots on cuffs
Operating experience in Russia made it possible to highlight some of the shortcomings inherent in this model. They are insignificant, but, alas, there are. The first one is an expensive model. Consequently, spare parts, repairs, maintenance - all for money, and a lot of it. Legroom in front and behind is not enough. The Japanese never grew up, and the Europeans still feel the difference in height for themselves. And further. Due to the rather wide pillars, the visibility behind the wheel is limited. Well, it is, by the way. You just need to be more careful, and not blame the size and massiveness.
I am so...
That's what she is Toyota Aristo. Everything is mixed here for the soul and for business. It combines such, at first glance, mutually exclusive qualities as respectability and functionality, comfort and expediency. Driving such a car is difficult to imagine a woman or a fledgling major. This car is for serious business men. Which, nevertheless, retained the ability to use their achievements for pleasure. People who know their worth, who know how to subjugate themselves (including the boundless herd under the hood), who have taste and a sense of style. They do not need to confirm these virtues. The car will do everything for them. Toyota Aristo.
Owner's opinion. Ivan Bukharov, businessman.
AG: How much car do you have and how much did it run during this time?
- A month and a half. Mileage during this time is almost two and a half thousand kilometers.
AG: What positive qualities can be noted in the car? And what are the negative ones?
- Positive ... Despite the fact that the car is "three-liter" and quite heavy, it "eats" very little. Very good running gear. There are wheels on 19 here and, despite this, the "hodovka" wins back very gently on bumps. Disadvantages ... Only the fact that she is black (laughs). Needs to be washed frequently.
AG: When buying such a machine, what should you pay attention to?
- If you buy it in Vladivostok, then you need to “look out” for the car very carefully. Literally down to the smallest detail. As you know, we sell a lot of broken cars, up to 80 percent. The car is expensive, and if there are defects, then ... Spare parts are not very cheap. So it is probably better to bring such cars from Japan right away.
AG: Then the question immediately - why "Aristo"? Cars, thank God, enough. And the same class, level, cubic capacity ...
- Originally wanted "Aristo". But it so happened that he could not afford it, he bought a Chayzer. Now there is an opportunity. Therefore, "Chayzer" sold, bought "Aristo". The dream came true!
Expert opinion. Vladimir Dobzhansky, master of the Temp auto center.
AG: What causes the difficulty of car repair?
- It all depends on the driver. Take any car. It can be “killed” in a month, it can be done in a day, or it can be done in a year. And a lot depends on the attitude to the car. We are visited by people who have made it a rule to conduct diagnostics every six months. We test them on our speed bump. Everything is visible on it at once. And if nothing serious, then we explain that you can wait with the repair. Sometimes they ask to lift the car, inspect. Those. people are watching the car. Their car, as a rule, goes without repair for a very long time. It has long been known that any small malfunction can lead to a more serious one.
AG: What about Aristo? Do they come often?
– No, very rarely. In the last year, probably, there were only two. True, they were in such a state that ... Probably, people simply “flyed” on them. The car is really good, provocative. Three liters under the hood! Just think, and she's already! .. Probably, that's why they "kill" her. Regarding her, we can say the same thing as about any "Japanese woman" - it all depends on who is driving.
AG: Does the car have any pronounced shortcomings?
- Pronounced - no. The fact that she's a "three liter"? And her suspension is reinforced. By design, the same “hodovka” is simple for her. Within our center, we eliminate everything. But it all depends on what condition the car is in. Parts for it are very expensive. But the option "expensive" and "new" in this case are synonyms. If we take a new one, it's expensive. But if you save money, put a contract, then how long it will take is unknown. And therefore, a person who purchases such a car must understand that the car is expensive, repairs, respectively, too. And therefore, during operation, one should remember - yes, you can “sink”, but know when to stop. And check regularly. We have customers who drive without repairs for three years, because they diagnosed the car in a timely manner and minor faults that could cause a serious breakdown were eliminated in a timely manner. You just need to keep an eye on the car.
This car was produced only for the domestic market and was not exported outside of it. At one time, the car became a cult for the entire automotive community in Japan and is popular to this day. Many owners of the sedan are engaged in tuning and restoration of "Aristo".
First generation
The car began to be produced at the Toyota plant in 1991. The sedan was built on the platform. The first generation was produced until 1997.
Externally, the car looks ordinary and ordinary. At the beginning of the history of the model, it is unlikely that many automakers could even boast of such a design. The appearance of "Aristo" was created by a separate studio. The front part of the body looks straight: rectangular headlights, exactly repeating the shape of the optics. The stern of the car does not stand out from the general style.
According to the Toyota Aristo concept, it is a discreet business sedan with a sporty character. Therefore, the creators primarily worked on the aerodynamic qualities of the car. But this is not to say that the sedan looks bad. It’s just that hardly anyone will expect a fast and powerful car from such an appearance.
In the cabin
Inside the car matches the exterior - everything is restrained and nothing more. The front panel is made of high quality plastic. The center console has a built-in radio and many controls. The instrument panel is well read and does not shine when exposed to direct sunlight, which is a definite plus in the treasury of the advantages of the sedan. According to the layout of the cabin, the car is a full-fledged four-seater. There is an armrest on the back sofa, instead of which, if desired, a fifth passenger can be placed. The creators also took care of the comfort of the front passenger and the driver - the continuation of the center console in the form of a common armrest will make the trip enjoyable for everyone. Mirror controls and power windows are placed on the front doors.
But this sedan is good not only for comfort and luxury. Consider the Aristo engine line. The car is equipped with three engine options: 3 liters and 230 horsepower, 3 liters and 280 horsepower, 4 liters and 260 horsepower. All three modifications are equipped exclusively with an automatic transmission. The third 4-liter engine is complemented by permanent all-wheel drive. With the release of the latest modification, the car received the title of the real king of the roads in Japan and the representative Gran Turismo.
The second generation "Toyota Aristo": photo and description
At the end of 1996, Toyota and its subsidiary Lexus introduced the second generation of this car. The release of the sedan continued until 2005, after which the model completely passed under the wing of Lexus and, under the name GS, is produced in the third generation to this day. Toyota Aristo JZS147 (that's what the sedan is called in the second generation) has changed beyond recognition. The second version was able to repeat the success of the first and lasted on the assembly line for 8 years, until it finally became outdated and began to need to be replaced.
The front of the body was created from scratch. Dual optics with two headlights on each side vaguely resembles the optics of a Mercedes of those times. The profile of the car remained similar to the previous generation. The stern follows the same principle as the front - forked optics, part of which is located on the trunk lid. Even at first glance, it becomes clear that the car has become much larger. This allowed to increase the interior space.
Inside the car
Salon "Aristo" has also undergone major changes. The center console of the car has acquired a multimedia display. The upholstery began to include wooden and leather elements. In general, the panel began to look more prestigious. Comfort also kept up with the looks. The front seats had many individual settings. Rear passengers received a center armrest, as in the first generation of the sedan. A huge number of glove compartments, pockets and stands create additional comfort for everyone inside during the trip.
Specifications of the second generation Toyota Aristo
The choice of engines for the second generation was cut from three options to two. Now the sedan began to be equipped with a 3-liter 230-horsepower and a 3-liter engine with a capacity of 280 horsepower. Both units are petrol. Also, the car is equipped only with an automatic transmission.
Outcome
Both generations were extremely successful commercially and in terms of popularity in the automotive community. The first generation lasted in serial production for more than 6 years, and the second - about 8, which is a kind of record for the duration of production of a serial model. First of all, motorists are attracted by the low price, good equipment, even for today, a powerful engine and accelerating dynamics, as well as relatively inexpensive repairs. Toyota Aristo entered the history of the automotive industry and is still in demand.
For the domestic market, Japanese car manufacturers produce special models and versions. Some of them differ significantly from machines for foreign markets, others are almost the same. Next, we consider one of these cars - Toyota Aristo.
Peculiarities
This model is a Japanese business class car of the E segment. It was sold as the Lexus GS in foreign markets.
Story
The car was produced from 1991 to 2005 in two generations. The Lexus analogue appeared 2 years later and is still being produced.
The first generation (S140) was introduced in 1991. In 1994 and 1996. the car has been updated.
The second Aristo (S160) replaced it in 1997. In 2000, it was restyled. By 2005, production was completed.
From the next generation, introduced in the same year, the car was sold exclusively as the Lexus GS. Now its fourth generation is on the market.
Platform
The S140 was built on the N platform and was designed as a luxury model with a sporty character. This chassis is for executive cars in the E segment. It was first used in 1991 on the Mark II, which is why it is often referred to as the Mark platform. The name "Crown platform" and more rarely "GS platform" are also sometimes used. It provides for a load-bearing body, rear-wheel drive (optionally full), longitudinal arrangement of engines, independent suspensions (front - double wishbone, rear - multi-link), disc brakes on all wheels.
The S160 shares the same platform, and even the S190 (the third generation of the GS). The latest GS used an updated version (New N).
Body
Both generations of the car are presented only in a sedan body.
S140 has a load-bearing body structure. The dimensions of the first Aristo are: 4.865 m in length; 1.796 m wide; 1.4-1.42 m in height. The wheelbase is 2.78 m, the front track is 1.535 m, the rear track is 1.51 m. The weight is 1.57-1.74 tons, depending on the version.
The design was developed by Italdesign.
During the second restyling, the same bumper was installed that was used on the GS, as a result of which the length increased to 4.92 m.
The S160 has the same silhouette but is shorter. Its length is 4.806 m, width - 1.801 m, height - 1.42-1.44 m. Wheelbase is 2.8 m, front track - 1.535 m, rear - 1.515 m. Weight is 1.6-1.68 T.
When restyling changed the optics and grille.
Engine
The first Toyota Aristo was equipped with three engines.
2JZ-GE. Inline six-cylinder petrol engine with a volume of 3 liters. Develops 226 hp. With. at 6000 rpm, 284 Nm at 4800 rpm
2JZ-GTE. The same engine, equipped with two turbines. Its power is 276 liters. With. at 5600 rpm, torque - 432 Nm at 3600 rpm.
1UZ-FE. Eight-cylinder V-engine. Develops 260 hp. With. at 5400 rpm, 353 Nm at 4600 rpm. The version equipped with this motor appeared in 1992.
Both 2JZ variants are also available for the second Toyota Aristo. The 1UZ engine was excluded. At the same time, the six-cylinder engine was modernized. 2JZ equipped with throttle control systems (ETCS-i) and variable valve timing on the second Toyota Aristo. As a result, the torque characteristic has increased to 304 Nm for the atmospheric version and to 451 Nm for the turbocharged engine.
Transmission
The first generation Aristo was equipped exclusively with automatic transmission: initially 4-speed, since 1996 it was replaced by 5-speed.
The S160 also had only a 4-speed automatic transmission at first. After restyling, a 5-speed automatic was installed on cars with 2JZ-GE.
The 2JZ versions of the S140 were rear-wheel drive, while the 8-cylinder Aristo was only available with all-wheel drive.
The S160s were exclusively rear wheel drive.
Chassis
As noted, both Aristo suspensions are independent. Front - double wishbone, rear - multi-link.
Brakes - disc ventilated on all wheels.
Wheels - 15- and 16-inch sizes 215/65, 215/60 and 225/55, respectively.
The S160 was available with 16- and 17-inch wheels in sizes 215/60, 225/55 and 235/45 respectively.
Interior
The interior of the Toyota Aristo corresponds in terms of equipment and quality of materials to the executive class of the E segment of that time, although, according to the owners, it is somewhat inferior to European counterparts.
Its dimensions for the S140 are: 2.005 m in length; 1.535 m wide; 1.15 m high.
Since the second generation car is more compact, the interior has also been reduced. Its length is 1.975 m, width - 1.55 m, height - 1.18 m. At the same time, the space on the second row of seats, on the contrary, was increased.
Price
The price of the first Aristo is 200-400 thousand rubles. S160 can be purchased for 300 - 500 thousand. Although there are more expensive options, especially modified Toyota Aristo. Car tuning is very extensively developed, which must be taken into account. This is due primarily to the presence of the 2JZ engine, which has great potential. The cost of Lexus GS of the same generations is similar.
