1997 Aristo V300 Vertex Edition

Stock #7020 This Vertex Edition is a fine unit, boasting a few performance upgrades and a potent twin-turbocharged drivetrain. Exterior Overview Toyota had a knack for innovation in the late 1990’s and every redesign the brand introduced seemed to leave its predecessor in the dust. The Aristo was one model that received a noteworthy refresh for its second generation, turning the beloved bug-eyed silhouette into the Japanese Classic sport sedan we know today. Our 1997 V300 is a fine unit, boasting just 124k verified/documented miles on the clock and a bulletproof 2JZ-GTE propelled drivetrain. The exterior is finished in a sultry Silver Metallic (199), and shows well, remaining largely untouched outside of an optional TRD mesh grille on the front. OEM rainguards and a factory rear wing work in tandem to give this sedan a more sporty silhouette. Save for a replacement of the left front fender in Japan and some age-related dings on some of the body panels there’s not much to complain about on the exterior, and with the original polished 17″ alloys on all four corners remaining in good shape, it’s clear this fabulous four-door was well cared for in a prior life. Fresh off a recent service, this Japanese Classic is ready for a new lease on life stateside, and all it needs is an eager new owner! Interior Overview The interior is spacious, comfortable, and on par with most European luxury offerings of the time. For this “Vertex Edition”, black executive leather was a popular interior option. The upholstery on this one is in overall good shape but does show some expected stress cracking on the seat bolsters and door cards. The dash is clean, resisting any cracks, peeling, or fading over the past 25 years on the factory blackwood trim, and dual front and side SRS airbags are tucked away to give you and your passengers some peace of mind. Both driver and passenger benefit from power adjustable seating, and the driver gets a trick tilt and telescoping steering column as well. The center stack is neat, housing a multifunction factory touch screen unit with dual-zone automatic climate control and cold A/C and hot heat on the ready. Radio controls are integrated into the touch screen as well, and you can easily slide in your favorite CD’s or old school cassettes if needed. The rear seats are spacious and plush, and the trunk offers plenty of additional cargo space if errands or a road trip are in the cards. Overall, the interior is above average, and if you can see past some minor separation on the front door cards, this Aristo is perfectly poised for daily driving. We’ve even retained the original maintenance booklet and factory-carpeted floor mats to further protect this worthy investment! Mechanical Overview The 3.0l twin turbo powerplant in this Aristo truly needs no introduction, yet we think it’s worth mentioning that the JZS161 platform was the first to receive the refreshed VVT-i iteration of the 2JZGTE. With a powerful punch down low and plenty of spool to carry you into the triple digits, the Aristo is a hoot to drive in stock form, and our trained technicians have performed the maintenance needed to make this one a fine rig for the road ahead. Getting you on track for future maintenance schedules, we installed a new timing belt, water pump, and tended to a few typical oil leaks. While the front half of the engine was torn down, a new front main seal was installed alongside new camshaft seals, and a rebuild of the VVT-i gear. Before its first road test, a fresh oil and filter service was performed as well. Shifts through the automatic transmission are smooth and predictable, and a selectable manual mode is at the ready for when the driver wants to command their own gear shifts. An HKS intake and Revel catback exhaust amplify that sweet inline six goodness, and an aftermarket downpipe helps squeeze a few extra psi’s out of the twin-turbochargers. Those familiar with the luxury Toyota driving experience should know that the brand accepts no compromises on ride quality, and this terrific saloon glides over road imperfections large and small without making a peep. While the Aristo shines as a highway cruiser, the suspension has no problem staying planted during more demanding twists and turns, and we installed new rear upper control arms and new rear lower knuckle bushings on the left side to assist during state safety inspection. The ABS brakes bite with confidence, and are nitrogen-assisted to assist stopping power. The stock alloys are wrapped in good Falken rubber that has plenty of tread left. An alignment was performed too here in our shop, ensuring she tracks straight as an arrow! *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.