mark_cardiff

So people don't 'thrash' standard cars?? Personally think that's bit of a myth. I'd much prefer to see a history from a garage that knows about the vehicle. For example, the 2JZ-GTE engine was only available for 4 years in this country. I doubt there's many Toyota mechanics that have worked on it. The Aristo isn't really in the same category as the EVO or Skyline. The Aristo is a big fat luxury car, with a supercar engine. Skyline----mondeo of the jap world, although the GTR is quite a looker, and defintely a goer. Evo----point to point car As someone said, make a list, then tick the boxes. Skyine? Mondeo of the jap world?? what....?? Mondeo's are boring and not really performance cars... Skylines are turbo charged with 280 - 320bhp... hmm In terms of pricing, all the cars are very similarly priced... at least in hong kong anyways... Thinking about it.... i think the evo is not really for me... the more i look at it, the more i dont like the looks... I think ill have to wait till the new year anwyays before deciding on anything as Im just too busy with work right now! Does anyone know the main probs with Skylines?? Anything i should look out for?

I think if I was looking at practicality, then yeh, the Aristo wins hands down. However, i'm 24... with no kids or family to worry about. The aristo that i'm considering is my mates, who he has done up as a show car, so I know he hasn't thrashed it. I'm actually leaning more to the Skyline of the Evo 7, just because they are more of a focussed performance car... although, if anyone has any bad pointers on them, then i'd happily listen! Well, i live in hong kong, so there is ALWAYS traffic.... but... ill be only using the car on weekends, or at night... cos for me... its much more conveniant and cheaper to jump in a cab to work. Most cars can be made to handle quite well by adding coilovers, ARB's etc... but... hmm... decisions. I was also actually looking at a RX-8... but....havent seen any decent ones in the classifieds over here.. arrghh...

I've been looking around for a new car.. when i say new, i mean a used car, but new for me! I've narrowed it down to an Aristo which has had a couple tweeks... a Skyline GTR R33, again with a couple mods or a stock Mitsu Evo 7. What do you guys reckon?? Dont really need 4 doors... so im finding it hard to decide.... Any of you had experience with Skylines or Evo's? Good vs bad?? Thanks.

Whats ur budget?? and... do u want a Lexus SC430? Or do you not mind having a parallel import Toyota Soarer...? Both are pretty much the same...minus the mark levinson sound system...and the sat nav is in jap.

If you are gonna be financing the car, then you can def ask for a better price. i reckon u should be looking at the low $300K mark....my sisters bf was in the market for one... but eventually couldnt find the right one, so he bought something else.. Ive seen quite a few around to be honest... not as many Benz SL's... but still quite popular... I can keep my eye out for a SC for u...as ive still got many connections with dealers out here

Hi there, Used to work in the 2nd hand car market in HK. Drove a 2002 SC430 for quite a while... The price you quoted seems a little expensive?? Not much really goes wrong with it to be honest... its a toyota at the end of the day!!

Hey Mark! Hello "again" then :winky: Where abouts in HK are you? D. Im in kowloon... working in Tsim Sha Tsui and I live pretty close by. Yourself? Wonder how many guys from HK are on here. There are so many altezza's and aristo's.... its crazy!

Ive got one of those tv aerials you stuck on the window. Dont look they are that great to be honest, but it might be bacause im in the city with a ***t load of buildings affecting the reception!?! If anyone knows about any uprated aerials then I might look into it. I think mine cost bout $100 HK which is like 6 or 7 quid.

Theres a guy on here with a SC430 and wald bodykit. forget his name... but great looking car!!!

Do you work for the tobacco industry? Passive smoking is a cause of lung cancer and, in those with long term exposure, the increased risk is in the order of 20-30%. This means that several hundred lung cancer deaths per year in the UK can be attributed to passive smoking. (source: Report of the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health. Department of Health, 1998) Non-smokers living in a household with a smoker have an overall 23% increased risk of heart disease (source: Law, M R et al. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure and ischaemic heart disease: an evaluation of the evidence. BMJ 1997: 315: 973-80) I can quote many more reports from around the world, but don't want to bore people. No UK government will ban smoking completely, since the UK gets about 8bn a year in cigarette duty, but only spends around 1.5bn a year in the NHS treating smoking related illnesses. It's all about money! Amen brother!

Encrust Customs are in North Point. They do awesome sound systems for cars. They have a project Supra for sale. So damn nice... but the price is a little high for such an old car. I went to shatin college.

If i was getting a black SC430, i was thinking of putting on a WALD bodykit, and some 20" chrome rims. Not sure what... but have you heard of the garage called 'Encrust Customs' in HK?? Well, my friend is one of the owners...so he will be able to sort me out on some rims. Ive been in HK all my life now.... just in UK for a few years for uni n that...

Hi guys, Thinking bout buying a SC430 in the next month or so, but over here in hong kong there doesnt seem to be too many black ones going about... quite a few white ones though. Was wondering what it would look like with black rims? Ive seen some of you guys photoshop pics of cars with different rims on etc.. any of you able to help and give me some idea what the car would look like? If not, I may just have to wait till a nice black one is on the market. Cheers

Just rung Lexus here in Hong Kong. They haven't heard of the IS300 over here. The IS250 is only available at the moment, but by next year the IS350 will be available. The IS300 must be for Greater China...wonder why... hmm... Nevermind! I'd rather the 350! Price wise, they have said it is around 40,000 quid. Tax over here is a killer!

Lexus is a complete company of it's own?? Is it? I still thought it was Toyota. :s

or you could click "eng" at the top right side of the webpage.....??? :winky:

I'm in Hong Kong, and havent heard any news about the IS300... I cant see them using a 3.0 engine, when every other toyota model is now using the new 3.5 engine... The new Previa uses it, ES350, IS350 in Japan... strange. Ill ring my dealership over here.

Wow! What an amazing event!!!! Theres a place in Hong Kong where all the supercars "hang out" and go for sunday drives! All the Enzo's, Carrera GT's and a few SLR's....jus showin off their money! #$%^&

Harmon Kardon have a kit for the ipod. Looks pretty nice. has a LCD screen you mount on the dash and then a "i-drive" style controller that you use to go through the menu etc...

y didnt u go for a bigger rim size for more of a 'bling' effect?

You don't know Mark Palmer do you? Procurement Manager for you lot ! Used to work with him at Llewellyn before Rok took over. I'm Mark Palmer!!!

fresh is not the best when you leave in Hong Kong where there is a load of smog and pollution. Recirc. is the way forward!

It looks the most expensive?? Tag's are pretty cheap in comparison to a Breitling!! I bought a Tag Kirium... must of only paid about 550 pounds. Now using an Omega Speedmaster, and i def. prefer the Omega. Out of the three though, id still choose a breitling. Not many people wear them.

Is the IS350 really a match for an M3?? the IS350 is only 280bhp I think. That is not in the same league as an M3.....

Back seats are not useable with the roof up or down! Just more space to put shopping etc... Im pretty sure a new facelifted model has only recently come out... not sure when a replacement model will be out... Colour?? Its personal choice I think... but if you're looking to resell it later on, then silver or black will probably fetch a better resale price than colours like red. Well, thats what its like in Hong Kong