peter.liu

I'm 23 (bought when 21) and I'm driving an Aristo so that makes me an old man too (hehe).

It's really a matter of priority.

In terms of handling the cars are:

1) Evo

2) Skyline GT-R

3) Aristo

Ride Quality:

1) Aristo

2) Skyline GT-R

3) Evo

Reliability:

1) Aristo

2) Skyline GT-R/Evo TIE

Stock Performance based on power/weight ratio:

1) Evo

2) Skyline GT-R

3) Aristo

That's all I can think of right now.

I picked up an Aristo mostly due to it being a motorway cruiser and sleeper. ALOT of people actually think it's a stock GS300 with "import badges" on the car until they try and "race" on the motorway or from lights. Ride quality is excellent as well as typical Toyota reliability. Stock engine can handle anywhere between 600bhp for VVTi and 800bhp for NON-VVTi (VVTi has weaker/thinner rods than NON-VVTi). Gearbox can handle 500bhp, but anything more and you'll either have to rebuild the gearbox every several thousand miles or upgrade to a TH400 or similar to handle the power.

If I had to do it again, I'd pick the Aristo again. Car gets a LOT of attention from people especially after the "wheels" and especially when the car leaves people in the dust. I get asked LOTS of questions on it...;). It's rare (over here anyway), not alot of people know what it is, hence keeping all the "haters" at bay (as someone else said before).

Also a Aristo doesn't necessarily bring in an "old man" image...as long as the car has some nice clean modifications done in terms of aesthetics. Wheels, lowered, grille, tints, etc all just change the whole "view" people may have about the car. A 3 piece Spoiler (JP lookalike Erebuni) and retrofit on headlights with a front lip and rear lip and side skirts will completely transform the looks of the car. It'll definitely make it look like a sport executive saloon, with a few modifications performance wise, will also give it the power to back those looks.

Me and Maneesh can definitely attest to "attention" grabbing fact. Me having just wheels and no lowered suspension (as of yet) and 6000k HID's gets me more attention that the typical Skyline or Evo will get (as they are a dime a dozen so to speak). Maneesh having wheels, lowered, TTE front lip, tints, etc.

You are right... a few mods can make the aristo look very good...

However...there are just as many Aristo's, GTR's, Imprezas, Evo's and Altezzas in HK.. so in terms of being a bit different... it will be quite hard.

If my mate is going to sell his Aristo off for a couple thousand quid cheaper, then id defintely consider buying his. Has a nice subtle bodykit on...nice big 20' chromes....awesome sound system... think he spent over 10,000 pounds on the ICE alone...

Hi Mark, this aristo you are talking about is it the black one at North Point? cause me and my relative (also aristo driver) went to see it ....very very nice. Since it belongs to your mate I think you should take some photos and show it to the club members.

TRD anti roll bars, £250, DIY, can go faster through the corners!

Hi maneesh, i'm a bit confused, are anti roll bars and stabilizers the same ?

I had the same problem on my mk11 aristo, changed the ABS cable/wire and all was well again.

It's been a while, but on Saturday I finally picked up my '99 Black Aristo V300 Vertex.

Having searched for nearly 2 years for the right one its fantastic to actually get behind the wheel.

I had a few specifics - it had to be black, had leather, TV, sunroof (all options). In all the time I searched, I only seen 1 other that fitted the bill.

I have lots of parts to fit to her now, and will do over the coming months.

I'll post some pics up shortly.

Best Regards,

Gaz.

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Congratulations Gaz. I'm sure the waiting was well worth it.

I bought my 99 aristo 6 months ago and yeh its fantastic to drive.