With its legendary twin-turbo 2JZ engine and Italian-made styling
The Toyota Aristo is fast becoming a Cult Classic
It’s quite literally a four-door Toyota Supra.
Lying beneath its unassuming Italian styling is a weapons-grade, variable-valve-timed, and twin-turbo 2JZ three-litre six. This engine is already potent out of the box; however, it also lends itself greatly to a few cheeky modifications.
Speaking of design, the Italian who created its shape is none other than the legendary car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. He was named ‘Car Designer of the Century’ in 1999 and went on to create everything from racing Ferraris to camera bodies for Nikon.
It’s quite the package. These later-model JZS161 Aristos are becoming hard to find, with prices increasing steadily. Lower-kilometre examples fetch close to $30,000 once purchased and imported from Japan!
We’ve also spent a lot of time and money making this one right. They’re getting old, and many are due for front and rear main seals, timing belts, radiators, and more.
This one has had a thorough once-over by us and our mechanical team to a very exacting standard.
The car pictured – 2002 Toyota Aristo V300 Vertex Edition
This Toyota Aristo was built in May 2002 and is a ‘V300 Vertex Edition’ trim level.
That means it’s powered by a 3.0-litre variable-valve timed 2JZ turbocharged engine with 206 kilowatts/451 Newton metres. Power is managed through a four-speed automatic and sent exclusively to the rear wheels.
Factory extras include cruise control and a complete aero kit. Aftermarket goodies are limited to an upgraded catback exhaust. Standard features include automatic headlights, remote central locking, climate controls, electric seats, and an electric steering column.
The vehicle was purchased in Japan through its domestic auction network, graded 4.0B, and comes with a full service history. Upon arriving in Australia, we treated it to a major service inclusive of a timing belt, water pump, camshaft seals, crankshaft seal, VVT phaser seal, removal of the automatic transmission and replacement of the rear main seal, new genuine Toyota ignition (coilpack) clips, new spark plugs, a new radiator, a new cam cover seal, and plenty more little odds and ends to make it right and leak-free.
The vehicle presents in above-average condition and wears its original paint. It comes with two keys and is accident-free.
What you missed out on
- 2002 Toyota Aristo Vertex Edition (JZS161)
- VVT twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE 3.0-litre straight-six engine
- 206 kW / 451Nm
- Four-speed auto with steering wheel shift buttons
- 146,762 km
- Exterior aero kit
- Cruise control
- Double din stereo conversion (this is very helpful for adding a new stereo!)
- Climate control, electric seats, remote central locking
- Major service completed in Australia:
- Timing belt change
- Camshaft / crankshaft seal / VVT phaser seal
- New radiator and coolant flush
- New ignition clips and spark plugs
- Rear main seal
- Engine oil change
- Transmission oil change
- Optional TRD grill
- Factory chrome 16-inch wheels
- Two owners with a full Japanese service history & export certificate
- Price includes three months NSW rego
- Price includes a NSW roadworthy
- Price includes Australian SEVS compliance
- Largely original and in above average condition
- We hand picked and sourced this car out of japan. It was grade 4 and has no accident repairs or corrosion
- Two keys
Clearly looking to Europe for inspiration, Toyota took the idea of a large, rear-wheel drive and six-cylinder sedan – and made it even better.
