Celsior Questions

[TAXI]

Hi Guys,

Im new here. Im looking at getting a Toyota Celsior or Lexus LS400 in the next couple of weeks. I have been browsing the forums for the last couple of hours trying to get as much info as I possibly can about them. I just have some questions, hopefully they havent been asked before, I did do a lot of searching before posting :slaphappy

What are they like for towing? I have a Nissan Cefiro which I would like to take off the road and use as a track car, it currently weighs about 1300kg, how would the Celsior go at towing that?

I have been reading up on the LCD problems, how easy would it be to get the replacement parts in Sydney (Assuming I will need to fix it eventually)

Same question above but regarding the suspension?

I think thats all the questions I have for the moment, sorry for the long post!

Thanks,

James

 

[Kiwi.in.aus]

I have a mate who tows with his Celsior , he runs his trailer at about 40 KG or a bit more ball weight and sez it tows really well , it has enough weight not to be thrown around and of course the rear is self levelling , as long as you fit a decent tranny cooler [ read decent as the biggest one you can fit on/in !! ] you shouldn't have any probs .
He reckens it tows almost as well as his old 300 Horse Rangie .
Personally having had my Celsior for 4 mths now I would go that way , you will get one with half the milage of any Ls400 and they come with a few extra goodies that the LS didn't get for a few years or at all .
My biggest worry before I bought mine was the cost of the air struts if they failed which they will do eventually , this was a real concern as they are about a grand each , in the end the desire to own one of the best built cars overcame this worry with a kind of " it will cost what it costs and I don't care cos it's the best built car in the world " LOL
However I can now get remanufactured units from Abbotts in the States at about $500.00 per corner landed , not bad and that has taken the worry away , they have German airbags in them with a lifetime warranty...pretty good !!
Take in mind that the shocks I have on my car are 15 years old and they are still working as good as the day they were new , what standard shock can boast that ?
In real terms replacement air shocks seem expensive but the fact that they will last 15 years plus with no maintenance makes them incredibly cheap .
I also have an aftermarket height controller fitted and it's great , I like my air suspension and the fact that it enables me to control my height , also you can load it up to the max and it will always ride level , no drag arse syndrome !!
There are a few costs to owning one these luxury cars like more than normal front suspension wear , they are big heavy cars and are hard on the front end , ball joints and bushes wear more quickly and need replacing more often , again I really don't care cos I'm driving one of the best buit cars in the world !!
I did really well when I bought mine , it had tint front and rear , no bleed out on the mirror or the climate , 18" mags and a height controller as well as the belts done , try and do the same .
As to your climate control it costs about $300.00 to fix and is one of the things you will have to live with .
I now get all my parts in from the States and as such my Celsior costs less to service than a Commodore , I'm doing ball joints , suspension bushes and wheel bearings at a very reasonable cost .
I also get my OEM air filters and OEM japan made oil filters in from the States at a fraction of the cost .
All I can say is GET ONE , they are awesome and a joy to own and drive .

 

[TAXI]

Thanks for the reply Kiwi.

You have definitely comfirmed my decision, I want a Celsior!

I am not in it to skimp on parts, All I have ever owned is imports and my Cefiro has had only the best mods done do it, for the power it makes Im glad I did!

With the parts you mentioned from the States how easy would they be for people like me to obtain?

What about a height controller, how easily available are they?

 

[Lextreme II]

I would recommend stay away from air suspension option. They are very costly to replace. Four shocks from the dealer cost as much as the car. LCD... not a problem... We have them for replacement.... $170 plus shipping..... Otherwise, its an awesome ride...

 

[TAXI]

Just to update, I did end up buying a Toyota Celsior which I think had dud suspension I have struck a deal that should see me paying $750 / corner so its not so bad.

As for the LCD I placed my order from you last night thanks Lextreme.