New Member.

[UCF11]

Hi Guys been looking at this site for some time now so thought it might be an idea to actually join.

I have a 1990 Toyota Celsior, which as most know is the Japanese version of a Lexus LS400. Ive had the car for 3 months now and its going well, only done 64,000 Miles and is in top condition. So far Ive done a BFI (Enlarged Stock Intake) which has made much improvement over stock. Still a lot more to go though... from wheels, to new suspension and a full exhaust etc. Previously I had a very tidy Soarer (SC400) with 83,000 Miles which was a great car also in fine condition but decided to move on to the Celsior.

Heres some pictures of it.

 

[stevechumo]

You're welcome on board, mate! Your car looks fantastic. It looks like new. I wish everybody knows how to keep his/her cars clean like yours. I've seen so many degraded wasted LS or SC in the U.S without any caring at all. Is there any future improvement plan on your car such as the suspension, forced induction system, or tranny...etc?

 

[UCF11]

You're welcome on board, mate! Your car looks fantastic. It looks like new. I wish everybody knows how to keep his/her cars clean like yours. I've seen so many degraded wasted LS or SC in the U.S without any caring at all. Is there any future improvement plan on your car such as the suspension, forced induction system, or tranny...etc?

Thanks for that Steve

Yeah I try as hard as possible to keep it as good as it can be, was the same with my soarer (SC). I just hate seeing these cars going to waste and there are a heap of dogy examples about even here in New Zealand, Lexus and Toyota versions of the SC/LS. If I had the money Id love to buy a bunch of them and tidy them back up to near new - slowly!

Regarding future Improvments I have a lot planned but money is the only issue slowing me down. However eventually I will get a number of things done. Heres a straight forward list.

- Change air suspension to coil suspension with lowering coils 2"-3" and Bilstien shocks.
- Some kind of 18" alloys, not really sure what to go with yet.
- Clear front Indicator lights
- Full exhaust system Rush headers, to 2.25" Tube, H Pipe, straight to Lukey Stainless mufflers with the stock tip refitted
- TT supra front/rear brake conversion with rotors and calipers + green stuff pads
- Stage one shift kit.
- Maybe and LSD of some sort.

Rather expensive list but well worth doing in my opinion. At the same time Ill be replacing stock parts which have common wear such as the suspension bushes, engine mounts and other important parts requiring attention. These are some of the best cars around and so fun to work on.... I dont think Id buy anything other than a quality Lexus/Toyota model car.

 

[Lextreme II]

That is one clean LS400.... Very nice....

 

[UCF11]

Heres a video on you tube of my old soarer's exhaust system. It was a cat back system with 2.25" tube straight to Lukey Stainless mufflers with the stock tip refitted. Was pretty good. I was most satisfied with the job....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1quokNWIsig

However did really need headers, as they give the majority of the power upgrades and clean up the ehxuast note so its more of a crisp, clear v8 tone rather than the slightly dosey sound like my factory headers and cats had! Was still nice but had room for a lot of improvement!

This time for the Celsior I'm going to have it pretty much the same but with Rush headers (If they fit!) or something else and H-Pipe join but no nasty cats - Fortunately its not a law in NZ yet to have cats so why bother. Probably look at getting it done in a couple of months...

 

[Lextreme II]

So,

How do you compare the Soarer Vs. Celsior? Peter Scott also have Soarer along wth a Celsior. He loves the Celsior.

 

[UCF11]

Yeah good old Peter Scott.

Well I feel obviously they are two of the best cars from the 90's. Both of them have their benefits. Personally I favor the Celsior a little more than the soarer. Mainly due to the fact its 4 door and has a more dominant boxy look....

Soarer however is just totally unique in regards to styling, Id definitely buy another in years to come. I find driving my old UZZ30 that it had a slightly harder ride, being coils vs airbags but I could throw it into corners with more confidence than the celsior.

However the celsior seems to handle fine, Im pretty happy with it. Once I have stiffer suspension Im sure that will really reduce the body roll. One interesting thing I found was doing a BFI on the Celsior sounds a lot better than the soarer BFI did, It seems to have more or a roar where as the soarer intake was more of a drone... Quite interesting.

Still as a whole Id take the celsior, its just a comfortable, good sounding cruiser with more options, but Id love to have another soarer soon. Would be perfect having one of each!

 

[jibbby]

So the Celsior is the LS400 and the Soarer is the SC400...

Who came up with these funky Euro names? Celsior and Soarer I just don't get it... Here in the States the LS stands for Luxury Sedan and the SC stands for Sports Coupe.. Obviously the 400 stands for the size of the motor 4.0L...

Does Celsior and Soarer have any meaning what so ever?

 

[UCF11]

Yep, Thats correct, Celsior = LS400 and Soarer = SC400. These are simply the names given to the Japanese domestic versions of these Lexus models.

From what Ive gathered Soarer means - "To rise, fly, or glide high and with little apparent effort" or "To climb swiftly or powerfully" Effectively saying this is what the cars meant to do, hence - soarer... Quite interesting. I personally find it adds more character to the car. This is also seen in the Griffin Badge all soarer's are equipped with on the front being the lion with wings.

While Im not exactly sure what Celsior means - But I view it as a great solid name for this kind of car. Has a dominant sound to it almost.

 

[Lextreme II]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/soarer

 

[stevechumo]

Celsior = Car equalling luxury sedan inside out repetitively

Soarer = Sexy obsession and royal energy executive

LS = Lusty Sedan

SC = Sexy Car

In the U.S., we tend to go directly to the point and have things satisfied quickly, ain't we?

 

[UCF11]

Haha.

I like both of the name versions... Personally, I would consider re-badging this but this IS a Toyota Celsior, has it written in quite a few places so, would be more genuine just to buy a Lexus version around here rather an fooling myself.