fbpx

The Toyota Chaser was in manufacturing for practically 1 / 4 century. Manufacturing went from 1977, all the way in which to 2001; and it underwent a complete of six generational modifications. It was Toyota’s reply to the mid-size four-door sedan, and it stood the check of time for a few years. Primarily based on the Mark II platform, this automobile was solely provided in Japan alongside its brothers, the Cresta and the Cressida. Within the very begging there was a coupe model, however that was discontinued after the primary technology.

The Chaser was thought-about to be just under
the Crown, each in dimension and luxurious. The smaller dimension additionally made it extra
fascinating to Japanese clients because it meant decrease annual taxes. That being
mentioned, Toyota didn’t skimp when it got here to the enjoyable side of the automobile. By the
fourth technology, the Chaser was fitted with the enduring 1JZ engine, and by the
fifth technology, the 2JZ was added to the roster.

This information is meant to offer you a greater perception into the Chaser and why it is perhaps the precise automobile for you. Now we have dug although quite a few sources of knowledge, searched boards, and so on. to carry you as a lot info as doable in order that when it comes time to purchase one, you realize precisely what to search for.

Execs and Cons

Execs:

  • Easy, timeless design
  • Roomy
  • Nice selection of engines
  • Comparatively low value for a 1JZ or 2JZ Toyota
  • It’s a “Sleeper”
  • Makes an ideal household automobile/each day driver
  • Could make loads of energy

Cons

  • Components are arduous to search out
  • Upkeep will be costly
  • RHD solely
  • If you’re trying to make an announcement, look elsewhere
  • Inventory ones are arduous to come back by
  • There aren’t that many on the market

Frequent Points

Being a Toyota, the Chaser can have a number of
professionals and cons. This part shall be strictly targeted on the widespread points discovered
on the Chaser in order that you realize what to search for when it comes time to purchase one.

Like most ageing vehicles, the Chaser will be plagued
with malfunctioning electronics. After years of use and drastic temperature
modifications issues will begin to fail, and the primary ones to do this will, of
course, be digital sensors. The severity of this additionally will depend on how the
earlier house owners have handled the automobile.

Rust is one other widespread problem. This isn’t simply
on the Chaser, however on older Toyota’s normally. Japan by no means paid a lot
consideration to rustproofing as they don’t usually use salt on the roads throughout
winter. Over time, even when salt wasn’t used, the weather begin to take a toll
on the car’s physique and rust begins to kind.

The Clutch. A number of house owners have reported
that the Chaser likes to go although clutches very often. This downside is of
course based mostly on the way you drive the car, besides, house owners who don’t abuse
their vehicles nonetheless report that clutches put on out quicker than ordinary.

Differential mounts and bushings appear to be
a standard problem in addition to nicely. It has been nicely documented that the bushings
are an everyday upkeep merchandise.

General, the Chaser is a really dependable automobile, and most house owners say the mechanical facet of issues are nearly bullet-proof, even when abused. In any case, Toyota has had a long-standing fame for reliability. If you may get over the truth that beauty points are regular with the Chaser, you gained’t remorse shopping for one.

Common Costs

These understated sedans can fetch a better
than common value. However the place are you able to get a automobile with room for the entire household
that’s RWD and comes with the legendary 1JZ or 2JZ engines? Costs appear to be
steadily going up due to them changing into more and more rarer, so seize one whereas
you possibly can. The typical value of a Chaser is true round $15,000.

Now we have created an inventory of the most cost effective and most costly Toyota Chaser’s at present on the market on JDMBuySell.com.

View all Toyota Chaser vehicles listed for sale.

As you possibly can see, costs for a Chaser can drastically fluctuate; all of it will depend on what you’re in search of and if you’re in search of a venture or one thing you could simply get in and drive. As these vehicles turn out to be scarcer, the value is bound to extend.

Comparable Alternate options

There are many Japanese sedans to select from, just like the Chaser; even Toyota has two comparable ones. Now we have put collectively an inventory that can assist you see what fashions are much like the Chaser so that you’re free to coach your self about which one suits your way of life greatest.

Listed below are some comparable options:

The listing of comparable sedans’ is already
large, however that’s not even that half of it. There are additionally many four-door vehicles
from non-Japanese automakers that we haven’t even talked about, however none are as
cool or as iconic because the Chaser.

Fashions and Specs

Like we beforehand talked about, the Chaser was in manufacturing for nearly 25 years. This long term stretched throughout six generations. On this part, we shall be going over every one in all them in higher element.

First Era (1977-1980)

Toyota Chaser
via wikimedia

Unveiled in July 1977, Toyoda debuted the
Chaser as a direct competitor to the Nissan Skyline. It was nearly an identical to
the Mark II, other than the broader grill and lack of parking lights.

Beneath the hood, Toyota provided a selection of
three engines, all of which have been below 2.0L. This was achieved deliberately so the
clients would have smaller annual highway tax. As well as, the automobile was made to
meet the strict bodily dimension necessities for the exact same motive. A
four-speed handbook and three-speed computerized have been there solely transmission
decisions then.

Though uncommon, the first-generation Chaser
was provided in a coupe physique fashion as nicely. This was the one technology to
supply this selection.

Second Era (1980-1984)

via japanclassic

The second reiteration of the Chaser was
now provided in a sedan and four-door hardtop configuration solely. Engine clever,
the previous ones have been not used and two new 2.0L, 1G variations took their
place. The identical four-speed handbook and three-speed computerized have been nonetheless the one
transmission decisions avaialble.

Moreover, the Caser was provided with
the “Avante” package deal. This included sport tuned suspension and higher dealing with
Michelin tires. Whereas its predominant competitor was nonetheless the Nissan Skyline, a brand new
child on the block known as the Nissan Leopard additionally posed a risk to the Chaser.
This was primarily as a consequence of its decrease asking value.

Third Era (1984-1988)

via japanclassic

For the third technology, Toyota did loads of modifications below the pores and skin of the Chaser. This included bigger disc brakes and two new 2.5L engines, bringing the full to 4. There have been nonetheless solely two transmissions to select from. This time you had the choice of a five-speed handbook or a four-speed computerized. As well as, the client might possibility one of many 2.0L engines with twin turbos.

Later in its lifecycle, Toyota launched a
few beauty modifications to the Chaser as nicely. Bigger bumpers, revised entrance
grilles, and the addition of an LPG system have been simply a few of the upgrades. In
1987, two new editions have been launched. These have been known as the “Lordly” and the
“Chaser Avante”.

Fourth Era (1989-1992)

via japaneseclassics

Also called the X80, the fourth technology
Chaser noticed loads of enhancements in comparison with previous ones. Two new engines have been
added, bringing the full as much as six, and the five-speed handbook and four-speed
computerized transmissions remained unchanged. That is the primary time we see the
1JZ engine being provided within the Chaser which had the utmost horsepower (280hp)
allowed by the Japanese authorities at the moment.

There have been a complete of eight trim ranges
provided. These have been named XL, XG, Raffine, SXL, Avante, Avante Twin Cam 24, GT
Twin Turbo and Avante G. Their engine lineup now ranged from a measly 1.8L,
inline four-cylinder, all the way in which as much as the mighty 3.0L, naturally aspirated
straight-six a.ok.a. 7M.

Fifth Era – JZX90 (1992-1996)

via rhdspecialties

October 1992 noticed the introduction of the
fifth technology Chaser. It was additionally recognized by the chassis code X90. Toyota made
the brand new Chaser higher in nearly each manner. It was bigger, extra highly effective, and
dealt with higher than its predecessor. This time round, there have been solely two engines
provided. These have been the two.5L 1JZ and the legendary 3.0L 2JZ additionally discovered within the
Supra. There was just one transition provided: the five-speed handbook, making the
Chaser the proper four-door sports activities automobile.

By now the Cressida was retired, leaving
solely the Mark II, Chaser and the Cresta. General, the Chaser was the sportier
on of the bunch, making it ideally suited for the household man who nonetheless wished one thing
enjoyable to drive. The Cresta was geared extra in direction of luxurious, and the Mark II was
the bottom mannequin of the holy trinity. Nevertheless, the vehicles solely noticed beauty
modifications between them corresponding to totally different entrance and rear-ends.

Sixth Era – JZX100 (1996-2001)

JZX100

In September of 1996, the final technology
Chaser was revealed to the general public. This time round Toyota be sure that to separate
the Chaser by making it sportier than the opposite two sedans they have been promoting in
that interval. A complete of 4 engines have been out there for this technology. This
included a 2.0L 1G, two 2.5L 1JZ engines (one turbo and one n/a), and one 3.0L
2JZ. The four-speed computerized transmission was put again on the listing, whereas the
fives-speed handbook transmission remained unchanged.

Toyota targeted its efforts on selling the
two predominant trim choices: the Avante and the Tourer. The Avante was marketed as
the luxurious one, whereas the Tourer was extra on the sporty facet. Furthermore, the
Avante had a particular known as the Avante 4 G, which carried out full-time 4WD.
All of the Avante’s got here outfitted with the four-speed computerized transmission solely.
Because the Chaser had already reached the utmost 280hp allowed by the Japanese
authorities, Toyota targeted on extracting extra torque out of the turbo 1JZ
engine.

By 2001 the Chaser was discontinued, and a brand new mannequin known as the Verossa took its place. The Cresta didn’t final for much longer both, whereas the Mark II lasted yet one more technology, till its demise in 2004. Along with the Verossa, Toyota additionally launched a brand new mannequin known as the Mark X. This was supposed to merge the “Holy Trinity” into one single mannequin.

FAQ

Is the Chaser a dependable automobile?

Sure. Like most Toyota’s, the Chaser is a really dependable automobile. 

Does it make a sensible each day driver? 

Completely. It’s dependable, has 4 doorways, and it’s comfy. 

Did the Chaser are available LHD Configuration? 

Sadly, no. The Toyota Chaser was by no means offered exterior of Japan; due to this fact, it was solely out there in RHD.

Are RHD automobiles arduous to get used to? 

By no means. Inside your first week driving one, you’ll really feel proper at residence. 

Are spare components arduous to search out?

Considerably. As a result of the Chaser was offered solely in Japan, spare components should come from there additionally. 

Sources

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Chaser
  • https://boards.whirlpool.web.au/archive/1730498
  • https://boards.mightycarmods.com/discussion board/general-mighty-car-mods-discussion/what-car-should-i-buy/13685-vx-vy-clubsport-or-jzx100-chaser-tourer-v
  • https://www.driftworks.com/discussion board/threads/calling-jzx-owners-jzx100-daily-common-issues-to-look-for.272692/
  • https://www.driftworks.com/discussion board/threads/1jz-chaser-help.217150/
  • https://www.toyota-global.com/firm/history_of_toyota/75years/vehicle_lineage/automobile/id60011062/index.html
  • https://vehicle.fandom.com/wiki/Toyota_Chaser
  • https://www.stancenation.com/2012/08/04/the-dream-chaser/

Find out how to Import a Toyota Chaser

Learn our final information, How to Import a Car from Japan.

Are you able to make this information higher? Are you an enormous fan of the Chaser? If that’s the case, please contact us.

Add comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.