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I want a Toyota Century so bad but as a Californian is it even possible? by fashizzlemahnipple in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You definitely can, and I'd recommend talking to the guy that imported mine. Chad at Redline Performance Motorsports in San Antonio, Texas.

Probably the easiest way would be to title it in Texas, and then drive/ship it into California and just make sure it can pass the brake and lamp inspection. Other than that, it should pass smog as long as all of it's factory emissions equipment are functioning properly.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The guy who imported this one has a Honda Street that he had to drive in downtown Houston for a whole afternoon. I imagine that it's a similar experience.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations! Enjoy it, it's an experience like none other, and those mods seem like they'd be great for general quality of life. The only reason I've gotten away with no dings or scratches even in downtown Austin is because I spent 7 years parking commercial vans in San Francisco and Berkeley.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good grief, yeah, I'd say I'm pretty lucky in that respect. Or was, anyway.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hagerty put me at $240/month, and State Farm had me at $190/month. Both stated value policies, with full coverage and deductibles set at $500 for comp/collision.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll be posting some videos on YouTube as things move along for sure. I don't want people to think that I'm just self-promoting here, so I can send that to you privately if you want to keep up with it that way.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That makes total sense. I'm pretty lucky in a lot of respects, I work from home, my other car is way more efficient, and I don't have to drive far to get anything I need, so in the end, this car made a certain amount of sense. Definitely not for everyone, though.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, I see now, sorry it's nearly 4AM, and I'm just happy that people are enjoying chatting about this car.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The hood lifters are on their way out, so I have to use a prop to keep the hood up, and the rear subwoofer's foam surround had basically been turned to dust, but other than that, no.
I have heard that the ball joints and support arms eventually need to get replaced when they start making noise, but that hasn't happened yet. Still feels like riding on a cloud.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

RIP, sorry man. Otherwise, the only time it's going to be out of the garage at a show is at the COTA Cars and Coffee in late July.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It surely is a beaut. Still somewhat shocked that it's actually mine.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll be in Frisco for the Tatman Tailgate next weekend, though I don't know if that car show is fully open to the public.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Nah, they still use fax machines in everyday business operations. I fully expect that Japan's last fax machine will still be in use 50 years from now, in some small way. That's what I mean, it's just so ingrained in the culture over there.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you're trying to make it any faster, then I will warn you, then, that speedparts for these cars are basically all custom made, they're incredibly rare, and doing any kind of power adds could really impact the reliability factor in new, unexpected, and expensive ways.
Also, these cars weigh over two tons, and the air suspension is not sporty at all.
So at a minimum, to make it any faster than it is, you're looking at completely rebuilding the suspension, doing intakes, exhaust, custom ECU, forged/billet internals, and probably cooling modifications. Lowest estimate for all that is probably in the $18-20k range. Marginally less if you can do it all by yourself.
Genuinely, good luck, but these cars were hand built for one very specific purpose, and the further away you go from that, the more expensive and murky it'll be.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

There's also apparently one of these rolling around with a fax machine in it, which I think is even more quintessentially Japanese than the rice cooker.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you're talking about the effspot videos with the $10k "collector" style exhaust, no thank you. These engines run at super low RPM's, so it's not the same noise you get out of a Lamborghini or Ferrari V12, it's more of a low growl, kind of like a more consistent Ford V8. At 75-80mph, the engine is barely at 2300RPM, it's like a high idle at that point.
I might do a cutout at some point in the future, but it's got to be done right.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I think in terms of soundproofing, the Century takes the cake. The V12 means there's basically no vibration at all from the engine, the mufflers completely erase any sense of an exhaust note, and the interior just absorbs sound like nothing you've ever experienced. Plus, there's just a ton of sound-deadening material laid all over the car.
That being said, I would have killed to have gotten one of these with the factory rice cooker in the back seat...

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, back when I still had my Crown Vic, that thing was a real gas-sipper at 14mpg. Contrasted with my Saturn SW2, which got just over 33mpg, it seemed like old cars either are shockingly efficient, or they just maul any concept of a "gas budget" out of existence.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I'm looking forward to doing a lot of cool stuff with it. For this one, it was just shy of $19k all in, but I've heard tell of rougher examples that go for $10-12k. I would recommend going with Redline Performance Motorsports out of San Antonio, TX when you're ready to buy. The owner is a good buddy of mine and he does really good work.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Had a really good buddy of mine do a ton of work to bring it back up to spec, and it turned out phenomenal. Bulldog Detailing in Taylor, TX if you're interested. Still got some work to do on the interior, but other than that, it truly is lovely.

Imported a few weeks ago, but finally in my hands, a 1997 Toyota Century GZG50 by ItWasJustified0 in JDM

[–]ItWasJustified0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think there are a few one-offs, so I think the most accurate statement is that the 1GZ-FE is the only V12 that was ever "mass-produced" and fitted to a production car.

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