So i picked up a 1988 toyota soarer gt-limited today, I've always loved these cars and the deal on this one was to good to pass up.
-139,000km
-one owner
-all service records
-factory air suspension and tems (both work)
-factory crt monitor that monitors engine/suspension condition but also functions as a TV and GPS(also a stack of data tapes for the gps)
-7mgte
that is too cool.
Nice looking car. A stack of tapes for the GPS!?!?! That must have been one of the earliest systems and one of the highest priced options for the day.
The GPS is a pretty rare option the way it works is I have data tapes for all the different regions in Japan and pop them in what looks like a tape deck then turn on the GPS option and it tells me where I am in about a 2 block radius. I'll never use it and can't read japanese but it's still pretty cool for 1988 technology. The most expensive option on the car was the air ride/height control it was 2500 in 1988 lol did I mention everything in this car still works lol
Nice score; I've wanted one since a Soarer showed up at the MegaMeet here last year.
And this thread had to pop up at the same time as this one: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/importing-the-car-from-japan-the-complete-story-including-all-the-bulle36-m3/87788/page1/
Too bad spare cash never seems to pop up at the same time as ideas like this.
DOOOOOD! 
Such a cool car! Especially with the retro computer!
There are even more primitive navigation systems, like Honda's Electro Gyrocator (seriously.) It's half-mechanical:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro_Gyrocator
cool meter pegged
Super cool car!
I picture the tape based navigation just being a guy reading off directions. "If you're on Woodhill and need to reach Main, then head south. I'll wait. Okay, now turn right on Goodale. I'll wait some more."
GPS in a car from 1988? Color me surprised. The military hadn't fully adopted GPS then. Cool car.
T.J. wrote: GPS in a car from 1988? Color me surprised. The military hadn't fully adopted GPS then. Cool car.
Yeah I'm thinking it doesn't actually use GPS. Most likely dead reckoning.
I doubt it is DR based. State of the art GPS in '88 was a unit roughly the size of a (today) large CB radio. One in a car with street maps is pretty advanced for the time. The first few GPS satellites were up in the early 80's. I don't recall what year they finally got all of them up there. When I quit sailing in '86, I think there were 6 up, maybe 8, out of the 20-something up today for total coverage.
Cool car. Crank the boost....
Where's Swank? Shouldn't he be drooling over this? 
Pretty awesome!
Holy mother of AWESOME!!!
And tape based GPS? Wow, that is cool. I wish we had this generation of Soarer here with LHD.
The plan for now is just find some coilovers and maybe through some bolt-ons at it, i've had 7mgte's in the past (last one makde 426whp) and I don't want to get to deep into this one.
What an interesting, unique car, turbo, straight six, and a toyota too= WIN
Caleb wrote: The plan for now is just find some coilovers and maybe through some bolt-ons at it, i've had 7mgte's in the past (last one makde 426whp) and I don't want to get to deep into this one.
I'll just put these here...
You would post that lol what kind of numbers did you get out of it?
Caleb wrote: You would post that lol what kind of numbers did you get out of it?
Here's my long over due update, Since the weather has broken i have had time to install some parts i squalled away during the winter
-Apexi Intake installed
-Upgarage 3" exhaust
-Tein Coilovers
-Ray's Sebring GT-X wheels, 17x8 +37 in the front and 17x9 rear +35
Lookin' great! What's next on your docket? Or is it drive and enjoy time?
cool, but i think the wheels went the wrong direction. the old ones are period correct cool.
Ross now that i have done the basics, i am stating work on the interior and honestly it is the worst part of the car. I have already sourced new door panels, rear panels and a dash so i just have a few more bits to find but unfortunately parts are rare for these cars even in japan. After that she's done till I get here back to the U.S. then the real fun begins lol
And Patgizz no worries about the wheels, my work e-wings are getting refinished and straightened that's why there not on the car.
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