Japanese market only 'WESLEY'
Discussion
'WESLEY'
After 30 years of marriage I'd thought I'd seen it all from the wife - however occasionally she does surprise me
Today after a long search for a machine to replace her beloved Beetle, [which she'd had for 10 years] I saw this parked outside the house when I arrived home from work:-
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Initially I'd thought one of the neighbours had parked it outside our house, during dinner, she mentioned buying a car today. Of course it took me awhile to realise exactly what car it was. I'd never seen or heard of one and after a quick look, I still didn't realise the significance of the car, to me it looked like a standard small [very boring] hatch though I loved the 1970's color!!
We went for a long drive [with her driving] even then I didn't catch on - sure the interior is waaay better than any other hatch I'd ever been in, the car is totally silent inside, the ICE is awesome, only when she stopped and we swopped over and I drove 'Wesley' home did the penny drop [just like my jaw]. Although I hate driving modern FWD cars I have to admit this simply ain't a normal FWD hatch.
The colour, the sheer blandness and quietness of the car in no way draws attention or shouts at you, even the 3" diameter exhaust [no crappy large diameter tailpipes here] is hidden from view - IMO this is much better than any other 'supposedly hot hatch' hatch with all the stupid spoilers, naff noisy exhaust's, etc etc.
'Wesley's' a true Wolf in Sheeps clothing - not at all what I would have expected from a small Hatch
Well for any of you Jap car nerds by now you'll be grinning methinks
For anyone else interested here's the spec:-
It's Fiesta size with aToyota 2grfe - 3.5V6 - 280BHP engine - 6AT trans with paddleshift - more toys than I've ever seen in a car & not a scoop or Poxy spoiler in sight - Only 5 in UK according to wife - unless of course you know different? Please do tell
So what I need from you lot please -
Does anyone know where to get an English language Handbook or Manual for it?
What Tyre pressures are normal - should we use?
Any UK Clubs for this and other Rare Jap only cars.
Any other Tips & Info' etc on ownership, in fact any Info on the car at all There's very little online, or maybe, I wasn't looking in the right place?
Anyone else on here own one??? & want to go for a serious drive - we live in Mid Wales so plenty of awesome roads locally to us
let me know
Rene
PS - by now You may have worked out the wife has named it - WESLEY [after the movie -'BLADE' featuring 'WESLEY' Snipes]
After 30 years of marriage I'd thought I'd seen it all from the wife - however occasionally she does surprise me
Today after a long search for a machine to replace her beloved Beetle, [which she'd had for 10 years] I saw this parked outside the house when I arrived home from work:-
>
>
>
>
Initially I'd thought one of the neighbours had parked it outside our house, during dinner, she mentioned buying a car today. Of course it took me awhile to realise exactly what car it was. I'd never seen or heard of one and after a quick look, I still didn't realise the significance of the car, to me it looked like a standard small [very boring] hatch though I loved the 1970's color!!
We went for a long drive [with her driving] even then I didn't catch on - sure the interior is waaay better than any other hatch I'd ever been in, the car is totally silent inside, the ICE is awesome, only when she stopped and we swopped over and I drove 'Wesley' home did the penny drop [just like my jaw]. Although I hate driving modern FWD cars I have to admit this simply ain't a normal FWD hatch.
The colour, the sheer blandness and quietness of the car in no way draws attention or shouts at you, even the 3" diameter exhaust [no crappy large diameter tailpipes here] is hidden from view - IMO this is much better than any other 'supposedly hot hatch' hatch with all the stupid spoilers, naff noisy exhaust's, etc etc.
'Wesley's' a true Wolf in Sheeps clothing - not at all what I would have expected from a small Hatch
Well for any of you Jap car nerds by now you'll be grinning methinks
For anyone else interested here's the spec:-
It's Fiesta size with aToyota 2grfe - 3.5V6 - 280BHP engine - 6AT trans with paddleshift - more toys than I've ever seen in a car & not a scoop or Poxy spoiler in sight - Only 5 in UK according to wife - unless of course you know different? Please do tell
So what I need from you lot please
- Does anyone know where to get an English language Handbook or Manual for it?
What Tyre pressures are normal - should we use?
Any UK Clubs for this and other Rare Jap only cars.
Any other Tips & Info' etc on ownership, in fact any Info on the car at all
There's very little online, or maybe, I wasn't looking in the right place?Anyone else on here own one??? & want to go for a serious drive - we live in Mid Wales so plenty of awesome roads locally to us
let me know
Rene
PS - by now You may have worked out the wife has named it - WESLEY [after the movie -'BLADE' featuring 'WESLEY' Snipes]
So what I need from you lot please smile -
1. Does anyone know where to get an English language Handbook or Manual for it?
2. What Tyre pressures are normal - should we use?
3. Any UK Clubs for this and other Rare Jap only cars.
4. Any other Tips & Info' etc on ownership, in fact any Info on the car at all thumbup There's very little online, or maybe, I wasn't looking in the right place?
1 Maybe not available in English - maybe get a Japanese one from yahoo auctions/buyee & then the google translator app[*], it does the job for my Crown manual and the touchscreen.
2 Should still be on the plate on the b-pillar again use the google translate app to work out which number it is
3 My Crown ones are on facebook, also check out Toyota's fb page - might not be one in 2021 now but last year they did a pomeroy at Silverstone that was open to all Toyota's, fingers crossed for 2022
4 Service it and enjoy it, no one will know what it is, and you'll enjoy it even more. After 18months I'm still so happy whenever I get to drive my Crown
[*]there is a live camera feed option, so just hold it over what you want to translate and it'll appear on screen
1. Does anyone know where to get an English language Handbook or Manual for it?
2. What Tyre pressures are normal - should we use?
3. Any UK Clubs for this and other Rare Jap only cars.
4. Any other Tips & Info' etc on ownership, in fact any Info on the car at all thumbup There's very little online, or maybe, I wasn't looking in the right place?
1 Maybe not available in English - maybe get a Japanese one from yahoo auctions/buyee & then the google translator app[*], it does the job for my Crown manual and the touchscreen.
2 Should still be on the plate on the b-pillar again use the google translate app to work out which number it is
3 My Crown ones are on facebook, also check out Toyota's fb page - might not be one in 2021 now but last year they did a pomeroy at Silverstone that was open to all Toyota's, fingers crossed for 2022
4 Service it and enjoy it, no one will know what it is, and you'll enjoy it even more. After 18months I'm still so happy whenever I get to drive my Crown
[*]there is a live camera feed option, so just hold it over what you want to translate and it'll appear on screen
TommoAE86
Thanks for ur reply - Toyota crown HUH ! - that must rare too - my dad owned one in 1960's sadly it rusted away in a few years if i remember, nice car though for - kind of a light green colour
I'm not on FB so can you post any details of jap meets on this thread THX
I checked the door opening yep there;'s stickers there and yep the tyre pressures are given in BAR and some other pressure[not PSI though] but thats OK Bar works for - Thanks for that tip.
For sure the wife is gonna love this car its simply so understated
Thanks for all the suggestions
RENE
Thanks for ur reply - Toyota crown HUH ! - that must rare too - my dad owned one in 1960's sadly it rusted away in a few years if i remember, nice car though for - kind of a light green colour
I'm not on FB so can you post any details of jap meets on this thread THX
I checked the door opening yep there;'s stickers there and yep the tyre pressures are given in BAR and some other pressure[not PSI though] but thats OK Bar works for - Thanks for that tip.
For sure the wife is gonna love this car its simply so understated
Thanks for all the suggestions
RENE
This is your new bible for part numbers, stick your chassis number in and away you go-
https://toyota.epc-data.com/blade/
All parts should be readily available through your local Toyota dealer, but stuff specific to the car that has to come from Japan can have a 2-3 week lead time.
I own a 20 year old JDM Toyota bB, and tbh it's a breeze, owning an import is easy once you know where to look for things.
Club wise there are loads around, too many to list, but sufficed to say that rare JDM cars have a pretty big following in the UK.
https://toyota.epc-data.com/blade/
All parts should be readily available through your local Toyota dealer, but stuff specific to the car that has to come from Japan can have a 2-3 week lead time.
I own a 20 year old JDM Toyota bB, and tbh it's a breeze, owning an import is easy once you know where to look for things.
Club wise there are loads around, too many to list, but sufficed to say that rare JDM cars have a pretty big following in the UK.
Yeah my Crown is a beast, so much fun - my first post on this thread clicky is where I've got over excited talking about my car.
Forgot about epc - I use that to find part numbers then wander down to my Toyota/Lexus dealer (Crown is a Lexus GS underneath) and they get me the part, only the interior/exterior body/trim parts are the ones you have to get brought over - all the oily bits are shared within Toyota so it's very easy to get what you need for general maintenance.
Shows I'd recommend to do is JDMCombe, Simply Japanese at Beulieu are both great. The big one is Japfest at Silverstone, among the usual people in Subaru's with massive exhausts are more interesting & oddball things - like designforlife's blade that I took a picture of last time at JDMCombe
Forgot about epc - I use that to find part numbers then wander down to my Toyota/Lexus dealer (Crown is a Lexus GS underneath) and they get me the part, only the interior/exterior body/trim parts are the ones you have to get brought over - all the oily bits are shared within Toyota so it's very easy to get what you need for general maintenance.
Shows I'd recommend to do is JDMCombe, Simply Japanese at Beulieu are both great. The big one is Japfest at Silverstone, among the usual people in Subaru's with massive exhausts are more interesting & oddball things - like designforlife's blade that I took a picture of last time at JDMCombe
Rene, there's only three real issues with these:
Cam chain tensioner at around 50 to 60k miles, you'll notice an engine squeak on start up, easy fix and cheap.
VVTI oil line can disintegrate, there was a recall but even that wasn't a permanent solution, look for a yellow marking on the line (that'll be the recall change) but more so a metal line instead of rubber, that's the ultimate fix. Google is your friend. A fracture (rare) can result in total engine failure.
Passenger airbag had a recall, a free fix by Toyota dealers.
Oh, the gearbox is a sealed for life affair but a flush and fresh fluid at 60k miles works wonders for sluggish changes when cold.
They respond really well to premium fuel (98 octane or more if available) and are noticeably quicker with the gearbox in sport mode as it adjusts the mapping.
Try 2nd gear 30-100 mph in sport, I've had many 'Woah' comments from passengers because its immediate rather than forced induction.
I've mentioned much of this in my thread which I think you've read.
Google 'Toyota pedal dance' to turn off the traction control if you want to leave 11's on the tarmac.
Other than that nothing goes wrong, I'm 3 years into ownership, beyond fuel and oil it's cost me nothing.
Kinda can't believe your partner bought one without you knowing....
Cam chain tensioner at around 50 to 60k miles, you'll notice an engine squeak on start up, easy fix and cheap.
VVTI oil line can disintegrate, there was a recall but even that wasn't a permanent solution, look for a yellow marking on the line (that'll be the recall change) but more so a metal line instead of rubber, that's the ultimate fix. Google is your friend. A fracture (rare) can result in total engine failure.
Passenger airbag had a recall, a free fix by Toyota dealers.
Oh, the gearbox is a sealed for life affair but a flush and fresh fluid at 60k miles works wonders for sluggish changes when cold.
They respond really well to premium fuel (98 octane or more if available) and are noticeably quicker with the gearbox in sport mode as it adjusts the mapping.
Try 2nd gear 30-100 mph in sport, I've had many 'Woah' comments from passengers because its immediate rather than forced induction.
I've mentioned much of this in my thread which I think you've read.
Google 'Toyota pedal dance' to turn off the traction control if you want to leave 11's on the tarmac.
Other than that nothing goes wrong, I'm 3 years into ownership, beyond fuel and oil it's cost me nothing.
Kinda can't believe your partner bought one without you knowing....
TommoAE86
Thanks for the link - yours looks great, but the Crown my dad owned was several generations older than yours
Maybe see you at one of the shows next year - we'll be be one with the absolutely standard Blademaster G in Brown photochromic pearl.
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Cheddar
Many thanks for your great post, My wife has always been a petrolhead, B4 the beetle she drove a new Caterham - which I built from the KIt, for 6 years, & a new Morgan for 3 years [horrible compared to Caterham IMO] - so having been happy with the beetle for past 10 years [OOI I hated it - biggest piece of crap ever, so many electrical faults and awful smug unhelpful dealers/owners]. B4 all these cars she had a Corolla which she loved until it rusted away and failed it's MOT, so Its no surprise to me she bought another Toyota, 'Wesley'. NOW - how she found out about Wesley I haven't yet discovered, what I will say about Wesley is that having done only 40K miles he looks brand new from underneath when I put him on a ramp, All the bolts underneath still have the gold colored and/or zinc plated finish, If I had to say I don't reckon he's ever been driven in the wet!!!!
VVTI oil line sounds like something I need to look at ASAP - any chance of a photo of it's location? and hopefully I can buy a Workshop manual to sort out cam chain tensioner, tho' at the mo' its silent
The car came with a huge file of paperwork which is in Japanese - be good to find out exactly what this is? One thing I've noticed when I lock the car with either of the plipper's the passengers door doesn't lock - However If I lock the car from passenger side then it's the drivers door doesn't lock?? - Any Ideas why this is happening? when she bought the car The dealer showed her how to open the door without using the plipper - by pressing a small button on the door handle, both drivers & passengers door have this button, but to me it seems pointless [use the plippers] - a Handbook may explain this properly, at the mo I'm scratching my head on this one??
Now we are older - Like me the Wife hates Noisy, Shouty cars - prefering to go unnoticed - 'Wesley' does this, and like my Legacy, Lotus 7 and LS1 Camaro would easily blow them Noisy Shouty cars away in total silence which is what it's all about
Where about's are you? We're in Mid Wales, be good to meet up sometime
Once again thanks to everyone for all the info'
Rene
Thanks for the link - yours looks great, but the Crown my dad owned was several generations older than yours
Maybe see you at one of the shows next year - we'll be be one with the absolutely standard Blademaster G in Brown photochromic pearl.
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Cheddar
Many thanks for your great post, My wife has always been a petrolhead, B4 the beetle she drove a new Caterham - which I built from the KIt, for 6 years, & a new Morgan for 3 years [horrible compared to Caterham IMO] - so having been happy with the beetle for past 10 years [OOI I hated it - biggest piece of crap ever, so many electrical faults and awful smug unhelpful dealers/owners]. B4 all these cars she had a Corolla which she loved until it rusted away and failed it's MOT, so Its no surprise to me she bought another Toyota, 'Wesley'. NOW - how she found out about Wesley I haven't yet discovered, what I will say about Wesley is that having done only 40K miles he looks brand new from underneath when I put him on a ramp, All the bolts underneath still have the gold colored and/or zinc plated finish, If I had to say I don't reckon he's ever been driven in the wet!!!!
VVTI oil line sounds like something I need to look at ASAP - any chance of a photo of it's location? and hopefully I can buy a Workshop manual to sort out cam chain tensioner, tho' at the mo' its silent
The car came with a huge file of paperwork which is in Japanese - be good to find out exactly what this is? One thing I've noticed when I lock the car with either of the plipper's the passengers door doesn't lock - However If I lock the car from passenger side then it's the drivers door doesn't lock?? - Any Ideas why this is happening? when she bought the car The dealer showed her how to open the door without using the plipper - by pressing a small button on the door handle, both drivers & passengers door have this button, but to me it seems pointless [use the plippers] - a Handbook may explain this properly, at the mo I'm scratching my head on this one??
Now we are older - Like me the Wife hates Noisy, Shouty cars - prefering to go unnoticed - 'Wesley' does this, and like my Legacy, Lotus 7 and LS1 Camaro would easily blow them Noisy Shouty cars away in total silence which is what it's all about
Where about's are you? We're in Mid Wales, be good to meet up sometime
Once again thanks to everyone for all the info'
Rene
Edited by rene7 on Thursday 3rd December 11:16
oh, and if it hasn't been done, get it properly undersealed (dinitrol etc) ASAP! Pay for a proper job rather than a quick spritz of waxiyl, make sure the arches get done and all undertrays etc removed so that it's fully treated and covered. about £400-500 should get a fairly decent job.
JDM cars aren't undersealed from the factory and even one or two salty british winters can do all sorts of damage.
JDM cars aren't undersealed from the factory and even one or two salty british winters can do all sorts of damage.
Think this is your colour, going to look amazing in the sunshine next year
On goo-net there are quite a few also a range of prices... both the same colour as Rene's one 58k's on the clock - £4.8K, and then another with only 26k's for £7.8k... what alot of car for the money.
Odd in the plipper, if you hold the button does it do something different? On mine I have to hold the boot one but the rest just open on one click, though I usually use the touch open/close on the handles.
If you don't want to use the googleapp then could you pass it over to a translator? Or rope in some students to do it for you cheaper/free? I did look into a translation service but the vast tome that makes up the Crown's manual meant it was going to cost far too much.
On goo-net there are quite a few also a range of prices... both the same colour as Rene's one 58k's on the clock - £4.8K, and then another with only 26k's for £7.8k... what alot of car for the money.
Odd in the plipper, if you hold the button does it do something different? On mine I have to hold the boot one but the rest just open on one click, though I usually use the touch open/close on the handles.
If you don't want to use the googleapp then could you pass it over to a translator? Or rope in some students to do it for you cheaper/free? I did look into a translation service but the vast tome that makes up the Crown's manual meant it was going to cost far too much.
Rene, there are 3 versions of these:
Blade - 2.4 four cylinder base model.
Blade Master - 3.5 litre V6
Blade Master G - As above but with more toys (radar cruise etc)
Do you have keyless entry? As in proximity key? I do and I think it's programmable as in it's able to unlock just certain doors or can be disabled altogether. The owners manual doesn't explain this (or much else, it's useless).
Re the VVTI oil line, I can't post a picture because it's not uploading but the pipe is on the left hand side of the engine towards the rear, if it's got a slim yellow band on it it's had the version one upgrade, if it's metal it's had version two (non Toyota but a permanent fix). If it's rubber and got no stripe it hasn't been upgraded at all and it's a case of not will it split but when it'll split.
These 2GR-FE engines are used in anything from Camrys to Lexus and Lotus so information is easy to come by. Google 2GR-FE VVTI oil line and you'll see images and info.
Blade - 2.4 four cylinder base model.
Blade Master - 3.5 litre V6
Blade Master G - As above but with more toys (radar cruise etc)
Do you have keyless entry? As in proximity key? I do and I think it's programmable as in it's able to unlock just certain doors or can be disabled altogether. The owners manual doesn't explain this (or much else, it's useless).
Re the VVTI oil line, I can't post a picture because it's not uploading but the pipe is on the left hand side of the engine towards the rear, if it's got a slim yellow band on it it's had the version one upgrade, if it's metal it's had version two (non Toyota but a permanent fix). If it's rubber and got no stripe it hasn't been upgraded at all and it's a case of not will it split but when it'll split.
These 2GR-FE engines are used in anything from Camrys to Lexus and Lotus so information is easy to come by. Google 2GR-FE VVTI oil line and you'll see images and info.
TommoAE86
Yep that's it exactly the paint does weird things to your eyes if you stare at it, my camera hates exposure is all over the place
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Cheddar
Thanks for the VVTi pipe tip I'll check it out tomorrow.
Wife's is a Blade master G in Brown exactly like the photo put up by 'TommoAE86' - yes it has proximity keys and push button start, radar cruise etc etc.
The door problem maybe to do with the door handle buttons, the wife said pushing the door button with your hand behind the handle opens only that door, but that doesn;t explain why one side doesn't lock - I'm stumped so far on this. But has has been mentioned its a lot of car for the money, the wife's is like new So I'm well pleased she picked a good 'un - after all I gotta do all the sevicing etc on it so its a great position to start from, time will tell though
Any ideas where to buy a spare wheel, or a set, the car has an unused spacesaver which will end up in the bin when I get an essential fullsize wheel to replace it?
THX
Rene
Yep that's it exactly the paint does weird things to your eyes if you stare at it, my camera hates exposure is all over the place
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Cheddar
Thanks for the VVTi pipe tip I'll check it out tomorrow.
Wife's is a Blade master G in Brown exactly like the photo put up by 'TommoAE86' - yes it has proximity keys and push button start, radar cruise etc etc.
The door problem maybe to do with the door handle buttons, the wife said pushing the door button with your hand behind the handle opens only that door, but that doesn;t explain why one side doesn't lock - I'm stumped so far on this. But has has been mentioned its a lot of car for the money, the wife's is like new
So I'm well pleased she picked a good 'un - after all I gotta do all the sevicing etc on it so its a great position to start from, time will tell thoughAny ideas where to buy a spare wheel, or a set, the car has an unused spacesaver which will end up in the bin when I get an essential fullsize wheel to replace it?
THX
Rene
Edited by rene7 on Thursday 3rd December 21:58
You shouldn't have to press a button for the door, just put your hand behind the handle and the sensor will open it. Try walking away from the car without locking it, leave the key in the house and come back to see if it's auto locked.
Regarding a spare wheel you're probably in luck, the Auris/Corolla D-4D 180 runs the exact same wheels and there were plenty of those sold in the UK.
Regarding a spare wheel you're probably in luck, the Auris/Corolla D-4D 180 runs the exact same wheels and there were plenty of those sold in the UK.
rene7 said:
Cheddar
Saw plenty of reference to the VVti pipe online but no actual photo's of it on the engine, I took a few pics today of our engine, can you see the pipe in the photos? If not can you explain where it is relative to the photo's
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THX
Rene
Hi Rene, on your left image there's a metal line that sharply bends virtually 180 degrees downwards, it's next to a wiring loom, that's the one.Saw plenty of reference to the VVti pipe online but no actual photo's of it on the engine, I took a few pics today of our engine, can you see the pipe in the photos? If not can you explain where it is relative to the photo's
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THX
Rene
Check the middle of that metal line with a torch to see if it has a rubber section. If it does this is the weak point, if it has a yellow marking it's the intermediate upgrade.
It's a possible diy fix in the video I'll link but to this sausage fingered idiot it looks trickier than a tricky thing filled with trickiness but you've built a Caterham so you might not be phased. Internet gurus will suggest it's an hours work but figure on a full Sunday's effort hopefully with Mrs Rene rewarding you with a nice roast dinner.
PS: I was wrong about it being a non Toyota part, the part numbers are in the video.
Link to relaxed guy removing axle, power steering pump and much more to install the line. Hope this helps you, Cheddar.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yXZgmuwwU28
Cheddar
Thanks for that!!!!!! - looks like an interesting job - did you do it on Your car or did you get a garage to do it? - if so how much £ did it cost?
In the Camry video the guy removed Power steeeing pump / Anti roll bar / Disc & caliper / & the drive shaft - thats not gonna be an hour job!!
FYI - Building a new Caterham is simple, the wife did most of hers [I just checked it ]
I haven't checked yet but does the blade have a removable inner wheel cover like the Camry shown in the vid? I watched another Youtube vid where the pipe was changed on a rav4 4x4 where the guy did the whole thing from underneath without removing any major items, though it still looked awkward.
At the mo we're having snow so I 'll buy the parts next week and leave it till weather improves! - no that's not a cop out honest
Once again thanks for your help
Rene
PS
Anybody else reading this swopped this pipe an a Blademaster ?
Thanks for that!!!!!! - looks like an interesting job - did you do it on Your car or did you get a garage to do it? - if so how much £ did it cost?
In the Camry video the guy removed Power steeeing pump / Anti roll bar / Disc & caliper / & the drive shaft - thats not gonna be an hour job!!
FYI - Building a new Caterham is simple, the wife did most of hers [I just checked it ]
I haven't checked yet but does the blade have a removable inner wheel cover like the Camry shown in the vid? I watched another Youtube vid where the pipe was changed on a rav4 4x4 where the guy did the whole thing from underneath without removing any major items, though it still looked awkward.
At the mo we're having snow
so I 'll buy the parts next week and leave it till weather improves! - no that's not a cop out honest Once again thanks for your help
Rene
PS
Anybody else reading this swopped this pipe an a Blademaster ?
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