AusJapanWindom Posted May 27, 2003 Posted May 27, 2003 Hi again guys.. After finding this site, I have become a real chatter box.. Anyways.. As I am a Toyota man, I have hesitated in changing my badges over.... Now, I have seen a few cars here with the gold Lexus Badges on their machines, and I have to say that I am falling madley in love with them.. And would it only be a "little" white lie, if I replaced my Windom with Lexus Badges??? AnyHoo.. How do you actually do it? I mean how do you get the badges off without damaging anything, and how do you put the new ones in? I need to get as much information as possible before attempting.. Same with the amber indicator plastic and cleaning of the lights with the oven.. I am pretty handy with stuff, but like to get a full idea with things first! Talk soon Chris....
SKperformance Posted May 27, 2003 Posted May 27, 2003 the badges remove easiest on a hot day as the double sided tape is more plyable use dental floss and a good wax remover after to remove the last of the glue there are little plugs behind each emblem that remove very easily the only question is what year you you have as the 92-94 have the es 300 on the rear light on the right side but the 95-96 have them on the trunk lid so in order to replace them you would have to change that light as they are a pain in the !Removed! to take of the light ( i took mine off)
SW03ES Posted May 28, 2003 Posted May 28, 2003 Naa, why would it be considered a lie? The Windom and the ES300 are the same car. Plus, Toyota is going to introduce Lexus over there anyways ;)
AusJapanWindom Posted May 28, 2003 Author Posted May 28, 2003 Just wont let anyone open the hood.. Anyways, mine is a 96 model... As for the scale models.. I am going to scratch build a model Windom/Es... Will show pictures when finished..
SKperformance Posted May 28, 2003 Posted May 28, 2003 if you really want to do it right get the engine cover with the lexus l on it to help complete the look also get a lexus drivers airbag from trd and that would complete the change over and maybe a owners manual from ebay also then sell the car for 1800 more than it is worth because it is a lexus now not so much like a camry later
SW03ES Posted May 28, 2003 Posted May 28, 2003 In Japan though, its worth just as much as the Windom as our ES300 is here...
AusJapanWindom Posted May 29, 2003 Author Posted May 29, 2003 Well I bought my 96 Windom for $1800US Got it for a steel from an old guy that babied it, and he was moving into the latest model.... Chris
SW03ES Posted May 29, 2003 Posted May 29, 2003 Wow, thats a great deal! Is that typical in Japan of that model? Here you'd be looking at $7,000-$9,000 US...
lexo Posted May 30, 2003 Posted May 30, 2003 it is the *BLEEP*s! Japanese cars more luxury and a bit cheaper than the US....depends on years and models but dang! I lived in Nagoya for about 5 years. My wife is Japanese but she hates cars......WHAT A SIN! I had the Celcior ( LS 400 96) I did the Yakuza style thingy to it! It was sad to sell and move back! I too use dental floss and a blow dryer helps on colder days. I took of the GS300 Lexus and added the Aristo.... I have a turbo and thought about using the V300 but na! Good luck with the change.....If you brake one you can always get another from Lexus or junk yard! :P
MCV20 Posted May 30, 2003 Posted May 30, 2003 Well I bought my 96 Windom for $1800US Got it for a steel from an old guy that babied it, and he was moving into the latest model.... Chris wow...$1800 for a 96 es..??? that is alot cheap... what happen in japan used car market...?? no one want a used car..? hey i got a question to ask.. what is the level of Windom sitting at the toyota line up..??? i knw it is upscale of camry.. but the windom in japan was priced over the price of CHASER and some model of GS300(basic)....that wat i find in Toyota japan site... thx.. this question run around me so long..
AusJapanWindom Posted May 30, 2003 Author Posted May 30, 2003 Hey guys.... Well the way i see it here in Japan.. The Windom to me seems to be placed equal forth behind the Celsior #1, Crown #2, and Aristo #3.. Then Windom = with the Mark II.. As in popularity as I see it... As to why used cars are cheap here. The question is quite simple.. Stuff is over priced and expencive here. And to have a car fixed, costs alot of money.. So basically the Japanese are scared to even look at a car that has over 50,000kms on the clock, as for worry about the motor blowing up or something along those lines.. Now the other main reasons are as followes.. Japan has what is called Shaken.. Shaken is a compulsary car check every 2 years, and basically a lincece for mechanics to charge $1400Aus for your car to be checked, regardless if your car is in perfect condition. Also, tax.. There are two kinds of number plates here in Japan. White and Yellow. White is for larger cars over a certain cc range. And Yellow, for a cc range under.. On top of that, the larger the engine size, the higher the tax and insurance.... It is a rort, and I am very happy to say that.. The roads here are ****, and the Japanese are quite happy to be ripped off!. Anyways, as for the gentleman married to a Japanese woman.. I can feel for you, believe me!.. My wife is not interested in cars also.. But we wont go there!.. Chris
SKperformance Posted May 30, 2003 Posted May 30, 2003 my wife wasn't into cars at first she also thought it waa a waste of time so i made a performance buisness and and now i always ask quiz her on what car that is ( driving beside ) only if it is somehting good now she wants a 5 series or an is 300 so now i can get another better car and she is all for it gs 430 here i come or a 540t with the 6 spd if only i could convince here on standard cars by the way the price you stated what currency is that and what is it equal to in us dollars?
AusJapanWindom Posted May 30, 2003 Author Posted May 30, 2003 The quote was in Australian Dollars.. Roughly for Shaken,100,000 is AU$1400.. = US$914..... Shaken can vary also.. As for your comment about Yakuuza style Celciors.. I love the look of it.. They dont know how to dress(Yakuuza all wear white or silver track suites, with lots of fake jewelry), and they all have funny little mustaches and flat top hair cuts. But their cars always look shmick! I was looking at a Celcior, and to be honest wanted one.. I dont mind paying extra for the comfort, but my wife put on the Japanese crocodile tears, and so, never got it... Chris
AusJapanWindom Posted June 1, 2003 Author Posted June 1, 2003 Shaken is like a road worthy check every 2 years... Really its a rort in which to make money.. Even a car that is in perfect condition has to get shaken.... I understand that there is a need for road worthyness. But I dont believe it should cost so much? The fact of the matter is this.. Japan is over priced, and over taxed.. Taxes are a fact of life, and I dont mind paying them.. Thats if I am getting something back? The roads here are terrible, and there is a traffic light every 10 feet.. So somebody is getting rich? Chris
SKperformance Posted June 2, 2003 Posted June 2, 2003 thanks for the translation for some of us north americans or atleast the ones who haven't gotten to go to the tokyo auto salon yet :( :( :( i wan to be there next year though
AusJapanWindom Posted June 2, 2003 Author Posted June 2, 2003 Well let me know when you come.. I havnt been yet, and would like an excuse to fly up to Tokyo and see it! I live in Fukuoka, western Japan.. And we actually have a pretty decent show here also. But again, havnt been as yet.. Will this summer though! Chris
AusJapanWindom Posted June 14, 2003 Author Posted June 14, 2003 Anybody else have anything to Ad.... What glue or sealant do you use to put the badges back on? Chris
SKperformance Posted June 14, 2003 Posted June 14, 2003 use neither glue or sealent there is a 3m double sided tape most body shops have it as it stays stuck and is used to reattach mouldings and the like usually can buy a small roll and cut little pieces to stick to angles of the emblem just liek oem
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