Hey guys,
I've combed wikipedia but it says nothing in terms of the weight of each model.

I'm after the curb weight of the TJ Solara and VRX.

Anybody know where to get this info?

Reason being, I'm considering selling my Solara and buying a VR-X, but after researching a bit, it seems like the only difference between the two is a bodykit, a muffler, paras and a small tune.

I've already got a straight through muffler on the Solara

Other than that (the bodykit and cams tweak), there's nothing the VR-X has over my Solara it seems.

Or does it?

Thus, I was looking at weight comparison.

As far as I can tell, the only things justifying a $3,000 price difference between the Solara and VRX is paras, a bodykit and a cams tweak.

Worth it or not?

Does the VR-X even drive better than the Solara (I will be upgrading springs), or is it all marketing? I'm not paying 3 thousand dollars for a VRX bodykit.

The Solara has Cruise, ABS, dual airbags, electric windows etc.

If anyone knows if the VRX has features that the Solara doesn't, please post it up.

Cheers,
Dingers

redbook.com.au

that will give you all the differences between different models.

cheers,
.wook

EDIT: there were 2 different tunes (and possibly cams) in the TJ series.

series 1 = 150kw/300nm
series 2 = 155kw/316nm

VR-x/Sports (both series) = 163kw/317nm => series 2 all from rear muffler.

Thanks for the link Wook, mine's a series 1.

As far as I can tell, the VRX has:
traction control,
a leather steering wheel,
paras,
cams tweak,
free flow muffler,
and a bodykit

over the Solara.

And it's 36 kilos heavier.

And it's 3-4 thousand dollars more expensive...

I'm thinking it's not worth it...

Can anyone speak on the handling and driveability between the two?

redbook.com.au

that will give you all the differences between different models.

cheers,
.wook

EDIT: there were 2 different tunes (and possibly cams) in the TJ series.

series 1 = 150kw/300nm
series 2 = 155kw/316nm

VR-x/Sports (both series) = 163kw/317nm => series 2 all from rear muffler.
Careful here, not all series 1 were 150, some were 155. It's best to check the owners handbook for gospel truth. Mine is a series 1 but it got the 155 engine

The handling with the vr-x and sports will be better than your solara due to the inclusion of a rear sway bar and some minor improvements to suspension geometry in the rear. Control arms were a bit different to accomodate the larger wheels

fair to assume that the 155kw motor had the "6" cams... what about the 150kw motor does that still run the same "4" cam that was found in the earlier 3.5L all but a slight ecu tweak to raise it from 147kw

I'll be upgrading my springs and including a rear sway bar and front strut brace anyway.

In the end, I think it's safe to say that the difference in price between a VRX and a Solara could be used to make the Solara much better than stock and better than the VRX.

I'll be upgrading my springs and including a rear sway bar and front strut brace anyway.

In the end, I think it's safe to say that the difference in price between a VRX and a Solara could be used to make the Solara much better than stock and better than the VRX.

It will make your car more "personal" but a s2 vr-x stock is a very sexy machine

It will make your car more "personal" but a s2 vr-x stock is a very sexy machine

Too true, I was seriously thinking of paying an extra 3-4 grand for a body kit.

Screw it, I'll go the more practical choice.

I can even include a GE kit in the price difference lol.

Too true, I was seriously thinking of paying an extra 3-4 grand for a body kit.

Screw it, I'll go the more practical choice.

I can even include a GE kit in the price difference lol.

interior in the vrx is much nicer, and doesnt have the horrid two tone solara paint

Don't forget that all VR-Xs have a 5 speed tiptronic auto (with a chrome surround!).


In the end, I think it's safe to say that the difference in price between a VRX and a Solara could be used to make the Solara much better than stock and better than the VRX.
Very true. While a VR-X obviously handles better than a stock Solara, it's still a long way off compared to what you can do with aftermarket parts.

I gotta biege interior, which will go nice with my black respray :P

Don't forget that all VR-Xs have a 5 speed tiptronic auto (with a chrome surround!).


Very true. While a VR-X obviously handles better than a stock Solara, it's still a long way off compared to what you can do with aftermarket parts.

Yeah, the 5 speed is the big one... I'd want a manual over a tippy obviously, but I think it's nigh impossible to find a reasonably priced manual VRX that has low mileage.

fair to assume that the 155kw motor had the "6" cams... what about the 150kw motor does that still run the same "4" cam that was found in the earlier 3.5L all but a slight ecu tweak to raise it from 147kw

Nope.

KE/KF/TH/KH were 147kW.

TJ onwards got the cam revision. Raising output to 150kW.

VRX had an exhaust (8kW) and tune (5kW) raising the 150kW to 163kW.

TJ (and KJ) after August 2001 got the tune aswell, therefore gaining the extra 5kW.

Nope.

KE/KF/TH/KH were 147kW.

TJ onwards got the cam revision. Raising output to 150kW.

VRX had an exhaust (8kW) and tune (5kW) raising the 150kW to 163kW.

TJ (and KJ) after August 2001 got the tune aswell, therefore gaining the extra 5kW.

Are they different cams, or was it an ECU tune.

What's 'Cheap'?

I saw these on carsales.com.au in NSW.
2003 AWD for $10k with 103,000kms.
2002 VRX manual $9k w/ 174,000kms.
2003 Sports man. $8750 w/ 119,000kms
2000 TJ VRX man. $6900 w/ 150,000kms.

I'm guessing the 200 TJ VRX is the green one with roof racks? It's been on carsales for more thn 4-5 months.

Basically, if I was to buy a VRX it'd have to be under 8 grand for me to look at it.

And yeah, screw Sports, either VRX or nothin' :P

so what if its got that many K's? As long as its been looked after and serviced well that engine still has plenty of life left in it

so what if its got that many K's? As long as its been looked after and serviced well that engine still has plenty of life left in it

Yeah... this is also very true.

I dunno, so much bother to do the car buying process again, an 8 grand VRX that's mechanically good would be underpants changing material.

Also, new avatar?

so what if its got that many K's? As long as its been looked after and serviced well that engine still has plenty of life left in it

It makes a difference mate....more k's = more wear on everything - gearbox, engine, struts, springs, bearings, bushes etc...... there's a reason more k cars have cheaper prices because no doubt later you will have more expenses later down the road.......also what about if all those k's and the car hasn't been looked after? Thats really just a hope and will only reduce the amount you'll have to spend on the car (now or later) but that will still not be lower than if you had paid a little bit extra for a more lower k car.....low k's = lower wear + even if not kept so well the misuse has been for shorter time of its life....

As for the VRX there Dingers - tbh I wouldn't go out there loosing money on your car and buying the vrx, plus also having all the issues with selling (rwc, stamp duty, patience with selling, selling costs etc) for nothing more than small differences in handling, a wierd plastic body kit, some 17" wheels (nothing major really) and a minor interior change....

A good condition VRX will easily set you back 9-10k...right now the market has quite expensive VRX's for sale with those that are cheap being either high k's or average condition (people paid big bucks for these cars many years ago and don't wanna part for cheap)........ and I really can't see how much more you're getting for your money....for the min 4k you'll loose you could really make your car as good or even better if you spend it well... i.e.
$1200 - (if necessary) Painted and fitted VRX kit (meh done to death these days so maybe mix it up with G.E, Ralliart or Carmate stuff)
$ 800 - full pleather seats, door cards and centre console colour matched to your liking
$ 900 - handling upgrades - $400 for 2x rear & front swaybars + $250 for good shockers + $300 suspension = much better than VRX handling....
$ 600 - 2nd VRX wheels (if necessary!) ....or spend a little more and get your own personal 18's

FOr the loss you'll make you could make your car unique and make it better for yourself....the difference between the base models and the VRX wasn't really great...it was far more visual than anything apart from the 5sp gearbox which while was a BETTER gearbox wasn't a brilliant one....it still can suffer from the wave spring fault and only provides about 1 sec better time in the 0-100 sprint...at the end of the day its still an auto and the manual will beat it........ if we were comparing the Ralliart to the base model or even VRX then it would be a whole different story - now there is a difference worth loosing 1000's for!

Anyway all the best with the decision....I went through the exact same process you did about 3 months ago and came to the conclusion that the difference is not worth it...... was thinking about selling my car and buying a vrx as well but really the differences were just not worth the hassle - ultimately you're just getting a plastic dressy looking magna (still no one respects it!) with a only a slightly better gearbox (if auto) and minor handling changes....the only reason I'm thinking of selling my current car (03 TJ advance) is because of the recent storm so when I fix it I will be able to make back at least some of the mass expenditure I'm about to plow into it......

My opinion if you jsut want the vrx then just don't bother! You've got a really nice low k car - why loose the security of having a car that has barely been driven (meh whats 85,000 k's really?) and you know is in good condition for anouther car that you don't really know and would have more k's in it for mainly some plasticcy bits?? You're still gonna have a fwd magna that has no rep and only minor improvements over your current car......

Just my 2cents....

Kovac, points all taken.

The one thing you haven't factored into this is the amount of shit I will cop / already have copped, from my girlfriend and mother.

I'm of two minds.

I'm confident I can sell the Solara for the 6 thousand region before the major service.
I avoid servicing costs of 1.5 g or somewhere around that.

Thus, I have 6 thousand physical money and 1.5 theoretical savings money.

7.5 grand.

If I spent an extra grand I can buy a VRX, which has paras, a 5 speed gearbox, some things I would have put on the Solara eventually anyway.

BUT, chances are a 8-9 grand VRX isn't going to be anywhere near as good condition as my Solara.

So in reality, there is a gap of a thousand dollars between an excellent Solara with low k's, and a slightly beat up VRX...

Also, god knows how long I'd have to wait before a decent VRX came on the market, the hassle might not be worth it.

Kovac, points all taken.

The one thing you haven't factored into this is the amount of shit I will cop / already have copped, from my girlfriend and mother.

I'm of two minds.

I'm confident I can sell the Solara for the 6 thousand region before the major service.
I avoid servicing costs of 1.5 g or somewhere around that.

Thus, I have 6 thousand physical money and 1.5 theoretical savings money.

7.5 grand.

If I spent an extra grand I can buy a VRX, which has paras, a 5 speed gearbox, some things I would have put on the Solara eventually anyway.

BUT, chances are a 8-9 grand VRX isn't going to be anywhere near as good condition as my Solara.

So in reality, there is a gap of a thousand dollars between an excellent Solara with low k's, and a slightly beat up VRX...

Also, god knows how long I'd have to wait before a decent VRX came on the market, the hassle might not be worth it.

hahaha I thought of the same thing as well... the wrath of my parents! Problem is that during the buying and selling process they're bareing half the burden of having to let me use their cars to get to places and get checks down etc....plus its not easy persuading them that selling and going thorugh all the hassles is really worth it for some plasticy bits and a half decent gearbox - my parents couldn't see beyond "man itz good low k kar - y you spend lotsa money for small plastik tings & 1 more sped in gearbox - works doesn't it and you know dis car noaw - why bodda?...."

I can see you're predicament 100%.....you're stuck between a rock and a hard place but the real decision will come down to what you're bottom line is in car....

You've got the make the decision here whether you value looks and a bagde over reliability......you've got the option of getting nicish little gimmicky things that you'd get from a vrx - i.e. body kit, rims, para's, 5sp gearbox but then you're probably getting a car you have no idea about how its been treated, and you know from the outset that it already been more used than yours....althought those rare perfect finds do come up you could be carless for many months before you find

Or You can anouther 1.5k and you've got a very reliable car, secured for even longer..... for the next 100,000k's (usually 5 years for most) you're pretty much set with major mechanical parts - all you'll need to spend on is the regular oil changes and the other minor stuff......you would not have the hassles with selling (like with getting a vrx) and unlikely to have much mechanical hassles for a while......but yes it doesn't look as mean as the VRX and doesn't have some circles around the headlights.....(all of which can be bought though)....and missing the 5sp auto - in regards to that - I had made a thread about changing my car from 4sp to 5sp and found out the advantages wouldn't be that great......manual's much more fun ;)

I did to say is that you can probs get the 100k service a little cheaper than 1.5k.... search around a little ;) .....

I say chuck a pair of 18's on your car and see how it looks...I know when I put some on, the change in the look was so different and I really liked how it looked even without the vrx kit....

The decision will be up to you obviously..... I know it can be hard, but access what you're bottom line in a car is and then go from there...sometimes you can't have your cake and eat it too but remember "the grass is always greener on the other side but its just as hard to mow" ....personally I'd take reliability over looks - sure you may have a fantastic looking car but if it barely runs and costs a heap then you'll hate it just as much anyway...plus its still jjsut a magna......for 4k I'd want some serious features like those found in a GTV! (mmmm black leather, climate control, tcl, satnav!, luxurious interior layout etc)...

I suspect I'd like my car a lot more if it was black, lowered and running on 18's

I have the 18's sitting in my garage, I'm looking for Lovell's superlows and respray... well, don't know when that's going to happen.

Screw it, I can get everything done to the Solara anyway.

Anyone know where to get Lovell's? Already tried philcom.

Personally I'd stick with what you have. It's low k's and seems in good nick, best of all you pretty much know what things you'll be up for in the near future (unless you do something stupid and blow a box etc.).

With another car you might be buying someone else's problems.

$1500 for a major service is really your 'insurance' that you're gonna get a lot more motoring out of your Solara! (servicing is cheap insurance don't skimp on it, but do bargain/shop around).

If you buy a higher km VRX it's probably close to it's second major service anyway! And it's definitely closer than the Solara to having everything else replaced as well.

You can justify the extra money you spend on your Solara to a degree, if it's spent wisely- (however if you can get your parents/girlfriend to see money spent on a car is wise, you are a born salesman!).


Here's your justification as I see it:

Your Solara is low km, pretty comfortable (has air-cond and power steering if the girl drives it), it's reliable and good build quality etc.
It's safe - ABS and airbags.
It's not a cop magnet if you drive sensible.
It's not too high on theives hit list (will change according to your mods, but still lower than others)

If you spend $1000 on new suspension (don't go too low- it'll handle worse and scrape on everything especially at the front) it will handle better than a VRX, better handling is safer, and the best thing is you won't have to worry about replacing these components again for years. (buy the VRX and you'll probably have springs and shocks that are shagged, or at least half shagged).

Spend $200-$300 on parra's if you want (everyone does)- sorry can't justify this too much as they aren't any better than stock, just look better.

I wouldn't switch from the 4sp auto to 5 sp auto. Yes it's better, but if anything save for a manual conversion (not cheap though-maybe between $1000-2000).

Spend $1000-$1500 on a bodykit/colour coding that's different to a VRX, but I'd just colour code to your original colour.
While you get the bodykit colour-coded touch up any chips/scrathes. You'll have a 'near new' factory paint job in appearance and It'll look better than a VRX, especially a second hand VRX with chips etc.


I wouldn't change the colour unless you hate yours- Badly! Changing the colour means inside the doors, the boot the bonnet etc. To do it properly is going to cost a crap load more, and is very painstaking to get right. If you want something that's different maybe a pearl coat or extra metallic/flake or even vinyl stripes or something (at least with vinyl you can change later?)
In my opinion if you hate the colour that much then I'd look at buying a different car that is a colour you can live with.

Add a decent alarm for a few hundred $'s, especially when you get alloys.

For this $3000-3500 your car will look as good or nicer, and handle better than a VRX, and you can safely know the mechanicals/suspension is top notch.


Keep saving a bit more and you can take it a bit further if you want to and increase your power over what the VRX had anyway.


Good luck convincing your family cause your going to spend more either way. You just need to decide which ones better value for money.

Hey Brett, yeah I think I'll keep this Solara.

As for the paint, I really want to respray it black. Good thing is though, my friends a professional spray painter and he's offered to do it for me for the cost of the paint, so I'm not particularly worried there.

interior in the vrx is much nicer, and doesnt have the horrid two tone solara paint

what is wrong with the 2 tone solara paint????? it doesnt look that good on the green however i have a burgundy one and i think it looks quite good..... differernt than just plain paint.... i am definatly not gunna take it off.... if (probably not) i get a body kit i'd prob keep the 2tone goin there too.... just my opinion......

Why bother with a vrx when for around 10k there is a black manual ralliart on carsales. Although it's got high k's, then you get the lsd you will need with the manual

Why bother with a vrx when for around 10k there is a black manual ralliart on carsales. Although it's got high k's, then you get the lsd you will need with the manual

I'm with you Murph! (If I wasn't buying another car from here I'd be purchasing that Black Ralliart for 10K! :woot:). Ralliart in total package... nothing else compares Magna wise.

You want 6K for your Solara and your not willing to pay more than 8k for a SII TJ VR-X? I bought my wife's silver SII TJ VR-XJ '4 years ago' with 140,000ks on it for a steel. NEVER had a problem with it, it doesn't miss a beat and every mechanic that has worked on it say they can't believe it has that many K's on it! :woot: (Mostly highway Ks as it was a company car that drove from Melb - Coffs Harbour from the day it was first registered. She's well run in and will go and go and go!... now sitting at 215,000K's, that's 75,000K's I've put on it in 4 years and still going strong!)

For a car that has so many great qualities and reports about it, K's doesn't matter. They are designed to do more than 200,000ks without a problem if they are treated right. Mine is a clear example of that! It's body is immaculate and mechanically very good for its distance covered. Its as sturdy as a rock, and when a car haven't given you trouble between 80,000 and 160,000ks, then you know it will last many many more!

Overall, a Solara compared to a VR-X... clearly the total package that a VR-X offers is well beyond the package of a Solara. You've looked after yours, so that gives you great confidence in its longevity... search for a VR-X for sale that has the same love and attention that you show your Solara no matter what the K's, you won't be disappointed. Unless you are willing to take the time, money and effort to body kit your solara and all that Jazz... you may as well save yourself the hassle and by a VR-X like some of the other guys have suggested.

That's my 2 cents. Good Luck with it all!

Hey Brett, yeah I think I'll keep this Solara.

Good move, you're completely wasting yr money getting a VRX when you factor in $ loss on yr car, stamp duty etc. A few additional mods on the Solara and you will have a great car that will be a little more unique.

Kovac mate stop going on like the VRX is just some magna with a shit body kit mate, they are far nicer car than a Exec or Solara IMO.

You get over the Solara:

Full body kit
17inch rims
More power
A fully colour coded exterior, none of this silver on the bottom thing
Parabolic headlights
Better exhaust note
Climate control (this to me is a huge difference, love my climate kicks standard aircons ass)
A better handling car over all, with suspension and the better rims
Better stock stereo
Leather steering wheel and gear knob
Fog lights
If you get the auto, its a better gear box
You also get traction control with the auto
Better cluster as well

So mate stop passing the VRX off as some bodykit, it cost more to begin with and still does for a reason, its a better car all round.

As for upgrading if you find a mint one i would go for it.

Here are 3 pretty decent examples FS atm just on carsales:

00 TJ VRX manual, wont have some of the features i listed like climate (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8044844&__Qpb=true&Cr=5&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294964597% 204294964374%204294933127&SearchAction=N&silo=1011&__No=30&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=43&__sid=1229D2E6544D)

03 TJ VRX with a custom paint job, auto with 116k for $9000 (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8485678&__Qpb=true&Cr=1&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294964597% 204294964374%204294933127&SearchAction=N&silo=1011&__No=30&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=43&__sid=1229D2E6544D)

02 TJ VRX auto 121k looks in great nic for $9800 (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8440067&__Qpb=true&Cr=9&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294964597% 204294964374%204294933127&SearchAction=N&silo=1011&__No=15&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=43&__sid=1229D2E6544D)

What ever you do mate dont rush your decision :) Good luck

Timmy

Don't get me wrong - yes they are nicer than an exec or solara but that 'niceness' isn't THAT great of a difference...its not like we're comparing a exec to a ralliart.....there are a few differences (mainly kit & gearbox) but I can see it worth going through all the hassles of selling and being out of pocket many $1000's for....if it was a ralliart then yes the difference is massive and definetely worth the hassle but in comparison to a pristine condition solara it isn't much.....with a few small mods and for pretty much the same money he'd be out of pocket of he could make his car even better than a vrx is what I'm saying....

The VRX is a nice car - no doubt - infact I would've killed to be able to buy one when I was looking at cars to buy almost a year ago, its got alot of features and bang for your money but in this case (and in mine) if someone has already bought a lower model magna - the difference they'll gain from the vrx I doubt will really outway all the loss, hassles and uncertainty they will go through...

If I wanted to I can pick up a sable black 2001 VR-X (series 1, or early series) with 130K, 100% stock with the sunroof, and the red leather seats for $9,000 but I would have to sell my TE. In fact I'm happy with my TE which I'm planning to get lowered in the near future and hopefully will get the sway bar and strut brace. That will make my car drive very nicely.

Nope.

KE/KF/TH/KH were 147kW.

TJ onwards got the cam revision. Raising output to 150kW.

VRX had an exhaust (8kW) and tune (5kW) raising the 150kW to 163kW.

TJ (and KJ) after August 2001 got the tune aswell, therefore gaining the extra 5kW.

Correct! You win the cigar!!

For more info on these changes, there's an article here: http://www.autospeed.com.au/cms/A_2669/article.html

Best choice would be a TJ sport (performance mods minus the added weight from the body kit)

ok 2 sum it up after reading 4 pages is that the VR-x is better then Exec/Solara can we move on?

The main thing stopping me is the hassle and the period of time where I'll have no car etc.

Beside that, as Kovac said, for the 3-4 thousand dollar difference between the Solara and VRX, I could sink that into the Solara and it'll munch the VRX.

From my personal experiences buddy i would say keep the solara. I was in 2 minds a few years ago about my car (it wasnt a magana, but u get the point lol). I had a lower model car that i had spent alot of money on to make it as good as the high end model, but it was never the same. So i sold the car and bought the high end model, at first i loved it, but then i had problem after problem. In the end the thing got stolen and to this day i kick myself for selling my old car that i put so much time and money into to get it the way i wanted.
In saying this, if you have looked after your car and you continue to look after it you will be far better off. You know the history of your car and only you can appreciate that. If you really want a vrx i suggest buy the bodykit. If you get sick of it sell the kit and play with the car some more. I think there are far more options you can do with your car then to just go buy a new one
Just remember the 1st day you picked it up... how stocked were you??? :D

lol, you know, I've only had this Solara for less than 2 months.

It IS however my first car and I know for a fact it's in top nick.