Toyota Blade V6.

[Kiwi-Corolla]

I wonder if it's the same 6 speed auto that's in the IS250

Completely different box. Remember, IS250 is RWD

The V6 Blade uses a U660E gearbox, the same as in the Aurion, Estima etc.

[Al]

What was I thinking It's been a long weekend

[Kiwi-Corolla]

What was I thinking It's been a long weekend

I hear ya! . It's the same box as in the Lexus ES350 however, which is sort of like a FWD version of the IS350.

In regards to the gearbox lag mentioned by others, it definitely takes some getting used to. The change down time when you floor it to overtake is pretty annoying, but if you chuck it into tiptronic mode and hold it in gear before overtaking then it's fine - The downside to that however is that you have to change gear at about 6,000rpm since when it actually changes it will be at redline and will valve bounce due to the lag, LOL.

All in all though, it's a very smooth gearbox and is pretty well geared without any annoying 'hunting' etc. I drove a Lexus IS350 about 6-months ago and it was just as laggy with the gear changes, so it's likely to do with the trans computer software itself rather than the actual gearbox. They seemed to have fixed the lag quite a lot with the latest 2015/2016 shape Aurion which uses the same gearbox, so I wouldn't mind chucking a trans computer in from one of those someday.

[escortman]

My parents bought the 2.4lt version about a year ago. Its an awesome little car, they went with the 2.4lt as they head down to the bach over coromandel quite often and I read the V6 weight wasnt the best through the twisty bits.

I was really impressed when I gave it bit along scenic drive for a standard car. I imagine some 17s with good tyres and some springs would really help out too

[Al]

Went and looked at a Master G today. The seats are very reminiscent of the GT SW20 seats. The same perforated suede leather squabs with grain leather bolsters. The only real difference being the shape of the headrests.

This one had a NZ New factory Toyota stereo with 6 cd and Bluetooth. Going back on Sunday to take it for a drive when I've got more time.

[soopachargen]

e153 should bolt up the the 2gr... do it al

[s4turn]

First time posting here!

Cant find much info on the blades, but very close to purchasing a blade master (non-g)
im a bit worried about the servicing costs. Have read to change the water pump the whole engine has to come out? (people are mentioning this with the aurions/ravs)

can anyone shed any light on this?

also any other issues other than the oil lines with these cars?

@2jayzgte have you brought one yet?

[Kiwi-Corolla]

First time posting here!

Cant find much info on the blades, but very close to purchasing a blade master (non-g)
im a bit worried about the servicing costs. Have read to change the water pump the whole engine has to come out? (people are mentioning this with the aurions/ravs)

can anyone shed any light on this?

also any other issues other than the oil lines with these cars?

@2jayzgte have you brought one yet?

The water pump can be removed without taking the engine out, but it's a labour intensive job. The good news is that they normally don't require replacement since they're built to last the lifetime of the car (300,000+ km's). In rare cases they can leak, but this is usually within the first 60,000km's, so if it hasn't leaked already then you're pretty safe. So don't worry about water pump replacement being a maintenance issue, but rather spark plug replacement being a right pain in the ass. They come factory with platinum spark plugs which are designed to last about 100,000km's, so if they haven't been replaced and the car has over 80k clicks on the clock it might be something to factor into the cost for future maintenance. The 2GR-FE is a very reliable engine however with little maintenance required other than an oil change at 10k intervals.

[s4turn]

cheers!

the car im looking at is an import with 101k on the clock
unsure of service history other than an oil change on its arrival to NZ

I want to get the oil line checked, but was worried about the water pump too

yeah have seen in some videos the back 3 plugs are buried underneath a lot of parts

[Kiwi-Corolla]

cheers!

the car im looking at is an import with 101k on the clock
unsure of service history other than an oil change on its arrival to NZ

I want to get the oil line checked, but was worried about the water pump too

yeah have seen in some videos the back 3 plugs are buried underneath a lot of parts

Fortunately the Blade only has one oil line that can potentially leak, which is the VVTi oil line at the back of the engine. They don't have a front oil cooler like the Aurion etc so that's one less thing to worry about. It's very easy to see if it's a rubber or metal line when you pop open the bonnet. Yeah to replace the 3 rear spark plugs you have to remove the intake plenum. Not a huge deal considering how infrequently they need to be changed, so I wouldn't let it sway your purchase decision in any way. Just don't let the dealer put 91 octane in it before you go for a test drive

[s4turn]

Cheers for the help

[Al]

I bought one a couple of weeks ago. If it's fine tomorrow, currently raining, I'll give her a wash and post some photos.

Mine is a '08 Master G. 70km. Black. Has a heap of options. Alloy bumper/hatch trim with Blade on it, Blade boot liner (looks to be a Toyopet option), tinted rear and hatch windows, alloy sill plates front and rear (the front ones light up with Blade in blue), blue interior footwell lighting front and rear. Looked at loads in Auckland when I bought it, and this was the best by far. The non G spec looks shit inside compared to the G. Love the suede leather everywhere. Mine has an aftermarket muffler as well. I drove a couple and they are super quiet, mine has a slightly throatier roar. The oil line seems to have been changed already as I had a really good poke around with my torch and I couldn't see any rubber joins.

Drove from Auckland to Wellington on one tank. 8 litres/100km.

Also has a great set of tyres on it, Bridgestone Potenza S001's. All the others I looked at had new China specials fitted.

[s4turn]

Nice!

was that blade by chance at a dealers yard out in takanini way? andrew simms?
I remember seeing a really nice blade for around 15k? had everything, aftermarket pod filer, exhaust, blue lightning in door sills, leather etc


I'd love a Master G if I could find one, but im on a limited budget as it is
I came close to buying a master G at a new lynn car yard for 10k, the dealer wouldnt let me take the car away for an AA inspection without paying a 10% deposit!
so I walked away

[Al]

No the one at Andrew Simms trade in yard was rough. It had 8 years of New Zealand wear and tear, stains on seats, dings and scratches over it.

Mine was from Buy Right in Takanini, although I bought it from the guys at Papatoetoe.

Good thing you didn't pay for an AA inspection. They aren't worth the paper they are printed on.

[s4turn]

Hah yes imsure that was the one, was inside a very large showroom, really nice mazda speed next to it
I Got the names mixed up

I was driving around all the car yards and andrew simms, buy right were on my list.

Thats a really a nice blade had lots of little extras


They had another out the back for around 13k, not very good condition though

I just got an AA inspection done too on the blade im looking at buying.
Leaking shock on it

[Al]

Here is my Blade I'm taking it to the drags at Ruapuna in September when they start again for the season.


http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Al-sw20 ... Master%20G

[s4turn]

thats a really nice car!

Do you plan to change the headunit out? I see there is android direct replacements

[Al]

Yep next job is headunit. There is a company in Christchurch, OEM Audio that does a kit, they have a Youtube channel showing you the units in operation.

[Bling]

Got our Blade locally, and another one on the yard had the boot plastic like yours, so I had them swap it into the one we wanted Tidy down hooks are handy. I don't really drive it, but they certainly put a lot of thought into the interior. Can't be auto up / down on all windows from the drivers door. That might be standard these days, but it's a nice touch.

[GDII]

Looks epic. So tidy. Love the glowing sill plates. MR2s need this!