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Americans who wanted a Lexus GS 300 got a naturally aspirated inline-six. Japan got the twin-turbo version. This 1998 Toyota Aristo V300 is live at no reserve on Cars & Bids with a twin-turbocharged 2JZ, right-hand drive and a U.S. title, and the auction ends Friday, November 6 at 1:42 PM EST. At the time of writing, the high bid was $9,000 with 11 bids.
The Sedan the U.S. Never Got
Toyota launched the second-generation Aristo in Japan in 1997. According to the listing, it was closely related to the Lexus GS sold in the United States, and Japanese buyers could choose between two versions of the 2JZ engine in a rear-wheel-drive chassis. The U.S. GS 300 got the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter six, rated at 225 horsepower. The Aristo V300 added a pair of turbochargers, and the listing puts output at about 276 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic.
That is roughly 50 more horsepower than the American car. The package is a quiet luxury sedan with leather, a power sunroof and navigation, built around the same engine family that made the Supra famous. The Aristo nameplate was retired in 2005.
What This One Has
This silver Aristo has a black interior and shows approximately 113,300 kilometers on its metric odometer, or about 70,400 miles, according to the seller. It is titled in Montana and located in North Highlands, California. The seller lists leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, navigation, cruise control and traction control, along with a power sunroof and rear sunshade.
Modifications reported by the seller are modest: Bilstein coilovers, 18-inch BBS LM wheels, a TRD exhaust system, a Team Toyota Europe front lip spoiler, and a Japanese ETC toll unit. A recent compression test is posted in the photo gallery, and the listing includes a cold-start video, a walkaround and an air-conditioning vent temperature test.
Condition and Caveats
The seller discloses chips, scratches and scuffs on the nose, weathered and scratched wheels, creases on the driver's seat, and corrosion on some engine bay and underbody components. The seller reports buying the car in 2026 and adding about 500 miles since. The car is titled to the seller's LLC, and only one key is included.
As with any imported car, registration is the buyer's responsibility. The seller notes that the Aristo may not pass emissions testing in some states, so check local rules before placing a bid.
Why It's Worth Watching
Twin-turbo 2JZ cars are not usually cheap. A 1997 Supra Turbo 15th Anniversary Edition bid past $52,000 on Cars & Bids earlier this year. The Aristo shares an engine family with that car and adds four doors and a back seat. It also fits the growing market for Japanese-market sedans and wagons, as shown when a right-hand-drive 1998 Toyota Caldina wagon sold for $7,700.
The Aristo has the sort of drivetrain tuners have chased for decades, wrapped in a body that rarely draws a second glance. With no reserve, it will sell to the highest bidder on Friday afternoon. See the full photo gallery, videos and comments on the original Cars & Bids listing.
