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Location:
Launceston, Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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opinions: Toyota Sera
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Tue, 04 February 2003 23:43
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I will be buying a car for under $10000 soon and i have just noticed an interesting toyota called the sera. the main thing that makes them interesting is the fact that the doors open upwards. Does anyone know much about these cars? engine, performance etc
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Location:
Launceston, Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Tue, 04 February 2003 23:48
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also, i take it that they are imported?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 00:10
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Yeah, from memory theyuse an E-series engine, from a Starlet or a Paseo or something. But boy, do those doors look cool? 
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Location:
Launceston, Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 00:15
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i did a bit more reasearch and actually found a picture with the doors closed! they are only 108hp  they are imported arn't they? imported could screw me for insurance cause i am only 18. may have to look in to it
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Location:
Launceston, Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 00:26
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here is a pic for those of you who havn't seen them before 
I think the engine was a 5e-fhe
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 00:29
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They suck.
Underpowered, and I hope you like sitting in a car built for Japanese summers. All that glass, tiny windows, and air cond made for Japanese conditions combines into a car that is not very pleasant to drive when it's hot.
The doors a cool though. Fully sick mate! 
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 00:38
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But Japanese summers are supposed to be nearly as hot as ours?? I can see what you mean. Perfect candidate for a Starlet GT turbo engine though 
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 00:42
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They are not too bad a car. They are similar to a Paseo but much lighter. They have a 5E-FHE opposed to Paseo 5E-FE. They are higher in compression and have more power than the Paseo too. A mate of mine owns one which has been off the road for a year and a half now and thats not due unreliability but lack of oil. I've driven it numerous times and they go quite good.
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Location:
Wollongong
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 00:42
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It seems the only thing going for the Sera are the doors. I believe they are 4E-FE (1.3L Starlet) powered. They are all imports, so insurance will be high.
One thing to note, I've heard rumour that McLaren actually modelled the doors of the F1 from the Sera ! Were Toyota onto a good thing ?
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Location:
Gold Coast
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 00:43
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hmmm those seats dont look too bad in that pic ill check them out for the celica YOINK!
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Location:
Ipswich
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 01:40
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Are they front or rear drive car?
I reckon with a bodykit lowered and big mags they would look pretty awesome.
Throw in a turbo starlet engine and u would have one very sweet little package.
Brett.
ps would be so easy to pick up in too 
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 02:31
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they are FWD, same platform as the local Paseo Jap Cynos & US Tercel, eng output 69-70kw (5efe/5efhe) good for 18 1/4's 0-100 in about 10 (bit gutless)although the ep82 motor 4efet drops in 4 100Kw, they weigh more than a paseo at 1100kg (920kg) (to correct above post) watch for big bearing and oil supply probs.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 02:37
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Munki,
Yeah those seats are pretty comfy.
Soarer,
Although the Sera is underpowered its a lightweight at 700 or 750Kg i was told so its power to weight ratio would still be quite good. And besides you could bolt up the starlet motor as the use the same engine mounts if you wanted more power.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 02:58
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kerb weight is 1050kg, not 750, check the specs on the net, I wish it was 750, it would fly at that ratio!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 03:37
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The specs i found on the net say 2075LBs which is 941Kg but apparently there was supposed to be a MK II that was almost 200Kg lighter.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 04:32
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see http://www.carimports.com.au/sera/sera_specificati ons.html
never heard of mkii, and belive me I am a big Toyota (imports) fan, I must admit I don't much about the local ones, but if you have info please post a web-address or email me with the details of the mkii or where i can find one, at that weight, it has a power to weight ratio close to that of a WRX STI & GTR for that matter!!!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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 Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 05:49
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Yeh, that would be great if you could, but don't bust a nut looking for it, I am pretty sure there isn't one.
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Location:
Launceston, Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 09:33
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A little off topic here but i am looking at getting a new car soon, i don't think the sera is really a serious contender. My price range is under $10000. Basically i am after something that is newer style and pretty much standard cause 18yo, performance & insurance don't mix. I just want something nice looking. So far a st184 celica is at the top of the list. A toyota is prefered of course but i will concider anything really. anyone else got any interesting ideas?
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Location:
sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 09:38
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rolla sx ?
starlet gt turbo?
the old supras ?
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 09:51
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The seras were "okay" just like a Corolla with a fancy body, my brother was thinking of buying one...till he drove one. Performance is "economical" and be prepared to wear sunscreen. AC is a must in this car.
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Location:
Sydney, Australia
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Wed, 05 February 2003 21:08
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I think they should be called the "Toyota Greenhouse"
They do look quite nice, but I'm not sure I could handle the sun.. it's true while it does get hot in other countries, I've found that the sun in Australia seems to "burn" a hell of a lot faster.
sam
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Thu, 06 February 2003 13:15
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be abit different, buy the sera! i think its a nice car, not very common either. or you could save a bit more and get something with a bit more power and easy on the insurance
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Location:
Perth
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Thu, 06 February 2003 17:41
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What's wrong with some nice dark tint?
You could go limo tint on the top and dark on the sides.
I have a red corolla with no air con and live in Perth, and putting tint on is probably the smartest thing i've done to my car. It will keep cool for about 40 minutes out in the sun before things start to warm up, but the biggest difference is the lack of glare and the intensity of the sun that you feel on your skin.
Regards,
Liam.
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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 Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Fri, 07 February 2003 00:27
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Liam, you have metal for a roof, not glass.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
November 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Fri, 07 February 2003 01:02
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not in a sera! 
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Fri, 07 February 2003 03:04
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Those doors are sexy  but I think thats all they got gonig for them though. But just to be different I reckon it'd be a great idea! Coat of black paint(wouldn't help the temps I know but would look kool ehhehe), nice mags and tint on all the windows plus a new engine and would be one very sweet ride, I mean who has gull wing doors these days? Hmmm
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Fri, 07 February 2003 03:48
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| Alchemist wrote on Fri, 07 February 2003 14:04 |
Those doors are sexy but I think thats all they got gonig for them though. But just to be different I reckon it'd be a great idea! Coat of black paint(wouldn't help the temps I know but would look kool ehhehe), nice mags and tint on all the windows plus a new engine and would be one very sweet ride, I mean who has gull wing doors these days? Hmmm
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LOL sounds like you'd only be buying it for the cool doors lol
Cheers
Wilbo
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Fri, 07 February 2003 11:18
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Yea I think the doors would be the only reason, unless I came across one with a 3g or something in there, but I doubt it'd fit.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
November 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Sat, 08 February 2003 17:38
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and that, class, is how you do up a toyota sera
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Sun, 09 February 2003 06:00
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Ohh very nice, I wonder how much that cost to tickle up.
Another thing I remember is my brother thumped his head twice
Once getting in and once getting out.
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Location:
Ipswich
Registered:
July 2002
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Thu, 13 February 2003 05:29
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looks great bit over$$$ though, & it can't be a 1.5, uless they stuck a 1.3 4efte (ep82 GT) head on the 1.5 block which u can do or its a custom job with new pistons etc, but it looks like 4efte conversion which is 1.3, should go good (13s).
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Location:
Carlingford, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Fri, 14 February 2003 07:50
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he was at the dyno day last yeah with Nick vas in the starlet
he said it was the 1.5L motor turboed etc
looks good to
he also said somthing about the heat in the sun in that thing
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Location:
Face down in a ditch
Registered:
May 2002
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Location:
Sydney South
Registered:
March 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Mon, 10 March 2003 18:15
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Howdy Guys, I'm new to this club, and must say I loved the cruise I went on about 2 weeks ago past fitsroy falls,
I Own a Toyota Sera and extreemly love them.
The Veiw you have of the world from the inside cant be matched by any other car I've ever been in or could afford.
For any of you guys that loved 'Back to the future' as a kid understand where my passion of the doors originates.
They come in three models;
EXY-10 Almnux The Heavist of the three weighing in at 1100kg with ABS breaks interior air filters a sera live sound system with rear projection luminecent graphic equaliser and thier automatic transmition. Costs anywhere between $14k-18k
EXY-10 Phase I weighing in at 910-940kg, Again they have ABS and the sera live system but not as many interior creature comforts as the Almnux. Cost anywhere between $8k-12k
EXY-10 Phase II Weighing anywhere from 690kg - 890kg, They have no ABS, nearly all interior creature comforts are non existant and no Sera live sound sytem,
These are extreemly rare, The 690kg versions get their weight reduction from the materials they use to create the chaise.
Carbon fiber I've been told. Costs anywhere between $17k-25k
I have a EXY-10 Phase II, and its the best thing I've ever owned.
They do have a timing belt problem at 80,000kms and the bottom end bearings are as week as papper mashay
They consist of a 5e-fhe engine which is a 5e-fe bottom end with High mecca twin cam head opposed to the the twin cam in the 5e-fe
The have the same bore as the 5e-fe 87mm but with a High compression piston setup.
They also have an accoustic manifold
They basiclly tweaked the the old 5e-fe and didnt upgrade the timeing belt to a stonger one nor did they bother to upgrade the bottom end bearings
I've Killed 4 Engines to date and I've owned the sera for a little over 4 years.
I must admit though due to bad habbits that I aquired from owning a robust Holden 202 kingswoord HK
I was not one to change oil.
I have learnt my lesson the hard way and I'm currently looking around for a 5e-fhe engine, (that I will Oil this time)
If anyone knows where to pick up a 5e-fhe Please tell me.
Also I have had this argument with gee120 many times,
as he believes that the demise of the 5e bottom end was a dirrect result of my bad habbits (lead foot/no oil change) and that the bottom ends should hold up quite fine.
After doing some research though I found that their are american companies that refuse to sell the el44 which is a 5e-fhe engine without replacing the bottom end bearings to more robust ones.
If anyone has anything to add to this argument please jump right in.
If anyone has any questions about the sera don't hesitate to ask
Or if anyone has any good ideas on stuff to do to one, please forward them to me.
The cruise that I went on only teased me to the point of missing my sera extreemly. It is now my number one priority to get her back on the road.
[Updated on: Tue, 11 March 2003 08:42]
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Location:
Sydney South
Registered:
March 2003
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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 Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Mon, 10 March 2003 22:05
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Spot on about the bottom ends Mr Doors, don't believe the 690kg's. With the 5efhe wouldn't that give you a power to weight ratio the likes of a r32 gtr or sti wrx, i.e. 8kg per kw, carbon fibre, thats prancing horse stuff, in a car like that mmm, sorry sounds very doubious (aka bs), if can offer some proof like a web-site with some facts, I will eat my hat if your right!
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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 Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Mon, 10 March 2003 22:08
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There are heaps of places u can get a good 5efe for around $600-800 in Syd try Jap engines, Ichiban, SSS Automotive, have u considered the 4efte good for 100KW (now that will get u 13's)and u can get for 695 with a com
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Mon, 10 March 2003 23:16
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tkoco,
Ive been asking for evidence for this 690Kg for 3 years and still havent got it so good luck.
There is only one way he can prove the weight and thats on a weigh bridge, so PAUL hurry the F up and get ur shit box on the road so we can get it weighed that way i prove you wrong yet again.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Tue, 11 March 2003 00:17
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| Mr Doors wrote on Tue, 11 March 2003 05:15 |
EXY-10 Phase II Weighing anywhere from 690kg - 890kg, They have no ABS, nearly all interior creature comforts are non existant and no Sera live sound sytem,
These are extreemly rare, The 690kg versions get their weight reduction from the materials they use to create the chaise.
Carbon fiber I've been told. Costs anywhere between $17k-25k
I have a EXY-10 Phase II, and its the best thing I've ever owned.
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Seeing as ur comparing it to that piece of shit Kingswood you owned, anything would be better.
| Mr Doors wrote on Tue, 11 March 2003 05:15 |
They do have a timing belt problem at 80,000kms and the bottom end bearings are as week as papper mashay
They consist of a 5e-fhe engine which is a 5e-fe bottom end with High mecca twin cam head opposed to the the twin cam in the 5e-fe
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Once again i would like to see some evidence of this. A web link will suffice.
| Mr Doors wrote on Tue, 11 March 2003 05:15 |
I've Killed 4 Engines to date and I've owned the sera for a little over 4 years.
I must admit though due to bad habbits that I aquired from owning a robust Holden 202 kingswoord HK
I was not one to change oil.
I have learnt my lesson the hard way and I'm currently looking around for a 5e-fhe engine, (that I will Oil this time)
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Which just proves ur an idiot, most people would have learnt from the 1st engine. Seeing you owned a Kingswood i'd excuse you for 2 engines but not 4.
| Mr Doors wrote on Tue, 11 March 2003 05:15 |
Also I have had this argument with gee120 many times,
as he believes that the demise of the 5e bottom end was a dirrect result of my bad habbits (lead foot/no oil change) and that the bottom ends should hold up quite fine.
After doing some research though I found that their are american companies that refuse to sell the el44 which is a 5e-fhe engine without replacing the bottom end bearings to more robust ones.
If anyone has anything to add to this argument please jump right in.
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Once again i'm asking for evidence showing these theories about the bottom end.
I have one more thing to add, The Yanks are idiots when it come to engines. To them every engine is weak. Take the 3SGTE for example, Once a month i hear about one of them blowing there motor and needing to do a rebuild. Out of 1100 people on this list ppl from the UK & all over Europe, US and Australia the only ones that have problems with blown engine are the Yanks.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Tue, 11 March 2003 00:38
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I have to back doors up here, I do have a website that lists common problems for the 5efe, and bottom end bearings are one them, mine blew at 180,000km, I was thrushing the shit out of it, so no one to blame but my own dumb self, all makes & models have certain inherient problems, cars/motors do all eventually die of something! 690kg sera is bs, carbon fibre shell/chassis no way, no how, if doors provides proof he can come around to my place and i will give him $100.00 no shit, thats how sure I am.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Tue, 11 March 2003 00:58
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Have you got links to those sites about the bottom ends? Are they American?
Hey i agree about all car/engines have there issues, but i owned a Paseo for 4 yrs with a 5EFE and had no problems with the donk until i decided i didnt need to do and oil change at 5000km or at 10000km and at 15000km+ when there was stuff all oil in it the bearings finally went.
There were 2 ways i drove that car, and that was mash the loud pedal and keep it to the floor and hard on the brakes to stop.
Doors can vouch for how i drove that car cause i taught him how to drive the sera b4 he bought it in my paseo and he knows i never took it easy on that car.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Tue, 11 March 2003 01:50
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Yeh they probably were US sites but so what they all came from Japan didn't they? why should the US ones be any weaker? whats your point? Toyota make great cars&engines shit I have one and am buying another, I am NOT saying all 5efe's will fail at the bottom end, but sum do, of course proper servicing greatly helps, but a small % will still die coz of the bottom end (like I said mine did, the previous owner wasn't big on oil changes etc) I am not putting the 5efe on trial here (I have one FFS! & it goes great)
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Tue, 11 March 2003 02:48
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They did all come from Japan this is true and there quality should be the same, but when it come to the US there are other variants to take into account.
ie: Fuel- 90-92 octane and their hi-octane is 94-95
Do you think that its just coincidence that the 3SGTE is a rock solid engine to almost everyone round the world but the Yanks manage to blow them up all the time and ppl everywhere else dont have any problems at all.
Thats why i asked if the links you read about the weak bottom end were American. Through my experience the Yanks can blow up any engine, there is 1 guy who has blown his engine 4 times. On the 3rd rebuild he also got forged conrods, bearings and pistons and still managed to blow it up. It is also well known fact that the Yanks cant tune an engine to save their life.
I dont care what anyone says the 5EFE is a solid engine all the way around all the way to redline and the limiter god knows i hit that a fair few times but that engine just wanted to keep revving.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Tue, 11 March 2003 03:50
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Gez thats a bit harsh, don't the yanks lead the way with their Honda's and Supra's and what about the drag racers i.e. the 5,000 hp Keith Black hemi's (u gotta admit thats a shitload of hp)???
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Tue, 11 March 2003 04:07
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It is a little harsh, but dont get me wrong its not all Yanks but there is a large number of them.
I'll agree with you on there Honda's but not Supra's only cause i've not seen anything from them in that area.
Their drag racers are a different story all together. I'm mainly refering to the general end user or so called knowledgable end user.
The main point to my arguement is that is that i dont beleive that the 5EFE or 5EFHE have a weak bottom end at least not if it is left in standard form.
I tried to get mine to break by sitting on the redline over 3 years and the bearings finally gave way when i stopped chabging my oil and let it get to the point where it had none
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Location:
Sydney South
Registered:
March 2003
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Tue, 11 March 2003 10:01
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My mate work in a bearing company and calculates the load of berarings every day I will ask when I get a chance to equate the load of the cranc that sits on those bearings and the load that the bearing can handle. I will give you proof
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: opinions: Toyota Sera
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Tue, 11 March 2003 11:31
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Paul/Doors,
the funny thing is that the bearings(if its like ball bearings) your mate works with and a conrod bearings are nothing alike. But let me know how you go.
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