āMark 2 Samuraiā is a business class car, which began to be published since the beginning of the 1990s. However, he has a rich background. Interestingly, Mark II began to be produced since 1968. It was then that the history of the model began. Well, the topic is voluminous and interesting, so itās worth telling more about it.
A brief history
Interestingly, the āMark 2 Samuraiā - a machine that is a successor to models such as Chaser and Cresta. Only exterior elements and interior design options differ.
It is on the example of a car such as āMark 2 Samuraiā, you can see the evolution of Japanese automotive industry as a whole. In general, there are nine generations of this car. All of them are one more perfect than the other. During the production, the dimensions of the body, the power and power indicators of the engines, the number of speeds in the gearbox increased, as well as the comfort improved, new functions and electronic auxiliary systems appeared. We must not forget about the security elements - their manufacturers also tirelessly improved.
Production start
Before āMark 2 Samuraiā began to appear, there were other generations before him. The first four series were, in essence, richer and even more expensive versions of the notorious Toyota Corona. The first generation was represented by station wagons and sedans (4 doors), as well as 2-door coupes. If we talk about the technical characteristics, these were 2- and 1.5-liter engines (gasoline). Their power was 107 and 85 āhorsesā, respectively. A choice was offered either a 4 or 3-speed manual gearbox or a 2-3-speed āautomaticā. The second generation has become stronger, more powerful. Engines could now boast 1.7 and 2 liter displacement and 90-107 forces.
What can be said about the third generation of āMark 2 Samuraiā? It was produced in three bodies, which regarding the design is very aggressive and brutal. A 2.6-liter engine appeared, the boxes acquired other speeds. And in the fourth generation there were cars that were the owners of powerful, 145- and 116-horsepower engines with three-liter āsixesā. Fifth, sixth generation ... cars all continued to be produced, and each time they became better. And then, in 1992, the seventh appeared. And it was a car known to the world as the Toyota Mark 2 Samurai.
Design
Everyone knows that Japanese manufacturers pay a lot of attention to the appearance of the car. They are well aware that design is one of the important factors that a potential buyer should consider when choosing a car that should become his faithful friend and assistant on absolutely any road. Well, the design of the car āToyota Mark 2 Samuraiā turned out to be very attractive. It is impossible not to notice the attention of its soft, as if streamlined forms, smooth body lines, expressive, slightly ānarrowedā gaze of the headlights, as if looking forward, a somewhat aggressive profile ... All this is āSamuraiā - the car, the premiere of which has been waiting for so long. No wonder this car is considered a representative model of a business class. Such a car looks advantageous in a stream of other reputable cars, and invariably attracts attention.
Restyling
Large headlamps, between which you can see a neat radiator grille with chrome-plated beams and a signature āMarkovā logo. Stylish compact bumper with a prominent lattice slot air intakes and beautiful fog lights, a long hood, a high and flat roof ... All this is Mark 2 restyled version! Calm, smooth sidewalls of the body, a long trunk, the back with powerful large shades and a dimensional bumper - all this just can not leave indifferent the person who appreciates the car āMark 2ā. āSamuraiā tuning has undergone significant, and these cosmetic āchangesā significantly changed the appearance of the car. Needless to say, it is not in vain that this model has become one of the most popular and purchased. And both in Japan and in other countries where the manufacturer supplied cars.
Interior
In addition to appearance, it is also important how the car looks from the inside. The developers of āToyota Mark 2 Samuraiā have made every effort to create a comfortable and cozy interior. Over the long history of production of the Mark model, experts have understood which design can be considered the most successful and attractive for customers. Inside - everything is very beautiful and attractive. A comfortable lounge with a rather rich equipment and high-quality finishing materials - this is how it looks after many years of improvement. In principle, in the 90s, manufacturers followed the principle that was generally accepted at that time for all concerns - they began to make cars more spacious, powerful, safe, comfortable and, of course, expensive. But the work is benign. After all, āMark 2ā (90 body, āSamuraiā) even after more than a dozen years looks presentable - both from the inside and the outside.
Engine options
It is very important to note another topic, speaking about a car such as the āMark 2 Samuraiā. Specifications - thatās what it is about. So, the seventh generation of Mark 2, that is the same āSamuraiā, or āToyotaā in the 90th body, was produced in several versions with different engines. They were installed on both all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive versions. Well, itās worth briefly telling about each of the options.
The first is 4S-FE. The weakest of all those equipped with āSamuraiā. Its volume is 1.8 liters. The four-cylinder engine could develop power of 125 horsepower. Following the level was the 135-horsepower 1G-FE. A two-liter, 6-cylinder is quite powerful, but not the limit. The third option was called 1 JZ-GE. The volume was 2.5 liters, and this powerful six-cylinder engine could produce 180 āhorsesā. Next in the ranking is the engine, not very different from the previous name. And this is 2 JZ-GE. Three liters, six cylinders and 220 horsepower - thatās what you can say about him! And finally, the most worthy of the worthy - 2 JZ-GTE. Despite the reduced volume (up to 2.5 liters), this ābeastā developed a capacity of 280 horses! And no wonder, because this instance is twinturbo, and thatās it.
Interesting information
Reviews āMark 2 Samuraiā receives extremely positive from car owners. For the most part, of course, due to its powerful technical characteristics. In particular, people like the turbocharged versions of the 1JZ-GTE. But I must say that this version was installed on a special sports modification, known as the Tourer V. It was a rear-wheel drive version. But on the all-wheel drive, you could see only 1 JZ-GT. But this is also a good, powerful motor, working in tandem with a four-speed āautomaticā.
Interestingly, many āSamuraiā 90th body (or rather, their engines) became the basis for the followers of this model. So to speak, the base. Needless to say, the āJZā motors later became fundamental to the JDM, as well as drift culture.
Finally, it is worth saying that some āSamuraiā also equipped with a diesel engine. And this is 2L-TE. Its volume was 2.4 liters, and this four-cylinder turbocharged engine developed a capacity of 97 horsepower.
About cost
Many people are interested in another topic regarding a car like the āMark 2 Samuraiā. Price is what we are talking about. Indeed, it is interesting how much such, say, not weak car can cost. Well, in Russia at one time he used to be popular, and still on the roads you can meet this handsome man. There are many well-known resources where you can find ads for the sale of such a machine as the āMark 2 Samuraiā. "Drom.ru" is one of the most famous. Perhaps the most popular in all of Russia. Well, and there you can find the desired.
āSamuraiā in good condition will cost from 150 to 400 thousand rubles. The cost depends on what the car is. What engine does it have (after all, as one could understand from the above, the spread was quite large), equipment, electronics, appearance, mileage. In general, for such a car, even a couple of hundred thousand - the price is normal. This is a reliable model that has already served for more than a dozen years. And just as much will be able to remain faithful to her new owner if he will look after her, carry out maintenance on time and āfeedā with good fuel.
āMark 2 Samuraiā: tuning
So, before discussing this rather significant topic, I would like to say that the āToyotaā of the 90th body is a car characterized by high quality, reliability, and also the durability of the mechanisms and main components. The latter is especially important. Since, as many know, tuning involves not only cosmetic (external) changes, but also the work of a technical plan. But in the case of this car, this may rarely be needed. Everything is done soundly and efficiently, so this is not required. It is not for nothing that the trends used in the cars of the 90th series became fundamental for the development of other, subsequent models of the concern.
But still, talking about a car called āToyota Mark 2 Samuraiā, tuning is impossible to ignore. The most popular are body kits. There are a huge number of different options. They can be very different. Their cost varies from 9 to 25 (and above) thousand rubles. Many buy them in whole sets. Also, some decide to install a new grille, a tuning hood or wings, a spoiler, a visor, etc. In general, there are many options. But it is worth remembering one thing. If it is decided to carry out tuning, it is better to contact specialists. Otherwise, it is likely to just spoil the car in the absence of experience.
Electronics
How the car is equipped from the inside is also very important. āSamuraiā has everything you need. The dashboard is convenient and functional, there is nothing in it that could distract the driver's attention. Manage this is very convenient. Climate control, sensors, powerful speakers, an audio system with an amplifier, subwoofers, airbags - this is just a small list of what is inside. In general, there is everything - and for this, āSamuraiā fell in love with many.
Functionality
A few words are worth saying about how this car behaves on the road. Due to the good suspension, good torque and improved dynamics, this car moves very quickly, smartly, but nonetheless silently and smoothly. Moreover, this car extremely gently enters into turns and copes with any bumps on the road. Plus, one can not fail to note the attention and efficiency of the car. That MOT is inexpensive, that fuel - the model consumes less than 10 liters per 100 kilometers in the city (turbocharged engine). In general, this car is for connoisseurs of high-quality, powerful, reliable and relatively budget cars.