Toyota Aristo V300 JZS161
Import a Toyota Aristo V300 (JZS161) from Japan, found at auction, scanned before it ships, and delivered with a report anyone can verify.
- Built in Japan
- 1997–2004
- Engine
- 2JZ-GTE 3.0 L twin-turbo inline-six (V300), rear-wheel drive
About the JZS161
The second Aristo launched in August 1997, and production ended in December 2004, with a facelift in July 2000. The V300 has the 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo inline-six, rated at 280 PS; the export Lexus GS had no turbo.
It is the only factory 2JZ-GTE car built into the 2000s, and a favourite base for engine swaps and big-power builds. The Vertex Edition adds a black interior, 17-inch chrome wheels and a boot spoiler.
The second Aristo was sold in two versions: the JZS160 S300 with the 2JZ-GE and the JZS161 V300 with the twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE. It brought Toyota’s Optitron electroluminescent gauges for the first time. Because it outlived the Supra, it was the last production car with the twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE. In 2008, Manabu “Max” Orido drove a JZS161 Aristo in Formula D in the US.
- Power
- 280 PS at 5,600 rpm
- Torque
- 46.0 kgm (451 Nm) at 3,600 rpm
- Weight
- 1,680 kg
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic (ECT-iE)
- Drive
- Rear-wheel drive
- Price new
- ¥4,360,000 (1997)
Can a JZS161 come in?
Both countries count from the month on the build plate, so a car can become eligible part-way through a year. We check the plate on every car.
Quebec registers right-hand-drive cars only at 25 years. Every other province follows the federal 15-year rule.
US sourcing is planned for 2027, once a customs broker confirms the duty rate on Japanese classics. Enquiries are welcome now.
Which cars roll in next? See the 2027 US calendar and the 2027 Canada calendar.
What to look at on a JZS161
The model-specific weak points we look for in the auction sheet, the photos and the scan.
Automatic gearbox
Every V300 is automatic. Check for smooth shifts and clean fluid.
Electronics
Worth checking the ECU, the immobiliser on post-2000 cars, and the multivision screen.
Modifications
Clean unmodified cars are scarce. Ask for invoices for any engine work.
Turbo
Check for smoke on start-up and under boost.
What we check on every JZS161
The auction sheet, in full
Every line of the original Japanese sheet translated: repair marks, rust notes, interior score.
The build plate
The month of manufacture decides eligibility, so we read it off the car, not the registration.
Mileage against the records
Dash and ECU against the auction sheet and Japan's inspection history.
Flood and accident history
Checked before export, while a claim is still possible.
A full diagnostic scan
Every module read inside the auction's 5-day claim window, so a hidden fault goes back to the seller.
Underneath
Chassis rails, floors and suspension, where snow-country salt does its damage.
What landing one costs: see the worked examples; an enquiry gets you the figure for this car. New to auction sheets? Read how to read one.
What a JZS161 costs
Published figures with their source and date. Prices move with condition, mileage and grade; an enquiry gets auction results for the car you want.
| What | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Second-generation Aristo, all grades (59 listed), average asking price Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥2.11 million (range ¥0.5–4.7 million) | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
Figures as published by each source; not offers from us. Landed cost in Canada adds shipping, duty, GST/HST and provincial fees.
JZS161 buyer questions
Can I import a V300 to the US now?
Only some. The V300 was built from August 1997 to late 2004, so under the 25-year rule only cars built before about October 2001 qualify now. The rest follow month by month until 2029. In Canada, every V300 clears the 15-year rule.
Is there a manual V300?
Not from the factory. Toyota’s catalogue lists the V300 with a four-speed automatic only. Manual cars exist, but they are conversions, so ask for invoices and check the quality of the work.
Are parts available in North America?
Many are. The Lexus GS 300 sold in North America shares the body and much of the interior, though it used the non-turbo 2JZ-GE. Turbo engine parts are shared with the A80 Supra Turbo, which has strong aftermarket support.
Want a JZS161?
Tell us the grade, colour and budget. We reply with eligibility for your province or state and what these are fetching in Japan now, and contact you when sourcing opens.