The Toyota Chaser JZX100 is a car that may be familiar to some of you, but until recently, it was far from common in North America. It's not the type of car that anyone will notice on the street, like most performance sedans today. In fact, it's so bland that it blends in with all the other sedans on the road today, and to the untrained eye, it's just a Camry with a body kit. Despite all of that, this is one of the most reliable, cost-effective, and powerful cars ever made by Toyota.
When it comes to choosing a sleeper car, there are several factors that come into play including price, reliability, performance and more importantly – stealth. The Toyota Chaser JZX100 has all these qualities in spades. It also comes with an independent suspension system which allows it to have an excellent drive on rough roads or highways as well as twisted terrains, making it the perfect daily car as well.
The Powerful Beating Heart
The JZX100 has a powerful 276 hp engine, which is perfect for those looking for an affordable sleeper car. The 1JZ-GTE is the single-cam version of the 2JZ-GTE (from the Mk4 Supra), with a smaller sized displacement than its twin-cam counterpart at 2.5 liters. But unlike the previous Chasers, the JZX100's 1JZ has VVTi, making it more responsive at lower RPMs and giving it a better overall power curve with a smoother delivery.
It can receive a boost of up to 600 hp as long as the engine has been properly built – if you want more power than that, then you should consider swapping it out for a 2JZ. The 1JZ surprisingly has a stronger block than a 2JZ, so many people use the bottom block for drift 2JZ builds, as they fit easily together and are more reliable.
The Toyota Chase JZX100 Handles Like A Sports Car
The Chaser JZX100 handles like a sports car, and even though it's the size of a boat, it can handle its weight very well and shift it from side to side easily. The chassis is similar to the BMW E36 chassis, with great grip out of corners and assertive steering feedback from the front wheels. And because Toyota is well known for making excellent driver's cars, the JZX100 is rear-wheel drive with a manual gearbox, alongside a well-balanced chassis.
Thanks to its independent suspension setup, the Chaser has better control when thrown into corners with enough power to be able to maintain oversteer throughout a corner easier than its German saloon rivals could perform. The suspension allows for much more control over how the vehicle handles than previous Chaser setups would allow.
The Chaser JZX100 has always been well known as a great platform for making horsepower, and for its long wheelbase and well-balanced body, so it's easy to see why it's still used today by amateur and professional drifters alike. It's not uncommon to see these cars drifting around at shows or on YouTube videos, so if you're looking for an affordable option for drifting/racing purposes, then this may be right up your alley.
Unassuming Styling With Tons Of Body Kits Available
The Toyota Chaser JZX100 is one of those rare cars that can do both daily commuting and go fast on the track. It's also one of the most reliable Japanese cars ever made by Toyota. If you've ever owned a Japanese car before, then you know that they are some of the most reliable vehicles on the road today.
Another reason why this is an excellent sleeper car is because of its large and well-thought-out body design. It has been specifically designed to handle bumps in roads well, which means you will not feel uncomfortable driving around town or on winding mountain roads. It also has a roomy interior with plenty of cargo space and comfortable seats, making it ideal for daily driving.
The design of the Toyota Chaser JZX100 may not be as obvious as some other cars on the market, but it's still definitely there. There's something about the styling of this vehicle, it's not outright aggressive or flashy; rather, it sports a pretty standard look with some subtle touches here and there. That's not to say it isn't cool-looking, though – it's just not in your face like many other performance models are these days.
There's also a decent amount of aftermarket body kits available for those who want to make it even better than what Toyota provided out of the factory. Bolt-on fenders and hood scoops are common additions among Chaser owners, as well as a plethora of exhaust systems if you're keen to let your neighbors hear more of that fantastic-sounding 1JZ.
Sources: JDM Buy Sell