A V12, Walkman and AN OSTRICH? The 2008 Toyota Century Is Japan's King of Quirks and Features
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
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In today's video, I am driving the mighty Toyota Century. The legendary flagship of the Toyota empire, the Century is designed explicitly to ferry Japan's elite about their business. Seeing one outside of Japan is a real rarity, but today I get to drive it and show you why this car is quite so special.
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Chapter Listing
0:00 Introduction
3:20 What is it?
4:12 The Only Japanese V12
5:47 Origin of the Species
9:00 More quirks and features
11:40 The Drive, and More Quirks
12:47 The VIP Experience
15:23 How Much?
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this thing has 400.000 km and still looks amazing
Thanks I make sure I really look after this. It is hard to believe the condition for the year and mileage
@@bradscarcollection2589 and you obviously exercise it . That's what it needs.
@@bradscarcollection2589Beautiful car man! ❤
My 2012 Prius has nearly the same KM and looks just as new, That`s Toyota build and reliability right there.
Toyota made great cars up until around 2010-2012. Truly amazing range and quality. Pity the modern "safety" and "emissions" fascism has turned Japanese cars into absolute turds.
I love it. The attention to detail in the interior (shoe horns, patterned lambswool carpets, lambswool seats, the wood door tray), the trick dash and that it's hand-built. Has it really done over 406,000km? If do, its condition is a credit to its quality.
Toyota is renown for reliability, something a lot of manufacturers should take heed of. A lot of people see Lexus cars as a bit behind in some of the features on offer when compared to other brands. The truth is that a lot of those features have not met the quality and reliability standards required by Lexus before putting them into production. This is where so many other brands have reliability issues essentially using their customers as beta testers and charging them for the privilege. The German brands are particularly bag for this, especially VAG,
It's certainly a very well built car!
It's part of a very Japanese view of business, which is predominantly to be "socially useful" first, profitable second. This dominates everything they do - employment, engineering, subcontracting, you name it.
So with the Century, the philosophy is that it is not useful if it ever wears out, because that would impose the onerous task of buying another one on the owner. It does not matter who you are, changing cars is a nuisance faff.
This approach to business seems alien to a lot of Western people, but it certainly has worked out well for Toyota. It shows up all over; subcontractors aren't really given production targets, they're given quality targets instead and are helped to achieve them. Sounds lovely and fluffy, but is a deadly serious business strategy. It generally results in subcontractors ceasing doing business with companies like Ford, GM, because Toyota are easy to do business with and they pay their bills on time. Everyone else still buying parts the old way with all the dirty tricks of late payment, etc, is, in comparison, getting worse quality which in the end is less profitable and limits their market appeal.
400,000km on a Toyota you are basically still breaking the engine in. We've had our 2002 Toyota since 2004 and all that's ever been done is 1 set of new shocks and oil changes and tyres. They are stupidly reliable. I also treated the car like an animal when I was a teenager. As you do.
A shot of the dashboard did say 406xxx km, this Century certainly had a busy life in Japan and she stood well in it
The Century was intended to be a chauffeur car, so high mileage is common and not a concern for ownership.
the japanese are brilliant at making incredible cars, that the rest of the world never hears about
Even if the rest of the world would hear about them they'd still prefer the German vulgar shit-boxes because that's what people like these days unfortunately. And car makers are more then happy to oblige because all they care about is cash, they couldn't care less about the car itself. Just look at BMW, Audi, their designs are nauseating...
@Mihai Cisnoc That happened in last 20 years ,because of the wokeness of the society. Mercedes and BMW of 70s ,80s ,90s was outstanding. They have many ,many superp designed cars. CARS FROM THE GOLDEN AGE .They was looking soo good that super expensive cars with double the price like Rollses ,Bentleys and Ferraris was looking cheap next to them .Because of that the first 2 bankrupt. But it wasn't only the looks .They was superior driving machines as well .In every way .In last 20 years the woke socialist governments try to destroy the motor industry. And now we have all this ugly cars from Merc ,BMW, and Audi what are the best mass produced vehicles by some distance any way .But is not only them .Everything else is ugly as hell. Everything.
@@simeonivanov3507Also I’d like to add that cars like the F30 3 series while shit quality are not bad looking and I will die on that hill, in part because it only adds to the travesty that is that car’s build quality same goes for cars like the B8 S5 from Audi, absolutely gorgeous with reliability worth of Satan himself.
@@simeonivanov3507Oh and none of these problems have anything to do with “wokeness” for BMW and Mercedes it is a result of brands like Lexus making luxury vehicles affordable in such a way that it drove Merc and BMW to cost cut their cars resulting in horrendous reliability and cheaply made interior. Today BMW has other internal prob as well but unfortunately I’m not the best person to explain that, automotive journalists Jason Cammisa did a video on it awhile back though I’ll see if I can find it and link it…
@Griffin S Yes .Woke society will produce woke cars The cars are ugly as hell ,because woke governments put immense regulations of car industry. And..
Look how the woke generation is dressed.??? Of course the cars are product of the culture. .
An undeniably cool car in decades previous, current and future.
Having driven a few of these in New Zealand (We get em as used imports) I *Adore* the century. It's a mobile sensory deprivation chamber with lovely upholstery. I would love one of my own.
I saw three in one drive into town in Hamilton
I wish more luxury cars used wool seats instead of leather. Leather was originally preferred for the chauffeur seats because it didn't wear as fast, but wool was used in the back because it was more comfortable.
I am sure they can make a synthetic wool blend that lasts a long time these days.
Leather has some downsides: It feels very cold in winter and it makes you sweat during summer. Leather also makes more noises when you move in your seat. And it requires regular maintenance.
Edit: Haha, I wrote this before I saw the video!
My old man designed leather recipes and industrial processes for the best in the business and he never had leather in his personal car... He hated it as a luxury material. When he ordered his Saab, he couldn't get it without leather, so before it was delivered he had a set with wool made for it.
Dad knew his seating materials.
@@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13 I sat in a 1997 peugeot 406 with cloth seats and it felt miles more comfortable than the usual leather cars have these days.
I drive a '16 Mazda Mx-5/Miata with cloth seats. They grip without being hot in summer or cold in winter.
@@jimj2683 And done properly it lasts well, too. I have a 70-year old car with over 400k miles on the clock, and the wool-cloth upholstery is still as good as new, apart from some water-staining on the door cards.
The only manufacturer I can think of that offers a wool blend interior right now is volvo. If you spring for a higher trim level volvo it should come with wool blend interior, and it looks pretty nice.
10 of these for sale in New Zealand at present. Several of them under 100km, and averaging around NZD $20,000-$25,000.
Seriously good value.
Cheap compared to wat Americans are paying. Saw an average looking one with 175km sell for 28k usd last week witch is around 45k nzd I believe.
@@acerudy5815 30k here in Canada couple in Toronto.
Same in Australia.
Wow so impressive to have 400k miles and still look that good especially the interior! Speaks to the insane craftsmanship I suppose
that's kilometres, still good though!
My dad's 96 camry back in Hong Kong had that exact sort of material in the car and honestly I liked it more than leather, since its warm and cozy and wouldn't look ridiculously worn by the time my dad had that car.
Thats not a flag mount. It's a parking pole so you can figure out where the nearside front corner of the car is when parking in tight spaces. Common on japanese cars in the 70's-00's before parking sensors and cameras were a thing.
Aaah, I have seen parking poles but never like that
@@JayEmmOnCars I think the tip even lights up when you've got the headlights on.
still use em as aftermarket on cars before 10s
This is one of the few cars I truly covet.
I bought an 05 model with 90,000 miles on it for £12k about 5 years ago. I was using it as my daily drive until Mayor Khan's wretched ULEZ charge but still use it for all longer journeys. Just clocked up 155,000 miles with virtually no issues other than replacing the tie rods and control arms, but this was elective as I felt it needed tightening up a bit. The shocks will need doing and are expensive but have not come up as an MOT item as yet. I would hazard a guess that the wallowing may well just be due to wear and tear on the review car as mine still rides pretty well.
I've replaced the bonnet struts and a small piece of rear trim, struts took about 3 weeks to arrive but were no more expensive than the Lexus equivalent even though bigger. The small piece of bright trim was only about £40 through Amara online in Japan.
The 05 Model does have an internal bonnet release as well as a power butten which lowers the gear ratios and is useful for overtaking.
A big thank you to James for clearing up the mystery of the rails in the boot and the feather duster puch which I have been using for an umbrella. I have the net curtains, the rear window ones are electrically controlled which are marvellous for shutting out tailgaters.
One fact of James' that I would take issue with is the mislabelling of the parking guide as a flag pennant. It looks like a flag pennant but is actually for knowing where the leading edge of your front nearside wing is.
If anyone knows where I can find a spare parking guide please let me know as mine was vandalised.
Now we demand an interview with Brad :D
I'm up for that, James should we do an interview as you have done a fair few of my cars now? I have some more unusual Japanese stuff coming next year
Makes sense to me
Watching this and Harry's review of the super loud GT4RS on the same day is the perfect comparison
Same!
Contrast*
One of the few interesting Toyotas. These are seriously undervalued at present too. You can pick them up from $20k in Australia.
There are a lot of interesting Toyotas..
@@chir0pter that is a matter of opinion.
@@skilgour44 Lol and we never even got half of them in the US, unlike you Aussies. Perhaps you are a bit spoiled by familiarity
@@chir0pter perhaps. Toyota has cornered around 20% of the market here.
I dont have words for how happy that Walkman made me.
My friend has a Toyota Century, and a quite special one too. It's the one reviewed by Mr Regular, perhaps the most viewed Century video on CZcams. The presence that the car has on the road is incredible. My friend was kind enough to offer himself and the car up to chauffeur me and some friends around on a boozy night out. What a car, what a lad!
curiously enough, they actually do make LHD models for Japanese ambassies abroad, very cool of them to do so!
Not of these. All the online information has them as JDM, so all are RHD.
@@owenshebbeare2999 you did not look deep enough, there is a photo gallery made by German Auto Build with LHD model
@@give_me_my_nick_back That was interesting. If I want that V12 Century, I would not have a problem to import in the Philippines because of its LHD configuration (The Philippine Law forbid to drive a RHD vehicles, except for the much antique cars until the 1960’s. The only problem is the shady activities made by the customs).
@@eduardgenardandalis1437 there are a few (like, 2-3 kind of few) LHD Centuries here in the PH, imported by Toyota itself
What a great guy. You should have your own car show my friend. You explain things properly and actually show us viewers what we want to see. I hope you carry on for much longer. Classic car owner myself 🙂
Excellent video. I love the variety of cars you feature on your channel.
Thanks J, you need an 'Oddjob'' to drive that for you. Interesting car! 🙏🙏
The wing mounted mirrors already garner the title of "greatest car".
I remember my grandad had an old Jag which I loved then a couple of cars later he bought a Toyota Crown 2.8 Super Saloon, it was amazing, the ride quality, the engine, comfort was all top notch. It really was a very special car. Probably better than the Jag truth be told.
Regular car reviews did a great review of the Toyota century. The nuances of the wool interior
Another great video 👍 Keep'em coming Jay.
I genuinely never knew Toyota ever did a v12 🤯 this looks insane, love it! Would love to check rear practicality in one of these 👏
This 1GZ was said to be joining two 1JZs at the crank
Superb episode Jay. More quirks & features please.
Wow, that intro was a fantastic piece of thought!
Absolutely love this! What a gem and a credit to the owner.
Love the century. Detail and build quality of the highest standard. I was a bit sceptical of the style at first, but I'd love to own one .
Enjoyed that. Interesting car for sure… Thanks as ever. Cheers.
I saw one in New Zealand quite a number of months ago, had to do a google search as we followed it along the motorway to find out what it was, it just looks special, it had been modernized I think, updated wheels and tinted windows, it was still subtle but if you knew about cars you knew you were seeing something quite special.
Looks lke a 1980's Cadillac from the outside. I'm sure its much better than one of those though 😆
Hey Jay, great video.
The pole on the front bumper is a parking pole. It's a parking aid for finding the front left corner of the car.
The antenna on the trunk is an NTT analog car phone antenna.
The Century of any vintage is a car I would love to own. I've seen many CZcams videos of the Century and this video is truly excellent. Now I just need to buy a garage to store it in as this is not a vehicle one keeps on the side of the road.
Genuinely not my sort of car, but I can appreciate the engineering, focus and attention to detail. Very good video.
Great review as usual James. Great car too.
Great review brother! 🙌🏼🔥❤️
❤️ From Bangladesh 🇧🇩
Really like your way of presenting. Well done.
James I just bought one of these in Canada! Are you trying to drive values up for me ahahahahahahah!!!! Love the Japanese videos keep them coming!!!!
Another great video James
First saw one of these in 2007 ( i know the year because just taken delivery of a new Hilux) in a village in rural Hertforshire, we were sitting outside a lovely country pub eating dinner watching a cricket mtach one summer evening when this beautiful machine wafted up, a large chap got out of the driver's seat, and opened the nearside rear door for the passenger, who one couldn't previously see behind the lace curtains, got out and went into the pub.
The car then glided silently down the road, as you say not in any way flash just very impressive, Rolls/Bentley's on lots of drives round there,but this was exclusive.
Didn't know what it was at the time but went home and read all about it.
That must have been one of the only ones in Britain at the time, have seen about 4 since, but the first sight was inspiring.
Now the 2018 model is out, the older models are looking a little dated but no denying the quality nor the durability, hope the owner has gone to town on the rustrpoofing underneath, i've run much more humble Toyotas for years (don't bother with anything else except Subaru now) and these won't have been expected to see the ridiculous amount of road salt we use here.
I think the 2018 on model Century has come of age and is one of the classiest looking cars ever to have been made, if only i had your money Jay :-)
The second gen century and I believe the current all had 🏭 under body weather sealing to prevent rusting
Here in New Zealand the Century is only a JDM, of course. I have driven a couple of these Here in NZ. Oh my Zeus what an amazing car to be in!.
Whisper quiet. The V12 can not be heard. It is incredibly smooth, even at speed. Even rushing up and down the transmission. The only thing I don't like is the rather boring dashboard. If I could afford one, i would get immediately. Even though I am the only driver and never a passenger.
Just love these. I can tell I watch too many CZcams videos because I miss seeing doilies and the net curtains in these cars, I would also like to see you drive a top spec old LS 400 next to this a MK2 ford Granada. 2.8 I Ghia X my dad had that was our Rolls Royce. I reckon that Walkman was so they could do dictation for meetings.
One thing worth mentioning that people would like
The V12 is supposedly sharing bits and pieces with 2JZ
Making it "basically 2 2Js stitched together"
Don't take it completely literally, but it;s amusing to think about
Great video as always
considering the 1gz-fe is a 5L, it is more like a 2x 1JZ stitched together since the 1JZ is a 2.5L I6, whereas the 2jz is a 3L I6. ** typo 2jz is a 3L not 4L
1JZ - 2498cc, 2JZ - 2996cc
The paintwork is spectacular. I hear the C pillar is supposed to be able to double as a mirror so you have one more opportunity to confirm that you look proper before heading out.
A good video enjoying the content on the channel ✔️
Great video James!....your too funny. A Tesla came past...and was deafening haha
I absolutely love the fact someone has willingly imported this car 🧐
Great video and bonkers car!
Excellent review! I love you.
Love it. For a car of its era, its bloody impressive. I would have one :)
Rare sight even on Japanese roads. I would say though that this cat has one major problem - it looks like a slightly enlarged Toyota Crown - the car of choice for cabbies Nippon side.
It is a Toyota Crown literally. It's based of the Crown..
@@Nyasalands_Finest right!! It is almost as if it looks like an enlarged crown one might say. Hang on, didn't I already say that...
@@Nyasalands_Finest gen 1 was based on the contemporary Crown V8, but I guess gen 2 was bespoke, and gen 3 was an enlarged LS platform
James, I looked and didn't see a video from you, but I think it's time for a Mulsanne to come in for review.
If I get the chance, I'll certainly feature one
Impeccable..and with a 95l tank if you travel long distances I can't imagine anything better to do it in
You pretty much summed up why we loved our LS400. Very much a lesser Century. As a car to travel in comfort, unbeatable. Oh, and it kept doing it for 15 years and 180,000miles in our hands. Probably still going strong. If we hadn't emigrated to tropical clines we would have kept it.
That's great. Thank you!
The walkman is to record hand dictated notes 😂, youll notice a small button ont he rear centre arm rest with a microphone 🎤 icon. When the walkman is plugged in and you depress the microphone button, you can dictate notes that will record to a tape on the walkman 😉
You’ve outdone yourself 🎉
ive seen these cars in videos before with exhausts that put supercars to shame, but the way this car can move in silence is absolutely incredible.
How does it compare with a Lexus LS400 etc.?
@@magnuswindle1472 identical.
Antenna - appears to be SR780: 144/430MHz(2m/70cm). Most likely for the amateur radio.
I don't know why I am watching this, but I couldn't turn it off
These with a sports exhaust sound like an F1 car of old, absolutely incredible.
I remember that attempt
If James ran his own Top Gear Cool Wall, this would be absolutely in Sub-Zero, perhaps even off the end and past the fridge! And you know it is definitely a Toyota: 400,000km and it looks like it's brand new! You don't get much more Japanese than that!
Saw Katzi's comment below and as a dutiful NZer I indeed found 10 for sale on Trademe in NZ. From 5K (dodgy af) to $35K for a minter. Most around mid-15s to mid 20Ks with quite (some very) low mileage. And of course with the powerful kiwi dollar a NZ20K here could be had for....just checking....carry the 1....around 50 quid.
The fact its exterior design is such a throwback (even when it was new), shows that it was never designed as a car for normal use.
I have seen a few of these on the road in New Zealand, not that expensive to buy either TBH, currently a low k's (105,000) example for sale for $25k (12,500 quid). They look quite sinister when in black, with tints and lowered.
Not sure why the English love Range Rover... It breaks down like no tomorrow. Toyota once said quality should start with reliability. I just drove my 21 year old Estima from Heysham to London and Back for a few day holiday. Reliability is awesome.
For having 400,000km on it that thing looks fantastic and was very well taken care of
The wool sounds great, I've never been too impressed with leather seats.
14:50 well, you're not wrong.
This car is... pretty popular with the "Families" or "Japanese Gumi" in Japan, if you will.
Surely those huge boot serve the purpose really well, perhaps with an extra room for an 80-pound sack of concrete & an oversized plastic trash bag for extra convenience.
7:35 Leather is also considered to be vulgar in Japan.
The front "stick" will be a bumper guard to indicate the corner of the vehicle, the rear antenna may well be TV but I haven't seen one like that so perhaps mobile phone.
I saw a couple of these in the recent series of the TV show The Umbrella Academy, I assumed it was a US barge but after doing research found it was the Toyota Century, never heard of it before.
These are 13k gbp in Hong Kong and quite a few for sale 😊
I knew a guy back in the 80s who won £250k on the pools while in his 20s. He tried out a 911 and a 308, but ended up buying a Silver Shadow, and his reasoning was uncannily like yours, James. The sports cars were great as long as you were driving like your nadgers were afire, but in normal driving were no better, and in some ways worse than far more mundane cars. But you got the full “Rollsness” from the instant you opened the door to get in, until you closed it when you got out.
Went to Japan in '16. Was at a hotel across from the Royal Palace grounds. Saw a bunch of cars I had never seen before. Ran over to see what they were. 6 or 7 Centurys. In Japan, if it's a top-of-the-line occasion you can show up in a Bentley or Rolls. But the Real People show up in a Century. Always.
God, will you look at how tight that door seam is?
Loved seeing these when I lived in Japan. When they stopped by the road I checked to see if it was anyone famous getting out of the back. Don’t know why because I don’t really know any famous Japanese celebrities. It always looked like a politician or a Yakuza boss.
The black stick on the back is 90's car phone antenna.
Mercedes lot the plot in the late '80s and I don't think a 250K mile S class would be much good without a lot of expensive work, regularly.
Love it !
I think tinted windows is not just unfavoured by Japanese high-class, it was frowned upon. Blacked-out windows are preferred by yakuzas. And considering yakuza came from lower-class people (considered non-human, even, by the higher-ups) who made their wealth in one way or another, it is only normal that the nobility would not want to have anything to do with them. Dignitaries use curtains, not tinted windows.
8:57 The wing mirrors were actually a requirement to meet Japanese design rules. They eliminate the blind spot that you get with standard door mounted mirrors. IIRC the Japanese got rid of this requirement in the early 2000s.
I remember this well as I used to work in a wrecking yard in the early 2000s and we used to get In Japanese half cuts and the front quarter panels were useless due to the mirrors fitted in them!
Thank you men!!!!!!!!!!!!
The best car in the world from the best car manufacturer in the the world built to last will never break down and still working after 400000 kms typical Toyota also whilst l was watching your maverlouse review l looked up how many Toyota Centurys were for sale in Sydney Australia there is three ranging from aud $20000 to $30000 not bad for all that luxury and still going but you do need deep pockets to own one
I need lamb's wool upholstery in my life... Anyone who's ridden in a Century knows it's superior to leather in pretty much every way.
And that's coming from someone who's father was one of the best leather process engineers in the business. Leather paid for my upbringing, literally and Dad didn't love leather as an upholstery either. Ironic.
Traditional, beautiful, powerful and just better. Lamb's Wool upholstery is so simply thoughtful. Above all V12.
If you want a car that looks like a low spec 80s Cadillac with all the excitement of a quiet lunchtime in the library...
That's the engine JUN used in that special gold mk4 supra with a couple of snails strapped to it. I don't know the specifics of the factory engine but with those power and torque figures, one can imagine just how overengineered and understressed it is, not unlike the UZ v8's (particularly the 1st gen ones) and the mighty 2jz which, accessories aside, are some of the best quality motors ever built. I'd love to see the maintenance records for this car, oil changes aside, to know if things like alternator/starter and any sensors were replaced... It's quite the ugly thing, very much like the early 90's Nissan President/Cima with the VH V8's yet there's no doubt about how special an experience it is to take one on a cruise.
I think it was Top Secret who shoved the V12 in a Supra. Jun was most famous for their Bonneville "Akira" Supra and a 300Z that did 400 odd kmh in the early 90s 😳
@@matteightytwo Doh! It was indeed a Top Secret build. Thanks for the correction :D p.s. I don't remember that Jun 300z feat. I'll have a look now. cheers
@@papapetad what the 300z achieved was staggering, when you consider it was 30 years ago its mind blowing
An interesting fact about fender mirrors: between 1951-1983 they were practically banned in Japan (not illegal, but the ministry of land and transport wouldn’t let a car with door mirrors obtain a type approval). It’s in 1977 this ban was dropped for imported car after it was branded a non-tariff trade barrier, and finally dropped altogether in 1983. Fender mirrors were very common for all types of Japanese cars, and still is for taxis (even the new JPN Taxi - LEVC TX equivalent - still only uses fender mirrors), though I think the 3rd gen Century has dropped it for door mirrors.
Wow! Just wow!
It's funny I've actually been seeing one of these pop up for sale near me in the US.
Ultimate JDM VIP spec, class.
That is one beautiful car .
I'm mildly obsessed with those wool seats, I'm tired of leather and frankly Vauxhall Astra nylon doesn't cut it!
This and the Lexus LS600HL are probably the most comfortable cars on the planet for under $30k.
LS600HL has better luxury ride but mechanically wise won’t last as long as Century. I would prefer V12 any day
I believe the antenna is for Japanese radio, they use different frequencies from the rest of the world.
I think it's more likely to be for an old VHF car phone or two way radio (PMR). Japan's FM broadcast band is something like 75MHz-108MHz, not different enough to require a different antenna to ours. Car radio aerials nowhere near resonant to broadcast frequencies anyway! Just a length of metal and hope for the best!
自動車電話のアンテナです。携帯電話が普及する前の１９９０年代初頭までは一般庶民には夢のアイテムでした。
A very good car. The attention to detail is mind blowing. No other luxury car brand would last as long as one of these. Awesome. Nearest I got to riding in one of these was a 1968 Toyota Crown M555. My dad had one of these when new. It was an amazing car.
What a magnificent machine