Japan's Secret Jaguar Rival - The Marvellous Toyota Crown Majesta

[@markwood7045]

JayEmm is the KZbin for the car enthusiasts who just have to know more about the obscure car they once read about on a forum, then forgot. It's incredible how much ground he is covering in the automotive world. Long may the collectors and forum enthusiasts lend Jay the cars they do, because we're getting a real treat here. As I've said before, this show is basically my replacement for TopGear. Thanks Jay.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Aww thanks Mark

[@E1N9A8N0DA]

Literally my thoughts word for word. I've been following since I watched that McLaren customer service incident some years ago. F355, Lexus LS etc, those are the kind of reviews we need. 👍

[@darrenprior6339]

Imagine if the people of Jaguar and Land Rover visited a Toyota factory and learned how to make cars the way Toyota makes this. The world would turn on its own axis and create its own sun.

[@VintageRKO]

They have. They even tore down a Lexus LS

[@neverthar]

And decided that there was no character and allure in doing so

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

Jaguar build cars to last as long as the warranty period. After that they don't give a toss. If the sub frames rot and the engine detonates when it's 6 years old who cares? It's not their problem. They could build a car just as reliable as a Toyota but they don't care enough to bother.

[@Colby_0-3_IRL_and_title_fights]

I believe Cadillac tried this with Lexus and concluded that it was impossible to make a car like this in their own factory

[@jamesengland7461]

You mean the cat would no longer escape?

[@topleybird2443]

The anonymity of the Crown design is, by itself, its most endearing and ironically memorable feature. I just love how it looks.

[@FireManiac58]

Yeah a big part of luxury is people not gawking at you, and the crown is perfect for that

[@an-dr6eu]

No, thats not a big part of luxury... That doesnt even register on the spectrum of what luxury is. Ostentation has been a luxury hallmark since its inception. This car is absolutely boring and uninspiring on the inside too, so its not just about people gawking at you. It was designed to be as simple to build as possible, to keep it simple and reliable, hence why it looks worse than an 80s korean car. And lastly, you can make beautiful cars without being ostentatious too. Something for the guys who know where to look at it and be pleased visually about it too. A 406 coupe is not luxurious yet it is beautiful. The first Passat CC too. Loads of Alfas... Average cars with a bit of a character design wise too@@FireManiac58

[@0990ftn]

That’s by design. Crowns are used in so many different purposes other than private car, from police car, chauffeur, taxi, even hearse. It’s designed to look “appropriate” in anywhere, any situations.

[@DanPyjamas]

Ooooh, what a cool video it would be... or even a series. Travelling around Japan, deciding on which car you'd want to bid on, then bidding on it and bringing it home.

[@JimCraig_riced]

Mighty car mods did basically that a month or so back

[@johnpereztwo6059]

Jaguars breakdown every other day . Toyota crown goes on and on and on and on. Use as premium durable taxis in Japan and Hong Kong.

[@spannaspinna]

And Singapore

[@JC_WT]

Great review! I just picked one of these up last week and it is THE most pleasant car I've ever driven. It's perfect for cruisy, effortless driving. It just glides along the road in total comfort. If that's what you're into this is a solid choice 👍

[@brentfairlie9159]

Pleasent is a perfect word to describe these crowns. And reliable of course

[@an-dr6eu]

Very noisy though... Big let down

[@davidhills3100]

The side view gives me more than a hint of Rover 75. I think it may be the wheels and the door handles. I think if I was in the market for something in this area (and I may very well be in a couple of months' time) my first port of call would be an LS430, but I love that quirky things like this car exist.

[@rovercoupe7104]

It’s looks quite 75. M.

[@liamjackson6930]

My first thought when saw the thumbnail was a rover 75

[@majoriix]

I thought so too. The door and wing proportions are very similar, just squared off more.

[@stevennorth6484]

Back in 70's I saw a Toyota Crown in a dealers ( I was 17, not able to buy one) it was so much better equipped than a Granada or Vauxhall of the era.

[@Stinger430]

Brilliant comment about the satnav. My cousin had one (here in St. Lucia) and the satnav indicated that we were driving in the ocean. We kept driving just for the laughs. Great car.

[@chrisfranklin2104]

Well, St. Lucia is in the ocean !! 😀 Greetings from nearby Antigua, which is ,too, almost in the ocean 🤗

[@Stinger430]

@@chrisfranklin2104 Haha. True! 🥂

[@Gary7even]

Good vid and interesting. The Lexus you show at 4:15 as a GS430 is actually a LS430.

[@andyariel304]

I remember servicing crowns in the mid 1970's.the front looked a bit like a cruise liner.good car,didn't need repairs,just servicing .

[@TheLEGOguy1212]

Great video Jay. I have one of these in the UK in the West Midlands, but its a super rare TOMs Modellista version which is essentially the same as this one but with a TOMs Supercharger added from the factory, along with some added handling bits, a stronger 6 speed auto by Modellista, Tuned ECU by Modellista and slightly lowered air suspension all from factory. Comes with 340HP instead of 280-300 and is pretty rapid for what it is. Gets to 60 in just over 5 seconds, with insane amounts of instant torque. Funny you mention its a great car for a young person looking for a first V8, I'm 24 and this is my first V8. I love it to bits! Pretty cheap to insure too, and ULEZ free!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Sounds pretty awesome to me

[@SaveTheV8s]

@@JayEmmOnCars please review this car if the owner allows it! Love seeing these period-modified Japanese executive sedans!

[@danieldenizen5799]

​@@SaveTheV8sI want to see this review also

[@conradbo1]

Your videos always have such a great rhythm and pace, I really enjoy watching it. Thanks a lot for the great and fantastic content you are providing us with.

[@genzigzag]

Those UZ V8's are bulletproof and have been known to easily run for over 400k miles with maintenance

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

There's a guy on KZbin, the car care nut and he has one with over 600k miles on the clock.

[@JimCraig_riced]

There was a 90or so ls with something like 980k on the Matt from the smokingtire got that like every automotive journalist beat the snot out of.

[@GoldenCroc]

No offence but most engines of the last 40 years can do over 400k with maintenance, even the modern "over complicated" ones. Now approaching double that or above, thats when its getting tricky...

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

@@GoldenCroc It depends how you define "maintenance." With a Lexus V8 that basically means oil changes and timing belts. With a Chevy Cruze you're talking replacing major components, possibly an engine rebuild to get it to there and even then I bet it would self destruct long before 400k. I had a Saab 9-3 which I maintained fastidiously and I still had to replace nearly every component in that engine bay just to get it to 150k. Injectors, turbo, EGR valve, exhaust manifold, clutch and flywheel, the list goes on. I have no doubt it could have done 400k, but at what cost? A Lexus on the other hand could have done the same with nothing more than regular oil changes.

[@junit7590]

Most modern german cars have zero chance of making 400k miles, far too much plastic in the engine bay, electronics pack in, all the plastic degrades anyway in time and falls apart. Toyota 400k is as you said standard servicing not replacing every engine bay component

[@ollie5958]

If you ever do go to Japan to bid on cars... I recommend seeing if you can get your hands on a Eunos 500 or 800, both are great. They are proper Japanese 90's luxury, understated, good looking, reliable, great to drive and still a bit of a hidden gem to the general public or people who don't know a lot about cars. I believe they were sold as the Mazda Xedos 6 and Xedos 9 in Europe.

[@dylan8997]

I never comment on KZbin videos but I've watched your channel for a few years now and I look forward to seeing a new upload, particularly these jdm luxury cars. Thanks for the great vids and humour please keep them coming 😊

[@hughoxford8735]

I'm only ever buying Toyotas for the rest of my life, no matter how wealthy I get.

[@edmontontangobar4991]

Me too!

[@lukestevens6783]

I don't believe any human being is that rational

[@Rawdil]

Lexus too. 😂

[@harveysmith100]

I bought a Toyota 11 years ago for £1000. spent maybe £4000 over 11 years getting it back to it's former glory and it is worth about £10'000 now. My kind of cars.

[@DC3Refom]

​@@harveysmith100 what model ?

[@Backpfeifengesicht45]

Mystery solved. One past me when I was in Cork, Ireland a couple of weeks ago. No idea what it was and it annoyed me greatly.

[@robo6548]

Following Brexit used cars for Ireland now largely come from Japanese Imports due to punitive tariffs on UK cars. They are a nightmare as most Asian market cars don’t have alarms and immobilisers - making them theft magnets.

[@Backpfeifengesicht45]

@@robo6548 my wife has a JDM Mazda 2 and I had an immobiliser fitted for that very reason. Cracking little go cart of a car.

[@BySixa]

​@@robo6548VRT is the killer for any import in ireland. It's rediculous. That applies for the imports from the UK or for Japan

[@paulsz6194]

I can’t help but see the similarity of the silver estate version here, to the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon , with those vertical taillights .

[@Romamb]

Keep the JDM videos coming. Loved this J

[@glenbetton3146]

Same platform, engine, gearbox and parts bin as a Lexus GS/LS 430. Either way, a different level of build quality & reliability compared to a Jaguar

[@lexuslfa4739]

Nope same as the LS, the majesta is an LS while the athlete and royal ride on the GS platform. Their smaller brother the mark X rides on the IS one

[@mattpointon8093]

Watching this from Osaka! Ha. Nice shout out. Crowns are everywhere. Hit me up if you’re coming to Japan, James. I used to live here and my wife is Japanese.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Give me an email on [e-mail] with your details so I can save them! A visit to Japan is a must

[@NathanArnold-sf7gx]

Hilarious comparison. All due respect , Chalk & cheese! Total opposite ends of the scale reliability & looks wise! Amen for that! 🙏🙏🙏

[@edmontontangobar4991]

Japan kept so much cool stuff for itself. Would love for them to have brought an LHD version to North America. I have the 1UZ version of this engine, it's truly amazing.

[@Zedman3333]

I recently bought the 206 Majesta (the version above this model) , best car I've owned , its a real cruiser !

[@murrieteacher]

Get one of these and have less problems. I think that is a pleasant looking car. Thanks Jay. Thanks Brad. Who in Australia fixes dash cracking?

[@davebreen9306]

Love these Japanese motors, my dad had a 1983 I think,,, bk in '91, 2.8 auto, what a machine

[@nabahmadi5012]

Jay, they didn't sell them outside of Japan. However...they did build them in China as part of a joint venture, for the Chinese market. Well loved. Also, a UZ engine with a manual is a sweet machine, easiest option, find a 2nd gen Soarer/sc400, manual swap that one. Using most parts from the manual JZ Soarers. Best of luck.

[@allareasindex7984]

The oscillating vents were available in America on, I believe, the Mazda 626 sedan.

[@zm321]

Yes they were; see the Car Wizard's programme about the 626 turbo coupe.

[@ishakshamsudin8585]

Toyota makes legends.

[@DabDabGoose]

The Crown Majesta has always been on a Lexus LS platform, whilst the rest of the Crown range is on the GS platform.

[@rap3st]

Nice video! Just a note. In terms of ranking the high end models from very best downwards it goes: Toyota Century, Toyota Celsior (Lexus LS), Toyota Crown Majesta, Toyota Crown (Varients) and so on. In comparision the Celsior and the Majesta have the same engine and transmission but generally thats where the similarities end. Both fantastic high quality and luxurious cars!

[@danieldenizen5799]

My 2001 UK spec LS430 has oscillating vents.

[@lexuslfa4739]

I now want to see a crown s220 review, I’ve been eyeing one, they look so good

[@kevinpraditra]

Such a stately looking machine! Definitely aged very gracefully

[@w12a3d]

This is the content we waiting for 👌

[@shovelleator4738]

Curious comparison . Bought a very low XJ ten months ago at one fifth new price after having driven one of these . I liked both but my wife LOVED the Jag because it IS a Jag and felt like it. The low km Majesta was half the price and I did like it but I’m driving this XJ( which BTW sits at just under 8L/100km from the diesel motor). I’m in Australia and Australians love these grey imports

[@davidvivian596]

At approx. 6:20 there is a tantalising shot of what appears to be the boot opening. Would that be remote control then? Btw love the video and the car.

[@markhealey9409]

A friend of mine in Pennsylvania had a 2000s,can't remember the actual year,North American built Mazda 626 sedan w/ 'swinging' panel vents. That is the only car I have ever come across w/ them. Quite a good idea for the a/c on a scorching day!🌞🌞

[@kaixaha6382]

1 thing a fact, 10 yrs ago CROWN was in fact a level similar to LS in Europe-a luxurious car (actually CELSIOR/LS is derived from CROWN), just LS is growing and CENTURY appeared in Japan, although it’s platform is close to MARK II/mark X, therefore it’s actually a very good car

[@swisscarguy]

The Lexus LS430 has oscillating air vents - a cool feature that I miss on the LS600h.

[@jeremyb4493]

So did my 1985 Mazda 626 LX. Had a button to turn the feature off and on.

[@jondonnelly3]

Interesting and innovative car packaged in a dowdy and soulless body

[@MegaRetr]

Wow Crown Majesta what a car 😊 very powerful

[@MrBlonde294]

04:10 damn it, timing belt, the service is a bit costly, but you have a dependable engine

[@trustinflames1022]

Yes, I wanted one of these last year, but needed a diesel as the V8 would have cost to much to the run. So I bought a XFS 3L D.

[@Spenny909]

Great car. Enjoy it.

[@NZBRG1]

Lots of these in New Zealand

[@Kraigslist]

Hey Jay, just to correct you on the dash cracking regardless of seat trim they all do it, I had the leather GRS 182 athlete and a majesta identical to the one you are driving with leather and they both did it, I think it’s down to the glue they used, the Land Cruiser Prado of the same Era does it just not as bad.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Ah I was under the impression the cars with leather interior also had a leather dash

[@Kraigslist]

@@JayEmmOnCars yeah I’d hoped so too as both of mine were imported for me, the photos showed a “good” dash but it quickly came unraveled when I saw it in the flesh, I think from memory a new dash from Japan as about 1500.00 AUD at the time less shipping and it was 2 days labour to fit, hardly worth it when a 50.00 dash mat hid most sins.

[@onse8982]

Yes indeed, all the Lexus (XE20, GRS190 etc.) models of that era do the same thing, except in them even the door panels are affected. The glue they bought back then melts the dash material, many other Japanese car makers used the same glue too. You just don't see it in Central/Northern-Europe because it isn't hot enough.

[@MrMarkusmulder]

Thanks for the video and Stay safe ✌️.

[@liamgell]

It’s worth noting that this, being a 4.3, is the third most expensive tax bracket for a Japanese car (road tax). To tax this is £466, whereas the common 1L is £183 and a 2L is £238. These large displacement cars are better served overseas than in Japan, so I’m glad people are seeing their value and exporting them before they’re all crushed! 🤗

[@ElderNames]

The Majesta was a wider longer Crown than the Athlete/Royal, with the V8. The GS was on the same platform but always a different car in Japan, the Aristo. The LS was the Toyota Celsior.

[@Ali-M2]

The regular crown was equivalent to the gs and majesta to ls but in 2018 majesta and crown were merged into one right below the ls

[@alwayne5932]

Bro …I’m in the US watching this & hands down I prefer this more than anything else they have here 🤦🏾‍♂️ originally am from Jamaica 🇯🇲 but I luv the looks of these Japanese cars they just so much cut above the rest 😁

[@sonypd9842]

Amazing car. Only drawbacks are the peeling wood grain dash inserts in Aussie climates

[@mwahahaha]

JayEmm - single handedly making me look up Luxo Barges… :-)

[@theillustratedbaker]

Super cheap and great family cruiser. Love mine, highly recommend for the price.

[@davids1816]

I think if anything what this car shows is what Hyundai was benchmarking when they looked for some influences in their early Genesis designs.

[@Punisher9419]

There are supercharged cars out there which is pretty cool.

[@nigelbond4056]

Is it just me or does the Crown Majesta have a strikingly similar side-on look or a Rover 75?

[@gazza9463]

I was thinking the same.

[@kevincockburn7805]

A good spot. It is just a bit bigger, with some origami on the headlights.

[@zaynemcnirney356]

That one your driving would be a awd. This year of majesta had an all wheel drive option with a 4.3 L V8 6 speed. The rear and front wheel has was an 8 speed V8 not 6 speed

[@phaeton777]

I have the 2016 crown majesta hybrid...let me know if you want to test drive it

[@lexuslfa4739]

I would love for him to review this one

[@arizonaridersclub]

We're riding with ya.Great video.

[@skelejp9982]

The unique thing, that distinguished the old Jag's, from all other Super Sedans, was their Height. the X300/X308 series only had a Height of 1,31m Compare that to any other Super Sedan brand, while also offering Manual by J-Gate.. U ever got wild on that J-Gate in a XJR X308 James? Braking on engine, while cornering? There is no comparison to the Jag!

[@johnminshell7595]

I had an old Crown in the 80,s lovely comfy Luxury Car

[@michaellangdon8347]

So basically, you want a jag, but want something reliable and built properly

[@eirik_halvorsen]

You have a little advantage in England when it comes to JDMs. For that price and IF it was LEFT hand drive I would have taken it today! 😅

[@nozislam]

Love Toyota switch gear, same buttons in my 2004 Corolla Verso that you see in a Crown or a top of the range Lexus. 😅

[@styleemusic]

We need a review on the Nissan laurel

[@EngineerLewis]

This looks like the Honda Legend in 2007 / 8 model year - nice cars of course. Thanks for the review.🤣

[@zm321]

2x Crown Majesta owner/importer here: JayEmms point about the dashboard cracks depending on leather or vinyl interior is bollocks. I have had both leather and cloth in my Majesta's and both had dashboards made from the same material and both were cracked. Brad's car looks particularly bad in this regard though. Incidentally I heard a rumour that a Toyota executive committed suicide after he took responsibility for this defect; whether that's true or not I don't know but it's an interesting story.. By the way UZS-186 is rear wheel drive and UZS-187 is all wheel drive.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

They definitely didn't do a leather dash?

[@zm321]

@@JayEmmOnCars I've never seen one. It might have been offered as a quality aftermarket solution to hide the cracks though. My first Majesta had factory leather and my current i-Four has cloth, both have the same dashboard.

[@zm321]

Update: Just had a quick look online and there is a company selling refurbished dsahboards with leather coverings. They look very good. This might be what you have seen, but there was definitely no factory leather dashboards offered.

[@TheKingsCrownJapan]

All dashboard came trimmed in leather as show in your video. Toyota actually issued a recall for this defect. Also, you can still get new OEM dashboards for around 90万円/£470

[@zm321]

@@TheKingsCrownJapan I've owned two of these cars and neither had leather dashboards. What you see in the video is an aftermarket dash top that sits on top of the dashboard.

[@lancewood1410]

Looking forward to your test on a 4th Gen Lexus GS350/Toyota Crown S210

[@michaelisaacson9735]

@ 16:00..."heads-up display"?

[@MrBadeshi]

the bonnet cam is a good look

[@tyrantwitness2482]

James you don't want the flights to Japan! Especially if like I found out, there is an ash cloud stopping flights and end up stuck in Japan for an extra three days!

[@keithnewton8981]

Your local toyota dealer will,service them no issue toyota uk will get the information to the dealer on the service schedule the plug in but does take longer doe to data and who owns what

[@sugarnads]

Thinking of swapping my cerato GT for one of these...

[@robertmarziani5373]

Reminds me of the Avensis , just bigger and better?? Ok Avensis has top quality leather seats ( very comfortable even for persons with back problems) though , 2 litre economy and fair power.

[@ruzzelladrian907]

The dashboard cracking was design defect for Toyota in the early 2000’s, it also affected the Lexus RX and ES, and also the Toyota Prius.

[@julesmarwell8023]

the difference between the toyota and the Jag is simple........ IT IS RELIABLE.

[@rickstevens1479]

That car would out last 2 Jags and be more reliable than any Merc, Beemer . And when it broke down it would be less expensive to fix..

[@michaellangdon8347]

Perhaps you want a jag but also want a reliable car... not a word used to describe the leaping cat

[@karlc4352]

I’ve had many jags never had one that’s unreliable.

[@rdmz135]

​@@karlc4352lucky

[@Gorilla_Jones]

Love how 90s these cars look.

[@odin5188]

This is a 00 car though

[@jc1982discovery]

Rear end reminds me of a USA Crown Victoria, overall it looks like lovechild of a Lexus & Mercedes S class.

[@P.Galore]

Looks like a lexus LS430 - we didn't get this model in the US

[@rodneygkoopman]

Hi Jay, How about the output in KW (along with HP) even if only as a graphic? Asking obo South Africa(n) followers.

[@BlackSwan0303]

Ever had the feeling of de ja vu? This is a previous video, that's been slightly edited and re-released, or am I going mad?

[@alancrisp1582]

🤔🤯 Quite possibly the later ?. In any event, I have never seen this video before !...

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

You are going mad. Lol

[@bestpilot98]

The front end, side profile, and dash look very similar to Infinity's Q45 (2002-2006). Whats up with that??!!

[@gwilko6452]

Has anyone noticed that there are hardly any Ls430 for sale anymore. I wish I hadn't sold mine in 2021 😢

[@leostreat3573]

Looks like a rover 75 from the side and the back.

[@enricomercado4671]

Mazda had ocillating dashboard fan vents on their 6 series cars in the US. Pretty neeat feature, but they never brought it back on their cars after the 80's.

[@RickymaRI87]

Ask him to get you a mark x. The replacement for the mark ii.

[@zarakdurrani7584]

The 1GR-FE equipped 3.5l GS iteration with a Tom's supercharger is a screamer.

[@JFW5358]

The Japanese just can't do the wood effect inlays. In most Toyotas it's bright orange. Here it's a very dull greenish grey on the wheel and on the doors it's insipid.

[@jomo2483]

The Crown royal saloon is the best BMW 5 series alternative. It's V6 powerhouse

[@brianpearson8782]

Plenty JDM cars like this in Australia.

[@NZcarBlog]

8.6 litres per 100kms on long distances on that 3uz v8 I also managed a 14.5sec quarter mile time

[@paulanderson7796]

I am surprised that Japan doesn't have more enthusiasm for diesel engines in such models as these.

[@baronvonjo1929]

Other than American trucks I don't really see much enthusiasm for diesel in the world outside Europe. But then again I don't really see much car content outside the USA and Europe

[@Dunkelzeitgeist]

Am I going insane or did I watch this last night?

[@Barbarapape]

Having had the pleasure and pain of owning three jaguars two XJ's and an XK the one thing that Jaguar does provide on ones not made on Monday or Friday is a quality interior. I have yet to find anything from Japan that comes even close and sadly this ones cracked dash says it all. But at least with a Toyota you shoudn't have any concerns about reliability and you can't say that about a Jag. Yes they are wonderful for a few months until another fault makes your wallet cry, the same applies to Aston Martins! Would i buy one of these yes, if i could find a Grade 5 example at the right price, this is where the auctions in Japan excell they fully inspect the cars and show on a report where the issues are.

[@Barbarapape]

I have only imported one car from Japan a Mitsubishi FTO it was an auction grade 5 and only required some cosmetic work, new UK Radio and alloys. The auctions in Japan grade the cars so why anyone would buy one with a heat cracked dash maks no sense to me.@@OM617a

[@zarbon700]

What exactly is the Crown? Is it a model line, similar to a Camry, under the Toyota brand or is it sperate brand, similar to Lexus. I often see Crown models with just a Crown badge but I also see some with both Toyota and Crown badges.

[@lexuslfa4739]

It’s like the Land Cruiser, there’s 3 Land Cruiser models, the hard top land cruisers which are the 70 series ones, the cheap entry into the Lc line up with a bit of luxury and maybe the best one off road, the Lc Prado and finally the big Land Cruiser which is the 100, 200 and currently the 300. So it’s the same for the crown up until the s220 crown. The entry one was the athlete and it was more sporty, there was a luxury version of the car that was the royal which would be on the same exact platform for the s210 going backwards and then a Majesta which was the daddy which is basically a Lexus LS version of the crown.

[@josefgordon7712]

Gulp, so smooth

[@jsmith8255]

nice car. kinda looks like a rover 75 from the side

[@tokmindegy8976]

Rover 75 is waaaaay more beautiful! That is a perfect English gem, with all the refined stuff you can just expect in a real, uthentic British car. This Toyota looks......brr....