The JZX100 Toyota Chaser Is A 280 HP Nissan Killer: 1JZ Legends

I have never heard of Toyota Chaser before…

That’s likely because it was never introduced stateside and was a strict Japan-only affair. The Chaser was built from the 1970s to 2001 and was offered in several engines ranging from a tax-saving 1.8L inline 4 to (Drum Roll…) 2.5 L 1JZ-GTE turbo I6 that made 300 hp and has got us all riled up.

From 2nd generation onwards Chaser always remained a 4-door sedan due to its run and shared its platform with Toyota siblings like Cressida and Cresta and all were exclusive to Japan. 

Source- Brochure

The ones were are gonna talk about belonged to the JZX100 series and were made between 1996–and 2001. 

Why is everyone so crazy about them all of a sudden?

Since most of these were illegal to import back in the day due to some BS safety regulation the only way to get one was to fly to Japan or wait 25 years.

The latter happened in 2021 for the Toyota Chaser models made in 1996 and provided a fresh perspective for a select few (not me) who were tired of watching 2-step skylines and Rocket Bunny or already had those in their garages.

Source- Brochure

Cherry on the cake: All JZX100 Chasers were front engine rear wheel drive drift machines that came with optional AWD or LSD from the factory. Most models were equipped with automatics but the base trim did have a 5-speed manual as an option too. The same can be said about the equally underrated Toyota Cresta.

The most sought-after trims of Chasers came with a 280 HP BEAMS 1JZ unit that could easily push 600 hp on bolt-ons alone. It also drew drifters from around the world including Keiichi Tsuchiya and won several JTCC races.

Did the JZX100 Toyota Chaser have 2JZ?

Yes, but it is a 2JZ not “The 2JZ” featured in the iconic Supra designed to take on Nissan's RB26DETT. The “2JZ-GE” I6 had a NA displacement of 3.0 L. It featured an Aluminum head with cast iron liners and a 24V/VVT setup producing 220 hp and around 210 lb-ft. It was only available with The Toyota Chaser AVANTE G.

Toyota Chaser Tourer

The Toyota Chaser JZX100 was made from 1996 to 2001 and came with a surprisingly large choice of engines. The inline 6 was available in 4 different flavors.

• 2.0 L 1G-FE I6 (140 hp)
• 2.5 L 1JZ-GE I6 (200hp)
• 2.5 L 1JZ-GTE turbo I6 (280hp)
• 3.0 L 2JZ-GE I6 (220hp)

A 2.4 L 2L-TE turbo-diesel I4 and a base 1.8 L 4S-FE I4 were also available but you ain't going to spend a ton of money importing a Chaser for a couple of paltry four cylinders, right?

Toyota also offered a manual option but only for the base model which also got a “BEAMS = Breakthrough Engine with Advanced Mechanism System" VVT system which increased a bit of mid-range torque and efficiency.

Source-Brochure

AWD was also available in the form of packages like Avante Four, Avante Four G, and the Avant Four S package. They added some special interior bits along with an all-season capability.

The JZX100 Toyota Chaser got a nip and tuck in H2 1998. It now had a redesigned taillight, orange interior light, and a 2 piece grille.

How Can I Get A JZX100 Toyota Chaser in the USA?

Sites like Cars from Japan and SBI Motors have tons of Chasers listed on their websites. But as I scrolled through the listing almost every car was modified in some form and carried an odometer mileage between 30,000 and 100,000 miles.

This is good news as these cars do last that long and are shockingly cheap. CFJ had listings ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 while the ones from SBI had a FOB price of around $3,500 to $5,000.

Another way of getting yourself a Chaser is “Gran Turismo”. The car was featured in GT1, GT2, and GT3 in various guises and remains one of the coolest video game cars ever. 

Is it worth buying?

I have yet to come across a Japanese car that is not worth buying. If you are looking to purchase the JZX100 Chaser as your primary car you might wanna check out this Reddit thread.

https://www.reddit.com/r/JDM/comments/lhkgp0/are_chasers_jzx100s_good_first_cars

As explained by a JDM pro the lack of spare parts and support is the biggest obstacle you could face. Chasers were notoriously good at drifting and many have been chopped, tinkered, boosted, and slammed. Getting a stock Chaser is as rare as finding a good stick shift these days, even in Japan.

If for some reason (do tell in the comments) you are not digging the Toyota Chaser, check out the Toyota Verossa.

Source- Wikimedia

Verossa has a face only its designer could love but as a consolation, it came with a trio of Inline 6s that also included the 280 hp Turbocharged 1JZ unit borrowed from the Chaser. The Verossa was made between 2001 and 2004 and can be legally imported a year or so from now (2024).