Say Goodbye to the Toyota Mark X
Reports from around Japan are indicating that the Toyota Mark X is about to be taken out of production in December 2019.
They’re sending it off with a Mark X 250S Final Edition. This Japan-only model will come with a red and black alcantara/leather interior, dark bumper trim, and 18″ alloy wheels. There’ll be both rear wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of this car.
What is the Mark X?
Think Toyota sedan and you’re probably picturing something that defines convention: inline 4 petrol engine, front wheel drive, bland looks… Well, this was never the case with the Toyota Mark X.
The Mark X is most commonly found in its ‘250G’ guise which features a 2.5-litre petrol V6 engine. However, you can also find it with 3-litre and 3.5-litre V6 engines too. Power is sent to the rear (or all) wheels, most often through a 6-speed conventional automatic.
More History than the Camry
Think the Camry is the O.G. Toyota mid-sized sedan? Think again. The Mark X can trace its lineage to the original X10 chassis on the Corona Mark II which came about in 1972. Meanwhile, the Camry only came about in 1982.
Truth be told, the Mark X is an amalgamation of at least 2 or 3 different Toyotas: the luxury of the Cresta, the sportiness of the Chaser, and the legacy of the original Mark II.
Should I buy one?
Well, they’re not available new in Malaysia, so if you’re someone who only buys new… no.
Also, if you’re looking for a manual gearbox, only the Mark X GRMN model has it, and we probably won’t ever those in Malaysia.
But if you understand what to look out for in a used or reconditioned car, these things can be a great alternative to a used Camry or Accord.
Bear in mind that V6 engines are at least twice as labour intensive to overhaul than inline-4 engines and the cars are not made for our climate. You may find cracked dashboards and worn rubbers on older models. We’ve also seen cars listed with popped buttons, but we’d chalk this town to owner abuse.
Don’t expect the current or previous Mark X to retain value as a classic anytime soon. But older, related Mark II or Chasers could conceivably become extremely desirable soon given this latest piece of news.
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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