Toyota Altezza?

[MGCM]

What can beyonders tell me about the Toyota Altezza? I feel like Im missing the "big reason" why nobody wants them as a cheep/fun daily driver.

Off the bat I see RWD, 6SPD, and LSD. That alone almost seals the deal as a fun daily driver. But what about reliability? Basic Toyota 4banger with a fair 210hp, should be about even with my RSX then. Seems like Toyotas are fairly hard to kill, does the Altezza fall into that category? Suspension can always be upgraded and custom tuned to allow for more auto-x/lapping fun. Price point is right around $5000 and seems like it would be more fun than my RSX.

The Toyota Altezza would give me a chance to learn the RWD platform before buying anything with more power. Seems like the reliabilty would be spot on. What am I missing? Yes its RHD, a good driver can easily adjust to such things. Yes its a little underpowered, so is my RSX but I have enjoyed it. Im sure a race header and an upgraded exhaust would help add enough to keep the Altezza fun as a daily driver.

What have I missed? Should I just buy a 2006/07 Civic Si and forget all this JDM non-sense?

[know1edge]

.

[MGCM]

Originally posted by know1edge
can't imagine why anyone would want the 2.0 over the 2jz
what's wrong with an is300 anyways

Price point?

Is there an arguement that a base model Subaru Impreza would be more fun?

[Maxx Mazda]

It's a lot of car to be pushing around with only 210HP. Nowhere near as peppy as the IS300.

[azian.advanced]

it's very reliable but a bit heavy for my liking. might just be the 2jz and all the luxury features in the IS doing that though, haven't driven a 4 cyl. altezza to compare.

[killramos]

Originally posted by MGCM

Should I just forget all this JDM non-sense?

Yes :poosie:

[mr2mike]

Find one cheap. Swap in 2jZ-GTE. Then it's a fun daily driver.
Reliability at that point? Why worry? lol.

I never found it to be peppy. But then again, I guess I expected more from an inline 6. I felt it was more 4 cyl. peppy rather than V6 peppy.

[mrsingh]

Can't you get into a higher mileage IS for $5-7k? I see the allure of RHD for certain cars which don't have North American equivalents like Skylines, but for a daily grocery getter?

I have a manual IS, while I think it's great fun to drive I wouldn't call it particularly quick.

Here is a pic of mine just to whore it out, ricey lights and all...
http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p659/mrsingh81/IS300/4a563e7a-9a8e-4d2a-bfe4-ff1a0cde519a_zps88b2c84a.jpg

[E46..sTyLez]

Originally posted by MGCM
Should I just buy a 2006/07 Civic Si and forget all this JDM non-sense?

:thumbsup:

[rage2]

Originally posted by MGCM
What can beyonders tell me about the Toyota Altezza?
The lights are trend setting ricey.

[Ca_Silvia13]

Originally posted by mr2mike
Find one cheap. Swap in 2jZ-GTE. Then it's a fun daily driver.
Reliability at that point? Why worry? lol.

I never found it to be peppy. But then again, I guess I expected more from an inline 6. I felt it was more 4 cyl. peppy rather than V6 peppy.

I don't think the 2j fits in LHD cars, sterring column issues i believe.

[Ca_Silvia13]

Originally posted by MGCM


What have I missed? Should I just buy a 2006/07 Civic Si and forget all this JDM non-sense?

The Altezza is still very expensive to purchase in Japan + Shipping it gets pretty hard to justify. But it should be about a million times better than a civic.



Hmm prices seem to have come down a bit since i looked:

https://www.tradecarview.com/used_car/japan%20car/toyota/altezza/15967147/

1961.00 CAD + 3k to get it to Calgary, + OOP

Looking at 5-6k landed

[mr2mike]

Originally posted by Ca_Silvia13


I don't think the 2j fits in LHD cars, sterring column issues i believe.

Yes, if I remember, the turbo hits something. needs to be modified to fit.

Rather go with a Aristo I guess if you're going that route. But back on topic.

Tint the altezza rear lights and they look less ricey.

[Skyline_Addict]

Originally posted by mr2mike


Yes, if I remember, the turbo hits something. needs to be modified to fit.

Rather go with a Aristo I guess if you're going that route. But back on topic.

Tint the altezza rear lights and they look less ricey.

Well to provide some perspective, I have an IS300 and got it for a good price. There aren't a whole lot of them on the used market and the prices tend to range pretty drastically. Some are in the $5k-$8k range for the earlier models and then you see some guys listing them for $12k+.

The 2JZ is a really smooth and solid engine in these cars. Pretty torque-y too. It is a bit of a pig on gas though, probably too much so for the performance you get from it, but it is overall an extremely well built and refined car. Steering and suspension feels very sporty, what you'd expect in a sporty coupe.

If you can find one for a good price, I can't see why you would want an Altezza.

I actually have the SportDesign model myself, so it comes with the tinted/smoked headlights stock. Definitely takes away from the rice-iness.

[MGCM]

Originally posted by rage2

The lights are trend setting ricey.

nothing that a bit of tint over the tail lights cant fix:thumbsup:

[clem24]

Yeah this one kinda gets me.. For ONCE, North America got the BETTER engine with the 2JZ vs the old 3S. 3,000 or so lbs is a lot of weight for that little 2.0 to lug around. I mean my old 2,800lb MR2 had the 3SGTE and not even that felt that fast. Why not find a nice IS300 5MT with LSD and oh, left hand drive? But just me - at that point I'd also be looking at the E46 330i since actually is the better car...

I think there's a reason why the Altezza is quite a rare JDM import (not sure if I've even seen a single one) - because the IS300 is a better car.

[MGCM]

so far id say beyond has spoken, Toyota Altezza:thumbsdow

I think JDM's have been eliminated from my list now:dunno:

[mr2mike]

I can help you out:
$2000 for the shell
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/2001-lexus-is300-sedan/1052436389?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

$1800 for the 3S-GE motor
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-engines-and-engine-parts/calgary/jdm-3s-ge-beams-dual-vvti-complete-engine-with-6sped-tranny/577441121?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true


All the LHD goodies.
But with the JDM weak 2.0L engine.
All under $5000... priceless.

[tawheed]

I bought an Altezza because I thought the exact same thing, rwd, lsd, 200hp should be fun to drive around. I was shocked at how torqueless it was, to a point that at a dead stop with the steering at full lock if you punch it in first gear it wouldn't break the rear end loose.

https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10380847_10154435299645430_167524377644708656_o.jpg

[buh_buh]

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