Discussion
Any good? Been looking at E36/E39 BMW's but I've just seen these and quite frankly they have a pretty fearsome standard equipment list...
Do the Sport models have an LSD? Does anyone have a full spec sheet for them? And any owner experiences?
I've heard people say they're underpowered, but it'll be my second car and first RWD so maybe that's not too bad!
Do the Sport models have an LSD? Does anyone have a full spec sheet for them? And any owner experiences?
I've heard people say they're underpowered, but it'll be my second car and first RWD so maybe that's not too bad!
Hiya-
good choice, I just bought an IS200 sport '04 plate in september this year, having owned Subarus and Type R's and must say, they are not as fast with 153 bhp...but for fun handling, YES the sport has the LSD as standard with TRC on/off button.
Make sure its turned...OFF obviously if u want some rear end action!! Just be careful in the wet! I think 53/04 plate onward sport models also come with the short shift gear change which is excellent, better than even my type R's through the gears!!
Just be sure to rev the t*%s out the car to get the best out of it!!
U definately wont be disappointed, especially if you are fortunate enough to own as a second car!!
good choice, I just bought an IS200 sport '04 plate in september this year, having owned Subarus and Type R's and must say, they are not as fast with 153 bhp...but for fun handling, YES the sport has the LSD as standard with TRC on/off button.
Make sure its turned...OFF obviously if u want some rear end action!! Just be careful in the wet! I think 53/04 plate onward sport models also come with the short shift gear change which is excellent, better than even my type R's through the gears!!
Just be sure to rev the t*%s out the car to get the best out of it!!
U definately wont be disappointed, especially if you are fortunate enough to own as a second car!!
t84 said:
Any more opinions? I'm seriously looking at these now as they sound fantastic for the money, I'd like full leather though but we can't have everything!
Could a mod move this to GG please to get more opinions? Thanks!
The one with a bit of go is the JDM Altezza RS200 with the 210bhp BEAMS motor. Could a mod move this to GG please to get more opinions? Thanks!
Leather is rare on JDM cars though.
I've got one. Very happy with it - it is a Toyota copy of a mid 90's BMW (RWD, 2l inline 6 cyl, 50/50 weight distribution) but with all the toys as pretty much standard & (IMHO) much better screwed together. Mine is 2002, and solid as a rock. Seats are comfortable, driving position very adjustable, standard stereo sounds great, there are lots of little things that are well thought out, and while you don't really need them, they are nice to have (electric folding wing mirrors for narrow parking spaces, a dial to auto-adjust the headlights depending on loading of the car) Seat memory on the electric seats would have been nice though.
It isn't a fast car, (0-60 in 9.5s I think) but it combines being a relaxed. comfortable cruiser with being fun and rapid enough on the twisty bits as well (traction control is a one button push to disable, the gearbox is lovely). But not a car to smoke away from lights with - it is a grown up's car.
IS300 is the same, but moar power as engine is, d'oh, a 3L. Paddle shift auto box only though (in UK - in the US they got manual option on IS300, go figure) Looked at one, but the extra fuel put me off (I use mine for a 50 mile round trip commute a day)
Altezza RS200, don't know much about. 4 cyl turbo engine, with 50 BHP more, so I guess a different driving experience - they are JDM only. Reputation here in Asia (in HK and Japan) is that the Altezza is the boy racer version
Service intervals not long (10k miles) and you need a ramp to change oil filter are downsides. There are more efficient engines out there now (it is now a 10+ year old design) but it is a sweet, smooth engine.
It isn't a fast car, (0-60 in 9.5s I think) but it combines being a relaxed. comfortable cruiser with being fun and rapid enough on the twisty bits as well (traction control is a one button push to disable, the gearbox is lovely). But not a car to smoke away from lights with - it is a grown up's car.
IS300 is the same, but moar power as engine is, d'oh, a 3L. Paddle shift auto box only though (in UK - in the US they got manual option on IS300, go figure) Looked at one, but the extra fuel put me off (I use mine for a 50 mile round trip commute a day)
Altezza RS200, don't know much about. 4 cyl turbo engine, with 50 BHP more, so I guess a different driving experience - they are JDM only. Reputation here in Asia (in HK and Japan) is that the Altezza is the boy racer version
Service intervals not long (10k miles) and you need a ramp to change oil filter are downsides. There are more efficient engines out there now (it is now a 10+ year old design) but it is a sweet, smooth engine.
fluffnik said:
wisbechlad said:
Altezza RS200, don't know much about. 4 cyl turbo engine, with 50 BHP more, so I guess a different driving experience - they are JDM only.
I-4, yes.
Turbo, no.
Much quicker than the I-6 cars - 7.something to 60 - and a real rev monster.
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/463976.htm
Edited by Techn0 on Friday 27th November 18:23
Techn0 said:
fluffnik said:
wisbechlad said:
Altezza RS200, don't know much about. 4 cyl turbo engine, with 50 BHP more, so I guess a different driving experience - they are JDM only.
I-4, yes.
Turbo, no.
Much quicker than the I-6 cars - 7.something to 60 - and a real rev monster.
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/463976.htm
Edited by Techn0 on Friday 27th November 18:23
OR...find a cheap high mileage one with full service history...then grab yourself one of these!!
http://www.prolex-uk.com/store/product_info.php?cP...
http://www.prolex-uk.com/store/product_info.php?cP...
gavzdc5445 said:
OR...find a cheap high mileage one with full service history...then grab yourself one of these!!
http://www.prolex-uk.com/store/product_info.php?cP...
fhttp://www.prolex-uk.com/store/product_info.php?cP...
k that! £5k for a supercharger! As much as I like Dave...that is too mcuh for the power gains. Even if it is a Rotrex over the TTE Eaton.elster said:
gavzdc5445 said:
OR...find a cheap high mileage one with full service history...then grab yourself one of these!!
http://www.prolex-uk.com/store/product_info.php?cP...
fhttp://www.prolex-uk.com/store/product_info.php?cP...
k that! £5k for a supercharger! As much as I like Dave...that is too mcuh for the power gains. Even if it is a Rotrex over the TTE Eaton.failing that- engine transplant to V8!! lol
Excellent car,
the IS300's have full leather, as well as some of the newer 04 reg "LE" models.
S models have very little same as the altezza.
SE has half leather, electric seats etc,
Sport has everything of the SE plus a Torsen diff, tinted rear windows, slightly lower suspension, metal pedal covers.
theres more options appearing on the market if theres not enough speed for you.
Eaton charger kits, turbo kits, or full blown engine swaps like i did to my own.
the IS300's have full leather, as well as some of the newer 04 reg "LE" models.
S models have very little same as the altezza.
SE has half leather, electric seats etc,
Sport has everything of the SE plus a Torsen diff, tinted rear windows, slightly lower suspension, metal pedal covers.
theres more options appearing on the market if theres not enough speed for you.
Eaton charger kits, turbo kits, or full blown engine swaps like i did to my own.
gavzdc5445 said:
elster said:
gavzdc5445 said:
OR...find a cheap high mileage one with full service history...then grab yourself one of these!!
http://www.prolex-uk.com/store/product_info.php?cP...
fhttp://www.prolex-uk.com/store/product_info.php?cP...
k that! £5k for a supercharger! As much as I like Dave...that is too mcuh for the power gains. Even if it is a Rotrex over the TTE Eaton.failing that- engine transplant to V8!! lol
There are a lot more tuning mods for the Altezza and IS300, due to the fact the Japanese market and the American market are the preferred cars for them.
t84 said:
Does anyone have a full spec sheet for them?
Hi there,IS200 spec sheet: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/knowledge/index.p...
Altezza RS200/As200 spec sheet: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/knowledge/index.p...
Ive owned my IS200 for 2 years now. Its a very refined car, I use it for my 60 mile round trip commute every day and its very comfortable, feels like a luxury motor to drive, quiet, and excellent on the motorway. Be warned though, its engine is quite juicy for a 2 litre especially around town, a beemer equivalent would be better on fuel, But having said that it wouldn't come with as many toys. At the time when I was choosing a car, it was between this and a E46 320i, and i'm glad I chose the lex due to its comfort as I was mainly going to use it on the motorway...easily the best car i've owned.
Hope this helps
p.s. hello to you all btw!
Gassing Station | Toyota | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff