What To Get?

[jasear]

Well, matt i wont argue with you as you have driven both and ive only really driven an altezza. The stuff i wrote was based on my research over the net on both cars so i probably must have bumped into the wrong resources.

However, I think it really depends on what you want from a car. I would definately go for an altezza as:

1> You will get them cheaper than even your bog standard is200's,

2> The mileage will be a lot lower, because people dont tend to drive them that much in japan.

3> You can rest assure that the car will have been kept in good condition and well looked after as the laws in japan relating to conditions of cars are a lot stricter than over here hence generally you will find cars over there in a lot better condition than over here.

4> The altezza's are better suited for modifications e.t.c.,

5> Tezza's have much stronger engines.

6> And i still believe that generally jap imported cars would have a higher spec than the equvilent in the uk.

And i have done a lot of research into this. I was myself looking for a is200 and i couldnt find anything cheaper than £8,000 after months of searching and these too were the bog standard is200's which had covered over 90k miles.

Disadvantages imo are:

1> Insurance could be a pain to find but a bit of research and ull find the right one for yourself.

2> Parts could sometime be a problem but there are companies in the uk who can source the part for you. I am not really sure whether the tezza parts are different to the is200's but i have heard and read that most of them are the same.

3> Servicing, again if u do some research then you will find companies that specialise in jap imports.

4> If ure not going to make use of the extra bhp's that the tezza's offer then youre gonna be dissappointed.

Im not an expert on this subject but this is my opinion. Hope guys over here correct me where i am wrong.

[LennyLexus]

And i have done a lot of research into this. I was myself looking for a is200 and i couldnt find anything cheaper than £8,000 after months of searching and these too were the bog standard is200's which had covered over 90k miles.

£8'000 come on jasear ones a LEXUS and the other is a TOYOTA, and the same goes for the comment on the higher spec on the jap version. Yes i agree that a lot of jap versions come with a few extras we dont get here. However as previously stated, no leather, no heated seats, no 'lexus' soundsystem, no uk sat nav etc on the tezz. Some tezz even come with 15" steel wheels and no fogs

On a more positive side, yes they are lower milage and even better value for money, and you can always rebagde :winky:

[SteveAudioX]

Altezza RS200 .... if budget allows... none of the rest...

Evo 8

[jasear]

£8'000 come on jasear ones a LEXUS and the other is a TOYOTA, and the same goes for the comment on the higher spec on the jap version

Come on! If im not wrong dont Toyota own Lexus????? Effectively they are made by the same company so it shouldnt really matter. However the badge doesnt cost much. :D

Secondly fair enough they dont have leather, sat nav, heated seates e.t.c. Ive rarely seen lexus's over here come with full leather most of them are half leather. And the ones that come with full leather and sat nav will cost you a bomb!!!!

[Guest mark_tsang]

Well, matt i wont argue with you as you have driven both and ive only really driven an altezza. The stuff i wrote was based on my research over the net on both cars so i probably must have bumped into the wrong resources.

However, I think it really depends on what you want from a car.  I would definately go for an altezza as:

1> You will get them cheaper than even your bog standard is200's,

2> The mileage will be a lot lower, because people dont tend to drive them that much in japan.

3> You can rest assure that the car will have been kept in good condition and well looked after as the laws in japan relating to conditions of cars are a lot stricter than over here hence generally you will find cars over there in a lot better condition than over here.

4> The altezza's are better suited for modifications e.t.c.,

5> Tezza's have much stronger engines.

6> And i still believe that generally jap imported cars would have a higher spec than the equvilent in the uk.

And i have done a lot of research into this. I was myself looking for a is200 and i couldnt find anything cheaper than £8,000 after months of searching and these too were the bog standard is200's which had covered over 90k miles.

Disadvantages imo are:

1> Insurance could be a pain to find but a bit of research and ull find the right one for yourself.

2> Parts could sometime be a problem but there are companies in the uk who can source the part for you. I am not really sure whether the tezza parts are different to the is200's but i have heard and read that most of them are the same.

3> Servicing, again if u do some research then you will find companies that specialise in jap imports.

4> If ure not going to make use of the extra bhp's that the tezza's offer then youre gonna be dissappointed.

Im not an expert on this subject but this is my opinion. Hope guys over here correct me where i am wrong.

altezzaa is group 15 insurance so i think is same as IS300

altezza may have a lower spec compared to IS200 but i can live without things like sunroof, cruise control & power seats etc.....

as for servicing altezza's i use a jap import specialist that is also a toyota/lexus specilaist & uses geniune toyota parts, they did a great job on servicing it. lexus car dealer round my area services altezza / aristo & other lexus imports.

altezza's in Hong Kong outsell the official IS200/300. there must be a reason to that??

[LennyLexus]

Come on! If im not wrong dont Toyota own Lexus????? Effectively they are made by the same company so it shouldnt really matter. However the badge doesnt cost much. :D

ssssshh I mean ridin in my toy.. doesnt sound as good as ridin in my lex does it however like you say badges dont cost a bomb ;) I myself consider getting a V300 once the loan on this one is finished :)

[altezzaz]

come on jasear ones a LEXUS and the other is a TOYOTA

erm.... you sure about that?

EVERY SINGLE Lexus produced to date is a rebadged Toyota. Don't be such a snob or go and get something German

[OLI_EP3]

altezzaz  Posted on Apr 5 2004, 07:19 AM   

QUOTE

come on jasear ones a LEXUS and the other is a TOYOTA

erm.... you sure about that?

EVERY SINGLE Lexus produced to date is a rebadged Toyota. Don't be such a snob or go and get something German

RazRankin Posted on Apr 4 2004, 01:38 PM 

QUOTE (jasear @ Apr 4 2004, 11:09 AM)

Come on! If im not wrong dont Toyota own Lexus????? Effectively they are made by the same company so it shouldnt really matter. However the badge doesnt cost much. biggrin.gif

ssssshh laugh.gif I mean ridin in my toy.. doesnt sound as good as ridin in my lex does it icon14.gif however like you say badges dont cost a bomb wink.gif I myself consider getting a V300 once the loan on this one is finished smile.gif

guys Badges mean nothing to me so can we stop on quit it on that topic.

One thing's for sure, Honda out........Toyota or Lexus it will be (Something to do with this forum )

[LennyLexus]

come on jasear ones a LEXUS and the other is a TOYOTA

erm.... you sure about that?

EVERY SINGLE Lexus produced to date is a rebadged Toyota. Don't be such a snob or go and get something German

may be it is snobby, but i doubt the IS200 where be where it is today, if it was sold as a TOYOTA? :P

theres nothing wrong with that, my old mans been driving jap since i can remember, which was one of the reasons for me going for a lex.

German cars? theres one around every corner, no thanx I'll pass. :)

OLI back on topic, either way, your going to get one of the worlds most beautiful cars, you just got to decide whats more important now, speed or luxury?

[Guest mark_tsang]

  may be it is snobby, but i doubt the IS200 where be where it is today, if it was sold as a TOYOTA? :P

probably not, u just have to look at why honda legend dont sell well as GS300 & honda legend been around for much longer or mitsubishi diamante isnt sold in UK or discontiued on some countries but still exist in japan.

im not bothered about the badge at all.

so what is it gonna be is200 / altezza, i take it accord is still out, whys that then

[OLI_EP3]

Mark

The Accord is out because although a great handling FWD car I feel I want to experience a RWD, plus 2 Type-R's in the household?!?!? c'mon!

Although I think the accord's look good they are no match for the newer accord and obviously the IS wipes the floor wi th it!

Also in terms of accord community........ there isn't one ;) or is there? If so someone show me?

IS/ALTEZZA community is good with all the group buys, discounts and knowledge here, enough said

Good work Moderators and people who contribute etc!!

From the comments here I'm more inclined towards the Tezza as I would prefer a little more speed over luxury.

mark what, where and how much was your front bumper?

[Guest mark_tsang]

Mark

The Accord is out because although a great handling FWD car I feel I want to experience a RWD, plus 2 Type-R's in the household?!?!? c'mon!

Although I think the accord's look good they are no match for the newer accord and obviously the IS wipes the floor wi th it!

Also in terms of accord community........ there isn't one  ;)  or is there? If so someone show me?

IS/ALTEZZA community is good with all the group buys, discounts and knowledge here, enough said

Good work Moderators and people who contribute etc!!

From the comments here I'm more inclined towards the Tezza as I would prefer a little more speed over luxury.

mark what, where and how much was your front bumper?

from upauto.co.uk

i do like the accord typr R, at the time when it wa s sold i thin kit was bit expensive, ok its v. fast but for that price it dont come lots of stuff like a/c never mind climate control considering lots of cars by then did come with it! & no rear electric windows!

[LennyLexus]

probably not, u just have to look at why honda legend dont sell well as GS300 & honda legend been around for much longer or mitsubishi diamante isnt sold in UK or discontiued on some countries but still exist in japan.

im not bothered about the badge at all.

agreed there are some really top pimp mobiles out there that depreciate like anything and dont get the respect they deserve.

Crowns, presidents, legends, maximas etc.

BUT top points to toyota for rebranding to lexus.

[altezzaz]

[socks]

altezza by far m8 its a real drivers car with race car fell and noise as standerd

btw was the is200 not based on the altezza

[Claire G]

When I needed a family-type car, I test drove both the Honda Accord and IS200s. I was disappointed by the interior and the feel of the Honda, although have always liked Hondas. The IS felt more solid, more fun and I preferred the interior. The IS was great for what I needed, although the boot springs being where they are sometimes made it difficult to get huge amounts in, but it was fine for me. I've just moved on to the GS300 Sport, and really rate it - you should consider that too!!!

[OLI_EP3]

I'm looking at Altezzas now. (again)

Basically I've gone full circle and probably have wasted everyones time :winky: Nah not really as I appreciatee everyones input so far. Accord is out, would possibly consider the new accord Euro R (but not available here and out of budget), the old accord type r is over shadowed by the new and what puts me off is the superunleaded requirement.

As I'm young-ish I do like a a firm ride and not overly worried about luxuries too much - aircon and cd player electric windows suit me fine.

I'll have to check the poll results to confirm but I think the Tezza is probably the one I'm looking at.

Still don't disregard the others though!

[altezzaz]

i mean a lexus

oooh you're gonna be popular

[Guest mark_tsang]

Oli from my experience with the Rs200 Tezza it wins hands down compared to a Is200.

Having drivin both as my mate has a lexus is200 and even he would swop it for a Tezza if he could.

Differences i would say from my experiance and much similar has been said

Lexus is200 Vs Tezza Rs200

Lexus a Bit smoother and quieter to drive than tezza

Gear change smoother

Ride is just a bit smoother in lexus but not that you would notice

Insurance slighty cheaper not by much though mabye £50-100(you just have to shop around)

Most insurance companys insist you to fit an immobiliser to your Tezz youre Ok with lexus 200 nobody wants to steal them  :D

Fuel comsumption is probably about same give or take 1 or 2 miles, 5miles difference tops

servicing No difference

parts mabye some will be harder to find than others but don't see it as a big problem if you have internet access.And also found that the Toyota garage is a lot more helpfull and willing to help than lexus for sourcing parts.can't say i have had any probs so far.

For looks if you get a tezza with full bodykit it and see it sitting next to a box standard lexus it makes it look like a mondeo.

Tezz always gets heads turning when your out and about

Performance tezza wins hands down

Interior lexus may have leather,sunroof,sat nav etc but Tezz still has ok interior and you could always buy a map if you cant read road signs!!! l.o.l

Obviously value will be less when you come to sell it but hey you paid less to start with.

Basicly if want looks and performance buy a tezza

If you want to save £50 on insurance sit on leather and have a computer tell you how to get to places.

Buy a mondeo (i mean a lexus) :D  :D  :D

hope that helps you mate

i didnt know insurance was only £50-100 more for the altezza. as for finding parts, my garage lexus/toyota & japanese import specialist can get any parts (geniune)from japan. never take an altezza to cowboy garages for anything, they cant even manage UK spec japanese cars let alone japanese spec cars.

[OLI_EP3]

they are essentilly the same aesthetically

One thing I have noticed is the number of people with IS200's looking for the extra performance, I guess its the refinement and drive of the IS and the crave of the power also.