At Last New Altezza Owner

[mus26c]

Hi all, I just bought an altezza RS 200 on Monday afternoon, the car was located on Plymouth and I had to drive it back to London………I know a lot people might think I am mad to go all the way there to get the car but it was worth it .

The car is tiptronic. The reason I went for it is because it had low milage of 34,330 miles on the clock with full service history and verified mileage from Japanese service book.

I test drove the car down the motorway and I must say it left a big grin on my face the response is instant and the engine is smooth with a bit of VA VA VOOM.

The owner told me he didn’t remove the limiter cause he had the last 3 points in his licence and the stereo needs the expander to get the rest of the FM frequencies.

The car is in excellet condition except for a damaged bearing wheel (rear left tyre) which I got the replacement part free of charge.

The guy I bought from told me that he just serviced the car, but I would like to carry my own service just to be on the safe side.

The car comes with 18 inch alloy wheels and sports stainless steel exhaust system.

Now let’s get to the important bits:

I live in north London and would like to know where can I service the car, this should include engine diagnostics too?

How much will cost me to fit the bearing wheel? Can I do it in any garage or shall I take it specialist? I know Lexus dealers won’t touch altezzas.

What is that red button on the top of the gear section, little tiny button... what does it do?

Any manuals out there to download or buy, because I am not familiar with autos and the proper way to drive them.

what are teh common problem with tiptronic gear box or how to avoid damage to it?

Is it worth keeping A Pioneer Carrozzeria System ? I do get some FM channels though.

I made two phone calls today regarding insurance here are the results:

BTW, I am 27 and got 6 NCB.

The companies I called so far were Liverpool Victoria and Adrian flux, the answers were:

Liverpool Victoria: Exhaust modified...Therefore no quote.

Adrian Flux: £1255 without protected no claim bonus and 1395 with PNCB (with £400 excess fee).

Any help is appreciated regarding these questions. Thanking you in advance for your assistance ……. BTW, don’t know how to attach pics of the car, but will do during the weekend.

I forgot to thank Simon from Plymouth Lexus dealer for helping me out to run few checks on the car before I bought it.

[Mr Singh]

Excellent! Welcome aboard!

Anyone can carry out service, although i would aim straight for a jap specialist.

Bearing, you can get from Toyota, sometimes its worth replacing both sides... Then get any competent garage to press those in.

Red button.. maybe its a modification from previous owner? NOS perhaps? :D

Ask Altezza Scott for manuals :)

As for the insurance... thats suprisingly high for my liking... did u try Tescos?

[mus26c]

thanks for the reply mate :) I know the insurance is a bit high but will try others like tesco

I am comiling a list of all insurance companies right now to call them tomorrow morning will list all prices tomorrow

[Zee007]

Welcome to the club!

Check out eBay for Altezza manuals.... :)

[altezzaz]

27, 5 yrs ncb £587 for me, (but I don't live in London) try A Plan (brokers)

I tried privilege - on web then phone and they quoted 690

I think there's a website along the lines of importhandbooks.com - if not try a google

My Lexus dealer is more than happy to service the car...

[jaylist]

try confused.com to get matcheds at up to 30 insurers. Got mine done through first alternative.

29 years old, 5 years ncb, 231 rx-8 and insurance of £510!!

[mus26c]

Thanks for the feedback lads I will be calling insurance companies, I Can't wait to drive it and its sunny today

Will let you know about the outcome :D

[Zee007]

I'm paying around £900 - fully comp, Cat 1, loads of mods decalred, garaged, 5+ years ncb etc, 27.

Adrian Flux.....

[Monster-Mat]

ok..red button Gearbox release to move the car without the key

Pioneer Carrozzeria ......what stuff exactly, i normally bin it when it comes in on imports

JEMCA in London will service the car

[DAZA_W]

welcome

[AltezzaScott]

Welcome to the wonderful world of altezza...

If your car is the tiptronic the red button is to overide the gearbox ie if your car needed to be winched on to a trailor or something alike...

[Mr Singh]

I'm paying £900 with Tesco, 5 years NCB, 3 points, mods delcared, 25 :o

However... its limited to 7k miles a year, and i work from home so... ;)

[AltezzaScott]

try osbourne and sons too... 0871 222 7957

[mus26c]

This weekend will be busy one for me :D

AltezzaScott check your PM please :)

[mus26c]

The cheapest insurance I got so far is with norich union £1250 import, No PNCB, No legal expenses, I guess is somthing to do with my area code.

My registration certificate says its Lexus IS 200.

My question is can I ensure the car as lexus IS 200 --> based on the registration certificate

or

The way I was doing --> ALtezza RS 200 Auto

Thanks in advance.

[Rrs200]

I usually take my tezza to Jamca in north london near by colindale next to .... i am not sure is that ASDA or Sainbury.

They give very good service and it cost me £230 for minor service without changing spark plug and air filter (clean them). and major service for arounf £320 and to pay £50 extra for platimum plugs.

[Bob King]

Welcome to the LOC :) .

[mus26c]

Thanks Bob King

I just managaed to insure my car with footman james for £1017 including legal expenses + UK and European break down cover .. the excess is £250

this is the cheapest one so far :D

[mus26c]

I am having a minor problem but annoys me quite a lot, every time I open the door and hold the door frame I get a static shock, I don’t know what causing it, I thought is something to do with my clothes or the alarm on my car?

It got to a level that when I am closing the door I have to push the window.

Do you think I need earthing kit or check my alarm?

Only driver’s door though , thanks

[mus26c]

Just managed to uplaod pics of the car..... took me ages to figure it out , hope you like them. :)

http://photobucket.com/albums/y183/mus26c/

[javadude]

That's an interesting curly aerial!

[Zee007]

That's an interesting curly aerial!

←

Nice looking car mate.... ;)

[emperor]

Hi Im new here...

jus wanted to post some info as well...

im wif Adrian Flux ..jus renewed ..at 1216 wif 5yrs NCB not protected and dats wif gold members discount.

will be gettin my minor service from Lexus Croydon in May ..so watch dis space to see how well a job they do. they've quoted about 300 quid for da job .. does that sound rite? anyone tried them yet?? as they said they don't usually service imports...

will upload some pics of my car soon... hopefully

[mus26c]

Welcome to the club emperor, let us know about the outcome :winky:

[emperor]

feels gud to be here :)

i've got a modellista version of the rs200... anyone knw wats the difference between that and the other models??