Is200 / Altezza - Trying To Find One!

cfoster · March 12, 2003

Hi, I'm new to the board!! I currently own a MY00 Subaru Impreza WRX..... I want to get rid of it soon and replace it with an IS200 sport or possibly an Altezza. I've got a couple of questions......

1) How easy is it to find an Altezza in the UK?? After searching Auto Trader there are only 3 of them available!!

2) Performance wise - I have often heard that people slate the UK 200's saying that they are slow etc.... and should go for an Altezza.. Is this true? I'm aware it wont be as quick as Subaru's etc, but are they really that bad??

3) and finally, probably a really crazy question, but has anybody used one to tow? I have a small track car which will need shipping around on a trailer.... Was wondering whether I could stick a tow bar on the back and use it..... Would you think I will need to upgrade the suspension to stiffer shocks at the back???

Cheers for your help

Chris

Zee007 · March 12, 2003

Hi there Chris - Welcome to LOC! :D

The IS200 pushes out a standard 153bhp. The Altezza (6 speed manual) pushes 210bhp. Don't forget, you can always Supercharge an IS200 to take it over 200bhp.

There are a number of folks on this site with a Tezza (Asam to name one) who can help you out. I was looking to change mine not long ago and they were all very helpful. Tezzas are hard to source, but its certainly not impossible.

Regarding towing - you should have no problem.

Also, try using the search button if you have specific questions - there are 1000's of topics.

Hope this gets you started,

Zee. :)

cfoster · March 12, 2003

Nice one cheers.... The only reason I was thinking of getting a Tezza was for the performance.... I suppose insurance will be high for one as well.....

What sort of money are you looking at to supercharge a UK one???

Cheers

Chris

tony_hetherington · March 12, 2003

ah ha....just seen this post

(Note for everyone else, Chris used to be on the RS owners club bulletin board as did I).

As for the speed of my IS200 - I dont think it's BAD. It's not very good, but does it's job and does it well. It's no Subaru or Esc Cos though - but I dont think you buy a car like an IS200 for that reason.

As for cost of super charging a uk model - it's quite expensive. Over £2k if I remember rightly (but dont hold me to that).

Are you thinking of buying new or used, and if so.....how much you lookin to spend? This will vary greatly what you can get for your money I guess.

Oh....and welcome to this board :) :)

Kavey · March 12, 2003

Hi, I'm new to the board!! I currently own a MY00 Subaru Impreza WRX..... I want to get rid of it soon and replace it with an IS200 sport or possibly an Altezza. I've got a couple of questions......
1) How easy is it to find an Altezza in the UK?? After searching Auto Trader there are only 3 of them available!!

2) Performance wise - I have often heard that people slate the UK 200's saying that they are slow etc.... and should go for an Altezza.. Is this true? I'm aware it wont be as quick as Subaru's etc, but are they really that bad??

3) and finally, probably a really crazy question, but has anybody used one to tow? I have a small track car which will need shipping around on a trailer.... Was wondering whether I could stick a tow bar on the back and use it..... Would you think I will need to upgrade the suspension to stiffer shocks at the back???

Cheers for your help

Chris

Someone say my name? :P

Hey Chris, welcome aboard.

1. They are around. Most people that want one would probably get it self imported. You can find them second hand, but as they're pretty rare here generally, it's harder to find em. If you're serious, there are a few of us with importing contacts that could probably help.

2. The Altezza RS200 has a dual-vvti racing 4-cylinder engine though it's not as refined as the UK 6-cylinder. Horses for courses so to speak. The UK car isn't 'slow' by any means, just lacks a bit of 'perk' of the mark. Easily fixed with a supercharger, and it'll bring it inline with the Altezza for power, but also quite a bit more torque than the stock Altezza. There's another thread here which goes into the differences of the two cars, and things to be wary of.

3. You'd need to think about suspension. Halfords do 'coil-assisters' which you can put into the springs to help prevent the rear of the car hitting the ground if the trailer relies on the pulling car for balance, though you might want to think about beefed up suspension. Either car should have ample power to pull a trailer with a car on, but I'd need to have SERIOUS words with you if you were thinking of using it to pull a caravan!

You got any specific questions beyond what's already been answered?

:)

Asam

cfoster · March 12, 2003

I think thats about it for the time being cheers matey... I'm gonna sift through the Autotraders and see whats about.... I may stick with a UK one for insurance purposes, and save up and supercharge it.....

As for towing, dont worry, its not a caravan!!!!

Cheers

Chris