Hello From Manchester - Deposit Paid On Altezza Today!

[teemsta]

Hello all,

Today I placed a small deposit on an Altezza RS200 and I pick it up Monday. I drove the car around for a good 30 mins today and everything seems to be ok, although I was hoping for your valued opinion on whether this is a good deal.

Details are 99 'S' reg Altezza in white, Z edition semi auto, 70k. Unmarked bodywork/ wheels, excellent interior, imported start of this year by seller. Very clean engine bay, Cambelt just changed, loads of japanese receipts but nothing more really for SH. 12 months MOT and tax end Sept.

Price was £3295 but we agreed on £3k. Does this seem a fair price? Be brutally honest!

Can I just also ask, this car does not come with a remote key fob, just toyota standard keys. Do all these cars come with remote locking as standard?

Thanks in advance and I look forward to contributing! :D

Attached is a pic of the car...

[E910]

Welcome to the club. 3K seems like a pretty good price to me. Cheaper than what you'd pay over here but then you guys pay much higher tax than us on older cars so that's reflected in the sale prices.

Your car should have remote central locking. Not many 2nd owners end up with the fobs, I guess they must break or something. I only got the standard key with mine but then I had an alarm fitted so I have a remote now anyway.

[teemsta]

Not many 2nd owners end up with the fobs, I guess they must break or something. I only got the standard key with mine but then I had an alarm fitted so I have a remote now anyway.

Ok thanks for this, I thought this would be the case but I suppose sourcing an original fob is probably more expensive than having an alarm fitted!

Thats reassured me a bit on the price, any more comments welcome!

[stevie_]

hi there.

price sounds spot on, i paid 5.1k for mine with a simlar description but manual and with a cusco brace and a set of volks te37s and a loaded options list.

car looks like a clean example, welcome to the club.

[teemsta]

hi there.

price sounds spot on, i paid 5.1k for mine with a simlar description but manual and with a cusco brace and a set of volks te37s and a loaded options list.

car looks like a clean example, welcome to the club.

Ok thats great, I am officially now happy with the price. To be honest I am literally bursting with excitement at the moment and being sat at my desk watching the clock is not helping much! I pick it up at 5.30pm, so I will post my initial thoughts later!

[teemsta]

Actually, just wanted to add something on insurance. After owning and running some really powerful cars, I am genuinly surprised at the insurance quotes I am getting on this car, especially consiering it is (I am informed) group 15.

Best quote I have had so far is from Adrian Flux at £715.00. I am 32, no claims/ convictions, live in Manchester and have 5 years no claims so this sounds waaaay off the mark.....or is it? I know imports cost more, but this seems excessive.

I did get a quote of £233 from a company called suredirect which I initially jumped at, but after doing some checking these guys can often do some very dodgy dealings so the advice has been to steer clear.

Any other recommendations? I plan to phone A Plan this afternoon.

Cheers....only 3.5hrs to go!

[J3NKO]

Call Sky Insurance, they have their own section on this club mate!

I've used them for years and wouldn't go anywhere else.

They do specialise on modified and imported so standard cars are a lot more to insure with them!

[teemsta]

Call Sky Insurance, they have their own section on this club mate!

I've used them for years and wouldn't go anywhere else.

They do specialise on modified and imported so standard cars are a lot more to insure with them!

Will do mate, cheers for that.... A Plan were over a grand!!!

[teemsta]

I am now the proud owner of an Altezza! Ok so first thoughts are excellent, car drives and runs really great and no glaring issues, plus how good do the clocks look at night!??

Only issues so far:

Strange intermittent servo noise coming from passenger footwell side of centre console. I'm not entirely sure what it is, i'll have a proper look when it stops bloody raining. Any ideas?

It also has quite 'cloudy' headlights, not sure if on inside or not yet.

Couple of added bits:

It has an AVIC-DR2000 NAV/DVD/TV thing installed with a removal screen in glove box. No remote for it though, plus being from Japan probably wont work anyway in UK so thats getting ripped out asap!

Head unit is aftermarket also, aDMZ435LP by ADDZEST. It is outdated (has a minidisc slot) but looks ok for now. Sound in this car is excellent.

[E910]

Meguiars Plastx or similar will sort the head lights out in no time. All plastic head lights go like that after a while.

Sat Nav wont work outside of Japan. Rip it out & put an aftermarket unit in the dash.

Does your heater blow hot or just one temp? Could be blend door motor is stuffed.

[teemsta]

Meguiars Plastx or similar will sort the head lights out in no time. All plastic head lights go like that after a while.

Sat Nav wont work outside of Japan. Rip it out & put an aftermarket unit in the dash.

Does your heater blow hot or just one temp? Could be blend door motor is stuffed.

Just want to say +1 for Meguiars Plastx. Had a go this afternoon and it worked a treat, not perfect but loads better.

TV/ DVD unit removed, just need an original dash tray (would love a flip one) to replace bracket (placed request in wanted thread)

Heater does blow hot/ cold, but it is definitely this motor making the noise. Maybe on its way out but will have a proper look at the weekend.