jdmparts_guru

there are several new style taillights ... which ones are you after?

The GS430 brake rotors and pads are the same as these of the IS200. Just do a search and you will see some interesting alternatives...

Newspaper is good! No streaks and dust.

If there are enough people interested in the Toms ARS cancellor I may be able to arrange something.

Right. More useful mods are suspensions mods, like coilovers, braces, sways, ... the car itself is already fast enough :P

To what I know, there is no single replacement ECU chip that really works. What you can try, is to go for a S-AFC or eManage. These are also piggybacks, but are adjustable. Don't expect too much from this, a 5% increase in hp and/or torque is already optimistic imo.

Any pics of the car? It would be nice to compare the light output between the standard bulbs, the HID kit and the stock HID (e.g. IS300? )

djjazzc, the IS200 and Altezza are an excellent choice if you want more space and comfort. However, if still want TT performance and your budget can allow it ... go for the Aristo Twin Turbo (JZS147 or JZS161) ... these come with 300+hp (officially 280 hp) and are FAST!

The above is not enough information to determine if the wheels fit. Also the PCD is required. Btw ... 225/40/18 wheels are a little measly for a sporty car like the Soarer ...you should to go to 245/40/18 in order to look good

Most aftermarket pillow tops make noises since these are made of metal That is the compromise for getting a lil' better handling. Alternatively, you can install the shocks/springs or coilovers using the stock mounting tops.

For a rather extreme drop you have to go for the coilovers. No spring/shocks combination offer a drop that is more than 40 - 50 mm. The TRD spring/shocks combo has a relatively modest drop, prob. only 30 - 35mm

Become a Goldmember ... then a whole new world will open up for you B) Goldmember discounts, access to groupbuys,...

WAAAAAY too expensive.... You can get a lot of decent rims for that price. In addition, sometimes there are members who sell their original rims, and will sell their existing ones for cheap... so be patient. There is also a groupbuy for new rims for approx. GBP500 - 600 link to GB on new wheels

The TRD Altezza flywheel (or any other TRD flywheel) will not fit. There is, however, one or two other makes that do fit.

There are several options for the Aristo. The easiest way is buying the Supra TT calipers, pads, rotors and stainless steel brakelines. Expect to pay about GBP800 to pay for a brand new set. The disadvantage of the Supra upgrade is that it is very heavy and a rather old design (the Supra was available from 1992 ...). A better upgrade is to go for an Prolex big brake upgrade, that consists of 4-pot calipers, 330mm 2-piece rotors, which is a much newer, lighter design. Expect to pay about GBP1000 - 1100 for this setup. Other options are ... TRD/ UCF30, Brembo, MovIt big brake kits. These kits are about GBP1300 - 1800

Sell your existing car and buy an Aristo Twin Turbo. Much easier and probably also cheaper. Don't forget that you are in the very few countries that have the steering wheel at the same side as Japan

Excellent stuff ... would like to see Aristo TT vs M5 or vs Porsche ...

For jumping ship

LOADS of going power but where is the stopping power

Finally, why should you import a car from Hong Kong, if most people in Hong Kong are getting their cars from Japan auctions? Price? IMO ... wrong. There is a huge car TAX on cars in Hong Kong. If you buy an already landed car in Hong Kong, this TAX will be applied on the car price. Unless you can get that part back (which is unlikely), Hong Kong cars are significantly more expensive than Japan cars. So if these cars are cheaper than the cars sold in Japan ... why? So, IMO buy your car directly from Japan (either personally or via a specialist company). The above is my personal opinion, and probably interesting to know for some of our members. I think that both Marks already know about the above...

Most used cars in Hong Kong do not have a car history, especially no history of the Japanese period. Imported used cars in Japan are often sold like XX/YY cars and will only state no of previous Hong Kong owners. In Hong Kong the 2-'hand' car means 2 previous owners (excl. the new owner). So a 1'hand' 98/01 Altezza means that the car has 1 HK owners and was built in 1998. It landed in 2001 and in most cases there is no history available of the 1998 - 2001 period. Most of the used cars that have a 'hole' in its history are damaged cars that were sold in Japan cheaply and then repaired in Hong Kong. As a rule of thumb XX/XX cars are preferrable. e.g. 98/98 Altezza means that these car were imported from Japan as new. Avoid the XX/2004 cars, e.g 99/04 cars, especially if these do not have any prev. owners. These cars are in 90% totalled cars. So, not always problematic ... try out your luck.

Of course, there are good Altezzas around, but you need to be careful. One difference between re-exporting is and local buying and using is that you can easily go back to the seller. Not that that will help often ... Unless you really know your way around (and know the car trader yourself), i personally would be very hesistant.

Good luck then ...

Need to check tomorrow for stock avail. These are GBP240 for Gold members... GBP265 for non-Gold members.

WRONG! A significant part of the used Altezza in Hong Kong are totalled cars from Japan, especially if these were only imported to Hong Kong after several years of use. If you ask the sales person, he won't be able to show you a previous owner or maintenance history for the period that the car was in Japan. In addition, Japan has a lot of flooding, so there may be water damage ... then the car will be totalled in Japan, and often exported as crap. After landing in Hong Kong these cars are sold as any other used car ... so be careful image what electronic problems that may cause.