IanF

The altezza ECU isn't tied to the key in the same way as the IS200 - the RS200 doesn't have a factory immobiser, so the worst case is a new set of locks - it might be possible to get these from a write-off? Ian

If you get one imported, don't part with any money (or no more than a deposit) until it's on the road and registered in the UK. And avoid Altezza Sports and Prestige

Have you installed one successfully before on a Altezza Ian, If so this would be worth getting. Cheap way to delimit the engine! I've not used the Import Solutions unit, but I had this one: http://www.protech-uk.co.uk/speedo_con_delimit.htm fitted to my old Evo, and that worked prefectly (140 on Bruntingthorpe to prove it - cacked myself at that speed! :D ). I had the Import Solutions speedo converter unit, but it's a separate unit to de-restrict, so I didn't bother getting both. The Pro-tech unit does both in one unit.

Try these guys - they have a small unit you attach to the ECU to remove the limiter - cost about £50, and has instructions for DIY fitting. I know they have one for the manual Altezza - don't know about auto, but it's worth a phone call http://importsolutions.co.uk/SCU/SCU_make.asp Ian

As if by magic!!!! Stay away - the guy is a rip off merchant and crook. I lost over £5000 on a car he imported for me. A lot of his stuff is poor quality fakes anyway

Or you could just wipe excrement on the back of the car - ASP and dog crap are about the same in my eyes :winky: Ian

yea real easy. ust gotta press the brake/accelerator a couple times and lock/unlock the doors in a weird sequence and 'jobs a good'un' :D This only works on the IS200 with factory alarm system. The Altezza does not have a toyota alarm, so this doesn't apply. My Altezza had a Clifford alarm, so I don't know about the specifics of the Toad system, but I doubt it's very different I only had one key when the car was imported, which had a central locking button on it. Once the alarm was installed, I could still use the Toyota key to lock/unlock the doors - but it would not alarm the car - I had to use the button on the key fob to lock and alarm the car. Unless the guy who installed your alarm is very clever with electronics, I would guess yours is the same. If you need extra keys, get one cut at a key bar (£10), and get a spare Toad alarm fob (maybe another £10) from any Toad supplier, who will be able to program it for you. Ian

An import Altezza will not have a Toyota immobiliser, and does not need a Toyota/ Lexus transponder key. You can pick up a spare key at a high street key bar. Do you know what make of alarm is installed?

Has anybody got a recommendation for a reversing camera to connect to a CarPC? Something small and unobtrusive, but with a wide viewing angle and good in low light? Cheers Ian

Mine was just over 400. Full no claims, 33yr old and in safe area. They didn't have the Qualitat on their list, so it was insured with all the extras as declared mods. Ian

Try Pace Ward - 01782 286311 - very good for modified and imported motors. Ian

I don't buy the investment argument - if you want to invest money for the future, there are far better ways to make more money - over 100 years you can pretty much guarantee a 7% pa increase on the stock market, turning £5000 into over 4 million quid. How many expensive watches are going to be worth that in 100 years time? The thing with the house or car argument, is that you can point to a factual reason why you have spent more money - ie a flat in the centre of London is worth more than a mansion in the outskirts of Huddersfield for a tangible reason. The only argument I can understand is that what you are actually buying is a piece of jewellery, and the associated feelgood factor. It's an emotional purchase, not a rational one - hence the reason a logical engineer like myself can't see the point. At the end of the day, it's your money - do whatever you like with it that makes you happy :) Ian

then why buy a lexus instead of a toyota, or citroen or fiat etc....... ??? :) Ahh, but I did - Toyota Altezza RS200 - much better than an IS200. That's my point - I'm not saying don't spend the money you've got - but why spend it on something that has no added value other than snobbery? I can sense this is an argument that is going to get me shot down in flames :D - it's one of theose things you either "get" instinctively, or will never understand :winky:

I can't get my head round this at all. I would spend more money on an expensive car than a cheap car because it performs better, has more features or is bigger. I would spend money on a bigger house because it is better than a small house. But a £3000 hour is exactly the same as a £20 Casio hour. You have to adjust your watch twice a year anyway - who cares if it is 0.5seconds out each time. Ian

Yup - that's my old car. The interior is special to the Qualitat edition, as it the bodykit Ian

Just keeping an eye on what's out there! :winky: I'm more than happy with the ATR :D :D

Count the mistakes! Click Ian

OK - I think I understand. Another question - do Alpine (or anybody else) do a touchscreen headunit where the screen is separate from the headunit & can be mounted separately? I don't like the look of pop-out screens from a single DIN headunit, but I'd like the functionality.

Alpine do a nice looking headunit with an ipod link: Link I also want to add sat nav to the car at some point - if I fit an Alpine touchscreen without the nav hard drive unit at this stage, can I connect it to the head unit and use it to control the ipod? If not the head unit I've linked, will any other do this? Ian

Not really - quite happy to leave it standard for the time being. Because the ATR was never a JDM car, there isn't very much stuff available. TDI has a small selection - the Camcom may be interesting to lower the VTEC point.

I picked it up on Saturday - I've had a few days getting used to it, and I love it! Very similar to the Altezza in principle - relaxed when you want it to be, but quick when you put your foot down. However it is much sportier and focused than the Altezza - the steering is spot on, VTEC is fantastic when it kicks in (but is going to take a change in driving style to get the best out of it - it REALLY needs the nuts revving off it). The looks inside and out has grown on me too, and now I'd rate it only a sliver below the Altezza. The Recaro sport seats are excellent - very comfortanble and supportive. Overall, Im not sorry to be leaving Altezza land - I might come back in a couple of years when I'm ready to change again - but then again I might not....

I didn't think it through when I said I'd collect it on Saturday :D :D I should get home for the 2nd half anyway

I am - because obviously unlike you, I don't believe that I live in a nazi police state. What police officer is going to destory a car that I can prove I have bought 10 minutes previously, and show that I am on my way directly to the nearest post office to buy a tax disc? I'm more concerned at robot ANPR cameras firing out fines - and I doubt there are many on the back roads of Sussex.

The car is now at a garage, and effectively not owned by anybody - the old owner has sold it to the garage and un-registered themselves, but it won't be re-registered to me until I take formal ownership on Saturday. I fully intend to get it taxed ASAP, but what if the post office is closed, and I physically can't do it? If fact, I'm going to pick it up early on Saturday, and go to the nearest post office on the way home - that way I'll only be driving it for 10 mins and 10 miles untaxed - and that's a risk I'm happy with. :)

Replacement CD units and screens come up on ebay quite often. I know for a fact there is a screen for sale on there now :D Ian