Here in Japan The Altezza is quite popular. Tuned &
stock versions are seen everywhere. I had a chance to
see a Tommy Kaira version of the Altezza and that was
an eye cathcer. The drift racers here also have a
liking to the Altezza. The rear end I like and in
fact someone has replicated that rear lighting schema
for the Honda Civic crowd. To be honest I was looking
to buy an Altezza (or IS300, I usually refer to the
Japanese model names) but then I saw the A4, And that
is another story.
Greg Umbay
--- Craig Boyle <craig_boyle@yahoo.com> wrote:
> As an owner of a new 3 series I'm somewhat biased,
> but
> in the metal the IS is a very dull car, it has the
> road presence of a Nissan Altima. It's not a car
> that
> you would say "WHAT WAS THAT?" about, in fact you
> probably won't notice it at all. I spent nearly an
> hour next to one (channel tunnel train carriage) at
> Xmas and none of the party I was with (including the
> yardstick for cool looking cars, an 11 year old boy)
> was remotely interested.
>
> I do like the chrono dish - but wonder how good it
> will look 10 years from now.
>
> Autocar magazine in the UK did a comparison test
> between a 323Se and an IS200 last June or so (IIRC)
> and favored the BMW's ride/handling dynamics. I
> probably scanned this article for my archives - if
> anyone's interested.
>
> The IS range is as imporant as the MR-S, they keep
> BMW
> and Mazda respectively on their toes.
>
>
> Craig
> (lots of opinions for somone that hasn't driven an
> IS)
>
> --- Derek Butts <pnc1@earthlink.net> wrote:
> > Since I work for Lexus I am somewhat biased. The
> > specs on this car should make
> > it a decent vehicle for daily use/autocrossing. I
> > imagine its a G stock car
> >
> > The inline 6 cylinder has a wide torque band and
> > good power. The engine is
> > placed behind the front axle for better weight
> > distribution (near 50/50) One
> > down side is that the manual transmission won't be
> > available until 2001.
> > However the 5 speed automatic is pretty slick with
> > the shifter built into the
> > steering wheel (a la Formula 1)
> >
> > This car is dead on the 3 series BMW's. A turbo
> 2.0
> > liter six-speed manual has
> > been on sale in Europe as the Toyota Altezza for
> > almost a year. So far it has
> > held its own on the racing circuits overseas.
> >
> > TRD and many aftermarket suppliers already have a
> > full variety of performance
> > goodies too.
> >
> > We are currently taking orders on this car which
> is
> > due to arrive 4th of July
> > weekend. I am certain that most Lexus dealers
> won't
> > add markup like thier
> > Toyota counterparts.
> >
> > -Derek Butts
> > CS MR2
> > GS IS300?
> >
> > Nandaholz@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > > http://is300.net/
> > > http://www.is200.co.uk/lexus.html
> > >
> > > i think its pretty sharp, rear wheel drive,
> > independent suspension, Torsen,
> > > in-line 6, sounds like a decent four door.
> > > ~Nanda and UFO
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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