Stock #6464
Exterior Overview
Overseas, the Altezza came out about four years before our domestic IS300. The angular, sporty styling and balanced chassis were always hallmarks of this sports sedan, but the powertrain options were much better suited for enthusiasts than our American options. This 1999 features a six-speed gearbox, rear-drive architecture, and a high revving Yamaha designed four-banger. Aside from the extra transmission cog, the improved weight distribution over the IS makes this platform even more rewarding to drive. Aside from a few light dings, chips, and scuffs the the Millenium Silver (1C0) paint is in good nick and this Toyota is set off by a TRD wing, optional OEM grille, and OEM optional front lip, side skirts, and rear lip. Below its skin, the specs get even better, as this chassis rides on rare TRD suspension and includes a tough-to-find TRD exhaust. Fresh off a recent service, this turn-key SXE10 is offered with a mere 86k verified and documented miles on the clock. Practical, reliable, and fun to drive, this sweet saloon is an affordable and athletic Japanese Classic that punches far above its weight.
Interior Overview
The cabin is in wonderful nick and was clearly cared for in a prior life overseas. Access to the cabin is made more seamless thanks to factory keyless entry. For those who may be safety conscious, dual airbags are standard for this model. The dashboard is sculpted, looks modern, and lacks any cracking or distortion. To adjust the automatic climate control, the large knobs are easy to grasp, and the A/C and heat work like a charm. Below a Pioneer headunit improves audio quality to supplement your drive and includes hands-free Bluetooth technology to keep your mitts on the wheel. The driver benefits from a tilt-adjustable steering column to find the ideal driving position, and a slate of electric goodies makes daily driving more enjoyable. Power folding mirrors, power locks, and power windows all function in typical Toyota fashion. The seats are upholstered in a charcoal-colored sport cloth. The rear bench includes an optional pass-through for a set of skis or a long piece of lumber. The durable material lacks any major rips, stains, or tears and is mirrored in the door cards. The headliner and carpets are in fine shape and it’s hard to find fault with this sedan. It even includes the upgraded OEM sound system and a rare OEM rear foglight too, for the Toyota die-hards.
Mechanical Overview
Pop the hood and you’ll notice the iconic Beams logo highlighted in red on the engine cover. There is something poetic about this choice of color, as the redline approaches 8,000 rpm from the revvy two liter. Fresh off an oil and filter service the 3S-GE churns to life care of a new 12v battery. It runs like a top thanks to a new set of spark plugs, and pulls hard to redline. To ensure all that oil stays internal to the engine, one of our trained techs has replaced the old valve cover gasket with a new one, saving the new owner some money down the road for the new owner. Power is fed to the rear wheels through a communicative six-speed box. Shifts are rewarding and lack any hitches or grinds. This Altezza gets up to highway merging speeds with ease and is a blast from stoplight to stoplight. If you plan to attack some twisties, a fresh alignment and new caster arms have been installed to refresh the suspension. Paired with a factory LSD, this sedan puts the power to the ground properly and hugs the turns. The power steering benefits from a fluid flush and delivers decent feedback through the wheel. The ABS brakes do a wonderful job slowing down this saloon and grip is handled by four new all-season tires mounted and balanced at each corner. The new rubber reduces road noise, improves adhesion, and will last for tens of thousands of miles to go. On the commute, at the autocross track, or en route to drop the rugrats off at school, this super sedan does it all and leaves little to be desired.
*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.
