1999 Toyota Altezza RS200

Tactile, responsive, and reliable sports sedans are awfully tough to find these days. This 1999 Altezza is a throwback to the good old days, when an analog driving experience reigned supreme. Powered by a Yamaha-designed 2.0L engine, this rear-drive saloon is a blast to drive and the six-speed manual is splendid, too! Finished in super white (040), this RS200-Z is set off by a set of Enkei RPF1 alloys, a factory front bumper lip, OEM taillight covers, subtle privacy tint, and a stylish Kakimoto exhaust. Aside from some loss of gloss and a few minor dings, chips and scuffs, the paint is in good shape. Offered with a mere 85k verified and documented miles on the clock, this SXE10 is barely broken in! Ideal as a daily driver, cool canyon carver, or wicked weekend playtoy, this balanced and zingy five-seater can do it all.

The cabin is in wonderful shape and is ergonomically pleasing. The dashboard lacks any cracking or fading and dual SRS airbags are standard equipment. The automatic climate control is simple to operate, and cold A/C and piping hot heat are on hand. Below, a Clarion touchscreen headunit handles the tunes. Drivers off all sizes benefit from a tilt-adjustable steering column. Power-folding mirrors, power locks and power windows all make daily use more enjoyable, and work well in true Toyota fashion. The black and grey cloth seats are durable in construction and lack the rips, stains, and tears that typically plague our USDM IS300 models. The rear seats have a ski pass-through for carrying longer items. The headliner, door cards and carpets are in good shape too, and it’s really hard to nitpick this 27 year old cabin much at all.

Power comes from a rev-happy 3S-GE BEAMS engine. It features dual VVT-i functionality, which keeps power delivery lively and consistent throughout the powerband. Fresh off an oil and filter service, the 2.0L churns to life courtesy of a new 12v battery. An RS intake with a new filter allows the four banger to breathe freely, and it sends power to the rear axle through a short-ratio six speed manual box. Shifts are rewarding and this little sedan zips up to highway speeds whitout breaking a sweat. A host of suspension and steering work was performed so this Toyota could be daily driven safely. New inner and outer tie rods were swapped in, and new front lower ball joints and front swaybar endlinks were installed. It was freshly aligned, and tracks straight as an arrow. The brakes were also refreshed with new front pads. The Altezza stops on a dime, as ABS is standard equipment. New steering rack boots were installed alongside the new tie rods, and four new Falken tires were mounted up to maximize traction and keep road noise to a minimum. Outside of Europe, it’s hard to find a vehicle that nails the lightweight sports car formula quite like the Altezza. With staunch Toyota reliability, it’s no wonder we only have good things to say about the model!