smooth1

You know, I hate it when the media, and the critics try to play "people represent". And when they try to pass off opinion as facts. To be completely honest, before I went on the test drive, I was very scheptical. I didn't really know alot about the car other than the rumors and hear say all over the websites. So, here's a review from someone who was driven one, and also driven it harder than 98% of the people who will buy it, will ever drive it. Not that it means I am the end all, it's still just an opinion. Using the scale of 1-10: Engine power and torque, I would say was about a 7. For it being a V8, and allways looking up the ladder of design and class, I think they could still have gone a bit further with the amount of hp and tq, while still keeping it civilized. The engine did have a wide power band, and pulled well enouph even at low rpm's, but you can definatley tell the difference once the needle passes the 4000 rpm mark. Transmission: I would give it a 9. This would be a 10 if it wasn't for the shift paddles location. On a formula 1 car, the steering radius is like 35 degrees lock to lock. so if your hands are at 10 and 2, they would max turn at 1 and 5. But on a real car like we have to drive, the steering wheel turns all the way around. So when your going into a steep corner and you need to downshift with the shifter paddles, they are upside down and your arms are crossed ove each other, or you have repositioned your hands to allow the turn of the steering wheel, and now have to look down to locate the paddle. So I think they will need to improve that layout. But, the shift quality is impeccable! and spot on!! Hard down shifts are met with a quick auto rev match to move the gear into place smoothly. Upshifting is just as quick and even though it's an 8 speed, the gears seemed tall and easily able to keep the motor in it's most powerful rev area. Steering and suspension: This is one area that I think is very debatable and subjective. So I would just like to point the things I liked first. Body roll was well handled. I was actually very surprised at how well the car stayed parallel. For as big as the car "feel", (not that it feels like a caddy, but it definatley feels bigger than my IS 300), It stayed well mannered even on the rougher part of the course, and never felt harsh or stiff. Now with that said, of course you can't have "well mannered" and great road feel. You have to trade off. And as a Lexus, of course the luxury prevailed. Looks: I give it a 7, almost 8. the rims are awsome though. The body flares I think are bit too much. But again, not by a whole lot. I love the stacked exhuast, even though they aren't fully connected and functional. the sound is amazing!!! when your civil, so is the sound, quiet and no intrusive. But when you get on it, it opens up, but even then isn't loud, it just grunts! Interior: Come on, it's a Lexus. 9.5 Fit and finish: See above the main thing I think everyone just needs to remember is that this is a luxury car, that now, doesn't have to bow down to anyone. It's not a narrow focused car like vettes, and GTR's, but it definately reels in the AMG's, BMW's, and Audi's. So, like in that article Lexusfreak posted, I wonder how they would review the S6, that stickers for 85K. ( Note the HP and performance more closely matches the ISF and wheelbase along with 4 doors.) And what they say about the BMW 5 series, that again is 70K and up. Which, again, in my opinion, the ISF looks way nicer than the BMW's new "evolution". Did I leave anything out?

I was just razzin ya. Your a good freind. Thanks. But seriously, when she finishes it, I better get some pics, and good ones too dam it, no shadow puppet show, proper lighting and good detail..LOL!!!!

LMAO!!!! oh and btw!!! my fiancee's mom is currently sewing me a slip cover for the frame i made for the ski pass with a custom lexus logo in the middle oooOOOoooooOOOO???!!!! Nice. Am I gonna atleast get to see it??? I'd have my fiance's mom make one for you if she was making me one too, but I guess that's just the kind of person I am... LOL!!!!

You have to say it afterwards every single time or I guess nobody can understand bulbs----> cloves

:( ^_^ ;)

You think I would say something like that? I mean come on, I'm sure after you vacuumed out the car and the trunk, put proper cable wraps on the wires, made a custom cover for the amp, and installed the fabric over the hole, you would have gotten to fixing the ski pass opening...I mean come on, give me some credit.... :)

Alright, before we go into the IAT sensor and MAF issues, try this,,, put the MAF back together. and make sure everything is connected. Then disconnect the negative battery terminal. Get in the car and press the brake pedal all the way down 10 times. Then wait 10 minutes and press the brake pedal 10 times again. Then reconnect the negative battery terminal and start the car. Tell me what happens after that.

garlic

being lucky enouph to live in Florida, I have driven that a few times. Very nice!! And what is also nice to do is drive to New Smyrna Beach and go out on the pier and watch the sun rise, then walk the beach and and eat breakfast on the boardwalk, drive 17 to Cape Coral and Naples area, eat dinner and watch the sun set all in the same day.A Wonderful time!!!

Someone must be cooking when they are typing.......... Dillweed

LOL!!! Yeah!! I told him about locking hood pins to maybe stop that from happening again. What I also thought was funny was the fact that there are very few Altezza'a there, so I'm thinking finding the "other" Altezza would lead right to "gotcha"!

Ok, Here is the skinny: the Lexus SC300 came with the 2JZGE non turbo motor only in the US. In Europe and Japan, they released the Toyota Soarer which came with the 1JZ twin turbo set up. (It was actually a sequential turbo set up and not a true twin system though.) Alot of people in the US do swap to the 1JZ as it is a cheap way to go turbo.And before that they had the Aristo motor which also was turbo, But again never used here in the US. I have a friend here who just did a 1JZ swap in a 92 SC300. The SC400 is the 1UZFE motor. The only V8 used until the new generation SC430. The Supra motor is a 2 JZGTE motor. And has never been in used, (stock from the factory) in anything other than the Supra. As far as manual and only being 50 made, I really doubt that number. While the manuals were more rare, I see plenty of them and I don't think it would add to the overall value of a used car. And I beleive it was the black/black 97 SC300 with the manual that was the rarest combination. And even then it was still more than 50.

Boyhood girlfriend....

Hey Bartkat, we have been exchanging pm's, and He needs the whole air intake to the throttle body from what I understood. So I told him that he would still need the MAF, IAT and vacuume hoses, and if he found the place for that, then they would have all the rest as well. So, Shuji, here you go. Join this: http://forum.altezzaclub.org.au/index.php? I talked to a few people there and they can get you all the parts you need and you can talk to people who actually have your version of the Toyota. Good luck, and take care.

Wow, so far no love for the cf huh? Hmmmm,,,,

Gilligan

Which was where I was going next. Good tip.

Thanks Flop. That's 1 no cf. Maybe counts as 2 cause I like you.. :)

Thanks Raymsixsix. I have fun tryin!!!

So, this question keeps coming up and I guess I'm looking for a little input. Should I keep the CF hood or put the Stock hood back on?

Mine Smooth1 - how poetic about the football flowers & the picnic in the end zone - kinda sounds all warm and cozy! LMAO!!!.....I guess it's the Italian side......You know..... B) Fuzzy---> Bare

Hey, welcome to the LOC!! They probably didn't adjust them, as at 80% it should have only been neccassary to inspect them. But they probably did pull the calipers off to inspect them. Sometimes the slight shift, or movement of the calipers can cause some extra brake dust to gather and that's where the squeeking or brake squeal is coming from. Before going thru the hassle of going back down there, Just stop at an auto parts store and buy some brake cleaner. It should only cost about 3 bucks. Spray it inside the calpers along where the brake pads are. Really get in there with the little red spray hose. Do all 4 while your there. Give it a minute to dry. Maybe hit it with the garden hose to remove some of the brake residue. You should be good to go. If you still have an issue after that, then that means you have some brake pad glazing. The only way to get rid of that then is to pull the calipers out and rescuff them using some heavy grit sandpaper or a file. But if your not comfortable doing that, then I would just take it in and let them do it for you. Even though the brakes aren't part of the warrentee, they may just cover it for you.

the best option I have seen so far is to take it to a proffesional custom audio shop and have them wrap it in a black leather. That looked way nice and clean. The other option is to use some 2000 and sand all the scratches out. Then tape off the surrounding area and use a plasticized spray paint and refinish it. I actually did that on my 03' and it turned out great. You wouldn't have known it was ever scratched. But you have to do the whole trim ring , as just trying to do one small area would show up as just patch work.

Ok, I just sent them the email asking if they have one and how much and if they can ship to the Carribean. as soon as they repond I will give you the info and put you in touch with them directly. PM me your email address and info.

Which engine do you have: the 1GFE, 3SGE or the 2JZGE ?