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The Ultimate Guide to the Toyota Altezza: Performance, Luxury, and Style

The Toyota Altezza, also known as the Lexus IS, is a sports sedan that was produced by Toyota from 1998 to 2005. It was available in both left-hand drive (LHD) and right-hand drive (RHD) configurations, and was sold in Japan, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The Altezza was powered by a variety of engines, including a 2.0-liter inline-4, a 3.0-liter V6, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4. It was also available with a variety of transmission options, including a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual, and a 5-speed automatic.

The Altezza was praised for its performance, handling, and styling. It was also relatively affordable, making it a popular choice for enthusiasts and budget-minded buyers alike. However, the Altezza was also known for its reliability issues, which could be a turnoff for some buyers.

History of the Toyota Altezza

The Toyota Altezza was developed as a replacement for the Toyota Carina ED. It was designed to be a more sporty and stylish sedan, and it was given a more powerful engine and a stiffer chassis than its predecessor. The Altezza was first introduced in Japan in 1998, and it quickly became a popular choice for enthusiasts and budget-minded buyers alike.

In 2001, the Altezza was released in Europe and Australia under the Lexus IS name. The Lexus IS was a slightly more luxurious version of the Altezza, and it featured a number of upgrades, including a redesigned interior and a more powerful engine. The Lexus IS was also a popular success, and it quickly became one of the best-selling luxury sedans in its class.

Generations of the Toyota Altezza

There were two generations of the Toyota Altezza:

First generation (1998-2005): The first-generation Altezza was introduced in Japan in 1998, and it was released in Europe and Australia in 2001 under the Lexus IS name. The first-generation Altezza was available with a variety of engines, including a 2.0-liter inline-4, a 3.0-liter V6, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4. It was also available with a variety of transmission options, including a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual, and a 5-speed automatic.
Second generation (2005-2013): The second-generation Altezza was introduced in Japan in 2005, and it was released in Europe and Australia in 2006 under the Lexus IS name. The second-generation Altezza was available with a variety of engines, including a 2.5-liter V6, a 3.5-liter V6, and a 5.0-liter V8. It was also available with a variety of transmission options, including a 6-speed manual, a 8-speed automatic, and a 10-speed automatic.

Specifications of the Toyota Altezza

The Toyota Altezza was available with a variety of engines, including a 2.0-liter inline-4, a 3.0-liter V6, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4. It was also available with a variety of transmission options, including a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual, and a 5-speed automatic.

Engine specifications:

Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque
2.0-liter inline-4	1,998 cc	160 hp	152 lb-ft
3.0-liter V6	2,997 cc	215 hp	210 lb-ft
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4	1,998 cc	280 hp	260 lb-ft

Transmission specifications:

Transmission	Type	Gears
5-speed manual	Manual	5
6-speed manual	Manual	6
5-speed automatic	Automatic	5

Performance of the Toyota Altezza

The Toyota Altezza was praised for its performance, handling, and styling. It was also relatively affordable, making it a popular choice for enthusiasts and budget-minded buyers alike.

Performance figures:

Engine	Acceleration (0-60 mph)	Top speed
2.0-liter inline-4	8.5 seconds	130 mph
3.0-liter V6	6.5 seconds	145 mph
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4	5.5 seconds	155 mph

Handling of the Toyota Altezza

The Toyota Altezza was praised for its handling. It was equipped with a double-wishbone suspension system, which provided excellent stability and cornering performance. The Altezza also had a relatively low center of gravity, which further improved its handling.

Handling figures:

Engine	Skidpad (lateral acceleration)	Slalom (speed)
2.0-liter inline-4	0.95 g	65 mph
3.0-liter V6	1.0 g	67 mph
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4	1.05 g	69 mph

Styling of the Toyota Altezza

The Toyota Altezza was praised for its styling. It was designed by Akira Nakai, who was also responsible for the design of the Toyota Supra. The Altezza was given a sleek and sporty design, with a long hood, a short deck, and a low roofline. It was also equipped with a variety of aerodynamic features, including a front spoiler, a rear spoiler, and side skirts.

Reliability of the Toyota Altezza

The Toyota Altezza was known for its reliability issues. The most common problems included:

Engine problems: The Altezza's engine was prone to a number of problems, including oil leaks, head gasket failures, and piston ring failures.
Transmission problems: The Altezza's transmission was also prone to a number of problems, including clutch problems, gear grinding, and transmission failures.
Suspension problems: The Altezza's suspension was prone to a number of problems, including strut failures, ball joint failures, and bushing failures.
Electrical problems: The Altezza's electrical system was prone to a number of problems, including battery failures, alternator failures, and wiring problems.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Toyota Altezza

There are a few common mistakes to avoid when buying a Toyota Altezza:

Don't buy a car with a salvage title. A salvage title means that the car has been damaged beyond repair.
Don't buy a car with a high mileage. A high mileage car is more likely to have reliability problems.
Don't buy a car that has not been properly maintained. A car that has not been properly maintained is more likely to have reliability problems.
Don't buy a car that has been modified. Modified cars are more likely to have performance and reliability problems.
Don't buy a car without a warranty. A warranty will protect you from financial losses in the event of a mechanical failure.

Why the Toyota Altezza Matters

The Toyota Altezza is a significant car for a number of reasons. First, it was one of the first Toyota cars to be designed with a focus on performance and handling. Second, it was one of the first Toyota cars to be sold in the United States under the Lexus brand. Third, it is a popular choice for enthusiasts and budget-minded buyers alike.

Benefits of Owning a Toyota Altezza

There are a number of benefits to owning a Toyota Altezza:

Performance: The Altezza is a performance sedan that offers excellent acceleration, handling, and braking.
Styling: The Altezza is a stylish sedan with a sleek and sporty design.
Reliability: The Altezza is a reliable sedan that is likely to provide years of trouble-free operation.
Affordability: The Altezza is a relatively affordable sedan that is a good value for the money.
Enthusiast appeal: The Altezza is a popular choice for enthusiasts who appreciate its performance and handling.

FAQs About the Toyota Altezza

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Toyota Altezza:

Q: What is the difference between the Toyota Altezza and the Lexus IS?

A: The Toyota Altezza and the Lexus IS are the same car. The Altezza is the Japanese domestic market (JDM) name for the car, while the IS is the name used in other markets.

Q: Why is the Toyota Altezza so popular?

A: The Toyota Altezza is popular for a number of reasons, including its performance, handling, styling, and affordability.

Q: What are the most common problems with the Toyota Altezza?

A: The most common problems with the Toyota Altezza include engine problems,