Finally...Pictures of My Daily Driver Here In Japan

[Marc]

Well since my beloved 2004 Competition Orange Cobra is in storage while I do my time in Japan, I bought this 2002 Toyota Altezza IS200. In the US its known as the Lexus IS300. It came with the "Lexus" badging already.

When I bought the car is was very dirty and needed some tender loving care. First thing I did was clean the car inside and out. Then I tinted the rear windows. After that came the new wheels and tires.

Now for the pictures!

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q55/MarcInHawaii/Altezza016.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q55/MarcInHawaii/Altezza015.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q55/MarcInHawaii/Altezza014.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q55/MarcInHawaii/Altezza009.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q55/MarcInHawaii/Altezza008.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q55/MarcInHawaii/Altezza007.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q55/MarcInHawaii/Altezza005.jpg

[Masshole]

oh very nice Marc.
wheels are a bit small.... but still looks very nice :D

[Marc]

Well they are 17 inch...don't really need anything bigger. They were on special when I bought them. I got the wheels and tires, mounted and balanced for $890.00. Those wheels cost a fortune in the states. I don't want to drop too much money in this car as cars are dirt cheap and I won't get near what I put into it.

[Masshole]

funky lookin plates they have tho. lol

[Marc]

The little 301 on top has to do with motor and vehicle size. This determines how much you have to pay every 2 years for Japanense Insurance and Road Tax every year. The smaller the number, the more you pay. I have seen a 100 and that was on a Toyota Landcruiser.

The "Y" is an American plate car. All Americans will have a "Y" on their cars.

The 8 97 is just the plate number just like in the states.

[Masshole]

thats interesting that they'd put a "Y" on it for american so if a Jap cops pulls you over he can call someone else i guess. lol


and is it true that if they clock you going over a certain speed they wont bother chancing you??? i seen that on tokyo drift. lol

[MrsMystic652]

:mick:

[Marc]

Dean, nope they will try to catch you no matter speed you are going. 20-30MPH over the speed limit could cost you anywhere from $700-$1000.

[StangChick]

Nice Marc, looks really nice!!!! :mick: Rene and I were just talking about this last week. He'll be happy to see the pics later. :)

[jcp123]

Prett clean car!

Just out of curiosity, how much is gas over there? (you can just put it in Yen/l or however they sell it if you like, I'll do the conversions)

[Darren]

Not bad. gotta lose the crome door edge guard tho :wink:

[Masshole]

Not bad. gotta lose the crome door edge guard tho :wink:

he cant.. it started striping the paint. why dont you go visit him and help him :lmao:

[Marc]

Everyone mentions that damn chrome strip. I wish I could take it off, but will cost me more to do it. Don't feel like re-painting the doors.

[MustangVilla]

Really nice! What does the interior look like?



Oh, and lose the door edge guards or go with black ones. :)

[QueenBee]

Holy Old Thread Batman!

[Stangy]

Wow Marc...I bet you miss the Stang huh???
Nice everyday driver tho!:mick:

[FoxracerMenace]

So when are you sending it to me?

[Marc]

You want this ride? Its nice don't get me wrong, but no a Cobra. :(

[Ghost Stang]

thats weet Marc i've always liked those cars but mustangs are so much better :hugo:

[hot95]

just put some ford badges on it and the car will be awesome

[Marc]

:lol: The Lexus badges are aftermarket. Normally there are Altezza Badges on it.

[FoxracerMenace]

You want this ride? Its nice don't get me wrong, but no a Cobra. :(

Heck yeah I do, Id love to put a veilside kit and some wald wheels on it!
:D

[Rubenk]

I wondered who the crazy guy was driving that HEAP around here... jk jk marc.

Its pretty nice, at least now I might recognize ya on the road.

[FoxracerMenace]

So how much?

[94greenhunter]

nice ride. i have always like the lexus.

[Tricked Out]

Still rolling in style.

[Marc]

Thanks James. Lots of import guys like the Altezza. :)

[twitch43]

Nice car. Kinda looks like my girlfriend's car.

[Scooter]

It is a nice stang, my bad I was going to say racer...:lol: looks good.

[stang4unc]

Im not an import kind of guy, but I have to admit those true Japanese cars are sweet. Marc, I think you need to trade that Altezza in on a Skyline GT-R.

[Marc]

GT-Rs still run a pretty penny here. And racing is outlawed here and no track. Wouldn't do me any good.

[stang4unc]

It sounds like the japs dont know how to have fun then if racing is illegal.

[Marc]

Its no different than street racing being illegal in the states. They still do it.

But, the military here will give you a Article 15 if you are caught doing it. You can't even watch it here on Okinawa. They are tough here and must adhere to Japanese laws. Hell, drinking and driving here is .03. You can do time in jail and be fined $5K first offense.

[stang4unc]

How about closed course racing? They do that right? I know the Japanese like drift racing etc. I dont mean to get off topic but I just like to know about other cultures, and you live in one, so Id just like to ask.

[Marc]

You know what sucks? They do have actual closed course events but people can get right up on the track. Here on Okinawa, you can be punished for just "observing". I know it sucks and it caused a lot of people to be pissed. People still race here, don't get me wrong. I see all the Airmen with cars that have 10-point roll cages in them and the complete set up. If you ask them if they race they tell you its for "show". :lol: I don't bust their balls. I remember when I was their age. But, if they get caught, its trouble for them.

[mtw002]

[QUOTE=MarcInJapan;365464]Well since my beloved 2004 Competition Orange Cobra is in storage while I do my time in Japan, I bought this 2002 Toyota Altezza IS200. In the US its known as the Lexus IS300. It came with the "Lexus" badging already.

When I bought the car is was very dirty and needed some tender loving care. First thing I did was clean the car inside and out. Then I tinted the rear windows. After that came the new wheels and tires.



Swap a 2Jzgte in it, convert it to Single turbo with a 5 or 6 speed and you'll forget about your cobra. There are some Nasty cars Here in Okinawa Jp. There is an Aristo (gold in color) running around with 900+hp not to mention all the old R32 GtRs. My buddy is building a Celica that will weigh around 2000lbs when he's done with a 3S-GTE pushing around 500+hp.

[stang4unc]

I remember when I was their age. But, if they get caught, its trouble for them.

I dont blame you, and Im sure they appreciate it. Just like back in the States, you can race whenever and where you like, just do so at your own risk. Get caught and there are consequenses.

[mustang4life1985]

It looks really good Marc :mick:

[lobra97]

nice car! least you don't have those dumb "beginner driver" stickers that all the dummies put on thier euros down here. lol you know, the green and yellow leaf....lol

[Marc]

I don't plan on doing anything to the car. I don't need to get in trouble as a Chief. :lol: That is why I left the Cobra in Storage.

[Scooter]

I don't plan on doing anything to the car. I don't need to get in trouble as a Chief. :lol: That is why I left the Cobra in Storage.

:omg: I wouldn't have, I though you had to leave it over here in the States.

[Marc]

I didn't have to leave it in the states. I could of paid $8-$10K to send it here. I chose not to for obvious reasons. :)

[mtw002]

I don't plan on doing anything to the car. I don't need to get in trouble as a Chief. :lol: That is why I left the Cobra in Storage.

LOL:rotfl: I know someone thats a Master that was in the car scene here. Base officials are more worried about drugs, sex and alcohol to worry about the car guys. Just dont go out Gate 1 Sunday night and race. Thats where you get caught by OSI LOL. Anyway its a nice car, both of yours. I'd really like to buy a 03/04 cobra myself.

[Marc]

LOL:rotfl: I know someone thats a Master that was in the car scene here. Base officials are more worried about drugs, sex and alcohol to worry about the car guys. Just dont go out Gate 1 Sunday night and race. Thats where you get caught by OSI LOL. Anyway its a nice car, both of yours. I'd really like to buy a 03/04 cobra myself.

Don't know about that. On my first tour here, they had a "sting" where a lot of Airmen were busted for drag racing. Cars were taken to impound lots and they were prosecuted. Had it all on video tape. That is why I won't mess with it while I am here.

[mtw002]

Don't know about that. On my first tour here, they had a "sting" where a lot of Airmen were busted for drag racing. Cars were taken to impound lots and they were prosecuted. Had it all on video tape. That is why I won't mess with it while I am here.

Must be talking about the Rude Boyz, the green and black cars. After that its kinda calmed down. They still have sanctioned drag races in Nago. Its shorter then a 1/8mile but they have some quick cars. Omega drags, and Hks Drags usually once every 3 months.

[Marc]

I heard you can't even spectate at those sports unless the rules have changed.

[mtw002]

As long as its a sanctioned event its legal. Drifting is what is illegal. Gimkanna??? I think is how its spelled is legal also. Its like a SCCA event. Do you ever get on Zeroyon.com? There are a bunch of guys on there that could give you more info. Its a forum for here in Oki. Bunch of car parts, cars, tech advice and such.

[Marc]

Thanks for the input! I will check it out.