voiceinsideyou

You could always just open it up and scrape it off/paint over it, right? Or put some kind of Lexus sticker over it to hide it. :P

Is the garage upload system the same as the avatar system though? :-o

Tried again now with IE and it's still not working. :-(

I've also had problems trying to upload pics into the garage - it just says the upload's failed. I /was/ trying to upload it with Opera, and although I've never had any problems using upload before, maybe this is a first? I'll try again with IE tonight...

Wicked! Looking forward to seeing the pictures and install - I'm looking at putting the box in for my HKS RS intake so will probably find it more than useful. Is this the box that Matt talks about having to modify slightly to get to fit? As for the S-AFC wiring diagram - is this what you're looking for (1.2MB)? http://www.jrponline.com/downloads/installs/safc2_wire.pdf

In an update to this - that rumour was indeed true, however the release has been delayed until June. I've been ringing and emailing around and have found that the only company in New Zealand producing these products is GeoSmart (link to website). Indeed, they are producing a CD or DVD with mapping software that will be released for a variety of late model and new cars (including BMWs) although the final list of cars has not been confirmed. One of their spokeswomen assures me that the Altezza's Denso-based systems are on their list. From one of her emails: Seems pretty promising. I am trying to prod them into letting me beta test the mapping software on Altezzas for them, but I'm not sure how successful I'll be. *grin* Additonally, Navman aren't looking at this market in NZ currently, nor are Navtech. Anyway, will be interesting to see what happens here - and if it's released, how it's priced!

... and what about the "Altezza" that's normally on the dash? Gotta get rid of that somehow... :D

Ironically, a lot of that applies to VVT-i Altezzas and Lexus'.... it's not really Honda specific if you ask me, but more a Japanese vs. American car type of argument. But you know... whatever you want to read. :-]

Guess I'm talking from generalisations about vehicles here, but my impression is: Temperature: in the middle after running for a while (too hot or too cold = bad) Battery: About 14.4V is the standard voltage for a correctly charging battery while the engine is running. This will start dropping if your battery is dying, but 13.8 or so is fine and usually what I'd read on a proper multimeter back in my car audio days. While the engine's not running, it should be about 12V +/- 0.5V. Oil: Not so sure about this as I've never had an oil gauge before - but I'm guessing that mid to full is reasonable?

Yeah, and someone's got LTEZZA, TEZZA and ALTEZA so there's at least a few more! I am getting a plate this week, but decided against the car specific one - going for OMGWTF now. (geek joke - woo!). Thought about ALT3ZA and LTZZA, or even HOTTEZ or BADTEZ, but yeah. I've also got TOYSPD and XXXLR8 for sale if anyone's interested. :D

*grin* Happy 20th - any Altezza treats for your birthday, dude? :P

Thanks for the replies guys, appreciate that. Funnily enough, it's been okay the past few days (and believe me, I've done a lot of driving :D) so we'll see how it goes. I'll have a hunt on the UK LOC site tomorrow I think - see if anyone has any ideas. Heh, I am quite short and I do have the steering wheel tilted right down, so who knows - maybe my height is to blame. *grin*

Yeah, count me in if we get ten buyers or more, for a dual VVT-i one, of course. :D

The SRS airbag warning light has been coming on on my Altezza every now and then lately - vaguely concerning. Basically, if it comes on when I start the car, it doesn't turn off... but other times it won't be on at all. I can't seem to find a pattern to it at all. Toyota had the car today and I asked them to take a look at it, but they didn't have anything inspiring to say - in fact, they were blimen useless, didn't even give me any assurances as to whether my airbags were functioning or not! Apparently they cleared the codes and "road tested", but I have no idea what I got for my 3/4 an hour of labour (other than them smashing my bodykit's bumper into something causing $500 damage... but that's another story...) All they said was "to replace the component would be $614 + $150 labour". I have no idea even what component they're talking about, and how they know it's the problem... any ideas? Are there any common reasons for these warning lights to come on? Ways of diagnosing the problem? Not sure what to do now.... but I sure as hell aint paying Toyota $750 until I know more! (sorry for anyone who caught the Toyspeed crosspost :-o )

What was the outcome of the vinyls/decals discussion? Did they get made or are they available?

Yeah, been doing a fair bit of reading around here - so aware of your great knowledge and will be sure to draw on it way too much :] Part of the expected reason for the incredibly bad low end I suspect is that it has an aftermarket HKS custom pod intake attached - without cold air box. Just sucking hot air I guess, as per your common causes post. I was thinking of investigating the possibility of doing a ram air-intake into custom cold-airbox around the existing HKS headers / K&N (I think?) pod, via the aftermarket bumper on the car; it has empty gaps (presumably for fog lights) which look perfect for ramming air up. Will post pics when I get a nice day, clean car and digital camera. :-P Will do a bit more reading and no doubt ask for advice. I have to track down the exact mods that have been done to the car first as well - not even sure what they all are! Regarding the stereo - do most people put in aftermarket double-DIN units... presumably with a custom surrounding fascia to match the trapezium shape on the factory units and avoid ugly gaps? Cheers for the tint tip - it actually looks quite dark, so I'm surprised it's only 45! Will get that done on the front I guess - always wanted a fully tinted car. *smile*

Yup, sure am. Insane. Just insane. I love my car - I can't believe how impressive it is. The more I drive it, the more I love it! Slightly scraped the front spoiler/bumper trying to get up my super-steep driveway tonight; felt horribly guilty! However, I think I've mastered the perfect angle to get up without scrapage now... here's hoping anyway. :-/ List of things to do in order of importance (greatest to least!): - clean the thing - sort out stereo system (jammed CD stacker, rear speakers removed, tuner still on Japanese bands) - IMPROVE stereo system - amp! DVC sub! - get GPS system working. I am determined! - get someone to translate the damn Japanese on the GPS screen and its remote! - front window tints (?) - sort out low-end problem (cold air box?) - exhaust mod

Wow. Wow. Wow. That is all I have to say about my first night _driving_ my new 99 Toyota Altezza RS200Z. Oh, and did I mention "omgwtf"?

Yeah, I might do that I guess - good idea. Cheers for that tip 4ROLLN - I'm definitely in, and have PMed the chick organising it! :D

Yeah, you're right there Gareth. We'll see anyway. The only rebuttal to that is with the covers it kinda makes them look like a Skyline! Six of one, half a dozen of the other?

Indeed - I don't like the tail light covers eh. The Altezza tails rock...! Anyone want 'em? Cheap cheap! What do you think they're adhered with?

Well, Altezza's in general are pretty attractive - but the yellow thing is the real "look at me" I reckon...! I have indeed thought about the personalised plate... was originally gonna get one like LTEZZA or ALT3ZA, but since the car is completely debadged currently, maybe I don't want one like that! I was pretty keen on XLR8N last week, but I checked this morning and suddenly it's a Brokered Plate! Currently debating W0O0O0 or W0OO0W or something though. :D And counting the days is right, except now it's hours... 29 in fact. :-p Can't quite believe I'm going to be getting my dream car... and especially one as unique as this one. I shall have to bring my over-enthusiasm to the next meet. Any excuse to drive! Maybe we should have one at Manfeild on a track day (albeit further for the Aucklanders to travel!)...

I could be keen - will check when you get the pics up. :-]

Funny, because I really had to be sold on the colour. It did it for me when I was test driving it, cruising down the motorway at about 105kmh with the current owner beside me, being passed by a family in a bog standard Falcon. Every single one of them was gawking out the window at the Tezza and me. It was *BLEEP*ing priceless - I had to have the car right then and there. This car is stunning. :D The yellow is amazing ah, and there aint many around in it as far as I've seen. Yellow just says "Look at me"... I love it. (and 18" alloys, and hardcore lowering on platform suspension kinda helps as well...) If you're nosey, this is what I'm buying: http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction...asp?id=10550257 Pics to be posted from my digicam after I get it I guess!

Def will be hanging around more - especially as from what I read I'll have to at least get some advice on a heat guard for the aftermarket HKS pod filter already fitted! Wicked community too - I've already sourced valuable information from reading heaps of threads around here.