azza

I must admit I like the RX. Always weird to drive after driving either the SC400 or IS200 for a couple of days, you feel like your 3 storeys up. Therefore I like to use the RX as a work car and the SC/IS as weekend cars. SC400 beautiful ride, pure comfort IS200 harder ride, sportsy RX300 softer ride and rolls more in the corners, space wise-perfect.

You mean behind the emblem area?

Hi guys, Just womdering whether anyone knows from where on the steering wheel the airbag deploys? Is it from the center of the steering wheel or from blow the emblem area? Since I have changed altezza emblem to a Lexus one I am just wondering whether in the future is might become a hazard. Cheers

Everyone that I know in Japan changes the filters every 2 years or so, very very few would have gone ten years without a change, I could however imagime they would hardly ever, if ever, be changed in Australia.

By removing carefully the plastic screws, you may have to wedge them up with a flat head screwdriver and move one corner towards the engine, with a little wiggling you`ll be able to remove one side and then the other, not so difficult to do. When installing the new grill, place the black seals and screws on the approximate area of the holes and start to screw down, don`t try and get the black plastic clip in first because it won`t fit in, the actual srewing down of the clip ensures it goes in properly.. Have fun B)

Heres mine 29.04.2004 2000 2000 FA 18 07.2005 white GXE10 AS200 Z-ED 12040 5 Got to love it!!!

Oh Yeah. Australia is a pathetic country when it comes to protectionism!!!!! NZ has a great system, Australia`s problem is that they produce cars and the consumers are the losers and the government the BIG winners

Hi everyone, I am selling my 1991 Soarer in Melbourne Ausralia, simply because I am not there to drive it. It is my personal car from Japan. i drove it for a few years here before sending it back to Australia. It is a beautiful car (sea green/grey) with all the top of the range trimmings, elec everything, touch screen, spoiler, sunroof, blah, blah, blah. It has rego until 6/2005 with 92,000kms. I am looking for AUS$18500 ONO. Drop me an email if ya interested.

More info; I prefer the 3.0 4WD G package. I just preferred the wood grain interior compared to the metalic look of the S package. Each to their own I suppose. The orginal aero kit too is pretty cool. The manual shift on the steering wheel is a gimmick, however if you live near the mountains it is really cool to use while descending. I would also recommend a Harrier with a rear spoiler and privacy glass on the windows. It just gives the car a MUCH cooler look. I always think when I see one without these options as a car that resembles a squashed egg on wheels. The privacy glass really balances up the car. Also if you are wanting elegance at a cheaper price I would recommend buying one with cloth seats and buying the leather seatcovers. It gives the car a nice elegant look but is also changable in the warmer months so as you are not sitting on leather seats getting uncomfortable. One with cruise control is always a bonus as well as the auto lights feature. I can't speak more highly of the vehicle in general. I can see why Lexus Australia tried for so many years to get it into Australia......all round an awesome car.

Just import one that doesn't have hte navi. 1. When you buy a car with navi, you are ultimately paying for it, and as long as it doesn't work in Australia, NZ it isn't worth it. 2. If you really want a navi just buy an after market version and install it. I have a 2000 model, I contemplated buying the newer version but didn't like it as much as the original version (the interior layout sux). I didn't buy it with navi and installed an aftermarket version, much cooler than than the genuine version. The genuine deal just gives you headaches and should be avoided. Either way a great car. I saw one at the auctions here in Japan a few weeks ago and it made me go weak at the knees. It was a white model with aerokit, customized white and black interior leather and awesome stereo system, started giving me ideas about modifying mine. Harrier: Great family car with heaps of space and plenty of power from the 3 litre engine. Certainly don't need the 3.3litre. Remember the 3.3litre was only released in Australia because the Japanese plant wasn't prepared to make them for Australia. Instead they distributed them to either Japan or Europe. The assumption is that Australians and NZ are just gas guzzlers like Americans, so the car comes from the new Canadian plant.

Not my cup of tea either :P

The watch is 500yen, the box has some scratches on it but the watch itself is new. Hope this helps. :D

DOH, I will replace the windows in Australia. They are going to have a heart attack about privacy glass. Aussies are getting their nickers in a knott now about that, Saying GOD privacy glass looks cool!! Why is it only imported cars can have it, we want it. The answer will be to eliminate all privacy glass in the near future

Anyone else out here in cyberspace with a RX300?

You lucky buggers in NZ. Any chance that same company (or another company) is going to make maps for Aust?

Ok, I have ordered all the necessary parts from Matt. THANX :) . When I have the full conversion completed I will post before and after pics. As it stands at the moment modifications to be made are: Replace exterior bagdes with Black Pearl emblem set. Replace steering wheel emblem to lexus Remove Altezza emblem from mesh and replace with Black Pearl L Engine cover with L mark Add rear spoiler with built-in LED lights Replace wheelcaps Install European door sills with automatic blue light that says LEXUS Might even take some snaps next to my RX300 :D

I am interested but can you post a pic of what they look like? Cheers

Yeh sorry I am having a chuckle here at the moment. I did mean costs :D

Thanks Matty for the reply, OK, 1. Whats the damage on the light covers? 2. Damage on a small rear spoiler, preferrably one with a built in stop light? 3. Lexus grill? 4.Lexus airbag? 5. Black pearl emblem kit? Cheers

No car is banned from import. All cars are ok. Since the introductions of SEVS many good cars were banned from the low volume import scheme, however as a private import, anything is possible as long as you have owned it for a year. The Aust Gov. is trying to make it as difficult as possible for people to send private imports at the request of the big car companies. Persoanl imports have plummeted over the past few years. As for the tax, simple, a straight 25% of the purchase price plus on board freight(FOB). So basically 25% of the total cost of bringing the car to Australia. Unfortunately in about 2000 the gov. did away with the the depreciation rates which would be very handy in todays market but hey they are trying to pressure people into not taking the plunge to send cars. The latest little beauty is that all cars imported into Australia must have a certified document saying that the airconditioner gas was released in Japan in an "environmently freindly manner". Seems like a joke to me that you have to release this gas in Japanjust to refill the car when it arrives in Australia. Using twice as much gas is "environmently friendly"?

Hi guys thought I would just drop in and say hi as a new owner of an Altezza and current owner of an RX300, previous owner of a SC400. Hope the car lives up to its reputation!! I was umming and arring about whether to buy a BMW 318i sports model or the Altezza, but finally today fell down on the side of Toyota :). Hope you guys will be able to offer expert advice when I come crawling to you for help. Like....now! 1. The mrs wants to rebadge the Altezza to IS200. Where can I go to get a Lexus grill with emblem? 2. Will the Lexus airbags install correctly into an Altezza? Or are the electrics different? 3. Let me guess, the navi and TV can`t be converted to Australia/NZ? If not are there alternative aftermarket versions that can be installed into the car`s current config? 4. Anyone know where I can lay my hands on the tail light covers and possibly a rear spoiler? I thought I may as well jump into this forum with both feet :) Thanks in advance for any help you can offer with the above questions!!!!!!!!