TLW

I had this problem...a loud clunk when going over a bump. Took it to my Totota dealer for analysis...took the Service Manager for a drive and it made the noise going over judder bars etc. They put it up on the hoist and couldn't find anything wrong. A while later, the noise stopped and hasn't come back...bit of a mystery really. I suspected something sticking in a shock absorber or suspension or something, and once it freed up again the noise stops. The noise was a concern as it sounds really bad and I was worried it was doing some real damage, but apparently not. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Dude, Wear your seatbelt. I can't think of any sensible reason why you would not wear it. Ever seen the result of even a low speed accident where the driver wasn't wearing a seatbelt? Unless you have a cast iron skull of course....... And if you are American and the arguement is "...but I have airbags...", then remember SRS stands for SUPPLIMENTARY Restraint System, not Primary Restraint System. Sorry man, if you don't wear your seatbelt you are an idiot.

Hi All, Thanks for all your replies :( Just got my new car - 2003 AS200 Gita 6-speed done 11 000km in Dark Green Mica. Drove it up from Christchurch to Auckland over the weekend and am reasonably impressed. Not as punchy or grunty as my old BMW, but man it's smooth. Got caught by the rev limiter a couple of times whilst overtaking (at the speed limit of course....;)) Other first impressions are generally good. Solidly built, no rattles, pretty neutral handling and a great looker. Been reading up about the Japanese nav system.....not especially worried about GPS, but would like to be able to translate some of other features. I've been having a play and I see there are phone/stereo/ maintenence pages etc. Anyone worked out what it all means? A plug in "translation chip" would be nice!! Anyone got a translation of the buttons on the centre console (between the seats) Cheers Tania

Apparently the correct Italian pronunciation is al-tet-za. Means altitude. Stationwagon Gita is pronounced gee-ta (means journey)

Hi All, I'm a Auckland newbie here and am in the market for a car to replace my 86 BMW 325. I've decided that the Altezza Gita (wagon) will be that car. Now the questions begin. I want to get as new a car as I can afford, so were there any significant changes/updates that I need to know about - eg is a post Aug 2002 model much better than a 2001? 2 or 3 litre? Price probably dictates the 2 but: What are the advantages/disadvantages of each (the car will be left standard - no mods planned). Are they all BEAMS? I'm assuming they are all 6 cylinder? Auto or manual - I definitely favour the manual. Any traps? When did traction control become standard equipment? What about airbags - believe it went from 2 to 6 around 2002 or was that just the Lexus? Do any particular colours "wear" better than others? - the car will be living outside. That'll probably do for a first post (I've been trolling through the old posts so I hope none of these questions have been gone over too many times before) Thanks in advance Tania