2000 Toyota Altezza, RS200 SXE10

ed to a communicative 6-speed manual gearbox, and rear drive chassis is supremely balanced. Finished in Silver White Metallic (A62), this 2000 Altezza RS200 is set off by 17′′ Work Emotion wheels, C-West FRP front bumper, side skirts, an OEM rear spoiler, and an Elegance style rear lip. It boasts a mere 128,274 verified and documented miles. Zingy, handsome, and rewarding to motor, this Altezza has stood the test of time and would make for a wonderful daily driver, weekend track toy, or pampered garage queen. Whichever way you spin it, this terrific Toyota is a Japanese Classic, through and through! New for 2000, this Altezza features a revised cabin, chock-full of new safety features and premium materials. The bucket seats are power adjustable and fashioned in a slick two-tone leather and suede combo. Save for some minor pilling and light cracking on the leather bolsters, they are in good shape overall for the age and even feature side SRS airbags for optimal safety behind the wheel. Dual airbags are present up front, and the dash is finished in a durable black vinyl. Adding to the sporty aesthetic is a Tomei shit knob, that feels great in the palm of your left hand. The center stack frames an automatic climate control system, ripe with cold A/C and hot heat. Adjacent to the HVAC, Pioneer audio features USB integration and sounds good overall. Power windows, locks, and power mirrors work like a charm, assisting daily use, and the latter electronically folds in if you need to squeeze into a tight parking spot. The rear bench is spacious, and an optional ski pass-through sits behind the center armrest, if you need to maximize storage space in the sizable boot. The headliner is tidy, and if we were to scrutinize the cabin at all, we’d only note some scratches around the center stack, wear on the steering wheel, and a small tear in the parking brake boot. Still at a quarter century old, the cabin impresses, and was clearly cared for in Japan. We couldn’t spec a better engine than Toyota’s dependable 3S-GE BEAMS. This peppy, dual VVT-i four banger is light on its feet, and is fresh off a comprehensive recent service at the shop. A new timing belt and water pump take care of the biggest preventative maintenance, and we chucked in a new thermostat, cam seals, and a valve cover gasket for good measure. It was also given a basic tune-up, with new spark plugs, coil packs, a new engine air filter, and an oil and filter service. With the maintenance performed, this kitted-out ‘Tezza is a treat to drive, and sounds good too, with an HKS Hi-Power backbox. Shifts are sent through a close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox, straight to the rear wheels, and Blitz coilovers help keep the chassis connected to the pavement through more demanding twists and turns. The power steering is nicely weighted and direct, and we installed new front and rear brake pads and rotors to bolster the ABS system. An OEM limited-slip differential is standard and appealing for the enthusiast. The Work Emotion wheels are wrapped in brand-new rubber. The new tires not only decrease road noise, but will keep you tracking straight for tens of thousands of miles to come!