Used Altezza

[ReVolvolution]

Dear gurus,

I spotted a used Altezza for RM 70k. Its a 98 model auto and beams engine.

Is this a good deal?

 

[TIE YOKE MING]

almost the price,where u found it,the current market is 70 to 75k for 98 auto

 

[ReVolvolution]

It's being sold by a used car dealer in OKR.

Test drove the car and I can say the engine and transmission condition is still good (as far as my butt tell me lar).

Actually, if someone trades in to the car dealer, what would be the price that they take? 98, 99 model?

Also, what should I look for in a used tezza?

Thanking in advance.

 

[ReVolvolution]

It's being sold by a used car dealer in OKR.

Test drove the car and I can say the engine and transmission condition is still good (as far as my butt tell me lar).

Actually, if someone trades in to the car dealer, what would be the price that they take? 98, 99 model?

Also, what should I look for in a used tezza?

Thanking in advance.

 

[coriolis]

Other than the usual things like body/chassis & wear/tear parts, you may want to cross check the chassis/engine code to see if it's really original BEAMS or a transplant.

Spare roughly 1k for full fluid flush (engine+gearbox+rear axle+radiator) and spark plugs, I had those done at Trial last week. Also a lil bit more if you wanna change the timing belt (1000+) and for the bushings.

You'll need to spare roughly 2200-2300+ for insurance value of 70k. I know this is a bit ahead, but it's part of the expenses anyway. I almost got blindsided last time, hehe.

What else has the car got? Sunroof, TCS?

Like TYM said, the price is about right. Try nego a bit more if you can.

Looking forward to seeing you in the club!

 

[ReVolvolution]

Hi coriolis,

Many thanks for the feedback.

I've been in the market for a used altezza or unreg altezza for quite a while already. Actually, started early last year.

Tested a few since then and wasn't satisfied as there were a lot of question marks involved. :)

Anyway, I bought a new altis as I couldn't get a good unit.

Now, am a bit regret coz don't have the fun anymore.

Love the Altezza power and grunt but hard to find a good one.

Now, looking for a second hand one as budget doesn't permit.

The car comes with TRC and sunroof. Didn't check the reg card but the dealer says it's 1 owner only. Anyway, there are normal wear and tear on the interior and exterior. If purchase the car, need to change the seat - fabric to leather. Body paint is ok but feel that a good body paint job would be great! :)

Engine is quite smooth as it can really revv easily. Gear change is also quite smooth as could feel it jerk.

Only thing is that when I test drove the car, the brake wasn't that 'efficient'! Almost hit the rear of another car!

Anyway, if really want to get the car, I'll ask William to help to check on it.

Am thinking of trading in my almost newly registered 05/07 mitsubishi colt for this. Do u all think it's worth it?

 

[coriolis]

Since early last year? Wow, that's quite a while I suppose.

Eh it's kinda hard to define a 'good' one leh.. as long as the previous owner maintain the car properly, wear and tear is a given. The older, the worse.. as long as can repair/restore should be good to go already. But the brakes, you'd definitely need to have it looked at. More $$$.

If I were you, I'd throw in the altis and keep the colt. At least the depreciation isn't that much yet since the altis is new and is still under warranty. But that's just my opinion.

 

[ReVolvolution]

Actually, the thought has crossed my mind, I.e disposing the altis rather than the colt.

Anyway, if I were to dispose the altis, I might as well get the unreg version.

There's one on sale at Meng Heng in ampang which is suppose to go for RM12xk. Haven't got the time to go down and have a look. According to the salesman, the seats are still wrapped in plastic! Anyway, it year 03 auto with 25k mileage on it.

Mind if I ask if tezza with beams engine is common or not?

Usually, tezza doesn't come with beams engine?

Sorry, a bit beginner when it comes to altezza.

 

[coriolis]

Take a look at Altezza FAQ then. It's stickied.

Basicallly Altezza comes in RS200 (6MT or 5AT) and AS200 (6MT and 4AT). RS200 is BEAMS and more common here, AS200 isn't. You can see that from their chassis codes too.

Calling it a night, going for gathering later today.

 

[ryonan]

wear and tear is normal for any car..
especially for recon cars as they are usually 3-5 years old when first arrived here..
but for altezza u can be assured that u dont need to push ur car over a cliff if have major problems as parts can be found and at still affordable prices..if cannot buy the original part, can go for aftermarket..my catalytic converter went caput recently. brand new is 5k (which i will never pay lah) but if it were a beemer, i could easily have to fork out 10-15k.

dont worry abt engine as the BEAMS is very reliable. I dont think ANYONE in malaysia has had a major engine problem. other parts depends on luck i guess...for my car, i was annoyed at suspension sounds...but once i replaced all the suspension bushings, all sounds disappeared. my air cond was making a humming noise all this week, found out that the filter has severly clogged.bought new one..says on the packing to replace every 30k. my ride almost 80k..so no wonder..

i dont spend much on upgrading...but i do look after the basic components and replace with ori parts when the time comes..so now my ride is i would say is tip top..hehe..

so my point (after all this rambling)...wear and tear is no big deal. all can be replaced over a period of time, without having to mortgage ur house.
altezza may not be the most powerful car, but to me sure hell is the sexiest...
plonk in a 1jz or 2jz, and you have the Perfect Car (looks and power)..hehe..

 

[ReVolvolution]

Hi guys,

Many thanks for the feedbacks. I know when it comes to reliability, I can trust Toyota! :)

Owned a few toyotas in my life and they are darn reliable. That's why am looking at Altezzas.

Anyway, I think wear and tear is acceptable for this car. Just worried that later I want to dispose off the car, it'll be difficult as not many buyers in the market (plus our economic conditions).

Also, as its a 98 model, it'll be difficult for another buyer to take loan (if I dispose the car next year).

The only thing is to purchase CASH on it next time and not many buyers will be prepared to fork out RM 60k CASH....

Haih.... Decisions decisions... :)

BRo ryonan, what cat are u using now and how much it cost?

 

[wfhan]

revolvoltion,

no worry on altezza 2nd hand value, the depreciation is slow.
there sure will be a buyer somewhere if u plan to sell the car after years.

 

[ReVolvolution]

I feel that the depreciation value is slow but I heard some used car dealers wouldn't want to trade tezzas in also bo :(

So, I guess most owners who want to sell off their cars have to personally sell off their cars. Is it correct ah?

On the other hand, I seriously love tezzas! Feel that it satisfy every requirement that I have :)

 

[AE111_SEG]

Revolvolution....
I was just like you. should I or should I not ????????...But then..."it satisfy every requirement I have so I bought wan"... .It is up to you.... there is no substitute......

 

[ryonan]

Revolvolution,

I went to JFA in sunway who welded blank pipes in replace of the cat. cost abt RM200. But i found some used ones on yahoo japan..roughly cost 700-1k including shipping..but no time to buy now..

Actually with the trend that altezza owners transplanting with 1jz engines, maybe it may be easy to sell ur ride. In future some guy maybe looking for a very old altezza, with 500k km mileage(okay, maybe not that much) just to take out the engine and put a new one in..

Coz if buy 2nd hand altezza 98 model (RM60k?) + 1 jz engine (30k al in) is still less than 100k for a wicked car.

 

[ReVolvolution]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the infos. Am seriously thinking of the tezza as can't stop thinking of it :)

Anyway, hope to join u guys in TT soon.

Btw, anyone owned 98 model here? What's the diffrence in 2003 model?

Also, mind to share what was spent into your tezza after u bought it?

Thanks again guys...

 

[AE111_SEG]

Hi
I own the 03 model and frankly....1998 to 2003 no difference....
all are minor cosmetic difference only. I personally have checked out 98,99,00,01,02 models in malaysia and all are the same.

Personally I feel the 98 model is worth it cos cheap..... can spend the money to mod... Sumore altezza quite easy to maintain cos toyota.

 

[coriolis]

I just got the 98 model recently. Nothing major also, apart from the usual wear and tear. Still a great drive :proud:

And I'm keeping my old faithful (iswara) for rough and bumpy rides.

Seriously, go get the car already. You're looking at a reliable 200ps sports sedan with a price cheaper than a vios. What is there to lose? Ditch the altis and you can go for a newer one, which is still a win-win situation.

 

[ReVolvolution]

Hey guys,

U all very poison lah :)... Me so tempted to get the tezza dy.

coriolis, how long u owned ur tezza dy? During this period, what's ur damage - ballpark... :)

The reason why I asked is because I used to owned a Volvo S40. Maintainance is sky high! Over 3 years of ownership, I spent about 30k on parts replacement only! :(

Anyway, don't want to get myself into the same situation.

 

[coriolis]

Let's see.. I got it around 3 weeks ago.

Here's the breakdown of the 1st service (prices may vary)
engine oil (motul) - rm213 for 5.5 litre, every 5000km
gearbox oil MT (motul) - rm220
rear differential oil (motul) - rm122
radiator coolant (toyota) - rm25, when needed
denso iridium spark plugs x4 - rm190, every 20000-25000km
labour - rm65
total is rm915

Add in timing belt - rm1100

Common troublesome parts would be throttle body (just make sure to take it out and clean it everytime you service the car, or its gonna be rm2000) and suspension bushings. My front suspension lower arms needs to be changed already, prolly costing rm1k+/ per piece.

It's not a proton, but then I don't think it's near continental car level maintenance. At best you can treat it like maintaining an Altis or a Civic. Won't break your bank la.