Considering an Altezza, any experience here?

PonchoTron

I haven't driven one yet, just my summer goal atm to save up and get one. Good idea or bad idea? Looking for something fun, RWD with a bit of power and I just love the style of the Altezza. Also, any info on the best insurers for young male drivers? I'm 21 with a couple years no claims bonus. Thanks in advance for any input!

Mycroft H

The Gardai love the look of them too. So much so they'll stop you for a chat every so often.

colm_mcm

I can't see insurers fighting for your business tbh. You'll pay a lot whoever you go with.
Insurance is funny. I paid less on a 240bhp jaguar than I do on a 140bhp civic. Go figure.

Stheno

colm_mcm wrote: »

I can't see insurers fighting for your business tbh. You'll pay a lot whoever you go with.
Insurance is funny. I paid less on a 240bhp jaguar than I do on a 140bhp civic. Go figure.

Was just thinking the same insurance for a twenty one year old on an altezza will be horrific

PonchoTron

Mycroft H wrote: »

The Gardai love the look of them too. So much so they'll stop you for a chat every so often.

Doesn't bother me. I'm not an eejit, and the only messing I'd be doing would be as far away from any other car as possible haha.

colm_mcm wrote: »

I can't see insurers fighting for your business tbh. You'll pay a lot whoever you go with.
Insurance is funny. I paid less on a 240bhp jaguar than I do on a 140bhp civic. Go figure.

I know insurance is going to be higher than my Almera lol. Just wondering if there are any particular companies who are known for being a few bob cheaper to younger lads.

Stheno

PonchoTron wrote: »

I know insurance is going to be higher than my Almera lol. Just wondering if there are any particular companies who are known for being a few bob cheaper to younger lads.

No. Not on an altezza

PonchoTron

Stheno wrote: »

No. Not on an altezza

Might have to wait a couple years I guess. Reckon an is200 would be much better?

Stheno

PonchoTron wrote: »

Might have to wait a couple years I guess. Reckon an is200 would be much better?

Possibly but not much why not go get some quotes?

ghosts love halloween

PonchoTron wrote:

Might have to wait a couple years I guess. Reckon an is200 would be much better?

I had a an IS200 Sport for a few years and loved it. Brilliant to drive, comfortable, fast, reliable and great looking. Got compliments from mechanics about the sound of the engine, (which to a non-car person like me meant a lot!)
Insurance wasn't affected by its reputation either, as when I switched to a Mondeo (boring family/business exec. car) which is also 2 litre petrol my premiums didn't change.

Miss my lexus

PonchoTron

Stheno wrote: »

Possibly but not much why not go get some quotes?

Well I tried a few places online and only one actually gave me a quite and that was 3300. I'm not worried about running round calling in to places yet as it's just an idea at the mo.

ghosts love halloween wrote: »

I had a an IS200 Sport for a few years and loved it. Brilliant to drive, comfortable, fast, reliable and great looking. Got compliments from mechanics about the sound of the engine, (which to a non-car person like me meant a lot!)
Insurance wasn't affected by its reputation either, as when I switched to a Mondeo (boring family/business exec. car) which is also 2 litre petrol my premiums didn't change.

Miss my lexus

If you don't mind me asking what age were you when you got the insurance? And roughly what price?

Stheno

That quote for the Lexus?

PonchoTron

Stheno wrote: »

That quote for the Lexus?

No that was for an 01 Altezza.

Stheno

That's not that bad

ghosts love halloween

PonchoTron wrote:

If you don't mind me asking what age were you when you got the insurance? And roughly what price?

I was 26 when I got the lexus I think. I had only 1 year no claims bonus, as had been a named driver up until a year before getting it. I think my insurance was about €800 - €1000 at the time (2010/2011) but I know it was working out cheaper than it should because back then, insurance for women was cheaper, so I added my girlfriend as a named driver and that actually dropped the price.
I know insurance in general has increased in the last 5 years though,and I think because I was over 23 helped.

PonchoTron

Stheno wrote: »

That's not that bad

I know but it's still practically the price of the car lol. I'm currently paying 700 so tis a bit too much of a hike. I'd probably be willing to pay about 2000.

ghosts love halloween wrote: »

I was 26 when I got the lexus I think. I had only 1 year no claims bonus, as had been a named driver up until a year before getting it. I think my insurance was about €800 - €1000 at the time (2010/2011) but I know it was working out cheaper than it should because back then, insurance for women was cheaper, so I added my girlfriend as a named driver and that actually dropped the price.
I know insurance in general has increased in the last 5 years though,and I think because I was over 23 helped.

Thanks for the info bud!

Stheno

PonchoTron wrote: »

I know but it's still practically the price of the car lol. I'm currently paying 700 so tis a bit too much of a hike. I'd probably be willing to pay about 2000.


Thanks for the info bud!

A recent survey showed car insurance has gone up sixty per cent compared to a year ago

weekaizer

I've owned an altezza and currently own an is200 sport.
Love both of them, only had the altezza for a few weeks cause could not get insurance but then again I have a few penalty points going against me, but it was a beast of a machine, 220bhp whereas the Lexus only has 155bhp both very thirsty machines... Smiles to the gallon make up for it though!:)
Currently paying around 950 insurance for the Lexus, 7 years no claims.

You could try Dowd and Donnelly brokers in donegal for a quote.

Pa994

Give First Ireland a ring I've only had small enough cars with them but a buddy got a good quote on an is200 sport a few weeks ago and was reasonable here's number 018820801

richardsheil

Stheno wrote: »

A recent survey showed car insurance has gone up sixty per cent compared to a year ago

Sixteen percent.

racso1975

richardsheil wrote: »

Sixteen percent.

Any idea why?

bazz26

racso1975 wrote: »

Any idea why?

Take your pick:

Not making as much money as they would like.
Their investments went south.
Compensation culture meaning increase in claims and payouts.
Under pricing the market to increase their customer base.

millington

I was insured on mine from when I was 19 until I was 21 no problems. It was 1600 on an IS200 Sport when I was 19, swapped to the Tez for an extra 400 but by 21 it was around 1500. Wasn't too bad but then I insured an S14 Silvia turbo for 1100 :pac:

Expect 28mpg from a Tez and less from a Lexus. Altezzas have a nice balance between fun, reliability & practicality but don't expect a fast car or an economical one

Foxhole Norman

Aviva or Liberty would sort you I'd say. Mind you they're still not too big on Japs, my brother who's a year older with a year more experience was paying more/the same on his Civic than I am on my 525.

Toyotafanboi

millington wrote: »

I was insured on mine from when I was 19 until I was 21 no problems. It was 1600 on an IS200 Sport when I was 19, swapped to the Tez for an extra 400 but by 21 it was around 1500. Wasn't too bad but then I insured an S14 Silvia turbo for 1100 :pac:

Expect 28mpg from a Tez and less from a Lexus. Altezzas have a nice balance between fun, reliability & practicality but don't expect a fast car or an economical one

what's that, they say about the is200? 1.0 performance, 2.0 tax, 3.0 fuel economy.

millington

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

what's that, they say about the is200? 1.0 performance, 2.0 tax, 3.0 fuel economy.

Haha sounds about right. The engines are even lazier revving than the dead 3SGE Altezza engine. 155bhp or so, about as quick as a standard Glanza, nice note though. If you're into messing, plenty fit for a few skids and better handbrake than any hydro.