Lexus Is for Sale - Import from Japan

The Lexus IS as we know it in the West began life in Japan as the Toyota Altezza. Launched in 1998, the SXE10 Altezza RS200 stormed onto the home market with something Western luxury sedans lacked—a soul. Toyota wasn’t aiming to build just another comfort cruiser. They wanted an inline-4 sports saloon that could dance with the BMW 3-Series, and beat it at its own game using naturally aspirated VVT-i wizardry. Where the European IS300 got a big, smooth 2JZ and soft automatic gearbox, the RS200 was altogether more hardcore. 6-speed Getrag manual. Limited-slip diff. Double-wishbone suspension all around. And that engine: a Black Top 3S-GE with dual VVT-i, screaming to an 8400rpm redline like it was born to shred touge roads. It was a luxury sedan on the registration papers—but under the skin, it was built for battle. It's no coincidence that the Altezza found a second life in Japan’s grassroots drifting scene. Balanced, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Affordable running costs (it's still a Toyota underneath). That’s a recipe for sideways joy. And now, with 1998–2000 models fully legal for left-hand drive markets like the US, Europe, and beyond, these cars are coming out of hiding—with auction demand (and values) rising fast.

Let’s talk about that engine. The 3S-GE BEAMS Black Top isn’t just some warmed-over four-banger. It’s an all-aluminum, naturally aspirated, dual VVT-i marvel built in partnership with Yamaha. Power output? An honest 210hp at 7600rpm, delivered with a searing intake rasp that builds into a full-blown chainsaw wail as the needle climbs past 8000rpm. Torque is modest at 159 lb-ft, but the delivery is urgent and immediate. Think S2000-style vibes without the fragility. Matched with a 6-speed manual and short final drive, the RS200 isn’t blisteringly fast on paper—but it *feels* alive. Real throttle response. Gutsy midrange. Wild top-end. And unlike turbo swaps or big power sedans, this thing thrives on being wrung out. Whether you're clipping apexes or sliding corners, the BEAMS motor rewards proper driving. Downsides? Sure. The VVT solenoids don’t like neglect. Finding a perfectly maintained engine with working variable timing can take digging. But when it’s right, it’s magic.

Here’s where things get interesting. Unlike many 90s RWD JDM cars, the RS200 isn’t a sloppy tail-happy box. It’s balanced. The steering is old-school hydraulic: heavy at parking speeds, alive once you're moving. The suspension (multi-link rear, double wishbone front) is firm, especially on RS-spec 17-inch wheels, but it communicates everything. Hit a manhole cover—or worse, a cat’s eye—and you’ll feel it in your spine. But string together a few corners on a smooth track or winding road, and the SXE10 shows its true colors. It’s neutral, precise, and surprisingly grippy out of the box. Yes, it still seats five. The rear bench isn’t large, but the split-fold design makes it somewhat practical. And the cabin? Early-2000s Japan at its finest: mix of Alcantara, soft velvet textures, and minimalist analog gauges. A driver’s car disguised in a conference suit.

Japanese auctions are still full of these cars—but buyers need to know what they’re looking at. RS200 6MTs are the gold standard. They're more rare, more desirable, and seeing the fastest value climbs. But not all are well-loved. Look for history of regular oil changes (BEAMS engines can suffer from oil starvation), and beware of transmission grind—second and third gear synchros often wear out on hard-driven manuals. Rust is creeping into the usual places: rear arches and subframe mounts. Many of these cars lived near the coast or in Japan’s northern prefectures, which means salt exposure. Also, dashboard cracking is near-universal if the car sat in sun without a dashmat. That said, properly inspected Grade 4 auction cars with under 180,000 km are still showing up weekly. And that’s where trusted importers make all the difference. Skipping proper inspection leads to misfires, overheating headaches, and parts-store regret. Want to see what’s available? You can view all used Lexus IS models here.

This isn’t just about nostalgia. The Altezza RS200 checks every box: analog driving experience, parts availability (thanks Toyota), and that magical combination of reliability and rev-happy madness. And right now, they’re still trading hands for less than JDM legends like the Silvia or Evo—despite being just as tossable and far more dailyable. In Australia, these cars are quietly joining the ranks of cult classics. In Poland and the UK, they’re being scooped up as right-way daily builds. In the US? The secret’s finally out. With 1998–2000 models clearing the dreaded 25-year rule, import volumes are spiking. Enthusiasts are chasing clean SXE10s like it’s 2010 all over again. If you've been debating it, now is the window. Before prices spike. Before the clean stock examples become unicorns. For everything you need to know, here's your Import to USA Guide or the Import to UK Guide.