By Cassidy Parker
Lily is a 20-year-old Fine Arts student who volunteers in Shepparton, and whilst being from Kilmore, in her spare time, is getting involved in Shepparton’s car community. Specifically, Lily has a love for Japanese Domestic Models, or JDMs. In fact, her first (and current car) is a 2000 RS200 Toyota Altezza, which was imported from its home of 23 years in Japan back in 2023.
She credits her passion for JDMs to her memories learning to drive with her brother. Her older brother, Michael, a mechanic and long-time car enthusiast, taught her to drive in a Toyota Aristo, “that was my safety blanket, that car”, she said. Thinking back to the very first time she drove with her brother whilst on her L Plates, Lily said “I drove for like two hours that day and I fell in love with the car”.
Approximately a year and a half ago, Lily got her hands on her first JDM, for just under $13K. She recalls the first time she, her brother and their friend drove the car home on a rainy November day and accidentally drifted the car through a roundabout. “I was terrified when I first started driving it. We thought something was wrong with the tires, but no – it’s just a very powerful and lightweight car”. The RS200 Altezza has approximately 208 horsepower with its famous 3S-GE BEAMS engine, and weighs only about 1,390 kilograms.
An Altezza may be an impressive first car, but Lily has aspirations for something a bit flashier still. Saying that “When I was on my L’s I was fascinated with Miata’s. Still am”, she described her dream car: a late 90s NA Mazda Miata, specifically for their famous pop-up headlights.
As for the Altezza, the car is very close to stock standard, with a number of interesting features that set it apart from your run of the mill Aussie car. Where a Toyota badge would normally be found, this car is only branded as an Altezza, on the back, front, steering wheel and dashboard. Uncommon for Altezza’s, the interior is beige, and has custom covers which highlight the distinctive circle shape of Altezza taillights. As well as this it has Tein coil overs and aftermarket rims. Aside from a body kit, this car is almost entirely stock, a notable feat over its 26 year life.
Lily told The Adviser about her cosmetic plans for the car, including wrapping the car in yellow, taking up the important role of a ‘spotto’ car. She is currently tossing up names for a custom number plate, with Jolteon being a notable name in the running, for her favourite Pokémon character.
Whilst Lily and her Altezza have had some ups and downs in the JDM community, including being repeatedly rejected from the same JDM Facebook groups her male peers were let into immediately, she overall regards the environment as a friendly one. “They’ve been really positive; they want to know about it”. This year, Lily plans to attend her first formal JDM meet, Sakura Picnic held in Bundoora, Melbourne on May 4, alongside her brother and their friend. The meet, which centres around Asian cars, sees lots of Altezza’s, “They’re common there so I think I’ll fit right in,” said Lily.
Whilst she’s proud of the car’s history as a popular drift car throughout the 90s and 2000s, noting its use as the very first trial car in Toyota’s infamous Gazoo racing series, she’s not too keen to start a drifting career herself, “Maybe like once, but then it would freak me out and I’d never drive it again”. Lily said her main interest is in keeping the car in the best condition possible. Her final word on the matter? “I’m not going to thrash it … I’m just a girl driving her cool car safely to work”.
Interior Photo: Lily Hocking
