azaram

I probably overreacted a bit, but you really had to be there to judge the situation. There was just a general vibe and the guy knew nothing about the car etc and didn't seem to care... I just didn't add up to me. True though, whoever said it would have been easier to just steal the car in the first place. Anyway, I ended up just grabbing a room in the Hilton for the night and sticking the money in the in-room safe Regardless, I didn't want the cash in my apartment, and it was a good excuse to get a nice room and order room service. First thing I headed down the Bank of QLD at world square as that's open saturdays and deposited the cash into my business account. I don't really care about being flagged with ATO or whatever... it's not like I've done anything wrong. I knew BoQ was open saturday mornings, but I also found out that the ANZ at T1 at the airport is open 7 days until 6pm. Handy to know for in future if I need to make large withdrawals etc on the weekend. $1000 ATM/EFTpos limit sucks. So... crisis over... And if anyone turns up looking for money, I'll just show them the deposit receipt. And that's it for skylines for me... man I'm glad to get rid of that car! I had some really shady characters come and look at it. The first guy was a really shifty lebanese guy. He avoided telling me his name a few times and he had own number sending turned off in his mobile. I've never come across anyone that does that before.. maybe I just move in different circles. I'm convinced that guy had something to do with my GTR being broken into. It's no coincidence that it was parked there 18 months with no hassles and within a few weeks of putting it up for sale someone tried to steal it. I can look forward to not being hassled by cops too... out of the last 4-5 times I drove it, I'd been pulled over once by the cops and the last time I had a bike-cop tailgate me on the airport freeway trying to get me to speed. I'm happy with my Alfa GTA these days.. nobody really knows what it is, so I don't have losers trying to drag me constantly, the cops don't hassle me, and I don't stress every time I need to park it. And it's still a really decent peformer.. 184kw in a hatch. The GTR was fun for a while.. but in recent years it's just become a liability. Back when I first got it ppl used to photograph me in it and wave all the time... GTR doesn't mean as much these days though because of all the badged GTSTs. Ppl probably think GTR is the most common sportscar on the road now.

I've had my GTR on the market for about a month, but someone called up today and then turned up with cash. Fair enough, it was pretty cheap ($25,500 for a good, original R33 GTR), but it had just been broken into and I hadn't yet fixed the the broken ignition lock and plastics on the dash. The guy pretty much asked no questions.. didn't care about VIN/chassis or a REVS check, didn't check that I was actually the owner, wasn't concerned in the slightest that it was QLD rego sold in NSW. He even told me that he'd lost his license and then drove it when he left. He wasn't concerned about the security system and didn't really seem like the type of guy who'd buy a GTR on a whim. He turned up with $25k in cash in a lockbox. I guess I've got the cash, and it's genuine from what I can tell and not sequential etc, but I've got a really bad feeling about this. Is there a scam in this? I'm half expecting either men in balaclavas at my door tonight to reclaim the cash, or to be called by the poilce to let me know my car was just used in a robbery.

actually, I've done a bit more research and found out it definitely is possible to get the barrel rekeyed to my key and it's also very cheap. Sounds like most locksmiths that handle cars do it. I just tried one in the city, but they didn't do cars so they gave me the number for a locksmith in Woollahra. Called them and they quoted $35! Robinsons Locksmiths - 62 Oxford St, Woollahra - (02) 9363 3985 I'm still interested in any advice regarding removing/refitting the lock barrels if anyone has done this before.

Hi Guys... My GTR got broken into about a week ago and they had a good go at stealing it. I've gotten a security guy to fix up the electrics, and I've sourced most of the plastics they broke and even a new lock/ignition barrel. However, my question is - can I get a locksmith the adjust the new barrel to fit my existing key? The reason I ask is that if the ignition barrel isn't adjusted the new key wouldn't match my doors and boot and I'd need 2 different keys... pretty dodgy. I'm really hoping a locksmith can take care of this, but I have absolutely no idea what's possible. Also, if you know this much about the locking barrels, I have another question about installing new ones taken off another car. I've sourced an ignition barrel with key from the forsale forums, but what I don't understand is how they can remove them and how I can install them in my car. I only ask this because the security guy who worked on my car mentioned that when they install the lock barrel, it's installed with special screws that break off once they're attached, so you can't unscrew them. So how DO people take them off? Drill them out? If that's the case, maybe the only way to get them back on is to either rethread them or use a standard nut/bolt? Any tips/suggestions are really appreciated. Thanks!

BTW... the main thing I'm after is for someone to verify that these interior parts off a standard R33 will fit onto my R33 GTR. I've looked through the gallery and they look the same, but I need to know for sure if they'll fit the GTR before I buy them.

I should have mentioned I'm in Sydney. I thought location showed in the avatar...

Hi Guys, Some MFKKer broke into my GTR the other day and had a good go at stealing it. Fortunately my alarm installer was more intelligent than the apes that broke in and all they managed to do was bust up the bottom of my dash and steal my badges. Anyway, I've got someone coming to fix the wiring, but I need some advice on getting replacements for the other broken bits on the dash. As far as I can tell, I just need 3 pieces: 1 - the entire piece that runs under the steering wheel from the door to the centre console. 2 - the smaller piece of the plastic surround for the steering wheel (bottom part), that also has the hole for the lock barrel 3 - the lock barrel itself (was hammered off) Can someone give me some advice on where to get these parts the cheapest? Are the GTR parts the same as the cheaper models (GTST etc)? I also may as well replace the driver door trim where the window controls are since it's a bit worn. Hopefully this is also standard on the R33. Pics below: (alarm module blurred for security) Thanks!!

Sorry to dig up this old thread, but I was just searching for insurance info, found this post and thought I'd add my experience with Pyrmont... I lived in Pyrmont for 3 months when I first moved to Sydney in 2003 and it was a shocking experience. I lived in the Goldsbrough building (that giant yellow/orange brick woolshed that you can see looking over darling harbour). I'd never been confronted by so much car theft activity in my life (and still haven't since, having lived in other parts of the city/newtown/darlinghurst in the last 3 years). Here's some of the things I saw / dealt with in the short 3 months I was there: 1 - I witnessed several breakins on the street (Pyrmont st) 2 - A girl I met in the building parked her MG convertible in the car park behind Goldsbrough and had it broken into at least 3 times in a period of a few weeks. Each time they slashed her soft-top, costing $3k to replace each time. The insurance company told her they wouldn't cover the soft-top anymore. 3 - I initially parked my GTR at my Aunties place until I could find parking. I eventually rented a car space off a nice girl in the next building up. It was a secure tenant's car park and in addition, my car space was caged with a metal, lockable garage door. They still got in. I arrived at my car one day to find that the metal door had been bent out of shape and it even looked like they ground down the cement that the lock bolt went into to help open it. All the car spaces had the same door and at least 5 cars suffered the same fate. Luckily the thieves were only after car stereos and didn't even touch my car after going to so much effort to get to it.. My car has the stock GTR radio.. worthless. At least 3 cars were smashed and had their head units removed. 4 - I was regularly followed in Pyrmont. Obviously given the area I was already weary so I kept an eye out, but some were very brazen. I remember one night I had a feeling someone was following me so I started taking some unusual turns.. sure enough the guy kept following me. So I floored it down Pyrmont St. he also floored it and gave chase... Mind you, this wasn't some guy wanting to race me. It was a shitty car (eg not taken care of).. probably a VL or something, and the guy wasn't trying to get next to me at lights. He didn't want to race, he wanted to follow me and find out where I parked the car. He caught up at lights and I kept taking random turns. He eventually gave up after a couple of mins because I think his small brain realised that it might have been enough time for me to call the cops. I decided after that incident that I would drive straight to the city cop shop if it happened again. It never happened that bad again as I got out of Pyrmont.. never again. That place is an absolute shocker. Razor... sorry about your car, but I hope you didn't actually live there, because parking a car like that on the street with inadequate insurance when you know the area is begging for it.

Hi, as per my other post, I'm giving my GTR a good workover for sale. I've put it into Unique Autosports and having them work on a heap of stuff. But can anyone recommend a good detailer to give the car a really good brush-up for sale? I also have some minor scrapes on the lip of my rims that I want repaired. Anyone got any pointers for that? Thanks!

Hi Guys, Can anyone point me to somewhere where I can get interior parts for an R33 GTR? eg someone who specialises in wrecking these or improts parts. I'm giving my GTR a full workover for sale. There's a few minor things that I want to get fixed/replaced before I sell. One thing in particular is the plastic door trim on the driver's side which houses the window controls etc. The rubbery/paint stuff on this has scratched off all over the place and looks pretty crap. I also snapped the seatbelt guide on the driver's side recently and need this replaced. Thanks!!

hehe... yeah, but to be honest, I don't really mind blending in. They can just get a shock when an inconspicuous hatch destroys them at the lights. And with 184kw in a relatively light package with 300nm torque delivered early and no turbo lag, it will beat most cars at the lights, including most skylines. I've had more than enough attention with the GTR, and I'm looking forward to not having everyone want to drag me off at every second set of lights. The number of people that pull up next to me and try to get me to rev it just shits me.. it was fun years ago, but it gets old.

I'm definitely after european this time around, so not really interested in 350z, WRX etc.. Also I like the fact that the 147 GTA is so obscure (hardly anyone knows about it and you don't see one every day). When I bought the GTR, that was also a pull for me.. A lot of people knew about the though, due to Gran Turismo probably, but it was still a freak car that you hardly ever saw.. They're a bit more common now though, and every second GTST owner sticks badges etc on their car and think they're really hot pretending to be something they're not and just wrecked the whole meaning of GTR.. The new golf Gti is impossible to get... 9 months waiting list for those, so not even an option. It's also still pretty weak when there's a whole other class of hatches around (147 GTA, Audi A3 3.2 quattro etc) with an extra 50% power. I've test driven the GTA a couple of times now, and I haven't found anything better for my current situation, so I'm pretty sure that's what I'm getting now anyway.

Yeah I know I'll miss the GTR, but it's time for something different.. I wouldn't be surprised if I came back for an r34 gtr in a few years.. Re the Peugeot 180 vs Renault, I know the Renault has been getting better reviews, but I still find that the Pug is heaps nicer, eg interior and styling to still come out on top in my books.. I'm pretty set on the Alfa 147 GTA now though. It's an insane amount of power that the car isn't really equipped to handle well on the track (no awd etc), but in reality that's not where I'm taking it. It'll still beat most cars off the line, has a great sounding v6, still handles better than most, and is a massively stylish italian car.. I haven't really owned a luxury sportscar with all leather etc, so I'm keen to try it on for size for a while. It's been all Nissan for me so far. Thanks everyone for the tips..

Heaps of ppl are recommending the new Golf Gti.. The problem is tho.. If you want one of those you are in a minimum 9 month queue.. that's how long it will take to get one of those. I would definitely be seriously considering the gti if I didn't have to wait so long for it.. there's been some really good reviews. Also, the Mini Cooper S - has pretty much zero luggage capacity, so I can rule that one out.. Apart from that I really like the mini.. I've done a bit more research on the Alfa GTA. I downloaded a Top Gear episode where they tested it and absolutely hammered it for having so much power in a FWD and very little technology to control the power... But at the end of the review they all said they'd buy one over the Golf R32 and Ford Focus SRI because it's such a crazy fun car. Also vs the Gold R32 which a couple of ppl recommended, I think the Alfa has it hands down on styling and just being an interesting and unique car.. The Gti R32 looks a bit boring.. Almost japanese hatch boring. Other than that though it is a fair bit better performance-wise. I haven't looked into the Series 1 BMW though... might have a look. So far, I think I'm still erring towards Alfa GTA. It's a bit silly having all that power with little technology, but it would def be fun at the lights and still be a really nice ride.

Ok.. not trying to start a fire here.. I've had a R33 GTR for about 4 years now and I'm ready for a new car. The GTR has been a fun car, but has been a major hassle in recent years living in inner city sydney.. I've had a lot of unwanted attention (eg ppl following), it's a hassle to park (both security-wise and just being a big car in the city with lots of tight spaces), and also my GF won't drive it because it scares her ;-P and it's just a pain to handle over driveways etc being so low (lowered further on Nismo springs). So I've been looking around at hatches, but I think I still need a fast car.. I've been seriously considering a Peugeot 206 Gti 180, but I'm starting to get greedy again and I'm now thinking about maybe an AlfaRomeo 147 GTA. I drove the 180, threw it around a few corners and it handles OK, but it's definitely not a muscle car. The engine sound is just weak. The GTA is v6 and much more powerful (184kw), so I'm hoping for something a little more exhilerating. Has anyone here driven both? I know it's kind of comparing apples and oranges.. it's not a 4wd for one, and it's a hatch. But just looking for opinions on general performance and fun value of the GTA vs the GTR.

Hey... I've got a stupid question.. I need to replace my battery.. it's constantly losing charge after a week of not being used... only problem is that on the GTR the rear strut brace is in the way and you can't get the battery out. So my question is.. can I remove it and replace it myself? Is it hard to do? My only concern is that its a structural support and by my thinking may cause the strut towers to shift a little if removed and make it impossible to put back on.

My GTR hasn't been serviced in a while and is in bad need of a good one.. Anyone got any suggestions for a really good place to get it done in Sydney? I live in the inner-city area, so something close is preferable, but it depends how good they are. I want someone good and I don't mind paying a little extra... I also don't want wankers test driving my car. There's a few probs at the moment.. When I start the car, it makes a loud screeching/grinding sound about 2 seconds after turning the key for about 1 second.. I'm also having problems with the clutch/shifting gears... changing gears is a bit clunky/grabby and I get a slight grind sometimes... colder is worse.. There's an OSGiken sticker on my front strut brace, so I'm guessing there was previously an OSGiken clutch in there and the clutch is out a bit.. When I last got it replaced the push rod had definately been ground down.. Anyway, I've been to unique autosports before.. are they any good? I'm only fairly new to sydney, and I haven't had any service done down here yet..