BASHO

Thanks for the replies guys , you are absolutely correct and if I could get to any of them I'm sure given very little time I could find one , however , I am currently living in Hervey Bay , which , whilst still theoretically on the planet actually in many regards may as well not be , this would seem to be one of those regards. I also have to bear in mind that should I buy privately without actually physically seeing the car I'll be up for around $350.00 per inspection and given the somewhat optimistic descriptions given by some sellers ,-- I could see this turning out quite costly . I've done more than a fair amount of searching and there are 3 that are very promising looking, two in Vic and one --particularly-- in SA which I'm following and if the price were not $2K over what I can bring one in for I'd likely be going for it. I'll also note that I could be up for a road trip --not a bad thing but $ or up to $1000 maybe $1500.00 in freight buying onshore So guys you can see buying onshore unless I can find what I'm after in Brisbane (which is still an 8-9 hour round trip by the timeyou've done what you went for) has some hiccups.

Importing, I have been assured that it can be done -- with patience . There are a number on advertised here (In Australia) for less than $13K but 'modded' somewhat.

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHRG---I'm still procrastinating Probably an R34GT-t Auto , (I've had a manual one before). There are a fair few available here but they a mainly of the 'enthusiastically over enhanced' variety. Depends on what I end up getting.

I'm looking at importing in Jan and thought I'd post up the approx costs as I have them so far--- Based on a car that costs $4500.00 at the block. ITEM -Car Cost (FOB Yen) 550000 Exchange Rate (Yen to A$) 99.83= AUS$ 5509.00 (inc Japanese Agents handling cost). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/BROKER FEE -------------------------------------------------------UP FRONT. $1,100./ 2/FOB price in Australian dollars------------------Within week of purchase. $5,509./ 3/Insurance @ 3.5% of 1-2-4-5 =$9410.00 pay on purchase of vehicle-- $ 321./ 4/Shipping, wharf, Customs and agents fees ---Upon arrival 4-5 weeks. $1,800./ 5/Import Duty & GST ----------------------------------Upon arrival 4-5 weeks. $1,011./ 6/Compliance---------------------------------------Upon completion 12 weeks. $2,500./ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------SUB TOTAL-$12241./ 7/(Add—Rego $350.00 , Tyres--$$600.00 , Roadworthy(?)=+$990)-------$990./ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TOTAL$13231.00

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NISSAN-SKYLINE-V35-2002-2007-SERVICE-REPAIR-MANUAL-DVD-/280897963206?pt=AU_Clothing_Merchandise_Media&hash=item4166d2c4c6 If this isn't the right one go to ebay there are stacks on there.

Thanks for that--now if only the damn translate program would work ---but likely.

Very similar result to a stock 00 WRX I had Ecutek 'd some years ago by MRT in Sydney. But-- --different story when I then changed out the OE intercooler to bigger AVO/ exhaust to turbo back SMB SS 3"/ Air inlet pipe to Samco silicon/ airbox to custom with Apexi filter/ 0E BOV to GFB Stealth , Fuel pump to Walbro /Fuel regulator to Malpassi (rising rate) and Turbo to a VF28- then had it retuned by Mercury in Brisbane using Ecutek Stage 3.

And that is a pretty silly response , 'could be done' , one "could" do any damn thing . Here's a bit more you didn't quote just to level things up a bit , "In many if not most instances aftermarket gear like DMS or Eibach is of better quality anyhoo." And as to the ADR If they're on for the 350Z it'd a be a look that they a going possibility for the 350GT. Proposing a solution for the OP would be a look as well ----

I'm just looking at importing starting the process in January so I've been seeing what I can get for what I can afford to spend on the car I want and what the breakdown of costs are to get it in my driveway--and it's good , I can get what I want --but-- it raises a question in my mind as to what the actual value of what I'm buying really is. Here's the thing , the car model/year/grade is buyable for around $4k at the auction and it will be in my driveway for $12k to $13k which means obviously tax's, fees, charges, shipping and cost's of a whopping $8k to $9k . I note that a $20k at auction car would probably not cost much more to import--?? This year/model car is being retailed in dealers for anything from $9k to $20k depending on the usual , premium /standard model ,K's travelled , condition and of course, dealer bullshit , the same $ goes for private retail ask but substitute "dealer bullshit" with 'seller optimism' in the case of private seller. I have no idea what price owners are actually getting for their cars but I do know in many instances it's taking a fair time to sell them and that it would seem as time goes it's getting harder for many when it comes to even breaking even or matching the ask with what a fresh (same model) car can be brought in for. To be fair perhaps it is only sensible to note that the private sellers will have more K's on the car than when they first bought them along with attendant wear and tear , no matter how carefully kept. But what is a car that actually cost $4K and is 11 years old, low Klm and excellent condition not withstanding really worth in a falling market. I remember when the 300z was worth a premium--then it wasn't I still can't get my head away from the fact that the thing only cost $4k in the first place so how much is it really , really , worth ?? I realy should find something useful to do

- Excellent link-

What OE rim sizes does the 03/04 coupe come with , was it 17's on the non premium and 18's on the premium as OE with 19's being options ? I'm seeing allsorts on allsorts and I'm a bit confused---as usual.

So if you upgrade your shocks it now gets you a defect slap ? WTF difference does it make if you're running OE or quality coilovers as long as the ride height is set to OE specs ? In many if not most instances aftermarket gear like DMS or Eibach of better quality than OE crap anyhoo. What a crock.... Try Nissan wreckers---?

It's the only one that I have issues with , and I'm on heaps , I'm running up to date windows 7 and will be until the wheels fall of , can't stand 8 its a crock.

Ah Ha, Premium- = black interior, ice steering wheel controls , satnav , DVD system , ----- 'Plain as Coupe' = Black interior , now I know I'm definitely going for the non premium---seriously----. thanks again sonicii.

Any interior pics you could post--??

Seems to me that the best way given that no-one seems to actually be sure what is 'premium' is to buy a year specific grade 4 / 4.5 , specify 'non premium' so that you get the best price and see WTF turns up.

I'd like to have a looksee at current Jap auction results for a couple of cars I'm interested in has anyone got a link they wouldn't mind posting to view Jap car auction results ? In English would be nice unless there's pics I have no idea if this facility actually exists so I'm just flying a kite here

And non would doubt his wisdom !

Thank you sonicii

Which versions/years of the 350GT coupe have the CVT transmission ? , Is there a post anywhere with the year/model details that someone can post a link to so I don't have to keep asking stupid questions ? Please !

Very sorry about the hijack it has got a bit out of hand, absolutely unintentional, should give you some encouragement insomuch as that you now know that parts can be had cheaply and that the cars are regarded by the owners at least as rather reliable and spiffy. Sound system notwithstanding.

Excellent news that new Nissan parts can be had so cheaply , last time I bought a new Nissan part it was a plastic sunroof liner for a 180SX-X from Nissan on the GC about 3 years ago, it cost me $380.00 and took 12 weeks to lob .

Had the person who gave me the advice been a 'money sinker' I would likely have been less receptive to the advice however he actually has fixed and continues to fix the things professionally. Ongoing maintenance and minor replacement stuff isn't a worry to me it's the tech and silly stuff like door regulators that should be a couple of hundred bucks that cost $800.00 (recent replacement in a Mitsubishi CZC Turbo I had.) and Euro manufactured operational parts--like door regulators that are. I'll lurk some more and garner more knowledge final decision end Dec.

OK ,Believe me the person giving me the advice in this matter has an intimate knowledge of them , I on the other hand know nothing about them ,so I'm not even going near discussing the tech side of things and I am grateful for any input regarding the marque , I am sure there are a good number out there that are paragons of automotive excellence , I don't purchase until late Jan so maybe when I garner more information I'll re-assess. As for "So buy an older more thrashed import" (Ben 34) --don't be silly , it's just annoying.