Drogba

You could probably re-direct that comment to those that have said it is relatively quiet (bar the blitz NUR) on this forum.... maybe they're wrong? I disagree with you on looks though ... the standard has two tips and so does the legalis... now when you consider most rival tips looks like cannons then I'd certainly assert it does look close to stock in comparison.

Well after 3 months, i've taken ownership of my AR-X and its in the driveway! I won't be able to drive till i've got a few things sorted (rego etc) but it's even nicer in the flesh. I'm stoked. It doesn't have the VDO but it does have reverse sensors, which for me at least, will get a heap more practical use. Big thanks to Kristian from IronChef who was excellent to deal with and when things turned a bit sour, sorted the issue out, to his own detriment no less. I'd highly recommend him. I'm going to let the dust settle for a week or two but then get onto Scotty for a dump, buy a filter, BC coilovers and upgrade the brakes. That'll probably do. I really want the Legalis cat back but it's $1500 from JustJap and that's just too expensive ... except it's perfect for what I want ... better performance but stock sounding and stock looking. I understand a lot of them come over with only one key .... what did you guys do getting another one? just got another cut ?

Does anyone know if all AR-X's come with the fixtures to buy and install the grate separating the backseats from the boot ie to stop my bloody dog from jumping over. From the pictures that have been sent to me it doesn't look like my AR-X has it standard. If yes, does anyone want to sell me one. For those of you who have imported through a broker, how close has been your quoted L&C price compared to the actual final price. My broker has been really excellent but it looks like he's $1500 off what he quoted me or rather what I quoted him as my budget. It's a bit concerning but to his credit he's looking into it for me rather than brushing me off.

Apart from superficial differences (bodywork & wheels) is the AXIS that different to the rx and rs models? I know it has a lower suspension but does it make any difference (for those that have driven both). I also read somewhere the leather in the axis was different and of better quality? I only ask because they're generally a bit more than the rs & rx models but for what? a different look? I'm on the verge of importing one that's all. Excuse my ignorance but has anyone imported one with a screwed turbo or is it replaced at compliance. I know they go between 60-100ks but who's to say that hasn't already happened in Japan and been replaced? any help would be much appreciated

bump

Not that I don't think his car is worth it but he's asking out of my price range. Incidentally, he's been a huge help in clearing a few things up for me.

After an M35 Stagea RS, RX, Axis or AR-X Details: Must have leather Must not be over 110000 ks Price must be 14k or below Car will be put through a full NRMA inspection so please disclose all faults up front. Modified or unmodified welcome. Currently going through the import process now but if there's one already here then why not. You will also need disclose key import material for my perusal. Regions: NSW, VIC, Canberra and South Australia. Cheers

Bloody hell people on some forums can be helpful. Cheers buddy.

Cheers As I said before, I drove the C34 but it was the most god awful experience. I'm in Tassie and there aren't any M35's down here as far as I know. Definitely none for sale so I can't exactly test drive one.

Sorry, I feel like I've hijacked the forum. Just one more question, someone raised the possibility of importing. How is J-Spec as an importer? I know you can't bag out company's on here but there are ways to do that without actually doing it .... or you could pm me.

Re discussion the GTV, in my opinion it is the most exciting car i've driven (more so than a rex, more so than an xr6t, more so than a clubby and more so than tuned gtst). That is my opinion based on 4 years of driving it, lol certainly my opinion can't be changed, so I don't really see any point in discussing it??? It could have a power to weight ratio of 1 and I could still think it was more exciting because excitement is an emotion that isn't easily explainable (I should know, I've got honours in psychology). I mean, I took my mates VE SS out for a spin a couple of weeks ago and it was such a dull experience. I'm like why can't I feel how far I can push this thing, where is the bottom acceleration, throttle response etc. Comparing that to my Alfa, I could breathe on the gas and it responds, I can drive it to 99% because I know exactly when it's going to break lose. BUT this is just my experience and it may not hold true for anyone else. Edit: Plus this is a Stagea M35 discussion, apologise for bring my car into it, it wasn't my intention to discuss it or feel the need to defend it at length.

Well, I think this has been a great discussion (well for me anyway) certainly given me something to think about or not think about. Looks like I won't be buying a Stagea after all. The way the cookie crumbles i suppose.

Lack power & lack of torque? - what does that even mean? its all relative. Comparing an Alfa to a Camry is fairly laughable I think we'd all agree, positive, negative or otherwise, they're completely different cars and I surely don't need to explain that to anyone with an inkling of interest in cars. FWD sucks a bit but feel through the wheel is second to none. Those issues you've stated aren't anything major except for the turbo replacement but I guess when you buy one, you factor that into your offer and what you can afford.

So there you go fellas

Ah yeah. How much do you think you've spent on it to get it back to a car in good condition (excluding mods) .... if indeed it is in good condition baring the water in the footwell lol

Sorry, I didn't mean to be insulting, just that yeh in my eyes I am downgrading - I'm putting away the spots car for something practical and yeh probably a lot less exciting but paying for it ... usually its the other way around I would have thought. Does anyone know how much M35's retailed new in Japan?

Nah Alfa's are just in a different planet, if you love them then nothing comes close. I've got an Alfa GTV with the 3.0 V6 engine and nothing else comes close to the driving experience but alas I have a growing dog and need a station wagon. The problem is, it is an amazing car, insanely beautiful interior, performance, looks and it's been extremely reliable (4 yrs and ive only had to replace a window regulator) but zero practicality. I'm trying to sell that and Im asking $12500 ,.... I'm really struggling by the thought of downgrading yet having to pay 5-8 grand more! So if you're talking bang for you buck, buy my $80 000 when new reliable Alfa for 11k lol Illustrated here:

hahaha the 159 could brake down everyday and it'd still worth it just to look at, the most stunning car on the road bar none for mine. Well bang for buck is all a matter of opinion. In saying that, I haven't been able to test drive one, so it is difficult to assess. Anyway, if anyone does have a Stag with stated options and price then let me know

Thanks buddy, i'll take on board what you've said. I've heard great things of Northshore. i think if I have to pay 17-18k for a decent ride then I'll walk away from buying a Stagea, I've got other priorities in my life plus I'd be looking Euro for anything around 20 ... probably Alfa 159 wagon. I thought Stagea's were great bang for buck around the 13-15k mark, not higher ... especially in consideration of what you've said re shitters, k's wound back & untrained mechanics & auto's electricians.

Fair point Re: Getting bitten on the arse: Any car I buy will be tested by a certified inspector AND taken to a panel beaters for an inspection on whether it's been in an accident. I do that both with private and car-yard sales. If I do that and still get bitten on the arse well so be it, not much else I can really do eh I honestly think it's a matter of patience and I don' think that premise is any different for any car you buy. As for parts, i've owned a couple of Alfa's in my time, nothing would shock me lol

Lol I don't want to spend that much on a car (as I said I want to spend no more than 14500). I'm going to purchase a couple investment properties in 8-12 months ... if I did want to spend 17-18, yeah i'd be all over an an Audi Allroad. You raise an interesting point re condition and kilometres. K;s have always been 'a big ticket item' for me but they seem less important when importing a car due to the increased risk that the K's have been wound back. I gotta say, you're pretty much the scum of the earth if you wind back the k's on a car, right down their with peod's and the like. From people have said on here, it's better to get a car that's in good condition with higher k's than a car in average condition with lower k's Re: Condition - yeah I'm arguing I can get all the options and vg condition for less than 15. Only one way to find out

Nah I've seen a few go with those options for that price. Australia isn't in great shape atm, houses are on the market for twice as long as what they were 4 months ago, the reserve bank hasn't put interest rates up for some time because consumer spending is poor. Furthermore, they're coming up to a decade old now. You can get a 2001 Audi Allroad twin turbo V6 for around 16-18 which were 100k priced new. When all said and done, al ot of people selling cars all start off 25-30% more than what they eventually get and this site is a perfect example of it. Not until they go below 16 are they selling, yet they all start between & 18-20, then it's "bump down to 17500" 1 month later "bump down to 16000" then another couple of weeks "bump down 14000" et etc. In this market, the buyer is king. I'm a perfect example of douche trying to get what he thinks his car is worth. I initially advertised my car so that it was equally the best buy on carsales which was 14k. Had I just advertised it for 12500 (well below market) I would have sold it 6 months ago but now i'll probably get even less than that IMO 14500 evaluation is quite generous.

Ah ok, I just checked, I didn't realise the series 1 only had 170kw. Not a lot of power for a big car. Makes a bit more sense now. Still, it was an abysmal experience. I'm test driving a manual legnum next week with the AYC. See how that goes. If that doesn't impress me then I'll be in search of a M35 on the mainland. From the advice I've got on here, something with upgraded suspension would be nice. I might be waiting a while, I want an M35 with all black interior (inc black heated/adjustable leather seats) & the VDO in very good condition however i'm not willing to pay over $14500. I've seen a couple go for this price, so it's just a matter of being patient. Just a pain in the ass I can't test drive one down here before I fly over.

So I don't think there are any M35's in Tassie, certainly none for sale. So last night I test drove a 97' Stagea. It was probably the most under-whelming experience driving a car I've ever had. What is with the extremely loud fan sound from 0-50? I booted it a couple of times and it felt like I was going 200k's an hour yet I was slowly creeping past 20, on my way to 50 which took about 4 hours. I wasn't expecting GTR performance but this thing performed like a VAN and that is no exaggeration. There was also a loud high pitch 'pulley or belt sound in the upper rev range. It was actually a frightening experience cause every time I accelerated it felt like I'd blown the car up. I remember driving my old man's EL Falcon wagon and that was far and away superior to this thing. It felt draconian. TELL ME IT WAS JUST A BAD EGG OR TELL ME IT WASN'T BUT THE M35'S IS FAR SUPERIOR.