Prospective Stag Buyer Needs Urgent Assistance!

[Tommy G]

Hey All,

I am currently in the process of purchasing a Series 2 Stagea through J-Spec Imports (very recommended!). I'm having it inspected later in the week, thus the urgent post!

After a lot of searching, I seem to have found one that looks pretty good. Its a Yellow '00 model Type-S with factory 'Dayz' kit & 74,000kms (with service logs). See photos attached. The car will be a shade over $20KAU landed and complied. Firstly, is this on the money? Whadaya think of the colour/kit!?

It is being sold through a Japanese dealer (ie not auction). The auction sheet is attached from when the dealer bought it. It was originally graded a 4.5B, but in the top right, it's shown as 3.5B. J-Spec said this was most likely down-graded due to the replaced front right panel??? Can someone who reads Japanese confirm this?

Also, I have noticed that there aren't the 3x gauges in the centre of the dash. Were these an option, or should it have them? If I got a new gauge cluster, would the chances be that the wiring is behind there ready to plug it in? I have noticed as well, that the engine doesn't have coloured printing on the cam cover. Is this odd? Most RB-25DET Neo's I've seen have red/black writing on them.

Any other things here I should be wary of? All looking good?

Thanks very much! Look forward to hearing from you.

Edited June 9, 2008 by Tommy G

[axe s]

can help with the grading but it doesn't quite sound right... don't go by my opinion but...

The engine cover has probably been cleaned with a harsh chemical, it does look very clean...

nice looking car.. if your worried get a mechanic to check it out for you...

[Tommy G]

can help with the grading but it doesn't quite sound right... don't go by my opinion but...

The engine cover has probably been cleaned with a harsh chemical, it does look very clean...

nice looking car.. if your worried get a mechanic to check it out for you...

Hi Axe,

Thanks for the reply. I have put the auction sheet up for you to check out (it didn't upload previously). Let me know if you think anything is out of the ordinary. A mechanic will be checking it out later in the week; hopefully all goes well. What do you think about the cluster gauge replacement? Would it have the gauge wiring behind there you think?

Cheers

[axe s]

i say if it did get marked down for any reason it would be because of the number of small marks/scratches, but they marked it as a 4.5 as it is in such good condition... I'm just making assumptions but, it would really come down to your mechanic's and your opinion, I'm unsure about the cluster as i don't understand why someone would move it an put the climate control in its place, it's probably a 50/50 on weather the wiring is there or not, but if not it shouldn't be hard to wire up...

[sturb25]

Hi Axe,

Thanks for the reply. I have put the auction sheet up for you to check out (it didn't upload previously). Let me know if you think anything is out of the ordinary. A mechanic will be checking it out later in the week; hopefully all goes well. What do you think about the cluster gauge replacement? Would it have the gauge wiring behind there you think?

Cheers

Hay mate, all stagea's come with some form of gauge in the centre apart from the non turbo earlier models usualy in the form of 3 gauges in the manual versions or 260rs versions and a touch screen type gauge in the auto and luxury versions but ive seen ones that have been chopped and changed with the touch screen and gauge versions as they r all interchangable. And yes there would be the wiring harness in there behind so u can plug it in. If u need a hand or guidence figuring out how to pull the centre part out of the dash board let me know as it can be quite tricky if your not sure.

About the coloured writing on your engine cover, ive seen a few without coloured writing. I wouldnt be alarmed about it as the last thread posted theve probably washed and scrubed it off

as far as im concerned they are an awesome car, go 4 it. ull have a blast!

[Tommy G]

Thanks Sturb - I'll be sure sure to give you a hoy if I get it and need help pulling the dash out. Thats put my mind at ease about the engine writing too. It will be interesting to see how it goes in the inspection!

Edited June 9, 2008 by Tommy G

[Tommy G]

Just another thing...I'm wondering what kind of 0-100km/h and 0-400m times you could roughly expect for this one (stock Type-S Series II manual). The figures I've found on google vary quite a bit.

[ステージア]

later model neos did not have coloured writing on the engine cover. nothing doing.

The 3 guage setup was standard in the RS FOUR S so someone has taken them out.

Log book has been circled so the kays are most probably genuine.

Yes the front guard has been repainted/replaced. That's why there are 2 X's.

FYI its a 07/2000 build & 20K seems fair for a yellow manual.

Wouldn't worry too much about a 3.5 rating. my car was this and had a few chips & scratches is all.

The writing in the lower left says the steering wheel is slightly worn.

others are general comments scratches low etc.

in the box with the 280ps comment

it says manual transmission & xenon headlamps (try to convince them not to remove on compliance)

Overall seems like a good original example apart from a little wear in the front seat but whaddyagonnado?

[Xmetal]

Overall seems like a good original example apart from a little wear in the front seat but whaddyagonnado?

F*ck those off and get some East Bear R34 GTR seats in there!

Smooth car mate. Yellow ones are fairly thin on the ground around here so you'll really stand out from the crowd with it.

[sturb25]

Just another thing...I'm wondering what kind of 0-100km/h and 0-400m times you could roughly expect for this one (stock Type-S Series II manual). The figures I've found on google vary quite a bit.

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_2529/article.html

http://specs.amayama.com/nissan/stagea/

Not sure if these sites are any help but the first one has alot of useful info that i didnt know when i bought mine, it also has times on 0-100km and 0-400km. have a read, u might be interested

http://img467.imageshack.us/img467/6024/stagea0016gp.jpg

Heres another but im pretty sure the one at the top is correct for a series 2 and the one above is for a series one. simple fact is series 1 had 173kw r33 rb25 and series 2 had 206kw r34 rb25 neo.

[silva33]

If it is a good example then the the price is fine, They are a great car and you will not me dissapointed. I have just put in a HKS GTRS and am loving the car so much more!!!!

My engine cover is not coloured either so dont stress about that.. Im not a big fan of the centre guages, I pulled mine out as they dont really tell you much, I preplaced them with a double din screen..

Looks like there are a few RS4S manual stageas in Melbourne now!! We should meet up!

[rb26stagea]

I'm in the process of bringing in my 3rd and 4th cars through J-spec, and have found Ben to be nothing short of excellent to deal with: he won't steer you wrong. He is now based in Japan too, which should make things even easier.

The car sounds like a good buy

[Tommy G]

If it is a good example then the the price is fine, They are a great car and you will not me dissapointed. I have just put in a HKS GTRS and am loving the car so much more!!!!

My engine cover is not coloured either so dont stress about that.. Im not a big fan of the centre guages, I pulled mine out as they dont really tell you much, I preplaced them with a double din screen..

Looks like there are a few RS4S manual stageas in Melbourne now!! We should meet up!

Hey Silva,

Thanks for the info regarding the engine text! I thought it may have been a bit suss, but if they were built like that, then thats fine.

I don't suppose you still have the centre dials for your car that you pulled out? If so, I would be very keen to offer you something for them if I end up getting this particular car.

As for a Type-S Stagea drive-day, I would be keen for sure! Just give me about 12 wks to get the car here and complied! I love these Stageas! Wasn't sure I liked the appearance at first, but when I saw them first hand I was sold on them. I'll let you know how I get on with this one.

[Tommy G]

I'm in the process of bringing in my 3rd and 4th cars through J-spec, and have found Ben to be nothing short of excellent to deal with: he won't steer you wrong. He is now based in Japan too, which should make things even easier.

The car sounds like a good buy

I second that notion! Ben has been an absolute champ (even through all my fussiness and changes of mind!) since I signed up about 10 weeks ago. Wouldn't hesitate recommending J-Spec to anyone.

[Tommy G]

Thanks for the links, Sturb. Sounds like they're, well... fast which ever one you get! A 208kW Manual should be the goods. I used to own a '91 180SX SR20, and I just love the rush of a good manual turbo! Is there a factory BOV on the S2 Stagea's or internal wastegate?? Are they loud?

[Tommy G]

later model neos did not have coloured writing on the engine cover. nothing doing.

The 3 guage setup was standard in the RS FOUR S so someone has taken them out.

Log book has been circled so the kays are most probably genuine.

Yes the front guard has been repainted/replaced. That's why there are 2 X's.

FYI its a 07/2000 build & 20K seems fair for a yellow manual.

Wouldn't worry too much about a 3.5 rating. my car was this and had a few chips & scratches is all.

The writing in the lower left says the steering wheel is slightly worn.

others are general comments scratches low etc.

in the box with the 280ps comment

it says manual transmission & xenon headlamps (try to convince them not to remove on compliance)

Overall seems like a good original example apart from a little wear in the front seat but whaddyagonnado?

Thanks for the help, man. I'm feeling pretty optimistic about it. Not too worried about a few nicks and dents - if its good mechanically and has genuine kays I'll be stoked! As for the seats, if I get them re-upholstered or put wreckers leather seats in it may be the go. Are the Xenon headlights an issue? It would be being complied through Kamikaze at Nunawading, Vic. Cheers!

[GoldZilla]

Thanks for the links, Sturb. Sounds like they're, well... fast which ever one you get! A 208kW Manual should be the goods. I used to own a '91 180SX SR20, and I just love the rush of a good manual turbo! Is there a factory BOV on the S2 Stagea's or internal wastegate?? Are they loud?

A BOV and a wastegate are two different things, but I'm pretty sure ALL turbocharged cars nowadays, including the Stagea, have both fitted. I might be wrong, however...

A BOV releases boost pressure when you back off the throttle, giving you much-reduced reversion and therefore better response when you back off the throttle (like during gearchanges), but a wastegate (which is almost always internal on a factory-fitted turbo, as it's a cheaper and more convenient way to mount it) controls the level of boost when you're ON the throttle.

[sturb25]

Thanks for the help, man. I'm feeling pretty optimistic about it. Not too worried about a few nicks and dents - if its good mechanically and has genuine kays I'll be stoked! As for the seats, if I get them re-upholstered or put wreckers leather seats in it may be the go. Are the Xenon headlights an issue? It would be being complied through Kamikaze at Nunawading, Vic. Cheers!

They do have a bov, but its stock and its plumbed back in to the system so there pretty quiet with the stock airbox, you basically cant her the turbo and bov. But if you get a pod filter and do away with the airbox. Ull here the sound of the bov and turbo spooling up.

You shouldnt have any trouble with kamikaze motors, they only import quality cars. What sort of warranty are you getting with the car. I got an option of 1-3 year warranty on mine through an import yard in bayswater, the warranty was through 24/7 roadservices. If your car doesnt have this i advise you look into it. It wasnt that dear but it gives you a safeguard if something does go wrong, not saying that anything will. They are a great car.

As for the dents and marks. i wouldnt worry about them to much. youve got to remember they are aroung 10 years old. mine was graded at 4.5 and still has a few marks. Its just wear and tear. Ud notice if the car had done around 200k. if its in good nick then they would be genuine k's

Headlights are the best headlights ive ever had and they can be adjusted height postion and you dont even have to move out of your seat at the flick of a switch. Never had any dramas. The high beam is incredible. The japanese think of everything. after i bought mine i was finding gadjets 4 up 2 a month. Like the rear seats recline the centre compartment opens both ways. Does yours have a cargo barrier That doubles as parcel shelf and a cargo blind. If it doesnt ask them 2 get one out of one of the other cars, thats what i had to do. As for the wastegate, there internal on the turbo.

Any questions dont hesitate to ask

[Tommy G]

Hey Sturb,

I'm importing the car though J-Spec, and they apparently use Kamikaze to engineer/comply their cars most of the time. As for a warranty, I don't think I'm getting one. I can organise one through Kamikaze, but I'm told it's fairly limited as to what it covers etc. I'm getting it fully inspected today or Monday, so I think I will just take the chance on it if the report comes back good.

The Xenon headlights sounds fantastic. The Type S comes with them standard, but I've read that the cheaper B-Type models didn't get them (or the larger diameter alloys). Not sure if this one has a cargo barrier - I might have to look at getting one.

T

[sturb25]

Hey Sturb,

I'm importing the car though J-Spec, and they apparently use Kamikaze to engineer/comply their cars most of the time. As for a warranty, I don't think I'm getting one. I can organise one through Kamikaze, but I'm told it's fairly limited as to what it covers etc. I'm getting it fully inspected today or Monday, so I think I will just take the chance on it if the report comes back good.

The Xenon headlights sounds fantastic. The Type S comes with them standard, but I've read that the cheaper B-Type models didn't get them (or the larger diameter alloys). Not sure if this one has a cargo barrier - I might have to look at getting one.

The warranty i got with mine was an option also and it covers just about everything ba your wear and tear things. Something 2 look into as my coil packs are on the way out and they were fine when i bought the car. and supriseingly they are covered.

T