Plans To Buy R34

[JGTC]

Hi everyone

I've embarked on a search to buy a non-turbo 2DR R34 and have been searching and learning plenty over the last 2 months, i'm just a young bloke turning 19 in November and i just wanted some mature/professional guidance on the subject.

I've been able to scout this 2000 R34 GT-V going for 20,990

This is from Edward Lee's Japanese Auto Center in Concord - NSW

http://www.japaneseautocentre.com.au/

Here's some pics:

I was very keen on the factory optioned altia body kit, but not so much any more

I've found also a R34 25GT with the same Altia Kit from a private seller going for 15,500 neg.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/privat...A&R=6094579

Here's some pics:

So as you can see they're pretty much identical in aesthetics and they both have the same engine, the GT-V has larger turbo brakes that's all

Can any offer any experiences on dealer/private seller dealings? and can you justify forking out 20K for a non-turbo automatic? i gave it some thought and personally i don't think forking out for a non-turbo auto is a smart move.

Please be hard critics as this is my first post, cheers guys

Danny

[Sl!m]

If you get the car checked out properly and they find nothing wrong with it, I wouldn't see a problem with buying it privately.

Also, have a read: http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/bu...e-f-t35129.html

Welcome to the forum Danny, all the best with the car hunt. I will probbaly see you around if you get it, I have family in Seven Hills and around the area a fair bit.

[JGTC]

Cheers Sammeh, appreciate it thanks also for the link, its exactly what i'm after

[Kujotk]

hey danny, are you the guy from my work at north ryde????? I had a guy from micro who asked me to help him look for a 2 door non turbo r34..... also i'm looking for you aswell incase its you lol

cheers and good luck if your not the guy i know i guess i can look around for you aswell, i'll send you what i find

[Kujotk]

also dan when i was looking for a line about a year ago i came across one that was alot better than the gtv up there..... black, custom $2k system, 18inch mags, col overs, brembo brakes r34 gt auto and it was $14990 back then so if i were you i wudnt pay 21k for it.... i'd go the gtt up there, although i recon you'll get sick of the auto but 15k is a good price for the gtt, out of those 2 i'd take the turbo one if your allowed to drive it....

anyway i chose my r33 gtst over a non turbo r34 and i havent looked back,,,,, but i would like a black r34 gt-t manual in the future

[JI34GT]

I would not recommend ANY car from Edward lees. PM if you want to know why...sine we're not allowed to bad mouth companies openly.

[JGTC]

Hey Tom cheers bud, nah sorry i don't work up at Nth Ryde, yeah thanks for the help, unfortunately i'm unable to drive turbo'd cars for a few years yet but thanks a heap, appreciate the responses as this is my first post =)

Cheers

[JI34GT]

Just some generic points I thought that might help people.

1. Follow your nose. For some reason, some skylines/other imports i sat in had a wierd odour in them. One was a rx7 at a certain dealership *cough* and had a strong smell of vomit/dogshit/chemicals...If the car smells off...that would be a first indication that somethings wrong. I understand people can get cars washed interior etc...air freshners, but a car thats 10 years old...develops a certain smell to it. People might find this point stupid...but it came to me when i first bought my car, when i first sat in it, it just felt natural and clean. It had a light cigarette smell but it wasn't overly powerful/unpleasant. It still has, and i kinda love it. its got this vintage jdm smell to it. lol

2. newais. Secondly, something else i remembered. The owners of the particular import yard play a large role in it. the certain dealership *cough* i remembered the douche bag salesman was boasting how quick and powerful this r34 was with all its mods. I still remember his words. "I took this beast and thrashed it on the weekend...and phwoar it just went"...and im standing going...wtf?...u tool. with a attitude like that, its great to know how well you treat your cars.

The place where i bought my r34 from, i ask the guy, the engine is still warm, how come? and he said, the "boss drives this car to and from home sometimes...(some old jap guy) coz its reliable..." and just from that...i was impressed.

3. check some of the second hand cars on sale on sau. some are lemons, but sometimes a gem pops up. like the silver one gtt with the gtr conversion front...that car is mint imo. you can tell from the photos that the owner takes pride in his work.

4. When checking online private sales. If the owner has little no desctiption of the car, i dont even bother. ESPecially if i says "looking for quick sale"...bullshit. if someone really cherished their car, they would be able to list every detailed mod off the top of their heads and have a detailed description. and the pictures. the more the better, the clearer the better and also if its taken at night, what are they hiding? daytime, clear, pro shots say alot.

Another thing i tend to like is a clear name, and a moblie and home phone number. if its just Q. 0413438584..etc. call after 10pm. stuff it. but if its, Jonothan. home, mobile, cant pick up during work hours, etc, please leave messge, its more credible.

ok. wat a write up. hope this helps. =]

[JGTC]

Hey matt, yeh the warranty was the main pull for looking at dealerships but now it's hard to see who's on your side in terms of buying a car, a third party inspection would really help.

Cheers bud the support is appreciated

Danny

[Sl!m]

dealership warranty isn't worth the paper it's printed on usually.

[__PhaseShiftDown]

In either case, get it checked out properly before you make the purchase and there is no difference between buying private or from a dealer, except maybe the private seller maybe a bit cheaper.

If the seller is willing to drive the car to a workshop, then you should organise a time with a workshop that knows skyline, say CRD to do a full inspection. i.e car on the hoist and also do compression, leakdown test....etc. If not, you can always get a generic full inspection. I used stateroads when I bought my car, and they were fairly good.