Buying A V35 Sedan Please Help

[4.8GU]

Hi guys,

Firstly I would just like to say hello and thanks for such a great site. I spent the last couple of weeks of late nights reading as much as I can about the v35 in particular the sedan.

I am after a new family car and cannot live with the usual dunnydore or falcon and came across the skyline and I think I am in love!

I have never dealt with an import car before so I am scared to commit due to things like parts availability and pricing and due to the unknown nature of these vehicles by all but a few. Also resale value is a bit scary.

I have found a couple of different vehicles in yards over here but was hoping you lot might be able to clear a couple of things up and maybe give me some sound advice.

I looked at an 02 four door today with 65k, silver/leather bose, 3.0 with five speed it was at SVI in brisbane and the car seemed very clean. couple of minor scratches etc but otherwise good. Also had a rear spoiler that looked good.

The cd player was coming up with an error though which worried me (dealer said it would be fixed before sale but)

I noticed it had no dvd/reverse camera set up only a storage compartment where they normally pop out of the dash.

Personally I don't mind this as I am happy with cd/radio only and at least the dash is not covered in jap symbols and therefore going to cost extra for converting etc. I think this would probably make it easer to put an aftermarket set up in later too. (Mr rogers might have some ideas here)

Dealer wanted roughly 24k is this reasonable? I realise I could probably save a bit importing but I am not sure I have the heart for it.

From what SVI told me today the v35's are going for really good money at the moment as demand has dropped so the effect of the dollar has not effected costs as much as some may expect.

I truly do believe these cars to be awesome and perfect for what I want especially compared with anything on the local market. The only thing that tickles my interest otherwise is a maxima but I hate fwd.

Can someone please ease my mind as to parts availability and servicing etc and if there is anything in particular that I should be looking out for.

Thank you so much for you help. This is keeping me up at night atm!!! lol and I need a car soon.

Regards

Brian

Oh and if anyone has any oppinions on dealers/importers in the brisbane area they can offer it would be great pm if you like.

thanks again and sorry for the long winded post

[Chris Rogers]

the error code on the radio - F0 or F3? if F3 I would get the dealer to cover it as that is not a cheap repair.

to pull the unit out requires the lower spec panels and AC controller. in all $4-500 worth of bits.

SVI is around the corner from me.

servicing/parts - nissan. yes it is that easy. they will order parts for the car as needed provided you give them the correct info. (IE chassis and model off the build palte.)

see also carmen imports in brendale. I know he has a few on the way as well.

[Bonsai]

Man its a v35 better than any crap around here for the money its not a toy it won't break just like that. Its one of the best selling cars in Japan and one of the best quality. I wish nissan would sell them here like in the States its sold as Infiniti. So if things need replacing you could jump on www.g35driver.com and ask a question and get the part too.

[4.8GU]

Thank you so much for your replies guys.

Chris, Yep the error code was a fo or f3 definitely had a f in it. Wouldn't load any cd etc.

He said it would be repaired anyway before sale.

You are so right about them being a much better car than anything local. I hate front wheel drive and this pretty well rules out everything other than commonwhores or foul cons both of which don't come near the skyline everywhere else.

Thanks for the heads up with carmen imports I will get on to them and see what they have.

Chris I know you would get this everyday but could you pm or post me a ballpark figure on doing everything needed to the sound/nav system to get it to work and not look so much like a foreign car(ie jap symbols etc) I know the nav is no good but just converting buttons and changing radio frequency etc.

The car at svi had only a storage compartment and I was actually happy with this so if it was possible to just rip it all out and but a factory compartment back in that would be cool.

I am only looking at up to 03 with the 3 litre and 5 speed auto at this stage

[Chris Rogers]

conversion is a 4 figure sum. it starts low and increases with options

ring me in the morn and I'll go over it with you.

[Chris Rogers]

that is F03 btw. mech is trashed.

[4.8GU]

Thanks heaps Chris you are very helpful.

I will ring you rather than keep asking questions here!!! lol

[n15m0]

Brian,

From the sounds of it, you are looking for a 300gt? Try and find the premium pack with bose and full leather if you can. I've seen them go for between 17K to low 20s.

Here's mine. White one is a 2001 300GT-P,Blue one is a 2004.5 350GT-P Series 2

Good luck in your search and you will be in good hands with Chris.

[4.8GU]

Thanks again Chris for your helpful info this morning. I got onto your mate Craig from Carmen this morn and hope to go and see him soon.

There are a couple of local (sort of) yards etc around that have some nice looking cars but they seem to all be in the tan interior colour which I am not sold on yet. Need to look at one in the flesh though to really make a decision.

Hey Nismo love ya blue series two that looks awesome. White one looks good too! Did you import them yourself or buy from a yard/dealer? Any recommendations?

[Chris Rogers]

no probs. spoke to craig right after you did I reckon he can help you out.

jon's cars were local (blue one was from sydney the white one brissy based.) they are out there if you look for them

saw the one you mentioned at SVI yesterday.

[4.8GU]

I looked at a white one today down at moorooka and it was probably a cleaner car on the outside and it had reverse camera etc but it was white and tan and I made the decision that I will hang out for a silver with black (short of some ridiculous deal that I can't go past!)

How close did ya look at the svi one Chris? I think after looking around, and on the net there are nicer ones available for similar or better money but we will see.

It is still a buyers market at the moment so I don't want to rush in.

The more I look at them the more I like the look of em. Kinda glad Nissan didn't have the balls to bring em in as I am sure I would not be able to afford so much car if it was local.

Cheers again for the advise and guidance.

Regards

Brian

[n15m0]

just be aware, silvers are probably the most common colour out there at the moment. Was the white one you saw a 300gt or 350 and how much?

[Chris Rogers]

I looked at a white one today down at moorooka and it was probably a cleaner car on the outside and it had reverse camera etc but it was white and tan and I made the decision that I will hang out for a silver with black (short of some ridiculous deal that I can't go past!)

How close did ya look at the svi one Chris? I think after looking around, and on the net there are nicer ones available for similar or better money but we will see.

It is still a buyers market at the moment so I don't want to rush in.

The more I look at them the more I like the look of em. Kinda glad Nissan didn't have the balls to bring em in as I am sure I would not be able to afford so much car if it was local.

Cheers again for the advise and guidance.

Regards

Brian

sounds like autoshop to me. he's got a few good cars there. I still say you harass craig. he may move on price.

to be honest 99% of the cars I do ARE SILVER!! when you have 15 of the things with clean windscreens ID ing them is a pain in the arse.

take a CD with you when looking at them

SVI - from the fence. it was late friday when I went past. (I'm looking at adding them to my workshop list.)

I had 3 customers today ask if the silver coupe I have outside was mine and one customer correctly ID'd it. they are a hell of a car to drive, far from slow and handle quite well.

[n15m0]

If you don't mind a trip down south, check this one out if ur after a 300gt

http://www.nagoyamotors.com.au/vdetail.asp?id=406

I got my blue one from Nagoya Motors. They have quite a few clean v35s and were very good to deal with. Prices are very competitive too.

[4.8GU]

Yeah it was auto wholesale. Spoke to a bloke called Timothy? Had a couple of good ones and I think was very keen to make a deal. I don't think yards would be seeing too many people come in the door lately so should have a bit of leway to get a better price.

The one in particular was here: http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/deale...&__Qpb=true

He wanted me to make an offer but I decided to wait to talk to Craig first

The white is actually quite nice as it has a pearl in it that looks the goods with dark tint etc.

Craig actually emailed me with a car that is in Japan that ticks all the boxes. Low k's, silver and black half leather interior.

Will have to talk to him this week and see what price we can look at.

Nismo thanks for that mate I actually have Nagoya motors on my bookmarks and have noticed they seem good on price.

My biggest prob with importing at the moment is time. My little shitbox that I was using to get to work died the other day so I am on a loaner! ha ha

Need to have a good drive in one too to see what I am in for.

Love this site btw I have spent so long now reading and I think I have read almost every thread in the v35 section!

Edited November 9, 2008 by 4.8GU

[Chris Rogers]

I have to see them on wed anyway . they have a stagea there with a dud radio I need to look at.

craig will do his VERY best to help you. the one he showed you is probably the one I know about.

[4.8GU]

Cool thanks Chris. I guess the main thing is I was hoping to keep the purchase as close to 20k or under so I had some extra coin to come and see you and get all the sound sorted.

There are so many different options it is hard to work it all out!

Oh and of course I would love a set of rims too so all extra $

It is funny I never even knew these things existed a couple of weeks ago and now it is consuming my mind with possibilities lol

Old hoon wants a family car

[n15m0]

I would probably try and knock around 3-4K off the asking price for the autoshop one depending how desperate they are, I'm pretty sure that one has been there for quite a while. And yes, the pearl white is pretty awesome in the sun and selection of rims to suit a white car is much easier too.

[Chris Rogers]

clarify old hoon (I'm 37.) and I still like driving them.

the list of options on these things will baffle you. some had cameras some had alarms, so had ionisation filters, some had added lighting ... the list goes on.

as for me - buy the car and then we'll sort it out from there.

[4.8GU]

ha ha yeah I am only 30 but it has been a long time since I have been into the car scene as I got into 4wd's.

Nismo yeah I was thinking the same thing about the autowholesale one. He said they have had it for a while. It has reverse camera and this bloody mini disc player mounted in the centre arm rest thing (this would be getting pulled) It is a very nice car but I am yet to take it for a drive. Couple of minor interior scuffs etc but nothing really. I think it has been a smokers car but the only evidence of this is in the front ashtray.

I reckon white with black rims might look pretty horn but, what do ya reckon?

I have never had so much trouble commiting/finding a vehicle before. I think the options thing is the reason.

Thanks again for the guidance.

Regards

Brian