New To The Forum, New 1994 R32 Gt-r Imminent - Advice?

[cvs]

Hi All,

Firstly let me introduce myself, my name is Chris, and I'm new to the world of GTR ownership.

Over the years I have owned two R31s which I had fun driving and modifying, but really, I have been waiting for the price to come down on the R32 GTRs, and my salary to increase, until I was in a position where owning one was realistic.

Having said that, by no means do I consider myself above average in the workshop, and while I have spent some time doing some research, I'd still say I know a bit about them, but am nowhere near what I would consider an expert.

So I started looking at some GTRs, looking online in the trading post, car sales, etc, but didn't really feel like kicking anyones tires, so went out to the dealerships for some test drives.

I found what seems to be a fairly clean, fairly stock, 1994 R32 GTR at one of the dealerships on Parramatta rd, and after a couple of test drives I put a deposit down on the car. A small, refundable deposit, and have organised for an independent inspection of the vehicle this week. The bank loan has been aproved and I'm pretty much ready to go, as long as the inspection comes back good.

Bit more info on the car (what I know at this point):

(From the compliance plate)

Date of Manufacture: 1994

Engine: RB26DETT

Chassis: HR32 GTR

From the mouth of the Dealer / what I found from my inspection:

Imported from Japan 3 months ago

Engine: mechanic checked and cleared ("looks" clean)

Paint: Original

Wheels: custom 17s (pretty stocky looking, but chrome)

Exhaust: 3inch straight through

Turbo: Stock (running 7pound)

Low Kms: clock showing 60,000

Suspension: Stock

Brakes: Stock

Air con has been degassed (dealer says they do this for compliance)

everything else pretty much stock

My general impression is that car looks pretty clean, pretty stock, doesn't seem to have any noticeable characteristics you would usually associate with a crash, body work, etc. The salesman I am dealing seems like a good bloke, and I want to think the car is a good find...

At this point I'm interested in hearing any advice, suggestions, horror stories, good news, etc you guys might have, especially those who have experienced the purchase of newly imported GTR and what sorts of things to look out for, as I guess everyone has heard the stories...

Thanks in advance.

Chris.

[Iron Chef]

If it's freshly imported and complied, ask to see the export certificate and auction sheet to confirm the kms and condition of the car

If you go ahead with it, wait till you're holding the pen above the page to sign it and ask for the aircon to be regassed

Edited January 11, 2010 by Iron Chef

[GTR-N1]

Is the 'independent inspection' being done by someone who knows Skyline GT-Rs?

Going up on Hoist?

Rust? Ask for the VIN# to check here on SAU where in Japan the car comes from... ie. VINS Fasted thread.

Compression test?

Hope that the inspection goes well for you!

[cvs]

If it's freshly imported and complied, ask to see the export certificate and auction sheet to confirm the kms and condition of the car

If you go ahead with it, wait till you're holding the pen above the page to sign it and ask for the aircon to be regassed

Thanks for that, will do.

Mentioned the aircon to the dealer he said he would regas it before I took ownership... is degas for compliance a normal thing?

On a side note, from your sig it looks like you have some experience with importing, what kind of price would you be looking at for one of these on Australian soil?

Thanks again

[SiR_RB]

ive been looking at r32 gtrs at dealers on parra rd aswell

which dealer was this from? you can pm me if you want, might be the car i looked at...is it gun metal grey?

[cvs]

Is the 'independent inspection' being done by someone who knows Skyline GT-Rs?

Going up on Hoist?

Rust? Ask for the VIN# to check here on SAU where in Japan the car comes from... ie. VINS Fasted thread.

Compression test?

Hope that the inspection goes well for you!

Cheers mate, the inspection is being done by: http://www.vehicle-check.com.au/index.asp as mentioned I'm a bit new going into this, so I hope they are alright... In answer to your question, though, I'd say probably not a GTR expert unless I get lucky, they are doing the inspection onsite at the dealer's warehouse, i'll be present for the inspection. I have the VIN# at home, i'll check it when it's in front of me... they say that compression test, and rust inspection is part of the standard inspection... thanks

[cvs]

ive been looking at r32 gtrs at dealers on parra rd aswell

which dealer was this from? you can pm me if you want, might be the car i looked at...is it gun metal grey?

can't PM as I have less than 10 posts, but yeah it's gunmetal grey, it's the one from AllImports, feel free to PM me back with your thoughts...

[NISSAN GTR]

Thanks for that, will do.

Mentioned the aircon to the dealer he said he would regas it before I took ownership... is degas for compliance a normal thing?

On a side note, from your sig it looks like you have some experience with importing, what kind of price would you be looking at for one of these on Australian soil?

Thanks again

I recently bought a near perfect R32 GTR from Queensland (import) for 25k to Adelaide anything less i would wonder on its authenticity , my car is still factory black underneath , also check deep within the engine and firewall , for heat damage , rubber on pedals , wear and tear on interior general , i would check if all ADRs have been done. I brought mine from Queensland to Adelaide and got caught out with interstate registration , dont know if its the same for ypur state but in S.A , its child restraint anchors , convex mirrors , tyre plackards , high mount stop light ,side intrusion bars (expensive) all windows should be plastic laminated glass to save weight same as subaru sti , check with glass people for code. Anohter thing to look out for is internal driver side and passenger side window runners , if theres any vertical scratches in the glass get it repaired before you buy , most importantly check all rubbers boot , bonnet , doors and windows - good guide to originalilty ..check all gauges work and dash lights . Check car is currently registered * important * Never heard of de-gassing GOODLUCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cvs]

I recently bought a near perfect R32 GTR from Queensland (import) for 25k to Adelaide anything less i would wonder on its authenticity , my car is still factory black underneath , also check deep within the engine and firewall , for heat damage , rubber on pedals , wear and tear on interior general , i would check if all ADRs have been done. I brought mine from Queensland to Adelaide and got caught out with interstate registration , dont know if its the same for ypur state but in S.A , its child restraint anchors , convex mirrors , tyre plackards , high mount stop light ,side intrusion bars (expensive) all windows should be plastic laminated glass to save weight same as subaru sti , check with glass people for code. Anohter thing to look out for is internal driver side and passenger side window runners , if theres any vertical scratches in the glass get it repaired before you buy , most importantly check all rubbers boot , bonnet , doors and windows - good guide to originalilty ..check all gauges work and dash lights . Check car is currently registered * important * Never heard of de-gassing GOODLUCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cheers for that, this one is rego'd already for NSW (same state I live in), thanks for the checklist, i'll try and keep it in mind, i'll keep you posted on how the inspection goes (tomorrow)

[cvs]

Out of interest, here is a link to some images of the car in question: http://www.allimports.com.au/view/detail.p...&car_id=553 note non-standard extra wing, and missing GT badges on panels above front wheels... anything else abnormal you notice? I've also been advised by one of the members on here who viewed the same car, that when he looked it over he noticed rust in the door well and that the sump plug was missing on the gearbox... starting to build a picture i'm not liking as much as I was previously, guess I'll have to wait and see how the inspection goes tomorrow...

minuses so far (before inspection):

rust in door well

degassed air con

sump plug (need to check it's there now)

bubbling in rear window tint

weird non standard wing

missing badges

japanese head unit doesn't receive local frequency radio

[Sarumatix]

In your first post you list it as HR32? as in gts-t chassis not GT-R chassis? GT-R would be BNR32.

<quote>

rust in door well - V Bad not impossible to fix and not terminal.. try and get a photo. Certainly not something you would expect in a 20k GT-R?

degassed air con - All imports must be degassed as part of compliance, unfortunately it usually happens overseas in all the wrong ways.

sump plug (need to check it's there now) - The workshop may have simply been changing the oil? However if it was run with no oil even if sump plug is there now, running the gearbox with no oil is V Bad.

bubbling in rear window tint - Normal, get a new tint.

weird non standard wing - Has a standard wing with a lip as well?

missing badges - Normal

japanese head unit doesn't receive local frequency radio - Normal

[gtr fan]

Like someone else make sure it has intrusion bars ( iwouldn't have thought to check for that). Being over 15 years old they may not have required to do this?? (I could be wrong but previously cars over 15yo did not have as strict compliance requirements I think.

I experience I had was I thought my AC just needing regassing but after I bought it I realised the compressor didn't even power up. So check that the A/C compressor works.

Be concerned if it is missing g/box sump plug.

Although given it has rust I would probably walk away from it. There are some excellent cars being sold on this forum for similar money.

[cvs]

In your first post you list it as HR32? as in gts-t chassis not GT-R chassis? GT-R would be BNR32.

<quote>

rust in door well - V Bad not impossible to fix and not terminal.. try and get a photo. Certainly not something you would expect in a 20k GT-R?

degassed air con - All imports must be degassed as part of compliance, unfortunately it usually happens overseas in all the wrong ways.

sump plug (need to check it's there now) - The workshop may have simply been changing the oil? However if it was run with no oil even if sump plug is there now, running the gearbox with no oil is V Bad.

bubbling in rear window tint - Normal, get a new tint.

weird non standard wing - Has a standard wing with a lip as well?

missing badges - Normal

japanese head unit doesn't receive local frequency radio - Normal

Hey, yeah sorry I could have been wrong about that, i'll double check the plates today..

Thanks for your clarification on the points above, yeah with the wing if you look in the photos here http://www.allimports.com.au/view/detail.p...&car_id=553 it has the standard wing with a lip underneath as you've described, what's the go there?

[jaxt]

also is 6sp transmission correct?

[cvs]

Like someone else make sure it has intrusion bars ( iwouldn't have thought to check for that). Being over 15 years old they may not have required to do this?? (I could be wrong but previously cars over 15yo did not have as strict compliance requirements I think.

I experience I had was I thought my AC just needing regassing but after I bought it I realised the compressor didn't even power up. So check that the A/C compressor works.

Be concerned if it is missing g/box sump plug.

Although given it has rust I would probably walk away from it. There are some excellent cars being sold on this forum for similar money.

Checklist keeps growing Cool, yeah at this point there are definitely concerns, I'm still going to wait and see how the full inspection goes, just to get a full picture, as I've come this far, but I'd be surprised if I come away with this one... oh well

One thing I will add though, is this forum is very helpful, and unlike many other forums around (not necessarily just skyline forums) in that the information provided is helpful without the underlying egos you get elsewhere, I also found the info in this thread http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/bu...e-f-t35129.html really helpful, so thanks again all...

[NISSAN GTR]

Checklist keeps growing Cool, yeah at this point there are definitely concerns, I'm still going to wait and see how the full inspection goes, just to get a full picture, as I've come this far, but I'd be surprised if I come away with this one... oh well

One thing I will add though, is this forum is very helpful, and unlike many other forums around (not necessarily just skyline forums) in that the information provided is helpful without the underlying egos you get elsewhere, I also found the info in this thread http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/bu...e-f-t35129.html really helpful, so thanks again all...

From the pics looks like a great car , best colour , does it have forklift damage on the chassis rails and body rail from import , all skylines have some form or another forklift damaged , check yourself !!!! Make sure the VIN says , BNR ................ not HR............ i pretty sure BNR= GTR does inspection cover compression test ? Goodluck with inspection

[Iron Chef]

Ignore the intrusion bars, R32s came with them from the factory from around 1992 on (can't remember the exact dates)

Unless the car was gassed with the old R12 gas (and given that has effectively been banned for more than 10 years, I find it very hard to believe there are cars still around with it in their system), there is no need to de-gas the system in Japan if the workshop doing the compliance is authorised to do so. I would definitely make sure it works before driving away, it's only an $80 job, tell them to stop being tight arses lol

[cvs]

In your first post you list it as HR32? as in gts-t chassis not GT-R chassis? GT-R would be BNR32.

<quote>

rust in door well - V Bad not impossible to fix and not terminal.. try and get a photo. Certainly not something you would expect in a 20k GT-R?

degassed air con - All imports must be degassed as part of compliance, unfortunately it usually happens overseas in all the wrong ways.

sump plug (need to check it's there now) - The workshop may have simply been changing the oil? However if it was run with no oil even if sump plug is there now, running the gearbox with no oil is V Bad.

bubbling in rear window tint - Normal, get a new tint.

weird non standard wing - Has a standard wing with a lip as well?

missing badges - Normal

japanese head unit doesn't receive local frequency radio - Normal

My mistake, the Chassis Number is BNR32XXXXXX i'm going to make a few calls to check it now...

[SiR_RB]

Double check the panel gaps on the bonnet and front quater panels.... :s

i walked away from this because of things i saw, but im fussy, and for around 19grand (or woteva you get it down to) you can buy alot of GTR privatly that would have some good mods to save you money down the track

im looking for one with atleast a heavy duty clutch of some kind, lowered sports suspension, aftermarket wheels, atleast a cat back exhaust...but thats just me

goodluck with it all buddy

[cvs]

Double check the panel gaps on the bonnet and front quater panels.... :s

i walked away from this because of things i saw, but im fussy, and for around 19grand (or woteva you get it down to) you can buy alot of GTR privatly that would have some good mods to save you money down the track

im looking for one with atleast a heavy duty clutch of some kind, lowered sports suspension, aftermarket wheels, atleast a cat back exhaust...but thats just me

goodluck with it all buddy

yeah cheers mate, and thanks for the pms too, even though i still can't reply yet

he went to 18000 but he wouldn't budge below that...

I'm more looking for something as close to stock as possible, so it's probably closer to what I am looking for in that respect...

so I had the inspection done, all in all the inspector was pretty good, there was some things I would have liked him to be a bit more thorough on, but he gave me some good feedback, and pointed some things out I hadn't noticed.

So just to recap for those who care before the inspection i was here:

rust in door well

degassed air con

sump plug (need to check it's there now)

bubbling in rear window tint

weird non standard wing

missing badges

japanese head unit doesn't receive local frequency radio

The inspection turned up the following:

tyres 10 per cent rear, 0 front

front brake pads 10 per cent

front discs need machining

didn't find rust in door well, but found small surface rust at the front of the rear wheel bay on both sides

found evidence of respray (with paint density scanner)

found evidence of silicone around gearbox sump plug

big dent behind left front wheel underneath on seal - about the size of half a silent policeman (dealer reckons from where someone placed a jack incorrectly)

small dent behind right front wheel on seal (dealer reckons from the same thing)

crack on rubber seal around driver window

clock not working

rear de-mister not working

After speaking to the inspector and then speaking to the dealer, the dealer was prepared to do the following:

go halves in a new set of tyres my share would be 400 bucks for an 800 dollar set

give me a 3 year parts and service warranty for another 250 bucks (he would pay the remaining 350 or whatever)

fix the rust

fix the aircon

So for 18,650 I'm left with a 1994 R32 GTR Nissan Skyline in Gun Metal grey (the compliance and build plates passed the test as being genuine and matched the stamp on the firewall, and the revs check came back good, although i had no luck finding the vin number on the Nissan dealership spare parts computer). If I am to take it I will have to deal with the following myself:

Brake Pads and machining

Undercarriage dents

Window Tinting

Head Deck

Window Seal

Rear Demister (probably a fuse)

Clock (probably a fuse)

There is a possibility of risk with the gearbox, engine etc, however the parts and service warranty helps to alleviate those fears.

So now it is decision time... Welcome it into my life, or walk away and find something else...

Thanks all for your assistance, i'll let you know how the decision making process turns out...

Sorry for the life story, if you managed to make it this far down :)