I'm Buying An M35 Stagea

[richzx]

So I'm selling my JZX90 and getting an M35 Stagea after seeing one locally and being stunned with it's good looks, AWD and practicality. The Iron Chef has sent me some auction lists but I don't know what is what. I want 2.5 turbo, awd cloth interior. What's an Axis and all the other nomenclature mean? I didn't realise how many different models there were! Can someone explain the difference to me please?

[02stagea]

Check out the M35 Info thread. First page covers most things.

[richzx]

Yeah I read that the other day and forgot about it! Thanks for that. I'm itching to bid so I want to make sure I know what I'm getting.

[mxfly]

Wow, first time I've seen someone say they are good looking. Perhaps they are growing on all of us

[bbenny]

Wow, first time I've seen someone say they are good looking. Perhaps they are growing on all of us

I think they are hot! with a subtle kit, wheels and suspension they look aggressive yet practical

I now look back at pics of my old C34 and its soo out-dated now... (not meaning to start an m35 v c34 war! haha)

[richzx]

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I like something different from everyone else and the M35 is waaayyyyy better looking than the C34 imo. Some big wheels brings the body size back into proportion. I saw one in the flesh with qld plates on it in my street 2 days ago and then saw it again the next day and I just love the shape. Was it anyone on here, in Launceston 2 days ago in a white M35???

[richzx]

So, is the fuel economy as bad as people have warned me? I've read the fuel economy thread and it doesn't seem toooo bad as in 14-16L/100Km in city driving and 10 or less on the highway. Is this genuine though and repeatable? I know once you have one it's hard to admit some shortcomings and i'm no different, whats the best and worst you guys have got from your M35 when its going properly and what are the best improvements to get better fuel economy out of it around town besides being easy with my right foot?

Edited April 17, 2010 by richzx

[scotty nm35]

Best I have got, on a long country run is 600k's to light on.

Worst, this tank at the moment. Lots of short runs to work, running e85, cold mornings, lead foot, 300k's.

Generally on dino98 I was getting 450k to 65L.

[andy65b]

Scotty forgets to mention that his car is the currenlty (lol) the most powerful M35 in the country.

For those with a relatively unmodified car the results are a bit better.

My car has a few mods which are mostly to do with suspension and brakes but on the engine side I have replaced the exhaust from the turbo back with a full 3" system and fitted a 16mm plenum spacer (really helps smooth out performance and improves economy on light throttle) and HDI intercooler.

City driving I get 13.5 - 14.3L / 100km (this is lots of hills and stop start traffic)

Highway Driving. I just did a 3500 km trip around VIC and with 4 people and a full boot and each tank was between 10.1 - 10.6L/100km.

This is for the ARX and the RX & RS are a little more economical as they are 17 inch wheels and slightly lighter.

these are real number that you can achieve. If you want to really push it all the time then expect higher numbers.

Cheers

Andy

[Jetwreck]

Scotty forgets to mention that his car is the currenlty (lol) the most powerful M35 in the country.

LOL....no need to give him a big head.....I might do him soon on 98!!!!....e85's cheating

I'm running 18PSI and about 210AWKW's(under estimated) and I get about 425 to 450 per tank around 16lt's per 100km's around town.....could probably do a lot better around town if I wasn't continually hunting WRX's!!!!!.........open road and fully loaded I quite easily get 10 to 10.5lt's per 100km's....up over 650k's per tank without the aid of cruise control.

Edited April 17, 2010 by Jetwreck

[richzx]

Cheers guys. I think I'll be doing similar mods, an exhaust, plelnum spacer and the airbox CAI mod. These mods should all improve economy from what I've read. Just have to find the right car now and then the wait begins.

[pixel8r]

heh, mine is completely stock and used to average ~13.5-13.8L/100km in the summer (A/C on over 50% of the time).

If I went very lightly on the throttle everywhere I was able to get it down to just 13L/100km in the same conditions.

Now that the weather has cooled down here its averaging 12.5 L/100km which isn't too bad at all for a big heavy wagon, and with no conscious effort to drive economically.

Took it down to Robe over Easter and averaged 10.2L/100km. Thats with 2 adults, 1 baby, and a boot FULL (and I mean FULL) of gear, ranging from suitcases, pram, porta-cot, and enough food for 6 adults for the whole of easter! I think I filled every little compartment in the whole car...although everything was level with the top of the seats so I could still see out the rear (dont have a cargo barrier so had to make sure there were no loose items on top). I was impressed with how much went in. The 2 rear seats next to the baby seat were full of stuff as well (I try to put most of the weight as far forward as possible).

As for the M35 looks, I receive more (positive) comments from people about this car than I did when I owned the C34 (s2). I guess it just looks more modern.

[-RBD2-]

hey rich,you want a stagea,i want a JZX90...

maybe we can work something out?

although its only a crappy,out-dated c34

[richzx]

Hi Rodney, I definitely want an M35 though not a '34.