Stagea Private Importation-New User

[Mike L]

Hi I am a new user of this forum and am considering importing a Nissan Stagea '02 model from Japan with 128K. I want to know if anyone has heard of or had favorable (or otherwise) experience with Japan Partner which is a export clearance yard with cars in Nagoya and Osaka. Also after scouring the forum for afew minutes it seems that the Stageas are quite reliable and are mostly running and not tied up with repairs.

The grievances other than seemingly routine maintenance like water pumps, seals and timing belts I've heard so far are quite minor ie. innacurate fuel guage and some cabin water entry

I've been driving Volvo wagons (RWD) for a while and while reasonably happy I'm looking for a high tech RWD/AWD N/A or turbo beast for daily driving for the next few years. I do all my own maintenance.

Of course I know you're all going to say they're great cars (and they certainly look impressive) but I was interested in availability of spares (I'm OK with ordering from the USA if this saves substantial moola)

Should I get an import broker to get involved or can I handle the procedure myself?

[Chris Rogers]

get a broker involved. spares - not from the USA japan only on those. engine is an orphan and used only in japan to my knowledge.

that said there are a few places that can get bits cheap for them and nissan certainly can help with parts for them. turbo will need doing at some point as well. bear that in mind.

[PRIMO]

Ive owned 2 M35 series Stagea`s while in Japan and i can tell you they are more reliable than any other wagon you could choose from. VQ25det engines don't have timing belts they are a chain. i have never seen any problems with water pumps engine seals or the in cabin water problems. Given that Turbos do eventually wear out in certain circumstances quicker than others it would be advisable to just allow for replacement at some stage of the cars life after 150,000klm usually unless the car has had a hard life although you may find the turbo lasts the life of the car in may cars.

Japan partner are a reliable exporter but are not in touch with Australian Raws requirements for rust or damaged cars, source your car through someone that knows it is my only advise.

[iamhe77]

Mike, I have owned my 2001 M35 Stagea for 4 years and have currently clocked just over 203,000kms on mine.

The only issues I have had with it have been;

1. The turbo - it will die around the 100,000 or so km mark so expect to replace it.

2. Wheel bearing assembly passenger side

3. Radiator died a year ago after a number of 40+ degree days

4. Recently had a 0345 Cam angle sensor error which turned out to be a bend connector (easy fix, just a bitch to diagnose).

That's it.

I am still using the stock ECU which adapts itself somewhat to modifications and have been pushing around 1.2-1.3bar at high boost for the last 80,000kms.

Still runs perfectly.

The only common issues with these cars seem to be the turbo failing, usually around the 100,000-120,000km mark due to ceramic wheels and oil leak from the passenger side rocker cover (easy fix with a gasket from Nissan) and an oil leak into the rear spark plug hole (the seal is part of the cam cover) which is common on all VQ engines.

VQ25det was only used in the NM35 Stagea (2001-2004) and were only discontinued due to Japan's tightening of their emissions laws.

They are a pretty robust little engine and can certainly take a heap more power than they put out from factory, reliably.

Problem is that being an orphan engine, there is very little off-the-shelf gear if you are looking at over 250awkw.

There ARE some parts you can get from the US, such as a G35 radiator, VQ35 thermostat etc, but other than that is pretty much limited to sensors and the like.

Hope that helps.

If you need more info, look in the Stagea section or go to www.m35stagea.info

[Mr Eps]

Mike L - no offence here. but you seem "new" to the jap car scene... if you've never imported a car before - use a broker. here's why:

you:

> have no experience with aust or jap paperwork, no means to attain a car from overseas, and no access to view cars in japan.. let alone get one onto a ship over here

> will be sending thousands of dollars overseas to people you can't meet or see

> have no experience getting cars through customs, quarrantine, or compliance

> don't have any "lifelines" or "contacts" should something go wrong

and most importantly - you probably have a job to go to and have work to do at that job. work that is more important than having to deal with all the "little things" that can happen when importing a car

...a GOOD BROKER, has:

> access to hundreds of means to attain you the *right* car, many auction houses, dealers, yahoo auctions, wholesale deaelrs etc

> can get the car inspected to the best of their abilities

> knows the ins and outs of insurance plus the broker has "connections" in the industry and the good will is passed on to you

> get the paper works and everything done for you

> have the entire process overseen by a professional who does this for a living

i know you wanted a yes or no answer to that question but trust me - it's in our male DNA that we naturally wanna play caveman and "do it ourselves"

buuuuuuuuuuuuut - know when to pick your fights importing a car is best left to someone that does it for a living!

anyway - answer your next few questions:

basically you're asking about "what will life be like once i buy this wagon"

well - that is best answered as follows...

if you own a volvo wagon - and the waterpump / timing belt / indicator bulb /headlight / oil pump etc goes wrong you:

> take it to the volvo mechanic - pay to get it "diagnosed" and pay what volvo charge you...

when you own a stagea:

you talk to your fellow stagea owners - and there's a lot of them on this here forum as has been displayed in this thread... and they're all willing to help you with information, and can very easilly diagnose any faults... some of them are even willing to help out!!!

the stagea community here on SAU are a very helpful friendly bunch.. they'll be quick to ask you out to cruises, meets and the likes...

as for parts... contrary to what insurance companies tell you - we import owners have a vast network of parts availability, and they're actually quite competitively priced!

and if it's NOT available in australia - nissan australia are always happy to help.. and if THEY can't help - then we have people like import monster who can import you things from japan... from spare parts to massive turbos to 20 inch work rims.

happy hunting!

[Beer Baron]

I would definitely use a broker. as a one off or first time customer no japanese exporter is going to give 2 noodles about you. so they may be sorely tempted to off load a car that is not all it should be knowing that you are not a big customer anyway and wouldn't be likely to return regardless. with a broker they have imported many cars on behalf of various people so they have a little (just a little - lol) more standing with any exporters or dealers they have dealt with in japan before. exporters wont want to burn bridges with a customer who buys 10 cars a year over one deal.