Help Me Pick

[Mashlee08]

Hey everyone, I am looking at buying my first stagea and have been looking at threads here and everyone seems to knows a lot more then anyone in new zealand does so I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on what to pick.

I have two in mind, one is a 2001 250t Rs four with 92000kms and the other is a 2004 350rs with 117000kms. Obviously everyone's first choice is gonna be turbo(mine was too) but I wanna know whats likely to go wrong with each etc etc and what would be smartest long term if anything needed fixing. Have taken the turbo for a test drive and taking the other one this weekend then we will make our choice. Any advice or information anyone could give me would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

[WAGON_BOY]

it depends on what u want to do with it both the 2.5ltr turbo and the 3.5Ltr N/A are 206KW.

the VQ25DET requires some mod's to keep it more reliable such as replacing the dump pipe off the turbo (it causes a huge build up of heat due to there being a cat in there) etc etc have a read and look into it.

but then again if you choose the VQ35DE then there are turbo/supercharger kits for them also!!!

whats your reason for buying it..... as a daily driver or to modify? or will it be a family car........... weigh up the options and search the forum there's alot of help/info if you look for it

[slippylotion]

If your going to leave it relatively stock I would choose the turbo model for the extra pulling torque.

Just do the a/market dump pipe, good air filter with power duct or similar, trans shift kit with trans cooler at a minimum.

[KiwiRS4T]

They are pretty reliable. Turbos can fail but there are plenty of parts about. Soichi at Hytech in Mt Welligton is the only person in the country who can tune the stock ecu and he can also fit an HKS F-Con if you want to go to town on mods.

[Mashlee08]

Attached some pics for you to see.

Thanks for you replies so far, it will be driven most days with little mods intended. (that's what my skylines for) We travel a bit so thought a stagea would be perfect for our stuff and our dog in the back. My wife just wants to lower it and put some 20" s on it. She said as long as it goes faster then her 1600 and looks good she doesn't care.. I have been searching the forum and there is so much information to sift through. Will keep looking though!

[ironpaw]

They are pretty reliable. Turbos can fail but there are plenty of parts about. Soichi at Hytech in Mt Welligton is the only person in the country who can tune the stock ecu and he can also fit an HKS F-Con if you want to go to town on mods.

How does he do that?

[iamhe77]

Depends what you want to do and how much you have to spend on mods.

If only a couple of grand to make it go faster, get the VQ25det.

If you have $5k or so, get the VQ35de as the Z33 single turbo kits will pretty much bolt on if the Stagea is RWD.

I had a similar choice after my NM35 was written off.

a) import a VQ35de Stagea and maybe get some rims or

b) import an VQ25det Stagea and have ~$7-8k to throw at mods

I chose a)

[KiwiRS4T]

How does he do that?

He has the hardware and soft ware - he used to work for Nissan in Japan - goes back regularly and has good contacts there.

[KiwiRS4T]

Here ya go:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/nissan/stagea/auction-447449839.htm

[ironpaw]

He has the hardware and soft ware - he used to work for Nissan in Japan - goes back regularly and has good contacts there.

So no piggy back nothing - tune the OEM ECU?

not sure if troll or srs...

haha just kidding, thought the VQ25DET ECU was uncrackable...

Edited February 10, 2012 by ironpaw

[Mashlee08]

I looked at that turbo one wouldnt be left with enough cash after our trade in to get it though as its private sale, found another by chance at car city in papatoetoe(the one in the picture i posted above).

Its the premium model with black leather etc etc. He wants 14k for it. Which is why I havent made up my mind cos the 350rx is only 12k. Guess I cant really go wrong with either can I?

Edited February 10, 2012 by Mashlee08

[Dunc]

haha just kidding, thought the VQ25DET ECU was uncrackable...

Of course it can be done; how do you think Impul, Mines, et al did ECUs

[barnze]

<br />How does he do that?<br />

<br /><br /><br /> Hi what would he be charging to do that?

[ironpaw]

Of course it can be done; how do you think Impul, Mines, et al did ECUs

Ok, I meant outside of JPN....

[ddrallystagea]

I looked at that turbo one wouldnt be left with enough cash after our trade in to get it though as its private sale, found another by chance at car city in papatoetoe(the one in the picture i posted above).

Its the premium model with black leather etc etc. He wants 14k for it. Which is why I havent made up my mind cos the 350rx is only 12k. Guess I cant really go wrong with either can I?

Leather is nice though. Mind you I have fabric and it's great. Maybe leather is better with a dog?

I think it's toss a coin time... I love my Stagea and I reckon they're both going to be awesome.

[scotty nm35]

Ok, I meant outside of JPN....

Get on to him Jethro, find out what he can do for us...

[ironpaw]

Get on to him Jethro, find out what he can do for us...

Yeah emailed him...

also asked how the HKS FCON V-PRO setup went with that M35 he worked on...

but we already know the answer to that right?

[KiwiRS4T]

I looked at that turbo one wouldnt be left with enough cash after our trade in to get it though as its private sale, found another by chance at car city in papatoetoe(the one in the picture i posted above).

Its the premium model with black leather etc etc. He wants 14k for it. Which is why I havent made up my mind cos the 350rx is only 12k. Guess I cant really go wrong with either can I?

You're going to buy a $14k car because you can't afford a $9500 (or less) one? You can get finance for private sales from AA or other finance companies or your bank.

[PN-Mad]

I looked at that turbo one wouldnt be left with enough cash after our trade in to get it though as its private sale, found another by chance at car city in papatoetoe(the one in the picture i posted above).

Its the premium model with black leather etc etc. He wants 14k for it. Which is why I havent made up my mind cos the 350rx is only 12k. Guess I cant really go wrong with either can I?

F-ing cheap imports in NZ.....

Have you considered the interiors of the two cars? They are vastly different. Its the place where you spend most the time. For the daily, I'd go the 350RX, it actually is much more drivable around town, due to the throttle response and instant torque. Turbo may produce more overall, but driving the 3.5 commuting is much nicer.

Edited February 10, 2012 by PN-Mad

[Mashlee08]

yeah i know sounds silly, but its a fresh import and would i dont think private sales cover the consumer guarantees act.(might not be right there) Plus a lot less kms.We travel a lot so the less kms it has when we buy it the better. And extras like bodykit and rims and leather etc etc. (my wifes likes those bits) And it sold once while we were looking at it so we looked elsewhere.

Anyway I would try negotiate the price down if he's not gonna budge from 14k then he loses a customer.

Haha PN-Mad I have noticed the prices in australia are mad, Thank you that is good to know about the commuting, cos my wife will be doing that everyday.

I just saw that volvo thread, hilarious cos when we first started looking at stageas we went to see one and the dealer said "oh if the stageas not quite what your after you could always take the volvo wagon for a test drive" haha no thanks mate.