Stag Noob Needs Help

[180Shauny]

Hey guys, as the topic says I'm looking to buy an M35 Stag. Primary reasons to buy it are practicality (I drive an MR2), comfort, performance and towing ability (need to tow the MR2 to track).

After any general feedback you guys have about common traps to look for when buying them?

Also the biggest failing I see at the moment is a lack of cruise control, but seems to be many kits to fit it, any recommendations?

Fuel economy seems reasonable given size and engine, is that fair to say? Does anyone have figures for highway fuel consumption? I drive Sydney to Melb a lot.

Thanks in advance, Shaun

[Ross]

Highway milage is not so bad, but I assume towing will destroy that. Buy on condition and never odo kms, as these odos are very easy to change the displayed kms.

Turbos can go at high ams

Passenger side rocker cover can weep oil onto turbo heat shield (easyfix, 25 dollar gasket)

Rear passenger side plug well can fill slightly with oil

Chew rotors due weight

Edited May 21, 2012 by Ross

[ClassOne]

I do a fair bit of hwy driving, I've only just brought mine , done 1 and half tanks of fuel ,

1st tank I got 650 km's . BUT, when I filled up there was still 11L left in the tank, the fuel light comes on super early, at around 560km's.

SO this tank I should get around 740km from a full tank, that's pretty much to vapour though.

I get the economy up to 10.2km/L on the trip computer, don't know how accurate that is though.

Rust is a big problem.

You need to get a good look under neath, like on a hoist.

Check chasis rails, there is a cover around the exhaust and center muffler, if it's rusted it needs to be removed to inspect the actual exhaust system, front wheel bearings flog out fairly soon, drivers sway bar link is common to start knocking.

Turbos are a known problem,

I'd recommend to buy off an importer , if something goes wrong they need to fix it ( in the 1st 3 months/5000km)

And then the warranty kicks in.

Eg, the diff pump in mine just crapped out, doesn't cost me a cent. Got a nice loan car, happy days.

And for the price I payed and for what's out there for private sale, was no question with which way to go.

[PN-Mad]

They seem to tick a lot of your boxes. The gearing is quite high, so on the freeway they dawdle along nicely. And return good economy doing it. Drive in peak hr, or stop start in the city, or put your foot down, and that will instantly change. Very

Practical, good ride n std form. Loads of features.

The only question mark I would raise would be the towing. I wouldn't tow a car with one. Why? Because it has an alloy sub frame that has been known to crack under heavy loads, secondly, I don't like to think about the stress on the gearbox towing, when it's not exactly the cars strong point. They aren't weak, but they aren't robust either. If you were to tow, factor in a shift kit, and external tranny cooler.

The other guys have mentioned the main problems. Regarding rust, I don't think it's a big problem as Joel said. Just be aware that some cars have been snow cars, and when you look underneath the car on a hoist, like I know you WILL when you find a car, it will be very evident that it's a snow car or not. Surface rust on everything, and even exhaust nuts corroded off.

Happy hunting

[180Shauny]

Thanks guys that's really good. I accept that when I get enthusiastic it's going to slurp a lot of fuel.

Regarding towing, from what I've read in other threads, heavy duty towing is possible so long as the bar is attached to the chassis rails rather than the subframe. Any comment?

Also it would be towing that weight maybe 5 times a year, I figure extremely gentle driving should give a further safety measure.....

[PN-Mad]

Hopefully some of the guys that tow might jump in here. I don't know of anyone who tows a car regularly with a M35. Yep, you'll need a real good towbar set up if your going to do it. Point with the sub frame is that the load is going to go through there anyway.

If you've had a look at one, they do look like they have been welded by Stevie Wonder. Or maybe they sat down and figured that they would weld all subframes on friday arvos. I dunno, but they are shocking.

Maybe have a towbar bloke have a look under one of them and give an opinion if he can make it work?

[180Shauny]

One further question I haven't really found an answer to. Were there many changes in the vehicle from year to year? Obviously the engine change in 04-05 but any other minor updates?

[PN-Mad]

ECU was updated through the years but that was about it as far as I know for nm35. RS is base model, then RX, then AR-X is the bump guard / flared / Raised car + 18s. Special version is the Axis by Autech, which has colour coded flares and different interior colours. Also different wheels - 18s, and different fnt bar.

Series 2 cars are signifigantly different both in body and mechanicals but I won't go into it.

All cars regardless of model come with different ranges of options more desirable being leather, Nav screen, Sunroofs, cruise, reversing cam, etc etc

ARX / Axis seem to have the highest level of options.

[180Shauny]

I'm back with some further queries, been looking at a Stagea from an importer this morning. Couldn't drive as it wasn't complied but did start it up.

1) Has a Nismo cold air intake and what appears to be full Nismo exhaust, is this just extra bling or adds some serious horsepower?

2) Fumes coming out the exhaust were extremely potent, similar to what I had in my old 180SX, is this normal? Could it be a lack of cat's or a sign the car is running stupidly rich?

3) Had an aftermarket screen and dvd installed, there was a gaping hole in the upper passenger glove box, I believe it's single DIN and holds something in the ARX models?

4) Stock rims were, I think, 215/55/R17 can anyone confirm so I can price some rubber? Will any other sizes fit?

5) Seemed fairly clear of rust, gonna put it on a hoist next week, only rust I could find was the top stud of the suspension where it pokes up into engine bay so that should be replaceable. Car does have snow tyres fitted though.

6) Car is a 2003 model, which means in Victoria it should be covered by 3 month statutory warranty right?

7) Fitted with a Pioneer Carrozzeria system, seems very complete, anyone know about translating these?

They're asking $11500 complied, seems pretty reasonable to me, its an RS with 84000kms, paint and panels seem clean. Thoughts and comments appreciated...

[Sunkist]

I'm back with some further queries, been looking at a Stagea from an importer this morning. Couldn't drive as it wasn't complied but did start it up.

1) Has a Nismo cold air intake and what appears to be full Nismo exhaust, is this just extra bling or adds some serious horsepower?

2) Fumes coming out the exhaust were extremely potent, similar to what I had in my old 180SX, is this normal? Could it be a lack of cat's or a sign the car is running stupidly rich?

3) Had an aftermarket screen and dvd installed, there was a gaping hole in the upper passenger glove box, I believe it's single DIN and holds something in the ARX models?

4) Stock rims were, I think, 215/55/R17 can anyone confirm so I can price some rubber? Will any other sizes fit?

5) Seemed fairly clear of rust, gonna put it on a hoist next week, only rust I could find was the top stud of the suspension where it pokes up into engine bay so that should be replaceable. Car does have snow tyres fitted though.

6) Car is a 2003 model, which means in Victoria it should be covered by 3 month statutory warranty right?

7) Fitted with a Pioneer Carrozzeria system, seems very complete, anyone know about translating these?

They're asking $11500 complied, seems pretty reasonable to me, its an RS with 84000kms, paint and panels seem clean. Thoughts and comments appreciated...

84,000? Lol after speaking to a few importers I just can't trust this anymore

[Ross]

Snow tires are a sure sign to check thoroughly for rust.

[slippylotion]

$11500 complied with 84,000km! I'd probably add another 100,000km to that figure at that price.

You can find genuine 50-80,000km cars but not at that price.

Edited May 26, 2012 by slippylotion

[180Shauny]

Appreciate your thoughts guys, the price does seem very good, bear in mind it does not include rego and RWC. This guy is a smaller importer but seemed fairly straight about things, the car will be getting a full mechanical inspection on a hoist before I lay out any cash for a deposit.

One other thing he mentioned was that for models with the in dash screen, the computers have been known to fail, taking the whole dash with them. Anyone had experience like that?

[slippylotion]

Ask him for the original copy of the Japanese derego paper to check the km's. If he tells you he doesn't have it or can't show you, walk away.

[Sunkist]

Appreciate your thoughts guys, the price does seem very good, bear in mind it does not include rego and RWC. This guy is a smaller importer but seemed fairly straight about things, the car will be getting a full mechanical inspection on a hoist before I lay out any cash for a deposit.

One other thing he mentioned was that for models with the in dash screen, the computers have been known to fail, taking the whole dash with them. Anyone had experience like that?

the only thing that would fail and take the screen with it would be the DVD rom on the passenger side. I've never come accross once thats died and taken the screen with it.. other guys doing the language conversions heard that?

[180Shauny]

Slippy I didn't even know that existed, great tip thank you mate.

[slippylotion]

Not a prob mate. Good luck. They get rego checks every 2 yrs so they should have a km recorded from no more than 2 yrs ago. They will have the last 2 recordings on it. So of the car now has less km than the last inspection it's a dud.

[TWOAR81]

Can I ask? Terry Darby autos?

[180Shauny]

Nope, will keep it under my hat for now if that's okay.

[TWOAR81]

No worries, just for some info. First m35 snow pack that was imported for me had little spots of rust on top of the strut in the front towers. I got it further checked and more issues arose.

Cold pack= hidden treasures of rust but cheaper . Just check the books for if theres pages missing, if so ask why? If they tell you it was from a dealer then chances are they've re-aligned the odometer. Mostly all end up around the 70-85k mark.

As all the guys here will tell you go by condition only. Pedal, seat and steering wheel wear.

Good luck with your search. Loving ours.