Should I Get A Stagea?

[DumpTruck]

Short answer is Yes obviously but I have a few questions if I may.

In January I will be buying myself a Stagea, and so far I think the pick of them would be a PM35 350RX.

Being RWD I assume it will be lighter and cheaper to service than the 4wd, but Is the 4wd version noticabely better then the rwd? I have test driven the m35 ARX and was pleased with the performance and handling.

Also being N/A It will be cheaper to insure and more economical.

Would I be saving myself money by getting the RWD version? Or would I be missing out?

I am not mechanicaly minded and will be taking my Stagea to a mechanic for servicing, I hear that the transmission and engine parts are shared with the Maxima and r36 Skyline.

Are general parts and servicing an issue for Stagea owners? Im willing to D.I.Y lube changes to save money if needed.

I beleive the average fuel consumption for stageas is 10-14litres per 100kms. Is this especially thirsty? My Hatchback averages 8l and im a pretty economical driver.

Ofcourse I will be booting it every now and then and I accept that its going to get thirsty but is this Car going to send me broke in Petrol bills?

I will be in Japan for the month of December and will be buying the stagea once I get back, is there anything that I should pick up in Japan whilst I am there that the stagea could use?

Thanks guys, cant wait to go crusing in Jan

[TTT]

They're awesome man..

Buy this one..

[DumpTruck]

Hehe I was looking into the V70's as well actually but I would rather be driving a stag.

Edited September 12, 2012 by DumpTruck

[Seano350GT]

Never heard of an R36 skyline before. 10-14L/100km isn't good at all but it does depend on how you drive. Also lol @ the Volvo pic

[DumpTruck]

Sorry I was thinking of this skyline not the 36.

I Think its the same generation as the Maxima and Stagea so parts would be shared.

Also 10-14L isnt "good" but it isnt shockingly bad though right?

Seems like the v70's and Commodores all do around 10ish.

Edited September 12, 2012 by DumpTruck

[wht510]

Depends on what you want the car for? AWD kicks in the wet. The turbo is relatively good on the juice, and performance is definitely pretty good for a wagon.

If you are worried about insurance prices, I'd suggest ringing up the insurer you plan to use and go through some hypotheticals. If it's an 'import', then some times they don't even care if it's turbo or not. I'm paying around $1100 through Shannons on my Stag which is the turbo version.

Do you live in Melbourne/Tasmania or any other place that has wet weather? If you do then the AWD is worth the money IMHO. It's like a GTR wagon!

[DumpTruck]

I live in Sydney, and have a pretty long record with NRMA, they quoted the insurance on a PM35 for around the same as im paying for my Van.

Mostly I will be crusing to and from work and having abit of a play on weekends no track days or any real upgrading. I imagine i might add an exhaust and perhaps swaybars and coilovers.

If the AWD helps with grip in the corners and the wet that would be a bonus but im not really sure if its worth the extra weight and service costs.

[ECR33_RB25DET]

I have one for sale as per my signature link....

[PN-Mad]

See My answers in Red (I have a 350RX Four)

In January I will be buying myself a Stagea, and so far I think the pick of them would be a PM35 350RX.

Being RWD I assume it will be lighter and cheaper to service than the 4wd, but Is the 4wd version noticabely better then the rwd? I have test driven the m35 ARX and was pleased with the performance and handling.

Also being N/A It will be cheaper to insure and more economical

RWD is lighter, however is not really cheaper to service. There is nothing to service on the awd system except front diff oil and transfer case fluid which you could probably last 100k kms. The awd system normally operates in the rwd function, and when slip is detected, transfers varying amounts of torque to the fnt wheels. It does NOT have traction control or stability control. The RWD version comes with traction control only.

You will NOT save any money on insurance. These cars are not in the databases as yet to my knowledge, so they base the price off a NM35.

Would I be saving myself money by getting the RWD version? Or would I be missing out?

As long as purchase price is equal, you'd be stoopid not to get the awd. Far more gain. Practically nil costs, and IMO safer. If you want skids, just pull a fuse to go RWD.

I am not mechanicaly minded and will be taking my Stagea to a mechanic for servicing, I hear that the transmission and engine parts are shared with the Maxima and r36 Skyline.

Are general parts and servicing an issue for Stagea owners? Im willing to D.I.Y lube changes to save money if needed.

This would have to be the easiest car to DIY oil and filter EVER. Once the under tray is off, everything is right there in front of you. Driveline is shared with a variety of Nissans- 350z/V35, not really maxima. Serviceable parts are not hard to get, however trim/body stuff is generally a few weeks from Japan.

I beleive the average fuel consumption for stageas is 10-14litres per 100kms. Is this especially thirsty? My Hatchback averages 8l and im a pretty economical driver.

Ofcourse I will be booting it every now and then and I accept that its going to get thirsty but is this Car going to send me broke in Petrol bills?

The cars are reasonably economical if driven sensibly and meduim to long distances. About in the range you indicated. They do NOT like short trips to the shops, or sitting in traffic / low speed and will return bad economy. Yes, you will feel the pain coming from a hatchback, and it only takes 98RON.

I will be in Japan for the month of December and will be buying the stagea once I get back, is there anything that I should pick up in Japan whilst I am there that the stagea could use?

Factory lacey seat covers? I want a set- because toyko taxi time

Any other questions just ask there are other Series 2 owners on here, but I'm the most uhhhh.... active

[DumpTruck]

Thanks mate, very informative.

Looks like i can get the 4wd after all any advantages with the n/a over the turbo version?

Ill probably be buying mine from Northshore so turbo might not be an option.

My drive to work is a nice cruise down victoria road at 6:30am traffic then back over the harbour bridge at 3:30 so I think ill be ok on petrol untill playtime on the weekend.

Edited September 12, 2012 by DumpTruck

[PN-Mad]

Turbos not going to shit itself in 6 months time- like they have the habit of doing

Better looking front

Better looking interior

Better looking owners

Better AWD system

[Seano350GT]

Sorry I was thinking of this skyline not the 36.

I Think its the same generation as the Maxima and Stagea so parts would be shared.

Also 10-14L isnt "good" but it isnt shockingly bad though right?

Seems like the v70's and Commodores all do around 10ish.

I think you mean the V35 which is what i have, although i cannot see the image as i'm on a work computer. These guys can help you with your buying decision, good luck

[iamhe77]

Turbos not going to shit itself in 6 months time- like they have the habit of doing

Better looking front

Better looking interior

Better looking owners

Better AWD system

Agree with all... although it is nice to know I have gotten better looking

[ironpaw]

Which version of ATTESSA does the PM35 use?

[Commsman]

Mostly I will be crusing to and from work and having abit of a play on weekends no track days or any real upgrading. I imagine i might add an exhaust and perhaps swaybars and coilovers.

Sorry, but we are going to need this in writing.

Turbos not going to shit itself in 6 months time- like they have the habit of doing

Better looking front

Better looking interior

Better looking owners

Better AWD system

Only because of the small sample size. Statistically it is impossible to compare.

Seriously, it is possible to make your car faster AND more economical, without spending too much. You will enjoy it far more than a V70.

When in Japan buy this (part number KC250-89910). Everyone will be jealous.

[DumpTruck]

Would you guys use 95 octane or will they only take 98?

When in Japan buy this (part number KC250-89910). Everyone will be jealous.

Haha I should actually look into that part.

Then I can hard park in style.

[Commsman]

Would you guys use 95 octane or will they only take 98?

Haha I should actually look into that part.

Then I can hard park in style.

No one recommends anything under 98 as that is lower quality than what (you'd hope) they were run on in Japan. Also, octane is where all the performance comes from. I once had to use some 91 to get me home & my car would barely overtake a cyclist. In my defence, he looked extremely fit.

[PN-Mad]

Which version of ATTESSA does the PM35 use?

Uses an electromagnetic system for the clutch in the awd case. So no pump, no fluid, no lines, no bleeding etc etc.

System is also found on the G35x in the us, and on pathfinders etc.

98 fuel is a must really. Gets the most out of these cars. I want car tent. That would be so cool. I wonder how many they sold? Anyone actually asked for a price from Nissan with the part number?

[DumpTruck]

My budget in Jan will be around 20k.

Might have to get the turbo and spend some money on rims and swaybars instead.

I would love to have the 3.5 v6, might have to stretch the budget abit.

[PN-Mad]

Just wait for northshore to get more stock. You should be able to pick something up for that. Or tell Ben what you want and let him find it.