350Gt 2003 Manual Or 2006 Auto?!

[timw]

Hi SAU

Going to buy a 350gt soon, i have found two that i can't decide between!!

1st- 2003 Manual premium package

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/_/SSE-AD-3034901

2nd- 2006 Automatic premium package

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/_/SSE-AD-2992359

Would appreciate some info on these two models, i heard some where to 03 manuals can have some issues, anyone know about this?

hard to decide between a newer auto or older manual.

Thanks!!!

[Nightcrawler]

Oooh go the silver one, as apparently it is a "Unique Nissan Skyline", as opposed to all the other millions of silver ones out there that also imho, look as boring as batshit.

Nah seriously, very similar cars, except the 2006 is a series 3. so has a slightly nicer interior, nicer colour (imho), probably nicer HID/projector headlights (not clear from the pic - and while we are speaking of it, who tf puts up a whole 4 photos when trying to sell a car? - including no underbonnet shot which is somewhat concerning), and it has the uber cool series 3 somewhat stove-top style tail-lights (which have a button to open the boot, unlike series 1 and 2 V35s).

Personally I would go the white one.

But as we said in the other thread, do some homework - at a minimum get it odo checked. But you should also get a decent local Nissan-leaning workshop to have a look over it - pay close attention to whether both door locks work with the remote with the internal lock button, whether both windows work with the car on and off, how worn/lipped the rotors are, whether the lower control arm bushes are on their way out, whether the cd player will accept and eject CDs, whether the climate control unit works perfectly (both heat and cool), and many other things a V35 specialist will know to look for. If you are unlucky, you may need to spend up to $5k in short time to repair all of the above items, as it is normally around 100k that many of these faults surface. Then you would say that buying George's/Sikahalv's near brand new V35 is MUCH better value. A poor man pays twice.

[Guest]

But as we said in the other thread, do some homework - at a minimum get it odo checked. But you should also get a decent local Nissan-leaning workshop to have a look over it - pay close attention to whether both door locks work with the remote with the internal lock button, whether both windows work with the car on and off, how worn/lipped the rotors are, whether the lower control arm bushes are on their way out, whether the cd player will accept and eject CDs, whether the climate control unit works perfectly (both heat and cool), and many other things a V35 specialist will know to look for. If you are unlucky, you may need to spend up to $5k in short time to repair all of the above items, as it is normally around 100k that many of these faults surface. Then you would say that buying George's/Sikahalv's near brand new V35 is MUCH better value. A poor man pays twice.

Appreciate the kind words Andrew

Edited October 19, 2014 by Sikahalv

[timw]

thanks for your reply, yeh i am more keen on the white one, as i am sick of silver, old car was silver.

I asked the owner for some more interior pictures, and he took them at night time... pretty slack, i then asked for some more preferably taken in daylight and he never sent any.

[sonicii]

The CD 001 6sp fitted to the series one can have issues with weak synchros. This was fixed with the CD009/update in 2005. If you take it for a test drive, make sure you do some quick gear changes once it is warmed up, any crunching and you still want the car, allow about $3k for a transmission replacement.

[timw]

@sonicii, is it a very noticeable crunch to look out for? like as bad as when someone would change gear when not using the clutch correctly?

Does anyone have an auto one, is it just as fun to drive or a bit boring...?

[sonicii]

I haven't driven one with a bad gearbox, so I can't say 100%. But a healthy gearbox should allow you to do fairly brisk changes (don't be brutal with it), when warmed up properly. It should not cruch at all. From what I have heard, 3rd and 5th are common gears to go first.

[PN-Mad]

Why don't you go and drive an auto and a manual and decide what you like? Sorry to be blunt, but generally people have a preference for one or other, and then start shopping from there.

It's pretty unusual to not be able to decide on two very different cars... 03 is series one, 06 is series 2 or 3... So the interiors are different too...

[timw]

Test driving both this weekend mate. I obviously would like the better/more reliable one, thats why i asked if there are any known problems with either model. Transmission preference is my second priority.. and i wouldnt call them "very different" if it is only minor physical appearances that they differ in.

Unless there is something else you can tell me about why they are so different?

Cheers.

[PN-Mad]

As I mentioned, the interiors are totally different. Earlier models had brembos, that aren't available on later cars. Later models don't suffer the head unit issues. There are ecu programming changes between the models as to the closed loop running plus all the differences Andrew pointed out with the series 3 cars. However seems to be missing the 19" wheels it should be on.

Either one could be a dog with 120,000kms wound back off the clock. Check with the jap odo services offered.

Good luck.

[timw]

Thanks for the info, will take it on board.

[Guest]

...I obviously would like the better/more reliable one...

This.

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Nissan-Skyline-2003/SSE-AD-2935166/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

[Leroy Peterson]

This.

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Nissan-Skyline-2003/SSE-AD-2935166/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

Wha? You selling already?

[Guest]

Wha? You selling already?

^^ http://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/449777-buying-a-350gt-need-advice/?p=7411050

It's more of an expression of interest Lee, as I'm loving my V35 Skyline 350GT - She's one of a kind!

I will only sell her for the right price - to the right person - who will appreciate my V35 as much as I do

If and when she does sell, I'll upgrade to a V36... until then, I've continued with a steady stream of upgrades for her, such as new tires, clear side indicators, new battery, custom exhaust and soon I'll have the windows tinted too