Importing a M35 Stagea

[timmao]

I have recently become very keen on these cars and am looking at possible importing a 350RX, would go through an importer in Sydney. From the research I've done online low km M35s in good nik are going for between 5k - 9k AUD on the domestic Japanese second hand market, at the auctions the average price seems to be between 2k - 5k for stagea graded at 4 - 4.5.

I would say my current budget is 15k all up including compliance, 3 months rego ect. plus 1k for warranty from importer, is this reasonable?

Has anyone ever imported a M35 like I am thinking of doing? If so would love to hear about your experience with this, especially how much it cost.

Thanks in advance.

 

[soviet_merlin]

Out of curiousity, why are you looking at importing as opposed to buying one in Australia? Whenever I look at Stageas for sale there seem to be a couple of M35s available as well. It would save all the import hassle and allow to actually look at the car in person.

Don't have any import experience though so can't comment on it otherwise.

[timmao]

@soviet_merlin thanks for the reply, well I want a M35 that is low KMs and mint as possible condition, that's the main reason for wanting to import one, from what I've seen online these seem to be extremely common in Japan. Most of the ones I've seen locally seem to be high KMs or the couple that I've inspected that are low KMs have had gear box issues, rough paint ect.

 

[GTSBoy]

6 hours ago, timmao said:

low KMs and mint as possible condition

You do know that literally every car that has ever been exported from Japan has had a windback, right? Usually more than one.

[timmao]

18 minutes ago, GTSBoy said:

You do know that literally every car that has ever been exported from Japan has had a windback, right? Usually more than one.

Yea I've heard this, I thought digital odometers were safer tho?

[GTSBoy]

13 minutes ago, timmao said:

I thought digital odometers were safer tho?

pfffffftt! Easier. Just plug a hack box of whatever type is required for that car and dial up the number you want it to show. No need to fudge with the physical wheels or drive it with a power drill or anything.

Edited January 30, 2023 by GTSBoy

[timmao]

8 minutes ago, GTSBoy said:

pfffffftt! Easier. Just plug a hack box of whatever type is required for that car and dial up the number you want it to show. No need to fudge with the physical wheels or drive it with a power drill or anything.

Haha well that sucks... Sneaky bastards.

[soviet_merlin]

On 30/01/2023 at 10:44 AM, timmao said:

@soviet_merlin thanks for the reply, well I want a M35 that is low KMs and mint as possible condition, that's the main reason for wanting to import one, from what I've seen online these seem to be extremely common in Japan. Most of the ones I've seen locally seem to be high KMs or the couple that I've inspected that are low KMs have had gear box issues, rough paint ect.

 

Hmmm, I see. Fair enough. Haven't closely followed it but it feels like a lot of the Australian ones are older models. Also somewhat cheap cars and treated that way. I didn't realise they were actually making them until 2007 according to Wikipedia.

I quite like the looks of this one below. The spoiler suits it! And it reads like it is owned by someone who cares about it. Would be interested to see what it drives like. Also how the 2.5L turbo compares to the 3.5L NA.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2002-nissan-stagea-autech-axis-nm35-auto-4wd/SSE-AD-14211882/

(Archive link as car has since sold: https://web.archive.org/web/20230205093612/https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2002-nissan-stagea-autech-axis-nm35-auto-4wd/SSE-AD-14211882

But thinking that you may get a car that is 5 years younger by going the import way I can see where you are coming from.

Don't really have anything helpful to offer but looking forward to see how you go forward with this.

[timmao]

3 hours ago, soviet_merlin said:

Hmmm, I see. Fair enough. Haven't closely followed it but it feels like a lot of the Australian ones are older models. Also somewhat cheap cars and treated that way. I didn't realise they were actually making them until 2007 according to Wikipedia.

I quite like the looks of this one below. The spoiler suits it! And it reads like it is owned by someone who cares about it. Would be interested to see what it drives like. Also how the 2.5L turbo compares to the 3.5L NA.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2002-nissan-stagea-autech-axis-nm35-auto-4wd/SSE-AD-14211882/

But thinking that you may get a car that is 5 years younger by going the import way I can see where you are coming from.

Don't really have anything helpful to offer but looking forward to see how you go forward with this.

Yea that one look great actually, I like the look of blacked out head lights and grill.

I have driven the 3.5l n/a and can say that it is a fun one to drive for such a big car especially on the highway, definitely a cruiser. From what I understand the VQ35 is the better engine out of the lot and generally more reliable than and VQ25s which is another reason I would prefer it.

Edited January 30, 2023 by timmao

[niZmO_Man]

Iron Chef Imports has a pretty good rep. Try them, if you're keen on importing one. But like others have said, there's already a bunch here in Aus so you save the hassle.

[timmao]

20 minutes ago, niZmO_Man said:

Iron Chef Imports has a pretty good rep. Try them, if you're keen on importing one. But like others have said, there's already a bunch here in Aus so you save the hassle.

Thanks for this, will look into them.

[niZmO_Man]

There's a couple of threads in here that will interest you

https://www.sau.com.au/forums/forum/85-importing-vehicles/

[iamhe77]

Yes, I had Iron Chef import my PNM35 9 years ago.
He is fantastic to deal with. Plenty of pics and has guys at the auctions who can check on the condition of the vehicle.

Pricing is also excellent.

Reference, my PNM35 came with 53,000kms on the clock and they were absolutely legit based on the condition of the car which I still daily (270,000kms), still performing well and still getting plenty of looks, comments and conversations. I think it ended up around $16k when all was said and done.

Highly recommended.

[timmao]

3 hours ago, iamhe77 said:

Yes, I had Iron Chef import my PNM35 9 years ago.
He is fantastic to deal with. Plenty of pics and has guys at the auctions who can check on the condition of the vehicle.

Pricing is also excellent.

Reference, my PNM35 came with 53,000kms on the clock and they were absolutely legit based on the condition of the car which I still daily (270,000kms), still performing well and still getting plenty of looks, comments and conversations. I think it ended up around $16k when all was said and done.

Highly recommended.

Awesome thanks for the info! My only concern is they are based in SA, I'm in NSW.

Looking to pull the trigger on this soon and from what I've read on the forums here prestige motorsports and iron chef imports seem to be the way to go.

Edited February 10, 2023 by timmao

[Duncan]

That's OK, the car is in Japan....

I've imported through both of them (plus Just Jap and even Powerplay back in the day). I've never had an issue with any of them, the problems seem to be when you buy a car here that was imported for sale by someone.....klm go mysteriously missing and issues get overlooked in ads....

[iamhe77]

On 2/10/2023 at 3:33 PM, timmao said:

Awesome thanks for the info! My only concern is they are based in SA, I'm in NSW.

Looking to pull the trigger on this soon and from what I've read on the forums here prestige motorsports and iron chef imports seem to be the way to go.

For reference, I'm in VIC. Interstate is not an issue.