R32 GTR: buy modded or stock?

[The Jake]

When looking at the imports I was asked if I wanted to look for a modified GTR or a stock (basically what I was looking for).

I said a clean, stock R32 GTR with a solid service history, etc. would be ideal.

What are the pros/cons of going with either? I had my reasons for going with a clean stock one but I'm curious as to what everyone is thinking and why.

- J.

[[WLDCRD]]

I thought that too...i wanted a stock GTR.....but then i realised, stuff that, i'll pay a lil extra and get a modded one. You can save money. But then again, you could be buying a lemon. Your choice really.

[PurpleR32]

I bought a modified one and havnt looked back. I was lucky enough to have an ex aussie contact in japan who inspects the car before buying it. I also got all the reciepts from the workshop that did the mods, which told me exactly what was in the car and how much the previous owner spent. Maybe i was lucky?

[foznice]

I'd take the stock, because i don't want to miss the experience of modding youself and slowly feeling your car perform differently. I think that's part of the fun in buying an import

I think that i would appreciate it more as well. Just make sure your importing under the 15yr rule, otherwise youll be in for the big $$ when it comes to compliance time.

[martydaman]

im also planning to import an R32 GTR with the use of the 15 year rule (if it still exists by the time i decide to import). I think a nice stock car with a complete and consistent service history is most important for me. Id rather have a car with medium k's done but with a full service history than a car with low k's but no logs at all, most brokers do decent checks about the condition of the cars to make sure they coincide with the k's shown but you can never be 100% accurate.

Get a nice stock example, if its in excellent condition with low logged k's its worth the extra couple of grand in my opinion.

[PHATR32]

if you buy a stock car youll probley get a car that hasnt been as thrashed as a modded one, but if you get a modded car youll save a lot of money on upgrades, but you run the risk of get one thats been thrashed.

steve

[Russco]

Definitely go modded provided you get it checked out by a specialist. While it may be fun doing the mods yourself, you'll be digging deep into your pockets if you go down this track not to mention having your car off the road for a considerable period of time. I've just been down this route & if I had my time over again I would have bought a modded one & saved heaps of $$.

[KILL HSV]

i got a stock one, mainly cos i couldn't afford anymore (oiginally going for a cefiro)

but if i did have the money, i think i would do the same because theres more chance of buying a lemon

but anyway i'll be able to say in about 5 days if it was a good idea or not cos thats when it lands (about bloody time).

[cameron]

slapperIf you go down this track not to mention having your car off the road for a considerable period of time. I've just been down this route & if I had my time over again I would have bought a modded one & saved heaps of $$.

Thats not as bad as being down the engine rebuild road :uhh:

I'd Go the stock GTR then you'll have a more reliable car and can save for modifications later. - Time of car off road maby a day or two getting a work shop doing it. - Lots of fun and you can learn lots if you do it your self.

Modified GTR as others have said you'r running the risk of getting a thrashed car and it going bang on you. - Time of car off road, New pistons and what ever else you want, at least 1 mth + but thats if you have the money ready to go. Other wise you'll be saving for a lot longer, you get the idea! (money wise you looking at around $4000min forged pistons + head gasket + oil + oil filters + machining, Balancing & labour etc. Now your back at square one with the same engine just stronger internals. - No fun in modifying and you dont get to feel the performance power gains as mentioned above.

But you could get lucky and get a genuine modified GTR. - You'll have a hard time finding a good condition 1989 mld R32. If anything I'd go 1994 mdl R32

Your decision. :Party:

Jun

[Morgs]

Go the modified one. You'll find that most of the parts on an old performance car like a R32 GTR are old, frail, and break. At least one that modified properly will have these parts already replaced. But its hard to find that. I've spent a fair bit of money replacing old parts on my GTR and its money you'll never get back considering the resale and that people can't see through the price at a well prepared package.

[RTFGTR]

I got mine for a lil bit more than a good stock example ($1K-$4K) but picked up about $14K+ worth of aftermarket parts:D go the mod's... unless you are really rich and want to spend about the same amount as the car on mod's (would most probably be much better when finished also)

[cameron]

This can also depend on what type of modifications you wish to do to the car or what you want the car to have, and what the car coms with.

If it comes with turbo upgrade, bigger fuel pump, aftermarket ecu, boosted lots etc. - Then its deffiently been thrashed.

If it comes with, Pod filters, Suspension, stock boost, Exhaust, Rims, BOV then it shouldn't be too bad won't be thrashed as much and internals wont have had as much ware.

Jun

[ferni]

Modded

[The Jake]

Thanks Ferni... I know we've talked about this one already... heh.

This can also depend on what type of modifications you wish to do to the car or what you want the car to have, and what the car coms with.

 

If it comes with turbo upgrade, bigger fuel pump, aftermarket ecu, boosted lots etc. - Then its deffiently been thrashed.

 

If it comes with, Pod filters, Suspension, stock boost, Exhaust, Rims, BOV then it shouldn't be too bad won't be thrashed as much and internals wont have had as much ware.

 

Jun

I suppose at the end of the day it comes down to getting the car checked thoroughly. Most of the ones I was looking at have aftermarket pod filters, suspension, rims, the odd one has BOV, etc.etc.

A couple have got aftermarket computers and new turbos.... I'm steering clear of those that look like they've modified the turbos for the most part for that reason although I will inspect any GTR that looks reasonable. Cost is the number one prohibitve thing for me right now anyway.

- J.