Nissan Cedric on the way

Nissan Cedric on the way

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Discussion

Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Friday 23rd June 2023
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Thought Id share here, won this a few weeks back, should be here mid to late July which isnt too bad.

Once its here Ill share some findings as usual. Im keen to compare it to my old Crown Athlete V I had a few years back.

No plans, usual, just sort it out and get a list of things to do, if any. Wheels might need addressing but might try a 17 or 18" from a newer Nissan Model. Might up the boost a tiny bit and de-cat, but not much otherwise.

Grade 4 B
51k
Cedric 300LX-Z Premium L Edition
3.0 Turbo / Auto

Check that interior out!








Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Friday 23rd June 2023
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No idea on the mats, looks like some kind of design, will reveal when I get it smile

Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Monday 26th June 2023
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Some paperwork arrived today, export cert, shipping docs and handbook.

Some tasty snacks too


Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Monday 10th July 2023
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Hi there, yeah I do, Ive used them for quite a few imports in the past 5 years. The service charge is 100,000yen (£550ish) but I just prefer dealing with them, always good service/comms etc

Shipping is usually by size and I think the cedric was around £1300, but I was warned shipping costs were high. A year or two ago the same car would have been £650. I imported a GS460 back then so easy to compare.



Edited by Axeboy on Monday 10th July 07:22

Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Wednesday 16th August 2023
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Ok, it arrived a week or two ago but only just had a chance to see it. Not bad.

Going in for MOT next week and the fog light into one of the reversing lights as usual. "Seems" solid, starts quickly and no noises, but lets wait and see.

One thing I dont like is that its the CVT model (see the "EXTROID" pic below for comedy). This was an optional extra that I couldnt determine from the auction, i hoped it was the normal auto box, but hey ho. The interior is comfy, not as spacious in the rear as I thought, not that it matters.

The bonnet mascot is missing, but it came with two keys. The stereo/nav is bananas, so I think ill leave that alone. If I can find an Aux input somewhere Ill be happy but I couldnt see one yet. It does have a 6 disc changer which is a bonus and the stereo sounds good. It has 6 CDs in there from the previous owner with exactly the music you would expert, oriental retiree, so good.

Another bonus was a brochure for the car was inside and the boot has some well kept tools and jump leads etc. Just a sign of the previous owner.

It has auto lights as well as cornering side lights as per one of the pics below.

No idea what the mats are about but they seem to be OEM, a bit mad smile

It needs a good wash and polish but otherwise pretty solid. Needs a mascot, the sunglasses holder is dropping down and other than that I just need to sort the music situation.









Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Sunday 20th August 2023
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Yep, fully expecting to use google translate, but to be honest as long as I can get it functioning enough, thats fine.

It has a video input in the back so I think that will work as AUX in with a RCA adapter. Also ordered a new mascot from Japan, but I think there might be 3 or 4 types depending on spec. Lucky dip!


Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Friday 25th August 2023
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New Mascot arrived, yay


Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Saturday 30th September 2023
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Got the Cedric home, all ready for reg. MOT passed, no issues, serviced etc. Super clean underneath. Dreaded the paperwork as usual but only took 20mins to get it all in order, now in the hands of the DVLA gods.

Drives so well. Smoother than expected although not had much time. Very S Class in terms of noise, ride etc. I wasnt expecting it to be so nice.

Thinking Ill just use it exactly as it is! No idea how reliable it will be but "seems" to be quite solid.



Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Sunday 1st October 2023
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Not spent much time with it yet but it feels smoother than the Crown so far.

Not had a chance to compare the VQ30DET to the 1JZ

Had a play around today and finally found the clock settings, so thats done. I tried RCA into the Video-in plugs in the back seat but no joy, I cant find any settings to trigger it on the TV to enable sound from my phone. I ended up ordering a tape to phono adapter to see if it works ok as I dont think I'll last long with only Radio 2 or AM stations.

Drivers window needed some silicon, it opens automatically on leaving the car, odd but can be changed. Used google translate to work through most settings and as always, looks like a lot at first but got to the end of it. Just music to be sorted I think.

While waiting on the docs I'll give it a good wash and polish, but not much to do other than that.


Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Sunday 1st October 2023
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I did have a Crown Athlete previously, was a great car. Variety is the spice of life etc etc

I do have a spare band expander in the garage, I could try and get it installed just to get onto some more modern radio I suppose smile

I find the expanders usually give you either Radio 1 or Radio 2 range, never both.

Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Wednesday 18th October 2023
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Yeah, its the VQ

Looking forward to just using it. Not going to do anything to it, seems lovely the way it is. I tried a few different stereo feed options, nothing really worked. I ended up happy with a simple FM transmitter, sits neat and works well.

Gave it a good clean and just waiting on the documents



Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Monday 23rd October 2023
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Reg arrived from the DVLA but its down as a Nissan "Exempt" on the v5 for some reason.

Ive sent the v5 back asking for it to say Cedric, lets see what they say, not that its stopping much happening. Annoying though.

Couldn't insure it through Admiral as I expected but sorted with Adrian Flux as usual with the rarer options.

Plates ordered then good to go

Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Monday 23rd October 2023
quotequote all
Heh smile

Annoying. I think even though Ive filled the form correctly, the export cert says Nissan HY34, so I assume they couldnt see evidence of the model name. Who knows.

Common sense seems to be lacking on whoever done this one

Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Tuesday 24th October 2023
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Yeah, I did wonder. Its not a problem as such but annoying, OCD etc etc smile

Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Thursday 2nd November 2023
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Had a call from the DVLA, fair play to them.

They have removed the "Exempt" text but left it blank as Cedric cant be added as free text and it doesn't appear on their list of models.

Nice chat about it all, new V5 on the way and Im fine with that


Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
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Yeah, a rare treat smile

Took the Cedric out today for its first run. I dont think any car Ive had has had as much attention, not expected. I only went maybe 5 miles but had a lot of curious looks and a handful of thumbs up or other reactions from enthusiasts

I thought it would blend in, but seems not.

Drives great, smooth and quiet. The power is more impressive than I expected and although I loved my old Crown I think the VQ30 is the better lump over the 1JZ in my early impressions.

At 60mph I'm getting a bit of wobble but it feels like tyres. It has 3 Bridgestones and 1 Japanese Ditch-finder so I'll try to eyeball a new rear set and then just check the tracking at the same time.

Axeboy

Original Poster:

356 posts

122 months

Thursday 7th December 2023
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Turns out its actually Lambs Wool, hah (The Cedric)

Someone on Facebook knows these well and this is the top spec interior it seems

Edited by Axeboy on Thursday 7th December 09:42