350Z Import Spec ?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm considering a 350Z as my next car, specifically an import, as they seem like a bargain!
http://www.torque-imports.co.uk/cardetails.php?c=3...
My only concern is the mechanical spec (I'm not interested in stereo/leather/bose/sat-nav/blah blah)..
iirc, TopGear reviewed a japanese spec car when it first came out, and didn't like the way it drove much at all, and yet the UK cars get VERY good press from all the right places (Evo Mag etc)...
so, where the japanese cars a different mechancial spec to the UK cars?
is there anything else I should think about/check with regards import 350Z's?
thanks all,
Piers.
P.S. with them at the sort of price seen above, I suppose a set of volks CE28n's and some TEIN/Bilstein wouldn't be too bad anyway!
I'm considering a 350Z as my next car, specifically an import, as they seem like a bargain!
http://www.torque-imports.co.uk/cardetails.php?c=3...
My only concern is the mechanical spec (I'm not interested in stereo/leather/bose/sat-nav/blah blah)..
iirc, TopGear reviewed a japanese spec car when it first came out, and didn't like the way it drove much at all, and yet the UK cars get VERY good press from all the right places (Evo Mag etc)...
so, where the japanese cars a different mechancial spec to the UK cars?
is there anything else I should think about/check with regards import 350Z's?
thanks all,
Piers.
P.S. with them at the sort of price seen above, I suppose a set of volks CE28n's and some TEIN/Bilstein wouldn't be too bad anyway!
Nah, you dont want an import mate- you can buy mine instead! lol!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/260679.htm
As has been said though, get yourself over to the forum, theres loads of advice and we're a friendly bunch!
happy hunting!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/260679.htm
As has been said though, get yourself over to the forum, theres loads of advice and we're a friendly bunch!
happy hunting!
red_zed said:
Nah, you dont want an import mate- you can buy mine instead! lol!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/260679.htm
As has been said though, get yourself over to the forum, theres loads of advice and we're a friendly bunch!
happy hunting!
At that price, I'd take the import :P Much lower mileage and over a grand cheaper http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/260679.htm
As has been said though, get yourself over to the forum, theres loads of advice and we're a friendly bunch!
happy hunting!
red_zed said:
..and worth about 2 grand less already than the trader's asking price...
I wouldnt have an import again after my last car (a GT4 actually!) but thats just me...
TBH, owning my import GT4 has actually put me off having imports.. The hassle of garages / insurance companies refusing you. But to save a few grand, I would be tempted again...I wouldnt have an import again after my last car (a GT4 actually!) but thats just me...
I think it really comes down to the whole history thing with imports. I dont think there is a massive gulf in servicing, although my only basis for comparison is my GT4 which was a 1995 car so I had no desire to go to a main dealer to get it looked after.
I dont know for sure on newer cars whether dealers will service an import, and while im sure there are some good indys out there for the zed, mine has, and will be, taken to to main dealers for its services.
If you can get one with full jap history, thats great (assuming you can translate!) but for me, when you are spending circa 13grand on a car you want to be sure it is what it says it is- most of my cars have been bought from owners clubs so I can speak with the owners, get a feel for how they treat their cars- thats important to me. its telling that the only car i rushed into buying was an import and not a forum member's and it turned out not to be everything id hoped. partly my fault, yes, but lesson learnt for me and while i could easily have bought an import zed for 12 grand, my higher mileage UK car was my choice and i dont regret that.
Like I said, mine is for sale and its in as good a condition as any import, even with the mileage. I know people who have owned import zeds and even with low mileage they took a hammering come re-sale time, just cos it was an import.
If you are def considering one, make sure you look at all the options mate. And if you interested, you are more than welcome to make a sensible offer on mine
Either way, you've chosen a great car and i'll be sad to see mine go
HTH
Matt
I dont know for sure on newer cars whether dealers will service an import, and while im sure there are some good indys out there for the zed, mine has, and will be, taken to to main dealers for its services.
If you can get one with full jap history, thats great (assuming you can translate!) but for me, when you are spending circa 13grand on a car you want to be sure it is what it says it is- most of my cars have been bought from owners clubs so I can speak with the owners, get a feel for how they treat their cars- thats important to me. its telling that the only car i rushed into buying was an import and not a forum member's and it turned out not to be everything id hoped. partly my fault, yes, but lesson learnt for me and while i could easily have bought an import zed for 12 grand, my higher mileage UK car was my choice and i dont regret that.
Like I said, mine is for sale and its in as good a condition as any import, even with the mileage. I know people who have owned import zeds and even with low mileage they took a hammering come re-sale time, just cos it was an import.
If you are def considering one, make sure you look at all the options mate. And if you interested, you are more than welcome to make a sensible offer on mine
Either way, you've chosen a great car and i'll be sad to see mine go
HTH
Matt
My boyfriend just got a 350z from Japan, ST version which is the equivalent to a GT spec here. Cheaper than a Z in the UK, much lower mileage, in really good state (it still smells of new even though it's a 2003!). As they have strict laws in Japan cars have to be MOT'd (or their equivalent) every 3 years which is VERY expensive, so many tend to sell on their cars. It is also common that cars are only driven on weekends due to the strict regulations.
Of course there are 'hassles' you need to deal with yourself - having to insert a band expander for the radio, having to change the clocks to read in miles, but if you have a bit of time in your hands this could be quite enjoyable as you see your car turn into something you want.
We have encountered narrow minded people along the way, as for example one guy who advertised as changing odometers, when we called he said something like 'well mate, you shouldn't have bought an import, you just have to bear and grind it'. Wanted to punch him in the face.
So far there are no interesting explanations as to why UK cars are better and why dealers don't want to touch an import. I think it is all down to a bit of prejudice (whatever is not British is not as good). Typical response is 'oh, it's an import' as if it had some kind of contagious virus. I am also convinced that the endervaluing of imports by the media and dealers is a way of 'scaring' people off buying imports and ensuring that they stick to buying uk thus keeping a big threat to their sales.
But if you're considering saving some money and buying a car that has been well kept by our fellow japanese friends, don't be scared of the 'hassles'.. you WILL find a dealer who has no problem with imported cars and will want to service your car, you will be able to change the gadgets you need to have it up and running.
At the end of the day....Nissan is JAPANESE. So why are we undervaluing 305z from their homeland?
Performance-wise they're exactly the same. Why does the need for a band expander, having to put uk fog lights and changing the clocks lower import values by about £1,000? if what really matters it the engine, etc. (and of course the low mileage!)
Of course there are 'hassles' you need to deal with yourself - having to insert a band expander for the radio, having to change the clocks to read in miles, but if you have a bit of time in your hands this could be quite enjoyable as you see your car turn into something you want.
We have encountered narrow minded people along the way, as for example one guy who advertised as changing odometers, when we called he said something like 'well mate, you shouldn't have bought an import, you just have to bear and grind it'. Wanted to punch him in the face.
So far there are no interesting explanations as to why UK cars are better and why dealers don't want to touch an import. I think it is all down to a bit of prejudice (whatever is not British is not as good). Typical response is 'oh, it's an import' as if it had some kind of contagious virus. I am also convinced that the endervaluing of imports by the media and dealers is a way of 'scaring' people off buying imports and ensuring that they stick to buying uk thus keeping a big threat to their sales.
But if you're considering saving some money and buying a car that has been well kept by our fellow japanese friends, don't be scared of the 'hassles'.. you WILL find a dealer who has no problem with imported cars and will want to service your car, you will be able to change the gadgets you need to have it up and running.
At the end of the day....Nissan is JAPANESE. So why are we undervaluing 305z from their homeland?
Performance-wise they're exactly the same. Why does the need for a band expander, having to put uk fog lights and changing the clocks lower import values by about £1,000? if what really matters it the engine, etc. (and of course the low mileage!)Edited by Black Crow on Saturday 10th November 13:22
Surely the reason for the lower worth of an imported car is fairly obvious? Cars are far cheaper in Japan than here. By the time they are imported, changed etc they can still be sold here at a significant saving.
If they weren't sold at a significantly cheaper price what would be the point of shipping them here at all?
The cheaper purchase price is obviously reflected in a lower retained value. There has to be an incentive for someone to purchase an import rather than a 'UK' car.
As far as differences go wasn't it widely known that Euro cars have a superior suspension set-up? Or did that only apply to the 276bhp versions?
Maybe I've misunderstood you but on the onehand you 'big up' the fact that imports are so much cheaper to buy and yet you also complain about it? Jap cars are cheaper because they are cheaper to buy in Japan, dealers add whatever mark-up the maket will bear and the final price is arrived at. Some of the price diff will be fear of the unknown, shaky service history, well publicised stole-import problems, etc
If they weren't sold at a significantly cheaper price what would be the point of shipping them here at all?
The cheaper purchase price is obviously reflected in a lower retained value. There has to be an incentive for someone to purchase an import rather than a 'UK' car.
As far as differences go wasn't it widely known that Euro cars have a superior suspension set-up? Or did that only apply to the 276bhp versions?
Maybe I've misunderstood you but on the onehand you 'big up' the fact that imports are so much cheaper to buy and yet you also complain about it? Jap cars are cheaper because they are cheaper to buy in Japan, dealers add whatever mark-up the maket will bear and the final price is arrived at. Some of the price diff will be fear of the unknown, shaky service history, well publicised stole-import problems, etc
Edited by -Z- on Saturday 10th November 22:46
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