GoldZilla

Well, I'm 31, and seeing as I picked up my car today, I figured I could finally post in here... Oh, and it's a MANUAL!!! Yes, I have two knees! Yes, I have a car! Yes, I have a dog! The Corolla in the shot attached is my old car, now my sister's, but it will still be my daily...

I spotted a "Shonen replica" today too, outside my building in Parra, about 10am. He was heading up Charles St, towards Philip St and the RiverCat terminal. Black R-34 with white wheels, nice exhaust note. Didn't get to catch the plates as I was too far away at the time.

You lucky bastard, Tosh... And probably on trade plates too, right? Cheers, Nick T.

That's right - 90 for the plates and 50 to hold them until you get your car. I wasn't about to pay them $50 for the "privilege" of holding my plates, so I chucked them on the car I'm driving at the moment, which is soon to be handed to my sister, meaning I won't have to pay to transfer onto my new car... Here's the link to the RTA mention of fees, etc. Cheers, Nick T.

Hey all, just wondering what paths everyone has taken as far as alarming their Stageas (and other cars, for that matter). I've done a search and, of course, everyone's opinions seem to differ. Most people have Brant or Mongoose car alarms, but I'm not too keen on having a keypad if I get the Brant one (although that is not their only option, as I've discovered after a bit of research). I've already got a price for the Mongoose M80 (approx $680 fitted) with a window lift kit, and am going to do some research and make some calls regarding Black Widow, Rhino, and a few shops around Parramatta, Blacktown and the Hills areas. My old man's got an alarm linked to his Keyless entry, using the remote on the car key to activate it. Does anyone have this on their Stagea keys, and is the Stagea key a rolling code one? Also, does anyone have a transponder-style immobiliser on their car(s)? Thanks in advance, Nick T.

As far as I know, an RS-Four S is a manual, as opposed to the usual RS-Four V which are all autos. The series 1 Stageas ('96-October '98) only came as autos, unless you bought an Autech RS260, which was basically a wagon version of the R33 GT-R. The RS-Four S was only available as a series 2. If I've missed anything or got it wrong, I'm sure that someone will set it straight... Seeing as Stageas are pretty new in the country, we're all learning! Cheers, Nick T.

Hey all, I'm finally in the process of looking at cars for purchase, and I'd like a quick guide on what sort of things I should be looking out for when I look at a Stagea in the flesh. I've seen a few around in yards here in Sydney, and am still considering the import process as well, but would like to get opinions and ideas on any Stagea-specific issues. I've got a fair few mags to refer to in regards to the main things that affect Skylines in general, and can refer to those as well. Maybe later on we can have this thread added as a "Sticky" at the top of this page and also added to the Tutorials. Thanks in advance, Nick T.

That's what spins me out too! Seriously, how do the lawmakers and judges look themselves in the mirror each day when there is such a ridiculous imbalance in their justice system? I'm not a drug taker, never have been and never will be - I've got enough medical problems to deal with - but, surely, being strung up for a few tabs or grams of your chosen drug for personal use couldn't possibly be the same as setting out to kill/maim/injure tens or hundreds or thousands of innocent people. Or even one person, for that matter! How do the terrorists/extremists/fundamentalists (or whatever they'll be referred to next in the news) look at themselves in the mirror knowing full well the hurt, anger and associated anguish that they are causing? Aren't we all human, after all? Do they really think that they are superior, or that their chosen god(s) is better than the next person's? I really don't get it. As a whole, we really don't know what the hell happened to Shappel Corby, maybe she was set up. But knowing full well the situation she is in now, I don't think I'll be rushing to Bali (or Indonesia in general) any time soon. To think that she got stung so hard, yet merely months later the clowns claiming responsibility for the 2002 attacks are having their sentences reduced? Figure that out? /End Rant Oh well, at least B-Man (and many others) are home safe. It's unfortunate that some still had to suffer, and my condolences goes out to them and their friends and families. Nick T.

Dude, it's not really that it's being kept a secret, but if the so-called "Workshop X" were to visit these forums, they can formally sue the owner of the forums for posting aledgedly inaccurate and/or slanderous information. Basically, if they sue the owner of the forums, then we run the risk of LOSING THE FORUMS, and then we ALL lose. Unfortunately we live in a world where this is a real possibility, and seeing as we don't want to lose the forums, we avoid putting it at risk in the first place. If you really need to know which workshop this "Workshop X" is, then either PM the person or ask them to email you. I'm sure others can add more information to this - there are some pretty heavy duty problems if we talk sh!t about a workshop. I'm not taking a stab at you, just letting you know that we do things this way for a reason! Nick T.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was - I've heard of people who have mates/family who are mechanics, etc. who got their pink slips in what seem to be fairly dodgy ways... Then again, I've also heard that the RTA can and have been to people's homes to actually make sure the car WAS road-worthy, especially if the car was fairly old. I remember witnessing the brake-force G-sensing tests being done when they first started using them - didn't take much to fool the device that a test had just been done!

Two questions: 1. Brad, how much were the GT-R rotors, and did you by chance happen to get a price for the single-piece units (i.e. not using the separate hat and rotor configuration)? And do you need 17" wheels (or bigger) to clear them? 2. SK, if doing the mods bit-by-bit, what would you recommend as a starting point and where would you go from there? Is it worth changing calipers too, or are the standard ones holding up well so far under the loads that you've put on them with towing, etc.? By the way, gents, both cars looks good. SK's with the R33 GT-R wheels (I might consider these myself eventually) and THAT RB26 in your car Brad - what a dream!!! Even better that it looks pretty much stock apart from the wheels. I love street-sleepers! Thanks in advance, Nick T.

Jaog, it's: http://famousinsurance.com.au/ or 1300 88 60 29 I'm thinking of either going with Shannon's or Famous when I upgrade. Cheers, Nick T.

Mona, Mona, Mona... We know you always get picked on, but when saying stuff like that, is it any wonder?!?!?! Please, Moanie, hand over the shovel before you dig yourself any deeper. Hot Dogs + beef + some sexual inuendo = Trouble!!! Now all we have to do is wait for the PhotoChops... On a more serious note, congrats to all on what looked like an enjoyable day, and it looks like it helped show the club in a positive way too! Nick T.

Small world, hey? Last time I saw him, he had no licence and was waiting to get it back...

For the first few years after I got my car (bought it new), I used to wash my Corolla once a week, but that was years ago when I used to have to park under trees, etc. and the car used to cop a lot of bird crap and tree sap. Also, I was still in "New Car" stage, and as much as I'd like to still keep it looking clean (it still is in pretty good condition after 11.5 years of ownership) I really couldn't be bothered washing it myself, so now it's roughly once a month at the local car-wash - $15-25 isn't too bad considering they do a decent job and I KNOW that they're using water a lot more efficiently than I could for the results... I should make a note to have it done again this week, actually. Also, what's the best ways of getting food and dirt stains, etc. off my seats and interior? Can anyone offer any suggestions? I was thinking of buying a steam cleaner, so is it worth it and will it work? I really want to get it looking neat for my satisfaction, and because I've had interest from someone willing to buy the car off me (which is a weight off my mind when I go for a new car). There are a few minor issues, such as that, which I'd like to get sorted out soon. Cheers, Nick T.

Richard, is the Fernando you're talking about the one who used to own an S-13 180SX (not sure if he still has the same one)? If it's the same guy I'm thinking of, he was/is my cousin's boyfriend (not sure of what's going on between them at the moment - she's currently o/s, and I haven't seen him in ages). Last I remember the 180 was running a pretty standard SR20 with a GT-RS turbo, and he had some sponsorship/deal with SSS Automotives. He owns a black Ford F-series with a lift-kit and massive wheels and tyres, and he's also known as Ferdi or 3rd (that's what's on the plates of the F-series, too). He is an awesome driver, when I went to see him at a practice day he was starting his drifts roughly 50-60 metres before the corner, Scandinavian Flick style, and no-one else there that day could come close when it came to skill and technique... How f*king annoying is it to find out there are knob-jockies there stealing cars? Congrats to Dan and Chris, wish I was able to come and see it for myself! Cheers, Nick T.

Silver, the current issue of Zoom (no. 92, with the white TRP R-32 on the cover) has a suspension buyer's guide and a suspension tech article, which may help... Nick T.

The Winsto was alright on Saturday night. Didn't see many biker types there, but I wasn't really looking out for them either, so it may be that I just didn't notice. Then again, I spent most of my time in the bistro area 'cos we were celebrating my sister's b'day and she wanted an area where our friends and family could bring their kids too. I don't go there too often, but I don't mind it there and most of my friends go there too. Nick T.

Spotted two R33 GTS25t's at the Winsto on Saturday arvo/night - one was black (rear car park - saw it from a distance) and one was wine red (out front - clean as). I was there from about 2.30pm until about 10.00pm. Good ol' Winston Hills Tavern.

My god, Dundan, that was a quick reply...

Spotted MADGTS (white R33) again today, mid-afternoon, turning from Station Road, Seven Hills, into Seven Hills Road. I see this car quite often in my area, so I'm guessing he/she (I've never actually looked at who was driving - how dumb) lives and/or works in the area.

I agree with everyone else, the wheels look good on the car. Is that a straight red, or is it the Wine Red/maroun similar to what came out on R-33's? It does kinda look pinkish, but that might be just the angle of the light when the photos were taken. Nice purchase! Nick T.