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Ex-ftoer Needs Some Advice

Tailchaser
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Tailchaser Newbie

Tailchaser

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Posted

Howdy all.

First of all, I know this topic has been posted before so I apologize for bringing it up again.

I am in the process of buying a 96-97 r33 skyline. I live in Sydney. My previous car was an Charade. Great car, handled well, sad to see it go.

Now I've searched the forums. I've had a look at the "What to look for" list and a few topics on buying skylines which I must say helped me out a lot (especially other topics in the forums).

However, I would like to know a few things on top of the ones listed in the forums:

1. After reading the "Post your engine failiure" topic, I take it those problems only happen when the car is under serious loads (ie racing/dragging) or heavy mods done to it. If the car is only going to be driven "normally" (with the ocasional outburst :( ), then there's nothing to worry?

2. I know skylines are reliable, but if looked after properly are there any serious problems that may arise from daily driving (eg engine failures listed in point 1), aside from replacing alternators, gearboxes, clutches?

3. Any recommendations on where to buy a skyline? I've had a look on the net. I've come up with a few places Just Jap, Northshore Priestige, Envy Imports. What about the dealers on Parramatta Rd? I'm not naming names but stories I've heard from those places haven't been promising.

4. Recommendations on places for modyfying skylines. I've been burnt a couple of times when I modded my Charade so I'm somewhere reliable please. Being my first turbo car, I would like to beable to take it somewhere, get the mods done properly by someone who knows what they are doing. I am a bit paranoid this being my dream car, so I'm not saying anything bad about any workshops. Just want peoples advice :D

A few places I looked up were MRT Rally, Unique Autosports, Croydon Racing Developement.

That's all for now guys. Would greatly appreciate any advice. And thanks again for reading the post.

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shif_tea Grand Master

shif_tea

Posted
Posted

Skylines are really reliable when left to their own devices. AS you noted all them engine failures were high powered motors, and failed whilst being flogged (ie leans out at 8000rpm or something like that) I've heard of a few skylines with 200 and even 300K on the clock without needing to be opened up.

Mine has done 135000 kms now (i doubt highly that its genuine k's too, reckon it was wound back in japan) and has only had minor problems. Not blowing any smoke, doin anything too problematic and hasn't cost me anymore than my old vl commo did to keep running.

Its only very mildy modded as u can see in signature and i drive it daily heaps, as well as long trips away. (Done 60, 000 since i bought it 18 months ago)

So unless something unusual happens you should be right in that department (however you;'ll likely get bitten by the modifying bug)

A few places i know to get work done, which are highly recommended, BEL performance in Castle Hill, Advan performance in Silverwater, UAS as u already mentioned, Unigroup engineering, and theres plenty of others i'm sure.

If u have a bit more of a poke around the site you'll find all this info anyway.

As for buying i'd say buy privately but get the car checked out either by nrma or talk to one of the above garages and i'm sure they can do it. As R33S2 said, look at the for sale secction on here, theres plenty to check out. You'll get a better price, probably nicer car with more mods and if u get it checked out properly should be a good car.

R33TOM Community Regular

R33TOM

Posted
Posted

i purchased my 1997 Series II R33 GTST from aussie car compliance, www.aussiecarcompliance.com.au

the price i got it for was very good indeed, joel the owner of the compliance shop was pretty cool, he did a really good job compliancing the car, new tyres, full service also regassed the air con,

condition of the car was immaculate! for a 9 year old car it was in really good condition

have a look on hes website, hes just got a few series II's in, give him a ring and organise a test drive, hes more than happy to let you take the car for a spin, and if you get the chance, let him take you for a spin haha did over 130km/h on victoria road castle hill, hes a crazy driver

if your planning to do the modding, i highly recommend getting a fresh import thats either stock, or only had minor mods on it, they have less mileage on them than the ones sold here and will most likely has less problems,

a few members on here purchased their cars from him, and they were all pretty happy with their cars,

ill stay away from envy imports, the sales ppl are rude and arrogant, i originally was going to get my car from them, for the same price i would have goten a 94 series 1 skyline that would have alot more mileage and less mods than the one i got, their prices are way over inflated,

same again with the dealers on parra road, they just put some new chromies on the cars and give it a fresh coat of paint and jack the price up another 3 - 4k than what the the car is worth

shop around and do alot of research on prices as they vary alot on skylines, i spent over 2 months going through dealers online ads etc before i settled on buying my car from joel

hope that helps

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