Canberra R32/R33 Questions :)

[sigsputnik]

Hi everyone,

First, it's great to see that there's a small but growing Skyline community here in Canberra. It makes my decision to buy much easier.

I have a couple of questions though -

a) Has anyone ever had any damage problems here in Sunny Canberra (e.g. wankers keying cars etc)

B) What's insurance like here in Canberra? The best quote I've had is from Young and Cool for about $1K. I'm 28, no claims, full licence - it'd be a non-turbo auto.

c) Who repairs Skylines in Canberra? Any of the Nissan dealers?

d) I'm tempted to go straight with an importer - good idea or not?

I was in Woden the other night (at the movies) and saw a lovely silver R33 outside the cinema. I don't know if it belonged to anyone here, but it looked SWEET.

Any help at all here would be GREAT.

Sig.

[Fitzpatrick Speed Works]

Go and see skyline imports in mitchell these sorts of questions are there specialty. they bring in skylines and can get you what you want they also fully service them.Keying cars: yes there are wankers everywhere but i would have to say its not to bad u just dont park it where it might be sus. Insurance will depend on your suburb but generally pretty good alot better than Sydney.

[Jay95R33]

Yeah I haven't had any problems with dickheads (touch wood!!), most people just look and stare, but there are dickheads where ever you go.

I was in at woden on Friday night for a short time. But I was parked up on the top level of the car park.

J

[Shell]

Hi sigsputnik

well...

a) no, I've never been badged, keyed, broken into, or anything...i sometimes park overnight in kingston on the street too.

B) compared to Sydney prices, insurance is very good here. Try a broker that specialises in imports, they usually get u a much better price than ringing around yourself.

c) the Nissan dealers won't touch you, i rang Lennock and that's what they told me. i have been getting basic servicing done at Reliance (the Rotary guys) in Fyshwick...but the place s13drifter mentioned sound very good.

d) I went thru an import broker for my car, and I would definately do it again. There are a lot of arguements for and against, so i guess it's kind of up to the individual. What year model were you thinking of getting?

cheers

Shell

[sigsputnik]

Thanks HEAPS for your answers to my questions everyone.

Shell, I guess I'm looking at the newest for each model - so say around 1993 for the R32 and 1997 for the R33. To be frank, I'd say any year R33 would be OK. Is that your red R33 in your avatar?

S13drifter, am I to take it that you have *two* Skylines?

Jay95R33, I find it incredibly cool that I can mention a silver R33 in Woden and someone on this board can relate.

Are parts very expensive?

What would happen if (heaven forbid) I decide I want to sell it?

Thanks SO MUCH - this has been REALLY good. It's been a real boost (turbo joke) knowing that there's a good community here.

Sig.

[polishstorm]

hey my car is for sale it is a 1993 r32 if your interested call me on 0408605725 and i am in canberra

[Shell]

lol...yep, Sig, that's my 400R in the pic

errrr I WISH

nah my car is a stock R33...have a look in the thread "a couple of pics"...it's the red one I'm standing behind

So you're not sure if u want an R32 or 33? Either way, if u are after an NA auto it should be hella cheap.

[sigsputnik]

Well, after sitting in a few today, I think I prefer the R33. That might be because the R32s felt a little worn around the edges.

I did notice that a lot of the showroom ones had upholstery and dashboard scratches and that - is this common? To what extent can you spec from the importer how much wear your interior is going to have? Am I asking too much?

The cruise looks like a swell gig - I'm looking forward to tagging along when I finally get my car (if y'all can handle a slowpoke auto GTS ).

Sig.

[Shell]

yeah baby...go the R33!!

have you driven any? send me a message if you want to take a drive!! I'd be happy to show you how they go...and let u have a drive if you want.

well interior wear & tear is common, especially the steering wheel and the handbrake boot.

You can ask for anything you want from an import broker, Sig, they are there to search for a car to YOUR specs. What cars you choose to bid on is totally up to you...

just don't overlook a bargain car because of a scratch on the dash or a mark on the seat....after all, these are second hand cars and you'd probably find the same minor things on any local second hand prelude

[Jay95R33]

Sig,

Shell is right, remember that your buying a second hand car. When I got mine it was missing a few little clips on the inside and things. I quick trip too Nissan and I had all the things I was missing for about $70.

Nissan in at Phillip can get spares, but usually they will have to put in a special order. I did a special order for a sun visor clip.

All up cost of $17, and they had to do a special order from Japan and they didn't charge me anymore for it... He he he

Meet us at the Shell servo on Sunday if you want (see the Canberra/Sydney cruise thread), and you can have a look over our cars, Jamie will be there with his R32 as well, so you can look at both the R33's and R32.

J

[sigsputnik]

Hi everyone,

Shell, thanks heaps for the offer to check out your '33 - I might leave the driving to the car yards (I don't know if I could live with myself if I damaged your ride ). I REALLY appreciate the offer though! This is a plenty friendly forum.

You're right about the marks and that - they *were* on the steering wheel and the handbrake boot. Jay, that's good news about the spare parts. All the R32s I sat in had problems with the rear-view mirror clips.

I'll check the rest of the board for Import broker contact details, thanks for the tip. Can anyone recommend any in particular?

I wish I'd read this earlier in the day, I'd have made it over to the servo for sure. Instead I spent the day helping my neighbour move a statue. A STATUE for crying out loud.

Sig.

P.S. A STATUE.

[Jay95R33]

Dude...

The cruise isn't on 'till next Sunday. So you can still check the cars out

[Shell]

hehe yep, it's next Sunday Sig :)

A STATUE??

of what? hehe

As for an import broker, try here:

www.prestigemotorsport.com.au

go to his website and join the email mailing list...it's awesome, and gives you an idea of what kind of stuff comes up at the auctions, and how much cars sell for.

[SilverSlyder]

How ya goin sigsputnik

Go the R33, there a good drive and feel great (just a bit biast). I bought my baby from http://www.powerplayimports.com in sydney, good group of people, don't know if you want to travel that far? there are a few more place's in canberra now that import skylines. Just need to take your time in purchasing a car, need to make the right decisions look around for the right one.

As for servicing or mod's i go to Ming Automotive in fyshwick good, freindly group of people, they know their cars.

Good luck in finding the car you want.

It's good to see more canberran's popping up on the forums

[polishstorm]

i have taken all my cars to get serviced by joe at TEZ automotive in garren (cordia turbo, mitsubishi verada, ford laser, 180sx and now my skyline) and you couldnt ask for a more honest opinion when it comes to your car. joe doesnt beat around the bush at all if there is something wrong he'll tell you straight up and his prices are really good.

[sigsputnik]

:lol: The statue belonged to a friend of a friend of a friend - a little old lady who was moving house and wanted to take this statue with her. It was one of those white Greek statues of a naked lady with no arms and was bolted to about a million (yes, a million) breeze blocks and was *heavy* (who the hell would want to steal it?). Anyway, it wasn't my bag but I was happy to help.

This is an *excellent* forum - I really dig everyone's suggestions.

I guess the main things at the moment are (a) insurance (have to call youngandcool today just to confirm their quote - should probably also do a defensive driving course) and (B) working out exactly which one I want.

I've been thinking about a leather interior this past couple of days - is this a bad thing?

Thanks for the good advice, Slyder - I'm keen on taking my time...at the same time I WANT ONE NOW.

Hey Storm - looks like you've had a few cars...why the Skyline after all those other ones?

Sig.

[polishstorm]

ive also had a 2jz turbo 1976 ra23 celica (that was leathel even in the dry), z32 tt 300zx, rx3 13bt, bmw 325is (gutless peice of s##t and so overated), z31 t 300zx, fj20 gemini and a commodore vp v8 and i guess the reason i bought a skyline is that they are easy to modify and cheaper as they only have one turbo. older modifyed cars are a pain in the ass so i will never buy/build one again eg:prior to 1985. pluss they come from the factory the way they are, nice shape and great value for money