New Here, To Start My Hunt For An 02 M35.

[Lil_Bobby_260]

Hi all!

Stumbled on this place accidentally, but you'd think i wouldve thought to look for a discussion on Stageas...

Registered to assist with buying my new(ish) car. Obviously a Stagea, looking for an M35. Low Km, colour isnt an issue, prefer manual but tiptronic ok, prefer some form of kit (i know the earlier ones had a Dayz kit....?) definitely a turbo model, hoping for it to come with a set of wheels. As in er... aftermarket alloys.

Are there many of these in Australia yet....? Im looking for something a bit different, something that can be comfy, cruisey, but quick enough. They seem like a big car though, to be powered by a 2.5L....?

My current car is a Mazda 3 Maxx Sports. I was going to upgrade it to the turbo model of the Mazda 3 (i think they are calling it a Subaru Impreza WRX, nowadays...) But someone put me onto the idea of seeing what Japan has to offer.

Other option is a Mitsubishi Legnum. But its a little small.

Look forward to speaking with you all! Hoping to have it by January/February.

Robbie

[Stinky Rooster]

welcome

Just a couple of pointers.

Do a forum search on the M35 and read EVERYTHING you find. There a few people that have had issues with importing them. Not very nice ones either.

DO NOT put any details of any cars you are planning on buying up on this forum until you have won the auction / paid for the car. This is a public forum and you may find more people bidding on it and hence a higer purchase price when it does go to auction. It has happened before.

Oh, and I have an obligation to do this... (I have a reputation to uphold )

[Lil_Bobby_260]

Oh, and I have an obligation to do this... (I have a reputation to uphold )

Thank you for making it blatantly obvious that i have no idea what im hoping to get haha

Thank you for your advice as well, tho. I know people have had issues importing M35s built after 11/03 due to the laws changing, even though the car didnt. '02s however, im pretty sure there are no dramas. Just they made emissions laws stricter.

It was the 35 that originally caught my eye but it seems there are a few decent 34 Series 2's kicking about also. They definately look like a mid-late 90's car tho, is the thing. And half the reason for lashing out on a 35 is that they are very thin on the ground over here still.

[WazR32GTSt]

welcome

the M35 looks amazing and inside it feels like a car worth twice its value (its very similar to the inside of a V35 and i have sat in many M35's)

my advice is to take every one you can for a test drive. look in the usual spots listed below and take every one for a drive. see how you like it

the engine is a 2.5L turbo and have more than enough grunt. try to find one with the 4wd and you're laughing

the usual spots:

www.carsales.com.au

www.trading-post.com.au

www.carpoint.com.au

www.drive.com.au

[Duncan]

probably better to go for the vq35 not the turbo, will be easier to get parts locally since the motor is shared with maxima and 350z.

[Lil_Bobby_260]

probably better to go for the vq35 not the turbo, will be easier to get parts locally since the motor is shared with maxima and 350z.

Except you cant get compliance for it. Didnt start with the 35's til 2004. Emissions laws changed. Cant Bring over a car later than 11/03.

VQ25DET it is!

[darrinspencer]

Except you cant get compliance for it. Didnt start with the 35's til 2004. Emissions laws changed. Cant Bring over a car later than 11/03.

VQ25DET it is!

You can comply V35 skylines after 11/03 with non turbo vq35 engines, 2004 and 2005 models, so vq35 stagea should be possible

You will probably find it is the turbo vq25det that does not meet emissions after 11/03, but do check, I maybe wrong (but that is not very often LOL)

[Lil_Bobby_260]

Hmm well it depends on what the budget allows too, tho. Also i think it would be easier to extract a bit more power out of the VQ25DET with mods like fitting a larger intercooler, adding a boost controller, K&N panel filter and an exhaust system...?

Otherwise what options are there to up the power of the VQ35? Obivously adding a turbo or supercharger, and then you still have to do all the afore mentioned mods, as well as the fact the an 04 would probably be more expensive in the first place....?

[STAG250]

Take out AA mechanical insurance then for 3 years and turbo extension. If it blows you're covered. Good thing is if it does you probably will still be driving it (like I am with mine) while you wait for parts from Japan to arrive.

[Lil_Bobby_260]

Mechanical insurance....? Do you have a link to a site or anything?

Is it basically like buying a warranty through a third party? This would give some great peace of mind but i wonder what the limitaions are....

[Duncan]

the warranty policies are pretty bad - thy basically are an insurance policy on mechanicals. if x breaks they pay you $y And kind of like private health insurance they don;t cover anywhere near what you actually need for the repairs. And they all come with conditions like signed service records at their approved locations every x klm etc

I'm sure the vq25t is easier to get power out of.....but it was the only vq turbo motor and you will find aftermarket support very limited, especially in Aus. Which is fine if you have a good workshop that can do custom stuff for you - but you will find bugger all bolts ons.

Also....to me a stagea isn't a place to do more than mild mods unless you are a masochist

[_Ryan_]

vq30det in some jap cars, how similar would they be?

[Lil_Bobby_260]

A Bit more torque id assume.

But the issue still remains - finding off the shelf parts for them, as well as finding mechanics experienced in them.

Ive read through the C34 Buyers guide.

Ive shot off an email to J-Spec altering what im looking for.

99-2000 RS-Four S (Series 2, RB25DET Neo, Manual AWD with LSD, right?)

Black. Or white. As long as its not silver lol

Hoping to get something that already has aftermarket wheels, must have a bodykit, hoping for an exhaust as well, PRAYING that i can find one with aftermarket suspension. I figure a bodykit and exhaust system would not the easiest things to procure in Australia, and suspension is fairly expensive. Also a Boost controller already fitted would be good. But not essential.

Was it possible to get a manual RS-Four S With leather? I think that being a luxury option, it most likely would be auto.

Yeah....?