V35 Sedan Ride Hight

[Cassbo]

For some time now I have been considering buying a daily car to cruise around, and the V35 350GT-8 filled my criteria and budget. I am aware of the gearbox expenses associated with the CVT models. Unfortunately this has only made me wary so I'm now after another issue that might knock it out of my "daily shitbox" list

What I am after is the standard ride height of the car... if possible in comparison to a standard R33 (what I currently have ) Reason being my R33 is all well and good at the moment but I imagine the days where I would drive along a dirt road in the bush without a second thought are coming to an end

So please post up figures, experiences bottoming out, stories about smashing front bars or how I am a retard for choosing a V35 4 door

[rs73]

Re: your worries on the CVT... then why don't you consider the 350GT sedan (without the -8)

you do realise that the V35 sedan is also available in 5 speed conventional automatic (same as 350Z's & V35 coupe's) transmission as well? It even is available in 6sp manual if you look hard.

Re: ride height, I have no idea.

[Cassbo]

Re: your worries on the CVT... then why don't you consider the 350GT sedan (without the -8)

you do realise that the V35 sedan is also available in 5 speed conventional automatic (same as 350Z's & V35 coupe's) transmission as well? It even is available in 6sp manual if you look hard.

I have considered it, but one of my criteria is price... unless I get one imported (which I am considering...) I can only afford the 350GT-8. Also, my concern isn't that great. I throw about $200 worth of gearbox oil into my R33 every 12 months, $800 every 100,000km is a little more but if that is what I have to pay then I will have to pay it.

Major fear would be the gearbox failure, which I would imagine would be uncommon as the cars aren't 11ty years old and (hopefully) have had relatively easy lives.

But back to the subject, if it rides too low for my liking I won't buy ANY V35, be it CVT, auto, manual or Fred Flintstone style. Would probably go a WRX or an Aristo

[colorado bulldog]

I have considered it, but one of my criteria is price... unless I get one imported (which I am considering...) I can only afford the 350GT-8. Also, my concern isn't that great. I throw about $200 worth of gearbox oil into my R33 every 12 months, $800 every 100,000km is a little more but if that is what I have to pay then I will have to pay it.

Major fear would be the gearbox failure, which I would imagine would be uncommon as the cars aren't 11ty years old and (hopefully) have had relatively easy lives.

But back to the subject, if it rides too low for my liking I won't buy ANY V35, be it CVT, auto, manual or Fred Flintstone style. Would probably go a WRX or an Aristo

If ride height is your worries for going over dirt roads....why bother with a skyline?? Buy a 4WD.

[Easy Tiger]

Also, my concern isn't that great. I throw about $200 worth of gearbox oil into my R33 every 12 months, $800 every 100,000km is a little more but if that is what I have to pay then I will have to pay it.

Major fear would be the gearbox failure, which I would imagine would be uncommon as the cars aren't 11ty years old and (hopefully) have had relatively easy lives.

If you can't afford the auto or manual then you shouldn't consider the cvt either... I think a new cvt is in the order of $17000 and noone in Australia specializes in fixing this particular xtroid one.. cvt failures are more common than you might like to believe.. The cvt V35s are usually cheaper for a reason..

Your call.

[rs73]

agree...

all it takes is the previous owner not treating the gearbox well, regardless if it's a 2004 model it will still go bang.

they may be cheaper to buy, but they may not be cheaper to own.

For example, CVT gearbox oil need to be ordered special, and they cost about $1000 excluding labour just for the oil itself.

as long as V35 is not lowered, I don't see any issue with ride height especially since they are higher than 350Z from factory, but if you are worried about ride height as other ppl said should have gone for a 4WD. heck we have a RAV4 in addition to he V35 and the RAV4 is a great affordable 4WD!

[xscape237]

You can drop a V35 to a reasonable looking height without it being too much trouble.

The wheels are located fairly close to the front and back of the car, e.g. there is not much overhang to hit on driveways. Most of the stuff underneath the car is tucked up pretty well so speedhumps dont bother me either.

[grae35]

I have a 4dr 6mt and can assure you that ride height is not an issue. It is only slightly lower than my VX commodore and even though I was really careful about hitting parking bump stops etc in the first months with the car it seems to just go over them. Certainly no overhang issues for normal driveways and suspension is quite comfortable even running 46psi in my tyres for higher performance and grip levels.

Several other coupe owners I know have lowered their cars and have done damage to front bar mainly but std height is no problem.

[Cassbo]

If ride height is your worries for going over dirt roads....why bother with a skyline?? Buy a 4WD.

I currently drive my R33 on these roads and I do it relatively comfortably if the road isn't muddy and has been graded regularly. Only issue is the tyres that I have on my car are shit on dirt... literally like driving on marbles. I imagine coil overs and neg camber are only going to make this worse.

In fact, I'm willing to say I take my R33 bush than most people in Sydney take there 4WDs

You can drop a V35 to a reasonable looking height without it being too much trouble.

The wheels are located fairly close to the front and back of the car, e.g. there is not much overhang to hit on driveways. Most of the stuff underneath the car is tucked up pretty well so speedhumps dont bother me either.

This is the kind of response I was after, my R33 scrapes a few driveways at standard ride hight and I don't want a car that is worse! Thanks

There seems like there are a lot of people politely suggesting I reconsider a CVT model... perhaps a little more research is in order on my part, and not just the cost of servicing and/or replacement... Though I'm still thinking that it will be like any other car where a thrashed one will break and one that hasn't been thrashed will break some time after the thrashed one, though I need to remind myself that CVT isn't exactly conventional

[n15m0]

This is how mine sits lowered approx 1" all round on 350z suspension. No clearance issues at all but because I added the factory front lip, just need to be extra careful when parking up against gutters and going up certain driveways.

Mine is a series 2 350GT 5spd Auto. You should be able to pick a decent example of these between low to mid 20s. (late 2004 onwards)