Looking Into Purchasing An M35

[3PointJ]

Hey folks.

I'm looking into buying an M35. I have been browsing through these parts just to get a heads up on them. I must say there is lots of useful information, and has cleared some questions, and queries already.

I just want to know if there was anything I should be looking out for when I go to look at one?

Any known issues?

I've never imported, or bought an (already) imported car from Japan. (I own a locally delivered LS400 aka Celsior)

I am more looking to buy a car already thats already been imported, but IF I can't find something decent, I wouldn't count importing one out of the question.

At the point in time I'm after an AR-X or an Axis.

Only thing holding me up on purchasing one is the sale of my SV6 Ute.

I'm going down to Sydney this weekend to check out some, and thanks to Paramour for the suggestion, cant respond due to < 10 posts, and I have been in contact with Ben already too...

So yeah, any information, or anything feel free to throw it at this noob.

Oh yeah, if I bought a Turbo model, this would be my first turbo car

[Jetwreck]

Mate 2 things to look out for:

* The turbo - If there is any smoke on startup or any sound under max torque good chance it's on it's way out. The have a ceramic exhaust wheel and run quite high boost from standard. Most of the cars I know that have done more than 120,000km's have had to rebuild it.

* The Gearbox - If there is a whine or it seems to be slipping check the colour of the oil....should be a nice bright red colour....If it's dark or brown walk away. Dipstick is near the firewall.

Make sure you drive a couple before making you final choice. Ben's cars are usually quite good.

If you are going to do mods the MN35 VQ25DET is probably the best. Although parts are still being developed.

If you just want a car to drive and don't want to fiddle the PM35 with the VQ35DE is you best bet. Mind you there is an awsome twin turbo kit for about $8G landed.

[3PointJ]

Hey Mate,

Thanks for the info. I'll keep my eyes open

I'm not really buying one to modify, its more as a cool family car, as the ute isn't that practical.

If I do want to play around I can, but it'd more than likely be left stock.

Yeah we are going on Saturday, and are having a look around and test driving some, just to make sure its what we want. I'm liking the look of the so far, but just need to give it a run.

The few that I have been looking at, they are all under 50,000km so hopefully the turbo thing won't be a factor (yet)

Is there anyway to prevent it happening?

[gerry whtie]

Hey folks.

I'm looking into buying an M35. I have been browsing through these parts just to get a heads up on them. I must say there is lots of useful information, and has cleared some questions, and queries already.

I just want to know if there was anything I should be looking out for when I go to look at one?

Any known issues?

I've never imported, or bought an (already) imported car from Japan. (I own a locally delivered LS400 aka Celsior)

I am more looking to buy a car already thats already been imported, but IF I can't find something decent, I wouldn't count importing one out of the question.

At the point in time I'm after an AR-X or an Axis.

Only thing holding me up on purchasing one is the sale of my SV6 Ute.

I'm going down to Sydney this weekend to check out some, and thanks to Paramour for the suggestion, cant respond due to < 10 posts, and I have been in contact with Ben already too...

So yeah, any information, or anything feel free to throw it at this noob.

Oh yeah, if I bought a Turbo model, this would be my first turbo car

Chris you are making an excellent choice of car, as for turbo longevity use the best oil and change regularly.

Be careful on mileage speedo readings as I know that some cars are clocked so a good look at the usual wear points both in and out of the car is adviseable.

Good luck on your search

[3PointJ]

^Thanks mate.

Yeah, a couple on their online pictures I have noticed looked quite worn in comparison to one of similar mileage, which looked near perfect.

Hopefully we'll find something sweet.

[iamhe77]

The few that I have been looking at, they are all under 50,000km so hopefully the turbo thing won't be a factor (yet)

Is there anyway to prevent it happening?

As Gerry stated, only use damn good oil (why skimp on the life-blood of your engine?)

Prevent the turbo from going? Just as possible as preventing a timing belt from going on another car I guess.

The turbo was a dealer replacement item at around the 100,000km mark in Japan.... strangely.... and unfortunately.

You can always "play" with a VQ35de powered PM35 Stagea, but your bang for buck per modification will not net you anywhere near the same gains.

BUT, you don't have to worry about keeping a couple of grand in the bank for turbo replacement and you get better economy from the N/A 3.5

[3PointJ]

Just like to say thanks for the info guys.

Going down to Sydney tomorrow, checking out Northshore Prestige and a few other joints around the place. Hopefully if there is a decent one we like we'll lay down a deposit until the ute sells.

Im really EXCITED!!!!

[Bis-e Bee]

You will be even more excited once you get one and drive it lots.

I'm now commuting (have been for over 6 months now) 100km's a day to work and home and I just love the M35.

It's a bit bent due to a p-plater running into me and then taking off... not to mention the c*@t who key scratched my drivers door. I'm still dreaming of a bare metal respray and new kit but that will be a long way down the track.... for now i'm dreaming of mods

I could not recommend another wagon of any make or model for the price I got my Stagea for, it has been truely awesome!

[zei20l]

there is a place on parramatta road that has a gold M35 stagea for sale. dont bother going there. PM if you want to know why

[Jetwreck]

there is a place on parramatta road that has a gold M35 stagea for sale. dont bother going there. PM if you want to know why

lol....yeh PM him lots to tell on it......pretty sure it's sold though.

Oh another thing....If it has the pop up screen make sure that it has the English conversion..........saves you coming back to Sydney to do it later at your cost.

[Angus Smart]

They like to drink a bit too. but i guess craig you've got that sorted now at sas??

[Jetwreck]

They like to drink a bit too. but i guess craig you've got that sorted now at sas??

Sort of.... the ECU is in Korea ATM...neither of the readers SAS had would work......damn it!.....don't worry I am pushing as hard as I can....they get a phone call a week.

[3PointJ]

Hey folks.

Well we are on our way home from looking at stageas. We went to northshore imports or w/e it is. They had some nice ones but the one we had our eye on was nice, but it was owned by a smoker in japan and it smelt like an ashtray. Not for me. The others were a bit out of my price range.

We also had been on contact with another import place over in kirrawee. Now they had a few stageas for sale. An ar-x and an axis.

The axis was an 02 model with around 44k on the clock. We didn't get drive it but everything looked fine. If we were to maybe purchase they would be delivering to us and I would test drive before I hand over money. I drove the ar-x they had and it seemed fine but some little things turned us off it.

My question is has anyone heard of this mob? They are called GT High performance. Their cars have warranty and such and they were nice (owned by a couple). Has anyone had any dealings, good or bad?

Due to our country skills, driving through Sydney is a bit hectic so we took a bit to get around lol.

We are going down later this month.

I saw the gold one from Edward lees? Is that the same one. I can't pm yet and I'm on my phone driving (passenger)

thanks for the help folks.

[3PointJ]

Well I am back home now. Yay.

[Bis-e Bee]

Sort of.... the ECU is in Korea ATM...neither of the readers SAS had would work......damn it!.....don't worry I am pushing as hard as I can....they get a phone call a week.

I spoke to Tom about 2 weeks ago, said they had just got something new in but they had not tested it yet. They were hoping to do it that afternoon, I have not had a chance to ring him to check yet.

Should I assume that it failed to read the ECU too?

He did say if it did that sending them to Korea may be the only option.

[3PointJ]

Well after some hard thinking, I think I might wait until I come back down again later this month.

I don't really want to rush in and buy something because I have to/or can, and be stuck with a car that may not be as good as we could have gotten.

Any suggestions for any other dealers to check out? I found one called All Imports and also Nagoya Motors that have a few in Stock. Anyone know much about these places?

We should have checked more places out, but didn't have the chance. Aaaaaaaaaargggh

[zei20l]

ohh sorry that came out wrong, im sure the car is quite all right! i just mean dont buy from that dealer!

[Angus Smart]

Could be good to just go private hey! can usually find a few decent ones about, since dealers warranty's are usually shit house anyway

[3PointJ]

^That's what I'm starting to think hey.

I'm just going to keep my eyes open, and try and find a decent one.

Thanks for the help guys. I think I am just going to avoid this GT High Performance mod. Various things about them irks me. Listing each car as a "Mint Condition" and seeing them in person being anything but was a real turn off. Also listing their Stageas as an AXIS when they are clearly lower spec models. Pisses me off!

Anyway, I'll continue with the hunt for the lucky Stagea hahaha

[3PointJ]

Hey Guys.

I'm going to Sydney again this weekend and I am checking out a few places.

The main one is a place called All Imports. Anyone been there or had anything to do with them?

I'm going down to look at this Axis, http://allimports.com.au/view/detail.php?c...=451&page=2

I have gotten some up to date internal shots, and it looks quite good, but I'm just nervous as always...

Thanks