Jump to content
SAU Community

Know Your Stagea

iamhe77

By iamhe77,
in Four Door Family & Wagoneers

 Share

Recommended Posts

iamhe77 Grand Master

iamhe77

Posted
Posted

I decided to post this up because I am sick of all these dickhead car yards selling cars they have no or very little idea about and are misrepresenting said vehicles to potential buyers.

Case in point #1

M35 Stagea

Can anyone spot problems with this ad? Here are the obvious ones (please chime in if you find more)

1. The model designation is either an "NM35 Autech Axis" or an "AM35 Autech Axis".... "PM35" is the face lifted model which were in production 2005 onwards

2. It DOES NOT have either a 3.5L or a 3L-turbo engine. The engine is a VQ25det... as in a 2.5L Turbo

3. 2004 model Stagea? The 2004 model M35's are not eligible for compliance due to stricter emissions laws here in Australia. The engine cannot meet those laws in stock trim.

4. Anyone tried putting that VIN in FAST? Yep, 2 digits too many

Case in point #2

M35 Stagea

*sigh* again, this dealer has 2 mysterious extra digits in the VIN. Is this incompetence or flat-out dodgy? :blink:

I happened to call this dealer to let him know of his errors only to be met with "Are you talking about cars in MY yard? What the f*ck would you know about the cars in MY yard!"

(I can understand someone calling an saying that his ads are incorrect might piss him off, but I did so in a friendly manner)

I am sure there are a heap of "odd" ads out there and we seem to know of a

that knows little about these vehicles that have the "same interior as a 350z"....

So I guess what I am saying is, if you could be stuffed, post up any incorrect ads you come across (I know the whole "what is and isn't OEM" is needed with Autech C34's)... with corrections and maybe a recommendation of a yard that you would suggest the buyer to go to instead. I know that if I was a buyer that knew nothing about these cars (as I was 3 years ago) and was looking at buying a car in one of these ads/car yards, I would like to know what is and isn't correct.

If you can't be stuffed, then, well don't bother :worship:

If you happen to be reading this and in the market for a Stagea, there are actually a number of car yards out there that know their vehicles.

One I can recommend from personal experience is Northshore Prestige. From experience, not only have they been PROPERLY complying M35's for 3 years or so, but they are a helpful and pleasant group to deal with. They are also currently the ONLY yard that can sell the 3.5L M35's.

Hopefully this turns out to have a number of highly recommended car yards (that can back up recommendations)... as well as some "corrected" erroneous ads.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/314725-know-your-stagea/
Share on other sites
horrace Rising Star

horrace

Posted
Posted

I totally agree with you, the same dodgy ads appear for imports in general and it really gets up my nose, it must be really easy to get in the used car buisness or something considering people with no knowledge what so ever can get into it.

3PointJ Collaborator

3PointJ

Posted
Posted

Yeah, I nearly gave up on buying one. I never realised buying an M35 would be so much of a f**king hassle.

I would like to say be wary of these two places...

http://www.drive.com.au/used_car_dealers/g...956results.html

Here is their "AXIS" - Clearly an AR-X : http://www.drive.com.au/used-cars/NISSAN/S...145194&pt=1

Another "Axis" (I test drove it...) - An AR-X with Colour Matched bumpers, I believe the interior is the dead giveaway : http://www.drive.com.au/used-cars/NISSAN/S...145194&pt=1

The fact this place operates out of a small shed with no signage, the husband struggles to speak english (no I'm not racist), but when I ask questions about the car, I find it annoying when someone needs to translate it to them, then back to me...

And also THIS PLACE - Not a very professional setup at all...

I'd recommend Northshore Prestige. Even though I didn't buy from them, they were keen to help me out...

I bought mine from Japlink Motors. The guys there were pretty casual, and were quite helpful. I bought the car with two bald tyres, and got them replaced, they were more than happy to compensate the cost (even after me getting it done without their approval) They had nice cars in their getting worked on, so it sort of reassured me that they aren't some dodgy ass hobo group if they have customers trusting their cars in there...

Anyway thats my 2 cents.

garetb16 Collaborator

garetb16

Posted
Posted

i wonder if they are pleading ignorance or simply dumb...

notice on both AXIS is just in the ad name and not in the description so if anyone was to complain they could try to weasle out of it.

either way they should learn the product they are selling.

GoldZilla Grand Master

GoldZilla

Posted
Posted

Pfft, the problem with most places is that the staff are salesmen first, and enthusiasts somewhere wwwwaaaaayyy down the line there. They don't really care too much about the product (and generally aren't required to), as long as they can convince the customer to sign on the line.

Remember, the majority of people out there either couldn't care less about the car or buy it in a heart ruling head situation or emotional state, where they think "hey, this thing looks good, I think I'll buy it."

spoolin12 Collaborator

spoolin12

Posted
Posted

I had some issues with a certain dealer .

Found a Stagea I liked on car sales, made the call to see if they still had the car as I wanted to come around and have a look (Money in pocket).

I was told it was in stock and ready for me to look at. Drove out (an hours drive) to check it out. On arrival I was told it sold 2 hours ago, BUT 'we do have these in stock, come check them out'.

Told him where he could stick it and left. :cool:

End Rant.

Chris Rogers Grand Master

Chris Rogers

Posted
Posted

find me a ar dealer that can tell the difference between a DVD rom and a DVD player. the amount of people that call me saying these cars play DVDs is astounding. even more so are the dealers that tell me they have played DVD's in the the thing..

one of you hit the nail on the head - I like therefore I buy.

mxfly Veteran

mxfly

Posted
Posted

A very good thread to start Cam for anyone who is interested in buying an M35 Stagea. I too am surprised and appalled at how much mis-information is out there on these cars, especially from dealers themselves. After all, dealerships who sell them should know know their products. But they don't. Even if they are unintentionally advertising something that's not what is claimed to be, it's the end consumer that will ultimately pay for their mistakes if the buyer is not aware of what they are buying. If you are unsure of what the model is, come in here and ask. Another simple way to tell is check the build plate on the car itself. Check the VIN/chassis number and it should start with NM35 or PM35 or PNM35. A genuine Axis though is a little harder to work out it's authenticity. One of the sure ways is to put the vin number through FAST.

And as Cam mentioned, another point to note is that Northshore Prestige Motors is the only importer that can sell the series II Stageas (PM35 or PNM35) with the VQ35DE non turbo engines which were built between 2004 and 2007. So if any other importer is advertising a PM35/PNM35, be careful.

Stinky Rooster Grand Master

Stinky Rooster

Posted
Posted

unfortunately, the "grey" import laws that were bought in to stop some of the general dodgyness surrounding JDM car imports really just concentrated the dodgyness to the select few that were given compliance approval. At the time I bought my stagea, there was only one imprter in WA with compliance approval, and they did some dodgy shit that I still cant believe to this day, such as inmporting 25X stageas that had copped a +T and passing them off as RS4's....

  • 2 weeks later...
deanoss Enthusiast

deanoss

Posted
Posted

And also THIS PLACE - Not a very professional setup at all...

I'd recommend Northshore Prestige. Even though I didn't buy from them, they were keen to help me out...

I bought mine from Japlink Motors. The guys there were pretty casual, and were quite helpful. I bought the car with two bald tyres, and got them replaced, they were more than happy to compensate the cost (even after me getting it done without their approval) They had nice cars in their getting worked on, so it sort of reassured me that they aren't some dodgy ass hobo group if they have customers trusting their cars in there...

Anyway thats my 2 cents.

[Yep, I got burnt by "This Place...Beware.]

Bis-e Bee Mentor

Bis-e Bee

Posted
Posted
And also THIS PLACE - Not a very professional setup at all...

I'd recommend Northshore Prestige. Even though I didn't buy from them, they were keen to help me out...

I bought mine from Japlink Motors. The guys there were pretty casual, and were quite helpful. I bought the car with two bald tyres, and got them replaced, they were more than happy to compensate the cost (even after me getting it done without their approval) They had nice cars in their getting worked on, so it sort of reassured me that they aren't some dodgy ass hobo group if they have customers trusting their cars in there...

Anyway thats my 2 cents.

[Yep, I got burnt by "This Place...Beware.]

I've heard some bad things about them, my experience was not overly bad and I'm very happy with my purchase however.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • Yeetus
      R33 GTST Sh*tbox to Polished T*rd

      By Yeetus · Posted

      Gday Thought it was about time I started a build thread! As expected this project has snowballed into a huge financial liability, but unless you’re strong willed and responsible, it’s not a surprise. Background -  My first turbo car was an R32 GTS-4, got my full license and then totalled my Au Falcon a week later, so while trying to sell my RMZ450 dirtbike to buy another car a bloke offered to swap the R32 which at the time I felt like I was ripped off but looking back and seeing prices of those now ($40kish) it was a good deal, I didn’t know enough about these cars to appreciate what I had so sold it before the RB20 blew up. Between here and there, out of 12 cars I’ve owned the note worthy ones are a V8 Lexus SC400 (soarer), a couple of XR6 Turbos and my beloved S15 which I had for about 3 years, picked it up for $12500, repairable write off but she was fine, gun metal grey/pewter and bone stock/unmolested until I got my hands on it. Ended up spending about the value of the car and 280kw, 2 demerit points by the time I got defected and sold it for $14500 (also $40kish in today’s market, rip) Fast forward to the present day, I’m in a much better position financially and daily an MQ Triton (great cars, pipe down Ranger Bois), I cruised marketplace and car sales for a few months looking for another R32, the best deal I could find was an absolute rust bucket half finished project for $12000, until this R33 popped up in Port Macquarie for $18k - unregistered and barely running but decent shape, kept an eye on it for a few weeks and the price steadily dropped, $16k then $15k then $14k, that was the point where I was like shit someone’s gonna snatch this up! It was owned by a young bloke who had big plans but him and his missus just had a baby so smartest move financially for them but big gain for me. So 2 days later I’m towing a car trailer to pick this thing up. Roughly 2 weeks and $3500 later I’m cruising around Newcastle in my beat up R33 all smiles and dose noises! It only needed some basic shit to get it going, coil packs and air flow meter, electrical stuff and all fluids changed, 158k kms and running pretty good, nice smooth engine after oil and coolant flush - when I say coolant I mean it had been filled up with tap water, every gallery and heater element was filled with rust, 8-9 flushes later and still had brown liquid coming out but she’ll be right. The car was painted R34 Bayside Blue at some point but whether it was a cheap job or just not looked after is anyone’s guess, clear coat flaking like sausage roll.  Was rethinking my choices and contemplating life, had it up for sale for $22k - still cheaper than any registered R33 but got little interest, next minute I had an opportunity at work - 6 months overseas for good money, so that was a no brainer, fast forward again and here we are with a 50% finished project. Current Mods - 200ish KW according to butt dyno Was tuned with Apexi PowerFC EBC (old school Greddy Profec)  Stock turbo (more shaft play than a Tinder date gone right) 3inch turbo back Varex muffler  Aftermarket injectors of mystery size, Power FC showed 36% duty cycle at full boost so not behd good size Someone had good intentions but stuck with the stock R33 MAF so we had misfires at 6000rpm due to the MAF hitting 5.2V So far I’ve redone the entire interior with carpet form Car Mats Direct, new Seats and steering wheel from Autotechnica, also sound system by Autobarn (mainly Kicker) Also MCA pro comfort coil overs - Hands down best purchase yet, worlds of improvement over the tired 30yrold shocks Goals - 450kw/600hp on flex tune New paint job - Midnight Purple 2 Engine is at the shop getting rebuilt with forged rods a pistons, new valves and springs, ATI Harmonic balancer, Aeroflow 7.5L sump, rear head drain and oil restrictors as per oil control thread* and cam covers modded for larger breathers, other stuff I can’t recall of the top of my head Parts purchased and to be installed once the engine is done -  Engine loom from Wiring Specialties including these options: Haltech Nexus S3 R35 Coil pack conversion  PRP Dual Trigger kit Fan controller  Other Parts -  262 Kelford Cams Turbo - Hypergear ATR43SS3-ProS with T51R mod (whistly boi) 6 boost manifold (high mount) 50mm Turbosmart Pro gate (plumbed back for legal reasons) HKS Super Turbo Exhaust with High Flow Cat Custom 3.5inch dump and front pipe 1500cc Bosch injectors  Fuel Pump walbro 525 Haltech MAP and IAT sensors Haltech Flex Sensor Fenix Radiator with dual thermo fans LS1 Alternator Kit Oil Filter Relocation from EFI solutions and Cooling pro oil cooler Many other things sitting in my garage waiting for that engine to come back. Progress pics to follow -  
    • GTSBoy
      Dose's Sometimes DIY and Pay Someone Home & Boat Improvement Thread

      By GTSBoy · Posted

      Losses have to be less with DC coupling. Provided the battery inverter has decent MPP tracking ability - which really shouldn't be a problem. It's not 2005 any more.
    • ossy
      Will R33 GTR rear backing plates fit GTST?

      By ossy · Posted

      Hi, Will the R33 GTR rear brake backing plates fit a GTST? I'm struggling to find GTST ones but can find new GTR ones.   Thanks.
    • Yeetus
      Has anyone put in brand new full carpet? (not floor mats)

      By Yeetus · Posted

      I also got the same floor mats for a bit of extra bazzaz haha
    • Yeetus
      Has anyone put in brand new full carpet? (not floor mats)

      By Yeetus · Posted

      Some more close up pics now that I’m back to working on the car, the loop pile is nice but again haven’t compared it to the other types in person, it’s hard to tell from the pics on the website. View of the hemming on the edges too, it comes in 2 pieces - front and back, honestly very happy with it for anyone on the fence.  Also attached my previous pics from further up as it didn’t let me post them directly before. (Nothing worse than photo bucket pics that aren’t hosted anymore years later)
×
×
  • Create New...