Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

Hey guys, I'm considering buying a manual V35 Skyline, the 2003/4 models, I've noticed in 6sp manual they have dropped to below $30,000 for what looks like a base model one. Can anyone fill me in on what they are like to drive, how sporty, comment on the engine, etc?

I've only ever seen a few, not a common car thats for sure.

Thanks much,

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/335189-v35-skyline-looking-at/
Share on other sites

Hey guys, I'm considering buying a manual V35 Skyline, the 2003/4 models, I've noticed in 6sp manual they have dropped to below $30,000 for what looks like a base model one. Can anyone fill me in on what they are like to drive, how sporty, comment on the engine, etc?

I've only ever seen a few, not a common car thats for sure.

Thanks much,

you can have a decent auto coupe for less then $25000 now a days, for this car, I drive both auto and manual before i bought one,

for daily the 5 speed auto is more than enough in terms of engine response or gear box response. When you get stuck in a traffic, you will love the auto box. For my experience in twisty mountain roads, the car provide great and easy control, very predictable limit and turn in.

If you must drive a manual, 350Z is a better choice if you don't mind it only have 2 seats.=)

Hey guys, I'm considering buying a manual V35 Skyline, the 2003/4 models, I've noticed in 6sp manual they have dropped to below $30,000 for what looks like a base model one. Can anyone fill me in on what they are like to drive, how sporty, comment on the engine, etc?

I've only ever seen a few, not a common car thats for sure.

Thanks much,

although its a NA v6, it does pack a punch. a mate of mine has the 6mt and all i have to say is if your driving home from work everyday during peak hours hes not a friend of the clutch so auto would be the go.

however you can do so much with a 6mt and itll feel more sportier. keep in mind although you cant feel much power its there.

eg (note on closed roads)

-against a standard wrx= win

-against sti= side by side til 120-130 then put your head in shame

-evo6-8=same as sti except you'll need a box of tissues.

-holden ford v6=piss (havnt had runs with v8s yet so dono)

-fpvs hsvs late models= same as sti but dont even try the f6 310.

there are more Vs on the roads nowadays compared to 2 years ago.

The manual is actually not that bad in daily traffic. I use mine as a daily. The reward you get from the manual box on twisty roads is enough to offset the inconvenience in rush hour traffic.

hey i got a 6 speed about two months ago, awsome car the best fun to drive! would recomend the 6mt but you will have to learn to love the clutch! its a sporty mother!!! but once your used to it you will love driving it! oh and try to get one with the brembo's the brakes are fantastic!!!

Hey matey, the wife and I pick up our V35 sedan tomorrow. It has the 6MT and drives quite nice. This will be our family every day hack which is why we went 4 door. We took 2 for a spin the first one (the car we went with) had the friction point to what felt approx half (from memory). The other one we took for a spin felt like you had to have your clutch foot up to your ear-hole before it grabbed. I would say that one had a stuffed or starting to be stuffed clutch at a "claimed" 27,000km's.

I got my manual premium for $27k - dont let the dealers rape you.

As far as auto v manual goes, its not really a question.. manual for sure!

I drive mine in traffic every day and its fine. Stop/start is a pain, but its a pain in any car.

Clutch did take a bit longer for me to get used to than most other cars tho, not sure why.

I must say the cluth's engagement point is a bit high compared to other manuals that I have driven, the cluth pedal a bit stiff for my liking and the gearbox is quite notchy. As this is the first Skyline I own I am not sure if all previous model Skylines are like this. It does take awhile to master it and learn how to smooth out take off and gear changes. Now after almost 2 months of ownership I have began to like the gearbox. All those things that I have mentioned just make the drive much sportier and more engaging and precise. It's a Skyline after all, not some Corolla shopping cart lol.

I have been looking at the V35 for few years now. Finally got around to getting one last week :banana:

Some are saying their gear box is notchy? Mine has done 24K and is the best manual i have ever driven. It just knows where to shift into, its so easy, so smooth. My step dad who has driven many more than me also agrees. Don't get a auto, drive both, i did, manual is so much better.

I got mine off nagoya motors (ask for Dmitriy, he will look after you). He may still have a 03 Black 6MT, Bose, Leather, Brembos, 22,xxx km, um.. steering controls, auto lights, dvd/tv player. I brought the pearl white one off him with similar specs and he can give you 3 yr warranty, he a great guy. PM me if u want to talk about getting a good car and what to look for.

Make sure any you look at:

The wear and tear should = the km of the car (there is a black v35 auto in nerang that reckons its done like 30k, BS, looks like 60K) u gotta be carefull, they can turn the speedo back

Make sure the stereo can play cd's and eject them with no probs (take 6 with u and make sure it can accept them all, play and then eject)

Listen to the audio and turn the bass and treble up to 2+ and listen for distortion and dropping out on the left side esp when driving.

Make sure both windows when u hold and press the button for 1 sec auto go all the way down and all the way up.

Make sure when you get out of car and close the door that the windows comes up another 1-2cm into the sill.

- If last 2 not working, can expect 200-500 to fix per window.

Check the condition of the routers, are they heavily worn = hard driving

Any more Q just ask!

Oh just FYI

Stamp duty, 6mth rego and number plates in QLD is around $880 plus $175 or something for CTP. Then add insurance on top. If ur in QLD, get a online quote from just car and get NRMA to beat it by 10%

They are amazing to drive, i ride an Yamaha R6 so i love the twisty, i go through very hard on the bike, took the car and it was GLUED to the road.

Very sporty, people think its a M3 or Audi lol, but u gotta get manual .....

Engine is very responsive, there are heaps of things u can do to make it nicer without spending massive amounts.

Edited by R6n350GT
although its a NA v6, it does pack a punch. a mate of mine has the 6mt and all i have to say is if your driving home from work everyday during peak hours hes not a friend of the clutch so auto would be the go.

however you can do so much with a 6mt and itll feel more sportier. keep in mind although you cant feel much power its there.

eg (note on closed roads)

-against a standard wrx= win

-against sti= side by side til 120-130 then put your head in shame

-evo6-8=same as sti except you'll need a box of tissues.

-holden ford v6=piss (havnt had runs with v8s yet so dono)

-fpvs hsvs late models= same as sti but dont even try the f6 310.

there are more Vs on the roads nowadays compared to 2 years ago.

Richard...you know better than to post things like this on the forum.

we should organise track day at AHG for our cars and really appreciate the drive. public roads are not the place...no matter how good a driver, it will make us no better than the hoons driving old commodores with a HSV cap worn tilted sideways and a huge jetpilot sticker on the windscreen.

Hey guys, I'm considering buying a manual V35 Skyline, the 2003/4 models, I've noticed in 6sp manual they have dropped to below $30,000 for what looks like a base model one. Can anyone fill me in on what they are like to drive, how sporty, comment on the engine, etc?

I've only ever seen a few, not a common car thats for sure.

Thanks much,

I have a 2004 Premium Manual V35 Coupe. I like the manual, pretty easy to drive to me even in traffic and certainly gives you a feeling of being more in control of the car. Years ago the cost premium for a manual was about $5000 over the auto, but like you say, they are now under $30K, so good value.

Best handling car I have driven, way better than BA and BF, XR8 and XR6 Turbo's that I have had.

Brembo's are great.

Only downsides are the window and CD player issues that are common, as mentioned above. Even if you buy one of these without those issues, there's no guarentee, they won't arise soon after you buy it! Factor it into your budget.

I have replaced the drivers window motor, and rather than fix the cd player, fitted a iPod adapter that allows me to control the ipod with the steering wheel controls or Stereo buttons.

For the money, they are the complete package to me.

I may upgrade mine in a month or so, so if you are in Qld, keep an eye out for it in the For Sale section of SAU.

I have been looking at the V35 for few years now. Finally got around to getting one last week :D

Some are saying their gear box is notchy? Mine has done 24K and is the best manual i have ever driven. It just knows where to shift into, its so easy, so smooth. My step dad who has driven many more than me also agrees. Don't get a auto, drive both, i did, manual is so much better.

I got mine off nagoya motors (ask for Dmitriy, he will look after you). He may still have a 03 Black 6MT, Bose, Leather, Brembos, 22,xxx km, um.. steering controls, auto lights, dvd/tv player. I brought the pearl white one off him with similar specs and he can give you 3 yr warranty, he a great guy. PM me if u want to talk about getting a good car and what to look for.

Make sure any you look at:

The wear and tear should = the km of the car (there is a black v35 auto in nerang that reckons its done like 30k, BS, looks like 60K) u gotta be carefull, they can turn the speedo back

Make sure the stereo can play cd's and eject them with no probs (take 6 with u and make sure it can accept them all, play and then eject)

Listen to the audio and turn the bass and treble up to 2+ and listen for distortion and dropping out on the left side esp when driving.

Make sure both windows when u hold and press the button for 1 sec auto go all the way down and all the way up.

Make sure when you get out of car and close the door that the windows comes up another 1-2cm into the sill.

- If last 2 not working, can expect 200-500 to fix per window.

Check the condition of the routers, are they heavily worn = hard driving

Any more Q just ask!

Oh just FYI

Stamp duty, 6mth rego and number plates in QLD is around $880 plus $175 or something for CTP. Then add insurance on top. If ur in QLD, get a online quote from just car and get NRMA to beat it by 10%

They are amazing to drive, i ride an Yamaha R6 so i love the twisty, i go through very hard on the bike, took the car and it was GLUED to the road.

Very sporty, people think its a M3 or Audi lol, but u gotta get manual .....

Engine is very responsive, there are heaps of things u can do to make it nicer without spending massive amounts.

Regarding the nothy feel and heavy clutch of the gearbox I guess that's probably cuz I was so used to my old ford focus gearbox. :)

Aren't those items like CD player, power window etc covered by the warranty?

My driver's side window won't come up after it went fully down. But this does not happen all the time and it's a bugger for me to claim warranty for it as it works every time I take it to the shop! :starwars:

I have been looking at the V35 for few years now. Finally got around to getting one last week :P

Some are saying their gear box is notchy? Mine has done 24K and is the best manual i have ever driven. It just knows where to shift into, its so easy, so smooth. My step dad who has driven many more than me also agrees. Don't get a auto, drive both, i did, manual is so much better.

I got mine off nagoya motors (ask for Dmitriy, he will look after you). He may still have a 03 Black 6MT, Bose, Leather, Brembos, 22,xxx km, um.. steering controls, auto lights, dvd/tv player. I brought the pearl white one off him with similar specs and he can give you 3 yr warranty, he a great guy. PM me if u want to talk about getting a good car and what to look for.

Make sure any you look at:

The wear and tear should = the km of the car (there is a black v35 auto in nerang that reckons its done like 30k, BS, looks like 60K) u gotta be carefull, they can turn the speedo back

Make sure the stereo can play cd's and eject them with no probs (take 6 with u and make sure it can accept them all, play and then eject)

Listen to the audio and turn the bass and treble up to 2+ and listen for distortion and dropping out on the left side esp when driving.

Make sure both windows when u hold and press the button for 1 sec auto go all the way down and all the way up.

Make sure when you get out of car and close the door that the windows comes up another 1-2cm into the sill.

- If last 2 not working, can expect 200-500 to fix per window.

Check the condition of the routers, are they heavily worn = hard driving

Any more Q just ask!

Oh just FYI

Stamp duty, 6mth rego and number plates in QLD is around $880 plus $175 or something for CTP. Then add insurance on top. If ur in QLD, get a online quote from just car and get NRMA to beat it by 10%

They are amazing to drive, i ride an Yamaha R6 so i love the twisty, i go through very hard on the bike, took the car and it was GLUED to the road.

Very sporty, people think its a M3 or Audi lol, but u gotta get manual .....

Engine is very responsive, there are heaps of things u can do to make it nicer without spending massive amounts.

Yeah I got mine there too

Dimitry is really nice.

Nagoya motors will give you a good price :-)

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


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • If as it's stalling, the fuel pressure rises, it's saying there's less vacuum in the intake manifold. This is pretty typical of an engine that is slowing down.   While typically is agree it sounds fuel related, it really sounds fuel/air mixture related. Since the whole system has been refurbished, including injectors, pump, etc, it's likely we've altered how well the system is delivering fuel. If someone before you has messed with the IACV because it needed fiddling with as the fuel system was dieing out, we need to readjust it back. Getting things back to factory spec everywhere, is what's going to help the entire system. So if it idles at 400rpm with no IACV, that needs raising. Getting factory air flow back to normal will help us get everything back in spec, and likely help chase down any other issues. Back on IACV, if the base idle (no IACV plugged in) is too far out, it's a lot harder for the ECU to control idle. The IACV duty cycle causes non linear variations in reality. When I've tuned the idle valves in the past, you need to keep it in a relatively narrow window on aftermarket ecus to stop them doing wild dances. It also means if your base idle is too low, the valve needs to open too much, and then the smallest % change ends up being a huge variation.
    • I guess one thing that might be wrong is the manifold pressure.  It is a constant -5.9 and never moves even under 100% throttle and load.  I would expect it to atleast go to 0 correct?  It's doing this with the OEM MAP as well as the ECU vacuum sensor. When trying to tune the base map under load the crosshairs only climb vertically with RPM, but always in the -5.9 column.
    • AHHHH gotchaa, I'll do that once I am home again. I tried doing the harness with the multimeter but it seems the car needed a jump, there was no power when it was in the "ON" position. Not sure if I should use car battery jump starter or if its because the stuff that has been disconnect the car just does send power.
    • As far as I can tell I have everything properly set in the Haltech software for engine size, injector data, all sensors seem to be reporting proper numbers.  If I change any injector details it doesnt run right.    Changing the base map is having the biggest change in response, im not sure how people are saying it doesnt really matter.  I'm guessing under normal conditions the ECU is able to self adjust and keep everything smooth.   Right now my best performance is happening by lowering the base map just enough to where the ECU us doing short term cut of about 45% to reach the target Lambda of 14.7.  That way when I start putting load on it still has high enough fuel map to not be so lean.  After 2500 rpm I raised the base map to what would be really rich at no load, but still helps with the lean spots on load.  I figure I don't have much reason to be above 2500rpm with no load.  When watching other videos it seems their target is reached much faster than mine.  Mine takes forever to adjust and reach the target. My next few days will be spent making sure timing is good, it was running fine before doing the ECU and DBW swap, but want to verify.  I'll also probably swap in the new injectors I bought as well as a walbro 255 pump.  
    • It would be different if the sealant hadn't started to peel up with gaps in the glue about ~6cm and bigger in some areas. I would much prefer not having to do the work take them off the car . However, the filler the owner put in the roof rack mount cavities has shrunk and begun to crack on the rail delete panels. I cant trust that to hold off moisture ingress especially where I live. Not only that but I have faded paint on as well as on either side of these panels, so they would need to come off to give the roofline a proper respray. My goal is to get in there and put a healthy amount of epoxy instead of panel filler/bog and potentially skin with carbon fiber. I have 2 spare rolls from an old motorcycle fairing project from a few years back and I think it'd be a nice touch on a black stag.  I've seen some threads where people replace their roof rack delete with a welded in sheet metal part. But has anyone re-worked the roof rails themselves? It seems like there is a lot of volume there to add in some threads and maybe a keyway for a quick(er) release roof rack system. Not afraid to mill something out if I have to. It would be cool to have a cross bar only setup. That way I can keep the sleek roofline that would accept a couple bolts to gain back that extra utility  3D print some snazzy covers to hide the threaded section to be thorough and keep things covered when not using the rack. 
×
×
  • Create New...