Advice on buying/locating first 'line

[Zebbie]

I hope you peeps can help me on getting my first 'line.

I have a budget of 20-25k AUD *ish*, and am looking at buying one within a month's time.

After looking about i've pretty much settled on:

R33 1994/5 *Ish* GTST

Reasonable body Kit (Ideally with modded cooling)

Minimal rear spoiler (Not a GTR/monster wing)

Reasonable mods (BOF, uprated brakes, Exhaust etc)

60-90K on the clock if possible

Not fussed about the sound system, as i'll be putting in a media box etc

As good mechanical condition as possible (I'm based in Bathurst, don't want to do too many Syd trips)

Do you peeps think that's a reasonable budget for the above? - should I be looking at a newer, or older one? I'd love a R33 GTR, but that isn't going to happen :-(

If I approached a dealer with cash rather than going credit, are they likley do do a better deal? ( aka bank transfer, not dollars in a bag ;-) )

Other questions -

Exhausts - I know a lot of people go for noisy exhausts for 'lines, but i'd like one that doesn't drop the power available, but is relativley quiet, not waking everyone up with 5 blocks when started :-) Any ideas what to look at?

I've had other reasonable cars before, such as BMW 3 Series', Saab 9000's etc - there are always things to look for when buying, like submarined seats, rust in specific places, odd knocks & noises to show up a lemon before buying - Is there anything to look for in a 'line before buying?

Insurance - I'm recently from the UK, and now have a NSW drivers licence, but not really any record in Aus as far as no claims bonus' etc - ( I'm over 30 ) - Does anyone reccomend any specific insurers?

Edit - Scratch the insurance - I've seen the short thread about it :throwup:

I decided it's time to have a Skyline or so around bathurst that doesn't appear when there's racing or a show on ;-)

That's the questions for the mo, TIA for any help I get.

Regards,

Zeb

[predator]

I will have mine for sale shortly. ...PM sent..

[Blitz]

Zebbie - considering the state of the private sale market at the moment thats a very reasonable budget. If you look hard enough you can find a nice series 2 (96'ish) model for within your budget.

Check out www.uniqueautosports.com

Nick

[Zebbie]

Of deffo - the Black 1996 'line R33 GTS-T they have on there would be so dammed tempting, if it was a manual....

[zymotic]

I guess u could look at importing only if u are prepared to wait longer though.

Also since the mods u are after are minimal, importing may be a good option.

Prestige or J spec seem to be the 2 most common importers people go through on this forum.

Prestige got a white 96 with few mods for $20k. When I imported though Prestige I added another $2k to their price (on road costs) though so maybe $22k for that one.

Takes on average 3-4 months but u can save a few $k that way.

Just something else to consider.

[Merli]

Read this

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/sh...ead.php?t=35129

[ferni]

for that budget go for a series 2

should be able to get a very nice gtst for that

[predator]

meh.. or a fully modified series1.. from bodykit to performance and pulling a lot more kw, and handling better as well.

series2 is nothing special. You either get a stock series1 for that price or a series1 with lots of modifications and maybe 50% more power. And any "landed and complied price" add around $2k for new tyres ($800), rego (approx $600 depending on state), aircon fixing ($200?) and stamp (approx $400 on a $20k car). But i am biased as you can tell

It is hard to get a good value import compared to what is available locally, especially in the R33. Which i think i can say fairly objectively. Things changed a lot after SEVS, prices are holding steady.

Good luck zebbie - do you research and you'll find what you are after I am sure.

[Demon]

With that price range, you should be able to get a good series 1 with some mods, such as exhaust, wheels, maybe cooler...Series 2 are a little more...they have nicer interior and another airbag if ur after safety...also series 1 don;t come with ABS as standard (i think), whereas ABS can be found in series 2 more often....any way good luck....

Oh also, one other thing......careful with Kms......Judge the car on its appearance...not the km reading

[JAM*353]

Yea a big thing is dont trust the odometer explicitly!

Look for worn steering wheels, seats, bad paint jobs, body parts not aligning properly that kind of thing!

$25,000 will get you a fairly decent model, with possibly a few mods!

[blx]

Do yourself a big favour and get a 96 onwards series 2 skyline. Interior is nicer, dual airbags, and a few other bits and pieces. Overall a much nicer car.

For the budget you have there should be no porblems if you are willing to be patient and wait for the perfect skyline. I just purchased a SII in Bris after 3 months of looking and i am extremely happy. Has all the mods you mentioned and was easily within your budget!

Just want to stress start looking now so you have a better idea in a month when you are serious about buying. Test drive as many as you can to get an idea of what is good and bad.

Have fun

[Zebbie]

My thanks go out to all of you that responded, I should be picking up a '96 line, which is in immaculate condition :-)

It was deffo worth spending to the limit of my budget to get the car, as i will basicly have to do nothing to it, apart from enjoy it!

My form's filled in to join SAU :-D

Thanks again, and will post good pics when i can, but here's a few :

http://212.42.1.197/line/

- Zeb

[zymotic]

Looks sweet Drivings gonna become lots of fun for you now :aroused:

[r33skylinegtst]

Hey mate, love the pics of your car. Very nice ride! I'll soon be the owner of a black Series II which is going to be great! anyhow, i noticed your rear and side windows are tinted, but the others aren't. My car is in the same condition, can anyone explain why only a few windows are tinted and not all?

[Merli]

Looks like a very nice example

[zymotic]

Hey mate, love the pics of your car. Very nice ride! I'll soon be the owner of a black Series II which is going to be great! anyhow, i noticed your rear and side windows are tinted, but the others aren't. My car is in the same condition, can anyone explain why only a few windows are tinted and not all?

The factory tints tend to look that way. My car looked the same ex Japan. Lot darker in the back is all. I started thinking that in Japan you couldnt tint the front sides but no