biker chris Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Hey all I just registered on this forum. I always got my kicks from bikes before (currently an R6), but a few months ago I made the mistake of opening the door of a 350Z on a trade stand at the Cheshire show, and I was hooked. Don't get me wrong, the R6 is staying, but having just secured a better payed job virtually on my doorstep, I am now looking for a 350Z. I have poked around on this forum for a couple of months but now the cash position looks OK it is time to get serious. I expect to have around 18k to spend, maybe a smidge more. I would like a Z in sunset and it must have GT pack and Alezan leather. I would consider an import and have looked into a couple of companies. At the moment New Era look promising. Does anyone have experience of them ? The import route would give me more car for my money, but I have reservations. One thing I really want on the car is the steering wheel mounted controls for stereo/phone etc. Do Jap models have these ? I was disappointed with the stereo when I test-drove a UK car from a dealer, so if I imported one could I upgrade the headset and still expect the steering wheel mounted buttons to work ? Can I get the phone controls to work too ? Sat-nav would also be nice but I have read lots of conflicting info about getting Jap sat-nav to work. Unless anyone knows differently then it seems that the only way to make it happen it to pretty much junk the Jap one and start again (costly). I also must have 18 inch alloys, although I think the ones on the UK car are a bit boring. There are, I know, a few differences between UK and Jap sepc cars, one of which is 'Uprated interior' on UK cars - does anyone know exactly what the differences are ? Also the Jap cars have a square number plate and Fairlady badge. Can the badge be removed/replaced with UK one (Fairlady is such a naff name!) and if someone shunts the back of my Jap car then can I fit a UK tailgate/bumper etc without any issue ? Can I get a dealer to fit a spoiler onto the Jap tailgate without any issue ? I guess the bottom line is do I buy a relatively high mileage UK car and upgrade the stereo or do I buy a cheaper jap car and upgarde the stereo and maybe the wheels too, provided the steering wheel controls are available and can be made to work easily. I'll probably think of more, and have probably overlooked stuff too, but any guidance would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Chris No one so far has any luck with getting a phone to work on a JDM model. The connector is different on JDM and it seems incredibly hard to get info on what phones/adaptors work with it. Sat Nav, yes your right, it's basically junk unless you wanna pay a lot of many to get it converted. One company can do it but your looking in the region of £900. They can also properly convert the radio do you don't need a frequency shifter for £150 -£200. Badges can be removed and 350z ones purchased easily. Front number plate bracket can be swapped for a Uk one. Only way to change the rear numberplate is to buy a UK bumper. Some go through on ebay. some differences listed here http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1781 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker chris Posted November 16, 2006 Author Share Posted November 16, 2006 OK, thanks. Regarding the radio, I wasn;t really thinking of junking it because of the frequency issue, but rather because I thought the one in the UK car was very disappointing. Hi-fi is quite important to me, so what I'm wondering is whether the steering wheel controls woul dstill work if I had a different, ie, better, stereo fitted ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beavis Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Hi and welcome to the forum, i cant really help you with your questions, but i have a uk car and like you was a biker once. Can see why you got hooked on the zed though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ir_fuel Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 I doubt the controls still work. Honestly, for me hifi is important too, to a certain point, but face it, at the speed you will be driving that beast there will already be too much cabin noise (it does not have Audi A8 insulation ) to fully exploit a high-end audio system The best audio quality of this car is under the bonnet, trust me on that one @beavis: was? was? you sissy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 OK, thanks. Regarding the radio, I wasn;t really thinking of junking it because of the frequency issue, but rather because I thought the one in the UK car was very disappointing. Hi-fi is quite important to me, so what I'm wondering is whether the steering wheel controls woul dstill work if I had a different, ie, better, stereo fitted ? Look at post by Nana Moon here http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/search.ph ... =Nana+Moon He may have your answers your looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Welcome aboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker chris Posted November 16, 2006 Author Share Posted November 16, 2006 Thanks for all the welcomes and responses. I'm thinking the Kenwood setup of Nana Moon looks just ace, and would be a good start, maybe with some sound proofing too. It looks to me like a JDM is the way to go, although whether to import or buy one already here I'm not sure. Depends on whether I can find exactly what I'm looking for ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 yes plenty of imported JDM's already here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickya Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Welcome Some JDM's have steering controls, some dont. Though apart from increasing CD volume & change CD they are not much use especially for mobile phones. (I dont use cruise control) Its better to just get a bluetooth kit (e.g. parrot/sony erricson/nokia etc) for about £40 for your mobile phone, a lot easier to use. JDM satnav wont work & better to just get a TomTom1 for about £200 which you can even hardwire into the satnav cubby hole with power. Apart from that there isnt much differences, as for badges etc see my pic below, it did say gaylady before: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker chris Posted November 16, 2006 Author Share Posted November 16, 2006 Well, I think I am talked around. JDM it is, then fit a new hifi headset. Rickya the Z you have is what I am after - Sunset & Alezan. Just a case now of finding one at the right price and mileage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkfish Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Chris!! Happy hunting!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyC Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Chris, good luck in your hunt!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captint Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Welcome, enjoy the site and good luck with your misson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker chris Posted November 22, 2006 Author Share Posted November 22, 2006 Getting more confused the more I look I think. Have found this car, due in the country December with OTR price 17k. There are not many Sunset/Alezan cars about and they seem a bit more expensive than silver/grey cars in particular. Dealer says the car is 4.5 auction spec but couldn't tell me if is was a T or ST. I suspect ST from the Bose HiFi - is that correct ? I thought the steering wheel looks odd - aftermarket ? Are the wheels aftermarket too ? I am told they are 18 inch. Is it a bit pricey for a 2003 car with 16000 miles ? I'd really appreciate some feedback. description of car is - 3 Doors, Manual 6 speed, Coupe, Petrol, 16,000 miles, Metallic Orange. Air-Conditioning, alarm class I, Central Door Locking, power steering, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Tinted glass, leather interior, Steel wheels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 Wheels and Steering Wheel are aftermarket, Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker chris Posted November 22, 2006 Author Share Posted November 22, 2006 The dealer also tells me that it has 'Digital meters', but couldn't elaborate. Anyone suggest what this is? I suspect that the price is a bit high but woul dlove anyone's second opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 It might be referring to the trip computer pod. Sounds like he's doesn't really know what he's talking about though. Would worry me. Sounds like he's not installing you with confidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 have tou had a look at the one in the recent topics section could be what your looking for around £14000. max. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lomoto Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 Dear for the year , have you seen this that you can buy today?? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nissan-350Z-Coupe ... dZViewItem Ticks all your box's and you will have plenty of money left over for wheels / exhaust mods.. ps good choice of colour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker chris Posted November 22, 2006 Author Share Posted November 22, 2006 Thanks for the responses. Two people have pointed me at the car on ebay, and it does look like good value. I suppose my reservation would be that it is 4 years old, but am I being too fussy maybe, given that JDMs tend to be better preserved ? I had started to find myself looking at UK cars around th 18k mark, which is really the top of my budget. I guess 14k would leave me plenty for wheels and hifi as pointed out. I'll go have a look Friday ... Thanks again to all who have responded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lomoto Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 Thanks for the responses. Two people have pointed me at the car on ebay, and it does look like good value. I suppose my reservation would be that it is 4 years old, but am I being too fussy maybe, given that JDMs tend to be better preserved ? I had started to find myself looking at UK cars around th 18k mark, which is really the top of my budget. I guess 14k would leave me plenty for wheels and hifi as pointed out. I'll go have a look Friday ... Thanks again to all who have responded. yep have a look , difficult to generalise , but you'll be surprised on a 4 year old JDM how good a condition it will be..I viewed quite a few cars UK's and JDM's before picking mine and to be frank the UK cars I saw were in really poor condition compared to the Jap stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leenx Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 Agree with Lomoto. £16K I think sounds about right for what you're after. Reckon you could get what you want for around the £15k figure! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 Agreed. Sounds like a good buy to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ir_fuel Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 Wheels and Steering Wheel are aftermarket, Yes. Is that legal in the UK? Because by replacing the steering wheel there is no airbag anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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