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350Z owner wannabe... Imports question.


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Hi, I was a whisker away from buying an RX-8 and a friend switched me on to the 350Z. I'm now all worked up into a lather about buying one (budget 8k) and spied the bargains to be had buying JDM imports. Before I hand over my cash is there anything terrifyingly different about imports I should worry about? I've read bits and pieces about the brakes, autos, 17" wheels and the different rear bumper (which I think I prefer). Will it collapse into a pile of rust in a coastal northern UK town? Should I just stump up the extra for UK model?

 

Any advice/warnings would be hugely appreciated? Ta.

Stu

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Imports can sometimes be lower spec

Warranty is not acknowledged in the UK

Can have foreign miles

 

Other than that, not really any issues from where I sit! I love my auto. Most of the parts are 1:1 with UK counterparts with the exception of a few items like fuse boxes etc.

 

And... imports have the BEST ass of any 350z. Square plate fits the fat back of the car very well.

Edited by ThriftyFifty
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Thanks all for the positive comments, a nice change from the usual internet noise - no one has even abused me (yet)! I'll read the link posted and go from there, as well as check out the For Sale. Just to clarify....I wouldn't say I had 8k "going spare" AK! For that I was hoping to purchase, tax and insure.

 

Speaking of insurance, can any one recommend a specialist provider? I've not owned a car for a few years and my NCD has evaporated, so I'm going to have to take a hit on the next policy - technically this my first car!

Last but not least, and at the risk of using up all my noob stupid questions budget on Day 1, is it worth holding out for a Zed with the GT pack, over the standard?

 

Thanks again all.

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Two obvious options it appears in my budget and search area, both in Slightly Disappointing Silver, but you can't have everything...

 

Lower miles with no GT

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201212114583853

 

or GT

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201301124896816

 

I thnk I'd rather give up the leather seats than the 12,000 miles, but opinions are very much welcome.

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Personally I'd go for the GT with higher miles. Mine is an 04 and had 81k when I bought it, it had been looked after and the engines are strong. I wouldn't make the mileage a deciding factor as long as the car has been cared for and there's a well documented history. As said before, you have a good Zed budget.

 

Regarding insurance, my first port of call would be the comparrison sites to give you an idea of what premium to expect - you'll then know how much you've got to spend on a car.

But, with your budget, not only would you get a GT pack, you'd also get a car with the upgraded Rays wheels (which neither of the above have).

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I'd not considered what would be best for selling it on, only what I was after right now, but it's a very important point, thanks!

 

I've been to a couple of comparison sights and been quoted £800 for a UK and £1000 for JDM. Whilst high, I had budgeted for this, but I am hopeful an independent insurer might give me something a touch more reasonable. I guess I'll have to go old school and actually ring insurers up, that is sooo 90s!

Edited by SuperStu
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With no NCB I don't think £800 is a bad quote. Obviously I don't know your personal circumstances, where you live, occupation etc, so asking 'which insurance broker is best for a Zed' is an open ended question based on everyone's personal experience.

 

At least you've got an idea now and have a figure in mind to include in your budget. There are a few affiliated club insurers that are always worth contacting and going old skool on the telephone often returns favourable results.

 

But with a budget of £8k, allowing £1k for insurance, leaving you circa £7k in your sky rocket would certainly find you a decent car. Look in the Zeds for sale section on here for starters :thumbs: I'd certainly spend some time browsing the forum to learn as much about the car as poss beforehand.

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I'd not considered what would be best for selling it on, only what I was after right now, but it's a very important point, thanks!

 

I've been to a couple of comparison sights and been quoted £800 for a UK and £1000 for JDM. Whilst high, I had budgeted for this, but I am hopeful an independent insurer might give me something a touch more reasonable. I guess I'll have to go old school and actually ring insurers up, that is sooo 90s!

 

£800 is a bargain. I was quoted nearly a grand to insure my zed and i had 20 years ncb. You can try the specialist brokers who are on here, but in my experience i seldom find a specialist is any cheaper.

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A mate suggested to me to join a Zed forum and simply ask questions, at first I didn't really see the point and assumed I'd get a load of grief for not knowing anything at all. I couldn't have been more wrong, in just a couple of days there's been loads of positive posts, links, welcomes, leads and info. I owe him a pint or two for the tip.

 

I've gone from thinking that I quite fancy a Zed, to KNOWING I want one. A manual, GT, preferably in Blue or Black, ideally with Ray's. I've read about how to reset an electric window motor, that you need to bang the passenger footwell if the speaker cuts out and I can say things like plenum spacer to people and make it sound like I know sort of what I am on about! Also that I can't be too picky in my hunt for the perfect Zed, that a well looked after car is a better deal than one in the colour I'd like, and to think about eventual resale value. I've also learn not to worry too much about mileage, £800 insurance quote isn't too bad, I need to go through service history with a fine toothed comb and, most importantly, not to go around kicking people's tyres!

 

It isn't too much of stretch to say Nissan should be paying you all commission, as they are very likely to get some custom out of me in the near future. This few days has given me the confidence to find one and should I need any help I know exactly where to look! I Just need to keep looking and hold on to my wedge until Miss Right turns up. I'll post some photos WHEN she arrives. Thanks all for converting me!

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It's been said before, but :welcome: to the world of the Zed Stu.

 

This isn't my first motoring forum I've found. I was first introduced to forums like this with my previous car (Audi TT). I found it as I seemed to be constantly looking on google to find out what the latest issue with my car was (there were many). The forum community became part of the ownership experience.

 

Before buying a Zed, I did consider what the owners forum was like, should I need help and support. Like you, I asked a few newbie questions before I found and bought mine and did a lot of reading about the car I knew I wanted.

 

I've not had my car a year yet, but I have already learnt a lot about it from everyone on here. This forum definitely adds to the experience of owning the car and will mean I will be keeping it a lot longer than any of my other previous cars.

 

Get your car mate, the right one for you (it's out there) then get yourself along to a meet or few. Oh and one more thing, be prepared for the onset of Zeditis - it's inevitable :lol::thumbs:

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