marko101080 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 hi im new to the world or the 350z and i hope to purchase one this summer. im working off a £6000 or so budget. ive seen the jap import is called a fairlady. can anyone tell me the difference in the spec, looks and performance of the fairlady compared to the uk version? are there any differences in price of each? are there any drawback of buying a jap import in the uk over the uk verison? what are the usual running costs such as typre, brakes, service etc? many thanks in advance. cant wait to get my 350z. just wanna know as much as possible so im well armed going in the purhcase. marko Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/18-350z-faq/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suits Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Regards extra costs of imported cars, there are a few plus's and negatives. Firstly, as the 350 is a world seller parts will be easy to source as opposed to getting something that was only sold in Japan. If per say you needed a new rear window, you'd have to import it from Japan but as the 350Z is everywhere that will not be a problem. Insurance will be group 20 straight off the bat as it's imported. Simple. The car may not be under-sealed, do this ASAP as the salt and general muck we have over here will eat the car out from the underside out. That sounds lush. You will also need to make sure the car has been converted to run on UK roads, most import company's will do this for you but you will need a rear fog light and have the speedometer converted also. Check this as some do slip the net. Take the flare out of the footwell, they're illegal over here to keep in there. There's probably some more too but thats all I can remember off the top of my head, I owned a JDM variant S2000 for three years and it was fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumping350 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 (edited) theres a flare in my footwell? where is it? Edited June 11, 2014 by jumping350 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suits Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 theres a flare in my footwell? where is it? Probably been taken out now, but the clip will still be there. It should be in the passenger footwell somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firemansim Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 JDM imports are faster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudman Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I have a low mileage 2003 JDM and very pleased with it - I am the second UK owner, The post linked above is pretty thorough - Spec's on the JDM can differ as I recall most UK standard bits are optional extras on the early Z33 Fairlady- like Brembo brakes for example. I have have swapped my centre gauges for UK spec as I wanted the running info in miles not km's, the satnav is all Japanese and did consider popping in an old XTrail unit but the cost (£250ish plus fitting and doesnt do postcodes ) versus what you can get get a Garmin for means its was really not required. I must admit I prefer the rear box number plate recess and having a few buttons in Japanese in the car just gives it a bit of character. No issues at with servicing and modding. Resale on imports vs UK spec isn't that different now but read the forum guides - ask questions, but essentially they are very similar so all down to personal taste. Whichever one you get, as long as have done your homework to decide a Zed is for you - you will not be disappointed and join the rest of us with fixed grins on our faces everytime we start the engine or look back in the carpark and think - thats mine ! Beware Zeditus Right..... time to pop a flare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I own an import car, well a Skyline, you dont have much choice as only about 1000 were actually ever registered in the UK. Personally it felt like there was a stigma against imports when buying my 350z and I really wanted a UK car. But now owning an import I am less concerned. The major issues are: You have 'grey' history of a car from Japan i.e. no service history to call upon Cars can rust if not undersealed Spec is much different, here in the UK there is GT or not, for imports there were many more options so its up to you to check thoroughly Otherwise, they are good honest cars. Check that they were imported via a reputable importer as they would have made the car completely legal and done the undersealing/fog light/speedo etc. None of that is expensive or difficult to do, just need to make sure it was done. From what I have seen as well import cars insurance is hardly any different to UK if you do a bit of hunting around, which anyone with a sports car should do any way so wouldn't worry too much about that. There will always be a clamour for UK cars as us Brits are a fickle bunch, but once in the car driving about I am sure you wont give two hoots where it came from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidan Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 (edited) Pros - imports are cheaper. IMO better rear bumper. If freshly imported, may not have been subjected to British winter road measures (iie salt/grit) Cons - imports are worth less come resale, specs are generally lower (Uk GT is almost top spec Jap model I believe ??), speedo in KMH, stereos can be in Japanese, can be difficult ot verify history / mileage. Check tyres are Japan tends to have lower rated rubber (for lower speeds). Genrally tend to be slightly more to insure, unless import insurance specialist. Oh and fairlady just sounds a bit "sh*t"..... Buy with your eyes wide open, and imports can be worth it. I've had a few but that was because the UK didn't sell the Jap version I wouldn't at the time (STI and R33GTR). However will plenty UK 350z out there, wouldn't be an issue with these. If your looking at imports, bargain in discounts but also beware come resale - although its 6 and half a dozen. Edited June 11, 2014 by aidan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Welcome to The Forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grundy Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Pro - ECU Is better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveyboy11 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I own an 03 import too and like you I had a similar budget, imports are generally cheaper to pick up but I think that's down to people not really knowing and just sticking with the 'safe' option. Mine has all the good bits of a UK though even down to the bumpers, only thing it was missing was steering wheel controls. Although all my clocks and speedo had been converted it still had the top speed limiter on which stops you going over 112mph, I had Abbey Motorsport remove it for me. Like others have said just make sure you do all the relevant checks and pick a good car regardless if it's UK or JDM. Mine still has it's flare, I'd say buy an import just for that haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Bradders- Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Regards extra costs of imported cars, there are a few plus's and negatives. Firstly, as the 350 is a world seller parts will be easy to source as opposed to getting something that was only sold in Japan. If per say you needed a new rear window, you'd have to import it from Japan but as the 350Z is everywhere that will not be a problem. Insurance will be group 20 straight off the bat as it's imported. Simple. The car may not be under-sealed, do this ASAP as the salt and general muck we have over here will eat the car out from the underside out. That sounds lush. You will also need to make sure the car has been converted to run on UK roads, most import company's will do this for you but you will need a rear fog light and have the speedometer converted also. Check this as some do slip the net. Take the flare out of the footwell, they're illegal over here to keep in there. There's probably some more too but thats all I can remember off the top of my head, I owned a JDM variant S2000 for three years and it was fine. Admiral told me it was group 48/50! and uk model was 36.. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveyboy11 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Also insurance was cheaper on imports for me... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grundy Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Also insurance was cheaper on imports for me... +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Pro - ECU Is better Is it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grundy Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Pro - ECU Is better Is it ? Can handle multiple maps. I.e. Eco, Track, Launch Control etc. I think the later UK models do too, just not the UK early DE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Get it drift it smile haha as above really also find Jdm have had some tasty mods like titanium exhausts and nismo roll bars well mine does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Pro - ECU Is better Is it ? Can handle multiple maps. I.e. Eco, Track, Launch Control etc. I think the later UK models do too, just not the UK early DE O my personal/nardi possibly why Abbey didn't offer me it haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudman Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Wheres the flare at ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveyboy11 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Wheres the flare at ? Passenger footwell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko101080 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 thanks for that people. lots to think about. i kinda like the japanese text on buttons looks cool. lol cant wait to get my new baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suits Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 thanks for that people. lots to think about. i kinda like the japanese text on buttons looks cool. lol You'll love the air-bag baby seat stuff under the visor then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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