2007 JDM Import Advice - If anyone is still around!

[Salieri]

It's been a very long time since I posted here, and it seems that the forum has become somewhat less busy than when I first arrived back in 2008!

 

My JDM 350Z is still going although is getting a bit long in the tooth, and it's this reason that I'm now asking for advice, especially since the eyewatering Vehicle Tax increases are coming up fast for my car.  For various reasons I'm thinking of saying goodbye to the old girl and need to invite some opinions.

 

My car is a Ebisu Black JDM Import 07 ST version with tan leather interior (there might still be pictures around that I've posted in the past, including damage that was fully repaired), bought at auction back in 2008, and is from the earliest editions on the HR model.  Up until the ULEZ changes in London it was used as a very occasional car, but ultimately lived on the street in London. 

 

Since ULEZ it has seen more use as a daily driver as bizzarely it is ULEZ compliant. As a result it has only 39000 miles on the clock, of which about 11000 are actually km racked up in Japan (about 7000 miles).  It's largely stock, and all things that aren't are those that came with the car at purchase.  With ST versions being a bit more based on optional extra's in Japan, it has no cruise control or steering wheel controls, side airbags or rear bonnet 'wing'.  On the plus side it might be the only 350z in the UK with a Bose MiniDisc player 😋! Other options that deviate from the norm in the UK are the rear headlights which are clear not the standard UK red, and what I think has been identified as the highly sought after Amuse R1 Titan exhaust.  I have no spares to return it to 'factory' spec which some people say is best for sale.  

 

It needs some work, probably a repaint or touch up on both front and rear bumpers and the drivers side front wing and door.  Due to London driving (and 18 years of my mistakes) the stock GT alloys are not in a great condition. It's always passed it's MOTs with exception of times when the wipers needed replacing, but nothing mechanical or structural as of yet.

 

Now onto my questions, if I am looking to sell, would it be worth getting it properly spruced up before sale or just see if I can get it sold in it's current state, as the cost of work done on it will likely not be recouped.  I'm not sure of the state of the market for 350z's as used car sale websites prices seem to be all over the place. And as it's a somewhat low mileage end of the market would it achieve better likelihood of a sale spruced up?  All and any opinions would be warmly welcomed!