new2350z Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Hi, have been looking to change car and had shortlisted a BMWZ4 3.0, Audi TT (3.2V6) and 350Z. I just had a testdrive in the 350Z and it blew we away, AWESOME -now I want one badly. the one I tested was an 04 UK spec GT, leather etc which I could get for 12k. Unfortunately my budget is about 10k so i'm now considering (somewhat reluctantly) to look at imports in the hope I could get something withing budget with equivalent GT spec. Having had limited time to research stuff, I'm not too sure of the pitfalls of the import market - seems they generally are lower spec that UK GT's but am more worried about being legal for UK roads. Would I be right in thinking that if buying an 'used' import that all the necessary mods/conversions have been done to make it UK legal. If buying direct from importer (bansaicars) - do they do all they modifications for you before delivery and is there additional registration/import duty to pay outside the purchase price, and what import models are most similar to UK GT spec. As an aside, I've yet to take a testdrive in the Z4/AudiTT as I can see the 350Z being bettered, but just out of curiousity I might arrange anyway - has anyone else driven these other cars to compare. Sorry for all the questions but since driving the car I now am seriously gonna try fing one in my price range but need to know as mch about these cars as possible since am basically starting from knowing nothing! Any advice much appreciated. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 check out the JDM Imports subforum bit. http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=37 Plenty of answers in there to your questions. The general opinion though at the moment is to buy a imported one that is already here with the conversions done as the Yen is strong against the pound at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Hi and welcome to the forum. As Mike says, the UK market offers some great bargains at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev-the-Rev Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev-the-Rev Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greido Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I test drove the new shape 3.2 Audi TT and thought it was great, though I preferred the 2.0t and much preferred the Zed. With a £10k budget I'd imagine you're looking at the old shape TT? - From what I've read, it's nowhere near as good to drive as the new one, which isn't as good as the Zed so the obvious choice is the Zed! As for the Z4, I didn't even test drive it; I got to the showroom and just didn't like the look of it, I was going from a Boxster and felt it was too big a step down and it was a bit girly. As for an import; don't let that put you off if you see a car you like; I've had two import FTOs in the past and had absolutely no issues with either of them. The only thing to possibly put you off an import is other people's ignorance; you might find it more difficult to sell on as people are unsure about them, as are Nissan dealers I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xStric9x Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Welcome bud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil2185 Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Here is a suggestion, what about a car auction? I have been here several times http://www.british-car-auctions.co.uk/ some of the bargins they have had were unreal so much cheaper than autotrader or a dealer. I was a bit put off at first by not being able to give it a once over but if you get something with warranty on it then any problems (or at least most) the dealer will sort and any cosmetic damage you can see, plus most of the people selling there are lease companies so cars are generally returned to them in good nick other wise you get charged and are always main dealer serviced! To give you an example the last time I was there was Oct 08 and they sold a 57 Golf GTi with 8k on the clock for 12k Now given that I paid 12k for my 2006 55 plate roadster GT with 19k on the clock from a private seller in Nov I would suggest that 10k in the auction house and a little luck might get you a real bargin. Obviously if you still wanted dealer warranty on it you would be looking at a late reg 55 plate and with 10k it might be possible, worth a go - who knows in todays market and its a day out looking at some rather nice cars...when I went they were selling a year old M3's M'6 R32's 911's the list went on, Plus gives you an idea of what the auction value of cars are if you do decide to go down that route! Dont get these sites confused with the dodgy back street auctions (we have one down the road) and it just sells rubbish for £100 a go! This place sells for lots of big lease companies and also main dealers If you go on that website subscribe to something called aution view, costs about £10 and that is there version of autotrader and covers all the stock they have in all of thier sites (1000's of cars). Lets you see what zeds they have in stock and the spec and obviously the date of the auction! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbs Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Hello & Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 An example of the auction prices; 2006 56 Nissan 350Z 30 Roadster. 16k. £12,200 provisional Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbieB Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I just bought a gun metal grey, 04 plate 350Z with 31,000 miles, full Nissan service history, dvd player, 18" alloys, 1 previous owner and not a scratch/knock or even slight wear and tear on it for £9500. Is that very cheap? Yes. It's a buyers market at the moment mate. Don't be afraid to go for something priced at 12k and come in with an extortionately low bid in cash or w/e. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilTheForce Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Wish I knew more about the auctions. Looks like there's some real bargains to be had. I just had a quick look and didn't understand half the terms they were on about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccaman Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Hi & to the forum. Good luck with your search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MITZ@CougarStore Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Welcome to the forum... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2350z Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 I just bought a gun metal grey, 04 plate 350Z with 31,000 miles, full Nissan service history, dvd player, 18" alloys, 1 previous owner and not a scratch/knock or even slight wear and tear on it for £9500. Is that very cheap? Yes. It's a buyers market at the moment mate. Don't be afraid to go for something priced at 12k and come in with an extortionately low bid in cash or w/e. Hi guys, thanks for the warm welcome to the site - very impressed with it, and thanks for the help so far. RobbieB, that deal you got sounds fantastic - did you buy from a dealer or private and was it an import? If I could haggle a deal like that I'd definately jump in! Have another 350z test drive booked today, the convertible this time, just to compare toa Z4 if I ever even bother test driving one cos I'm now totally sold on the nissan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Roadsters are great fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil2185 Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Roadsters are great fun +1 plus you can get a tan sat in a traffic jam! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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