HansFishZed Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 Hi all, Pretty new to these cars and am looking for one at the moment, realistically I have set a budget of around £5000.... is this enough to get one in okay nick? I am pretty confident undertaking mechanical work and have a friend mechanic who takes on the big jobs... I've noticed that the imports seem to be significantly cheaper. Is this because they are less desirable due to their spec? Would it be a mistake/losing out a lot by going for a cheaper import rather an a UK spec? Quote
firemansim Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 This could open a large can of worms, but I will tell you my experience with a JDM import. They come in all different specs, ie: some have Brembo's some don't, and so it goes on. My car has been no trouble and never let me down. ( And imports are faster ) Quote
Jetpilot Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 Very happy with my import, the only thing i specifically wanted was Brembos that come std on UK cars, but even then if the price is right you can pick up a set for £500 ish. I am not at all fussed about leather (although some jdms come with leather) and dont really miss cruise control as i spend little time cruising motorways. Autos will be cheaper, you may need to stretch your budget a bit if you want a clean one though Quote
370Ad Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 This could open a large can of worms, but I will tell you my experience with a JDM import. They come in all different specs, ie: some have Brembo's some don't, and so it goes on. My car has been no trouble and never let me down. ( And imports are faster ) Lol and the facts of this are? 5K will get you a 100k miles UK GT Spec Quote
Rock_Steady Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 I'm sure Firemansim's post was tongue in cheek If not, firemansim be prepared for ridicule 1 Quote
WhackyWill Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 Welcome to The Forum Have a read of this...!! http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/22880-guide-for-new-memberspotential-buyers/ Quote
keithvmx1200 Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Hi I have a nice one for sale and about to drop the price. http://www.ukclassifieds.co.uk/page-2509561.html Quote
HansFishZed Posted February 20, 2015 Author Posted February 20, 2015 Thanks for the advice......its a bit above my budget of £5000 Quote
Garyt350z Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 I bought my 2004 Gt spec 2 years ago with 95k and I picked it up for £4500 and to date, the only major money I spent has been a compete service a year in and performance upgrades! Touch wood!lol So in my experience I would have faith in a clean high miler if that's what ur looking to spend. Quote
Garyt350z Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 I bought my 2004 Gt spec 2 years ago with 95k and I picked it up for £4500 and to date, the only major money I spent has been a compete service a year in and performance upgrades! Touch wood!lol So in my experience I would have faith in a clean high miler if that's what ur looking to spend. Quote
bamdc2 Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 UK GT spec would probably be easier to sell on rather than a JDM one...I reckon anyway. Plus the service history is likely easier to establish with UK cars. Quote
gsexr Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Touch wood! Oooo errr Matron! also the name of catweazle`s toad, not a lot of people remember that...lol Quote
Flex Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Touch wood! Oooo errr Matron! also the name of catweazle`s toad, not a lot of people remember that...lol I dont! Do remember button moon though. miss that so much. Quote
thedon Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 (edited) I bought a 2004 UK GT with 106k miles 18 months ago for £5700. Nothing major's gone wrong but it's a 11 year old car: lots of little things have needed doing so be prepared for the same. Electric window motor (£185 new), boot release motor (£40 from a scrapyard), boot gas struts (£65 new), exhaust Y-pipe (£330 new), coil pack (£25 used), fluids and filters (£150ish), O2 sensors about to go (£130ish each new) ...you get the idea. All doable at home bar the exhaust - lots of great guides on here Don't let me put you off though - I'm still very happy with my Z, it's just the cost of ownership. (I know I haven't answered your question about import vs UK spec - just making you aware of the add-ons whichever way you go) Edited February 20, 2015 by thedon 1 Quote
Jetpilot Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Don't let me put you off though Very valid point imho, too many people buy cars because they are in their price range and then sh*t a brick at the price of parts, cost of ownership as they havent looked into it Quote
-Bradders- Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 i paid 5k for mine then had to shed another 1.5 on parts lol Quote
bamdc2 Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 Maybe save for another year and stretch to £6k? That would open up a lot of options for you. Not the cheapest car to maintain- as said above a few little glitches to tend to occur like the boot struts etc. Quote
NeilMH Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 I'm sure you be able to something reasonable for £5k. Even though it's sensible I couldn't wait a year to get a car I wanted. I have to have them immediately and most sense goes out of the window. Lucky so far (in the main). I wouldn't worry too much about uk or import at that price....just get the best one you can condition and history wise. Quote
NeilMH Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 I should say my above philosophy is based around the possibility that I could be run over by a bus at any time. You only live once. Nothing sensible there then. Good luck. Quote
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