Skyline advice

itarumaa

Hi,

I am asking this for my friend, since he does not have boards.ie account,

what do you think about this car:

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Pictures:

http://amer.pictures.fi/kuvat/Nissan/Blue2010/

Info:

2000 Skyline R34 GT with RB25DE NEO engine for 5900eur, with NCT garanteed and 2 months warranty on engine and transmission I was investigating it with Mar4ix yesterday and there is 5 suspicious things about it. The first 3 are crucial like. To be honest, I wouldn't worry too much because otherwise it really looks and feels like my dream car and would buy it if got some discount BUT because I still don't have a garage nor tools nor money for the next 6-12 months you guys would help me a lot in decision here - WILL SHE LAST WITHOUT BIG REPAIRS FOR THE NEXT 6-12 MONTHS?

1. She has been collided but probably not badly?
- hit from the front hence it's black color front transverse bar instead of blue (as the car's color), right? see pic
- headlights are badly scratched and they have DYI attachments instead of originals, see pic
- there is one bend at the front inside, see pic
- We couldn't spot anything worst there like if it were totally crashed

2. There is some water in a trunk:
- trunk is a bit asymmetrical, see pic
- rear spoiler is loose
- two letters in SKYLINE badge have different gap, see pic. well dunno if this is just a monday sticker from the factory although it looks so shiny even NISSAN badge above looks older?
- Anyway investigated inside the trunk, wouldn't say it's been actually crashed, looks original from inside paint etc.. what could happen here?

3. Clutch noise:
- When clutch pedal pressed down, the sound becomes slightly different. We listened to that noise with two fellas and our opinion it's some bearing there?
- I had short test drive (not much open road but in city area) and couldn't spot a failure in gear changes nor clutch functionality- actually the clutch felt much lighter than e.g. in my present car Primera 1998. Anyway, test drive was full of excitement and mostly listened to the engine sound :P soooo should have another test drive before buying because transmission/clutch problems could be really expensive no?

4. Belt(s)
- it's steering system belt that needs replacement definitely! see pic
- probably needs major service anyway since no history known except one sticker at 53k km.
- Oil looked good and oil filter is not even dirty, see pic.

5. It's not directly from Japan but thru UK and was in Ireland for 4 years already:
- Dealer doesn't know/doesn't tell any papers nor history about car
- [url]www.motorcheck.ie:[/url]
- it's imported (doesn't say where from) and previous reg nr was 300SE890 which is changed in 04/08/2006.
- Date of sale (Ireland): 05/09/2006
- Write Off (Cat. A/B) in Ireland: No
- not stolen in Ireland
- no financial probs.
Everything else in Not Applicable or Not Available.
- I found a service sticker inside drivers door: Aug 2007 at Duckhams at 53k km, see pic
- last time successful NCT was 14.02.2008 - 05.01.2010, see pic
- there was NCT paper inside the car from this summer 2010 and it failed on front axle (dealer said it's a bushing and they have replaced it but...?) and one head light (see pic headlights are in bad condition).
- it has 68k km now so it's been drive 15k only in last 3-ish years..hmm.. could be.

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Any advice welcome:)

djimi

Okay I cant really comment on most of it, but one bit stands out for me:

was in Ireland for 4 years already

That, along with the obvious damage it has sustained (I think the damage to the back is more significant then you are thinking it is btw) would have alarm bells ringing with me. This kind of car tends to lead an abused life in the hands of many Irish motorists. The reason I bought my Integra is that I know that in the 18 months it was in the country it was not in the hands of some little knacker who had his way with it. This car doesnt sound so lucky. Im very dubious of imports that have had Irish owners.

If its your dream car then spend whatever extra it takes to ensure that it is a good quality one. Personally I would give my right nut for an R34 but when I do eventually get around to getting one Im almost certain Ill be importing it from Japan myself.

itarumaa

itarumaa wrote: »

- When clutch pedal pressed down, the sound becomes slightly different. We listened to that noise with two fellas and our opinion it's some bearing there?

Had that on two gearboxes, they both failed shortly afterwards.

itarumaa

RoverJames wrote: »

Had that on two gearboxes, they both failed shortly afterwards.

Did the gearbox fail or the clutch?

Yesterday I tested this car, when clutch is pressed down (car is on idle speed) there is no noise, when clutch is up however, there is noise all the time.

I assumed it is the clutch, but could it be the gearbox instead?

itarumaa

itarumaa wrote: »

Did the gearbox fail or the clutch?

Yesterday I tested this car, when clutch is pressed down (car is on idle speed) there is no noise, when clutch is up however, there is noise all the time.

I assumed it is the clutch, but could it be the gearbox instead?

Gearbox I would think

challengemaster

Cheap for a r34, even if it is N/A

That said, if anything does go horribly wrong, it's a skyline so you'll have a hole in your wallet faster than....



Looking at that, the boot seems fine to me. The spoiler is the source of the water in the boot, its a common issue with skylines. And going by that pic, the skyline "badge" shouldn't actually be there. That's been stuck on, so just debadge that and you're back to the original skyline impression.

Also you should be able to find replacement lights cheap enough if there's a r34 for breaking somewhere.


Also, tiny bit more expensive but i'd take it a hell of lot faster.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1300531

Notch000

That peeling belt is shocking bad, would be a sure sign thart this car has not been looked after. Also left headlight looks like it was pushed in and bodge repaired.

Also the blue thing you on about looks like a support rail for he wing or something its warped so def shown sign of a knock, this might be pure cosmetic or deeper structural/chassis damage.

My advice would be to post your concerns on dedicated performance site and someone with skyline experience mam be more help.
Nissan ireland/DTRL/octane/torque

Alternatively if he car is sold with 2yrs, not backed dated 18 months or (guaranteed - got luck chasing that up) and 2 month guarantee you couls get it and drive it hard and iff its going to fail prematurely you should find oit within 2 month

Nice car but could burn you bad

Gone Drinking

I'd stay clear of it myself..

Had a similar noise problem from a gearbox is a car of mine and the gearbox died a few months later. At very least, its a bearing and it'll need to be reconditioned.

itarumaa

Thank you for the advice. A lot of good info, I spoke to my friend and we are looking for 3 more cars now, two turbo and one non-turbo,

so lets see what is the end result,

cheers.

stevenmu

If the transverse bar had to be replaced would that not indicate it got more than just a tap at the front? Especially with the boot being out of line too, I would worry that it actually had a pretty bad knock and could be damaged in ways you would never see (until it's in another small collision and just falls to pieces).

kona

As mike from wheeler dealers says...Thats a Lemon.

I know the cash is burning a hole in your pocket, but runaway from that ball of crap. With the cost of tax (likely to rise after budget) these things will drop big style in $$.

So much value out there at the moment Id expect for 6k to get a mint Skyline.

challengemaster

kona wrote: »

So much value out there at the moment Id expect for 6k to get a mint Skyline.

r32/33/34/35(GTR)
GTS/GTST/GT/GTT/GTR
2.0/2.5/2.5T/2.6TT

??

For a mint r34 GTR you'd be talking nearer to 15k

5T3PH3N

challengemaster wrote: »

r32/33/34/35(GTR)
GTS/GTST/GT/GTT/GTR
2.0/2.5/2.5T/2.6TT

??

For a mint r34 GTR you'd be talking nearer to 15k

Surely an R34 GTR for 15k would be a bit of a heap? Weren't they making huge money about a year ago, like 30k+?

kona

challengemaster wrote: »

r32/33/34/35(GTR)
GTS/GTST/GT/GTT/GTR
2.0/2.5/2.5T/2.6TT

??

For a mint r34 GTR you'd be talking nearer to 15k

I think the OP was looking for the basic model.

I dont think hes looking for a GTR

itarumaa

It is my friend who is thinking to buy a Skyline, a dream car of his and it have to be R34 model.

He will be export that car to Finland anyway, so motor tax etc does not matter and I think now it is really good time to buy a car like this.

But I think that blue one we were looking before will be trouble and even my friend has paid a deposit for it, I think it is best to walk away. Too many issues with that car.

But, lets see what will happen, I think he will buy the car next week, IF good one comes to around.