importing a 240z/fairladyZ

[Shan]

Hey guys,

 

I've posted from time to time on this forum - generally commenting on the 240z and my intended purchase (eventually) of said vehicle.

Been keeping a eye on the local market, but also looking at Japan stock.  There are some 240z's (aka fairladyZ's) that pop up from time to time at these auctions - some are pretty schmick.  I like that Japanese owners mod their cars with a more original "z" flavor

Estimates I have had for such vehicles vary - from 16K to 25K - this includes shipping and costs.  Based on local prices, these sort of costs (for a restored) import seem quite acceptable.

 

Does anyone have personal experience with importing z's?  If so - what sort of prices did they encounter at these Jap auction sites?  Are the estimates correct - or just sales rubbish to get you hooked?

 

[JP]

I have checked out several in Japan, just be wary that your definition of restored might differ to their's.

[Shan]

Aaaah - I see.  Am not expecting a concourse condition vehicle though.  As long as it been well maintained, some minor mods and as little rust as possible - I will be happy.

Did you find the Z's you investigated were not up to scratch?  Did you import one?  Any advice here is appreciated. 

I would buy local, but what I can get for the budget I have is not what I am after.  Would be paying for mod's that are not to my taste. Seems silly to pay for items that I would just want to remove and replace. 

Like I have said previously, Jap models I have seen tend to have more std mod's done - nothing too crazy  - so seems to be making more sense to me at the moment.  Just want to make sure I am educated regarding pitfalls.  Cheers.

[FuzzyDropbear]

I've seen quite a few Z's for sale around with minor mods and have been quite resonably priced.

 

Not sure if importing one (in good nick) would be a heck of a lot cheaper, once you pay the import fees etc. Plus, you never know what issues you will hit when you go to start it up for the first time.

[.]

Usually people only resort to importing when the model they are after is not available here like the 280zx 2 seater.

[620Z]

Not really sure why you would import a Zed when you are talking about spending 20-25K. And then not expecting it to be in concource condition? For that sort of money on a standard Zed in Australia I wouldn't expect anything less.  :-\

[sco_aus]

Yeah, I agree with Craig, you would get a schmick one here in oz.  I have seen the ones you are talking about on different import sites, but you just dont know what you are getting and you are paying a fair chunk of money for it.

[FLEXZED]

add a little bit more money and buy georges(from this site) 240z

 

now thats a clean unit

 

Loui

 

 

 

[Shan]

Fair comments.  All worth considering.  Perhaps I should look more closely (and more openly) at what is locally available....

I have seen the same local one's you guys have as well. Some nice cars  around...

Suppose I have been after specific mod's, but not others. For example - I am ok with some drivetrain/engine work/brakes/wheels/suspension, some interior mods, seats etc - those mods are ok. Want the remaining internal features original and external features i,e bumpers, grills, indicators, panels etc, etc left alone though.  Pretty much leaving the external panel and details as original.  Might be a bit naive to think that I can get almost everything I want in one 240Z tho.  Waiting for the "one" which ticks all the boxes (inc. right price, local) could be a while coming....ah well.  I am a patient man.

[RBZ 260]

from what i can see Z are quite exy for quality in japan. ive heard nice local cars going from here back to japan as the numbers there are fairly low and prices quite high.

 

u definetly can by a better local car than the jap imported ones for sale. most ive seen sure look good from far away but ive pinpointed quite a few issues through pics.pics make it look twice as better than what it is in real.

 

so paying 25k for half beaten Z that none wants in japan is not what i say a good deal. 25K will land u fairly hot or almost like new original 240z.

 

those mods that appear on jap zeds are easily obtained and fitted to local.

 

besides few monsters with RB26DETT and VH45DETT most have 3 carbs fitted. these triple carbs almost appear weekly on ebay.

 

unless its a genuine 240ZG i wouldnt bother.

 

[Shan]

ZZZ8 - if you can point me in the direction of a "240z" here in oz - concours condition - for 20-25K - would love to see it! 

Have also seen george's Z- lovely.  V8 is prob a little much for me though.  Added to that georges price is more than I want to pay for a 240z (no offence george!).

Mayhem's is also an attractive vehicle and more closely priced to my budget, but I would want to return many of the original features to the car ie add bumpers, remove flares, put orig tail light assembly and f/r indicators back in, return console/dash orig features, alter interior etc.  - which would only add a heap of cost.

There is another on carsales - seems to have been partially restored for 22k. I have been ignoring it, simply because it does not look like it is a 22k car (not when you compare mayhems at 27K), but maybe I will be surprised?

[.]

from what i can see Z are quite exy for quality in japan. ive heard nice local cars going from here back to japan as the numbers there are fairly low and prices quite high.

 

u definetly can by a better local car than the jap imported ones for sale. most ive seen sure look good from far away but ive pinpointed quite a few issues through pics.pics make it look twice as better than what it is in real.

 

so paying 25k for half beaten Z that none wants in japan is not what i say a good deal. 25K will land u fairly hot or almost like new original 240z.

 

those mods that appear on jap zeds are easily obtained and fitted to local.

 

besides few monsters with RB26DETT and VH45DETT most have 3 carbs fitted. these triple carbs almost appear weekly on ebay.

 

unless its a genuine 240ZG i wouldnt bother.

 

or maybe a 432z

[Zedman240®]

Shan, I went and saw Rob at the Z Factory in Mordialloc a couple of weeks ago and he has told me he will be restoring a 240Z completely from the bare chassis on a rotisserie to just about concourse condition. All rust will be completely removed and the rest of the car rust-proofed. There will be no major modifications; it will be just like it rolled out of Nissan. I think he was thinking around the $35-40K mark but I recommend having a chat and I'm sure he can build one to your budget. I've seen the zed's he used to ship back to Japan and they used to make my mouth water. Be prepared to wait a bit though, it may take quite a few months...but it's worth it!

[HS30-H]

I hope you don't mind me chiming in here....

 

Estimates I have had for such vehicles vary - from 16K to 25K - this includes shipping and costs.

 

I'm sorry to say this, but I think you're looking at the bottom end  of the market at these kinds of prices ( especially if they include shipping and all costs ).

 

Working backwards to take off the rough cost of collection, documentation and shipping ( and profit for the sourcing agent ), this would only leave you a buying figure of something between 1 million and 1.5 million Yen, which is nowhere near enough to buy you a good S30-series Z in Japan. The plain truth is that the decent ones are chganging hands for much more than you are planning to pay. In fact, my personal opinion is that you'd probably need to double your budget to get something that you will have a chance of being happy with, and quadruple it to get something approaching 'concours'......

 

There's also a big difference in prices between early and late model cars, and you need to be aware of the differences. Japanese market model variations are quite complex, and younger cars modified to resemble older cars are quite common. You will come across 'S31' chassis modified to look like early 'S30' and 'HS30' variants, and even the odd bit of fakery with documentation to suit. You have to know your build codes, and have a good handle on what will have been swapped and modified over the car's life too.

 

So - again I'm sorry to say this - I believe you are pitching too low to get a good early two seater from Japan at the current exchange rates.

 

Alan T.     

[gav240z]

From what I've seen on the market I agree with Alan. To be even more frank the Australian market is 1 of the cheapest places to purchase an S30 series vehicle. The US being the cheapest.

 

I've also heard many stories of people buying cars from Japan that are not up to scratch when they arrive.

 

Photos as stated can be very deceiving, if you were to buy a car from Japan, I'd recommend inspecting the car yourself, especially if you are considering parting with that kind of cash.

 

My advice is to be patient and wait for the right car to come onto the market. There are some nice Z's around, but they will be more expensive. I'm a true believer in paying a bit extra for the right car than trying to save a couple of thousand on an average 1.

 

You might also want to consider looking at cars in NZ.

[.]

 

You might also want to consider looking at cars in NZ.

 

Don't NZ car have to deal with salt on the roads like the UK? Wouldn't that mean more rust?

[zrevival]

We definitly DON'T salt roads in NZ - we do have something called 'rain' however. This has been known to cause the odd bit of rust.

There's 2 or 3 pretty nice 240's sitting on trademe at the moment - might be worth a look (www.trademe.co.nz). 

[sco_aus]

hahaha gold

[Shan]

Thanks for the advice guys.  As I indicated earlier - importing from Japan was an idea only at this point and my research into it was in its early stages.  Had not spent too much time on it.  Posted here for comments from people who know more than me and got exactly what I wanted....and needed.

 

Based on comments posted - will give Japan 240z's a miss.  Thought I might have been getting dodgy $$$ information from the agents I had emailed. Comments made here would seem to indicate I was right.

 

Will remain patient and wait for a decent priced 240z - bound to be one locally available sooner or later.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[JP]

Aaaah - I see.  Am not expecting a concourse condition vehicle though.  As long as it been well maintained, some minor mods and as little rust as possible - I will be happy.

Did you find the Z's you investigated were not up to scratch?  Did you import one?  Any advice here is appreciated. 

 

Sorry for the late response, when I was in Japan the cars I looked at were in the $35,000-$50,000 bracket and I couldn't believe the poor paintwork, obvious filler and appearance of rust bubbles.

They look at the cars differently there in my opinion, more of a cult following rather than a classic. As such they are highly sort after, well modified yet not lovingly restored.

Recently i have heard of exceptions starting but obviously you will pay for it. Owning a car is an expensive exercise in Japan and people don't have the space to hoard old cars, which will always make collectible cars more expensive there.