350Z Grey Import

[zman240uk]

I'm hankering after owning a 350z again and wondered what the pitfall or risks might be in buying a Grey Import.
They are certainly cheaper and pretty easy to come by in my neck of the woods.
Would appreciate advice from anyone who has taken the plunge and owned a 350Z import.

 

[martinmac]

Hi, can you just confirm what you mean by a grey import. There are no immediate issues with a JDM car other than some dont have brembos etc. You can also pick up cars with lots of additional options.

 

[Mr.F]

I think only the Version ST came with everything you would expect on a UK car.
Parts shouldn't be a problem. Take care with matching interior parts on the earliest JDM cars.
Most of the Euro suspension improvements were implemented on the later JDM cars, but the earliest versions may not drive quite as well as the official UK versions.
As Martin indicates, the Japanese market consumer loves options, so the car may have been "specced up" on purchase or had later add-ons.
Fancy Japanese stereos won't match UK frequency range (can be converted) and the Sat-Nav, if fitted, will get you around Tokyo very effectively but won't know where Walmington-on-Sea is...

 

[zman240uk]

Thanks Mike.
When specifically did the euro suspension make it onto JDM cars
Seen a couple of reasonable priced 02-03 cars, are these too early?

 

[Mr.F]

'04 cars I think...

 

[martinmac]

JDM Specs

Base---17" wheels, ABS,Brake assist,TCS,limited slip diff,xenon headlights

Version T---- leather seats, seven speaker bose

Version S-- 18" rims Brembo's and VDc(instead of TCS ? )but no leather

Version ST--leather +Version S spec

rear spoilers/sat nav and side airbags ordered as extras on all specs + loads of other Extras not seen on UK cars like auto fold mirrors ,different steering wheels, footwell illumination etc etc...

As has been said, there are a lot of optional extras so these can make it difficult to indentify the spec.

If you wanted to upgrade to brembos the full kit usually runs to about £1k.

 

[zman240uk]

Thanks all.

Martin - how do you find running a rag top? Couldnt believe the boot is so small

 

[Paul_S]

You might want to check if the insurance is any higher (I'm not sure if it would be or not).

Also, something that sounds really daft - check how many keys you get. I know in the past people have had to pay some extortionate fee to get the key and lot's of hassles getting it coded to the car.

However, if you are happy with just 1 then no prob!

 

[martinmac]

No problems with the roadster. I went to a meet and took the gazebo meaning to leave it with one of the other owners as I had to shoot of. It didnt fit in the coupe.

The radster boot may be small but it is perfectly formed. Remember you can also get quite a bit in the roof storage space when the roof is up, its very hand for carrying club jackets etc. to meets.

As Paul says, check the insurance, some companies go into a blind sweat when you mention imports, I can never understand that.

If you fancy a roadster how about this.