First car/skyline questions

[schurchill39]

I am at that time where I am looking to buy my first car.

I absolutly love skylines(and eclipses) so i nearly shat myself when I saw a thread on here for a Skyline for $5,500 (given he hasnt sold it yet i am waiting for a PM). I took a long shot and asked my dad if i could get it but the only reason he said no was because of how hard parts would be to find and how expensive they would be. Is this true? I know it would be hard for me to get them as I live in Medicine Hat but I am thinking that if there are places in calgary that do stock parts I might beable convince him to let me buy the car as the parts would only be 3 hours away. I do know there is a guy in town who has a skyline and Sun Contry Nissan (our dealership) has to order him a gasket for $120. That is expensive. If evertyhing is going to this insanely expensive i will do jsut what my dad said and wait to get it for my second car. I would also apreciate more info on maintaining these cars either from a member or if some one could give me a link i could look at.

If the Skyline ends up being out of the question, what would be a good car to start off with? I personally was thinking of maybe a second generation Integra or a 1990ish 240sx. I know people will probly recommend civics but I really dont want one unless thats my last alernative. I know they are very reliable etc. I am just not to fond of them. For the skyline I was probly going to get a loan other wise for any other car i have about 2g-3g to spend on it (not including insurance). Any suggestions or tips or personal stories about your first car would be much appreciated so I can make the best choice.

Please keep ridicule to yourself and I appreciate any help you can give me.:clap:

[Skyline_Addict]

your dad has a point. but the point is subjective. it is true that skyline parts will be much harder to get here, and hence, significantly more expensive than your average value for money parts. the skyline you'll be getting will also be an older car (atleast 15 years), so reliability and mechanical issues will show up. i think the skyline's selling on here are in pretty good condition. the car is old, it will need some work immediately or in the near future. how much work will depend. a 2nd gen integra or 1990 240sx will have no less problems than a skyline of the same year (the 2nd gen might have less problems than the other two though).

the most imporant thing to do when buying any car is to do your research. find out the present condition of the car you are looking at and then add up the extra costs, if any, that will be needed to have the car in perfect shape. because who knows, in the end the 2nd gen integra or 1990 240sx you're looking at could very well end up costing you more than the skyline. it's hard to be general about the subject as there are so many things to take into account (other than base cost and parts cost in your case). each car you look at will be different, even if they are all integras or all 240s or all skylines.

[method]

not a good first car. parts not near common at all, expensive, no one will be familiar working on it, etc.

common cars are usually common for a reason.. they work well.

if you've got the cash then go for it, but realize that just because a car is listed for 5 grand doesnt mean thats all you're going to spend on it. dont blow ALL your dough on the car.

[schurchill39]

I immediately thought of you skylineaddict when i started thinking about getting the skyline. Do you know if there is anyplace incalgary that would stock parts so it wouldnt be so expensive. Or would everything need to special ordered because it is a car from japan? Example can things for the RB20 be found here or things for electrical etc.

[Skyline_Addict]

Originally posted by schurchill39
I immediately thought of you skylineaddict when i started thinking about getting the skyline. Do you know if there is anyplace incalgary that would stock parts so it wouldnt be so expensive. Or would everything need to special ordered because it is a car from japan? Example can things for the RB20 be found here or things for electrical etc.

hahaha. the truth is that i don't know alot about older skylines and the deal with them in north america or canada. i'm much more familiar with skylines back in japan. i am a huge fan of the r34 and do not know much about skylines other than that. it is also really hard to judge the market here due to the laws, so it's not something i come across or think about everyday. personally, I would not want to get a skyline in north america.... not because of the parts being more expensive or less available.... but because it'd be atleast 15 years old. if i had cash to blow (like i had NOTHING to do with my huge extra load of cash lying in my suitcase), then i would consider getting a skyline merely as a hobby/project. the skyline's here are no more than collectors items. back in japan, i would get an r34 in an instant. i have heard that some nissan dealerships here can hook you up with parts, not direct, but from other nissan distributors, so your parts will be genuine. stores like jdm source could carry the stuff you're looking for too, but the first thing i'd do is talk to the nissan dealerships here. so how they work with this kind of stuff first. in the end it all comes down to how much you wnat the car. big props to you if you get the car, really a unique item.

[Skylinelover]

No place will "stock" parts as most of them are not being made any more.

And to the person that said people will not be familiar working on one. You are wrong. Simply because there is nothing different between that and a 240 dispite the engine and crap like that.

I mean for 5 grand the car will need work, check out www.importconcern.ca and look at their cars.

[hollywood_35]

There is probably not any place in Alberta that keeps Skyline parts ready in stock, because of the extremely low number of skylines in Alberta. And if they do have parts in stock it probably won't be the one's you need.

Buy a Volkswagon beetle, Honda civc, or a Mini cooper. Now those are race cars worth looking into. :thumbsup:

[vietdood]

nissan doesn't even keep any parts in stock for my 240sx. any part i need i have to wait 3-6 weeks through nissan because they have to order the part from japan. if they don't have my car parts in stock, it'll be unlikely that they will have skyline parts in stock

[mx73someday]

Try ordering through Nissan dealers, you'd be surprised what they can do for you. Shops like Auto Dream can order certain parts (like aftermarket clutch). And some parts can be used from cars in our market already, see www.gtrcanada.com for more information, you're definitely not alone if you get a Skyline.

[schurchill39]

The RB20 (the motor found in the car i am looking at) isnt that the same motor found in some 240's so it wouldnt be to hard to get shit for that right because 240s are common here? If some one could list some dealers or people i could talk to in calgary i would really appreciate it because I am from the hat and it is hard to get a list made for contacts. Thanks for all the input keep it comming

[Skylinelover]

Originally posted by schurchill39
The RB20 (the motor found in the car i am looking at) isnt that the same motor found in some 240's so it wouldnt be to hard to get shit for that right because 240s are common here? If some one could list some dealers or people i could talk to in calgary i would really appreciate it because I am from the hat and it is hard to get a list made for contacts. Thanks for all the input keep it comming

:rofl:

An rb is an engine swapped in by most people. I dont THINK any 240's came with a rb stock.

[vietdood]

240sx here come with the KA24DE. It's not hard to get stock parts for 240sx, really. You just need to have lots of $$$ and patience because the parts are all going to be shipped from japan. They'll say it'll take a week or 2, but when you get there, they'll say it's on back order and you gotta wait another 2-4 weeks.

[GME]

if you really want a skyline, I'd say keep waiting and save up some more. Given your current budget, you will probably have a hard time keeping up with maintenance costs if anything major goes wrong.

Depending on what gasket your friend got, $120 really isn't that big of a deal. A head gasket for most cars or even a timing belt would easily amount to that much. Parts aren't cheap, and labor is even worse.

I'd recommend you search as many specific skyline (or any other car you are interested in) forums for more info before jumping into anything.

If daily use for the first few months of owning the car isn't a big deal, and you can afford to have some downtime to get the car running reliably (because chances are good, something will be wrong with it, either minor or major, just the nature of a car that old), get the skyline if that is what you really want. The way I see it, there's no sense in settling for second fiddle.

[aquamarine]

If you pick it up, let me know. I live in Japan and I've recently began bringing in some harder-to-find parts for folks back in Saskatoon, Toronto and Vancouver. I'll give you a hand with parts if you need.

-Chris

[schurchill39]

Is the wiring any different (probly from what I can see) from cars in north america so if i wanted to do things like add in a cd deck etc it wouldnt be that hard? Also from what I can see here, parts for this car would really be no different then getting parts for a 240sx or other imports because they all have to come from japan to. So parts wise with price and waiting period it wouldnt be different then if i did get a 240 sx? Please correct me if I am wrong

P.S He had an exaust leak so he had to get a gasket for that. The leak made the car sound like shit

[A790]

I think the car selling for $5,500 on Beyond WASN'T a turbo. I think it was the NA, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, all things considered, why don't you get perhaps an imported s13 (Silvia or 180)? The CA18DET engine was found here in North America and parts arn't that hard to find, and it still has plenty of upgrade potential and power to boot.

[rockym20]

I know most teenagers don't want to hear this, but you would probably be better off with an old $500 truck for your first car. Easy and cheap to repair and you won't give a sh!t if you smash it up (and you probably will hit something in your first year of driving). After you get some more experience driving, then go to a nicer vehicle.

If you want to buy an older sports/sporty car for around $5,000, then why not find a Porsche 944 that is in nice shape. Parts will be cheaper than a Skyline or similar car and much more readily available. Lots of people know how to work on them. Plus the chicks would dig a Porsche a lot more than a Skyline (which they would have never heard of).

[frostyda9]

I wouldn't get the Skyline yet. I would just get a cheap reliable car for now. In a little while, get the Skyline and use it as a weekend/second car. That way when you need to wait for parts for a month you aren't SOL. It also reduces the wear and tear on both cars :thumbsup:

[schurchill39]

What would every one suggest for a first car then? I would like to have something sporty and nice like the G2 integra IMO or something with potential power like a 240sx.... I wish i could have the skyline:cry:

[A790]

Try something like a DSM, even though the trannys go like no tommorrow, or even a Civic SiR or CRX. Can't go wrong with Hondas.

[schurchill39]

I'm not to fond of the civics as said at the begining of this thread but thanks for the input

[A790]

what about an old 86-91 RX7? Those cars are hot.

[awdterror]

Originally posted by A790
what about an old 86-91 RX7? Those cars are hot.

Yeah, he needs a god damn rotary car as his first!

[schurchill39]

I hear they aren't very reliable and are hard to fix if broken..... could be wrong

[240droptop]

Originally posted by schurchill39
Also from what I can see here, parts for this car would really be no different then getting parts for a 240sx or other imports because they all have to come from japan to. So parts wise with price and waiting period it wouldnt be different then if i did get a 240 sx? Please correct me if I am wrong


This is sorta true with the 240sx being a comon car there are other options then haveing to order from japan theres always the lcoal salvage yard plus Nissan dosent always order straight form Japan the nisan dealership down ehre will search out used or new parts if you need them and they will try and save you money (but don't get me wroung there still more expensive then finding the parts yourself)


Originally posted by A790
what about an old 86-91 RX7? Those cars are hot.
I wouldint suggest a Rotary to someone whos not mechanicaly intuned the Mazda dealer down in Lethbridge said "they don't even like to touch rotery cause they know shit about them" <-- (actual quote from one of the staff members) but they will work on them if they ahve to. Rotery isint the most relaiable I have found aswell so be prepared to have problems in such a old car much like any old car

[schurchill39]

So i need to compile some information to take to my dad to help convince him. Please correct me if any information is incorrect or if there is anything i should add

Skylines:
-Are just as reliable as most cars in my price range for that year. If properly tunned
-Parts aren't much more expensive or harder to get then lets say a 240sx which is common in north america
-Its not that much of a specialty car i.e small things like sparkplugs and oil changes would be the same as on any car (I can get spark plugs and any other small thing from lets say CND tire it doesnt alll need to be ordered from japan)
-If well maintained, has a good resale value.

Need more.

If some one could get me some phone numbers of nissan shops or anyother places that may be familiar with skylines please let me know so i can call to ask questions. I also noticed a site on here www.autodream.ca i think, they sell the RB20 motor so he would carry parts for it right?

Thanks for everything and i hope i am aloud to get the car :D

[Skylinelover]

^ Buddy I posted www.autodream.ca already in this thread:banghead:

Also I hope you are not going to get any parts for your skyline from canadian tire. It deserves better!

[schurchill39]

Definitly not but I just used that as an example for simple parts. Just so my dad knows they are not as specialised as he things because he way he tried to explain it to me was that sparkplugs and rims and belts and shit would all need to be ordered from japan but you can get them locally from an auto store right?

[Skyline_Addict]

Originally posted by schurchill39
So i need to compile some information to take to my dad to help convince him. Please correct me if any information is incorrect or if there is anything i should add

Skylines:
-Are just as reliable as most cars in my price range for that year. If properly tunned
-Parts aren't much more expensive or harder to get then lets say a 240sx which is common in north america
-Its not that much of a specialty car i.e small things like sparkplugs and oil changes would be the same as on any car (I can get spark plugs and any other small thing from lets say CND tire it doesnt alll need to be ordered from japan)
-If well maintained, has a good resale value.

Need more.

If some one could get me some phone numbers of nissan shops or anyother places that may be familiar with skylines please let me know so i can call to ask questions. I also noticed a site on here www.autodream.ca i think, they sell the RB20 motor so he would carry parts for it right?

Thanks for everything and i hope i am aloud to get the car :D

a car is a car. some are good some are bad. a well taken care of car is better off than a car which is less so. you can bring that up definetely. try not to show too much bias towards the skyline though. just remember that a nissan skyline in canada is not much more than a collectors item. it's a car you may not have to, but should be prepared to have some money in the future for it. you might need the odd part change ever year or so....but after 3 years pass....the car will be 18-19 years old! keep that in mind!

[Skylinelover]

Originally posted by schurchill39
Definitly not but I just used that as an example for simple parts. Just so my dad knows they are not as specialised as he things because he way he tried to explain it to me was that sparkplugs and rims and belts and shit would all need to be ordered from japan but you can get them locally from an auto store right?
Rims? WTF?!? 5x114.3 not that un-common. Now don't expect to just walk into any autopart store and expect to get a part. Also for most parts it would be best to get from Japan. Me being me and how much I love skylines. I would say go with the 240, who cares if you wont be the coolest kid in medicine hat. Atleast with a 240 you will be able to get parts local. You might be taking "turns" driving your skyline. Plus for 5 grand you cant be looking at something special it will definitly need work so save another 10 grand then get one.

[vietdood]

5 bolt rims are less common then 4 bolt because most cars are 4 bolt. check the wheels in the marketplace. most of them are 4 bolt

[frostyda9]

Originally posted by vietdood
5 bolt rims are less common then 4 bolt because most cars are 4 bolt. check the wheels in the marketplace. most of them are 4 bolt

I would say that's just because a lot of Beyonders drive Hondas, Acuras and VW's, the majority of which are 4 bolt

[Skylinelover]

Originally posted by frostyda9


I would say that's just because a lot of Beyonders drive Hondas, Acuras and VW's, the majority of which are 4 bolt
:werd:

Plus a 240 in his price range would be 4 bolt anyways:dunno:

[Skyline_Addict]

there are still alot of 5 bolt cars out there.
preludes, rsx, etc.

[Hollywood]

The only skyline worth buying is a GTR. The rest of the models are are teh red headed step childs IMO.

[A790]

Well, if you want a Skyline but don't want to Spend $15.000 for a GTR, what's wrong with a GTS-t Type M?

220HP RWD Turbo?

[pressure_ratio]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned this yet,but as a first car I wouldn't recomend learning the rules of the road in a RHD.I'm sorry but your a new driver,who has little experience.Things like merging,passing and lane changes aern't exactly a new drivers forte,now put yourself on the right side and see what happens!
About parts avalability,no they're not much more expensive than any other car.But you can't just walk in to CDN Tire or any other parts store for that matter and say you want a balljoint,belt,etc for a skyline!These's no listing for these cars in parts catalogues,you're stuck either cross referencing parts from usdm cars.(which can be hit and miss,ask Type S about his brakes).Or you go to the dealership,pay a premium and wait weeks for the parts to show up.They're great cars,but better reserved if you have a second car to drive.Because lets face it,cars break and need maintence.

[A790]

Nothing wrong with a s13 (240sx, Sivlia, 180sx).

Hell, get a cheap 240 shell and swap in an SR20DET. Then you've got a 220HP rocket for under $6000 (assuming $2500 for the shell and $3500 for engine).

Now THAT would be fun.

[CryoCarnage]

I dont see what everyone is complaining about. Skylines aren't gonna break the second he gets them. I agree with a bunch of people that it wouldnt be cheap and hell RHD as a first car >_< . Anyway if anything you should never go near those GT-r's; hella dangerous! Especailly for youth. If anythign get a GTS-4 so if you re driving in winter, you wont get ass raped by that telephone pole youd hit with a GTR :P. It sounds like your dad isnt secure enough with the whole RHD drive craze and im not surprized. for a car that i woudl recommend that 'looks sporty' i would say a Toyo Paseo. May nt be the fastest, but good gas mileage and crazy low in insurance.

[Skylinelover]

Originally posted by CryoCarnage
I dont see what everyone is complaining about. Skylines aren't gonna break the second he gets them. I agree with a bunch of people that it wouldnt be cheap and hell RHD as a first car &gt;_&lt; . Anyway if anything you should never go near those GT-r's; hella dangerous! Especailly for youth. If anythign get a GTS-4 so if you re driving in winter, you wont get ass raped by that telephone pole youd hit with a GTR :P. It sounds like your dad isnt secure enough with the whole RHD drive craze and im not surprized. for a car that i woudl recommend that 'looks sporty' i would say a Toyo Paseo. May nt be the fastest, but good gas mileage and crazy low in insurance.
Research before posting bitch!
The gtr is the best skyline hands down. If your worried about hitting a pole put some sand bags in your trunk. and there is a big gap between a skyline and a toyo paseo. The closet thing there is to it a 240 or 180.

[frostyda9]

Originally posted by Skylinelover

Research before posting bitch!


I think what CryoCarnage was getting at was that the GT-R is a fast car for a relatively new driver. I know what I was like at that age too....pretty much any car I drove probably had a dent in the floorboard under the gas pedal :angel:

[Skylinelover]

Originally posted by frostyda9


I think what CryoCarnage was getting at was that the GT-R is a fast car for a relatively new driver. I know what I was like at that age too....pretty much any car I drove probably had a dent in the floorboard under the gas pedal :angel:
Still though why not get something for your money? Also most-likey for 5 grand it is not a gt-r

[schurchill39]

Originally posted by Hollywood
The only skyline worth buying is a GTR. The rest of the models are are teh red headed step childs IMO.
Agreed... but easy, i"m a red head


Originally posted by pressure_ratio
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned this yet,but as a first car I wouldn't recomend learning the rules of the road in a RHD.
I thought of this to but Its not like that would be the only car I would drive or thats the car i am learning on, I have driven before. There to i am not saying i am a super good driver, I do agree with you but Medicine Hat isnt as fast paced as Calgary so it shoudlnt be a major issue and I do catch on quick. My Dad didnt seem to have a problem with the RHD at all it was just the parts availability and cost.

Thanks for all the information I really appreciate it.

Skylinelover I PMed you so we can talk more

If any one could help me get in contact with "Brandon" he is the owner of the car but he doesnt seem to want to answer PM's or emails...

[A790]

Originally posted by schurchill39

Agreed... but easy, i&quot;m a red head


I thought of this to but Its not like that would be the only car I would drive or thats the car i am learning on, I have driven before. There to i am not saying i am a super good driver, I do agree with you but Medicine Hat isnt as fast paced as Calgary so it shoudlnt be a major issue and I do catch on quick. My Dad didnt seem to have a problem with the RHD at all it was just the parts availability and cost.

Thanks for all the information I really appreciate it.

Skylinelover I PMed you so we can talk more

If any one could help me get in contact with &quot;Brandon&quot; he is the owner of the car but he doesnt seem to want to answer PM's or emails...

You're missing what they're saying. A car with 280HP and AWD would be a lot of power for even an experienced driver, let alone someone who JUST starts driving.

A good first car is going to be something that has a bit of power and is FWD, ideally. You can't fishtail in FWD, and drifting is a bitch. But, that's the point.

If you want a high horespower car, by all means, go for it. I think that everyone is just saying that perhaps you'd want to wait until you had a few years of driving under your belt; experience is good, and so are lower insurance premiums :D

[schurchill39]

I dont see where everyone suddenly gets the idea that i am looking at a GTR? I would never even cosider getting one right now. The car i am looking at (If the guy contacts me!!!) is only a GTS. Its rear wheel and non turbo. I have looked at specs for this model and its only like 160ish HP i think.

[mx73someday]

I drove that GTS, it's pretty tame, but was still fun to drive.

[frozenrice]

Originally posted by schurchill39


Medicine Hat - it was just the parts availability and cost.




Don't get me wrong church, but pretty much any import in the Hat will likely run into that problem. ESPECIALLY a true import like a Skyline. Nothing against your dad either, but he sounds old school. When I was still living in the Hat my parents were exactly the same way when I got my first car- a 1980 Subaru. Just my two cents worth.

[schurchill39]

Yea suncountry nissan can get shit in and if some one finally gets me some contact info for places in calgary it wont be to much of a problem. Just getting ahold of the guy is the problem i am having right now