Can I get parts for it?

I am often asked if parts are easy to get for imported cars. The answer is yes and no. For all popular imports such as Nissan Skyline R32, R33 and R34, Nissan 180SX, Nissan 300ZX etc it is very easy to get new and used parts. Our local Nissan Dealer is incredibly friendly and will bend over backwards to give advice and order parts. I can also get anything second hand as I have many contacts that import container loads of half cuts, engines and body panels etc.

As far as Toyota parts go, they are also very helpful but I have found that a new Toyota Part is approx 30% more expensive than a comparable new Nissan part and they don't stock anywhere near the amount of new parts on the shelf as Nissan does. Having said that, if the vehicle has been imported for a few years like the Toyota Supra or Soarer, the parts are more available new and more importantly, second hand.

What I would be concerned about is buying a vehicle that hasn't been coming into Australia for a long period of time such as the Toyota Aristo. Even though Toyota would be able to supply all parts new for these cars, they would take 3 weeks to get from Japan, they would be expensive and it would be virtually impossible to buy anything second hand for at least the next couple of years. By then parts importers would have some demand for them and it would be viable to bring in a few container loads of parts. It just doesn't make commercial sense to import parts for cars unless there are quite a few on the road in Australia.

Mitsubishi are also not too easy for parts as the Mitsubishi dealers really don't want to help with anything that wasn't imported by them so I would also ask the import dealer if he can supply all parts, new & used, for the vehicle you are interested in.

So, before buying an imported vehicle, ask the dealer about the supply of new AND second hand parts and just don't rely on them telling you that second hand parts are no problem..... get them to prove it to you by guaranteeing it in writing or naming some parts importers so you can call to check out what they have and what sort of prices you will be paying.

What is the difference between a Series 1 & Series II Nissan Skyline R33?

One of the most common questions I get asked about Nissan Skyine R33's is "what is the difference between a Series 1 & Series II"? It is very important to know the differences in the models as there has been many cases where buyers have bought a Series 1 believing it to be a Series II (and paid Series II prices) because that is what the seller told them. The easiest way to tell from the outside is what the front end looks like. The R33's started production in August 1993 as a Series 1 and continued through to 1995. From late 1995 they changed to the Series II right through to March 1998. From the exterior it is easy to tell the difference if you know what you are looking for. Below are some photos to help you distinguish the different models. The 1993 first edition had a fairly plain front (See Photo 1)....









Photo 1


.....compared to the 1994 model optional "M-Spec" front-bar (see Photo 2).









Photo 2

Note: some 1994 & 1995 models still have the old style first edition plain front indicating that the M-Spec front was optional right up until the Series II was launched in late 1995. Another way to tell the differences between models is that most 93 & 94 models don't have driver airbags (however it was an option to have driver or dual airbags right from 1993 although it is extremely rare). All 1995 models have a driver's airbag.









Photo 3.. Series II front

Series II Skylines started from very late 1995 and went right through to March 1998. The main differences between Series 1 & II are:

• The interior trim changes from velour to a cloth type material and has a different pattern
  
• All series II have dual airbags
  
• The bonnet, front-bar & headlights are different (see photo 3 above)
  
• The dash facia changes for being coated with a flat plastic material to a non coated rough finish (more on this later)
  
• The instrument cluster is slightly different with different warning light positions
  

Mechanically they are almost identical and perform the same.

Over the years I have heard people referring to Series 1.5 but believe me.. they don't exist! I think the confusion is people think that when they changed to the optional M-Spec frontbar it became a Series 1.5 but there is only a Series 1 and Series II.