Buyers Guide
Buyers Guide
General;
Always go and view cars in daylight.Always avoid viewing in rain and ensure the seller has cleaned car.
If you buying a imported car i would check that the car has been graded.
Grading happens in Japan when the car goes through a auction.
There are five grades 1 through to 5 the best cars are closer to five, i would look at cars from three upwards.
The cars from Japan normally have condition code given to the vehicle, as this will let you know whether the vehicle has any accident history. R, RA or 0 generally denotes accident history.
Check the Blue Nissan Build Plate at the back of engine bay. The plate shows the chassis number and fixed by white plastic rivets. This plate should never be removed except perhaps if the car has had engine bay re-spray so the fixings ought to be original.
Checking the bodywork:
Stand back and check the panels throughout the car as they should have nearly the same gaps then check again but much closer paying attention to any over spray.
The paint work should look the same shade all over the car.
Some time a cars that have been in the sun can discolour normally this is on the front bumper if it a plastic material.
Pay particular attention for rust and signs of accident repair if the car has rust this can be very costly to repair.
Check all windows as these are expensive items to replace.
Engines
Check that the engine looks cared for with wires that are tidy oil that clear and the engine as no rattles.
Ask the owner to run the engine and as they start it stand at the back and make sure the car does not throw out smoke from it exhaust.
Moving around to the engine bay check that the engine rev by putting your foot down on the gas peddle the engine should never cut out when the rev drop back down.
Ask when the cam belt has been last changed check the service bills to make sure the belts have been done.
The Skyline should always have super-unleaded fuel and allowing turbo to warm up/idle down.
Check all fluids are top up and clean.
Check hoses and belts for wear and splits and make sure non leak.
Air condition is a must to check make sure the car throws out ice cold heating as if not then the car either needs recharging or the unit my need replacing this can be very costly.
Take the car out for a ride and never let a owner have his ice system (radio) on.
Listen out for whistling noises whilst accelerating as this can indicate turbo problems or air leaks.
Listen out for detonation (or pinking) under load. Detonation can be indicative of poor ignition setting, low quality fuel, excessive boost pressure or a badly maintained engine.
Watch out for hesitations or misfires. Often these don’t reveal themselves until around 5k rpm so accelerate through from 3k rpm in third or fourth gear to see if the car experiences any violent hesitation, misfiring or holding back at this range.
Check for blue smoke under hard acceleration and during deceleration.
Can be sign of engine wear or turbo problems.
Make sure that the operation of clutch (although heavy), gearbox and brakes is smooth. Ensure that the gearbox is not whining and that there are no crunching on gear changes (it is normal for the box to be stiff when cold).
The vehicle should show a healthy oil pressure rising under load.
At normal engine temp leave the car idling and check for;
Blue smoke = can indicate a variety of turbo or breathing related problems.
Black smoke = can indicate fuelling issues.
White smoke = possible engine damage, headgasket or cylinder head problems.
Limited-Slip Diff. You should not be able to hear any strange or whining noises from the diff
Electronics and interior;
Make sure that the engine check light comes on at start up but does NOT stay on when driving Check all electronics function correctly.
Do the odometer readings appear consistent with any service stickers found on car? Stickers are generally located in door jams or engine bay.
Check interior for wear (seats/steering wheel/peddles etc) what you would expect in relation to the mileage?
FINALLY;
Some companies like that the AA or RAC will check a car out to give you peace of mind.
Nearly all the insurers will ask that your skyline has a Cat 1 alarm/immobiliser and some may ask for trackers is fitted.
Alway try looking at a few cars this way you will start to get a feel to what is good and bad with each one
If you are looking for Background data on vehicles from Japan this is available through BIMTA.
http://www.bimta.org/default.asp
This is only a guide and if unsure of what you are buying get professional help..
Buying a Skyline.
General;
Always go and view cars in daylight.Always avoid viewing in rain and ensure the seller has cleaned car.
If you buying a imported car i would check that the car has been graded.
Grading happens in Japan when the car goes through a auction.
There are five grades 1 through to 5 the best cars are closer to five, i would look at cars from three upwards.
The cars from Japan normally have condition code given to the vehicle, as this will let you know whether the vehicle has any accident history. R, RA or 0 generally denotes accident history.
Check the Blue Nissan Build Plate at the back of engine bay. The plate shows the chassis number and fixed by white plastic rivets. This plate should never be removed except perhaps if the car has had engine bay re-spray so the fixings ought to be original.
Checking the bodywork:
Stand back and check the panels throughout the car as they should have nearly the same gaps then check again but much closer paying attention to any over spray.
The paint work should look the same shade all over the car.
Some time a cars that have been in the sun can discolour normally this is on the front bumper if it a plastic material.
Pay particular attention for rust and signs of accident repair if the car has rust this can be very costly to repair.
Check all windows as these are expensive items to replace.
Engines
Check that the engine looks cared for with wires that are tidy oil that clear and the engine as no rattles.
Ask the owner to run the engine and as they start it stand at the back and make sure the car does not throw out smoke from it exhaust.
Moving around to the engine bay check that the engine rev by putting your foot down on the gas peddle the engine should never cut out when the rev drop back down.
Ask when the cam belt has been last changed check the service bills to make sure the belts have been done.
The Skyline should always have super-unleaded fuel and allowing turbo to warm up/idle down.
Check all fluids are top up and clean.
Check hoses and belts for wear and splits and make sure non leak.
Air condition is a must to check make sure the car throws out ice cold heating as if not then the car either needs recharging or the unit my need replacing this can be very costly.
Take the car out for a ride and never let a owner have his ice system (radio) on.
Listen out for whistling noises whilst accelerating as this can indicate turbo problems or air leaks.
Listen out for detonation (or pinking) under load. Detonation can be indicative of poor ignition setting, low quality fuel, excessive boost pressure or a badly maintained engine.
Watch out for hesitations or misfires. Often these don’t reveal themselves until around 5k rpm so accelerate through from 3k rpm in third or fourth gear to see if the car experiences any violent hesitation, misfiring or holding back at this range.
Check for blue smoke under hard acceleration and during deceleration.
Can be sign of engine wear or turbo problems.
Make sure that the operation of clutch (although heavy), gearbox and brakes is smooth. Ensure that the gearbox is not whining and that there are no crunching on gear changes (it is normal for the box to be stiff when cold).
The vehicle should show a healthy oil pressure rising under load.
At normal engine temp leave the car idling and check for;
Blue smoke = can indicate a variety of turbo or breathing related problems.
Black smoke = can indicate fuelling issues.
White smoke = possible engine damage, headgasket or cylinder head problems.
Limited-Slip Diff. You should not be able to hear any strange or whining noises from the diff
Electronics and interior;
Make sure that the engine check light comes on at start up but does NOT stay on when driving Check all electronics function correctly.
Do the odometer readings appear consistent with any service stickers found on car? Stickers are generally located in door jams or engine bay.
Check interior for wear (seats/steering wheel/peddles etc) what you would expect in relation to the mileage?
FINALLY;
Some companies like that the AA or RAC will check a car out to give you peace of mind.
Nearly all the insurers will ask that your skyline has a Cat 1 alarm/immobiliser and some may ask for trackers is fitted.
Alway try looking at a few cars this way you will start to get a feel to what is good and bad with each one
If you are looking for Background data on vehicles from Japan this is available through BIMTA.
http://www.bimta.org/default.asp
This is only a guide and if unsure of what you are buying get professional help..
[COLOR="Gray"]December 2008: Crashed Lexus IS200 - Cat B Write Off
August 2009: Crashed Vauxhall Astra - Minor Damage DIY Repair
November 2009: Crashed Vauxhall Astra - Scratches To Bumper No Repair Required
February 2010: Other Party Crashed Into Astra - Extensive Damage To Rear -Settled With Third Party's Insurance
Anyone dare To Predict The Future?[/COLOR]
excellent guide Ian ! will come in use to many who may be googling !
[COLOR="Gray"]December 2008: Crashed Lexus IS200 - Cat B Write Off
August 2009: Crashed Vauxhall Astra - Minor Damage DIY Repair
November 2009: Crashed Vauxhall Astra - Scratches To Bumper No Repair Required
February 2010: Other Party Crashed Into Astra - Extensive Damage To Rear -Settled With Third Party's Insurance
Anyone dare To Predict The Future?[/COLOR]
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