Finally got a car at auction yesterday! It's a 2000 reg GZ32 version R with ~120,000km on it. Needs some very slight tidying but looks like a solid zed. Wasn't really after an NA or anything in red, but I couldn't say no to this car! Maybe down the line I'll look into a TT conversion - or maybe not; must be other ways I can make up to 60-80bhp without the complexity.

 

Anyway, my name's Jay and I'm a software engineer from Dublin. I've been after a Z32 for about a year and a half now, having moved away from previous dreams of Skylines and RX-7s. Looking forward to some fun years to come - even as an NA I'm sure it'll feel lightning fast compared to my 90bhp (originally) mk1 Mégane coupe!

 

More importantly, some photos (should get better ones in the next few days):

 

 

On the subject of rising costs, here are my observations from the previous three cars I've bid on in the past month or so. I went for high-end ones, so this may not be entirely reflective of the market.

 

[table=width: 500, class: grid]

[tr]

[td]Car[/td]

[td]Grade[/td]

[td]Kilometers[/td]

[td]Cost landed to Dublin (from actual sale price)[/td]

[/tr]

[tr]

[td]1998 GCZ32 version R - black[/td]

[td]3 (average)[/td]

[td]~120,000 (unverified)[/td]

[td]€8,900[/td]

[/tr]

[tr]

[td]1998 GCZ32 version R - black[/td]

[td]3.5 (good/average)[/td]

[td]93,000[/td]

[td]€13,900[/td]

[/tr]

[tr]

[td]2000 GZ32 version R - pearl white[/td]

[td]4.5 (brand new)[/td]

[td]22,000[/td]

[td]€22,000[/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

 

PS: I don't have a version R fetish, they just happened to be the nicest cars :)

Pwoah, she is a real beaut, a tasty purchase indeed. Look forward to updates, more pics and maybe seeing it in the flesh one day if you attend some of the big shows [emoji106]

 

Welcome to the club.

What agent are you using mate? I've been waiting one company finding me a 99 spec for 6 months and heard nothing so far

What agent are you using mate? I've been waiting one company finding me a 99 spec for 6 months and heard nothing so far

 

JDMAuctionWatch - no complaints whatsoever as of yet! They have the online auction platform integrated into their website so you can actually view the cars for yourself (just register for that - it's free).

Unless you have some very specific requirements that doesn't sound right to me. I've seen loads of late ones come up in the past year.

Probably haven't met their requirements for profit mate...

Probably haven't met their requirements for profit mate...

 

Think I'd steer clear then. Sure this car will only be making them around €700 commission, or maybe less - not sure about their expenses.

I don't mind them making profit out of me, I sell cars for a living too...but it does seem they are being too greedy if these cars are popping up quite often

Nice purchase.......i was under the impression though that facelift n/a's didn't come with the XENON headlights :confused1:.

Nice purchase.......i was under the impression though that facelift n/a's didn't come with the XENON headlights :confused1:.

 

Maybe it's just on the version R - the other one I bid on had HIDs too, but there's a 2000 NA up now that doesn't look like it has them.

Very nice Jay and health to enjoy mate. Have you any pics of the interior ?

Very nice Jay and health to enjoy mate. Have you any pics of the interior ?

 

Quality is poor. I'll post some of the high-res photos when I get them.

 

Looks nice and OEM - leather in the back and the Recaros in the front. Looks like I'll want to get the steering wheel, gear knob, driver's seat and possibly arm rest refurbished, but not high priority.

Nice purchase.......i was under the impression though that facelift n/a's didn't come with the XENON headlights :confused1:.

 

Optional extra on the NA models Andy

 

Great purchase. Makes my 99 spec look old :(

That's a fabulous find Jay, it's good to see a nice Zed coming to Southern Ireland!! I'm only down the road from you in Carlow, we might get to meet up when my car gets done.:thumbup::thumbup:

That's a fabulous find Jay, it's good to see a nice Zed coming to Southern Ireland!! I'm only down the road from you in Carlow, we might get to meet up when my car gets done.:thumbup::thumbup:

 

Definitely! I'm hoping to take it to the show in Terenure this July but it's hard to say if I'll have it on the road in time. Depends on how badly Revenue decide to **** me over with VRT!

Nice Z by the way how much is VRT is it like UK road tax?

 

I see JDM from their web site use the same company that my Z came over on!

 

Happy days!

Nice Z by the way how much is VRT is it like UK road tax?

 

I see JDM from their web site use the same company that my Z came over on!

 

Happy days!

 

Vehicle Registration Tax is a massive scam and probably illegal/unconstitutional... And then the actual road tax will be around €1500 yearly.

If I'd imported it earlier in the year, VRT would be a flat €950. They've since decided to remove the Z from their VRT calculator, so I expect I'll be scammed out of anywhere up to €2,000.

VRT is basically the Government F***ing you over to change your no. plates to Irish ones, I bought a UK 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Elegance in November last year, the Irish Revenue charged me €4700 to change my UK plates to Irish ones!!

That's on top of the car's purchase price. It's a way to deter people from buying cars abroad. On a plus note I still saved close to €4500 over buying an Irish low spec model.

Here's a few tasters. :)

 

 

Very excited - looks even better than I anticipated! Are the front seats faded or are they supposed to be that colour?

How much did you pay for this car landed in Ireland?

How much did you pay for this car landed in Ireland?

 

Just under €10,000. Sounds expensive for a NA but I have no regrets yet!

That lady looks very clean Jay :thumbup1: You need to put the wheels on the right sides and it must have a modded gear knob and steering wheel as the 99 spec has black leather with red stiching on the gear knobs but yours has black and red leather. There is a few tasty Z's in Ireland now.:yes:

That lady looks very clean Jay :thumbup1: You need to put the wheels on the right sides and it must have a modded gear knob and steering wheel as the 99 spec has black leather with red stiching on the gear knobs but yours has black and red leather. There is a few tasty Z's in Ireland now.:yes:

 

I thought from the original photos that the wheels were on wrong! It has another alloy spare so that's nice.

I think the wheel and gear knob are the original version R ones but have been refurbished as you see.

On another note, just spotted a white Z there an hour ago! Drove past the office - looked like an early slicktop.

On another note, just spotted a white Z there an hour ago! Drove past the office - looked like an early slicktop.

 

Tulip has a white slicktop.

Tulip has a white slicktop.

 

Yup I think that was her!

Hi and welcome Jay.....

 

.....That looks a fine car too mate. Congratulations on your purchase!

 

Richard:thumbup: