Happyflyer

When they mot a car without number plates they fill in the chassis number instead, same for the insurance. You don't need tempory plates. Around Southampton you often see import cars without plates driving around having just come off the ships.

You are entitled to drive your car from the port of entry to a mot garage of your choice, which presumably would be near where you intend to live. It's best to confirm with your garage that you intend to bring it in in case you get checked up by the police. A fog light is the only english requirement for a 10 year old car.

I hope to make it o.k. I've got to go to Leicester on Saturday, Hope to get get back the same day, but with the new road works on the M25 around Heathrow I'm not sure. Could anyone tell me what it is like in the morning or would you recommend a different route? Give the zed a fright, it has not been out of the garage for a month! It's a pig in the wet, the wheels spin at the slightest opportunity. West quay Sunday then, the wife will make the shops think it's Xmas again! Stuart

Just been sent the catalogue by Motorway car auctions in Southampton. They sell all imported Japanese cars and their next auction is on the 21st of October. They have two 350s for auction, one manual the other tipronic . Both around eighteen months old. the talk is that they'll go for around 16k. There are a couple of 32s as well. Thought someone might be interested, web site www.motorwaycarauctions. com

I looked at this car a couple of months ago when they first had it in, they wanted £1800 for it.I told them they had not a chance when perfectly good ones were coming through Southampton import auctions for two and a half grand. The car looks in excellent condition apart from the damage. The suspension looks ok only panel damage. The glass is broken on that side and it not leather. A serious amount of work required though.

Hope some of you I.T. whizz kids can help as my knowledge of computers is very basic. Although I can log on ok, and search the web etc, when I try to read my mail cannot get into outlook express to read my emails. It starts to open up then crashes. The mouse pointer turns into the microsoft logo and thats it. to get out of it I have to press ctri alt delete. I have checked the system best I can, but no luck. I have about 40 emails waiting but cannot access them. All the information tells you what to do with a dodgy modem, but not my problem. I've been told it has got corrupted files, but checks don't show it, and I thought zeds were bad! Any Ideas would be greatly apreciated. Stuart

I'm with Lifesure, £378 fully comp on their classic car policy. It has to be a 2nd car with limited miliage, off road with alarm system. excess £100. Some might find this too restricting but is fine for me. Stuart

When I took my Zed in for its mot, they tested the cats though it was a '91 car. I asked them whether it was necessary since it was pre '92. Their reply was any car fitted with a cat, irrespective of it's age has to be tested for it's efficiency. Since the car passed it's test I did not argue the case. Stuart

I'm not saying how old I am, but have to admit that so far everyone is younger than me!! The wife thinks I must be going through a mid life crisis to have one, just call me Grandpa! Jap spec 1991 tt.

Russ If you are near Southampton, go and check out their Jap import auctions. Contrary to what Silverzed ( I think it's her) says they are not all bad. there are 2 of them and run about once a fortnight. They usually sell 2or 3 each time, but best to check first, save a wasted journey. I saw about 10 go through before I bought mine, mainly because I wanted a manual. I bought mine last November unregistered,and because of the situation at the time stored it for 5 months. It is now on the road, It passed it's mot with only a little welding to an exhaust pipe. She runs beautifully, engine smooth as cream, turbos boost as they should, no oil or hicas leaks. The car came with nearly new tyres, the battery has never let me down even when not started for a month. All the electrics work including the climate control. There are a few blemishes on the body work, the paintwork is a bit bleached on the plastic bits. I think it must have been in a hot part of Japan. I t even came with a new oil change, all for under 3 grand. I would be the first to admit perhaps I have been lucky in many ways, but the opportunities are there, But I am a great believer if it looks and sounds right then it probably is. I'm afraid everything is a gamble, especially with 12 year old cars.

It's right at the back of the engine, about 9" down. You won't be able to read it at first because of the oily grime. Get your hand down there (not easy) and wipe it with your finger or rag. You should see the numbers, but you will definately need a torch and work it around the many pipes.

I insure my J spec tt through Life-sure, for £372 fully comp. It is on classic insurance, has to be at least a second car and restricted mileage. They originally demanded cat 1 security, I said cat 2 or they could keep their insurance which they accepted, so they must have wanted the buisiness. Fortunately I don't need the car for work, so could agree to their restrictions. It probably also helps in the fact that I am old enough to be your father!!

I was told you should NEVER run an engine when it is not connected to a battery. The battery absorbs the variation in voltage the alternater put out. Without the battery the fluctuation in voltage can blow your electronics and a lot else.

I agree with Beer-monster. I am also 6ft 4" tall, and not as slim as I used to be. I find it very comfortable to drive as the seat is fairly low. With all the options on the electric seat, you can't help but get comfortable. My father also had one of those large Datsun saloons with the 240z engine,around 1974 vintage, and I remember the seats were high so if you were tall your head hit the roof.

http://WWW.silverlakeautoparts.co.uk are breaking a "P" reg Jap import next week. They are in Botley in Hampshire. Thought someone might be interested. I saw it yesterday, it's been swiped down the drivers' side, otherwise ok.It looks as if it was in good order, done under 60,000 kms. It has Nissan BBS wheels cloth interior and a solid roof. He has sold the manual gearbox, but the engine and everything else is up for grabs. Hoped to get the PTU etc but he's waiting till it's pulled apart. Would have liked the spoiler but it is the newer raised type. Might help someone

Claim to fame Went out a few times with Carol Thatcher, daughter of the Mrs Thatcher in the mid seventies when her mother was becoming the leader of the Tory party. She was studying law in Chichester at the time. Gave it up when her Mother hit the big time. If I had played my cards right, I might have been famous. Wonder why she never married?

We have 3 rescue cats. Kitty--- Black and white Felix lookalike Pepper--- Ginger Pansey--- Tortoiseshell Wouldn't be without them for the world. Running a Zed seems cheap compared with keeping 3 cats!!

My user name is the same as I have used for some while on Ebay. I fly radio controlled helicopters as a hobby,and when they go home in one piece after a flying session I am a " Happy Flyer"

Manual, and they are more reliable!!

On my J spec import, there are two lots of warning lights on the left of the steering wheel and one lot on the right. My question is what do the ones on the right do? In the 4 months I've had the car none have come on. Are they opporational? The drivers handbook give a list of things which have warning lights, but no picture showing where they are. Most of the ones on the left come on, though there are some blank spaces. Please put my mind to rest!

Andy P, you are right MR2 wheels do not fit a Z, they hit the callipers. I first checked them on a z31 which is in my garage with it's wheels off. They fitted over the callipers no problem, and I assumed it would be the same for a z32, wrong! I also noticed when comparing the 17 inch with the stock wheel, how much smaller it was around the circumference. It seems, to match the same size, 18 inchx 40 are required. All in all, the whole episode has been a disaster. I took them back today, and explained the problems and he gave me my money back. I'll be a little more careful in future!

There are 2 running at present, though not as active as they were 4 months ago. One is Southampton vehicle auction near dock gate 10, and they run every fortnight. Tel 023 8063 1631. The other is through dock gate 4. website http://www.motorwaycarauctions.com. It would be best to check the stock for sale first. They do not have a lot of sports cars compared with the 4x4 veriety. You have to get the cars registered etc, but no big deal. You have to remember that you have to put £500 down before you are even allowed to bid. Stuart

Try http://www.euro-spec2000.co.uk/ They do all that sort of thing, and they are local to you They have done a few things on mine

The wheels fit ok, it's the nuts which are the problem Mark Stevens-- If I have no luck I'll bear you in mind for the nuts will fit all toyotas.

Sorry!! My mistake the tyre size is 235-40-17. I'm not sure I am allowed to post photographs.