Stagea wagon 2.5 turbo V6 2001 - 2003

 The Nissan Stagea 35 series AWD comes in many varieties, typical of Nissan in Japan. Here in Australia we suffer the "you'll take what you're given" attitude from the #2 Japanese auto manufacturer's retail outlets.

The economic downturn is not all bad. 

The prices in Japan have plumetted, the cost of ocean freight has come down.

More cars are available at the auctions as demand has dwindled. In short, it's a buyers market! 

A good example is that of a recent client buying a 2003 model Skyline with log books and genuine 

28,000 klms in pristine condition, still with plastic on the trim. The cost; an unbeleivable $18,800 

and that is complied, ready to drive away!  

The cheaper cars like Aristos and Chasers are not affected so much. There are many costs that just don't

change, auction fees, agents fees, transport , import approval fees etc etc. The thing is, a cars cost in

Japan is only a very small part of the total cost. Even after all these years of GST, we are still paying 

Federal Government stamp duty as well as GST ( we even pay GST on the stamp duty! ) Top end cars like EVOs

, GTRs, V35 and V36 Skylines become more attractive when you can buy them direct without paying retail price.

The latest Skyline coupes are an amazing vehicle, they have a very European style but they don't cost anything 

like European car  prices. There seems to be some sound logic in this type of purchase and it is very simple. 

Historically the Euro cars will de-value dramatically in the first 12 - 18 months. The late model Skyline is 

already half the price so even if it did de-value by 50% it would still save an owner dramitally. The Japanese

vehicles are often lauded as being superior to the Euro cars and they really do have style. 

 ARISTO, ARISTO, ARISTO

Now there are two 2JZ-GTEs in the family.

 It’s true that I bang on about Toyotas a lot these days, in particular the mighty 1JZ and the 2JZ-GTE engines. They are without doubt the engine of choice for almost any engine conversion you could care to mention (so long as it physically fits in the engine bay) as the bulletproof construction makes them near – indestructible.

It’s common sense, then, that when anyone asks my advise on what type of car they should buy or which engine they should use for an engine conversion, they get exactly the same answer, “buy a JZA80 Supra or get hold of a 1JZ or 2JZ front cut.” Is shouldn’t come as such of a surprise then when my Dad was considering buying a second runabout car that he asked my advise.

 Now I know you are opening yourself up to a world of pain when you offer advice and / or mechanical repairs on family members’ cars but I simply couldn’t help myself. “You should get a Toyota Aristo,” I said, felling quite chuffed with myself. This was followed by the obvious “what’s one of those?” question; to answer which I whipped out a stack of car magazines that I had conveniently stashed close by.

 Much to my girlfriend’s displeasure I then proceeded to tell him how good they war, how fuel efficient, how reliable topped off with how roomy they are. “Did I mention they have the same engine as the twin turbo supra?” Ultimately even my mum had to approve after the exact same pep talk I gave my dad, so I pretty much had them sold.

 In all seriousness it’s not exactly a hard sell given what is currently available second – hand these days, with the Aristo out performing, out classing and out pricing anything locally made. It’s just the Japanese way. Now to the test drive. This was all to easy with Mr. Ellis recently taking delivery of his very own 1991 Aristo. This was the first Aristo registered in NSW and boy does it turn heads.

 So with the keys in hand I dropped by my parent’s house to show them the Aristo and take them for a spin. Impressed doesn’t even come close to describing my Dad’s reaction and the brief was simple.: “I want a silver one, in tip top shape and I want it now.”

 With the ball firmly in my court I jumped straight on the phone to Mick Martin at SVI Imports in QLD. What this guy doesn’t know about importing isn’t worth knowing and no sooner had I discussed the requirements than I had three separate emails, each with a different Aristo. All were grade 4 cars (grade 4 being a near new car) with even the smallest dent or scratch noted.

 My Dad settled on the silver car pictured and went through the hassle-free process of purchasing his first import through SVI. To say the buying process was quick and easy would be an understatement with SVI giving my dad regular updates as to where the car was in transit and when it would be ready for compliance. The whole process took less than a month and as you can see my dad is one happy customer. He and I were so rapt in the condition of the car that he even wanted to drive it back to Sydney. Given I was in QLD for Jamboree 16, how funny would it have been to see two Aristo driving down the Pacific Hwy, one of which towing a Mitsubishi Cyborg!

 Fast forward to today, as I find myself organizing a weighbridge certificate. It shows the Aristo weighs in at 1680kg and the Blue Slip and rego will be done tomorrow. In all seriousness I’m glad he listened to me as I would have been disappointed had he bought a VZ Commodore and been utterly bored with it. The Aristo has enough grunt under the bonnet to keep him excited but sadly I’ve been banned from doing any form of ‘upgrade’ whatsoever. That’s okay, he’ll come around soon enough.

 A Big thanks goes out to Mick Martin and everyone at SVI Imports for finding and delivering such an excellent car. If you’re in the market for a new car (especially and Aristo) log onto www.svi.com.au

 Grant Warne

 gwarne@expresspublications.com.au

Published in Hot 4’s & Performance cars XTRA.