Custom Chassis

[RabidClock]

Hello all, I'm new to the forums so please don't eat me alive.I'm transferring to Okinawa from Iraq within my company and I would absolutely love to get a R33 GTR, but I would hate to have to leave it there. I know this has been covered many many many many times, but I'm determined to bring one back to the States. My question is, is it possible to build a custom frame (I know it's a uni body, but I'm not very knowledgeable in these areas) and have that custom frame stamped with a new 17 digit VIN? My second question is it worth the cost of a custom frame when I could just buy a new GTR or simply buy a motorex Skyline?

Thanks in advance guys.

[maryjane]

no and no, just buy and LEGAL skyline and enjoy peace of mind with not getting your car getting crushed!

search the stickies before buying any thing!

[RabidClock]

OK, well scrapping that idea, how hard would it be to bring the R35 from Japan and have it meet US standards? If you're wondering why I'm going through all this trouble, it's because I plan on buying one while living there and why get rid of something you love?

[Gold Digger]

OK, well scrapping that idea, how hard would it be to bring the R35 from Japan and have it meet US standards? If you're wondering why I'm going through all this trouble, it's because I plan on buying one while living there and why get rid of something you love?

why would you buy a car in Japan that is sold in the U.S. that already has U.S. standards. You would pay more to do that than just buying one in the states.

You would have to pay the shipping and whatnot. And to the best of my knowledge, the R35 is a world market car, so it's standards are all the same wherever it goes.

[RabidClock]

Well if I already have one while in Japan I think I'd come out better off having my company pay for the cost of shipping back to the US rather than to sell it in Japan and then turn around and buy one in the US. If it's already within standards then I save myself what I would lose in selling the car used in Japan and then to find one in the US for sale

EDIT:Here, I'll put it this way. I've lived in a war zone since 2005, I don't get to drive too terribly often; I'm being transferred to Japan where I will buy a very nice, very fast car. The Skyline is my first choice, and once I have said car, I'm not going to to want to part from it. This car is my reward to myself for having spent so much time in ****hole and I'm not going to want to part from it.
Modified by RabidClock at 4:05 PM 8/4/2009

[Gold Digger]

OK. I see your point, but one thing you should consider and look into.

(Just re-read your posts, so I am not sure if you are military. If you are, then this may apply. If not, then disregard.)Depending on your rank, you may not be able to own a car. When I was in the Navy several years ago, E-4 and below could not own a car. You could get a DOD license to use for the base cars and what-not, but you can't own a car.

Also, while you may have saved up a metric a** ton of money with haz duty pay, tax free pay and other incentives while being in a war zone, the maintenence costs of an R35 are going to be astronomical, especially in Japan. Case in point, I just had an oil change, trans/transfer case fluid change in my 33-R and it cost me over $300. That's on a 15 year old car.

I don't know your rank, nor will I speculate on whether you can afford the costs, but I know from experience that the military doesn't pay nearly the amount it should to its soldiers/sailors/airmen. Keep that in mind.

What you can consider is picking up a good condition used R32 GT-R while you are here, building it to what you want, then trying to stay here for about 4-5 years for when it could be 25 years old (should you pick up an 89-90) and then you would be golden.

A good place to look for good used Japanese cars would be here.http://www.goo-net.com/english/

Here is one that appears to be bone stock with an FMIC. It's the most expensive one at about $13khttp://www.goo-net.com/cgi-bin...51010

Just keep your options open and think about the problems you could face in the future in getting a car in Japan.

[RabidClock]

Thanks for the info Gold Digger, and while I'm no longer in the military I completely agree that they have the most underpaid occupations. I'm a contractor these days and deploy with Marine units in support of their gear. My savings is looking pretty good right now, so affording one is not a problem.

I like your idea about the R32, and I'm definitely going to take that into high consideration, and I appreciate the link you gave me for used cars. I'll be taking my family over with me, do you have any suggestions for a good family vehicle (wife, kid, myself)?

[Gold Digger]

I like your idea about the R32, and I'm definitely going to take that into high consideration, and I appreciate the link you gave me for used cars. I'll be taking my family over with me, do you have any suggestions for a good family vehicle (wife, kid, myself)?

One thing to consider. Cars over here are taxed according to their engine size and over all size. Under 2000cc is the cheapest, but you end up with a pretty small car unless you go with an older R32 GTS-t 4 door.

It also depeneds on who's going to be driving. I myself would go with a new/newer Odessy. They are sex on wheels and can seat up to 7/8 depending on which model you go with for seathing. They are about the only van type car I have seen in Japan that wouldn't scare me to be in. Vans over here are narrow and tall, to combinations that don't work well together.

If you are looking at a car, in the Nissan family, you have a few options. Y33 Cimas are hot and can be had with a V8 or the turbo V6. C35 Laurels are also nice. I had a C33 for 5 years and loved it. The C35 can be had in a manual with the Club S 25 Turbo models.Fuga (same as the new M35/45 in the U.S.) are another choice as well as the V35/V36 Skyline sedans.

Outside the Nissan family, you have the JZX110 Toyota Mark II. 1JZ power to get you there in a hurry. Aristo, also with the 1J engine.

Of course you have the WRX or EVO if you are looking for good power, AWD and not so big.

Smaller, more economical vehicles would be things like the Nissan Cube, Note or Tiida. Mazda also has the Demio and Familia.Honda has many cars to choose from as well.

Just browse that site and see what catches your eye.

You'll be a bit limited though being in Okinawa, so your choices are going to be a bit harder to come by unless you find a company that will ship down there to you.