What are some things to consider when buying an antique, expensive car?

I’m a U.S. service member stationed in Japan for the next 2 years.

I’ve always wanted to own a Nissan R34 Skyline GTR V Spec and now actually have the opportunity and means to do so.

I would be willing to spend upwards of $200k total on the car (including shipping, 1 year of insurance, and other fees).

I know that seems like a crazy thing to spend that kind of money on, but honestly based on inflation and a likely recession in the future, I’m not sure I’ll be better off putting my money in the stock market or keeping it in my bank account.

That said, I’m not about to drop that kind of money without crossing my t’s and dotting my i’s.

I know that they won’t be legal in the US until they are 25 years old, but I leave Japan in 2024 so the 1999s should be legal by then.

My biggest concerns are insurance and protecting my investment in full and arranging a mechanical inspection to ensure that I’m not getting a lemon. What advice do you have?

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  1. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    Gay LARP thread, no one in this position would have to ask these questions.

    • 1 year ago
      GTR Buyer

      No, I’m serious.

      I’m only 25, but my family is pretty wealthy. I’ve just never done anything like this before.

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        kys gayget

        come up with better shit

  2. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    "Im getting ready to spend 6 gorillion dollars on a car, so like ummmm, what should I look at?"

  3. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    I can’t count how many times I’ve seen this post in one form or another. Bros I saved an impossible amount of cash with my E5 salary and I want to get da Paul Walker car! Whatta do!!???

    • 1 year ago
      GTR Buyer

      A. I’m an officer.

      B. I already told you my family is wealthy. I personally have a little less than $180k in the bank with access to a $1.3 million like of credit. I’m not lying and I’m just trying to get some advice. Wtf would I gain out of lying about this?

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        Every other jap and sk stationed service member on here knows you get free car shipping through the service and you say you are an officer that didn't know you get free shipping?

        • 1 year ago
          GTR Buyer

          I know you get free shipping. I’m not concerned about getting it back, other than making sure it’s at least 25 years old by the time it reaches the U.S. My rotation is March 14, 2024 so I have decent shot of getting a 1999 back to the states.

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        You'd need to check with people who've exported cars. The Skyline is massively overrated, but if you want the 2f2f car, just go ahead.

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        Like I said I have seen this thread at least 60 times. The details are only slightly different. If you’re genuine I would advise against purchasing such a vehicle in the first place. Do you have any wrenching experience. Where are you going to get parts (you will need to fix it) do you read Japanese? What are the insurance costs really going to be? Sorry it’s not the investment you think it is and even if it were you can’t drive it at the same time.

        • 1 year ago
          Anonymous

          There was a real officer on here that did bread on hood with a midnight purple GTR

          • 1 year ago
            Anonymous

            I’m not sure how one dude with a bread on hood picture proves or disproves every other thread but ok.

        • 1 year ago
          GTR Buyer

          All I’m looking for is advice.

          Outside of the really basic shit like changing fluids and tires, I don’t have a ton of knowledge when it comes to turning wrenches. My family is big on driving cars, much less on working on them. However, if I do end up bringing one back to the states, I have a shop that I’m pretty confident could work on it. They turned my dad’s E46 M3 into a track car and if they couldn’t personally work on it, I’m sure they could point me in the right direction of someone who could.

          • 1 year ago
            Anonymous

            It's not as hard as you think. Just find a guide or two on exporting cars from Japan and importing them to the US. Make sure your licence is valid and that you are aware of necessary insurance, costs, and paperwork.

            The advice you received on the Skyline not being that great, is very sound advice. If you want a mostly hassle-free fast car, get a 911 or a vette.

          • 1 year ago
            GTR Buyer

            This is the first I’ve heard about this car not being that great. Every review I have read has been glowing.

            What are the major issues?

          • 1 year ago
            Anonymous

            So I'm an Australian and these things used to be relatively common
            >Bad points
            The RB26 engine has individual throttle throttle bodies which aren't the most reliable things in the world. They're known for oil pump failures, coils, blowing the turbos, fuel pumps, timing belts and timing belt gears

            They aren't that reliable, and they are 25 years and often modified. They also went through a period where they were less than 20k and owned by morons. You're gonna be looking for a perfect one and should not settle for anything less. Otherwise, you're gonna be looking for just general old car stuff - bushes, suspension, steering racks, random electrical failures, etc

            They're not that fun to drive. They're reasonably quick, but otherwise they feel like an average Japanese sedan from the 90s. Essentially a stiffer, faster, better quality Camry. There's a lot of grip and they handle well, but the general driving experience is pretty muted. They're not 'exciting'. Watch Doug demuros video, he knocks it out the park, but he loves the thing so he does it while fangirling

            >Things good about it?
            Its an oversquare engine, with a bore larger than stroke. This means it can rev it's breasts off, and because it's a straight six, it sounds really good with some modifications.

            Because Australians used and abused them for decades, there's heaps of knowledge about how to fix them. It's also Japanese, so you'll probably be able to get parts

            There's plenty of people in Japan who basically export their cars for a living. As an Aussie I can't recommend a specific importer who imports to the US, but in Australia there's companies like Iron Chef who will, for $1100, find you a car that is not a lemon, organise transport, registration and compliance in your Australian state. I'm sure similar services exist for the US market

          • 1 year ago
            Anonymous

            >They're not that fun to drive. They're reasonably quick, but otherwise they feel like an average Japanese sedan from the 90s
            heh. some of the most fun i've had was throwing old luxobarges around twisting back roads, and revving the piss out of tiny shitbox commuter cars in daily traffic like it's a rally stage.

          • 1 year ago
            Anonymous

            Exactly. Most fun car I've driven was an Alfa 4c which admittedly is not cheap, but a very manual, mechanical experience. Close second was a Suzuki cappuccino

          • 1 year ago
            GTR Buyer

            Thank you for the info. That’s quite a bit to consider.

            The one that I currently have my eye on has about 75k km on the odometer (24k stock and 51k after NISMO tuning).

            In your opinion is that too much. I’m worried that all the super low mileage cars will be going for well north of $200k

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        >Wtf would I gain out of lying about this?
        A tiny modicum of "human" interaction and attention.

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        Why would you tell anyone this?
        I'm a millionaire and I never bring up shit when asking for advice.
        Are you fricking stupid?

        • 1 year ago
          Anonymous

          This is probably the most valuable lesson in the thread. But yeah, OP is stupid unless he's already got a great deal for a GT-R, as he could bring home a 240z or some super-rare jap car.

  4. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    >1999
    >Antique

    • 1 year ago
      GTR Buyer

      By 2024 a 1999 will technically be an antique by US standards.

  5. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    >muh family who has money let me go into the military and now wants to double down and invest in a rare antique jap car
    Haha it’s like you’re not even trying

  6. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    Id rather get a 12 cylinder century before FAST AND DA FURRYOUS car

  7. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    >I’m a U.S. service member
    kys

    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      honestly you sicken me

  8. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    advice is go back where you came from and get a bicycle.
    your a gay.

  9. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    >U.S. service member stationed in Japan

    ah so, a rapist then?

  10. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    you have to go back

  11. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    >200k
    I'd get an nsx instead

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