350/370gt or aristo daily driver

[Mr Ponkerson]

Hi folks, I think I've narrowed my desired next car to one of the above and just wondered if anyone has experience running one of these (or similar) as a daily driver (will be commuting 5 days a week and visiting local clients a few times a week).

I have seen a couple of 2003 skyline 350gt with 60k or so on them for about 6k and know of a recent import 370gt type s with 80k for just under 8k.

There's also the possibility of importing an aristo for 7k or so on the road.

Advice on whether 80k is highish or just run in for the skyline and how well they and aristo hold up to being used daily as opposed to weekend toys.

I'm really torn - love the looks of the skyline coupes over the aristo but also like the Q car side of a gentleman's supra.

[TommoAE86]

Personally out of all of them I'd go for the Aristo, however I've not owned any of them and my reason for backing the Aristo is my current Toyota Crown.

It's a GRS184, cost me £7k ish from Torque GT and has been sublime. Previously I owned a R33 Skyline GTS-t and the Crown is about 8/10th's of the Skyline when pushing while still being able to switch and effortlessly eat up the miles when I've stopped being a yob. The only real comparison I have for the Crown is my old Jag S-type which I've been very rude about in other posts, the Toyota is a much better car in almost every respect.

Anyway, onto more practical things - check what you can do regarding aftermarket head units (difficult in my Crown), if you can import one that would be better ime, think about what you want to do modding wise if you like that sort of thing. My insurance is through A-Plan, and in terms of mpg I'm getting between 9.9km/l on my commute and then 14km/l+ on anything flowing/motorways.

Any of the cars on your list I'd be very happy if they were mine

[Mr Ponkerson]

Thanks for the response. Looks like the skyline may be out of the window unless I can find one locally to see if my massage table fits in the boot (measurements are very touch and go).

[aka_kerrly]

When you say you are looking at Aristos are you only considering 2jz twin turbo models otherswise there are plenty of Lexus Gs300s in the uk for way under your 7k budget.

There are also some Aristo vertex 3.0na already in the uk and they make an interesting purchase for style over performance

[Mr Ponkerson]

It's the turbo I'm after chap. If I were to go for the GS it would be the 430. Managed to get myself a 307 estate for £500 to tide me over just now. Will keep saving and then figure out if I'm going to go for one of the above or something like a Monaro.

[aka_kerrly]

Mr Ponkerson said:

It's the turbo I'm after chap. If I were to go for the GS it would be the 430. Managed to get myself a 307 estate for £500 to tide me over just now. Will keep saving and then figure out if I'm going to go for one of the above or something like a Monaro.

Good man for only being interested in the turbo model!

You're in a very similar position to myself and we clearly have very similar tastes as I also swing between getting another 4 door saloon - things like Aristo, Skyline V35, Nissan Fugas,Toyota Mk2/X/Crown Athlete but then I also keep considering that I rarely need a 4 door let alone 5 seats so perhaps its a good time to indulge in a 2 seater which is where the Nissan 350z, a Honda S2000, Toyota MR2, MX5s come into play. Then I think a good compromise is a 2 door 4 seat coupe which is exactly where the Holden Monaro, GT86, E92 BMW 335i start to make sense....

[Mr Ponkerson]

It's a mine field I tell you!

[swampy442]

Big thing for the Nissan's will be tax, they'll be big boy 500 quid tax whereas an Aristo wont be.

Personally I'd get the Aristo, but I'm biased as I've had a few lol. Very reliable, very tuneable, lots of parts available, lots of knowledge about. Buy on condition not mileage, I looked after one locally that had 250k miles on it, ran like a swiss watch