We’ve been seeing a massive amount of minty JNCs lately. Many of these perfect specimens come attached with “out-the-barn, no low-ball, I-know-what-I-have” prices. On the other hand, there are still times when you can find a JNC in condition ranging from quasi-decent to “help meeeee” for a much lower price. I’m interested in your take with the current market for JNC.
For your next purchase, do you buy the complete model with a higher price tag; or go low-ball and perform your own servicing to get it back in tip-top shape?
How will you purchase your next JNC?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your favorite color on a JNC?”
Last week, we asked about your favorite color dipped on a JNC. It could have been a stock, period correct color; or a custom blend of new age paint on an old age JNC. If I were to toss my hat in the ring, I would have said the S13 two-tone 463 and FG0 otherwise know as Dark Gray Metallic and Silver Green Pearl. But, that is because I am a dyed in the wool 2-tone nut. (I painted my eye glasses 2-tone) Every car I’ve ever painted has always been 2-tone. But I digress.
Now, on to the winner! In this case, I have to agree with Chase who first brought up the now famous “112 Yellow” (..remember when paint colors were named after colors and not “midnight aspirations of success and power with mica flakes”?..)
I remember a neighbor down the street with one that would hot rod up the street on my walk home from the bus stop. I, too, thought it was some exotic beast… ah the days.
Here’s Chase’s own thoughts:
112 Yellow (Greenish?) on my 72 240z. It’s bright, which is nice from a safety standpoint on today’s roads where paying attention to driving seems optional. It also takes on different shades of green/yellow depending on the time of day and lighting. Kinda cool. Best reason for it being my favorite color? Kids think the car is some kind of exotic Lambo when they see it due to the outspoken nature of the color. Who doesn’t want their old Datsun to be mistaken for an Italian super car??
Omedetou! Your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop.
For my next JNC, I want to try something new. And I mean this literally. I want to purchase a brand new car, spec’ed out exactly how I want it, and love and care for it, until it finally becomes a JNC. I want to be one of those people at JCCS that’s the original owner with all sorts of awesome stories. I want to help contribute to exciting cars on the road by buying a manual transmission car new. I’ve already got 4 good JNC’s running from preserved stock condition to high quality resto-mod, but much of what these cars are was determined by what the original owner chose or ordered. I want to be that original owner.
I like this idea, and it’s something I’ve been hoping to do myself for years – find the perfect car, spec it just how I want it and keep it thereafter. Nobody has quite produced what I’m after yet – though if Daihatsu decides to build the DN Compagno concept from Tokyo or Toyota finally gets around to making the S-FR from 2015, then both of those would fit the bill.
I can’t believe that I’m saying this publicly, but I don’t know if I need another one! Wait, even with 7-8 cars in storage units now, yeah, I do. For me, having a rust-free vehicle is the biggest factor. I’m stuck paying $900 in shipping because those west coast vehicles are the only ones that will work for me, personally. And, then not driving them for 4-5 months a year while they sit in storage during our ridiculous salty-roads period just seems like such a waste. So, no-rust first, then finding one that’s equipped with my preferred features – 4WD/AWD if it was available (even though I don’t drive them in the winter), fuel-injection, and a 4/5-speed.
I tend to err on the side of spending a little more initially and having to do a little less in the long-run.
Both my current JNC and my soon-to-be FNC (French Nostalgic Car – I figure that format works for everything…) were cars that I hunted around for and spent more to start with, but ended up getting a better vehicle because of it. I’ll use the same method for any future JNC purchase.
The winning strategy is to pick a target make and model, look everywhere, and buy the best one you can afford. Anyone who has refurbished or restored old cars knows that they generally end up being worth less than the total investment. If one is on the lookout for a classic JNC and this strategy is not possible or practical, one should always choose complete cars over the same car in better condition but missing hard to find parts. Body work, paint, and mechanical repairs are easier than trying to find a door handle and windshield for that 1968 Prince Miler pickup you couldn’t resist.
What will I do? Probably ignore all of the above and just grab the next JNC that really grabs me.
Question: How will you purchase your next JNC?
Answer: Without my wife’s knowledge!
Ha! Send this man his stickers, pronto!
+1. Best answer ever!
+2
I am planning just purchasing a Toyota century soon, but I have never been to Japan i will ship it to new Westminster and then ship it to Toronto and i may finally have my own jnc