You need to be strategic with problems like this one, and not just throw new parts at the car which may or may not fix it.

That means the first thing to do is electronically scan the car to see if the on-board computer knows what’s wrong. Hopefully this information will lead you to either the ignition or fuel system and, from there, you can home in on the fault.

Ignition-wise, you may have a computer, wiring, spark plug issue or about a thousand other things on a modern, electronically-controlled car like this one. If the fuel system's at fault, you need to check things like the filter and fuel pump delivery pressure and volume and even the age of the fuel. Modern fuel doesn’t like to sit around for any length of time, and many’s the car that has been sidelined through petrol that has lost its mojo.

While the G35 Skyline is not a common car on Australian roads, its driveline is pretty well understood. Even so, finding a workshop that specialises in this make and model would be a good idea.

It is right in the middle of the price guide for that model, and with its relatively low kilometres and history of regular servicing it would seem a fair price.

It’s against the law to tamper with an odometer, but I’m sure it does go on. If you’re going to buy a car like this you need to have it thoroughly checked by a mechanic who knows them well. An experienced mechanic should be able to tell if a car’s odometer doesn’t appear correct.