Picking a skyline - need some advice from somone who knows!

[BroDocM]

Hey guys,

I am essentaily brand new to this forum and am going to be importing a skyline. After much rumination and debate I have decided I'm going for a skyline. The problem is I don't know very much about these cars. I initially I was going to go for a MKIV supra but after finding out the price for
A manual GTE model I'm thinking the skyline is the way to go. I also really like the fact that the skyline is AWD as apose to the RWD supra. I was even thinking of going WRX STI but I just think the skylines are a lot more adaptive and just flat out look better.

I want to know what you guys think would be the best model of skyline I could pickup for 10k imported. That's after paying the service fee of the exporter, having the vehicle landed, customs broker fees and OOP. I am thinking the r32 because of it's light weight rep but want a TT in this model as well as a 6sp trans. I can't seem to find out if these bad boys have a 6sp and I also don't know how to tell if these cars are singT, TT or NA..

I also might be willing to buck up a little more for the right ride but I'm thinking if I import myself I should be able to get something nice for $10k. Please let me know as well if there is anything specific to watch out for with these cars before I import. I have heard passing the OOP can be a real bitch and that's prety much the only thing I am dreading.. Well and the fact that I have no idea if you can get parts for these things.

All stuff I need to learn but could really use some advice here.

Cheers

[rvander1992]

So firs find a good importer and talk with them. Derek at pacific coast auto seems pretty awesome.
After that it's about finding what you want.
R32 didn't come 6 speed, Gtr is the only awd Tt, gts4 is awd I think 2.5 litre.
R34 vspec is I believe the only 6 speed option and that's out of budget.
Gtt = auto
Gtst = 5spd 2.0 t
Gt25t = 5spd 2.5 t
Gtr = 5spd 2.6 Tt
Then vspec but I don't know what that means(brakes and rims and maybe some aero?)

Hopefully that helps a little bit with your search.

[caliber676]

If I were you, buy one that's already landed and insured. You can get a r32 gtr for around 10k.

[Dragon Humper]

You are asking some really basic questions dude...you need to spend about 5 hrs on here reading to learn all you can before you purchase a car. WIKI is your friend for the basics (models, options, whatnot....)



Jon.

[BroDocM]

You are asking some really basic questions dude...you need to spend about 5 hrs on here reading to learn all you can before you purchase a car. WIKI is your friend for the basics (models, options, whatnot....)



Jon.

Basic questions for some basic answers dude.

[dah_hunter]

I would hunt localy as well.

since your a beginner, its prolly a safer bet then bringing something over, and dealing with the inspections etc..

check out craigslist. and start lowballing.. :-)

[Dragon Humper]

It's called reading...don't be lazy. Nobody will hold your hand to learn the basics. Annnd....you better be prepared to deal with a 20-25 year old car, lots of stuff will go wrong, even with a car that's a $25,000 cream puff. Save yourself a ton of hassle and buy a car that is already plated in BC.


Jon.

[BroDocM]

It's called reading...don't be lazy. Nobody will hold your hand to learn the basics. Annnd....you better be prepared to deal with a 20-25 year old car, lots of stuff will go wrong, even with a car that's a $25,000 cream puff. Save yourself a ton of hassle and buy a car that is already plated in BC.


Jon.

You know I was thinking. I'm new to this forum and you don't know anything about me. You don't know what kind of person I am or my collective experice with vehicles. First off this will be my 3rd vehicle I'm importing on my own and secondly not to try and sound tough but in reality I would be willing to bet that if you met me in person you wouldn't be talking sh't. Last time I checked this is a forum where people discuss all things skyline so what's it to you? It's not like I came on this forum acting like a big shot or like I know something I don't so why don't you do yourself a favour and get and find something constructive to do with your time like reading a self help book are something.

[tenkay]

Everyone good to chill then, grab a beer, and continue!

[Skym]

Gts-t

R32 didn't come 6 speed,

R32, R33 GTR have an option from Nismo to be converted to R34 GTR 6 speed and works well with the 4.111:1 diffheads (responsive setup) -

http://www.nismo.co.jp/products/catalogue_2014/#page=132

With R34 GTR they use the R33 GTR V-spec diffheads that are 4.111:1.

Gtr is the only awd Tt,

True.

gts4 is awd I think 2.5 litre.

R33 GTS-4 is NA 2.5 litre and the 4 door version is a good base for GTS to GTR conversion, as shown with the Autech 4 door R33 GTR.

Autech 4 door R33 GTR -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_-xTBbFbAA

R32 GTS-4 is 2 litre single turbo 4wd version of the R32 GTS-T and comes in 2 door or 4 door (some convert to 4 door R32 GTR, as it's something different from the normal 2 door R32 GTR).

R34 vspec is I believe the only 6 speed option and that's out of budget.

True. A very heavy car if you have moved one without using the engine.

Gtt = auto

R34 GTT is auto or manual and has the NEO 2.5 litre single turbo engine.

Gtst = 5spd 2.0 t

True.

Gt25t = 5spd 2.5 t

True.

Gtr = 5spd 2.6 Tt

True for R32, R33. R33 GTR has the better gearbox (dual? synchro? option on some gears).

Then vspec but I don't know what that means (brakes and rims and maybe some aero?) Hopefully that helps a little bit with your search.c

V-spec = Victory spec. It was the specs based on the winning Nurburgring N1 R34 GTR (or R32 N1 or R33 N1 models) and is a watered down version of N1 GTR (no oil coolers, turbo's, etc as found on R34 GTR N1).

N1 R34 GTR (modified by Nismo) is the top of the range as far as factory RB26 powered cars go and has the N1 RB26 with steel wheeled turbo's, revised camtiming, oil coolers for engine, diffhead, transmission, fuel, etc and no aircon (AC button is removed and blanked off), no rear wiper, carbon ducting to Front Mount Intercooler, sound deadening is removed, etc. Rare to see and hard to get hold off unless it's a racing version of the N1 GTR (expensive). N1 R34GTR was only sold in white.

Then there's Nismo S-tune, Nismo R-tune, Z-tune (similar engine, etc specs to R33 400R), R33 400R (based off the Lemans spec R33 GTR), etc.

I picked the R32 RB20DET because it's a challenge to modify and I like the transient response due to the lighter internals, short stroke and thick walled block (not easy to crack), what is said to be stronger ringlands, cheaper to run.

Also I like the Group-A sound that can be extracted from the R32 RB20DET -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-vVJ3MZsvE

[Dragon Humper]

So if you are wiley in all the ways JDM and importing why are you asking 16 year old fanboy questions...

I guess I am just getting a little tired of people with 4 posts asking really basic questions when about an hour of basic reading will get that job done. If you were asking questions about the cross over years and what clutch would be more of a pain to change out (push or pull) and how critical it is to get a GTR with the upgraded crank over the early crank then, although still basic, is atleast showing that you did some reading. I'm sorry that I came across grumpy and slighted you a tiny little bit but...go to a few meets, Vancouver is a hotbed of JDM goodness....but you already knew that being an importer and all.



Jon.

[Kaiju]

I would be willing to bet that if you met me in person you wouldn't be talking sh't.

Lol. This is the exact response that will get you absolutely no where in this community..

Like Jon said, do some reading. Then read some more. There are weekly meets every Thursday @ Byrne and Marine. If you come out and aren't such a tough guy maybe you will meet some friendly and knowledgeable Skyline enthusiasts that can help you with this stuff.

Anyway, regarding your questions..

Like everyone else I would suggest picking up an R32 GTR locally. They can easily be had for $10k. If you go for the R32 you should consider the issue of the drive collar the 89-91's had. Info on that here:

http://www.skylife4ever.com/2011/01/real-problem-with-rb26-oil-pump.html?utm_source=Internal&utm_medium=Right%2BLink%2BList&utm_campaign=Text%2BLink%2BGTR%2BOil%2BPump%2BProblems

Here's a handy buyers guide that should help with your purchase of a Skyline or any 25 year old JDM:

http://www.skylife4ever.com/2011/11/used-nissan-skyline-buyers-guide.html?utm_source=Internal&utm_medium=Right+Link+List&utm_campaign=Text+Link+Buyers+Guide

If you decide to go the import route I highly recommend Adam @ Feast. GTRC sponsor and great guy. Another local who could help you with anything import related is Ben @ Fraser Valley Imports.


Cheers

[dah_hunter]

Race for Pinks.. that will solve it all.. I feel Jon will win..

If you have imported before.. then you should get ahold of whoever you imported with last time, and get the ball rolling.

I find it always takes months of searching to find the right car at auction in Japan.. Unless its your lucky day.

[Dragon Humper]

Poop disturber....lol.



Jon.

[BroDocM]

So if you are wiley in all the ways JDM and importing why are you asking 16 year old fanboy questions...

I guess I am just getting a little tired of people with 4 posts asking really basic questions when about an hour of basic reading will get that job done. If you were asking questions about the cross over years and what clutch would be more of a pain to change out (push or pull) and how critical it is to get a GTR with the upgraded crank over the early crank then, although still basic, is atleast showing that you did some reading. I'm sorry that I came across grumpy and slighted you a tiny little bit but...go to a few meets, Vancouver is a hotbed of JDM goodness....but you already knew that being an importer and all.



Jon.

You know what I have never actually imported a vehicle. I just said that because I just wanted to make a point not to always assume you know everything about a person. I don't want to start off on this forum like a poser so **** it. I'm sure Jon's a good guy and I'm a good guy. Were all just a bunch of nice guys haha. Anyways, I've been doing some more reading up about these things and I think if I was to go for one I would probably go with the GT-R r32. I also like the fact that you can get a 2.0 turbo model.