Running a skyline?

[bergs2]

Hi Jap Chat - Merry Xmas one and all!

I've just sold my TVR (touch wood) in order to get something more suitable for commuting so was thinking about a Nissan 200SX - for the money, it seems:

1) Very Quick
2) Comfortable
3) Quite rare
4) Reliable

However, on further investigation it struck me how there are quite a few 8-9+ year old Skylines around the £5k-£6k mark -
this is very tempting
couple of Q for you chaps:

- is the GTS Turbo radically different from a GTR or is this just a different model year description of the same thing?

- What to look out for when buying

- they are import only, right? does this make insurance a bit of a laugh?

- any other considerations that may influence whether or not to purchase?

I'm happy to spend to maintain, but above all need reliablity - is £1500 p/a a reasonable service/repair budget for an old (ish) Jap rice rocket?

Any advice gladly recieved!

Cheers

Tim.

[DanBoy]

Tuttle is your man really, but:

Insurance on Japanese stuff is stupid. Especially on group 20 grey import like Skylines etc. I'm 21 and could insure a TVR Cerbera 4.2 for half of what it would cost me to insure a Skyline. Infact, I can't even get quoted on one!

£1500 p/a is probably a tad optimistic. I've spent in the region of 2k on my (naturally aspirated) MR2 this year. I would imagine that when you start bringing 4WD and turbos into the picture things get even more expensive. And then there's insurance!

Skylines come in many guises. The main difference between a GTR and a GTS-T is that the GTR uses a clever 4WD system, whereas the GTS models are all permanent RWD. Engines are slightly different too, I think, as is the exterior styling!

[shadowninja]

Servicing for my R33 GTS-T is about Chimaera level of annual servicing in terms of cost, but much more reliable.

Just doesn't sound or look as nice, or shift as quickly, of course. (Referring to the standard model...)

[tuttle]

shadowninja said:

Servicing for my R33 GTS-T is about Chimaera level of annual servicing in terms of cost, but much more reliable.

Agreed
Appologies in advance for waffling on-can't help it
Import insurance is a bummer,grp 20.Suggest a specialist type broker(Adrian Flux or Warwick-Davis).Mine:age 40,garaged,low crime area(B),some mods declared,full NCB,protected £850.00.

Getting spares isn't too bad or pricey-comparatively.

Good tyres are an absolute must(be prepared to replace rears in 6-8K miles tho)

A standard GTS can sound & feel a bit 'lardy'fairly minimal mods will completly optimise this.

Esp since films such as Fast & Furious etc the skyline has suffered much mis-representation.It is a large GT car,not a race car,for its age & price point as a GT it is,IMO,pretty much unrivaled.
This is not to say a 'Liner can't hack it on the twisties(they handle really well)long distance,fast travel-A roads & M/ways,where you want to arrive in good,unstressed shape,are where they really come into their own.
On skyline forums you would see many posts where ppl have spun/crashed them (esp when just bought them )So there is a lot of stigma about wayward & uncrontrollable rear-end action.In my honest opinion,most of this whinging is a lack of right foot control.With decent tyres & suspension properly set up,my GTS has ALWAYS handled predictably & never thrown any surprises at me,just needs a bit of respect I s'pose
Comuter 'Liner?It really depends on what you want it for,unless you're comuting a lot of motorway miles,the 200sx would be more practical & cheaper to run.
The skyline GTS & the TVR both require reasonably large amounts of dedication to run as a daily driver,admittedly,different types of said dedication tho.The'liner is blessed with a very reliable straight six engine,sound electronic systems,good chassis,4 decent seats & will always get you there;quickly,reliably,safely(YES)and with minimum fuss.
Bad things include:Size,they're bloody big-tight,busy parking can be frustrating.Attract a lot of attention,forget sneaking to the shops! Makes security worries a real issue.
Still. I really love mine.Still makes me grin & feels special,even after a year,2 breakins & 1 small prang.

>> Edited by tuttle on Sunday 26th December 22:28

[bergs2]

Gazboy said:

no offence but it's a Sierra XR4i in an Armani minidress).

not quite the XR4i handles better....

- I think your right - the 200sx seems the altogether more practical option - besides the insurance quotes for the skylines were just mad!

now just the small matter of finding a good one...



>> Edited by bergs2 on Monday 27th December 08:53

[tuttle]

Agreed,the,newer,S14A version does it for me,looks better/meaner too.£4-5k will get you a top-notch one.

[ApexClipper]

Also, don't fall into the trap of thinking that because it has "Skyline" on the boot, you're driving Godzilla!!

Because these cars come with so much hype and legend, there's loads of myths surrounding the cars, and one of the biggest ones is the one I've just mentioned above.

As Gaz suggests, go for the 200SX over the Skyline, unless you're going for the GTR, and even then, go in with your eyes open.

For Skylines, your best bet is here www.gtr.co.uk and here www.skylineowners.com

[bergs2]

Cheers for the advice chaps -

Going to a see a '99 S14a 200SX on Sunday - thoroughly unmolested example.


for now...

anyone here done any mods on an Auto 200sx?

Is it true that it cant take the same degree of tuning as the manuals?

fingers crossed!

[shadowninja]

sxoc.com

the autobox can't handle as much power IIRC. maybe good for 350bhp...

[tuttle]

200sx auto, it aint no slouch...guv