Nissan Skyline R32/R33 GTR

[turbomoggie]

Hi Pistonheads,

I may be in a position to make a dream come true at some point over the next few months. I've always wanted a Nissan Skyline R32 GTR or R33 GTR. Now I am aware that the prices of these have risen immensely over the past few months, however I am still keen.

Does anyone know how much I should be looking to budget for something in reasonable/good condition?
Any advice on who can help me source one? I'm based in north Devon if there happens to be any garages local.

If there are any owners on this forum it would be great to get some input on what its like to own one.



Thanks!

[TommoAE86]

I'd reckon around £40k if you wanted a good condition one from Japan I'd have thought now but I'm only looking at goo-net for a rough idea.

When I imported cars from Japan I used TorqueGT, some people say they're expensive but I've always felt I've had great service and value for what they do and both my Skyline (GTS-t) and my Crown have been excellent.

[turbomoggie]

TommoAE86 said:

I'd reckon around £40k if you wanted a good condition one from Japan I'd have thought now but I'm only looking at goo-net for a rough idea.

When I imported cars from Japan I used TorqueGT, some people say they're expensive but I've always felt I've had great service and value for what they do and both my Skyline (GTS-t) and my Crown have been excellent.

Hi Tommo,

Thanks for replying. I'd be happy to pay that amount. Ah I'd never heard of goo net before, thanks for the heads up. Oh fab torque gt are based very close by to me! I'll be sure to get in touch with them.

Do you still own your skyline? What are running costs like?

[TommoAE86]

Goo-net is my favourite website in the world, just checking out all the cool stuff that they get over there compared to the dross we suffer with here

Even if you don't go with them then TorqueGT are approachable and will answer questions you have, what you pay for from them on top of the car is the inspection in Japan, all the shipping and making the car ready for the UK (foglight, underseal etc).

I don't have my Skyline anymore as I didn't have the space but it was a grade 4 series 1 GTS-t - owned it 3 years and did about 20,000kms in that time and was garaged but used year round. Oddly mine was different because I didn't modify it in anyway - still had the original HICAS and adaptive aero (the latter being super rare).






I'm so happy to have owned it and it never felt anything less than amazing, but equally I really love my Crown which I replaced it with as it's a more versatile car - another TorqueGT one with (again rare) Modellista/TOM's aero.

[turbomoggie]

TommoAE86 said:

Goo-net is my favourite website in the world, just checking out all the cool stuff that they get over there compared to the dross we suffer with here

Even if you don't go with them then TorqueGT are approachable and will answer questions you have, what you pay for from them on top of the car is the inspection in Japan, all the shipping and making the car ready for the UK (foglight, underseal etc).

I don't have my Skyline anymore as I didn't have the space but it was a grade 4 series 1 GTS-t - owned it 3 years and did about 20,000kms in that time and was garaged but used year round. Oddly mine was different because I didn't modify it in anyway - still had the original HICAS and adaptive aero (the latter being super rare).






I'm so happy to have owned it and it never felt anything less than amazing, but equally I really love my Crown which I replaced it with as it's a more versatile car - another TorqueGT one with (again rare) Modellista/TOM's aero.

Great pics! An unmodified skyline, that is unique!
Yes I'll be sure to give torque gt a call. I'm waiting on a house sale to complete which will hopefully be done by the end of the year else end of January 2022.

Your crown looks great. I've never seen one on the road before so I imagine they're quite rare in the UK? Whats it like to drive?

[TommoAE86]

I wouldn't say they're anything special, but there are probably fewer than 20 in the UK of my shape which is cool. I'm addicted to Crown's since I got mine and I raved about mine here and go into detail about the driving, the 0-60 of 4.9seconds surprises.

They'll never have the caché of a Skyline but they do some pretty cool versions

Factory supercharged one:


Or one of the generation after which probably look the best imo:
Athlete (sporty)


Majesta (luxury)

[J-Tuner]

Another vouch for Torque GT. I got my 1992 R32 GTR through them and ended up with a grade 4b 70k miles example which i love. What you have to understand is a grade 4b is almost top draw for a car knocking 30 years old. I have been steadily going through the car replacing perished seals, trims bolts etc and as i get into it i have started to uncover age related bits and pieces broken or chewed up a bit but it all looks normal. Basically what i am saying is whatever condition you get if you really want to future proof it you should expect additional costs to freshen up all the original or mangled bits and pieces and the can costs can rack up. Good news is parts seem to be more available now than they did when I purchased 3 years ago! I have bagged some rare gems from japan for very good prices and it comes down to doing your homework.

How does an R32 GTR drive? Its a completely analogue experience, the car feels tiny compared to modern cars but is great for road placement. You have to pedal the car a bit and learn its foibles, it likes to rev and the boost takes a moment to hit unless you have it on the boil. It can be tail happy so you need to be on your guard in the wet. Pops on overun without trying even with the cat in. If its near stock like mine (approx 395bhp @ 14psi)it wont perhaps feel as violent or urgent as the image you have built up in your head but just remember thats easily rectified. I love mine because its not far off of stock. Everyone used to say Japanese cars were dull and lacking character but it's every inch the occasion you want in your dream car as far as i am concerned. You will get people talking to you at the petrol station, thumbs up and hi fives everywhere you go and people deliberately running alongside you on the motorway to take in godzilla on the move as its still an amazing sight for any car fan. If you can and its your dream car go for it!

Edited by J-Tuner on Sunday 21st November 23:47

Edited by J-Tuner on Sunday 21st November 23:48

[jonesey]

I'd wanted one for 20+ years and had never driven one when i picked up my car a couple of months ago. Mine is a 70k mile car that just had around £7k spent on it to bring it back to life after 6+ years in dry storage. I paid late £30's for it so i agree with what others said above from a value perspective.

I've had/driven plenty of cars and this is easily one of the most visceral. Very much a multi-dimentional drive and to be honest i'm still quite intimidated by it which is part of the joy. I tend to be buzzing when i step out of it after a drive. Suffice to say the old phrase "never meet your heros" hasn't proven applicable.

[turbomoggie]

TommoAE86 said:

I wouldn't say they're anything special, but there are probably fewer than 20 in the UK of my shape which is cool. I'm addicted to Crown's since I got mine and I raved about mine here and go into detail about the driving, the 0-60 of 4.9seconds surprises.

They'll never have the caché of a Skyline but they do some pretty cool versions

Factory supercharged one:


Or one of the generation after which probably look the best imo:
Athlete (sporty)


Majesta (luxury)

Great looking cars! Its a shame we miss out on some of this stuff over here.

[turbomoggie]

J-Tuner said:

Another vouch for Torque GT. I got my 1992 R32 GTR through them and ended up with a grade 4b 70k miles example which i love. What you have to understand is a grade 4b is almost top draw for a car knocking 30 years old. I have been steadily going through the car replacing perished seals, trims bolts etc and as i get into it i have started to uncover age related bits and pieces broken or chewed up a bit but it all looks normal. Basically what i am saying is whatever condition you get if you really want to future proof it you should expect additional costs to freshen up all the original or mangled bits and pieces and the can costs can rack up. Good news is parts seem to be more available now than they did when I purchased 3 years ago! I have bagged some rare gems from japan for very good prices and it comes down to doing your homework.

How does an R32 GTR drive? Its a completely analogue experience, the car feels tiny compared to modern cars but is great for road placement. You have to pedal the car a bit and learn its foibles, it likes to rev and the boost takes a moment to hit unless you have it on the boil. It can be tail happy so you need to be on your guard in the wet. Pops on overun without trying even with the cat in. If its near stock like mine (approx 395bhp @ 14psi)it wont perhaps feel as violent or urgent as the image you have built up in your head but just remember thats easily rectified. I love mine because its not far off of stock. Everyone used to say Japanese cars were dull and lacking character but it's every inch the occasion you want in your dream car as far as i am concerned. You will get people talking to you at the petrol station, thumbs up and hi fives everywhere you go and people deliberately running alongside you on the motorway to take in godzilla on the move as its still an amazing sight for any car fan. If you can and its your dream car go for it!

Edited by J-Tuner on Sunday 21st November 23:47

Edited by J-Tuner on Sunday 21st November 23:48

Thanks a lot for your reply, its got me quite excited. Its great to hear your feedback! Your car looks great, is that gun metal grey? Great colour.
I appreciate this is something that I will have to spend money on to keep going. Are most parts available if ordered from Japan? I remember reading some information about Nissan remanufacturing some parts for older skyline models.

[turbomoggie]

jonesey said:

I'd wanted one for 20+ years and had never driven one when i picked up my car a couple of months ago. Mine is a 70k mile car that just had around £7k spent on it to bring it back to life after 6+ years in dry storage. I paid late £30's for it so i agree with what others said above from a value perspective.

I've had/driven plenty of cars and this is easily one of the most visceral. Very much a multi-dimentional drive and to be honest i'm still quite intimidated by it which is part of the joy. I tend to be buzzing when i step out of it after a drive. Suffice to say the old phrase "never meet your heros" hasn't proven applicable.

Great feedback! Thanks for replying. Your car looks great.
Its great to hear you've picked one up recently. Late 30s seems like a good price with how hot the market is at the moment!
Would you mind sharing how you sourced your car?

[TommoAE86]

turbomoggie said:

Great looking cars! Its a shame we miss out on some of this stuff over here.

It really is, check out Toyota Japan’s line up - just crazy all the cool choice they get. I’d love to buy a Crown over here - they’re just Lexus’ underneath so shouldn’t cost too much but then how many Camry’s do you see?

[jonesey]

turbomoggie said:

jonesey said:

I'd wanted one for 20+ years and had never driven one when i picked up my car a couple of months ago. Mine is a 70k mile car that just had around £7k spent on it to bring it back to life after 6+ years in dry storage. I paid late £30's for it so i agree with what others said above from a value perspective.

I've had/driven plenty of cars and this is easily one of the most visceral. Very much a multi-dimentional drive and to be honest i'm still quite intimidated by it which is part of the joy. I tend to be buzzing when i step out of it after a drive. Suffice to say the old phrase "never meet your heros" hasn't proven applicable.

Great feedback! Thanks for replying. Your car looks great.
Its great to hear you've picked one up recently. Late 30s seems like a good price with how hot the market is at the moment!
Would you mind sharing how you sourced your car?

It wasn’t absolutely perfect. I had to source boot trims and have some very minor paint correction but all in its extremely clean and relatively standard but running r34 turbos and a couple of other bits at around 450bhp.

I actually saw it on eBay from a trader who’s cars I’ve seen for years. Saw it, called him and paid the deposit within an hour….when you know you know.

[mersontheperson]

Hey Moggie

Goo net prices are usually the auction prices plus a dealer premium. There are many that sell everyday at the auctions. I have bought about 8 cars from a New Zealander that lives in Japan and goes to the auctions and does a detailed inspection, auction sheet translation, sends high res images etc.
Personally I think it’s best to buy from the auction directly through someone like him, you know what you are getting and can wait for the right one. Happy to pass on the name of the company if you DM me.

Through his site you can save searches, check auction history prices and get a good understanding of where the market is now. R32’s are now available for US import so they are going up even more than usual.
I think you need to budget for 35k plus to get something that isn’t a huge risk

[mersontheperson]

Just to add, I used to live in Tokyo and have been to the USS Tokyo auction centre, met my guy there and spent the day checking out all the cars. If I was buying a GT-R, I would be tempted to add another 1k to my budget and use it to go and see how it all works and hopefully bid for a car that I have seen. But then again i really enjoy the whole purchasing /auction process

[turbomoggie]

mersontheperson said:

Hey Moggie

Goo net prices are usually the auction prices plus a dealer premium. There are many that sell everyday at the auctions. I have bought about 8 cars from a New Zealander that lives in Japan and goes to the auctions and does a detailed inspection, auction sheet translation, sends high res images etc.
Personally I think it’s best to buy from the auction directly through someone like him, you know what you are getting and can wait for the right one. Happy to pass on the name of the company if you DM me.

Through his site you can save searches, check auction history prices and get a good understanding of where the market is now. R32’s are now available for US import so they are going up even more than usual.
I think you need to budget for 35k plus to get something that isn’t a huge risk

Hi Merson,

Thanks for the information! Yes please, that would be great.

I'll dm you now

[mersontheperson]

I checked with the company I know and they are happy for me to put their name here, www.smilejv.com

The owner is a chap called Brendan, and my personal experience over multiple purchases has been very good

[turbomoggie]

mersontheperson said:

I checked with the company I know and they are happy for me to put their name here, www.smilejv.com

The owner is a chap called Brendan, and my personal experience over multiple purchases has been very good

Thank you for this

[J-Tuner]

turbomoggie said:

Thanks a lot for your reply, its got me quite excited. Its great to hear your feedback! Your car looks great, is that gun metal grey? Great colour.
I appreciate this is something that I will have to spend money on to keep going. Are most parts available if ordered from Japan? I remember reading some information about Nissan remanufacturing some parts for older skyline models.

Yep it's the iconic gunmetal colour they are known for. Other colours are available but probably harder to get in the right spec.

There is the Nismo heritage parts catalogue and its getting more and more comprehensive bit that said i pick and choose when i get bits through that. I have had massive success with parts from the US and rarely buy direct in UK. US is Cheaper than japan direct for OEM 'grey label' parts in some instances. I have also used a Japanese 3rd party where i can bid on yahoo japan and then they take delivery and repack and send to me in the UK for a fee. I have got genuine parts through ebay from japan also where the item listing has no pic but the price is low so knowing your part numbers is a massive advantage. Used that for some difficult trim parts.

[mersontheperson]

Is that Aleado Group? They do a Japanese yahoo site in English, I believe you can set-up an account, deposit money and they facilitate the communication at the Japan end to get it delivered to the home country

Not sure how efficient it is, knowing Japan it’s probably massively over complicated and annoyingly admin heavy