Importing a Skyline?
Discussion
Thinking about buying a car.
Considering buying a Skyline - is it worth it buying one direct from a dealer who imports them?
Is there anything I need to be aware of? Anything I need to be careful of?
Any recommended dealers?
Can I get one for about 5k?
Which version would you think I could get in good nick and reliable?
Are the mileages they post real? So I trust them?
So many questions as it will be my first car.
Considering buying a Skyline - is it worth it buying one direct from a dealer who imports them?
Is there anything I need to be aware of? Anything I need to be careful of?
Any recommended dealers?
Can I get one for about 5k?
Which version would you think I could get in good nick and reliable?
Are the mileages they post real? So I trust them?
So many questions as it will be my first car.
Just a few general points....
That money wont get a GTR so dont bother dreaming. There are alot of different models, not all turbo's, although the non turbo's are pretty tame to be honest.
5k will get an R33 GTST which is the 2.5l turbo with RWD - nice cars. around 1995-1997 or so.
dont import - buy off a club member. The prices are so low at the moment and especially this time of year, you will get a lovely and lightly modded car for this money.
The odometers are not altered from Kilometres, they just change it to register in miles instead - this means the mileage will look alot higher than it is as most of it was done in Japan in km's. Again, buying a known car takes a smuch doubt out as is possible. I personally would be more suspicious of a "clocked" car that allegedly is in miles.
Insurance is insane. They are basically all group 20 imports.
If it is your first car you will probably kill yourself. Strongly advice you graduate up from something else.
That money wont get a GTR so dont bother dreaming. There are alot of different models, not all turbo's, although the non turbo's are pretty tame to be honest.
5k will get an R33 GTST which is the 2.5l turbo with RWD - nice cars. around 1995-1997 or so.
dont import - buy off a club member. The prices are so low at the moment and especially this time of year, you will get a lovely and lightly modded car for this money.
The odometers are not altered from Kilometres, they just change it to register in miles instead - this means the mileage will look alot higher than it is as most of it was done in Japan in km's. Again, buying a known car takes a smuch doubt out as is possible. I personally would be more suspicious of a "clocked" car that allegedly is in miles.
Insurance is insane. They are basically all group 20 imports.
If it is your first car you will probably kill yourself. Strongly advice you graduate up from something else.
Thanks for your reply and advice.
Yes the insurance group is high, running costs are high ... so are servicing and parts expensive as well?
What I mean by first car, is first car I will have personally bought and owned.
I have previously been driving my parents car for the past 10 years.
Are there any cars you would recommend I start on then?
Yes the insurance group is high, running costs are high ... so are servicing and parts expensive as well?
What I mean by first car, is first car I will have personally bought and owned.
I have previously been driving my parents car for the past 10 years.
Are there any cars you would recommend I start on then?
Alternatives depend on what your parents' car was and what you are used to...
For an 'entry level' RWD Jap car how about an early MX5/Eunos or a MK1 MR2. Low-powered, easy to get sideways, linear N/A throttle response won't bite your head off.
Next step up would be an S13 200SX. Pretty cheap, 170 bhp, RWD, turbocharged. No traction control, bit more of a challenge, get a half-decent one for a grand upwards.
S14 200SX or an MR2 Turbo is getting you into the properly fast league for under £5K. Both these cars, and the GTS-t RWD Skylines are very challenging to drive fast in the wet. Rewarding when you get it right, expect a lengthy hospital stay if you get it very wrong.
Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs, you might have spent the last 10 years driving an M5 or such like for all I know...
As has been mentioned, the insurance can be crippling. I've been driving 20 years, full NCB, no convictions, no crashes, decent postcode, I was quoted over £1K to insure an R33 Skyline. Currently pay £600 for lightly-modded MRT. These cars get stuffed left, right and centre, so expect to get screwed for insurance, even if standard.
ST
For an 'entry level' RWD Jap car how about an early MX5/Eunos or a MK1 MR2. Low-powered, easy to get sideways, linear N/A throttle response won't bite your head off.
Next step up would be an S13 200SX. Pretty cheap, 170 bhp, RWD, turbocharged. No traction control, bit more of a challenge, get a half-decent one for a grand upwards.
S14 200SX or an MR2 Turbo is getting you into the properly fast league for under £5K. Both these cars, and the GTS-t RWD Skylines are very challenging to drive fast in the wet. Rewarding when you get it right, expect a lengthy hospital stay if you get it very wrong.
Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs, you might have spent the last 10 years driving an M5 or such like for all I know...
As has been mentioned, the insurance can be crippling. I've been driving 20 years, full NCB, no convictions, no crashes, decent postcode, I was quoted over £1K to insure an R33 Skyline. Currently pay £600 for lightly-modded MRT. These cars get stuffed left, right and centre, so expect to get screwed for insurance, even if standard.
ST
I'll second what was said above about buying a car already in the UK - let someone else sort out all the niggles first! Plus you'll have some sort of recent history. Also, the mileages should be taken with a pinch of salt, a good number will have been wound back before they leave Japan. Buy on condition.
Also, if you fancy a Skyline, don't completely rule out the non-turbo ones, so long as it's the 2.5, not the 2.0. Yes, it's tame compared to a GT-R, but 200hp through the rear wheels is still fun. I can kick the back end of mine out without trying too hard.
When I was looking for mine, I drove a GTS25 and an unmodified GTS25t back to back, and the turbo didn't feel that much faster to be honest.
Of course, if you're planning to mod it, ignore what I said...
Also, if you fancy a Skyline, don't completely rule out the non-turbo ones, so long as it's the 2.5, not the 2.0. Yes, it's tame compared to a GT-R, but 200hp through the rear wheels is still fun. I can kick the back end of mine out without trying too hard.
When I was looking for mine, I drove a GTS25 and an unmodified GTS25t back to back, and the turbo didn't feel that much faster to be honest.
Of course, if you're planning to mod it, ignore what I said...
Insurance can be bad unless you know were to look, I have a very modded R33 GTS-T and with no no-claims fully comp is £575 and I am 27. All I will say is there are big benefits to the owners club. Clubs are the best way forward, you can pretty much find out the history of the car by searching the threads of the person you are buying off, any problems are aired for advice. Also they already have the necessary mods that make the car better ie air filter, exhaust and decat pipe. Just these basic breathing issues make the car better.
£5k in the current climate will get you a very nice car and you will have one that has already been ironed out so as to speak,
Regards,
Jase E
£5k in the current climate will get you a very nice car and you will have one that has already been ironed out so as to speak,
Regards,
Jase E
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