Tuesday 3rd January 2017

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32): Spotted

Mechanically standard, 50,000 miles and on its second owner - do they come any better?

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Late last year, indeed just two days before the Christmas break, PH was invited to drive the latest GT-R NISMO at Silverstone. Working hard all year round, you see. Opinions on that are embargoed until later this month though, so we can't discuss it any further just yet.

With GT-Rs on the brain however, it was hard to avoid spending the festive break in the classifieds looking at Skylines. It's concerning how much more engaging an activity that is compared to Christmas TV or family conversation...

An RB26 with just the 280hp!

And what a gem this one is. Everyone knows that R32s are very much in demand currently, with good examples becoming increasingly hard to find, and this one must be one of the best. It would appear they've probably got further to go as well when you look at other homologation cars. If a Sierra RS500 can be for sale at £200K...

The Skyline GT-R is a prime example of those Japanese cars that respond so well to tuning but are now most desirable in standard form. Amazingly this particular R32 has survived 24 years without a single mechanical tweak; indeed the only change from standard is an aftermarket radio to pick up UK stations. Incredible.

It must be a rare find now to discover a Skyline that's not only so unspoilt, but so cared for as well. The advert states the name of the first owner (who had the car from 1993 to last year), the original spare wheel is there, the toolkit is unused and even the floor mats are from the factory. Since arriving in the UK in October, it's had a service (including the cambelt and the HICAS four-wheel drive), four new tyres, a "full paint correction and intensive detailing" plus the new stereo. Doesn't it look great?

Even the standard exhaust too

Despite having never been used in the wet, this Skyline has probably been used enough that the next owner could still drive it without fear of spoiling anything. Indeed, such is the current demand, this car's value could rise even with additional miles. Furthermore, as has been discussed so much, the reputation of cars like these is built on how they drive and so it would seem a shame not to do that. Dare you be the first to drive it in the rain?

While not so long ago the notion of a £25K Skyline would have seemed daft, in the current market it appears more than reasonable. The gunmetal grey car is the same money as this 550hp GT-R, for example, giving the choice depending on your priorities. As for alternatives, the GT-R looks even more competitive. A Delta Integrale with more miles commands more money, as does this Impreza 22B 'tribute', while this Evo VI Tommi Makinen is more than twice the money (!) with only a few thousand less miles.

All sounds rather exciting, doesn't it? Sure, the car is in Belfast, and the temptation will always linger around tuning it. But for collectors or fans of the breed - there must be plenty of both - it's hard to think a better Skyline is out there. Go on!

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NISSAN SKYLINE R32
Engine: 2,568cc, straight-six turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 280@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 260@4,400rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1993
Recorded mileage: 53,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £23,995

See the original advert here.

[j_s14a]

This one is MUCH nicer:

http://www.carsensor.net/usedcar/detail/CU48136659...

24,000km (15,000 miles). Nicer colour, better condition, probably around £27k OTR here.

[j_s14a]

6,000km example here too, but POA.

http://www.carsensor.net/usedcar/detail/CU46598191...

[j_s14a]

richinlondon said:

Something that can easily be changed back. Besides, I take it you're aware that a "small penis" exhaust on something like a GTR is actually functional? Plus, the RB26 is without a doubt one of the nicest sounding engines around when it has a decent tubular manifold and free flowing exhaust fitted?

[j_s14a]

Notanotherturbo said:

Like mine better, 64k km, only mods are filters exhaust and remap and Volk Racing wheels. Have the originals. Much nicer in metallic black ??

Nice joint second favourite colour (with Silver), whites my favourite though.