R32/R33/R34 Skylines - What are they like to drive?

[Bobby Shaftoe]

Currently on the hunt for a fun to drive daily, i've got a shortlist of Integra DC2, Ford Racing Puma and er that's about it. I've almost ruled the Megane 225 out as i found the engine to be a bit dull.

The only criteria are fun and engaging to drive, waterproof and reasonably easy to drive in the wet, my 390se fails miserably on the latter two points.

So the Nissan Skyline in R32 through R34 guise, are they fun to drive, do they offer engaging and challenging handling? Should i just give in and buy an MX5 instead?

[zb]

One of my friends has owned both R32 and R33 GTS-Ts. They were then relatively big and heavy cars (certainly for a coupe) but can be thrown around if you have both the skill and the balls to do it. However, it was a few years back he owned them, so I don't know how much things have moved on, but being in a Skyline it was quite apparent your were in a vehicle which was not only in a different league from other cars, but appeared to play a completely different sport. Certainly on the motorway nothing even attempted to bully him.

I think every petrolhead should at the very least drive, if not own, a Skyline at some point. If you've got the cash to buy and run it, go out and get one tomorrow.

[Pebbles167]

I've driven an R33 2.5 turbo. It was decent fun, but felt no more fun than the E39 530i I'd driven.

I'm no pro driver but the BMW gave me the confidence to get tail happy, the Skyline not so much.

That said the R33 was a bit of a dog, and I'm sure a better example wouldn't be hard to find. Plus if you got a GT-R I'm sure it would be sublime.

[BUG4LIFE]

I really wish I could afford a bayside blue R34 GTR...dream car, more so than a new GTR.

[Stinkfoot]

I have driven a stand tune R33 GTR and it was superb. Must be amazing with 500 bhp but beware they have tiny boots (which is why I never bought one as the kids were still young).

[Andy616]

I've only got experience of an R32 GTR. Utterly brilliant as an evenings/weekend car but I'm not sure I'd want to run one as a daily driver. The RB series engines are fantastic but they are very thirsty and you can't skimp on maintenance.

[Mastodon2]

R32 and R33 GT-Rs are some of my favourite cars, seeing the real deal (and not badged up single turbo models) is a sight to behold. I don't really know what they'd be like to drive, they're big cars, but I'd imagine the mechanical grip is more than sufficient if you're into proper fast, clean driving rather than arsing about on roundabouts. I'd bet that driven properly and with a 400bhp+ tune, they demolish tyres and drink fuel at an alarming rate, but at these sort of performance levels there aren't really any cheap runners. If you can foot the bills, then I'd wholeheartedly say go for it. I really wanted to get myself into a Skyline or Supra some day, but once I got riding bikes it seemed a bit pointless, but I'd still love a chance to drive them some day, even if just for a quick blast.

[Fastdruid]

My brother-in-law had an R33 GT-R, mildly tuned (for a Skyline) to something like 400-450hp


Was mentally fast with staggering levels of grip but cost a fortune to run and had a habit of getting him points.

Edited by Fastdruid on Tuesday 8th April 17:10

[J4CKO]

I had a look before I got my 350Z, I got the impression that, by and large, unless you can get a GTR they arent worth the effort, the non GTR models are all less powerful as standard and the various specs are mind boggilingly complex, plus so many are badly modified.

Over here Skyline, to most, generally means R34 GT-R but in Japan it was quite a big range of cars that included saloons and even the Stagea estate thing.

A look in the classifieds shows that all have alledgedly at least double the power they left the factory with and are now practically a GTR....

Only one I have an uge for is a standard R32 GT-R, or a new GTR, which, confusingly isnt a Skyline.

Not sayign dont, just be sure you know what you are buying.

[themanwithnoname]

I've had the pleasure of a few different R33s

A standard GTS-T is reasonably brisk, but makes you wonder what all the fuss is about, until you show it some corners.

A GT-R with a little tuning is almost otherworldly, it has no right to be as quick as it is, and shouldn't be as hustleable as it is. When I first got it, I wondered what the knee pads on the dash side and door card were for - they are for bracing yourself, and you will. A lot.

Nismo 400R - See GT-R but on steroids.

Wonderful bits of kit, and happily, this weekend, I am taking custody of a GT-R to fix up for a friend. The car has a fierce thirst, and is great fun, and will be mine for a week.

To say I'm looking forward to it is an understatement. It just gets under your skin.

[cptsideways]

I have just been tasked with selling a friends R34 GTS-T with a few goodies. It's been tucked away for several years but it'll be on the road this week coming hopefully. Not driven one for a good while so will let you know how it compares.

[gfunk]

I've had 3 r32 gtrs and they are brilliant to drive, they don't feel heavy to drive at all.
They only weigh 1430kg which is very light for a semi 4wd car!
Don't bother with gts skylines though they are rubbish anyone who tells you otherwise probably owns one and couldn't afford the gtr lol.

[maherjack]

Just bought an r32 gtr. I would say they have engaging and challenging handling, not as chuckable as an evo or subaru. They require a bit of precision, can be a bit tail happy if not.

Also when HICAS kicks in for the first time you will poo yourself.

[Andy616]

maherjack said:

Just bought an r32 gtr. I would say they have engaging and challenging handling, not as chuckable as an evo or subaru. They require a bit of precision, can be a bit tail happy if not.

Also when HICAS kicks in for the first time you will poo yourself.

You might want to get your HICAS checked because it's not working properly if that's the case. It won't just "kick" in unless there's a fault.

[Bobby Shaftoe]

Thanks chaps, sounds like a skyline might be a contender.

Is it just the lack of power that makes the GTS/GTS-T inferior to the GTR, or do they have inferior handling/suspension as well?

Is it just fuel and tyres that make them expensive to run or do they need loads and loads of maintenance?

Fuel costs aren't an issues as my current cars do 15, 19 & 21 MPG, but i don't fancy a car that's gonna be up on the ramps every other week getting something fixed.

[gfunk]

All round handling, power seats are nasty and obviously no wide arches so just look less menacing.
And there is no rb26 under the bonnet so it's not a proper skyline!

[PainTrain]

Bobby Shaftoe said:

Thanks chaps, sounds like a skyline might be a contender.

Is it just the lack of power that makes the GTS/GTS-T inferior to the GTR, or do they have inferior handling/suspension as well?

Is it just fuel and tyres that make them expensive to run or do they need loads and loads of maintenance?

Fuel costs aren't an issues as my current cars do 15, 19 & 21 MPG, but i don't fancy a car that's gonna be up on the ramps every other week getting something fixed.

All variants have their merits, and consider that most gts-t's will be running gtr power levels, or even more.

What is your budget, and are you looking for a standard or modified skyline?

Edited by PainTrain on Wednesday 9th April 02:17

[GravelBen]

Nissan quoted the R32 GTS-T at 1320kg, which is actually pretty light compared to most newer cars.

[LFAwhoosh]

I had an R33 GTST as my first 'fast car' years ago. Finding one which hadn't been abused was very difficult. Eventually I found a black one which had been looked after by a couple of different forum enthusiasts, for at least 4 grand less than a GTR of similar spec. It ended up with a hybrid turbo and 430 horsepower, GTR seats etc, had no issues at all getting the power down - 4wd was just not needed in the dry, and saved a substantial amount of weight (over 100kilos) not having it. The cars are actually better without Hicas, so a car which has had this deleted is a good sign, along with Tein monoflex suspension.

With regard to maintenance the cars themselves are easier to fix than more modern engines, most jobs are relatively easy. Bear in mind a stock RB25DET can take up to 500hp on standard internals, and replacement engines are occasionally for sale at around £1500, so they are great cars to tune.

Personally I wouldn't use one as a daily - id rather save the performance and fuel for the weekend or special occasions. My pick of the bunch would be a tastefully tuned GTR if you can afford it though, but don't rule out the GTST based on skyline snobbery - a good one is just harder to find as more of them are cheap enough for chavs to buy.

Edited by LFAwhoosh on Thursday 10th April 01:02