RE: PH Heroes: R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R
Wednesday 5th March 2008
The R32 GT-RMillions of people have driven a Nissan Skyline GT-R on the limit. I don’t mean the sit-inside-and-start-the-engine type of drive one, rather the stare-at-the-screen-pushing-buttons kind of drive one. The Skyline is a cult car, known the world over through computer games such as Gran Turismo, and is the granddaddy of the PlayStation-generation dream machines. The reality is, of course, not that many people have actually driven one, but most people will tell you that they are fantastic to drive and would love to have a go.
R32 is a PlayStation favouriteSo where did this fascination with the Skyline start? Well, it was a lot further back than most people might think - the first Skyline appeared in 1957 badged a Prince rather than a Nissan and packing a 1.5 litre motor. The famous GT-R badge was first used in 1969 and can still be found on the nose of the new Nissan GT-R, albeit with the Skyline badge dropped. In between all this, in 1989 in fact, the Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R was born and most enthusiasts would argue that this is the car responsible for creating the legend.
The original 1957 SkylineMagazine in Australia nicknamed it ‘Godzilla’ upon their first test drive in 1989 and the name stuck.Most people who have ever driven an R32 GT-R Skyline will immediately comment on the engine. Nissan’s RB26DETT motor was build by Nissan’s Motorsport Division or ‘Nismo’ for short.It is a six cylinder, iron block DOHC engine with a pair of turbos bolted on for good measure. Hard as nails and twice as durable, it is an engineering masterpiece. The engine was highly tuneable straight from the factory and an exhaust system, pair of air filters, 0.9 bar of boost pressure and an ECU remap will see you pushing out 400bhp.
R32 GT-R Nismoimpressed by the R32’s nimble surefootedness right the way through the driving experience. It’s extremely rare these days to find a stock example of this car on the UK roads as they were never officially sold here. If you are ever lucky enough to drive or own a stock example you will understand immediately why everybody raves about them. The ATTESA four wheel-drive system provides bags of grip and response, and is able to make the car behave like it is rear wheel-drive. This gives the R32 better turn in and almost perfect balance as you attack a corner. While later versions of this system in the R33 and R34 are a big leap ahead in technological terms, the R32 has a very raw edge that still brings a massive grin to your face every time you open it up. The car, after all, was designed as a Group A race car.
R32 GT-R V specProduction of the R32 GTR ran from 1989 – 1994 and incorporated more than just a single variant. One of the most interesting was the V Spec, or ‘Victory Specification’, which was released in response to Nismo’s Group A & N victories in 1992/1993 and had a re-worked ATTESA system and Brembo brakes. But best of all was the N1 version, which effectively was a full on race car. Only 228 were ever built and they came with the re-worked N1 engine. But one of the Skyline’s big bonuses was that not only did it have crushing performance but it also looked good. Compared to the good-looking but chunky new GT-R, the R32 was reasonably small and had a pretty shape with crisp, subtle lines. In gunmetal grey or black they have an understated menace and don’t need the big spoilers and wide wheels that were so often added later on.
The GT-R is still serving as a halo effect for Nissan and whereas around the time of the R32 most people associated the brand with humdrum Cherrys and Sunnys, those in the know knew that the company was also responsible for a true giant killer. The R32 Skyline was being compared to the far more expensive Porsche 911 Turbos and Ferrari Testarossas in its day, and now, almost twenty years on, the Nissan GT-R is still giving supercar makers sleepless nights.
PH Heroes: R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R
A Nissan that could scare a Porsche 911? That'll be the Skyline. Chris Bradbury finds out more...
The R32 GT-R
R32 is a PlayStation favourite
The R32 is one of the most iconic Japanese sports cars ever built. It populated the walls of children’s bedrooms as well as workshops and garages around the world. Wheels
The original 1957 Skyline
R32s are serious driver’s cars and having driven the R32, R33 and R34 GTR I’m consistently
R32 GT-R Nismo
R32 GT-R V spec
PH Hero Rating: 9/10
Discussion
I had one of these 2 years ago and still remember the sensation of driving it like it was yesterday.
Without doubt the car had the best steering feel of anything that I've driven this side of track specials like Caterhams etc.
The HICAS and sending of power to the front wheels when the situation demands it meant that prodigous cornering speed was available.
I'll never forget the first time I drove the car; heading through heavy traffic the OS Giken clutch was a nightmare and the car picked out and amplified all road surface imperfections. Coming out of the heavy traffic and onto the motorway, confident now that all fluids had warmed up I took the first, tentative, forays into the further reaches of the accelerator pedal.
Oh god! All I wanted to do was overtake the meandering middle lane occupier but 70mph had turned into 110mph in what appeared to be the blink of an eye. The push, the noise of the exhaust, the roar of the induction was like a drug and it only took that single journey to have me addicted.
Ok so motorways are all well and good but they're only serve to give a taste, a hint as they take you to the more interesting A and B roads. I had a favourite bit of road, I knew it like the back of my hand, sweeping corners, good visibility - you know the type we've all got them and this was where the car truly sealed it's grip on me.
The confidence that the car generated meant that speeds were getting ever higher, the potential consequences ever more serious. I took the buyer of the car along the same road and I'll never forget the look on his face upon our return; there was no negotiation, no chat, no pointless tyre kicking just a man with a vacant look in his eyes handing me a bag full of cash.
Ok so I've painted the car in a good light but there are 2 things you should know;
1) The brakes are shocking, I mean truly dreadful - mine had the "uprated" brakes from the R33 but if anything highlighted the age of the car it was the brakes. If you buy one, put proper brakes on it before you raid the HKS tuning catalogue to up the power
2) The engine is very strong but the paranoia caused by reading various articles and forums will lead you to believe that every outing is potential a one way trip to a rebuild
Why did I sell the car? Well the paranoia got to me, that rebuild thought that started as mere whisper during the boring parts of a drive became louder and louder until every drive was tainted. I also knew the car was going to cost me at some point; not mere money you understand but something more serious (remember my comment above about consequences) - the phrase "license loser" is all too often bandied about but these cars will do that to you unless you are as reserved as a nun.
Without doubt the car had the best steering feel of anything that I've driven this side of track specials like Caterhams etc.
The HICAS and sending of power to the front wheels when the situation demands it meant that prodigous cornering speed was available.
I'll never forget the first time I drove the car; heading through heavy traffic the OS Giken clutch was a nightmare and the car picked out and amplified all road surface imperfections. Coming out of the heavy traffic and onto the motorway, confident now that all fluids had warmed up I took the first, tentative, forays into the further reaches of the accelerator pedal.
Oh god! All I wanted to do was overtake the meandering middle lane occupier but 70mph had turned into 110mph in what appeared to be the blink of an eye. The push, the noise of the exhaust, the roar of the induction was like a drug and it only took that single journey to have me addicted.
Ok so motorways are all well and good but they're only serve to give a taste, a hint as they take you to the more interesting A and B roads. I had a favourite bit of road, I knew it like the back of my hand, sweeping corners, good visibility - you know the type we've all got them and this was where the car truly sealed it's grip on me.
The confidence that the car generated meant that speeds were getting ever higher, the potential consequences ever more serious. I took the buyer of the car along the same road and I'll never forget the look on his face upon our return; there was no negotiation, no chat, no pointless tyre kicking just a man with a vacant look in his eyes handing me a bag full of cash.
Ok so I've painted the car in a good light but there are 2 things you should know;
1) The brakes are shocking, I mean truly dreadful - mine had the "uprated" brakes from the R33 but if anything highlighted the age of the car it was the brakes. If you buy one, put proper brakes on it before you raid the HKS tuning catalogue to up the power
2) The engine is very strong but the paranoia caused by reading various articles and forums will lead you to believe that every outing is potential a one way trip to a rebuild
Why did I sell the car? Well the paranoia got to me, that rebuild thought that started as mere whisper during the boring parts of a drive became louder and louder until every drive was tainted. I also knew the car was going to cost me at some point; not mere money you understand but something more serious (remember my comment above about consequences) - the phrase "license loser" is all too often bandied about but these cars will do that to you unless you are as reserved as a nun.
i am probably gonna get destroyed for this, but, i think the new gt-r not be AS successfull, as some might think, for the same reason this car wasnt huge in the uk - the badge - the type of guy that buys a 60k car wants some badge qudos to go with it and this is where the nissan lacks, badly. also if you decide to put some after market bits n bobs on it, the only admiring looks the car draws are from teenagers.
mylesmcd said:
i am probably gonna get destroyed for this, but, i think the new gt-r not be AS successfull, as some might think, for the same reason this car wasnt huge in the uk - the badge - the type of guy that buys a 60k car wants some badge qudos to go with it and this is where the nissan lacks, badly. also if you decide to put some after market bits n bobs on it, the only admiring looks the car draws are from teenagers.
I actually disagree on this as the new GT-R is such a bargain, and already has that wow factor because there is literally nothing like it out there and the only thing will limit its presence is not the number of people who want to buy one, but rather the limited numbers available.I think it will sell by the bucketload, have instant classic status and be revered by all. It will turn heads like no current Ferrari or Porsche and for that it already has the right image.
The memory of my old R32 GTR will always stay lodged firmly in my memory alongside my days with my old Chimaera.
It was indeed a lovely car to drive. Crisp, accurate steering, cornered very well... and with 650bhp, scared the s
t out of anyone who thought it was standard bar the loud exhaust. 
It was indeed a lovely car to drive. Crisp, accurate steering, cornered very well... and with 650bhp, scared the s
t out of anyone who thought it was standard bar the loud exhaust. 
Well, I've also been lucky enough to have driven a R32 & also own an R33 GTS at the moment, not for long however as my 350Z arrives soon.
I'll always remember the experience though, I've had my R33 for 3 years and nothing - not one thing - has gone wrong with it. I echo the statement above regards the brakes, they are a bit weak but there are plenty of proper performance items available that go straight on - one of the first things you should do.
It must be one of the last performance cars available without ABS/EBD etc and for that and especially in a tuned example you have to be very wary of what you are doing, more so in the wet. This may seem at odds with the cars reputation and yes it does have a fabulous 4WD system with 4WS but the truth is that if you time the boost wrong you can find yourself needing to catch a slide in very inconvenient circumstances.
The noise is awesome, nothing else sounds as good as a free breathing RB engine in my opinion, I've had a performance exhaust & manifold on mine with a decat, gurgles & spits on the overrun, pops & bangs (with some flamage) between the gears - even went through a recent MOT in this condition, that was surprising.
The amount of power available with mild modifications is mind bending, I've only spent a couple of £k on the engine in mine and had an indicated 1.6 leptons out of it while chasing a Dodge Viper in the highlands, moments such as this will stay with me for a long time - I even remember noticing at the time that the wing mirrors had started to 'fold in'!
There are some nice ones still out there, get a good one and use it sensibly and it'll be a reliable way of having some fun, road tax is currently only £165 per year and insurance (depending on mods) not as bad as you would think. Can't reccommend it enough.
I'll always remember the experience though, I've had my R33 for 3 years and nothing - not one thing - has gone wrong with it. I echo the statement above regards the brakes, they are a bit weak but there are plenty of proper performance items available that go straight on - one of the first things you should do.
It must be one of the last performance cars available without ABS/EBD etc and for that and especially in a tuned example you have to be very wary of what you are doing, more so in the wet. This may seem at odds with the cars reputation and yes it does have a fabulous 4WD system with 4WS but the truth is that if you time the boost wrong you can find yourself needing to catch a slide in very inconvenient circumstances.
The noise is awesome, nothing else sounds as good as a free breathing RB engine in my opinion, I've had a performance exhaust & manifold on mine with a decat, gurgles & spits on the overrun, pops & bangs (with some flamage) between the gears - even went through a recent MOT in this condition, that was surprising.
The amount of power available with mild modifications is mind bending, I've only spent a couple of £k on the engine in mine and had an indicated 1.6 leptons out of it while chasing a Dodge Viper in the highlands, moments such as this will stay with me for a long time - I even remember noticing at the time that the wing mirrors had started to 'fold in'!
There are some nice ones still out there, get a good one and use it sensibly and it'll be a reliable way of having some fun, road tax is currently only £165 per year and insurance (depending on mods) not as bad as you would think. Can't reccommend it enough.
How much does the R32/R33 cost to run over a year in terms of servicing, maintenance and fuel? I have always wanted one from a young age - Definitely on the 'must own' list. Not yet though, especially as insurance on a R32 would be £5,000 for me! 
Edited by Ikemi on Wednesday 5th March 14:43
What is the condition of the bulk of those available for sale these days like? Hopefully nothing like the yellow import mk2 MR2 I followed uphill the other day expecting it to give my old Merc a run for its money, but when he downshifted and floored it there was only smoke, lots of noise, but it couldn't pull the rice off a pudding (or whatever) and held up both me and the Civic behind me. I fear this MR2 is representive of at least 50% of mk2 MR2s for sale, sadly 
. Likewise most of the old cossie Mercs are nails, long past caring ownership and servicing.
Also do the lesser models drive anything like the GT-R? I don't mean in terms of power so much as the rest of the experience. I do like the idea of lots of steering feel!
ETA: That R33 in the pic 2-3 posts above looks absolutely stunning! I have to ask why do 99% of them look bloody awful? Is it standard?
. Likewise most of the old cossie Mercs are nails, long past caring ownership and servicing.Also do the lesser models drive anything like the GT-R? I don't mean in terms of power so much as the rest of the experience. I do like the idea of lots of steering feel!
ETA: That R33 in the pic 2-3 posts above looks absolutely stunning! I have to ask why do 99% of them look bloody awful? Is it standard?
Edited by Pentoman on Wednesday 5th March 15:49
99% of them look bloody awfull due to the fact that people modify them badly.
The R33 in this thread is a standard car with a set of BBS LM wheels. 17's by the look of it.
Exactly how the R33GTR should look -
EDIT:
A lot of R32GTR's these days are still in fairly good nick if you get then straight of the boat from Japan. Unfortunatly those that have been in the UK a while don't get undersealed and get maintained by people who don't have a bloody clue what they are doing - then get badly modified and boosted and are piloted by people who can't drive stright into curbs, lamp posts or motorway bridges.
Sad but true.
The R33 in this thread is a standard car with a set of BBS LM wheels. 17's by the look of it.
Exactly how the R33GTR should look -
EDIT:
A lot of R32GTR's these days are still in fairly good nick if you get then straight of the boat from Japan. Unfortunatly those that have been in the UK a while don't get undersealed and get maintained by people who don't have a bloody clue what they are doing - then get badly modified and boosted and are piloted by people who can't drive stright into curbs, lamp posts or motorway bridges.
Sad but true.
Edited by Bizzle on Wednesday 5th March 15:59
I have wanted one of these since VBH battered a TVR Cerbera in one on Top Gear, the only worry I've had (wish now is apparently diminished) is that to look at, it looks heavy, not as nimble as I want in a car.
I am obviously stupid but after driving a friend's MY06 Impreza STi (330bhp) I struggle to 'see' the speed? Why have I turned crazy?
Anyway, I've managed to find an insurance quote for £1800 on an R32 GTR, which, as I'm only 22, is far from shabby.
GTR world, here I come
I am obviously stupid but after driving a friend's MY06 Impreza STi (330bhp) I struggle to 'see' the speed? Why have I turned crazy?
Anyway, I've managed to find an insurance quote for £1800 on an R32 GTR, which, as I'm only 22, is far from shabby.
GTR world, here I come
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