Nismoist

To me, rice means all show and no go. However, it's not a clean show. It's the, "I don't have enough money for a body kit or paint, so I'll patch it together, ghetto style, and roll like I'm a pimp." There's also a lot of attitude I feel is present. A certain kind, as well. Somehow, a spoiler, body kit, wheels and at home spring chop lower job gives you the right to roll around like a bad ass in your completely stock, and now, POS. I've seen people with extremely low budgets, modify their cars with taste. I think it's the difference between a PERFORMANCE enthusiast (that being a true car enthusiast), vs. the glamor and 'bling-bling' enthusiast. I'm not sure any of that made sense, so I'll cut it right there. Bottomline, IMO. From what I saw in your Avatar, assuming that is your car...you have a nice car, a worthy car. You take care of it..so, sporting the companies and parts under the hood, and throughout, is by no means rice. I may not care for how you arrange the stickers, and personally wouldn't use stickers myself, but you aren't claiming to be or have something you aren't and don't to get attention.

I don't think it's a matter of freedom, per se. But, it could be. It's all about the green house gases and such. America being one of the top producers, they have to take certain lengths to (try) and ensure they meet the limits imposed by NATO and other world type committees. At least, that's what I understood from my limited research. I could be quite wrong. And like I said, it's only California. States like Florida or Arizona don't have these anal laws. If I were at a point where I could move, I might consider it more seriously. As it stands, I can't justify such a course of action for cars alone. - Thanks for all the opinions and discussion, by the way. It -is- appreciated.

It's no so much finding one, as it is affording one. That's why I was considering possible alternatives here, given my goals and budget. If only....

Hmm..I'm not entirely sure what a c4 is, actually.

I figured as much and decided to go with a more..dramatic response.

Consider what? Wasting 25k on a Honda!? I'm not looking for a grandma daily driver. I'd like something with some pep and potential. Without an engine swap (which, again, is illegal) or some serious cash invested, no Honda would be worth it. Even most S/C and Turbo kits are illegal in CA. Any part pertaining to the emissions of a car has to be CARB certified in CA. That is, it has to be subjected to a review board (the particular part in question), which means it cost the company producing the part tens of thousands of extra money to get the product on the market. That is why most, if not all, in CA market their products with disclaimers saying "Intended for off road and track use only, etc. etc."

I have considered the engine swap route. But, that's outright illegal in CA. I'm trying to do all this in a legal manner. If I lived in AZ, or many other US states, swapping the engine would be a real option. But, alas.

Nope...it involves DOT, EPA and CARB(?) processing. The first two, DOT and EPA, are federal standards. CARB(I -think- it's called) is a California only board. So, Motorex placates all their requirements through a series of work and such. For instance, once it meets the standards/requirements, the car actually gets a US Substitute VIN #. They remain RHD, thankfully.

If I remember correctly, 1 bar = ~14.1 pounds of boost, or so?

No sane person would refute that it's utter nonesense the prices Motorex charges. But, the point is..they do have a monopoly. If anyone wants a legal Skyline, there's only one company you can go through. If there was competition, prices would be more...competetive. Which is why people are seeking alternative methods, such as the kit car. If people could register them, legally, as kit cars and drive them around, the US would see FAIR prices, such as 8,500 for an R32 GTS-T, instead of 18-21k.

Exactly. Very restricted. However, I know, more and more, RI's are becoming licensed to import Skylines. It's only a matter of time until one has a shop that becomes able to legalize Skylines. I'm sure several of these shops will crop up at once. A few will die, and a couple will remain as strong competition for Motorex. Until such a time, other methods are being researched..such as registering the Skylines as kit cars. Mechanics/Shop owners import the cars in different containers and such..and piece them together from parts. Thus, a kit car..because they aren't necessarily stock or factory after being reconstructed. It works for Cobra and Ferrari replica/kit cars..in theory, it may work for Skylines, but I guess we'll see.

www.Motorex.net As for that other site, I know it SEEMS cheaper for 6k (Their price for an R32 GTS-T). However, you have to understand that I live in the US. There are several steps to becoming an owner of a Skyline in the US. For one, locating a car and purchasing it. Second, shipping, which can be several thousand, depending. Then there is customs checking/work..then legalization (that only Motorex is able to do -legally- at this time in the US). Finally, after all that, licensing and registration. So, if I were to buy an R32 GTS-T from this place in Australia (Assuming that's where it is)...that's 6k right off. Then, let's say another 3-4k for shipping (perhaps less, but I always "round" up). Now we're up to 9-10k. After that, it's 16k for Motorex to legalize it. 26k now. Then probably another few hundred for license and registration. Not to mention the maintenance work I'll want to perform after getting it. So, for 18-21k purchased, shipped, legalized and licensed/registered, I think that's a great deal, compared to the 26+k in the scenario above. Hell, they even find me the car.

Well, I've spent the past few days on various boards researching the R32 GTS-T. More specifically, the engine (RB20DET). I live in Northern California..and due to the extreme prices, can only afford an R32 GTS-T from Motorex. I've been told several times not to bother. "Get the GTR" they say..and while I would have to agree that, I simply cannot afford the car. With that said, my price max is topped off at about 25k, currently. I'd like to get a nice car, preferably turboed that I enjoy. I've been through several potential candidates, and in the end..I've seemed to stop on the R32 GTS-T. I know it's one of the lower, if not the lowest, of the turboed Skylines..but as a fan, I feel that I can enjoy being a fan in the meantime, while I wait for my true goal (That being the R32 GTR). This is where your opinions come in (hopefully). Assuming I go with a 1990 GTS-T from Motorex..I'm looking at about..18-21k, shipped, legalized and registered. If I draw the full amount of 25k in a loan, that leaves me with a little overhead to do some work (Maintenance first, of course). To me, that sounds like a good deal. Would you agree? Second...I'd like to hit the 250-300 rwhp mark if possible. I've read on a few occasions of RB20DET's hitting the 300+ rwhp mark on mostly stock parts. But, as I am no expert..and as I found a lot of the information regarding the cars fragmented and spread thin, I don't know what and which I should trust and take as fact, and what I should not. Bottomline: For what I'd like to get out of the car, and for the cost and situation that I've presented, would you say it's a good deal right now?

I'm no expert, but personally..I wouldn't take it over 10 psi with the stock intercooler and such. It might even handle 12-14 pounds, but why risk it? I tend to be a bit paranoid about such things, so if you're set on raising the boost, might want a second...or third opinion. Good luck.