Hesistant Gtr Driver.

[mazgtr]

Just struggling a bit at the moment in terms of useing my GTR. Like many i really stretched to buy the damn thing, and it was a dream come true when i finally had my own. But just recently ive started to almost avoid driveing my GTR and am finding that when i do drive it, i spend more time stressing than enjoying it.

The simple cost of parts and maintainance with these cars is very high, and i keep finding myself worrying about what might go wrong on the car evrytime i start it up. Now this isnt going to be an issue for anyone who has enough spare cash in the bank that an engine rebuild is simply a mild incconvenience, im interested in other younger owners out there and how or if they ever deal with similar feelings of apprehension towards useing their Skyline. Now this might seem silly to some, and many would just say if you cant afford to own it then you shouldnt of bought it in the first place, but as fellow car/Skyline enthusiasts im sure you would understand the thrill and joy of owning a car thats a bit special. Im not crying poor, and dont want sympathy, im just curious if other owners ever feel a bit intimidated by there Skyline and the costs involved with ownership, and wether this ever effects the ammount of use their car see's.

Just struggling a bit at the moment and wanted some other owners thoughts....

Thanks guys...

[No one]

hahaha

you sound a lil like me

i keep thinking how long till these turbos explode and can i affford a rebuild if they do

and then theres the i really should change that oil or i should replace that etc etc

it is a bit overwhelming

but i forget it all when im driving it

[N1GTR]

I really think that if you have to "stretch" to buy a GTR you shouldnt own one, and im saying this due to the part prices, and all the other little bills here and there that add up to a lot over any 12 month period

I bought mine, and spent the best part of $10k in the first 2 weeks on it as an example, but i knew it would need that sort of money - so it was ok, as they get cheaper and cheaper, a lot more people will buy them thinking they wont break and will be a solid car for years to come. They will keep going, but only if seviced properly - and with good parts. Which by now, you guys would know means $$$$

My 2 cents

[PSI_GTSII]

I guess the thought is always in the back of your mind that something could go wrong and theres never a 'good' time financially to have to repair something.

When I bought my GTR I had a fair bit of spare cash left over, so decided to replace a few GTR weak links before I blew the money! ie New Turbos, Timing Belt etc.

My car is not a daily driver so if something blows it is not imperative to have it fixed straight away which is good.

I am not planning to spend anymore money on it until I sell my house around Xmas time, when I will try to keep 10G aside (without the Mrs noticing!) to finish it off how I always wanted it ie twin plate clutch, PFC etc

But most importantly will limit rwHP to the 400 mark so as to keep it reliable and hopefully avaid any costly rebuilds.

[ferni]

If you keep it stock, then you'll have a much better chance of not breaking something. A stock GTR thats look after would be pretty bullet proof. But as soon as you start tampering with things, ie uping the boost then your shortening its life. Just something you need to think of when making it go faster.

Think of it this way, worst comes to worst and something big does go like the motor and you can't afford to fix it, you go buy a $500 bomb of a car and drive that until you can afford to fix your GTR (thats if its your daily driver...)

[ellie]

I'd have to agree with ferni here! If you worry about your car it would pay to get a "quality" (not a "I think I know everything") mechanic to do a thourough check over and put your mind at ease. I see cars ever day where doing simple things like checking tyre pressures and levels saves people literally thousands of dollars down the track!

Moral of the story = regular servicing and if it needs some thing (don't always believe that it does so get them to explain why) don't skimp and do it!

Primarily, YOU bought the car for YOUR enjoyment so get out their and enjoy it!

GTR was marketed as a race car for the road and is one tough piece of machinary!

If you were rapped in cotton wool your whole life you'll be very safe but what a boring life!

I baby my cars a bit more than I should but it's kept them in great shape and when I feel like it I can give it a squirt without a second thought as to wether it can handle it because it's well maintained and moded to handle more than my driving skill can push it to.

[eMsta]

hey bud,

I dont own a gtr - but I can relate to your worries about owning that special car. As ellie has said - regular servicing will keep your car in great shape. You know your car better than anyone else - so enjoy it, and if things seem a bit strange, get it checked up immediately.

I always worry about the car - sometimes a bit too much - but there are times when I just let go of all the worries. The cabin is like my refuge from the outside world - and i tell ya, when you let go of all your worries and stress (car-related or otherwise), you can really see and feel how special the car is.

Lifes too short to keep stressin, so enjoy it to the fullest my friend!

(doesnt mean that you have to go in there, and rev it to the max for every gear - thats not what i mean, but just enjoy what you worked so hard to achieve)

[GTRgeoff]

Having conducted some research and ownig a GTR33 and 2 33 GTSt's I don't think GTR's are any more expensive than GTSt's to own unless you are pushing a fair bit more power, and then the fuel expenses increase.

It works the same with any car though, the harder pushed the more prone to failure.

Ultimately, if you are too concerned to drive it then now is not the right time for you to own the car. Buy someting reliable and cheap and get rid of the GTR until you are in a better circumstance to own one without getting an ulcer every time you start it.

In the end though it is just a car so just drive it. The added benefit is getting to enjoy something special, it doesn't always have to be at the limit.

[sewid]

I used to feel the same.

I got rid of the factory turbos to avoid sudden engine death syndrome due to failed stockers. Now i dont worry anywhere near as much and make a lot more power.

[Topaz]

If I may....I am the opposite, I own the same car as you Maz twas my dream also (well, besides an M3 or an AMV8 ) to own a GTR. Luckily I found it here in Perth so if you have imported there ones difference between us.

Full comp insurance for me is easy enough to pay for along with my loan, fuel etc and also the mods I have added in the past year of ownership. But, thats the thing, I love it so much I spend pretty much all my money on it .

Its a daily driver and I consider myself a good driver, very aware of OTHERS actions on the roads. I drive it through peak hour traffic every day and give it a bit of stick where I can and have no worries about problems at all. I have had no worries and the old girl has given me no problems.

Also, piece of mind helps....mine was rebuilt (god knows why) at about 96,000km's by the previous owner....It still has ceramic turbos as well.

[frx026]

I can understand your need to own a "dream" car with a limited budget. When I was younger I had the same sort of situation.

If I can offer some advice, don't wait til you need money to have money on tap. Each week, put aside a little until you have a "repair" fund or the likes. Maybe something like www.ingdirect.com.au would suit as the money is in a seperate account and away from the temptation that is eftpos. That way if something unforseen does occur you will already have some funds available to fix it.

Don't scrimp on parts that you need, things like oil, spark plugs etc whilst basic can make your car run a lot smoother and trouble free.

If you are looking for a way to save money learn how to do minor servicing yourself, labour costs at mechanics on the basic stuff make even a simple oil change cost quite a fair bit, maybe you could learn how to check/change:

Tyre pressure ( make sure it correct)

lights working ( dont get a canary costing hundreds when a light globe only cost's a few dollars)

spark plug change ( fairly easy and there is a guide on this site)

oil change ( very easy and a great way to save on labour costs)

If you do notice a "rattle" or some other sound coming from a part of your car, get it checked and fixed straight away before it becomes expensive. The few dollars you spend now may save you thousands down the track.

BTW - the disclaimer

Note, i am not financial planner or mechanic, just a guy that got wise long ago. So follow this advice at your own risk/benefit.

cheers

[mazgtr]

Thanks a lot guys for all your advice and thoughts...

[PHATR32]

ive been driving my car for about 3-4weeks now, and at first i was scared, not scared of it braking down, but scared to give it stick.

coming from a fwd/4wd background, gtr was something completly differant to drive.

i have driven a falcon around for a few weeks, but again, the gtr is differant.

got used to it of course, but still need practice.

steve

[frankxinyu]

i feel exactly the same....thats y the car spends way more time sitiing in my garage than being driven on the road.....

i try to do everything to prevent it from sudden death....i buy the best oil possible, fix anything comes up.......so i guess if it stil goes, its just bad luck...

but back on topic, i feel exactly the same with u.....i have not launched the car harder than 3000rpm.....

[Modena]

If you are a struggling uni student with no real money then an import is a bad choice of a car full stop.

[Guest Mashrock]

I know kinda how you feel.

i havnt really driven my gtr in about 6-8 months.

things seem to just take time to get in order, people take time to work on things, and some friends who are to be doing work are backlogged and cant work on it for me.

but i dont really stress about the price of things. i knew from day one it would be a big expense.

but when i drive it i drive it like its hot

[Modena]

I know kinda how you feel.

i havnt really driven my gtr in about 6-8 months.

things seem to just take time to get in order, people take time to work on things, and some friends who are to be doing work are backlogged and cant work on it for me.

but i dont really stress about the price of things. i knew from day one it would be a big expense.

but when i drive it i drive it like its hot

i hope ur gtr is a "weekend car" not a daily then lol

[ellie]

If you are a struggling uni student with no real money then an import is a bad choice of a car full stop.

Don't tarnish all imports with the same brush! If I was at uni, a GTR would be the last car on my shopping list too. But when my brother was at uni I found him a warmed over EP82 starlet GT for 8G which hauls and three years on is still going strong! He hasn't had to spend a cent other than the servicable items which i've looked after because he doesn't flog it!

Would have been a struggle to find a locally delivered car of equal standard and options

Sorry, off topic, please continue

[Guest Mashrock]

i hope ur gtr is a "weekend car" not a daily then lol

it was a daily. but at 180 bucks a week in petrol it soon became what it was always bought here for ( street regestered track car) that still has yet to see the track.

p.s. i work about 5 minutes from home. and i still managed to spend 180 a week in petrol

[ookami]

I recently bought a Series 3 R33 GTR, pretty much my dream car and I was panicy about it. In the 2 weeks I've had the car, I've changed the timing belt to a HKS type and installed New NGK Platium Spark Plugs and that was within 2 days of owning it. I've serviced the car even though the compliancer had just done it using a Motul Oil. I'm paranoid about braking something. Next thing i want to repalce is the clutch and the Turbos to steel wheel type.