Buying R32 Gt-r

[dajackal]

Hello guys,

I am thinking of getting GT-R 32. But I have a concern.

I have been looking in the carsales.com.au in the last couple of months, but why is it that even though there are a couple of cheap ones, no one wants to buy them?

Is there a major factor that ppl would rather choose r33 non-gtr or other non-gtr skylines for the same or slightly higher price?

Thanks for all your inputs in advance. I have to really give them a thinking before deciding to get one.

[gtr660hp]

cheap early model 32 GTR's are usually a money pit thats why peeps dodge them like the plauge, thers lots that can go wrong on a GTr and none of it is cheap to fix...if you went out and grabbed a 18k 89 GTR your a big chance of spending more than half again on repairs in a short amount of time

[dan.1337]

but in that, buying a $30k GTR isn't gonna guarantee its life either.

get it checked out by a pro before buying.

[dajackal]

When you say we have to fix or replace this and that after purchase, is it because:

- the car is old? because of the age we have to replace the parts (necessity - something that we have to do), OR

- the previous owner pushed the car to the limit and therefore damaging the car?

what i mean is: is this age-related or human-related factor?

what about buying the one that has undergone engine rebuild? after the engine rebuild does it guarantee the car is running well provided the owner didn't push it hard again =P

Thanks

[r32line]

Its age AND the way the car has been driven/looked after. Unfortunately most GTR's have hard lives and are regularly pushed to their absolute limits. A car can only take so much of this until components begin to fail. Many cheap 32 GTR's will be the worse examples that are basically on their last legs...

Rebuilt engines can still go pop too, depends who rebuilt it, how it was driven afterwards, if they modified the engine to counter the oil circulation problem, if they rebuilt it with forged internals (much stronger)... But if a car has had a rebuild it is more likely to have had such a rebuild out of necessity so the engine has been pushed HARD and eventually died. That means that everything else in car was pushed, like diff, g/box, suspension, chassis itself... So those other components are more likely to be very tired also..

A few things to think about.

[R338OY]

If you have the cash get an R33 GTR and you're less likely to need as many repairs!

Going a GTR is a good idea, of course, but the 32's are so old now you're guaranteed to have a worn example.

Unless you can replace worn components yourself it's gonna cost a sh!tload when the clutch/gearbox/suspension/engine internals go.

If you get an inspection and it's all clear, go hard.

But i reckon spent a little more on a newer model ('93 R32 GTR) if you're determined.

[gun32gtr]

there are some real good 32gtr out there just spend the time looking dont jump into the first thing you see.drive lots of them and choose carefully..

[dajackal]

Thanks for the input guys. really appreciate it..

I like.. actually love .. 32 gt-r because of the model. i don't really care about how fast it is or how strong the machine is. i am more than happy to get a slow (well what i mean is not the most powerful ones out there =P) as long as the condition is good and won't cause lots of troubles later on. guess i am more toward the ones least modified .. but i guess it's hard to find one these days with that condition isn't it

Jeez but i am really scared now to have 1. i have also asked some people and they said the same things.

That's right maybe I have to be really careful. Gotta test one properly before buying it.

But when you test it, does the test really tell you everything you need to know about the condition of the car? Do you know where the place to properly test it?

And when you test drive one, what must you put attention to particularly? any strange sounds or anything? guess i asked a lot of questions here . honestly i am really new to skyline. dat's why i really need lots of advices from all of you before jumping into one, especially gtr. again guys, thanks a lot for the inputs .

[SysLink67]

I think when buying a GTR like any car you have to take the car to a mech that knows these performance cars inside out, ie a specialised performace shop.

Before I bought mine I made sure I checked the compression of the engine, did a leak down test and look for all the general tell tails that the car has or has not had a hard life.

Worn boot hard gearstick

worn steering wheel

worn gear knob etc etc but also take into consideration these items can be easily changed. Also a big must is to but it up on a hoist and check for rust, chas rails, suspension rubbers, cv boots etc etc....

also make sure no weird noises from g/box.

The old crap house saying of "you get what you pay for" is right unless you get some shonky as bastard trying to sell a piece of crap that his try to gay up with chrome crap.

But for my money, I still believe that a GTR is best bang for buck. Just use common sense when buying the car and ask as many relevant questions you can to help you make an imformed decision whether or not the particular car you are looking at is more going more problematic then other that you have seen on your journey to find you car.

These are around 17 years old now, so expect problems like alot of other cars, but what I have found is the build quality is much better then alot of locally produced cars.

And yes GTR's can be expensive. If you can't afford the maintenance, or petrol or insurance and you have to worry about it then maybe consider a corolla:)

[Lil_Bobby_260]

Buying any car with an RB26DETT is bound to cause issues - These cars are bought in japan by people who really do want to drive the tits off them. Otherwise theyd get a GTST. Or a Crown.

I think the R32 is the best choice for a few reasons, these are some.

They are lighter, easier and cheaper to find parts for, and mainly - cheaper to buy in the first place. Which is good, because nearly every RB26 that comes over from japan, either in a car or has a halfcut, needs a rebuild within a couple of years if not sooner. You have to look at the market that GTRs and Autech Stageas etc are marketed to. Of course the engine will have copped a flogging. The whole drive train will have.

Buying a 32 is a good option because if you are going to have to rebuild the engine and possibly box at some stage, you'll be glad you bought a cheaper model, and there is no point spending money on a car to get a newer engine, when after a rebuild youre at square one all the same.

I think the 32 is the best option if u are after a GTR, but be prepared to sink a lot more money into it while you own it. You will with nearly any GTR.

Generally if you pay peanuts you'll get monkeys, get what you pay for. But take as many for a drive as you can, to get a feel for them.

[djr81]

I find the inherent problem is that there are too many keyboard warrior experts who have never driven one, let alone owned one. They form their opinions based on what they read on the internet & what their equally uncredentialled mates think.

Look at the car the same way you would look at any car. Is it in good condition, well maintained? Is it well modified, well priced?

If you aren't sure you are sufficiently knowledgeable then find a shop who is. You can pretty easily tell a car that has been looked after. Once you are past that stage get it looked at properly.

[dajackal]

hmm .. i see ... So the maintenance is quite high i conclude .. i also just read a thread about the running cost of a gtr 32 .. like we have to change the oil every 3 months, etc .. plus the insurance .. and many more running costs ..

it is really for the enthusiast i think this car is really for... or someone who use it as the second or weekend car ... not for every day use unless one prepares for all the associated expenses ...

now i understand more why not many peeps prefer a non gtr model ... but maaan! .. just how nice is the r32 gt-r

[dajackal]

thanks for the inputs and advices folks

i will keep looking and take my time like you all advice me. i will find as much info as i can about the car too.

but sooner or later ... i will have one of those beatiful creations!

[SysLink67]

what is your budget that you are allowing for a R32 GTR?

[dajackal]

my budget for purchase is around $25,000 - $28,000.

about maintenance costs, i have read and calculated around at least $5,000/year including insurance (at least?) i don't mind and ok with them, it's just that i still question whether it is really worth the effort to do it because i won't use it regularly.

well ... i realise that that might be the price to pay to have one ... either for daily use or not

[djr81]

my budget for purchase is around $25,000 - $28,000.

about maintenance costs, i have read and calculated around at least $5,000/year including insurance (at least?) i don't mind and ok with them, it's just that i still question whether it is really worth the effort to do it because i won't use it regularly.

well ... i realise that that might be the price to pay to have one ... either for daily use or not

If you have about $25k you should be able to find a very nice example indeed. If you are overly worried about maintenance & running costs get a stock or near stock one.

As for insurance well that is hugely dependant on your record/age/location etc etc. Can be anywhere from $250 (third party I got quoted) to $3000 for full cover if you live over east & are young etc.

Other maintenance depends on your usage. They aren't inherently different from any other car. If you flog it on the roads you will be paying more in fines & court costs than maintenance - so don't bother. Most of what you need can be sourced either from Nissan, from SAU or the traders here.

Best advice is take you time, find a nice one. Then look after it.

[Smurf]

Buying any car with an RB26DETT is bound to cause issues - These cars are bought in japan by people who really do want to drive the tits off them. Otherwise theyd get a GTST. Or a Crown.

I think the R32 is the best choice for a few reasons, these are some.

They are lighter, easier and cheaper to find parts for, and mainly - cheaper to buy in the first place. Which is good, because nearly every RB26 that comes

Two questions/points:

1. I would have thought that the driving habbits of GTR and GTST owners would be pretty similar. Personally I think that the difference between the two groups is the amount of cash they have in the pockets.

2. Why is it that the parts for the R32 GTR are cheaper? If we are talking engine rebuilds then we are talking engine parts. I didn't think there was that much of a difference between the various incarnations of the RB26DET. I am certainly no expert so I am happy to be corrected.

[Smurf]

my budget for purchase is around $25,000 - $28,000.

about maintenance costs, i have read and calculated around at least $5,000/year including insurance (at least?) i don't mind and ok with them, it's just that i still question whether it is really worth the effort to do it because i won't use it regularly.

well ... i realise that that might be the price to pay to have one ... either for daily use or not

Two things:

1. I bought a GTST 6 years ago. In that time I have driven it 30,000 km's. Most of my driving is in a Charade. If anything this makes me like the car even more as it is special to get back into. I've just accepted the ongoing costs however if the costs will place you on the border of the poverty line then I would definitely reconsider.

I also just purchased a Golf GTI MkV. Similarly I drive it rarely and it remains special and exciting.

2. If your in WA try getting a quote from HBF. They were definitely the cheapest for me, by a long way.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[GTR-32U]

I am an R32 GTR fanatic and come feb next year am about to buy one. As I owned an R32 GTS4 for 2 yrs I have some idea of what to expect. Basically if all you wanted to do was go fast then you wouldnt buy an R32 GTR.You would only get it if you are a total GTR fanatic. Basically if you handed me the keys to a porsche or an R32 GTR , I would take the R32 GTR every time..Forget the numbers on the odometer...This is an old car, it has had a lifetime of flogging regardless of its condition.Maintenance in Japan is a gamble also.As my work/shopping everyday car is a corolla, The GTR will be the weekend playtoy.So if I have to rip the engine out then be it.Dont get me wrong..they are fantastic cars but wear and fatigue affects ANY car, and GTRs are not cheap to repair

[Minko]

my budget for purchase is around $25,000 - $28,000.

about maintenance costs, i have read and calculated around at least $5,000/year including insurance (at least?) i don't mind and ok with them, it's just that i still question whether it is really worth the effort to do it because i won't use it regularly.

5K will be fine if you get a good example to start with. DONT rush in and buy one, you may have to inspect 10+ before you find the right one, lots of them are owned by young guys who can barely afford the repayments let alone the maintenace. IMO I would buy one thats allready been built-up right & maintained well(i got one like this off an old guy & it was bullet-proof).