Should I Buy An R33?

[remis]

Hey all I'm new to this forum and thought I'd say hi and ask a few questions. Firstly, opinions on series 2 r33's as a whole? I mean you can pick them up for under 10 grand these days...but can you get a decent one for that price? Also, if looking to buy one should I look for one as close to stock as I can, or pick up a modified one with a bit more power?

Also what are these cars like in terms of reliabilty and insurance? I'm 21 and a student so I'm interested to know if the car would cost me much in terms of keeping it going over the next couple of years while I finish my studies.

Also what are the main things/problems to look for in these cars when looking at buying them? And finally, how much would you need to spend in mods to run a low 13-high 12 sec quarter in one?

Cheers

[carizma]

10 seems a bit low for a 33 GTST series 2. We've got 2 now, cheapest is $12,900.

I'm sure you could find one, but definitely check it out to make sure you won't end up with any surprises.

As for mods, the price is going to be way different depending on if a workshop does it for you, or you mod it out yourself.

Hey all I'm new to this forum and thought I'd say hi and ask a few questions. Firstly, opinions on series 2 r33's as a whole? I mean you can pick them up for under 10 grand these days...but can you get a decent one for that price? Also, if looking to buy one should I look for one as close to stock as I can, or pick up a modified one with a bit more power?

Also what are these cars like in terms of reliabilty and insurance? I'm 21 and a student so I'm interested to know if the car would cost me much in terms of keeping it going over the next couple of years while I finish my studies.

Also what are the main things/problems to look for in these cars when looking at buying them? And finally, how much would you need to spend in mods to run a low 13-high 12 sec quarter in one?

Cheers

[(B1) MR_fanny]

your a student, worried about cash but you want to know how to get high 12 passes...lol

if your budgeting id suggest that you not get it unless you can budget for when things start to go wrong as well as petrol prices. the problem with skyline and their owners is when something needs replacing we usually want to replace it with something better which means more money.

its a double edge sword picking a stocker or modified one. modified one will save you on mod costs but may cost you in tunes, petrol and overal reliability cause chances are it may have been thrashed, but that all just depends on how the owner looked after it. as for a stocker, youd catch the mod bug which will cost you money aswell.

usually you get what you pay for, but once in a while you may find a genuine gem for 10k, say someone going back overseas. its a matter of giving the car a complete look over to minimse your risk. do you have money for the 100k service that will sure to come up if its close to it?

ive had my car for 8+yrs and its one of the most reliable cars that i have owned aswell as the most i have poured money into.

[remis]

haha when talking about modding to run 12 sec passes I didn't mean just yet. I was thinking in terms of when I finish uni and keeping it as a project weekend warrior. And I would probably have to pay someone else to do the mods as I'm not very mechanicly able.

hmmm there are a few 96 model series 2's for around 10 grand on carsales...but you reckon they'd probably be thrashed and in not the best shape? What about something like a 95 model M-spec? Is the M-spec basically just a few nicer interior pieces and a bodykit? There's a few of those going for around 10 grand...

And I wouldn't be budgeting as such, the car I have no uses aroun 11L/100km so from what i've ready, providing I don't plant it everywhere I woudln't get too much worse with an R33???

What sort of experiences have you guys had in terms of reliability with R33 gts-t's? The car I have at the moment is a 96 mondeo that's done nearly 200,000km's and EVERYTHING is going wrong with it! Suspsension is shot, engine mounts are shot, clutch probably hasn't got too long left, it eats oil etc...so would a similar age skyline be an upgrade do you reckon? Or would I be in the same boat?

[HEKT1K]

dude as soon as i read the title of this thread i thought 'yes'...

im in a similar situation to you. im a full time student, turning 21 in a few months.

pay a bit more than 10k, around 13 or so should get you into a decent one.

buy it stock, enjoy it for a while [trading up from a mondeo it will still be bloody fast]... then when you get the cash let the mods begin, at least this way you can do exactly what you want, and do it RIGHT. this is all my plan anyway.

as for reliability... ive only had mine for 3 months or so but im absolutely amazed at how it is holding up.. not 1 thing has gone wrong yet. buying a standard non-thrashed one would help in this department also.

i hope you get one and realise what shitters holdens/fords really are. i did and i havent looked back since

Ric

[bozodos]

have you considered an R32, or even an HR31 if you can stand the body shape, RB20 uses a lot less fuel than an RB25, as for looks well thats up to your own opinion, I personally think that the older models handle and drive better as well.

[POLICE]

I got mine for a little over 10K 1.5 years ago

only cause my mum's a very persuasive bargainer

you'll never know until you test drive it

Edited September 3, 2008 by POLICE

[Mayuri Krab]

I bought my R33 (its a series 1 though) near the end of last year, for $10k, I get around 13-14L/100km thats mainly city driving.

& though this time of owning the car, I have never had any engine problems with the car, just did my 100k serivce last month & it looks the engine is still going strong.

BTW I'm 21 & a full time student atm aswell

[remis]

Can I ask how much insurance is for you guys who are 21 and have a 33?

Yeah well all my bogan mates are into commodores (just for interest have a read of this bwhahaha funny as! http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=commodore) but I'm always the one who argues with them that a turbo would be way cooler

I know what ya mean about not looking back though, I've driven a bunch of my mates cars, turbos, V8's etc yet I still come back to turbos...there's just something so special about the power delivery and the way it feels! I was impressed with the grunt of my mates VY SS but still, preffered driving another mates jzx90. Drove a mates series 2 R33 (auto) and wasn't overly impressed in terms of power...maybe coz it was auto and stock as a rock but yeah...was very smooth nd nice to drive.

How much actual difference is there between the series 1 and series 2, other than cosmetics? Enough to make a difference?

I did think about a 32...but they're gettin pretty old now hey and price wise aren't too much cheaper than a 33 really aren't they? I dunno, would there be any advantage either way of going for a 32 over a 33?

[HEKT1K]

I'm 20, my insurance was $3.5k full comp.. so i went for 3rd party :S cost me about 6-700.

[Mayuri Krab]

I'm on 3rd party as well, was ~$300 with for basic or ~$550 for added fire + theft. Although my excess is $1.8k.

This is with just car, for a fully stock R33 (besides CAT & rims) & I have a clean driving record, no fines yet.

The previous owner said that it was ~$1.5k for her to get full comp. so I would guess that it would probably be ~$1.8k to $2k for me, seeing how females gets it cheaper...

How much actual difference is there between the series 1 and series 2, other than cosmetics? Enough to make a difference?

I did think about a 32...but they're gettin pretty old now hey and price wise aren't too much cheaper than a 33 really aren't they? I dunno, would there be any advantage either way of going for a 32 over a 33?

Besides the cosmetics, the series 2s have a better turbo, abs as standard & front airbags I think...

About the 32 vs 33, 32s are lighter than 33s... & you'll find that most 32 fanboys' main criticism of the 33 is that it looks like a fat boat... yata yata yata... lol

& most will say buy a 32 & put a rb25 in it...

Edited September 3, 2008 by Mayuri Krab

[PHT33]

JUST DO IT!

[HEKT1K]

seeing how females gets it cheaper...

and what a joke THAT is.

[WET-25T]

I bought my black 96 series 2 gtst last year in october completely stock from a dealership. They wanted $18,990 and i ended up getting it for %15,900 with only 3 months rego (he was a tightarse).

Anyways ive now got a front mount, full exhaust, enclosed pod, r33 gtr fuel pump as far as mods go. I have a z32 afm and power fc in my room.

I havnt had the power fc installed and tuned because im thinking i might want a different car.

I dont know what im going to do but if i could do it again i would buy a skyline with 260 - 270 rwkw, ready to go.

In the end thats what you will aim for but it will take alot longer to get there and be alot more expansive.

Good luck anyways, i just have a soft spot for r33 series 2's especially in black i dont know why. Thats why i dont know if i should keep mine or sell it.

[typevu]

Yes, get an R33.

[CARSICK]

1) You check inside

2) Ya panelbeater buddy checks outside and underneath

3) Ya mechanic sticks his head under the bonnet

4) Ya bank gives ya the cash

R33 gets a good home at your place....

And ya all live happily ever after!!!!