R34 Gt-t Vs R33 Gtr

[bigb88]

Hey guys, looking at buying a skyline in the next 3-4 months. I've been looking for a while now, mainly at r34's but with the prices dropping, getting a r33 gtr is becoming an option.

Trying to keep my budget under $25k and there seems to be a few r33 gtr's around for this price. Alternatively I go for a cheaper r34 and spend a bit more on mods, wheels and so on.

Anyone driven both? Was wondering what was better, an older (95-96) gtr or a newer (98-99) gt-t.

[Smitizen]

GTR all the way if you're going to modify it some.

Less hassles in the long run even though you'll have to put up with higher service costs.

[bigb88]

If i go gtr i'll be trying to get one with it's 100K service already done, but any idea what i'd be looking at paying for your normal 5000km service....and if i buy a gtr i doubt i'll be doing any mods, not straight away anyway.

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

If its just a general 5000km service, it won't cost you much.

Whatever the oil (depends on what oil you want to use) and oil filter cost + your mechanics labor about $100 - $300.

General check up under the car, tighten bolts and nuts, check light and fluids ect, then test drive.

All mechanics very.

[GTR-N1]

Both good cars.

I'd lean towards the R33 GT-R. I had one before and sold it at 93,000Km. Never used it on track but up and down hillsides/mountainsides, it was chuckable and great fun through the twists & undulations.

Where are you situated?

Then some SAUers can point you towards some more well-known/reputable service workshops that can specialise in your 'Line!

Tez

[bigb88]

Oh well thats nothing to worry about really. I like the look of the r34 but i think the chance to own a gtr might just sway my final decision. Are there any known problems with the r33 gtr, i heard that there may be issues with 3rd and 5th gears...do you know if this is true and are there any other problems with the standard model?

[Iron Chef]

Removing all the other considerations like maintenance, R33 GT-R every day of the week.

[bigb88]

Live in brisbane...from what i can tell reading through the forums, i'd be better buying privately rather than a dealer?

[bigb88]

Both good cars.

I'd lean towards the R33 GT-R. I had one before and sold it at 93,000Km.

If you don't mind me asking what did you replace it with?

[typevu]

R33 GTR hands down. RB26DETT + AWD + GTR......... nuff said!

[Howie]

34 gtt owner here... i'd say go the GTR mate. RB26DETT goodness.

[GTR-N1]

I sold my 1995 R33 GT-R in 2003 for $39,500 to make way for the R34, thinking that they'd drop in price.

But they didn't! Not then anyway.

So during the interim, I bought a 5th Gen 1997 Prelude VTiR > BMW E46 328Ci. Both of these were bought judiciously and didn't give an ounce of trouble. In fact, I sold them with very little depreciation

FF >> 2006 when I bought my 4th Gen Prelude VTiR (daily) + low Km 2000 R34 GT-R

Anyway, back to your thread,

One way of increasing your chances of getting a really good cond R33 GT-R is to try here at SAU.

Why?

Psychologically/ethically, an SAUer probably wouldn't be able to lie straight in bed if he/she sold their car to another SAUer if it still needed a lot of work. And believe me, an SAUer will probably be very aware of work that's still needed on their car! An SAUer would therefore sell their car on the open market. 'Caveat Emptor' has less meaning on the open market than within a car club.

R33 GT-R idiosyncrasies?

1) Check for rust (rails, boot, cross members)

2) Check for damage (check corners of bolts for socket removal of panels etc., boot, engine bay, rails, arms)

3) Check logs/service history/auction papers that everything corresponds (but also with wear and tear on carpet, seat bolsters, steering wheel). A Nismo cluster (white) may not reveal the correct odo. But you know that already.

4) If you're not conversant with the motor, take a mechanic with you and drive another R33 GT-R on the same day to compare.

Give him a list of things to check whilst you have your list. Talk to the workshop that's indicated on the logs.

5) During a test drive, do circles clockwise and anti-clockwise in a car park with windows down and listen for clicking

6) During a test drive, go onto the freeway and do constant speeds for 10 seconds at a time, and then increasing to a different speed for another constant 10 seconds. Any shuddering is revealing tailshaft issues (on an R33). Any droning is the exhaust.

7) Brake tests may reveal warped rotors. Check the rotors with Vernier Calipers if there's a lip, to see if the thickness is down to 28mm. Also check for heat cracks or actual cracks if the rotors have slots that go to the edge of the disc. Of course, check pads too! It's OK if they squeal depending on compound used.

When you've found a good one, don't get too emotional. Have a coffee and go back and re-inspect eh?

Cheers, And all the best.

Tez

[bigb88]

Awesome, thanks for the tips...i might start test driving in november just to get a feel for the cars but from all accounts i'll probably go the gtr...i tried to convince my wife to sell our house back home so i could get an r34 gtr but i never had a chnace...

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

Oh well thats nothing to worry about really. I like the look of the r34 but i think the chance to own a gtr might just sway my final decision. Are there any known problems with the r33 gtr, i heard that there may be issues with 3rd and 5th gears...do you know if this is true and are there any other problems with the standard model?

GTR gearboxes are one of the toughest made from the factory and able to withstand 500kW.

But you draw the fine line on how you treat it...

The syncros were made stronger in the R33 GTR gear box but I to have heard that 3rd gear in the R33 can playup.

I would not worry about it too much, as you have to test drive a car and listen out for any 'Crunch' noise.

One scenario I was told was when the cars are shipped on a boat from JAP to AUS, they leave the car in 3rd gear to stop it from rolling in the cargo.

But as the boat rocks, the cars will too, while locked in 3rd gear, causing it to grind.

Don't think it happens anymore.

[Bakes]

R33 GTR FTW

[Johnny]

ill add one thing; if the car is used everyday and goind to places you've never been + navigating through tight carparks and sidestreets i would go the gtt

I dont even drive my car anywhere where i havent been before; hate carparks and avoid all together; the turning circle and low front lip makes it very stressful as you dont wanna damage your 55-80k car.

Plus dont even mention parking your gtr to find a nice key mark all down the side.

[some_cs_student]

What's the car for?

I'd take the R33 GTR for a weekend car, and if your looking for a daily and you don't mind expensive maintenance bills, been paranoid about the car and a pretty bad turning circle, rear vision visibility (prob similar to GTT's the rear wing gets in the way) then definitely go the GTR

The paranoid thing will probably extend to a GTT as well though.

Some people drive GTR's daily, but your running more expensive tyres (usually, aftermarket rims can change this on GTT's), larger brakes, and everything costs more because its a GTR (eg. clutch replacement et cetera).

The GTR however is an amazing track car and a lot of fun to drive.

[bigb88]

Sorry guys, work nights and just got up.

Yeah, this will be a daily car driving from Brisbane city to the ports, sitting in traffic on the way out and racing in the middle of the night comming home...Weekend trps up the coast and down to surfers.

I spend a lot of time at the beach and was worried about leaving a gtr in the carpark, but then a R34 may be just as much a risk....

I'm not a racer (track) but don't mind a bit of power. i used to have a 95' mitsi zr4 (v6 TT) back home (NZ) that i enjoyed, so as long as the R34 will get up and go I'm thinking maybe all the benefits and power of owing a GTR may be wasted on me.

If i Go the R34 i can spend less initally and then buy some nice shiney wheels and some mods for the engine, however it does not come with the presteige of owning a GTR...

Also, one other question, i know the boot space is minimal in both these cars, but can you fit a full sized suitcase in them?

[Nero_Tigre]

Sorry guys, work nights and just got up.

Yeah, this will be a daily car driving from Brisbane city to the ports, sitting in traffic on the way out and racing in the middle of the night comming home...Weekend trps up the coast and down to surfers.

I spend a lot of time at the beach and was worried about leaving a gtr in the carpark, but then a R34 may be just as much a risk....

I'm not a racer (track) but don't mind a bit of power. i used to have a 95' mitsi zr4 (v6 TT) back home (NZ) that i enjoyed, so as long as the R34 will get up and go I'm thinking maybe all the benefits and power of owing a GTR may be wasted on me.

If i Go the R34 i can spend less initally and then buy some nice shiney wheels and some mods for the engine, however it does not come with the presteige of owning a GTR...

Also, one other question, i know the boot space is minimal in both these cars, but can you fit a full sized suitcase in them?

Right you are about paranoia, if anything the 34 looks more impressive in a carpark despite the fact its only a gtt, however, my opinion on the whole paranioa thing is your going to worried no matter what; sports cars, jap cars etc will always be a target of dickheads so you just have to be careful. Avoid parking it in multi story car parks or in dark streets, make sure its garaged, and try not to really leave it anywhere un-populated at night.

I love my 34 GTT lol, even though it doesnt have all the specy shit the 33 gtr's got it still goes pretty hard with a few mods and will be a fair dragster with a good set of tyres on them. Mines got a 3 inch cat exauhst the whole way through, a boost controller and aftermarket tein suspension and that gives it enough power to leave some try hards in the dust lol.

As for teh boot, i picked my unlce up from the airport the other day and i managed to fit his suitcase in there, it wasnt exactly a monstor luggage carrier but it was a decent size so i presume youd be alright fitting luggage in the boot of both cars as i presume space wise they're fairly similar. Also suprisingly the 34's actually got quite alot of room in the back seats so you could always cram shit in there if you want.

[some_cs_student]

R33 has quite a lot of rear seat space so you could use that, the boot isn't that big in them...