Long Distance/interstate Drive In Skyline

[scr33]

Hi just completed and interstate trip in my 96 R33 GTS-T Skyline; melbourne to adelaide and return with family aboard. It was a great dirve and I'm just wondering if other Skyline owners get out on the long open road and undertake an interstate trip.

We originally planned to do thr trip in my wife's VE Calais V6, we are no strangers to long distance drive having lived in 3 different states over the last 15 years, but on the night before the trip the Calais threw up a "check engine" light. I got the RACV guy to come out and he diagnosed it as a oil pressure fault (either sensor was faulty or oil pressure low) either way he advised not to drvie to adelaide and rightly so, I mean it could ahve just been the sensor but you'd look pretty stupid to undertake a drive with a check engine light on. My daughter also regailled me in a performance of the Big Bang theory episode where Sheldon lectures Penny on her cars check engine light and how Spock would not fly the enterprise in similar circumstances.

Anyway, despite lack of cruise control and the smaller cabin, stiffer suspension and more intrusive exhaust noise the trip was great, you find yourselves more in touch with the drive, the lack of cruise control actually made you more involved, more aware and actually less tired/worn out from the drive; I guess all the modern features of a large car go towards insulating or indeed isolating the driver from the actual experience, in other words we get too cosy.

The Skyline returned 9.6l/100km driving at around 110km/hr (or a little above!!!) for the bulk of the trip and overtaking was a breeze. I'd never really used the Skyline beyond a 250km radius trip from home before, but I'd have no hesitation in doing it again, these cars really love to stretch their legs.

For those who never get out of the city in their Skylines, I strongly advise it.

[LWO]

Cool mate. I think also "old" cars are a more involving driving experience and find it harder to speed in my 400hp R32 GTR or 450hp Sierra than my wifes new 130Hp VW Passat.

[Cassbo]

The longest drive I have done in my R33 in one stint was this...

Google Maps Linky

I half chose this route because of Royal National Park, Macquarie Park and Kings Road, but due to road closures due to flooding, landslides and a death on Kings Road I took a slight (1.5 hour) detour.

Was having a great time until I hit a wombat 25kms from my destination. Will definitely do again! (less wombat lol)

[staticc]

I would have to agree with you mate. I use to travel from Canberra to Melbourne in a Commodore SS. Was quite, and was very bored doing it. But the GTR, I always liked building up the boost and overtaking trucks. The only thing wrong with the GTR was the factory seat, have since replaced it and getting posted to Sydney, I am looking forward to the drive in December.

[bluejeans]

i do melbourne to shepparton and back a fair bit in my R - the roads are so f**king shit - apart from that, love it.

[bluejeans]

yes thats a long drive for me.

[Longinus]

I did Melbourne to Perth (via Adelaide) and back again earlier this year. Was so much fun, I highly recommend everybody to do the trip once their lifetime as it's such a beautiful journey

Longest single drive was going from my hotel in Perth right up to the WA/SA border in a single day haha

Long trips are a lot of fun

[The Bogan]

+ 1 from me, I do regular long runs in the boat, cost a bucket in fuel but you only live once.

Syd to Qld, Syd to Vic are my main runs, I mix up Hwy and country roads to make it a fun adventure.

I do like the Snowy Mountain Roads but thats only a day trip for me from near Liverpool.

Im coming down to Vic to do the Great Ocean Road in Jan when Im taking long service leave, It will be on my ace as the missus and my daughter gets bored, I can only take 2 as the car car only has 2 seats, which as far as I see is a win-win situation.

[xALmoN]

I did Melbourne - Brisbane one shot, only stopping for fuel and coffee.. then brisbane - melbourne one shot, only stopping for fuel and coffee. Not something i'll do again

I've done melb to adelaide in the R, body ached. lol but was fun.. 32R gave me 600km on 65L so that was fairly decent.

Shitney to melb in a snorer.. was comfy as.

[ARTZ]

Drove my skyline to Goulburn last month 7 hours..

It had never been further than Phillip Island. Before that..was a nice drive and did 350kms on 45lt of ethanol.then swapped to petrol and economy wasn't much better.

Mlr give me a heads up when you come down GOR will come for a drive..might visit my fam in Warnambool..Its an awesome drive I actually haven't done in my skyline but at the start there is a winding roads sign.. next 146kms

[xALmoN]

speaking of long distance. recently did.

Burwod -> Lakes entrance -> sorrento -> ferry -> queenscliff -> st albans -> burwood

2 and a half tanks of fuel lol.

[R31Nismoid]

Drove Skyline to NSW once, then drove my SS to NSW... Would never do it again in a Skyline unless the exhaust was super quiet.

[Cassbo]

Drove Skyline to NSW once, then drove my SS to NSW... Would never do it again in a Skyline unless the exhaust was super quiet.

Just get a Varex!

Don't get a Varex...

[R31Nismoid]

Problem is down here, they are still illegal.

So there is little point in the expenditure.

[t_revz]

Drove bunbury (2hrs south of Perth) to the Gold Coast non stop back in '05. 4446kms

Then 8 months later returned. Was an epic trip both ways and only found sections of Nsw boring as there was nothing. At least the nullabor had traffic.

Fuel was about $1.10 In Perth on way over and cost me $630ish

About $1.20 in Perth on way back and cost me $730. Car was fully loaded to roof lining both ways including tool chest and tools.

Wish I took longer to enjoy it more now but I know it won't be my last trip across by road. Hoping to get to the Nats next year

[R33shaun]

i drove albury to adelaide hills to townsville over the space of 2 weeks in my R33, wasnt to bad. the worst bit was the dirt rd 'shortcut' my GPS took me on, 15 odd kays doing less than 10 kmh because of massive ruts drove me nuts. the reason i didnt just turn around is because i kept thinking 'must be only a bit more dirt' lol. i just fly these days cos its cheaper and quicker but id probably do it again minus the dirt

[xALmoN]

Drove bunbury (2hrs south of Perth) to the Gold Coast non stop back in '05. 4446kms

Then 8 months later returned. Was an epic trip both ways and only found sections of Nsw boring as there was nothing. At least the nullabor had traffic.

Fuel was about $1.10 In Perth on way over and cost me $630ish

About $1.20 in Perth on way back and cost me $730. Car was fully loaded to roof lining both ways including tool chest and tools.

Wish I took longer to enjoy it more now but I know it won't be my last trip across by road. Hoping to get to the Nats next year

and people call me crazy... you're crazier!

[t_revz]

and people call me crazy... you're crazier!

Cos I didn't stop? Lol

51 hrs over including a quick stop at a cheap hotel for a shower. Quite often only doing 70-80 at night. Cleaned the car when I got there and found 27 red bull cans/bottles

45 hrs back. 7 red bulls

[xALmoN]

yeahhh and 22hours was bad enough

[badben]

Problem is down here, they are still illegal.

So there is little point in the expenditure.

You saying the varex's are illegal vic or nsw? (ive heard whispers around the laws on them) but assuming its the adjustable butterfly valve in this mufflers that are changing the noise level is the main culprit.

I find it funny when you can buy any HSV,be it a Clubby or GTS etc they all are optioned with an exhaust that has 2 adjustable mufflers and yet thats doesnt seem to be a problem with the rozors.

Theres seem to be a massive difference in how the cops pick and choose what type of cars they target, as we all know.

Ive had my r32 gtr for 5wks. Its been all good no trouble from the rozers but they stare at me like they've got a thousand defects to hand out. Now i love my V8s, massive fan, My previous car as a 2002 VX SS it had endless mods, but some of the obviously visual mods, 20"rims , lowered , exhaust (with cam'ed engine) all waiting for defects, yet no problems, been through endless rbts no problems yet all 3 mods were clearly a defect.

The attitude of the police towards JDM cars compared to the aussie holden or ford is amazing.