Looking At A R33 Gtr

[Solid Snake]

Hello guys, I'm coming off my Ps in March and I'm looking at getting myself a nice R33 GTR as a Friday/Weekend cruiser, I don't know if my budget is high enough but I'm looking at spending $20K.

My only concern is trying to find a stock one in good condition, I don't really want any pre modified ones.

Can you guys help me and give me an idea on what to look out for?

Also whats the difference between the normal GTR and a VSpec one?

Thanks much guys.

[Hadouken]

There is a huuuuuuge thread on what you should look for when buying a skyline. Have you tried googling it?

And if you want a "unmodified" one. Then contact iron chef on here and he will actor to your budget and get you what you want.

Stay away from parramatta road if you are in NSW.

[Solid Snake]

I;m in Vic

[Sovereign337]

Unfortunately for 20k I don't think it'll be easy to find a stock one in good condition, even a '95 from Japan.

[Solid Snake]

Thanks guys might give it a miss then

[10 4]

I reckon you will fairly easily - its a matter of searching correctly imo.

[Solid Snake]

What are they like to drive? Never driven something like that before, is there any reliability concerns?

[Truffles]

They're like any other ageing vehicle. Things get worn out and need replacing. Because of the GT-R's high performance nature, it can be a bit expensive.

Look for one with a decent service history since it landed and evidence it's been loved and treated correctly. They're not overly unreliable but they are old.

There goes a saying; If you can afford to buy two GT-Rs, then you can afford to run and maintain one.

My R32 GT-R has cost me about $6000 in basic maintenance and repairs in the last 12 months and that's no modding included.

[10 4]

^Hence get whatever one you buy inspected by a trusted workshop and compression tested.

They drive like a RWD car.

[BakemonoRicer]

Prepare to spend +$30k for one in immac condish with reasonable km's.

[10 4]

^No chance.

20k will get one in good condition, 25k a minter.

Prices aren't what they used to be.

[Truffles]

^Hence get whatever one you buy inspected by a trusted workshop and compression tested.

They drive like a RWD car.

I did but it's just replacing things with genuine nissan parts, replacing things that break and a clutch.

It all adds up pretty quickly. They're definitely not a cheap car to own by any standard.

[10 4]

Agreed. Not inferring you bought a poor example but an inspection will reveal (some) future costs.

[Sovereign337]

Prepare to spend +$30k for one in immac condish with reasonable km's.

Affirmative on this, and well worth it.

[The Baron]

_{You get what you pay for.......}

_{Personally if you are preparing to spend less then $20K on an R33 GTR, I think you will struggle.}

_{Realistically, for something that won't give you ongoing trouble, $30K is the minimum you should budget. If you spend less on purchase, you will just spend it a bit later on repairs and maintenance....}

_{If you can't afford that as a minimum (and remember to budget for ongoing costs like insurance ($1000+ p.a.), 98RON+ petrol ($100+ per fill), regular service and fluids ($300-400/qtr), rego etc....) then stay away - you'll just be dissappointed......}

_{If you can afford it - its the best car owning experience there is.....}

_{to buy a car - I'd recommend importing from a reputable importer (see separate thread) - it's your best chance to find something meeting your taste,budget and requirement.}

_{Good Luck}

_Cheers

_{The Baron}

[me_larr]

Rule of thumb for purchasing any used/ageing/old sports car.

Take the purchase price and double it.

If you aren't able to do this, forget about getting said vehicle.

I'm not saying you will use all that money just keeping the car on the road but the extra money will give you plenty of reserves to cover worst case scenarios.

If you happen to get a really good car that doesn't dig into your savings, use that money as a deposit for a house instead...Win Win

[Hadouken]

Wow. how many scare tactics are in this thread.

I'm sure old mate is aware about fuel costs and insurance. however $400 a quarter for servicing? Are you changing the timing belt every quarter?

In all seriousness, if you travel 5000km every quarter that is one oil change and filter. Even if you travel double that (which is a daily GTr) then you'd need 2 oil changes. diffs and gearbox would only need yo be done annually if you are travelling 30 000+ km a year.

Unless you are getting ripped on oil for your car or you're for some reason taking it to a BMW dealer then I see no way how it would cost a 130 a month in services.

And the market I've been seeing is clean examples of 33's in the 20-25k budget not the 30+

Unless you regard that one 33 from parramatta road with something stupid like 30,000km on it for 33k. BTW which was a r grade import.

End ramble

[The Baron]

I guess I should qualify - I allow $150 /month for servicing costs over the year to cover all the things that might crop up. This includes the regular oils and fluids but also an allowance for all the stuff that a 15-20 year old car accumulates.....and which frankly I am not skilled enough to fix myself.

For example the clutch coil on my a/c compressor is on the way out (a common problem in an R32) - thats a $400 job the get done this year requiring an auto electrician.

I'd rather be conservative and realistic then to say "oh its only an oil and grease change every 6 months".

just my 2 c ;-)

Cheers

The Baron

[niZmO_Man]

Depends on how much work you can do yourself. $50 for a second hand compressor and about three hour's work if you're doing it for the first time (replacing the a/c compressor).

[The Baron]

If you can find a second hand compressor - I'd be grateful.

so far my search has proven fruitless - hence the cost of a rewind....

(pm me ;-)

Cheers

The Baron