Purchasing an R-33

[Jeremiah O'Connor]

Purchasing an R-33

G' Day all members of SAU Community.

I'm looking at purchasing a Nissan Skyline R-33 GTR, I'm only 18 however I live in the  ACT and the laws permit young drivers to own the responsibility of high power / Turbo cars. 

Skylines have been a long dream of mine, originally the aggressive R-34 was my dream but, the R-33's overall seem much more capable than the R-34 and the difference in weight catches my eye quite a bit. insurance will be a lot on my hands and I don't want to purchase it in my dads name to avoid the excess cost, but rather see that cost as a contributing factor to really respecting and loving the vehicle.   

It would be my first car, I've got a mate who owns an R-33. He introduced me to this website a while back. Any information on an R-33 would be greatly appreciated, price range from 15,000 - 25,000 I really don't want to hit the 30,000 mark but if its a damn mint car I'll probably put in everything I've got to pay it off. especially if under 100,000 Kilometers (they're dead by 190,000 right? seen a few for sale at 240,000ks, they wanted $4,500. Hahah things defiantly a rebuild project. personally I'm looking for an R-33 with close to  90,000ks)

Still in year 12 I finish off in June. not particularly enjoying school although, I plan to use every hour of my time provided I'm not exhausted to work during the day in a few jobs as well as becoming a security guard working long nights at civic. Currently in Canberra, that plus I want to move out but, everything I'm earning I want to put into the car before any other plans. I want to fit a full leather interior to the 33 as well as putting decent cash into a gorgeous sound system. I recon after a few years I'll sync close to $50,000 into it. 

I can understand anybody's perspective of a kid wanting a skyline, "oh hears some hot headed lead footed gear knob whose going to get himself killed" but in all honesty these cars have been such a dream and respecting the vehicle is so important to me. Not just a kid with dreams, but a bloke with achievable goals. If you can help me find some info on R-33's you've no idea how much I'd appreciate it. 

Cheers

Jerry

[PranK]

Hey Jerry, welcome to

 

As I said over PM, I don't think you can make a general statement about GTR's at 190k. I do think that they will each wear out according to their maintenance. Budgeting for an engine or gearbox when you buy a high-miler is not difficult though as they're not too expensive.

That said, its over 10 years since I've had a GTR so my knowledge my be a little stale. I'll let somebody else give you a more authoritative reply.

[Jeremiah O'Connor]

Cheers, yeah probably should have edited that out, more so intended as a question. My dad said to be careful from 180 inwards with any car but, if there are hints and things to look out for to know if the cars been thrashed around then, I guess buying a high miler wont be such a bad idea. I intend to put a lot of work into the car potentially even a new engine depending on circumstances and responsibilities involving cash. GTR's have been a mad passion for ages. 

 

Only gear head in my family, hahah. Glad i found you guys. 

[Ben C34]

There is a solid chance that the car you look at or buy will have had its speedo wound back.

Thats the unfortunate reality with the cars. Unless there is substantial history there is no way the ks are legit.

 

 

Abyway, buy a swift. And a house.

[Ben C34]

ANd welcome to sau

[Steve85]

Welcome to SAU,

Glad to hear someone else likes R33s. There is a whole bunch of stuff you need to be careful of when buying one of these things. 

Hit up the search function to get started, as there is heaps already written on this site, but if you can't find enough info, please feel free to PM me. I just got one a while back after a year long search. 

I'd be happy to give you some help if you need.  Good luck!

[okooko]

Welcome to SAU  -

Did you mean they wanted $24,500? instead of $4,500? also I wouldn't personally say the 33 is more capable than the 34 but personal preference prevails.

Given the steady rise of 34/32's the $30k mark will get your foot in to the basics with Series 3's commanding more $ (not a bcnr33 owner myself so I don't have the specifics on models as others)

Lots of other costs to consider apart from purchasing the vehicle - good to see you've started to tally them up

[Jeremiah O'Connor]

Cheers YF,

Each of the series have there ups and downs. Personally the large wheel base on the R-33 is important to me because it in theory can tackle higher G's when pulling high speed corners, great fun on a track I'm sure. Never risk it on civilian roads, life's far more important.  I have a few mates who do dumb things on the road, surprised they're still alive TBH.  

Then again you can apply the large wheel base to any of the series. I love the over all look of the R-33. not sure of the name of the front bumper I'd like but, the aggressive open radiator front bumper just makes the car look basic and calm yet aggressive. I understand its the heaviest of the three according to some articles. (see image below for desired front bumper style)

Ben, your comment on kilometer tinkering is a very real issue that I am quite concerned over. That is why I'm willing to invest into a brand new RB-26 engine if I can figure out how and where to purchase them. not sure if that's going to be another $10,000 - $15,000. Might have to import directly Nissan. something that requires a lot more research from my part. But I'm willing to commit to the hours to achieve these goals. 

Swift and a house? very funny but I'm far too passionate over this dream to regret it all over a little swift. I'm not financially supporting a family or partner. Figured I'm in the best scenario to invest into a brilliant car. once I've bought the R-33 then an apartment could come next, although high performance race brakes are just too tempting... Hmmmmm... Have not looked into brakes, few youtuber reviews say the stock brakes are horrendous. Willing to purchase track grade brakes. (I want to build a high performance track focused car that remains within the bracket to still be considered a legal road worthy vehicle.)

Here is a link to the skyline for $4,500 not a GTR but it is a GT R33 from 1994:

https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Nissan-Skyline-1994/SSE-AD-4707501/?Cr=14

The scribbled out number plate raises concerns, probably find speeding tickets to hoon warnings under it if you had the authority to look it up. not sure if civilians can check other plate history's? yeah as you can tell I have so many questions and I love to read about these machines, become a real passion recently. 

 

Here is the R-33 GTR I'm passionate to work towards: Its aggressive, makes a statement, a lot of work and requires a lot of respect. My mates who are cops say, you just gotta be prepared to loose it if your gonna buy it especially at your age. I'm going to enjoy it no doubt but keep the action to the track. 

Does anybody know if Neon blue headlights are legal in Australia? Thinking about it but not a propriety. One of my main propriety is ensuring the turbo lag inst significant enough to have me chase it into the 6,000 rpm range just to find I'm already 30km/ph over the limit. Early spool, but punchy. a lot to ask for eh? 

Does anybody have information on a leather interior? one of my mates said to buy a crap bashed BMW and try to convert its leather interior to the skyline. Not sure how the procedure is conducted but I thought it was a great idea if it can work. If not as said before I'm happy to take the hours to invest into the interior.

Bucket seats are a must, not sure if i can find light / dark brown leather seats. kinda steampunk styled I guess?

is going for a V-Spec R-33 a waste given the modifications gain the equivalent V-Spec output with far less cash depending what you do? maybe an 18psi boost from the turbo? 

Cheers guys I know I've said a lot. Ill check the forums tomorrow have a great night. If anybody has a lot of information to offer me I don't mind sharing my phone number, happy to make a decent call especially over an R-33 GTR. 

[Steve85]

Quote

Each of the series have there ups and downs. 

This is very true, each series has their positives and negatives. If you want an R33, you should buy an R33. Don't worry about other peoples opinion on them and whether the R32 or R34 is better. Just buy what you like best (assuming your budget meets the market).

Your comments above are a little bit ahead of themselves, I would personally concentrate on finding out what to look for in a GTR and what each car comes with as they are all modified. You need to be able to pick a good modification from a poor one. You also need to be able to know the signs of a dodgy car, off the top of my head you need to be able to recognise;

• Which model the car is (and what it should have, for example the differences between a non V-Spec and a real V-Spec).
• Interior wear that doesn't match the kms shown.
• Common areas for rust and how to spot it in it's early stages.
• Changeover gauge clusters / signs of wind-back.
• Potential body repairs.
• Modifications / aftermarket changes.

Once you have landed yourself a decent example (this is specific to you, your perfect car will be different to everyone else's), then concentrate on if you want to modify it once it's yours. These cars can be expensive to run depending on what you want from them.

One other thing you should check out this website for details on the VINs of each car: http://gtr-registry.com/en-bcnr33-vin-table.php

[okooko]

What's your budget and when do you expect to own one?

Timing sometimes just doesn't work in your favour and today's $30k would get you lesser of a car than $30k, say 3-5 years ago in regards to GTR's and there isn't much you can do about it.

[CeJay]

Welcome

 

My advice, read the forums, try and learn as much as you can. And judge a car on its condition, not the K's on the clock, I know for a fact that my car had about 55,000 k's taken off it, between it leaving japan and me buying it.

And if you're planning on modifying it, whatever you think it's going to cost double it, as it becomes a slippery slope, that being said they are fun cars to drive. If you want a leather interior you will probably need to have it custom made.

[Jeremiah O'Connor]

Thanks for that. Yes verry true critical i fomation is what I hope to find through the SAU Communitie and other sources. In all honneaty I really dont know much about what needs to be considered when purchassing a Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R. But the more I learn hopefully I'll land something worth alot of passion, time, and work.

When do I hope to own it. At some stage within the next 18 months when I have the money in the forst place I'm reshearching early to really know what to look for.

Im not fussed over what i recieve for 30k today incomparrison to 5 years ago. I intend to put some serious work into this veichle. Thanks for the point although like you said. Nothing we can do about it so, just gotta accept it and keep on moving for what I desire to achieve.

Cheers
Jerry

[Jeremiah O'Connor]

G'Day
Custom made leather interior. Hmmm that sounds legitamate, but i hate to admit it. I wonder if that will cost over 10,000 for a full interior? That or should I settle for a different material that is still quite comfortable as well as demonstrating the veichles got alot of work done to it?

[Gymkhana]

Goes without saying, if a turbo R33 is gonna be your first car... be very careful, learn the car before you start really driving it or you will end up around a tree like other young blokes keep doing.

[Jeremiah O'Connor]

What you say is verry true. No doubt I will push the veichle on the track but only when I have a deep understanding of what the car can cope with.

I'm a confidant driver. Been passionate for cars since I was a tiny kid. But of corse some of the GTR-S are pushing more horsepower / Killawatts to the wheels than an Audi RS3 and holy crap the sportback is a verry capeable veichle.

[Jeremiah O'Connor]

Importantly, how do you distinguish between good and bad modifications with regards to an R33 GT-R

[CeJay]

What do you mean good and bad? It depends what your after

[Steve85]

2 minutes ago, CeJay said:

What do you mean good and bad? It depends what your after

I agree with this, if you wanted a specific modification, take a look at how it has been installed and the quality of the workmanship. Think about how that might affect the car and if you would do it this way. Ask someone who knows what the particular modification has been performed for and check with them to see if it is a positive or negative change to the car. 

You may not want a particular modification, but if it has been performed to a high quality or can be reversed this should be considered when you are purchasing a car.

It's up to you though in the end. If you like it and thinks it's good then it's ok, otherwise, maybe you want a different car.

[Jeremiah O'Connor]

My appollogies, still trying to qork out the SAU app from a facebook messenger background.

I posted earlier under a different topic my definitiom for a good or bad modification. Dont have too much time right now but ill make sure to recap here as well later on.

Cheers guys.

[DaymoR32]

What sort of costs are you looking at for fully comprehensive insurance on a gtr at your age? As I wouldn't personally want to throw 40k down on a car and be massively out of pocket if I was to crash it.

Might be another factor you want to think about.

I'm from the UK originally and you wouldn't have a chance of insuring a gtr at such a young age. But that's another debate altogether!