Considering buying my first GTR, any advise welcome.

[mattblack]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone can give me some thoughts on owning a GTR. Im considering buying my first GTR. Looking at an R34 non Vspec.

My queries so far:

what sort of price will i be looking at if fairly stock and already in Aus?

Can this be an every day driver if not too heavily modded?

Are they reliable if looked after?

How will a fairly stock R34 GTR perform against my 03 STI with 300kw at flywheel?

any advise will be much appreciated

cheers

Matt

[pentae]

Hi matt,

Congratulations on your choice of vehicle.

My advice is that if you can afford to buy one of these cars there is absolutely nothing in the same price range that comes close to the driving experience that one of these can offer.

1. what sort of price will i be looking at if fairly stock and already in Aus?

For a car thats already delivered in Australia you are looking at anywhere between $75,000 and $85,000. The reality is many prestige car places and private owners advertise these cars anywhere between 85 and 95, but they end up selling for between 75 and 85. Dont pay more than 85 for a stock example.

My advice to you would be to spend a bit of time finding a supplier that will charge you a flat fee of a few grand to bring a vehicle in for you, where you sign the deal, pay a deposit, supplier brings in the car for you under your specification. This way you get to get the vehicle checked out and test drive the car before buying, and if you decide not to go for it the supplier will just throw it in a random car yard and give you your deposit back.

Its very good being able to specify what colour you want, condition etc. And the supplier will locate one for you from the auctions in Japan. You will save anywhere from $5-$15k doing it this way. (Read: You will get one landed for $68k - $73k) theres the same amount of risk involved as sourcing one already in the country. The only downside is the entire process will take around 2 months before you get to see your car.

2. Can this be an every day driver if not too heavily modded?

Absolutely, these cars are the closest supercar you will find that you can get away with filling the boot and back seat with groceries.

3. Are they reliable if looked after?

Once again, Absolutely. With proper servicing and maintenance with a workshop that knows anything about these cars they will be as reliable, if not more reliable than your STI. I have seen 15 year old GTR's that have been abused, neglected and downright punished that still drive like monsters every single day.

4. How will a fairly stock R34 GTR perform against my 03 STI with 300kw at flywheel?

By saying fairly stock I assume you mean with a basic exhaust system, as the stock exhaust system basically suffocates the awesome amounts of performance that the RB26DETT puts out. They where designed with aftermarket bolt ons in mind..

A completely stock R34 GTR with stock exhaust does about a 12.9 quarter mile.

Shave off a few fractions of a second once you add the obvious exhaust system and boost increases.

I am not sure how quick an STI with 300kw at the fly would go in comparison, but I know which car I would rather drive anywhere. The difference is the GTR's ATTESA-ETS is one of the best 4wd systems found on a performance car in the world, and offers one of the most thoroughly enjoyable steers you will ever have

Good luck!