To Buy Or Not To Buy A Skyline

[dezz]

lol, they sound like beasts.

dont get a white skyline lol

[BL01]

The RB engines sounds really good. It's going to be a big change from your mazda for sure. Prices for the GTST is holding on pretty well this year. I dont think they will drop any further next year.

[sheriff]

So whats the go if you want to import one of these beasts?

Who is the leader in Melbourne for importing a Skyline? I was on Spencer St, West Melbourne today looking at the Skylines in GTI. Prices were abit high for me but they did have a nice R33 GTR V-Spec for $80,000! Yeah right, dream on I said to myself!

How do you know that your NOT buying a lemon from overseas? Aren't you better off buying private or from a dealer? Please explain?

My girlfriend was pushing me flatout today to take one for a test drive, too bloody scared to as I know what will happen...I want one!

[dezz]

dealers are more expensive....importing is a risk, but its not really any different to buying a car from an auction here...

[Shano3000]

Importing is a risky process, i imported my R33 6 months ago. Was told that it was in A1 condition and a "pristine example." Only to receive it with about 5 areas which have been sprayed with a can and stand out like dog balls, and panel damage in the rear (un-noticable in the pictures i viewed) But its just luck of the draw i guess..Anyways gl with your quest for a 33..Cheers.

[funkymonkey]

For first timers into the import community its probably best to buy a landed car. If you are a little daring and can place some trust in an import broker then you should import one from japan. You will save yourself markups in the process. It can be made a little easier if you have the car inspected while it is in Japan before you buy it. An option available through some import brokers

[GTRgeoff]

..... but they did have a nice R33 GTR V-Spec for $80,000! Yeah right, dream on I said to myself!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What a wank price. GTR33's selling now range in age from 95 to 98(being the youngest I've ever seen here) and while the later models have some nice extras, they are mechanically the same. The V-spec does have the active rear diff and a faster ATESSA processor speed but that is exactly $50K more than I paid for a 95 car with a Racepace built engine 2 years old, 260rwkw on the stock computer with steel turbines, Apexi height and damping adjustable suspension, brand new DBA slotted brake discs and new pads, well maintained and 18x9.5" Volk TE37's. All in Midnight Purple. Hasn't cost me a cent that I had to spend so far but I have replaced the suspension with Sydneykids much nicer Bilstein kit from Whiteline as I'm recovering from back surgery.

It's a buyers market for GTR's right now so take a look around. Set a firm but fair price and make an offer. If it were well under $20K I'd say take the risk on bringing one in but for the approx $30K plus for a GTR33 you should be sensible and buy local. If the car is interstate then take a quick flight if you think you will buy it. Sellers will start to feel the pinch after a couple of months of not selling; and cold hard cash is a huge incentive to not stand on their price principles.

[EKSMUD]

lol, they sound like beasts.

dont get a white skyline lol

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

why?? <_<

[dezz]

why?? <_<

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

lol

[Coupe-This]

white skylines dont look too bad, silver doesnt look as good, i think a nice clean white skyline looks better than some of the other colors around, just cause u like u dirty as soon as u wash it color

[dezz]

better than silver? go back to sleep if you're gonna dream

[GTRgeoff]

Purple or red!!!

[thommo]

or dark blue...

[**JaR**]

why?? <_<

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

drive around melbz for a few hours and tell me how many white R33's you see, then come back and work out why dezz laughed at you. lol.

and red is the go btw, then black .

anyways, fuel economy for me lately hasnt been as good as it used to be, think im runnin abit rich, but anyways its still better than the holdens we have as well ( not paying out... using them as a comparison ). who says you MUST use 98 ron or higher for a near stock gts-t...... i always thought 95 ron was the lowest you could use in them? even though i use 98 ron anyways i just wanna know the answer to that.

as for insurance, depends on your age more than anything, if your a p plater like me and a few others and driving a car like an R33 gts-t full comp obviously wont be cheap, so third parties the go really, and just cars is good, there the only people who'd insure me, other places i rang wouldnt <_<

ummm yeah cant think of much else that hasnt been said. there an awsome car anyways, alota people will have varied opinions but imo there a great car to drive, own, and all that.

[Kaz200]

Anyhoo, white gets really bad stains on it as well unless you're willing to polish your arse off every week.

I know you're looking at a 33 (commonly called a 'boat'.. hehe this will start an argument), but if you get a 32 be prepared to have it off the road 3/4 of the year Soon as you fix something, something else breaks..! Could just be due to age but still..

If you still want that boot room, forget a skyline... luckily we have a 180 with fold down seats which is the 'furniture transporter'..

And not only more police attention but attention from thieves also, you'd want an alarm as a minimum but thats probably only going to stop your amateur vandals really.

Anyhow GL, you came to a good place to ask these questions

[sheriff]

Gee wiz...Am getting some good info thanx.

Am now having second thoughts about this type of car.Things breaking, theft, cops & attempted car jacking! Whats wrong with people these days? Anyway, have taken on board your comments about importing a Skyline, think I'll look for a local one. I have a friend @ work who is currently importing Skylines from Japan. Have seen some of his imports in our staff carpark, very nice indeed!

On the subject of insurance I will ring around & get some verbal quotes. Your info has been great on what my future car will need ie: Alarm & Imobillizer.

As far as what colour to get, I like the look of the metallic Purple, Silver, Steel Grey. I have already owned a White car, yes the Skyline looks great in white but, nah!

Now who can settle this current debate on what fuel you have to run? Do you absolutely have to run these machines on 98 RON or will they also run on 95 RON. Please explain.

Spare Parts. I will look at the forum on this site on items for sale, but can someone please tell me what sort of 'common' things break on a R33 Skyline. If I'm going to have to keep fixing this car then maybe I'm better off keeping my trusty Mazda.

Anyway, my passion is still there, I love the sound of an RB26DET engine as it rumbles past me, the clean lines in their bodies and those awsome round tail-lights. Keep the feedback coming please as you all are helping me heaps!

[**JaR**]

in the manual for the car it says, to run the gts-t's on 95ron or higher, and gtr-s on 98 ron or higher. whoever posted you needa run gts-t's on 98ron or higher, im pretty sure your getting mixed up.

[**JaR**]

and RB26dett is a GTR, R33 gts-t is an RB25det.

[dezz]

jap fuel is 100RON...sometimes 105RON from what ive read.

these cars are tuned for that fuel, so you're supposed to use as close as you can possibly get to that (98 RON unless you wanna use like race fuel)

dont wanna use 98RON? get your car de-tuned and sacrifice power to run shitter fuel

[**JaR**]

i do use 98 ron. im just sayin