sentradude

So it has been on my mind for quite some time now and I'm wondering what everyone else's thinking is. Would you give up your current "baby", whether its your 240SX, your EVO, Subbie or whatever else floats your boat, for an R32? Why and why not?

XMcEvilson

I wouldn't. I think Skylines are cool, however I'm not a fan of driving RHD.

BossHogg

Really depends on what you are looking for in a car. But, yes. If you like back roads, go drive one. Atessa is one awesome beast. It's not a matter if you can out drive the car....its if you have the balls to take it their. It feels crazy and awesome. You could take a stock power GTR and focus on handling/cooling/braking/clutch/wheels/tires and have a really fun car. Raise stock boost to 12 psi and you will be over 300 whp. 7k rpm launch is awesome. Slight chirp of the tires and never let off the gas. No pedaling needed. Just shift. Driving feel is very modern. Power folding mirrors, digital climate control, gauges in console, can never lock your keys in your car etc. Car talks Japanese to you lol. It has everything you need in a sporty car....and the feel. I am 100% satisfied with my GTR. Once I get my clutch in I will probably throw it on a dyno to see where I'm at. I'm over boosting to 14 lbs since the bigger exhaust, so that's out side of recommended "safe zone" of stock ceramic turbine wheels. But its amazing at what really is not needed to make a fast car with the stock components. Stock intercooler is good for 600. Stock airbox can take 5-600. Stock intercooler pipes are fine. Stock turbo inlets need a splitter to handle more than you need, basically reduces turbo shuffle. Really the only thing that sucks out of the box is the turbos, just because of the gamble of ceramic turbines. Some blow, some dont. They spool up pretty quick though. A simple front pipe back exhaust system would be recommended also. It definitely is noticeable power gain and also livens the car up when you get on it. Sound is amazing. Can hear better turbo spoolage also. Not to mention cool backfires and shooting flames lol. Always a good time.

But with any old car, expect to do basic maintenance. Just buy one that is in somewhat good condition. Or that has some kind of maintenance records. CV boots for sure should be on the list. I've blown 3. Once one goes, they all will quickly follow.

Another positive is the car looks very good stock. All you need is coils and proper offset wheels/tire combo. Then your car is better looking than 99% of other cars on the road. You don't need any kit or anything.

Be prepared for endless amounts of attention. People following you. People taking pictures/video. People asking the dumbest god damn questions in the world. Be prepared for all of it. Is that a skyline? Is that a GTR? Does it have an RB? Wow, I didn't know they made these RHD......like are you fucking dumb?

Its easy to see how the r32 made the impact it did when it debuted. It's a pretty sweet ride man. Everyone I've let drive is like holy shit. This thing feels like you just bought it lol. I would say mine is very very mildly built.

The prices have seriously jumped since I got mine though. I mean I paid under 20k for mine which is out of the ordinary clean and 49k miles and relatively stock. My car today would probably be around 25-30k range.

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lunchmeat

I'm weird, so I'd get rid of the 240 for a r33 gtst sedan. Most around here would just think it's a 90s maxima.

kashira kureijii

nah fam, I'd trade a 240 for a A31 cefiro, pulsar gtir/VZR, or march super-turbo though, may'be even a cedric, but I don't really like the engines that came in cedrics, so I dunno

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RHD*bro

I've driven a r32 gts its a cool car .. I wouldn't trade my pulsar for one though I already get enough attention being my car is RHD already

ixfxi

Its hard enough owning 1 car that is 25+ years old, I own multiple 25+ year old cars. A lot of time, money, resources and energy goes into sourcing spare parts and this only gets worse. I think at some point, lack of parts will make me get rid of some of my cars - but time will tell.

Take the above and multiple it over a few times, as finding parts for an R32 is even more difficult. Sure, some parts cross-over - but other parts do not. And if you do find them, be prepared to pay and wait for them to arrive.

I personally would never like to own certain cars. New GTR, old GTR, its all the same: a big headache when it comes to parts and maintenance. I wouldnt want to own an NSX for the very same reason, when they do have problems its costly. Not saying that these are bad cars, they are awesome and I love these cars - all I am saying is that proper upkeep is difficult. Not impossible, just difficult.

But besides all that, I would never want to own a RHD vehicle. Not in this country.

Yuri

Just to let you know, having seen a few imported JDM cars, they tend to be pretty rusty.

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BossHogg

it is not hard to find parts for r32. Literally everything I get is from Nissan japan. Just make sure you get the right part number. Don't go to websites, they are over priced. RHD is fine lol. I don't even get how that is an argument. I like it better to be honest lol. You are literally, just sitting on the other side. Nothing changes lol.

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lunchmeat

I've got 2 50 yr old cars, and while they both have great aftermarket support, owning them is getting well....old. One of which I'm wanting to get rid of since it needs more work than I'm willing to deal with. Hell, my 240 is pushing 20 and finding some parts for it is a pain in the ass.
Do I want a skyline? Yea. Will I ever own one? Not sure.

dizzariot

Funny this is posted here.

I'm about to be stationed in Japan and I can't even decide if I want an older car. I've been driving '93 S13s (a white SR'd one that I sold and then bought a grey, KA'd one) for over two years now and my other car is a 2005 Forester. You get to a point where you want to have at least one 'new' car in your stable. At least that's where I'm at. I had a few S13s and an S14 before I left for bootcamp. I bought an FRS while I was in training and really enjoyed the car...until I got back to CA. Community sucks dick (different/same reasons as Zilvia) but I digress...

My point is I've been into 240SXs for quite some time now and I had a taste of a 'new' car for a couple of years. I was stoked to get another S13 but the lack of amenities will start to wear on you...especially if you want a car that's as old as a GTR.

GTRs in Japan are reaching US prices and the NSX is still $30L - $40K. I can't snag anything newer than '94 or I can't bring it back. I don't want to get an S15 and love it only to turn around and sell it when I go.

I talked to Sean Morris at Nissan Jam and he loves R32s. Even with the R33 coming over in a few years he seems like an R32-guy through-and-through. Talk to him and see if he can make you a believer. The R32 wasn't on my radar until I talked to him but even now I'm having a hard time justifying $18K+ for a car that's so old.

To summarize: everything I've been through since selling the FRS has kind of burned me out. I can't fathom spending $20k on a GTR. If you've never looked at one in person or sat in one you might want to do more research before you start the hunt.

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BossHogg

they need to find better cars to buy then lol.

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hobbs

I think I'm one of the few that is actually looking to move from a R32 GTR to get back into a LHD S13.

simmode1

Always felt the R32 was overhyped. Definitely do not ever want the hassle of owning an old as fuck RHD car in a LHD country. For the same price, I'd much rather have a 335xi coupe.

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tricky_ab

Yeah, owning a car that was never sold in NA is a great time till you need to source something. Honestly, it depends on how badly you want it, and how long you plan to keep it.

Owning two imports myself, I can say that it's trying at times, but to me it's worth it.

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anti tyler

As I've noticed in my area, I've seen 2 Evo 8 owners switch to jdm R32's. And I've seen a few others purchase r32's without having a bias to the chassis, just from the popularity.


Personally I favor the r34 over all. But lord knows they're gonna cost a shit ton when they become of age

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ixfxi

Seating position *is* a big deal, I dont know how it isnt. All my cars are LHD, and I am predisposed to certain driving habits and seeing things from the proper side of the car given the side of the road we drive on. Now you want to switch it and make it seem like its a non-issue. There are a lot of research papers for the government that go into great detail about this. I dont claim to be an expert so I am not going to say that I know the specifics, I just know they exist. Add that on top of other issues like the headlights which shine in the wrong direction and you just have a car with a lot of safety issues. IMO, this is going to bite owners in the ass sooner or later.

Again, its not as if I dont like the car - the R32 is one of my favorite 90s-era sportscars, and its my favorite when it comes to the GTR. But there is just too much wrong with it to be used safely here in the US. Again, just my opinion. As for you, you really need to remember that as an owner - you've got a biased opinion.

Sileighty_85

Finding a copy of Nissan's "FAST" program helps out a ton.

I've been able to find tons interchangeable parts from US cars to cut down on the mark up prices and shipping of parts from Japan. (For my other 3 cars)

Biggest issue I think will be interior, exterior parts as well as electronics especially glass. That's the one big thing im worried about. I will be picking some up over here but scared it wont make the journey back home in one piece.


Also ATTESA parts since none of the other Nissan in the US had that system until the R35 which is totally different now..


But Im stocking up on all these parts (New if possible) to hopefully hold me over for a long time.

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後輪駆動車１番
1989 Built SR GT2871R -363whp
1998 S14 W/RB25- 250ish (For Now)
1986 SR86 - 200ish
1990 R32 GTR - 320hp
Don't Buy Engines from JDM-Online http://zilvia.net/f/businesses/207457-jdm-online.html
Don't Buy XS-Power or SSAC Shit

Malik

learning to shift with my left hand would be the biggest hassle.

DrftKingIII

R32 GTR's are great cars, but the now-normal $30,000.00 price tag is hefty for a 25 year old Nissan.

I currently own a decent S-Chassis, and I love driving it, but the modern amenities and comfort of my M35 calls every morning.

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Ramonesfreak2010

I just purchased a 180sx and i LOVE driving on the right side. Feels so natural. Probably because I'm better with the left hand. I did want a GTR, but with these prices I had to pass.

5280VertDET

Fixed that for you...


Also, Im all about the GTi-R, but yea, having never driven a RHD car in a LHD country makes me have second thoughts on dropping $8-15K on a 25 year old car (not even mention parts).

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S13 Vert | SR | PE1420 | 5-Speed | 15x9.5 - 0 |

ILoveJDM

The right hemisphere of our brain controls the left side body functions, and vice versa.

While driving LHD, you clutch with your left foot and shift with your right hand, using both sides of the brain. while driving RHD, your right side of your brain controls the clutch and shifting. Thats why it "feels" more natural.

I might be talking out of my ass but,

SCIENCE.

source: Boredom.

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LoneStarSilvia

Would never get rid of my any of my current vehicles for a 32.

I'm finally leaving Japan after being here for 5+ years, and for you guys in America my advice would be to not buy a 32 GT-R UNLESS you've got plenty of money to burn.

They are hilariously unreliable (yes, yes, not ALL of them are turds), which catches out a lot of American's fresh off the boat wide eyed because they've seen the first Skyline (even it's like a rusty NA R33).

The price mark ups have been banana's, and the market for a truly clean R32 has been all but sucked dry by import companies who are going to ask you to waste, I mean spend upwards of $25K! That shit is crazy compared to their pricing before the JDM tyte import tax hit. The Japanese know this too and have hiked their prices up before importers can grab them.

Now I will admit, my personal opinion about them are skewed a bit, I'm just not a fan because of how blindly people lust after them. The uninformed and inexperienced think they're the hottest shit on the block, even non-car people know what a Skyline is. Don't get me wrong, they have big potential, but unless you're in Japan and know your way around, expect to constantly bleed money into it after that fat initial purchase. Out of all the 32 GT-R owners I know and/or know of, which is a lot (see fanboyism comment above), I would say 8/10 of them have had their GT-R hard broke at one time or another and are constantly wrenching on them. My rotaries have had less problems than my co-worker's 32.

Too be fair though, a lot of those guys have to daily drive their GT-R's, so I would assume the breakdown rate would be much, much lower.

It's completely up to whoever is willing to break bread ofcourse, but in my opinion, but there is much better spends of near $30K and you can still mash 32's on a track day. You just won't have that JDM mad tyte super street cred.

Hell, with all these other vehicles nearing their 25 year mark, I would look at something else before they all get their 25 year old JDM import tax raised too!

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LoneStarSilvia

And this is what kills me about the car. The 8 is arguably a much better performer, but people see that "SKYLINE" on the ass and just lose their damn common sense.

But meh, their money.

Too true on the 34's, even now you'll be hard pressed to find one under $40K. They are going to be $60K-$100K cars ranging on condition I would bet.

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LoneStarSilvia

If I could break you off a piece of advice as a military guy exiting Japan, try out cars you either would never consider owning in America because of price, or something they never made in America.

Worry about importing something when you're about a year out from leaving.

I've had 8 cars since I've lived in Japan and the prices I got them for are simply criminal compared to America.

1st was an Evo III for $5500.
2nd was a '99 FD for $7000.
3rd was an Altezza I traded the Evo III for (there's a story behind it).
4th was R34 GT-T for $4500.
5th was a 1st gen Forester for $1800
6th was a super lower mileage AP1 S2000 for $8500.
7th was my 20B Cosmo for $10,500
8th was a turbo/auto MKIV Supra for $7500.


See my point? There are so many cool cars in Japan, and very reasonably priced. I consider the FD and Supra cars I'll never purchase in America just because of the HUGE price difference, but I'm damn glad I had the opportunity to own them when I could.

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driftsucky

I would never give up my "baby" for a 20+ year old Nissan sports coupe that was never sold in the country that I live in. That said, I love the R32. It's my favorite Skyline of all the Skylines (R35 not included). I'll never own one though. I've driven a few different iterations of Skyline and the price/value ratio just isn't there for me...not the GTR anyway. Now, an R32 GTS-T, I'd snag one of those. RWD, under 10k with under 70k miles, just as fun if not more fun than GTR? Yes please.

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greddy2die

Anyone consider like an GTS-T as a daily? I know they don't have that instant wow factor as a BNR32 but an HCR32 can be had for a lot less. Yeah, you don't get an RB26 but you still have a turbocharged inline 6 and can still make the car look really nice especially for all the money you'd save getting that rather than a GT-R.

Ramonesfreak2010

They're starting to reach $15k. Not worth it IMO just because its practically the same thing as a s-chasis but bigger.

driftsucky

I've seen a literal shitton under 10k. My co-worker and I just found another for 89hunjo with 61 clicks on the odo. At 15k, I'm out. But, I'm more comfortable paying 9k for that than 9k for an S-chassis...sans S14 maybe

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@be_henney kranstogram is full of nonsense and foolishness.