Seeing as how the new GTR is one of the coolest cars I've ever driven, I'd take one. I like the R-34 GTR. Modern looks, but it's not a big piggy.
Seeing as how I hardly have a budget to buy groceries and breathe, I can't say I am even within the realm of possibility of considering it.
Id rather be driving THIS!!!!! omfg
RB26DETT + Attessa + S14 FTMFW
There used to be a R32 GTS-T that showed up in the parking lot of the PepBoys in Salem, NH. I assume he imported it from Canada where it was imported to from Japan. NH's vehicle laws are more lax than MA, so it will probably stay in NH until the 25-year importation ban is up. This is all conjecture as I never got to talk to the owner. If I did he'd probably ask me to wipe the drool off of the car!
I like the R32 the best of the lot. It has that early-90's robotic styling and is more affordable than the later models. The R33 never did anything for me styling-wise, and while the R34 looks hot, I'd bet even a base-model strippo R34 Skyline would be hella expensive.
Hmmm me thinks I remember the last "fed approved" Skylines were all crushed.........
Not sure I'd be willing to take the risk for a Datsun
I think my nephew paid $6, or $7k for his GTR.
They're getting cheap here.
alex
SuperDork
11/29/10 7:14 p.m.
If we're talking $10k-ish for a totally legal, no-hassle-no-way R34, I'd be game. That's one of the can't-get-it-here cars I used to lust after as a lad poring over the Brit rags. And since I have a thing for AWD/turbo GT cars, having had a hand-me-down Stealth RT/TT as my second car, I'd love to have another one. Stoning two birds at once, or something...
I know next to nothing about Skylines, since I always thought they were a pipe dream here. Is this within the realm of possibility?
Kramer
HalfDork
11/29/10 7:56 p.m.
Maybe it's just me, but I'm not into video games, or cars whose reputation solely exists due to a video game. I guess I'm getting old.
And get off my damn lawn.
I wouldn't take any of them. If I had the cash to import an AWD turbo car capable of builds over 500hp.... and convert it to US spec legally.....I'd get something much cooler and much rarer that most "JDM fanbois" here in the US have never even heard of.
Lancia
Delta
Integrale
Evoluzione
The cool factor crushes a GT-R. The aggro looks are what the WRX/STi/Mitsu Evo only WISH they had....
/discussion
Keith wrote:
It is fun watching the local R32 at our track days. I think it actually propels itself down the straights from the suction of the air going into the turbo.
But it usually gets its clock cleaned by a Miata.
I feel like your Miatas aren't exactly fair at track days....
irish44j wrote:
Lancia
Delta
Integrale
Evoluzione
Couple of those (LHD to boot!) floating around here as well. As a strictly performance vehicle I wouldn't want one, but for all around awesomness? Hells yes.
RossD
Dork
11/29/10 9:52 p.m.
I like skylines but I'd rather have a rwd escort, cossie sierra, or a dohc 4.0 turbo falcon from oz if I were to import a car.
HiTempguy wrote:
irish44j wrote:
Lancia
Delta
Integrale
Evoluzione
Couple of those (LHD to boot!) floating around here as well. As a strictly performance vehicle I wouldn't want one, but for all around awesomness? Hells yes.
I had a Delta HF back in the 90s when I lived in Italy. It had some electrical/interior issues, but the drivetrain was bulletproof and saw 120+mph on a daily basis, plus one stage rally where I took off the rear bumper on a tree
patgizz
SuperDork
11/29/10 10:48 p.m.
if i could get one for canadian prices i'd do it. but i will just wait a little while longer for the r32's to be 25 years old and not need to go through all the bs to be legal.
Luke
SuperDork
11/29/10 11:25 p.m.
One problem I see with importing a Skyline, is that it's damn near impossible to find an original, unmolested example. You have to be prepared to expect some sketchy "mods".
There's also the FJ20 turbo-powered DR30 coupe to consider. Older than 25 years, too.
Keith
SuperDork
11/30/10 12:03 a.m.
irish44j wrote:
/discussion
irish44j wins. 6 consecutive WRC constructors championships and four driver's championships? Much cooler.
thatsnowinnebago wrote:
Keith wrote:
It is fun watching the local R32 at our track days. I think it actually propels itself down the straights from the suction of the air going into the turbo.
But it usually gets its clock cleaned by a Miata.
I feel like your Miatas aren't exactly fair at track days....
Not even one of the crazy ones! I think my wife's 1.6 Voodoo II could take it. Granted, it's a tight track. But the noise is hilarious, it doesn't sound like internal combustion at all.
mpolans
New Reader
11/30/10 3:00 a.m.
mndsm wrote:
Obviously a canoe, but a tricksy one at that. Considering I already know all the rules to importing a car legally, and pretty much know that no one is going to go through that hassle- I'd be curious as to how this guy works.
So to answer your question mpolans- my budget is unlimited, I'd like an r34 z-tune please, and I am ready to go yesterday.
WTF is a canoe? A little background, I'm currently living in Tokyo and reading through the FMVSS. Also curious about the 25 year line which is coming up pretty soon for the early R32s and thinking of somehow piggybacking on the certification Motorex got for R33s and depending on what modifications they were required to perform and depending on what might qualify as "substantially similar." You know all the regs, I'd love to hear your thoughts in as excruciatingly specific detail as possible (citations to specific regulations and any administrative law or case law rulings would be appreciated.)
Jay
Dork
11/30/10 5:06 a.m.
failboat wrote:
R33's do look fat until you put them next to an R32. I have seen a few photos in which they actually look smaller.
Dear god the R35 is piggy. It looks like a monster truck. Do not want.
we get a lot of spambots posting crap threads trying to scam your info or sell junk. sometimes random new posters who are trying to sell stuff or have a weird question are labelled spammers by mistake. canoe is our little code word for spam on this forum. 99 % of the time we get it right. looks like youre pretty legit and just looking for a little info. apologies if i or we offended you.
as to your question, personally im more interested in RB26DETs and the awd drivetrain, ecu and other electrics that will make swaps viable than i am in any car with the steering wheel on the wrong side. the shifter belongs in your right hand, where god intended it to be.
Funny.... R33s are probably my favorite Skyline.
You're all doing it wrong, anyways.
ST205 Celica GT4 RC. There is no other answer.
I'm currently looking for either a new car in the $25,000 range or anew to me car in the $8,000 to $15,000. If I could get a like-new R32 in that latter bracket, I'd at least consider it, but I'm from the "Playstation Generation" or whatever they're calling us these days, so I suppose that's part of it.
mpolans
New Reader
11/30/10 7:15 a.m.
Basically, I'm trying to run the numbers on becoming a Registered Importer, picking up where Motorex left off, minus the fraud and other legal difficulties. But, as such an undertaking would require a lot of cash up front, I want to find out if there's enough of a market to support a business.
SVreX
SuperDork
11/30/10 7:28 a.m.
There may be, but this might not be the right place to find that market.
GRM is a bunch of cheapa$$e$. I'm not trying to insult anyone, but it's true, and I'm one of them.
You're asking if people would pay a premium for your legit services. But the group you are asking is perfectly capable of buying a US version, sourcing acceptable substitutes from various other junkyard finds and dumpster diving treasures, welding up modified parts, sticking it together with spit and bubble gum, and whooping the pants off the stock JDM version, all for less than the price of a cheap matinee and a buttered popcorn. Besides, half of them don't even care about titles, no less legit import services.
They aren't going to make it worth your while.
You need the Playstation Generation. You need a bunch of boy racer wannabees with more money than sense who think whatever they drive is worth 3x as much, as long as it has JDM headlights.
There may be a market for the service you are wanting to offer, but GRM is probably not it.
I'd like an R32, the rear drive only version. Once the legal hassles are all dealt with, what about parts? Don't limit yourself to one model (Skyline) be open to anything rear drive or AWD and lightweight. Stock cars will be preferred over modified ones. As pointed out above, it's assumed that these cars will be sold at high prices that most of us can't afford. Support after the sale will be key.