I recently got an offer to buy a US street legal Skyline GTR R34. I realized that these cars are the holy grails of import tuners. But I have not personally seen how they perform on the road race track in person. I want to know how are these cars compare to the 996GT2 in terms of performance and reliability on the street/track if tuned to the same hp?

Vincent

 

The Skyline is only good modded.

 

Not even close.

Here they are head to head 996 Turbo not even the GT2
http://videos.streetfire.net/categor...8e32ac50a8.htm

 

I haven't driven a R34, but I have had some time with a R33. The GT2 is much more fun to drive at the same power levels, though the Skyline is more versatile so far as road conditions go. Lots of fun in the wet, whereas you need to be careful in a GT2.

The real issue for me would be the legality of the R34. Last I heard, DOT yanked the crash worthy ticket on all the R34 cars, so their legality is questionable. Also, the practicality of a RHD car pretty much sucks.

If you want a weekend toy, I'd say it's a tossup based on your own personal preference. If you want something you're going to drive hard, and often, in traffic, the GT2 is easier to live with.

Reliability is somewhat relative, and depends on what kind of power you're making. I'd say they're fairly close under 600 horse. Over that, the RB head has heat issues that need to be addressed.

 

Doesnt someone on here have a R32? Maybe he can chime in and help.....

 

If they originally imported these they would be no more special than a Supra. Even then the Supra doesn't have the ugly box shape and makes a lot more power much easier. Comparing them to a Porsche is a joke.

 

I owned an R34 GTR, I haven't owned a GT2 but in standard form a 996tt is a better car, never mind a GT2.

R34 GTR has enormous tuning potential, standard internals are good for 600bhp and it's easy to achieve too. I'd consider one again in the US just because of the rarity factor, but this rarity factor for me is outweighted by the crazy prices they are demanding, I bought mine in the UK imported from Japan for less than $60k, you find one here under$100k and you're doing well. Also only available in right hand drive which may or may not bother you. I really liked my R34 but it was a step to better things, saying that I never modified mine.

 

Lounge L.
I agree w/ you on the high price and the tuneabilities?
How was the Attesa-ETS Pro on the track? Does the V-Spec that much different from the nonVpec?

 

it's a great car, but like others have said, if they would have imported them, they would be no more special than a Supra. The claim to fame on these cars is it's gore making power that you can build into these cars. Handling can be quite good as well, but the GT2 is no slouch. They had a crazy one, very limited called a Nismo Skyline Z Tune that was commanding upwards of $175K that was laughably rated at 500 hp (actually closer to 600 hp) and had all the Nismo racing handling components. That would be one I would trade for a GT2, but not a regular one.

 

The Nissan is nothing compared to the Porsche. GT-Rs are plentiful here in Australia and they don't get a second glance.

 

As far as im concerned they arent even in the same league, this is until you start heavily modifying the GTR! Its a cool car but only special because its not something we see here, meanwhile several members on here have said once you see them all over they arent so special and just in general! Mblonde mentioned that ibelieve!

EDIT: OMFG haha speak of the devil, look who posted right before i did, so crazy!

 

Personally I found the Attesa system very intrusive, you really need to learn how to drive the car fast, on the road you could feel the system correcting you as you progressed, and mid corner adjustments are unnerving to say the least until you get used to it. On the track it certainly is not one of the fastest cars around, one of the things I love about the 996tt is that despite it's weight you can't really notice it too much, on the track the weight of the R34 GTR showed, it took skill to drive it quickly.
I really can't remember the specifics between V Spec and Non V Spec, only that V Spec was the car to have, if you want to know anything about an R34 GTR ask these guys, they know everything .

http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/upload/index.php

 

Here is a video of a 3 lap track race between a GTR, M5, M3CSL, and Lamborghini Gallardo on Best Motoring (Japanese).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsTjgrXCPgQ

 

Do any of you guys actually think the Skyline is a "nice looking" car in any way?...........Man, I hope not. I know it's a beast modified on a track but Jesus Christ that thing is ugly.

 

As a die-hard JDM fan and someone who would sell my refrigerator for a few extra bucks towards owning a R33, R34, or the new GTR coming out.....i would still prefer a GT2 (never riden in one) over the R34 for two main reasons:

1. The steering wheel is on the correct side
2. Looks.

While i LOVE the Skylines and read about them a lot and how they are legendary, highly tuneable, etc....at the end of the day, after the "Shock value" wears off, they just arent that good looking hahaha. And when im droppping 100k+ on a car, it better be a drop-dead sexy ride!