Having just recently tested an R34 GTR and currently owning an R32 GTR here are my opinions:
- The ride in the R34 was definitely smoother than the R32, R32 felt closer to the road, a bit more jittery HOWEVER this can depend on the suspension, tyres and coilover setup each car has.
- The R34 is indeed a quieter car in terms of road noise, exhaust etc, my car doesn't squeak, squeal or ratter, its just an older generation sports car with a more traditional sporting philosophy. Once could accuse the R34 GTR of being a bit tame if you close your eyes.
- I favour the R32 interior more than the R34(!), I think for 1989 the interior of the R32 was excellent and still very functional today. The R34's interior doesn't feel like what a 60K++ car should feel like and how often do you use the centre LCD screen?
- Seats are different, some favours the wider seats of the R32, others favour the tighter fit of the R34. I'm blessed that I fit in most Japanese cars including the Suzuki Cappuccino so either one is not a problem for me.
- The interior space to me is smaller in the R34 than the R32.
- The boot space is smaller in the R34 than the R32, this was my biggest surprise and I don't think I can fit the same luggage I took in my R32 in an R34. This might be a problem....
- The battery in the R34 (and R33) is located in the back and based on a recent experience of trying to jump start an R34 this was more troublesome than I thought. Is there any good reason why the battery should be at the back???
- The R32, to the curent generation, would be considered old school - raw. Some people like that, others prefer comfort. THe R34 is geared towards comfort though its still a GTR, its meant to be customised for performance.
Both cars (and the R33) are awesome. My R32 is a daily, I have no problems whatsoever with it being a daily car except when I choose to press on hard on the gas pedal and watch the car drink away :-) But my car is not tuned and is running rich as a stock car would out of the factory. I think I can definitely improve on my 470km city/hwy and 615km hwy fuel consumption.
The R32 GTR may have started the RB26 phenomenon, the R34 finished it. The 10 year gap in improvements is too much to overlook the R34 as just a more expensive R32. It is a magical car.