Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

I had a few newbie questions regarding r32 gtr's that I was hoping some people could answer.

How reliable are they as a daily driver? How likely are things to go wrong and how expensive are general repairs?

Whats fuel economy like?

Looking at the mods on these two cars, can anyone advise whats not legal? Are they good buys?

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/...rch_distance=25

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/...5&cs_trans_id=2

Any advice would be much appreciated, cheers.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/118969-newbie-r32-gtr-questions/
Share on other sites

I had a few newbie questions regarding r32 gtr's that I was hoping some people could answer.

How reliable are they as a daily driver? How likely are things to go wrong and how expensive are general repairs?

Whats fuel economy like?

Looking at the mods on these two cars, can anyone advise whats not legal? Are they good buys?

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/...rch_distance=25

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/...5&cs_trans_id=2

Any advice would be much appreciated, cheers.

Prices look about right mate. Make sure you get a full compression and leek down test before you buy if it where me I would probably go for the first one.

cheers

For info, 89/90 models were not available in white (read: respray). Not that a respray is necessarily a bad thing, but worth being aware of.

My car is an 89. As good as stock. 65L(ish) provides around 450km. I am grateful I don't have to drive mine daily - you appreciate it more plus as they are old cars the little stuff may piss you off. I have a 'to do' list in my garage :P Speaking from own experience only.

General repairs cost the same as most other cars. Tuning and replacing go-fast bits are the expensive parts.

You can't tell a good buy until you look at it, listen to it, test the motor (as Munna1 advised) and then drive it.

My advice would be to keep the later models in mind as well. Check out an 89 and a 94 model just to see what the difference in condition is like.

Hope this helps mate.

Dont forget these costs

insurance ... if you are under 25.. u need a good job to pay for it, some charge $4000 - $5000 for full comp

Stamp duty

gearbox and diff oil flush

General seal on engine...

turbo's? age? have they been replaced.. if not.. they will normally fail at around 100,000kms

timing belt change?

Daily driver is ok... but expect wear..

plus you will be addicted to driving it for first year.. if it is your only car

If you drive the car hard it will be uneconomical, If you like to launch it just see your front tyres wear like buggery. Then you drive it and go stuff it to much fun, then you go more power and speed, then GTR equals money pit!

It all depends on how you treat the car and what you want to do with it.

I would question any vehicle that is cheap and has had a respray, especially in white!

The Japanese actually really, really like white cars. Bizarre, but true. So having been resprayed in white probably makes it the least questionable (& most common). Just make sure, like everything, that it has been done well & is in good condition.

Pretty much question any car regardless and you should hopefully always minimise the risk of getting a lemon.

I've recently bought a 93 Vspec and its been a very good and reliable car. No problems so far. I've just done the 100K service and replaced the normal bits and pieces. 89s are generally in poor condition, go and have a look at some late model ones. They are expensive but worth the extra money IMO. Or import you own, some workshops in VIC and QLD can complience late model ones.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • My dream is also to have a proper hoist, but I don't think it will ever happen. My quickjack is probably as close as I'll ever get, it really is very good though. 
    • Yeah we keep on in the dailies, it is pretty poor how many animals get hit and the driver leaves without checking....have saved a couple of little ones over the years. Bit of a gruesome job though, pouches generally need to be cut open because they are so tight and often the joey doesn't realise mum is gone so they are still locked onto the teat. I checked the modules in front of the DS wheel where an oil cooler should go.... There is the radar unit - that can go for race use) One of the 2 HX water pumps, the silver cylinder. That needs to be kept but might be able to be relocated But the bad news, the big computer mounted vertically in front of the wheel (blocking any potential air exit) is the electric steering computer. That is required until/unless i do a hydraulic steering conversion, and in CAD based modern car design it is not like I can just pop a big unit like that somewhere else (plus the loom would be too short anywhere else too). So, the passenger side is OK to clear out (just use a smaller washer reservoir, potentially elsewhere), but the DS no beuno
    • Well, all the best with the new camry It was interesting to hear about the UK process, it is generally a lot more streamlined here with a shipping agent looking after all the import side (noting the exact final price can still be a surprise.....) and I've used a few different brokers on the japan (or US) side, and never had any trouble with any of them....luck of the draw I guess. You mentioned you didn't get the auction sheet (understandable since you bought it from a dealer, not auction), but I always try and get hold of that because they are pretty thorough. I've imported 2x R grade vehicles over the years and both were fine, repairs in Japan are pretty thorough compared to here in Oz.
    • BTW I measured the jack I have, it is 70mm at the saddle but you only have about 700 until it returns to 150mm high at the cylinder so it is good but no magic bullet.
    • My experience with Rising Sun Exports Before agreeing to the sale I tried to do as much research as I could (obviously), his Facebook reviews are 98% and he goes Live at least once or twice a week. I contacted 2 people in the UK who had used him for their imports, both had positive feedback. His explanation and talk through of the import process was thorough, answering any query no matter how stupid it was. It felt as soon as the money was sent, communication dropped off. I asked for shipping updates every 2 weeks or so, not wanting to pester him, he never had any updates. I wasn't informed the car had been dropped off at the port, I only found out by his Facebook story. I asked for the photos taken at the port, knowing he would need some for insurance purposes. I received a few 5 second clips and that's it. When asked again, he said his staff had them. Weeks later I asked again, he tells me he doesn't have any, but does have 50 photos from the original advert. I never received them. I eventually got the documents sent via WhatsApp after I mentioned the port was requesting them. I purchased a CarVX report, to find out the vehicle is a Grade R with recorded accident damage, first recorded in 2017 when it was first auctioned. He never told me the grade, then again I didn't ask. His response was "Grade R means nothing, it wasn't chassis damage". Still, I would have liked to have been informed about it. Jon prides himself on being open and honest when it comes to inspecting cars, it's his main job doing so at the auctions for customers. When the vehicle arrived in the UK I noticed a few little cosmetic issues. It's a 21 year old car so it wasn't going to be mint condition. The side skirts are cracked on each corner and the sealant is failing. The front grill on the bonnet/hood isn't secured very well, mounting studs are missing. Both minor things, but again, it would have been nice to be told. During a Facebook Live walk around video of the vehicle, he mentioned it has a front Whiteline anti roll bar/sway bar. While on the inspection ramp, I noticed the stock item has been installed. When first questioned, his response was "the ARB? Switched? Since when, it never had them". Since sending video and photo evidence I've not received a response. I'm probably being over critical of the overall condition of an old car, but all I wanted was honesty (which he claims to have). I'm aware I wasn't his only customer, he's busy doing XYZ but other reviews praise him for great communication with regular updates and photos, I felt I didn't receive the same treatment. 
×
×
  • Create New...