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Hello,

I am looking for a car that is fun to drive and still has some practical value for every day use.

I did some research and came across the Skyline R33 (GTS-T) and the Toyota Soarer (Twin Turbo).

The Soarer can be bought much cheaper in the UK. Skyline's are roughly 30- 40% more expensive.

(given same year and milage)

I had a testdrive with the Skyline, and I liked the looks, engine, and the suspension.

Later I was in the passenger seat of a Soarer, and I am under the impression that this is a very fast car.

I also liked the extend of room you have compared to a Skyline.

Has anyone here had both cars, or maybe driven both?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of a Soarer compared to a Skyline?

Cheers!

Edited by Torques
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my first car was a toyota soarer twinturbo! much rather my R32 GTS-T over them anyday! lighter car better handeling..

but you are on a skyline website! best thing to do its to test drive them both!

Hey,

Thanks for the reply.

I agree, I should drive both cars, and I will.

But someone who owned both cars has of course much better insights.

How did you feel about the engines?

On paper the Soarer has more power, but then it's heavier.

Cheers ...

driven a friends soarer tt when i was at monash uni - was good to drive, smooth and comfy. But felt very heavy, couldnt use the turbo as it was auto, and just didnt feel like a sports car.

Skylines on the other hand have the sports car feel, smooth engine - relatively comfy and could use the turbo when ever I feel like it due to the manual box.

If you still want the soarer, go the manual.

I would never get a Soarer as a performance/sports car.

They just go fast in a straight line and aren't designed for corners.

Give me the V8 Soarer anyday though. Would be a superb cruiser... Leather, electrical gadgets galore and a super smooth V8 which can provide pulling power when needed.

i have owned both and the Soarer "feels" alot bigger than my R33 Sedan. The Skyline handles much and I found little things like interior bits and pieces to be much morereliable and less prone to breaking in the Skyline.

The availability of the 5spd manual in the R33 is plentiful against the Soarer. As for power, the Soarer when tweaked provides excellent straight line acceleration and performance with a super reliable 1JZGTE engine. The RB25DET in the R33 wont stand as much punishment as the Soarer engine in stock form.

I prefer the Skyline due to the handling/modding options/sleek looks/4dr option over the Soarer. The extra weight on the Soarer is quite noticeable.

I have both.

The soarer is auto, so it's great in traffic etc. It's a very nice car to drive around. It has a feeling of excellent build quality. Everything is very thick e.g. panels, doors are mega heavy etc.

It doesn't feel sporty though. E.g. handling isn't nimble. It does have plenty of power though, like for cutting onto the highway etc.

The skyline on the other hand, is nimble and faster. But it is only a toy for me. I dont' drive it normally. Manual in traffic is annnoying. Also, it's not refined like the soarer. e.g. if i feel like a comfortable drive, i'll drive the soarer. If I feel like going for a 'fang' or a spririted drive throug the twisties, i'll drive my skyline on the weekend.

Thanks again for all the helpful replies, much appreciated.

:laugh:

I think the Soarer is good value for the money, but it is larger and heavier.

But then it has a strong engine, and once it gets going it goes quite fast.

The Skyline I like for the looks and the agility.

As for performance, I could imagine that the Soarer is a bit faster than a GTS-T.

(going straight)

It all boils down to a longer testdrive :P

Geez ... I should buy both cars :thumbsup:

A good Soarer Example ..

I've driven both, and I'd take the Soarer over an R33 any day. Luxury and looks are what do it for me, aside from the aforementioned punishment the 1JZ can take

Wow, that's an interesting statement in a Skyline forum :P

But I agree the Soarer has good looks too, and I quite like the retro dashboard.

How do the engines compare?

Cheers ..

Edited by Torques

I've loved soarers but the day my old man took one for a drive and told me it was sluggish.. I lost all interest! Said it felt very heavy and didnt really have all that much power wise..

I just bought a 32 gts-t after owning a VN SS Commodore & a 6 speed VX SS..

Havent driven a 33 model.. know not a lot about them.. il let you know when i get it at the end of the week.. see what he reckons :P

Driven both, though the soarer was in auto form and mine is well manual.

I'd take the skyline personally but I like a rough little beast, I want to feel the road, feel the bumps and go around corners quick.

I drive about 40km each way for work (80km a day) in my skyline, most of which is along a motorway which bumper to bumper traffic. It's only sometimes I get tired of the manual (2 hours on the motorway due to 3x accidents). It's got a decent ride and is quite comfortable, but not like a luxury car. Though mines an R33 not a 32 so it's a bit bigger and more luxury style then the previous R32 model.

I find the skyline quicker and buzzier (more top end buzzzz), which I personally like, I'd even own a RX7 if their engines weren't so unreliable.

If you go the soarer keep an eye on the stock twin turbos, friend has one and it's known they aren't all that strong and even let go under stock boost.

Otherwise with the skyline... Enjoy yourself! It's a fun car, not a cruiser.

Good luck!

depends what you are using it for.

Skyline is better for a toy car which is fun to drive all the time but can sometimes be uncomfortable/unpractical. It will be quicker allround, but at the same time, the soarer is better for just driving comfortably and a more relaxed stance. You have to make the decision on what you want the car for. No one on here can reall make the decision for you.

what about a Toyota Aristo? Comes with the 3L twin turbo rather than the smaller 2.5L in the soarer.

Never driven one but being a 4 door sedan would be practical and the 2jz under the hood would surprise alot of people that dont know about these beasts :teehee:

1.jpg

Edited by eddieneedsboost

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