R33 Gtr As A Daily ?

[sLyLinE.32]

Anyone here have one as a daily ? What are your experiences ? etc

Im sure this has been covered before, but I did a search I didnt come up with anything. So if its been covered before could someone link me the thread and close this one.

Thanks

[ras1983]

I use mine as my daily driver when I'm on uni holidays (otherwise I walk to uni most of the time).

Obviously things will greatly depend on the level and type of modifications to your car. Mine is fairly stock; only things are pods; exhaust and suspension.

The cabin gets hot. There is minimal airflow with the windows down and your back eventually starts to sweat due to the relatively tight and narrow driver's seat. The engine bay generates a lot of heat and it seems to seep through to the cabin if the interior fans aren't on. The ride can be incredibly harsh depending on your suspension. The lack of off-idle torque makes it a pain in the ass to keep up with slow traffic. The submarine-like turning circle makes it difficult to park the car in many parking spots. Fuel consumption can be frightening (most owners seem to average around 400Km from a full tank).

But I gladly put up with all of that because it is such a fun car to drive. Plenty of interior space, a decent boot that can take in a fair amount of luggage/items. Did I mention its a fun car to drive?

Summary: The car is a pain in the ass in many situations but I'm more than willing to put up with it because I love driving the car.

[Gav]

I still maintain the best "mod" you can do for a GT-R is to get yourself a cheap-arse bunky.

This lets you:

* drive to and park in dodgy areas without stress and worry

* maintain and modify your GT-R without having to rush

* have a "parts chaser" when your GT-R is in the above state

* potentially save on fuel for when you just need to "transit"

Perhaps go halves with a relative in an old 4 cyl ute or van? You find that when you do jump back into the "R" it puts a bigger smile on your face.

[Ry34]

I still maintain the best "mod" you can do for a GT-R is to get yourself a cheap-arse bunky.

This lets you:

* drive to and park in dodgy areas without stress and worry

* maintain and modify your GT-R without having to rush

* have a "parts chaser" when your GT-R is in the above state

* potentially save on fuel for when you just need to "transit"

Perhaps go halves with a relative in an old 4 cyl ute or van? You find that when you do jump back into the "R" it puts a bigger smile on your face.

This is good advice.

[GTR-N1]

^^^+2

I'd have to agree!

Although, if you're a pure optimist...

i) it'll test out your antiperspirant

ii) traffic will test out your left leg press

iii) teaches you perseverence with negligent drivers who get too close

iv) conditions you to smile at people who look at you

v) you'll appreciate the silence at your destination

vi) and it's about the best daily to have if your weekend car is a Lambo Gallardo

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

I had it as a daily and is just manageable. Now its on occational driving for daily as I swap between cars.

Keep the suspension and clutch stock and be OK to drive. Once you start having harder/lower suspension and twin or more clutch plates it can become a nightmare to drive.

Petrol, ppl on SAU get about 400-450 a tank also depending how light your right foot is.

Keep it stock or lightly modded to reduce on going cost but either way, its gona cost you.

[ras1983]

^^^+2

I'd have to agree!

Although, if you're a pure optimist...

i) it'll test out your antiperspirant

ii) traffic will test out your left leg press

iii) teaches you perseverence with negligent drivers who get too close

iv) conditions you to smile at people who look at you

v) you'll appreciate the silence at your destination

vi) and it's about the best daily to have if your weekend car is a Lambo Gallardo

Lol great post!

[Samon]

A few months ago I bought a little daily ('98 CE 1.5L Lancer), the benefits are manyfold:

Obviously, first and foremost, the petrol costs. I fill the lancer up for about $40/week... when I was driving the 'line it was well over $110/week.

I'm now putting a whole lot less KM's on the 'line, which means I'm not wastefully running down the engine on boring stiop-start city and freeway driving... the k's I do are fun!

This has a follow-on effect relating to the servicing costs. I'm now doing a 10th of the the kms, so effectively the servicing intervals have just increased about 10 times!

And yeah, when you get back in the 'line, you appreciate it so much more!

[lineskee 33]

Each to their own i say. I personally dont have a GTR, but i use mine as a daily driver and it has had a bit of work done. I admit the heavy clutch does get a little annoying when sitting in traffic and you would go through more fuel than a nanna car. But I do love the feeling of getting into my car each day and taking it for a drive even if the destination has to be work.

PS i do own a runabout car and i never use it. The skyline is much more fun to drive.

[Bakes]

I have a R34 GTR. I drive it to work 5 days a week which has secure off road parking. I dont take it to shopping centres or leave it on the street anywhere however.

[bozodos]

talk about whingers...

I drive my GTS-4 30 km to work and back every day because i get enjoyment from driving it, and because the fuel consumption is about the same as my SS.

The suspension is hard as all buggery on the highway especially with the bumpy roads you get in the country but it's never bothered me (apart from having the seat up too far and bashing my head on the roof!) if you can't handle a hard clutch then obviously you can't handle the car hahaha. I have GT-R seats in mine, and hands down they are the comfiest I've ever sat in, I drive 600km to Melbourne and feel great when I hop out of the car.

With the amount of kangaroos out here, it's also been REALLY helpful to have a car with awesome brakes as well.

I've noticed that on a 30+ degree day the Skyline has a LOT better airflow when moving compared to my Commodore.

Like the above poster mentioned, i never park mine where I can't see it apart from work, I'm too paranoid about morons with shopping trolleys etc.

[NoFX_Hardcore]

I drive my 32 gtr as a daily. Triple plate clutch and all. Really watch where I park and stuff but I'm used to it. It's not too bad.

[Lippo]

I use my r33 GTR as a daily driver. I am prepared to sacrifice fuel consumption, comfort etc, to drive it every day.Its an absolute joy to jump in and drive. Why go to work having to put up with a shitter just to save a couple of bucks? Life is too short. GTR's are there to be driven, not to be parked up in a shed gathering dust. Just my thoughts.

[gotRICE?]

GTR has a big boot?? WTF?

I was pretty sure they were the same size as GTS-t?

[Pezhead]

I'm another R33 GTR V-Spec owner that drives mine to work every day. I adjust my travel times to miss peak traffic as I have a dual plate clutch and that's no fun crawling in traffic. I went downtown (sydney) the other day and was stuck in 15 km of 1-2 gear traffic all the way for 1 1/2 hours. That was a pain!

So the question really is what kind of daily communiting will you do? If it is sitting in traffic all day, then I'd heed the recommendation and get a daily commuter sh!t box. If your commute isn't that bad then go for a GTR - but have plans for alternate transportation when you need to work on it.

The reality is that the GTR can be a daily commuter, esp if you leave it stock. But how many of us do that. Mine was pretty modified when I bought it and I've done further mods (not to the engine but drive train and suspension). When you do those mods you will want to take your time and get it right. Each time I do a major upgrade, it seems my car is off the road for at least 2-3 weeks.

I bought my car just over a year ago and it is a very clean and tidy example with a moderate amount of modification (266kw). In this last year, I've invested (that's what I tell my wife) 7.5k in drive train fixes, about 1k in tuning and its still not right, another 2k in suspension upgrade, and then 1.5k in tyres, oil cooler, gauges, and maintenance. Oh, and also about 1+k on stereo upgrade but that was "want" not so much needed upgrade. So I share this just so that you know some of the potential costs.

So, if you are going to get a basically a stock GTR and leave it that way and can put up with the minor stuff such as heat in the cabin and such then go for it.

I guess the other question that I have to ask, is why you want a GTR? They are fantastic cars and a real showpiece of technology given their age. But in stock form, you will not be as fast as a modern Evo or maybe even an STI. I know that is heresy coming from a Skyline owner on a skyline board, but lets face it our cars are at least 10 years old. You will have the wear and tear from 10 years, and although the GTR is a great feat of engineering it is still 10 years old. Also, nobody - NOBODY buys a GTR to go easy on it. Expect there to be real wear from a high performance car - even in stock form. The chassis of the GTR is proven strong as, but expect parts such as engine, drive train and suspension to show signs of age - and budget accordingly.

Food for thought.

I'm happy to share more if you like. I love my car and take great pride that I'm making it custom built for my needs and the way I want things done.

[paulR32gtr]

Not sure if 33's are the same deal but the best thing I ever did to save fuel was put a power fc on it.

Air/fuel ratios before the pfc were around 10:1!!!! It was not uncommon to see under 300kms to a 75 bloody litre tank around the city.

Now with approx double the power, I am seeing 550 - 600kms to the tank (granted I am doing more highway driving now).

[ras1983]

GTR has a big boot?? WTF?

I was pretty sure they were the same size as GTS-t?

Not a big boot, a decent size done that can be used regularly.

[mines]

for stock std R33GTR is very good for daily use.

once you start to put big mods on. then it become hard street use.

better keep stock

[Piggaz]

I might add my 2 cents. I own a 33 gtr. Drive it on the weekends. The lancer get's all other duties. Makes the drives in the GTR all that more enjoyable.

[joel234]

i drive my 32 gtr which is stock about 20 ks down the highway to work 5 days a week and work has secure lock up parking........ atm a full tank of premium is lasting me 2 weeks sometimes more, depending if i put the boot into it every now and again.....i just cruse atabout 80 - 95 on the high way, potters along and it uses about the same amount of fuel as my mum corolla lol

lmao at pottering and gtr in the same post