Need opinions/advice please

[Nismoist]

Well, I've spent the past few days on various boards researching the R32 GTS-T. More specifically, the engine (RB20DET). I live in Northern California..and due to the extreme prices, can only afford an R32 GTS-T from Motorex. I've been told several times not to bother. "Get the GTR" they say..and while I would have to agree that, I simply cannot afford the car.

With that said, my price max is topped off at about 25k, currently. I'd like to get a nice car, preferably turboed that I enjoy. I've been through several potential candidates, and in the end..I've seemed to stop on the R32 GTS-T. I know it's one of the lower, if not the lowest, of the turboed Skylines..but as a fan, I feel that I can enjoy being a fan in the meantime, while I wait for my true goal (That being the R32 GTR).

This is where your opinions come in (hopefully). Assuming I go with a 1990 GTS-T from Motorex..I'm looking at about..18-21k, shipped, legalized and registered. If I draw the full amount of 25k in a loan, that leaves me with a little overhead to do some work (Maintenance first, of course). To me, that sounds like a good deal. Would you agree?

Second...I'd like to hit the 250-300 rwhp mark if possible. I've read on a few occasions of RB20DET's hitting the 300+ rwhp mark on mostly stock parts. But, as I am no expert..and as I found a lot of the information regarding the cars fragmented and spread thin, I don't know what and which I should trust and take as fact, and what I should not.

Bottomline: For what I'd like to get out of the car, and for the cost and situation that I've presented, would you say it's a good deal right now?

[dale]

id say ripped off at that price check www.prestigemotorsport.com.au although they are closing down till january 13th after the holidays

but if ure not buying before then make sure on jan 13th u fone him up for a weeks trial -

12 or more emails at 2am each morning of r32s for sale in japan at exellent prices

[dale]

wats da motorex website?

[Nismoist]

wats da motorex website?

www.Motorex.net

As for that other site, I know it SEEMS cheaper for 6k (Their price for an R32 GTS-T). However, you have to understand that I live in the US. There are several steps to becoming an owner of a Skyline in the US. For one, locating a car and purchasing it. Second, shipping, which can be several thousand, depending. Then there is customs checking/work..then legalization (that only Motorex is able to do -legally- at this time in the US). Finally, after all that, licensing and registration. So, if I were to buy an R32 GTS-T from this place in Australia (Assuming that's where it is)...that's 6k right off. Then, let's say another 3-4k for shipping (perhaps less, but I always "round" up). Now we're up to 9-10k. After that, it's 16k for Motorex to legalize it. 26k now. Then probably another few hundred for license and registration. Not to mention the maintenance work I'll want to perform after getting it.

So, for 18-21k purchased, shipped, legalized and licensed/registered, I think that's a great deal, compared to the 26+k in the scenario above. Hell, they even find me the car.

[dale]

ah k

[Blitz]

Dale I highly suggest you do a little more research before saying things like "your being ripped off"

Nismoist is in the USA - Skylines are not as plentiful nor anywhere near as cheap as they are here and the import of such cars is very restricted - Motorex being one of the only companies that imports skylines to the US. Its for reasons like this that skylines over there are expensive.

[dale]

do motorex export skylines to australia?(from jap)

[Blitz]

No

[Nismoist]

Dale I highly suggest you do a little more research before saying things like "your being ripped off"

Nismoist is in the USA - Skylines are not as plentiful nor anywhere near as cheap as they are here and the import of such cars is very restricted - Motorex being one of the only companies that imports skylines to the US. Its for reasons like this that skylines over there are expensive.

Exactly. Very restricted.

However, I know, more and more, RI's are becoming licensed to import Skylines. It's only a matter of time until one has a shop that becomes able to legalize Skylines. I'm sure several of these shops will crop up at once. A few will die, and a couple will remain as strong competition for Motorex. Until such a time, other methods are being researched..such as registering the Skylines as kit cars. Mechanics/Shop owners import the cars in different containers and such..and piece them together from parts. Thus, a kit car..because they aren't necessarily stock or factory after being reconstructed. It works for Cobra and Ferrari replica/kit cars..in theory, it may work for Skylines, but I guess we'll see.

[GTRgeoff]

Given that it costs about $1500 AU to bring a skyline out to oz in a sealed container and that these guys don't convert to left hand drive I have one thing to say

RIP OFF MERCHANTS!!!!!!!

There is no way they are giving value to the sum of $15K US and are milking the market due to monopoly. Even early on (I was one of the early oz importers) there were only bigger prices like $7K AU to comply a R32 GTR. I'd go without first I'm afraid for that extortion. You could fully strip and rebuild a 'line for $15K US.

[Nismoist]

Given that it costs about $1500 AU to bring a skyline out to oz in a sealed container and that these guys don't convert to left hand drive I have one thing to say

RIP OFF MERCHANTS!!!!!!!

There is no way they are giving value to the sum of $15K US and are milking the market due to monopoly. Even early on (I was one of the early oz importers) there were only bigger prices like $7K AU to comply a R32 GTR. I'd go without first I'm afraid for that extortion. You could fully strip and rebuild a 'line for $15K US.

No sane person would refute that it's utter nonesense the prices Motorex charges. But, the point is..they do have a monopoly. If anyone wants a legal Skyline, there's only one company you can go through. If there was competition, prices would be more...competetive. Which is why people are seeking alternative methods, such as the kit car. If people could register them, legally, as kit cars and drive them around, the US would see FAIR prices, such as 8,500 for an R32 GTS-T, instead of 18-21k.

[51jay]

Nizmoist What do Motorex actually do to the cars to legalise them for the US market

do they change them to left hand drive??

[Nismoist]

Nizmoist   What do Motorex actually do to the cars to legalise them for the US market

do they change them to left hand drive??

Nope...it involves DOT, EPA and CARB(?) processing. The first two, DOT and EPA, are federal standards. CARB(I -think- it's called) is a California only board. So, Motorex placates all their requirements through a series of work and such. For instance, once it meets the standards/requirements, the car actually gets a US Substitute VIN #. They remain RHD, thankfully.

[hippy]

have u considered buying another nissan car and then putting in that motor?? or something like an sr20det?? imho i think sr's are better than the rb20 but thats off topic ... if you do that it will be much cheaper ... however u won't have that skyline coolness and being a very rare car ... or maybe buy a 350z ... i'd take one of those over a 33 ... but yeah i think you're paying too much for what you're getting ... u dont' have to own a skyline to be a skyline enthusiast .. alot of people who come on this board dont' even own a skyline but just appreciate it ... bloody motorex monopoly ... i feel sorry for ya ... its such a good car

[hippy]

just slightly off topic ... 25kUS is roughtly 35K - 40K here ... for that price i would buy a 180sx with an sr20det ... i think u can get 240's in the states ... and then drop in an sr ... and then do it up like a d1 car .. i think they look hell cool ... a sil80 conversion

[Nismoist]

have u considered buying another nissan car and then putting in that motor?? or something like an sr20det?? imho i think sr's are better than the rb20 but thats off topic ... if you do that it will be much cheaper ... however u won't have that skyline coolness and being a very rare car ... or maybe buy a 350z ... i'd take one of those over a 33    ... but yeah i think you're paying too much for what you're getting ... u dont' have to own a skyline to be a skyline enthusiast .. alot of people who come on this board dont' even own a skyline but just appreciate it    ... bloody motorex monopoly ... i feel sorry for ya ... its such a good car  

I have considered the engine swap route. But, that's outright illegal in CA. I'm trying to do all this in a legal manner. If I lived in AZ, or many other US states, swapping the engine would be a real option. But, alas.

[hippy]

what about a honda civic like all the others in the states LOL .. seriously .. do consider it .. 25k is alot of money ...

[Nismoist]

what about a honda civic like all the others in the states LOL .. seriously .. do consider it .. 25k is alot of money ...

Consider what? Wasting 25k on a Honda!? I'm not looking for a grandma daily driver. I'd like something with some pep and potential. Without an engine swap (which, again, is illegal) or some serious cash invested, no Honda would be worth it. Even most S/C and Turbo kits are illegal in CA. Any part pertaining to the emissions of a car has to be CARB certified in CA. That is, it has to be subjected to a review board (the particular part in question), which means it cost the company producing the part tens of thousands of extra money to get the product on the market. That is why most, if not all, in CA market their products with disclaimers saying "Intended for off road and track use only, etc. etc."

[hippy]

sorry i was only kidding about the honda thing ...

[Nismoist]

sorry i was only kidding about the honda thing ...

I figured as much and decided to go with a more..dramatic response.