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This topic must have been argue countless of times. The response anyone get will depend on the site he is in.If in silvia wa ..they will say 180 rocks! but then in here skyline rulz.

Seriously if anyone here although owning a skyline can be on a fair basis and judge the two car fairly?

pros and cons?

resale?popularity?

maintainence?

Hope will recieve response on the fairest basis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cheers!

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I guess it depends on what you're after. If you compare an SR20DET 5spd 180 to an RB25DET 5spd R33, then the 180 will have the price advantage and the practicality of a hatchback. But I'd think that the Skyline would be better in every other department, faster, better suspension setup, better brakes. Probably similar value for money so i guess it depends on how far you can stretch the budget and what your needs are.

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IMO the Skyline is a far better all-rounder, but has a weight disadvantage if track work is your thing. As much as R32 guys like to go on about how light their cars are (or how heavy R33s are) afaik there's around 50kg between. Skylines definitely make more power stock, and (I think) a stock R33t will beat a stock SR20DET'd 180SX, but how many stockers do you see? Light mods, the SR powered 180 will win, particularly in corners. Medium to heavy mods, the Skyline will show the SR a clean pair of heels, although the extra weight will still haunt them a little in corners. Reading that back it sounds like the Skyline is a barge that doesn't turn... we're talking degrees here. Both cars handle absolutely brilliantly, and the Skyline wouldn't be far behind the 180SX, nevertheless the 180SX would be in front. Well the ones I've driven would be, anyway. I'm only going on the half a dozen or so of each that I've driven, so I'm not exactly drawing on massive experience here. I'm trying to be objective though ;)

180SX

Pros

Cheap

Parts are easy to source

Popular

Maintenance is fine, everyone knows them now

Resale - not really sure as I'm not buying or selling atm, but they're already cheap

Relatively light, good motors

Well balanced chassis

Turbo models had strong drivelines, good brakes

Look good

Heaps of hot up bits available

Easy to get going very well on light mods

Cons

Cheap

Popular = every prick has one

Some parts are still exxy

Getting long in the tooth, most have been flogged

Ultimately won't keep up with heavily modded Skylines

CA18 is relatively peaky

Skyline

Pros

Getting cheaper. Some R32s are nearing 180SX/Silvia territory

Parts are easy to source

Popular

Maintenance is fine, everyone knows them now

Resale - not really sure as I'm not buying or selling atm, but they're already cheap

Still relatively light, good motors

Well balanced chassis

Turbo models had strong drivelines, good brakes

Look good

Heaps of hot up bits available

Better quality interior than 180SX

Non GTR's also had optional 4WD (albeit only in non-turbo form in R33, unsure about R34)

If luggage space is your thing, get a Stagea (Skyline wagon)

Cons

Popular = every prick has one. At least there are a few different model types

Some parts are still exxy

R32s and S1 R33s getting long in the tooth, many (though not all) earlier models have been flogged

Stuff all boot space in R33

RB20 in R32 has bugger all torque off boost

If you're not familiar with them, spec differences can be confusing

That's all I can be arsed typing at this time of night :)

If you're thinking of buying, neither will disappoint!

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Great response Marc!

I have owned both a skyline and a 180sx - and I have found the skyline alot more comfortable and nicer to drive. I had a 1993 180sx, so it had those crappy hessian bag type seats and trim. But if you get post 1994, I think the 180sx comes with velour seats and trim, like the skylines have. The 180sx is also quite simple inside, as you've probably seen, compared to the skyline.... But these are all asthetic qualities!!!

Like Marc said - the 180sx is alot cheaper to maintain. I have found the skyline to be quite expensive after owning a 180sx. S13's have an abundance of parts at wreckers and stuff and they are cheaper on fuel (but this is relative to what mods you do :) ). But this doens't matter if your not concerned about maintence costs!!

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I currently own a CA18DET 180sx with just light mods (Turbo back exhuast, pod filter, boost up, etc) and my friends R33 with same sort of mods plus FMIC has about a three car lead on the 180sx over the quarter mile. :)

In terms of comfort and interior my old R33 wins hands down.

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Agree - it's been said far many many moons, that the best mod you can do to your car is to 'upgrade' the driver.

But yeah, just test drive until you make a decision. When I was in the market, I ended up being torn between an S14a 200SX, the R33 I have now, and a TT Soarer. Three very different cars, and in the end the Skyline won it for me because it's more focussed than the Soarer, and more comfortable and smoother than the 200SX, and I planned to do a LOT of kays.

Edit: my god I'm a post whore when I'm stuck at home (flu). Sorry ;)

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