What should I do with my GTR?

[Ronin 09]

Sigh.

I've driven it 150kms in the last 5 weeks.

The work that needs doing at the moment includes some body work - realigning the front bar and lights because it wasn't repaired properly previously, front CV boots, something clunking in the front suspension (I'm worried that I caned a pot hole with the third set of front shocks in 2000kms and blown a seal again...).

I've put a deposit down on a set of wheels (to fit bigger rotors and brakes) and can't afford to pay it out for months.

Then brakes (stockers don't cope with 220+ kays at the track).

Then a fatter radiator (stocker doesn't like the track much).

I want to rebush the entire car as I'm sure 14 years has taken a toll on the bushes, and set up the bars / geometry properly.

A new front lip.

Don't get me wrong, I love my car to bits, but the dollars are adding up and I guess not driving it (because of the CVs and wanting to preserve the joint with no grease) suddenly it has dawned that the list has alot of dollars for very little use. And because I haven't cracked it open for weeks, I haven't had a chance for it to give me that stupid grin I usually would.

Then there is the Aus delivered car thing. Should I return it to stock and sell it? Will I lose the premium I paid for it a year ago?

I am losing faith, as they say... help me!

[ylwgtr2]

cars are never an investment.....were all stupid...its ok

[Tommyk]

if you are over the whole car thing -> sell it and buy a reliable car, like a corolla.

If its chewing up way too much money, buy something else that gives you similar pleasure ?

[Nismo32R]

i was gonna to sell my car.....now you are selling......

anyway, like Tommyk said ----->> if you are over the whole performance thing , then buy a reialble car....else if the car is that bad...sell it and get another one that will please you...

[Ronin 09]

Nah, not selling, but just 'questioning my ways / the faith' a bit that's all...

[ferni]

Everyone goes through it - i ask the same question usually when the car needs work/effort spent on it.... you just think why do i bother, so much time and money, but then once you do fix whatever it is that needs fixing (even something tiny) and you do drive it you remember why

Everyone will grow out of it one day... but as Troy said - cars are not an investment, they are a hobby and hobbys cost money. Don't know how much you paid for it or how much you can get for an Aus delivered GTR... but another option would be to sell it and buy a imported one with the work done to it already that you want (bigger brakes, wheels etc...)

Just look at my signature GTR = ?

[Ronin 09]

...another option would be to sell it and buy a imported one with the work done to it already that you want (bigger brakes, wheels etc...)

Hey ferni I thought about that, seeing all the 25K GTRs fully loaded coming in, but then I like to start with stock and mod it myself for what I want. Also it makes me feel yucky that I'd 'cheat' on my GTR haha

Just that I reckon in the last 3 cars I've had I've spent / will spend in excess of 15K (definitely on the GTR) just on mods alone... getting old now, and the missus wants more of a commitment, work is ramping up and getting serious.

I know I'll get over it, and when I've done all the stuff above I'll love it every single time I drive it - I already do.

Another issue is the increased scrutiny from the police - while I'm getting older, I still look about 15 and will get hassled by police. I don't like the prospect of taking the car out on the weekends and having trouble just for responsibly enjoying it. Maybe I should add to the list a new exhaust that isn't 100+ dB.

[Nismo32R]

i know how you feel marcus.....i always have problem with my cars...include this GTR..but i'm all over it now.

I have to replace 3 S14 SR20DET with my S14a included one with Forged Pistons.....that's lots of money

[Snowman]

Marcus,

Anyone who asks me about buying a GTR - my first advice is that it shouldn't be used as a daily driver as they are prone to issues - especially once they get modified beyond a certain point.

Your complaining about only doing 150km's in the last 5 weeks - well thats 150km's more than I've done in mine! But despite the CRAZY amount of $$$ spent I don't regret it because it was bought as a hobby. I think about how much I have spent - but then think about how much more I need to spend to get the car where I want it and it's madness! LOL. The hard part is spending money for upgrades it heaps easier than spending money on fixing something. Thats why where possible I always like to upgrade if something needs fixing. But this can mean not getting to drive the car for long periods of time whilst you save the $$$ required.

The first time my car was off the road for ages was the worst. But now I just accept it as being part of driving a mdified GTR that gets used on the track and pushed hard.

I appreciate what you say about driving at around town and police attention. I basically never drive my car around town where possible for this reason. But now I've also reached the point where I hate driving it aroud town anyways. No fun in traffic - so I usually like it mainly for a run up the hills or hitting the track.

So I guess it depends on if you can learn to live with these off times. To be honest I find when I haven't driven it for ages it's almost like having a new car when I do get back in it. So I guess I've learned to find a positive from the negative! LOL

[Roy]

Not what i wanted to be reading...im doing the monthly math to get another ar now...and its almost double to race and an extra 40% to own with respect to what my current car costs me and thats already too much...

Im going through one of those sensible spurts that last for two weeks as well, if the old girl gets sold to one of two perspective buyers then the money is going into a house etc, then when the right car pops up ill grab it, problem is the right car has appeared on the radar now:(

Decisions, decisions... i say dont worry about all the mods on your car, do the CV and just enjoy driving it, from what i can see Sandown is an expensive track if you want to build your car to suit it, you will get more laps out of your car at other Vic tracks...forget the body, squeeks etc etc, i spent way too much money on thosre things the first 3 years of ownership. You car has got good power and good susp and good enough brakes for most tracks for a bit of fun:)

[ferni]

Hey ferni I thought about that, seeing all the 25K GTRs fully loaded coming in, but then I like to start with stock and mod it myself for what I want.  Also it makes me feel yucky that I'd 'cheat' on my GTR haha

Just that I reckon in the last 3 cars I've had I've spent / will spend in excess of 15K (definitely on the GTR) just on mods alone... getting old now, and the missus wants more of a commitment, work is ramping up and getting serious.

I know I'll get over it, and when I've done all the stuff above I'll love it every single time I drive it - I already do.

Another issue is the increased scrutiny from the police - while I'm getting older, I still look about 15 and will get hassled by police.  I don't like the prospect of taking the car out on the weekends and having trouble just for responsibly enjoying it.  Maybe I should add to the list a new exhaust that isn't 100+ dB.

If it makes you feel any better i've spent nearly 15k in the 14months i've had my car and it still doesn't have anymore power! - clutch/gearbox/oil cooler/handling work/tyres/brake pads etc...

[Ronin 09]

Andrew (snowman) - not complaining per se, just wondering if I really need the car that much. The g/f has a Honda Euro which is super comfortable and we use that most of the time. I know where you're coming from - I know and accept that my car is always off the road, and treat it like a hobby. I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so confused.

Troy - you can buy mine off me LOL two owners, never driven in anger. LOL

Andrew (ferni) - yeah I know what you mean - but then I'd rather spend the $$ on making it go around corners / stop as even at 250rwkws the thing is fast enough to still scare me LOL

[Snowman]

hehe - my wife has a Honda Euro. Those cars rule (in what they are supposed to achieve).

Mmm... heated seats.

[Ronin 09]

Im going through one of those sensible spurts that last for two weeks as well, if the old girl gets sold to one of two perspective buyers then the money is going into a house etc, then when the right car pops up ill grab it, problem is the right car has appeared on the radar now:(

That 'right car' wouldn't happen to be red and belong to a vic member now would it?

[TurboX]

Everyone will grow out of it one day...?

Yeah Riiiiiggght. :Oops:

You should have come last Sunday to keep the feelin going, mines stuffed but I still enjoyed just cruising it

[gtrken]

I have bought and sold 7 GTR's ( all R32 ) over the last 3 or so years.

reason being ( apart from trashing one in Targa Tasmania ) has been because I need the money at the time.

I then regret selling them and buy another one. They will keep you poor and they can make you cry when things go wrong but i haven't driven anything yet that compares with the grunt, handling and sheer fun factor.

And I have owned over 60 cars in my time. No I am not a dealer, I just love cars and at my age I still enjoy the GTR immensely which is why I have ordered another one from Japan....

Keep it man, enjoy it for the rocket ship it is and love it to death, complete with it's faults.

Your a long time dead, enjoy em while you can

Cheers

Ken

[Roy]

That 'right car' wouldn't happen to be red and belong to a vic member now would it?

lol...No, its actually a grey thing that belongs to a NSW member:) but the red one is cheaper and running

[R31Nismoid]

they are just getting old marcus... thats how it is.

your an enthusiast and you want it to be in tip top.

nothing to worry about.

ive spent mega $$ on mine now, and as snowie put it. I do the same.

If it breaks i try upgrade it at the same time.

And the can have the car off the road often.

thank god for my laser

[Ronin 09]

Thanks for the support guys... the force is slowly coming back to me

PS saw Star Wars 3 tonight nice

[ferni]

good to hear