INTRODUCTION
If you read my other Japanese Car reviews you will see that for some time I have wanted to own and drive a Nissan Skyline, badly ... very badly indeed infact. So much so that I would literally have dreams about owning one; and then I would wake up in the morning assured of the ... Read review
Advantages: Performance, Road Holding & Chassis, Charisma Disadvantages: None really (as far as performance cars go!)
...to own and drive a Nissan Skyline, badly ... very badly indeed infact. So much so that I would literally have dreams about owning one; and then I would wake up in the morning assured of the certain realities that (a) I didn't own one and (b) that I would have to accept that it was just a nice dream and that I would have to enjoy it just as that ... i.e. "in my dreams".
Well ... now the time has at last come to stop dreaming ... ...the owner of a 1994 NISSAN (Model R33) SKYLINE GTS 2.5Turbo.
WHAT IT IS
The Series R33 Nissan Skyline GTS 2.5 Turbo is a 2 door high performance Japanse Import coupe with a 2.5 Litre Single Turbocharged 24-Valve 6 Cylinder Variable Inlet Valve Timing Engine. It is fast becoming an increasingly sought after 'Modern Classic' car and it seems that ones in concourse condition are likely to appreciate in value in the future. more
INTRODUCTION If you read my other Japanese Car reviews you will see that for some time I have wanted to own and drive a Nissan Skyline, badly ... very badly indeed infact. So much so that I would literally have dreams about owning one; and then I would wake up in the morning assured of the certain realities that (a) I didn't own one and (b) that I would have to accept that it was just a nice dream and that I would have to enjoy it just as that ... i.e. "in my dreams".
Well ... now the time has at last come to stop dreaming ... because in October of this year I have finally gone and done it. Yep, that's right - I am now the owner of a 1994 NISSAN (Model R33) SKYLINE GTS 2.5Turbo.
WHAT IT IS The Series R33 Nissan Skyline GTS 2.5 Turbo is a 2 door high performance Japanse Import coupe with a 2.5 Litre Single Turbocharged 24-Valve 6 Cylinder Variable Inlet Valve Timing Engine. It is fast becoming an increasingly sought after 'Modern Classic' car and it seems that ones in concourse condition are likely to appreciate in value in the future.
My one has Automatic 4-Speed Transmission as regular driving through North London dictates this is the sensible option - but you can get them with 5 Speed Manual Transmission as well (the manual is about Half a second quicker from 0 to 60 MPH and about 5 MPH faster at the 'Top End').
It has Rear Wheel Drive with special 'H.I.C.A.S.' rear wheel steering designed exclusively for the focus on assisting the driver in greater cornering and manoevering stability at speed - rather than for also helping one park the car like other systems on other makes of car. This is a drivers car!
APPEARANCE As far as the car's appearance goes ... my own subjective opinion is that its looks are interesting, strangely purposeful, elegant and very charismatic indeed.
In the past 5 years there has been much greater interest in Japanese performance cars in the UK: we see magazines such as Banzai and other such periodicals catering to this growing interest ... so much so that enthustaists who don't have a Japanese car can buy 'Brow' Kits for their headlamps to give their car the 'Jap' look that has become so very fashionable not least also due to films such as 'The Fast & The Furious' (I have by the way done a review on this film). Not everyone likes the look of Japanese sports cars over say that of German sports cars .... but I do, because that is quite simply my preference and this has been the case for me well prior to Japanese High Performance vehicles becoming fashionably cool as they currently are!!
The car has exceptionally 'penned' smooth lines and from the side looks very stylish even in standard un-modified form (you can get a wide plethora of interesting after-market body kits for these cars) .... but the 'Cherry on the Cake' simply must be the incredibly stunning looking twin red 'Cooker Ring' round tale lights - there just aren't that many other cars on the road that look this fascinating and still manage to carry it off without looking like they are trying to copy a Ferrari - the Skyline has its own unique style and there is a serious cult following for this car.
PERFORMANCE The 2.5 Litre 'RB25DET' Engine delivers 250 Brake Horse Power at 6,400 Revs Per Minute and 217 Pounds Per Foot of Torque at 4,800 Revs Per Minute. This means that even with a nice solid kerb weight of 1390 KG the car will accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in around 6.5 secs and on to a top speed of 155 MPH (Autobahns permitting!) and that's for the 4-Speed Auto Transmission version - the Manual one is slightly quicker still!! In fact I have been told that the above figures are actually quite conservative and that the car may well be even quicker than the figures that I have given here!
There are many aftermarket performance upgrade parts available for this car (thanks to companies such as Nismo, HKS, Trust and others!) that enable it to have anywhere from another 50 BHP right up to another 800BHP to add to its already very rapid performance figures - but I for now will have to bide my time on this as (1) for now I am happy with the performance and (2) dont want to upset my rather good fully comp insurance premium (I am 36 years old by the way with, no fault claims or penalty points incurred in the past 5 years and the premium is approx £750 per annum with £200 Excess) which is really quite good for a car that is in insurance group 20 !!!!
Besides from what I have experienced, the Skyline GTS 2.5Turbo, as it is in its current 'bog-standard' form, is amply quick enough to embarrass hitherto unsuspecting Porsche Boxster and Audi TT owners alike ... when the situation arises on the rare occasions that I can actually be bothered to rocket ahead of the rest of the pack in the traffic light dash (I must also add that whenever it has 'bested' such vehicles as these and other such 'rivals' at the traffic light sprint ... the very entertaining and exciting sound of the Turbocharger's Wastegate briefly opening with a ''Psssshhuuuttt!" sound, as the car changes gear, further adds to the sense of occasion ... as it surges ahead!).
Although the car obviously has quite enough power to get an irresponsible driver into trouble ... it nevertheless also has the power to get oneself out of trouble because its muscular 250BHP and torquey performance, when correctly used, will offer eventlessly safe, decisive and effortless overtaking. This is particularly valid when passing a Left Hand Drive Artic 18-Wheeler on a stretch of motorway in the UK - especially given the many incidents that seem to be ever-increasing these days on our motorways where motorists get 'broadsided' by LHD trucks that cant always see what they are about to hit as they attempt an overtake!!
HANDLING, ROAD HOLDING & STOPPING With 250BHP and a Rear Wheel Drive set up at one's disposal ... if incorrectly/irresponsibly used ... there is an accident waiting to happen; and this has proven itself the case time after time with inexperienced and over-eager drivers who have lost control of the car by driving too fast for the conditions of the road.
However, as long as you show the car the necessary levels of respect the car holds the road well in the dry and the wet (the Yokohama tyres, that my one has, offer me superb levels of grip, wet or dry - when common sense is applied!!) and perhaps if you are on a 'run what you brung' track day at one of Britain's race tracks - you will find the chassis predicatable, controllable and thoroughly rewarding provided you give the car the necessary attention the car warrants and deserves ... with 'power on' oversteer being instantly available when going round bends but I dont recommend this is ever done on our public roads - ONLY on the race track and if you know you are up to it in driving skill!!!
Then there is also the HICAS system that as mentioned previously assists with cornering and Motorway lane changes at speed - another feature that gives the driver who is looking for added active safety just what they need in this department! In this category I will also advise about the brakes. Anti-Lock Brakes are optional on this model and my one comes without them - but that is okay for me as I know how to apply 'Cadence Braking' (i.e. what an ABS system is supposed to do automatically for you) - but you can buy models that are ABS-equipped. The Brakes come standard with Ventilated Discs Front and Rear with powerful 4-Pot Calipers on the Front and 2-Pot Calipers on the rear - these features help ensure fast stopping and minimised incidence of brake fade ... and for my own experience I felt that this was ample equipment to stop the car quickly and safely.
OTHER EQUIPMENT My model comes standard with the following equipment:
10 CD Library Auto-Changer (Boot-Mounted) Kenwood Stereo Tuner and Amp Head-Unit with Remote Control Electric Windows Power Assisted Speed-Sensitive Steering Air Conditioning with Automatic Climate Control Electrically Adjustable and Retractable Door Mirrors Central Door Locking Remote Boot and Fuel Filler Door Release Sport & Snow Traction Mode Switchability for the Auto Transmission Electric Aerial Variable Speed facility on Intermittent Windscreen Wiper Mode Rear Winscreen Wiper - very useful (and rare I think by todays standards on coupes rather than hatchbacks) 16" Alloy 5-Spoke Wheels Side-Impact Protection Door Beams
FUEL ECONOMY As a car that will accelerate faster to the quarter mile than most BMWs and Mercedes - the Skyline GTS 2.5Turbo is not supposed to be an economy car - but nevertheless the figures are quite impressive for such a performance coupe that will seat 2 tall adults comfortably in the front and 2 medium sized adults quite comfortably in the rear!! Around town I will get around 20 Miles Per Gallon and on a Motorway around 30 MPG!! This is all the more remarkable given that I don't have to drive with too much restraint at all to get these sort of fuel fconsumption figures. The car has to use minumum 97/98 Octane unleaded fuel and my mechanic insists I use only either Shell Optimax or BP Ultimate to keep the engine protected as best as possible (I understand that in Japan you can get 100 Octane Unleaded fuel which these cars run best on).
SERVICING COSTS It pays to go to a Skyline specialised mechanic as they understand these cars better than those who are not experienced with these cars. The servicing is a little dearer than the average family car but not as dear as other performance brands in my opinion - for instance I have found the car's servicing costs to be cheaper than the 3-Series BMW that I used to drive. Medium Services cost about £250 + VAT and tend to include oil change, plugs, fuel filter, full check of levels, lights, bushes and brakes - with Top Level Services costing around £500 + VAT (which tends to cover oil change, plugs, fuel filter, gear oil, cambelt, full check of levels, lights, bushes and brakes) Like I say - dearer than my wife's Toyota Avensis but I am sure nevertheless cheaper than a Porsche etc ... but do please tell me otherwise if anyone out there disagrees!! Oh and the engine is - so I am told - very strong mechanically and good for at least 200,000 miles if well cared for .... well it is a Japanese car after all - istn't it?
HOW MUCH DID I PAY FOR IT? Apart from the performance and handling ... I think this is the most impressive feature. You can pick good examples of these up for around £6,500 (second hand of course as this particular model is now no longer in production) which for a 10 Year Old well kept Japanese Import Car (usually with a good body work condition too as the weather is kinder to cars in Japan compared to UK), that has usually apparently only a maximum of about 70,000 miles/112,000kms on the 'clock', is superb value for money given the performance and many more years of Japanese longevity these cars usually offer, provided of course you take the necessary measures to make sure you have bought a good one!
I don't have an extensive list of things to look out for when buying a Skyline but I know that it does help if you are able to see the Japanese auction sheet that is obligatory apparently under strict Japanese laws when the car is to be exported out of Japan. This sheet will so I understand usually give a rating of how good condition the body of the car is (i.e. whether it has had any bad crashes in the past and other such 'nasties') my one had a very good rating and showed to be a very clean car. It is also good if you can get details of service history while it was used in Japan but it is my personal experience that this is not so easy from all the eaxmples I came across when looking to buy one. Also I am informed that it is important to make sure that the car has had the necessary 100,000Kms / 60,000 Miles Cam Belt Change done.
My Skyline was bought 40 Miles outside of London and this may well have had a good impact on the excellent price I paid for mine. You see I only paid £4,500 for mine and that I guess is the best part of the story here!! It helps if you buy out ot town - and this is something that was confirmed by the excellent Mike Brewer (presenter from 'Deals on Wheels' and 'Wheeler Dealers' TV Programmes). So although I then had to spend a further £300 on a 'Cat-1' Alarm and another £200 on UK Spec Antifreeze (it seems the antifreeze in Japan doesnt necessarily have to be as strong as the concentration levels recommended for use in the UK!) and 2 New rear tyres .... I still paid at least £1,000 less than I might have done for such a lovely clean example with excellent paintwork!!
CONCLUSION The R33 Series Nissan Skyline GTS 2.5Turbo is a superb high performance coupe with enough power to see off most of the cars on the road today, with ease. It is well equipped, comfortable, exciting and comes at a price that means fabulous value for money. If you want a fast car that is reliable, well made and charismatic looking .... different from the run of the mill sports coupe seen on the roads of the UK .... well as long as you buy wisely, diligently and carefully the chances are high that you'll be as elated as I am. Every time I drive it I get an uncontrollable smile on my face. It really is THAT good!!!
...is the review of the Nissan Skyline GTR but there is an interesting story that goes with it dating back over 50 years.
After the Second World War Japan's industries were left decimated & car makers were forced to produce commercial vehicles as no one had any money to buy cars. In the late 1940s Japan slipped into a recession with high inflation, there was high taxes linked to motor cars.
Of the commercial vehicles that were produced they weren't ... ...companies. One of them was Nissan who built the British Austin A55 under license from Austin; it looked identical & was sold with Nissan badges.
The parts were sent to Japan in 'knock down kits' & assembled with the guidance of British engineers. Within two years Nissan were making their own parts & paying Austin for the privilege, it was rumoured that the quality of the parts far exceeded the British ones. Nevertheless it kick started Nissan's ...
ScottishWestie 30.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Nissan Skyline
Advantages: Limitlesly tunable car Disadvantages: Expensive replacement parts
...Even in real life. The nissan skyline has become a super fast urban legend; a mega fast coupe with four wheel drive and a powerful 2.6 litre twin turbo'd 6 cylinder engine that could be tuned till it begs for mercy. Despite the fact that the R33 was only released 5 years ago, you dont have to have a tv screen to own one. This is because prices can be as low as £15,000 for an import. This is great value considering all you get, in adition, this japanese ... ...to take into account. Since nissan skylines are rare, age doesnt count, so they are all treated as one, so a personal import R33 in excellent condition is around £15000 to £18000, and a genuine UK one is about £6000 more. Costs
Do not expect to get more than a measly 18 miles to the gallon, and dont expect cheap insurance either- i calculated that for a 31 year old male living in the middle eastlands for 12 months, you will get quoted about £4000, ...
illuminate 15.01.2006 (20.01.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Nissan Skyline
Advantages: fantastic performance, very reliable, stunning timeless looks, affordable to drive. Disadvantages: britains speed limits and jelly mould cars getting in my way!
...I've always wanted. A Nissan Skyline. After having owned it for six months I thought I'd share my thoughts with other potential buyers of an R33 which is the most popular and more importantly affordable model with my generation so grab a coffee, sit back and see what you think.
I've researched into these cars for over a year now and fell in love with them since getting my grubby mitts on one in GranTurismo on the playstation1five years ago and seeing ... ...good but apparently the RB nissan engines are fantastically strong blocks and come out of nissan well under what they're capable of putting out in bhp terms so dont worry about popping one anytime soon unless you stick a bigger turbo under the hood!
I've done a full service on mine, namely changing oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter (sports panel filter) and all auxiliary belts (pas belt, aircon belt, fan belt) - the whole lot came to about ...
anthonymcgrath 14.06.2006 (16.06.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Nissan Skyline
Advantages: Supersonic Cruise Machine Disadvantages: Not many
...get out of hand...much.
Nissan claims the Skyline chassis is the most sophisticated in the world. If your yardstick for measuring sophistication is calibrated in electronic aids, there's no argument. All four wheels help to steer and, sometimes, transmit drive. Normally this latter function is done by the rear pair, but within a thousandth of a second of traction loss being computer-detected, the front wheels take up half the task. How cool is that.
... ...Nissans have imported. However, Nissan only imported 100 of these babies into this country...but it would hold its money for longer.
Overall, driving a GT-R is, lets say, an experience...and if you get the chance to drive one, take it. It handles exceptionally well and sticks to our roads like glue. You feel super safe with the comfy seats and immediate response from the steering.
This really is a high performance car and worth every penny if you ...
blingblings 17.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Nissan Skyline
Advantages: Awesome power & performance Disadvantages: Miles per gallon & insurance!
...people who know what a Nissan Skyline is, know its reputation. These beasts (and they really are beasts of cars) have a specification that makes almost all other production cars cringe.
Take a look (standard spec - these cars are easily tunable to 600BHP!):
280BHP (that's the max. power a production car in Japan can have!)
0-62mph in 5.2 seconds
DOHC 4 Valves
Twin Turbos
2.6 litre straight 6
To make the picture a little more accurate:
- The ... ...occurs, power can be distributed to 50-50 between front and rear
- They have four-wheel steering!
- The car senses what each wheel is doing 100 times a second so it can compensate by redistributing power, etc.
- The car even considers where you are pointing the steering wheel to work out what to do!
- Both understeer and oversteer are corrected giving totally neutral handling
- They can pull 1.2 G in cornering (a Lotus Elise can only manage ...
Alistah 27.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Nissan Skyline
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