Why the Skyline is not sold in America

[Morpheus XIII]

4) Did I tell you guys about the Jackass that use's an RV for a daily commuter?! WTF?!

--R35

HAHA! Now there's an extremist. How horrendous.

This must be my first post in what feels like ages; anyone else been getting 403s and 404s? Heh, my posts/day rate is going down...

OK, so Nissan has a new Skyline. So it gets back to the Skyline's original ideals (almost original Prince-like) with some new refinements. So the changes seem to allow the new model to fit into some sort of niche in the North American market. The question is: will we like it? As is, not for most of us.

I like it, AS A SPORTS SEDAN, which is what Nissan seems to be pushing it as. But I hate it, when compared to the R34, which although was available as a sedan, was much more well-known for its coupe form. Of course, companies tend to keep their future plans on the quiet side, but I have yet to hear even rumors about an upcoming coupe body, let alone a GT-R trim line. However, it does seem possible since the new Skyline is built on the versatile XVL chassis.

The next Skyline has even abandoned it's "R" chassis designation (as in R34) and is now "V35". Anyone care to explain why? I suppose Nissan really wants the public to think of "The Premium Sports Sedan" as absolutely different as possible. Being powered by various VQs (VQ25DD, VQ30DD...) instead of RBs is also very disturbing. The Yanks have been waiting for this car for eons and we don't even get a taste of that wonderful straight-6.

Well, this is just for now, and there will most likely be more to come. I just hope the future doesn't disappoint us.

[R35]

Yup "will we like it" seems to be the million $ question. We have months to go till they reveal "IF" the coupe version will exist (my guess is yes), but still will we like it? There are millions of rumors, but no confirmations from Nissan.

So far we have the "Skyline" sedan based on the XVL platform. It looks 100% the same as the concept.
I like it as a sporty sedan and it would fit the Infinity line as a V35, whatever. Without the round tail-lights, is it still a Skyline?!

A world dominating sports car with AWD, AWS, all toys from the R34 and then some in a car with a "SEDAN" platform?! Didn't Nissan say that the Z concept would be based on a all new platform that would not be confused with a sedan or 2+2?! That the Z would be a true sports car?! If that's true (GOD I hope it is) then there is no way in HOT Hell they should use the XVL platform for the GT-R.

Then again the way the "Yanks" like it maybe Nissan will make a S"UV"kyline

[Chris]

I just had a horrible thought: What if the skyline became based on the new Z, kinda like the Corvette/Evoq??
I hope not.
They should stick to the original formula, and try and sell it here. If they fail, then oh well (they wont). If people spend $50 000 on Civics, they will pay for a skyline.

[R35]

Sorry to be the fly in your soup Chris, but it looks like that's what Nissan is going to do. As STUPID, STUPID, STUPID, as that idea is it's cheaper for them to do and as far as they see it the US has never seen a Skyline and therefore it doesn't matter what they bring over. It's a high end sports car to compete against the Acura NSX.

As far as "Ricer's" go spending $50,000 on a Civic is a good thing even if the car will get it's ass kicked by a mini van some people think it's cool Think about it, for $50K you could buy a used Viper or Vette and beat the crap out of all the other "rice boys", but instead they buy the lowest model Civic and put a Type R sticker on it and think they can beat the world?! Even the Sklyine won't help those kinds of iditots:finger:

On a side note: For those of you that own GT3: A-spec check out the scrolling details on the cars at the dealership, and read the one's about the Skyline? Could Polyphony have some insider scoop on what will happen to the Skyline?!

For those who don't own Gran Tourismo 3: A-spec for PS2. When you select a car from the dealership a little history/info on that particular vehicle scrolls by underneath ( a bit too fast if you ask me). Well for the Skyline V-spec (not V-spec II) it mention's how this will is the 10th generation of the Skyline (R34) and that it will be the last one to use the RB engine.

[Morpheus XIII]

Heh, once again, Gran Turismo proves it's extracurricular usefulness.

As for the ricers, I think they do what they do because they can't afford a $50,000 car all at once. Seems kind of moronic because they end up spending loads of money anyway; they could just finance a Viper. I used to like Honda. They make great engines. The rice effect has forever tainted their image. Too bad.

[spyder1]

Me owning a Honda Accord, don't think of me as a ricer. I know I wasn't being singled out, but I did want to say that IF (and I hear that it's true) the Mitsu Lancer Evo VII comes out and it's sporting 270 hp as is rumored for the North America release, well let me just say I'll be one of the first in line sporting a new car Even if it's detuned to 230 hp for the emissions standards, I'll still be 95% sure that I'm getting a new car.

I wish that the Skyline was in North America. It is one of my favorite cars of all time. That the Evo series, the STi series, any of those are kick ass cars, and I only wish they were here.

Trust me, if I could afford 50k for a Skyline, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Hell, I'd even get the older R32 or R33!!

To think... this is my first post on this forum

[R35]

Welcome to AF Rice I mean Spyder1 I used to own a 93 Accord coupe (till I gave it to my damn sister) bad idea Driving a Honda don't make you a "ricer", if that were true I'd have to hang myself for loving my 2K Honda Odyssey:sun:

Well if you save your pennies it sounds like the GT-R will be in the states come 2003, but of course even if it does..............so far at least rumor has it that it won't be the same car that we all love

It would be fun to see a couple Evo's smoking Mustangs and Vette's tho:smoker2:

[VQuick]

Motorex has R32s in the low to mid-$30k range. Is that better for you?

[spyder1]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys... I think...

I saw the Motorex R32s and R33s for about 35k or so. One of my problems is that whatever I buy will be a daily driver for a while until I can buy something else to putz around in. The second problem is that I live in a townhouse, and have no garage to store the car (I know I can get a car cover, but the garage is much better). It just wouldn't do the Skyline justice, if you get my drift.

I'll wait until 2003 to see if the Evo VII comes to the US. Nissan has released the 2002 Maxima with a 6-spd tranny and 260 hp, so that isn't too bad either. It's too bad I'm not rich

I was reading about the R35 (or is it V35) Skyline coming to the US. It doesn't sound anything like the Skyline GT-R that we all crave over.

Maybe I can get a job in the IT industry over in Japan

[R35]

No what you mean about "doing it justice". Something Nissan needs to learn before they build the next GT-R:finger:

The Evo and even the Maxima isn't a bad choice, at least you know what car you would get if you had to pick only one. The SKYLINE!!!! as long as that's what you say, you can be my friend:frog:

[Morpheus XIII]

Seriously, owning a Honda doesn't automatically make you 'powered by rice', but those who love doing that sort of thing has definately made it difficult for genuine enthusiasts to be taken seriously. It probably has also contributed to the joking attitude of all the competing racing divisions towards import race cars in general, particularly drag racing here in the U.S.

It's a shame that nearly ALL of the best J-spec Hondas (which if you ask me, don't really dazzle my fancy) are already here in the States, while so many others from Nissan, Mitsubishi, etc. are not. R35, imagine how different life would be if Nissan had every one of their worthy sports cars of the past and present here instead of all the poseurmobiles...

[R35]

Originally posted by morpheusxiii
R35, imagine how different life would be if Nissan had every one of their worthy sports cars of the past and present here instead of all the poseurmobiles...

Huh?! Whut?! Sorry, I was just drooling over that thought
I'm dreaming of a Nissan SKYLINE GT-R V SPEC II in my garage Man, if Nissan get's it right and does bring the Skyline to the states as is I'd have to wear depends everytime I drove (plus one for the passengers):finger: Woo Hoo!!!!:ylsuper

[spyder1]

I'm dreaming of a white... Skyline GT-R. Like the ones I use to see (in pictures)...

Sorry, it just had a catchy tune there.

Yes, if I could pick one, it would be the Skyline GT-R, no doubt. I have no problems with my Honda. I don't like the type-"R" Hondas (and I mean type-"Rice", not the actual type-Rs), but hell, Honda has the 3.2 V6 in the NSX, and I know the potiential is there for my power in my car. The problem is the tranny, something that Honda will fix in 2003.

It still would be nothing to the Skyline though, so can I be your friend now R35

[VQuick]

It might be worth your while to look into the 2002 Maxima. The 260hp version of the VQ engine is different on the inside, because of stroking it to 3.5 liters and adding shorter connecting rods. The exterior dimensions shouldn't be much different at all from the current 3L version. It'll be a rocket, for sure. The 2002 Altima with a 240hp version of the 3.5L engine was tested by MT, running a 14.72 1/4 mile. It ran a 6.2 sec 0-60mph as well, with a 5sp.
Stillen has their supercharger kit that offers about an 80hp gain for the VQ30DE. The supercarger should fit the VQ35DE okay, so you're looking at potentially having a 320hp Maxima. There's also smaller pulley ratios available as well, for even more power.
With the LSD available, it should help get more of the power to the ground than the earlier S/C'd Maximas. They were plagued with heavy wheelspin off the line, due to excessive torque. The 6sp tranny with closer ratios than the Altima's 5sp, should help too, provided it can handle that extra power.

I really hope that the LanEvo VII makes it here, but if the worst happens, the Maxima might look like a good backup.

[R35]

Yup yup the Max does look to be a killer. Honda is also going to redo the Accord V6 (this time with a 6spd):frog: . Throw Toyota into the mix with their line up and (we all hope) Mitsu with the Lancer line-up, Subi with the STi and we can all go out and play

"Mommy can I go out and play with all my friends at AF"

When we race in all the wonderful new cars we hope they bring out, Win, Lose, or Draw (using an old quote from Nissan) Enjoy the Ride