Skyline Help & FTOs

This place doesn't have an crosspost facility for car comparisons does it?

I've been looking and I can't find a really good Skyline model guide, with specs and ideally, pics, inside and out of each. Can anyone help me out?

I have my eye on one I've seen around the various NZ websites (Autobase, Auto, Autopoint etc.), that's tiptronic (I really want a tiptronic) and made in 98. Did they only start making tiptronic Skylines in 98 (beccause I haven't seen any pre that year)? I want some reference to study up on so I have a good grasp of all things Skyline before I go shopping (which isn't quite yet and might not be for a while, I might get an older Skline as a first car and go for that one as my second car).

Secondly, what does anyone familiar with both think of this car in comparison to a FTO GPX. This Skyline and the FTO are the only two cars (that could be found for about $16,000) available in NZ that do it for me. It's going to be one or the other (GTOs are up there, but I don't like them quite as much).

(BTW I'm not your average poster, I don't know much about cars, I just discovered this place from a search engine, looking for Skyline info.)

I have owned both cars, so I might be able to help you out a bit. :)

It really all depends on what you want from your car. If you are after a true sports car, I’d go for the FTO as that is what it is. If you want a nice cruisy grand tourer, then the Skyline is the way to go.

I sold my FTO a few months ago purely because my husband had a Skyline (GTS 25t) and I really wanted a turbo after being in that (not to say that the FTO is slow by any means. It toasted quite a few turbos and embarrassed quite a few guys who thought that the FTO was just for show :p ). The FTO is also far sportier inside than the Skyline and also a lot lower to the ground :p

Both cars have their positives and negatives. If you are after a tiptronic Skyline you would need to go for an R34 model as that is the only model that came with that option and I doubt whether you would find one of these for $16,000 as R33s are still selling for more than that.

If you want to find out more about Skylines, I'd suggest you go to:

www.skylinesdownunder.co.nz

If you have any specific questions you would like to ask, please feel free to ask and I’ll try my best to answer them for you.

Which model Skyline were you thinking of getting???

YOu might want to run by here (http://www.japimportcar.com/ModelData/Period.asp?make=Nissan&model=Skyline) for details on the Skyline trim lvls and years.

Welcome to AF also :wave:

Welcome!Originally posted by ftodog
This place doesn't have an crosspost facility for car comparisons does it?In fact, it does:
Car Comparisons (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/f666/)

I knew you'd (Spec2 Girl) be the one to answer seeing as you've owned both cars (is your Skyline even a tiptronic one?) I thought you might think I was some stalker or something, pretending to like the cars you do! They really are my two fave sub 20 grand cars.

What skyline I would consider depends on whether or not I get a job soon. I've got quite a bit saved up (I'm in my 20's), but I don't want to spend it all. If I could get a job soon I'd save up a heap more and go for something $16,000 or over (either the FTO or Skyline), if not, I'd have to settle for a cheaper Skyline (or maybe perhaps wait and not get a car at this point.) The cheper ones I like are from about 89 to 92 before they started making them with that ugly horizontal lined grill. As to what sort from those years I'm not really familiar with what's out there, I don't even know if I want a manual or auto (if the tiptronic is out of the question).

I have seen that (dearer 98) Skyline for that price before or maybe just a bit over (like $18,000), but it had a shitload of ks on it. 98 is still pretty new so it's hard to find them cheap with so many ks.

I've seen skylinesdownunder.com but didn't see a good model guide. I wanted the specs for that 98 tiptronic Skyline. Do those ones come in turbo, or do Nissan think tiptronics are for grannies? Are the turbos from that period the ones with the 3 guages in the centre dash?

As for what I want from the car (sports or grand touring) both appeal to me equally. The FTO is just stunning, I'm a guy and it's cuteness doesn't bother me, it's why I love it. But I'd like a car with a bit of practicality, I hear you can only get one person in the FTO's back seat (that the drivers seat goes to far back to get someone behind there). For me, I'd like to share a nice car with as many people as possible. The Skyline is pretty hot looking itself, though I prefer the FTO's looks. I do the pro/con thing in my mind and they come out equal.

Thanks, other guy for the link.

Hehe no I don’t think you’re a stalker at all! :p They are both truly great cars and in many ways I miss my FTO.

I’ll try to answer some of your questions for you.

Mine is an R33 model and doesn’t have tiptronic (only the R34s come with this option). You can get an R34 in turbo. It’s a GT-t (2.5 litre turbo) and is the one that I will be getting next when the prices come down a bit (I’m not sure about the 3 guages) You can check out www.nissan.co.nz and that will show you R34 model and the options that it comes with. I looked at them a few months ago and they are still in the $40,000 mark for one with low kms, 2 door and turbo. You would be able to get a nice R33 model (2.5L turbo) for around $18,000 with some nice options on it. Mine is an auto and my husband has a manual one. I just prefer the auto for the sort of driving that I do. My ideal is tiptronic and I really miss that about the FTO. When I buy an R34 it will definitely be the tiptronic one.

With regards to the FTO and space in the back of it. I had 2 people in the back of mine (although it was a bit of a squeeze). It works much better as a 2 seater, but having people in the back can be done. The FTOs look awesome I agree with you there. I would have definitely kept mine if the Skyline hadn’t turned up when it did. I really like the look of the Series II R33s as they are very similar to the R34s and hence the reason that I bought it. Well that and the fact that it has a turbo :p ).

It will be a tough choice for you to make I imagine. The best thing I can suggest is that you take both cars out for a test drive and see which you prefer. They are both awesome cars and I’m sure you would be happy with either.

If you do end up getting an FTO, make sure that it is a GENUINE GPX as there are quite a lot of fake ones out there. Take it up to above 5,000rpms and you will definitely be able to tell if it has the MIVEC engine in it or not. :p

Anyway, give me a yell if you would like any more info or if I can help any further. :)

I can show you what I mean about the guages (where I was wondering if it was a feature of the turbo only).

Without: http://www.autobase.co.nz/img/1/3/13966_2.jpg
With: http://www.autobase.co.nz/img/1/3/13796_2.jpg

I think I'd prefer the FTO's gearstick over the Skyline one pictured here, I can imagine how satisfying it'd be, jumping in and yanking it straight down to drive knowing you can't miss. I don't care about the Skylines 3 and 2 options if it's going to be tiptronic. This is to me one of the cons of it, and pros of the FTO, even if it is an extra feature on the Skyline's part (and with the steering wheel buttons).

I've already seen your post on checking for the 8000 redline of a genuine FTO GPX, I was planning to check the engine too for the Mivec casing on top. I live in Greymouth where there is a grand total of 1 FTO, it's number plate even says "1 FTO", it's a GPX, though I haven't gotten close enough to see if it's genuine. Grey is out of the question, I can't have the same colour, I really like the white ones, it looks like an icecream, I just want to lick it! Well maybe if it was smaller.

That tiptronic Skyline I was looking at before is here (it's an r34 for $26,000, probably non-turbo):

http://www.autobase.co.nz/vehicledetails.asp?vehicle_id=13966&u_num=0.2573664

I like this site as it has 3 big pictures of most vehicles. Click on the thumbnails for bigger ones. There's an r34 on autopoint for $18,000 with 100,000 ks.

Yep, for that price it would be a four door, auto, non-turbo with high KMs I would imagine. As I said previously when I was looking a few months ago, for a turbo coupe with low kms and facelift model it was $45,000. I’ll get mine in a few years time when prices come down.

Also, don’t rely on the engine cover on the FTOs as an indication of a genuine GPX, as these can be bought and put on GRs to look like GPXs. Like I said, the only real indication are the rpm redline and the engine sound when taken above 5,000rpm. Good luck with whichever one you end up getting. I’m sure you will be more than happy with either option. :)