To T, or not to T

Ok, here's my tidbit for discussion today. Which you you prefer (performance wise and overall)

An R33 GTS-4 with proper mods made and turbo affixed, or an R32 GTS-4 with intake and exhaust?

Personaly I like the idea of an R33 because of several reasons. One, newer so a more refined ATTESSA. Extra displacement giving slightly faster spoolup, and most likely more power after turbocharged then the RB20DET. Newer car, nuff said.

What do you guys think?

R32 is lighter
but the R33 is sex on wheels ....when u afix the right body kit

Why mess around turboing a R32 GTs-4 when you could either hunt down a GTst-4 or just buy a damn R32 GTR!

Originally posted by Moppie
Why mess around turboing a R32 GTs-4 when you could either hunt down a GTst-4 or just buy a damn R32 GTR! http://www.edutech-me.com/cash.jpg

Or the lack there of :(

Originally posted by Gonthrax


Or the lack there of :(


Sorry I forget your in America.
Im not used to yanks talking about owning skylines.

Personaly I wouldn't waste my money on a GTs4. Over here they really dont sell for that much, in fact an R32 GTs-t or GTs-4 is only worth about as much as my Civic, and only about as fast on the road.
(I can find copys of the autotrader and scan them in, but the cost over here compared to the cost in the US would probobly make you cry. And I like you to much to do that).


Once the novelty of owning a car that in the US is quite rare wears off, I think you would rapidly become quite bored and disapointed with the cars performance.
They are easy to make faster, but its not cheap, and finding people in the US who know what thier doing will be hard, and cost more than i think its worth. And thier one of those great cars where if you dont know what your doing its very easy to get it fately wrong. (for the car, not you)

Iv driven a few GTs-T(4)s (2dr and 4dr) and well I think they are VERY overated cars. Think of it as a heavy RWD (USDM) Maxima.

A GTR however is a whole nother kettle of fish, and is more than worth the hype, and considering its likely to hold its value quite well in the US well worth the money.

But buying an R32 GTs-T is just going to open a whole can of worms.
Most have been trashed and poorly maintained in Japan, and although most are reliable, when they do finnaly break down everything seems to go at once. Living in the US away from easy parts access and ppl who know how to fix them could get very expensive.


I dont mean to put down skylines, im just trying to be rational about owning one.

IMHO you should save what money you have now, and buy something small compact and cheap to run. Then work towards owning a real GTR.
You might find building an imatiation one from a GTs-4 could be a lot more trouble than its worth. (and potentialy more expensive when your finished).


Of course if you really really want one then I know theres nothing that will change it. I know exactly whats it like to spend endless amounts of money on a car. Its an experiance im actualy glad I went through.


So, what to take:

R32 if you know a LOT about cars, will have a 2nd car to drive, and lots of money to spend on it tuning it, and then fixing it when it breaks.

R33 if you dont have as much money to spend on tuning and repairs, as it should be more reliable. (being newer).

But if you want to spend the money and time to build a real wild tuned monster then I say the R32.

I saw R32 GTS-4 but thats just because I prefer that shape.

As for Moppies idea that GTS-Ts or GTS-4s cost roughly the same as his Honda. Show me a GTS-4 for around $4000 and I will buy it.


Your in Nissan territory now Mr Moppie

Originally posted by tazdev


As for Moppies idea that GTS-Ts or GTS-4s cost roughly the same as his Honda. Show me a GTS-4 for around $4000 and I will buy it.


Your in Nissan territory now Mr Moppie

You show me an SiR Civic in the same condition as mine for $4,000 and Ill buy it as well.

and my first car was a Nissan, and I wanted a Nissan over the Honda. (but the dealer was a dick).



Your in experianced car nut territory now Mr dev. :D

Thanks for the opinion Moppie, I wasn't really thinking about buying one over here, rather buying one over NZ way. But from what you say perhaps I should just wait and save my money for a GTR. The only problem is that R32s are going to be climbing in price and R33s are already a bit more then I'm prepaired to spend right now.


As for performance, I read somewere that R33 GTs25Ts were cuttin mid 13s so I'd think the GTS4 (When turboed) could do low 13s or perhaps high 12s. Now I don't know about handeling, how does the suspension differ from a GTR?


Oh yea, and by no means am I trying to make a fake GTR, I"m not a... How would you put it over there... Tosser?? Correct usage of your strange slang? ;) :D

you have learnt well, my young apprentice. :p :D

And as far as the car choice: GO THE WHALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



:D :D :D :D

...and to add to that in some sort of rational way... :p

to get an R32, you'll be looking at one that's been in NZ for a while, and used enthusiastically, by some young member of the public, who's now flicking it on because he's half killed the turbo with his crappy bleed valve, or poking holes in wastegate actuator lines, or all the other things floating around. It's older, and will be generally more shagged, by virtue of that.

R33 - you'll be able to get a series 2 straight from Japan, and they imo look a lot better than the series 1 anyway. The 2.5L plus higher compression than the RB20 makes for a really nice easy drive if you're not in the mood to give it heaps, but if you do... grrrr baby, very grrrrr. :D If it's in good condition, intake and exhaust mods will do a lot - the Great Silver Whale's proof of that. :D :D :D Also on a practical note, it is bigger and roomier; front and back.

Moon, you have hit on all the points as to why I would want an R33 over an R32.

If some one has some extra time on their hands to look through car trader or knows from experience, what would be an average price I'd pay for an R33 GTs-4 series II and also an R33 GTR. Manual of course, color doesn't really matter as you can always paint it :)

my preference would be a R32, i like them and they're pretty easy to get moving. a turbo'd R33 gts4 would be pretty cool but how much would it take to add the 't'? i saw some local rb25det's on a dyno a couple of weekends ago and was impressed.

just had a quick search on Autopoint (http://www.autopoint.co.nz). R33 GTRs for between 55 - 60 thou NZD. Series 2 GTS25ts for around half that, or a little less. Couldn't see any series 2 R33 GTS4s, strangely. I'll have another look and include series 1, just for a bit of an idea. I'll email you the pages (though the links don't seem to work after I saved them - grrrr) so you can see the range.

rather than email, I'll attach a txt file here. Oddly, no GTS4s at all.

btw, here's (http://www.autopoint.co.nz/marketplace/UsedCaradvoption.asp) a better link to the auotpoint search. You could also ask the guys at Croydon's (http://www.croydons.co.nz) (I think I got the url right).

and I found one for Moppie; a GTS25t SiR coupe :D :D :p :p Apparently a "very rare model" with "horsepower to bunt" whatever that means. :hehehe: Quite a while back I also found a skyline for sale which apparently had a V6 :eek: :eek: :eek: An R32, mind you. They must have been trialling the new engine for a looong time :p :p


Car dealers. hmmph.

Thanks moon, I've looked on autopoint from time to time and only see 1 or 2 GTS-4s, usually R32s. I wonder how much I'd be looking at to get a series II R33 4 from japan...?

Ask the guys at Croydon's. Nick's over in Japan monthly, and would no doubt get one if he had a buyer. I guess they're not generally a big seller, so they don't come in (maybe).

Originally posted by moondog
Ask the guys at Croydon's. Nick's over in Japan monthly, and would no doubt get one if he had a buyer. I guess they're not generally a big seller, so they don't come in (maybe).

Thats strange, I wonder why they don't sell much.

Originally posted by Gonthrax


Thats strange, I wonder why they don't sell much.


Because as you will find out, Kiwi's are a funny bunch when it comes to buying cars.


But if your getting one localy then the R33 is deffintly the better buy.
As moondog said they are no longer able to import R32's and so any you buy will have almost undoubtly been messed with and trashed.

(however you could still import an R32 GTR and apply for an exemption)