1989 ("Gan-nen") R32 GT-R...

[Valkyrie]

Hi folks, I am living in Japan and just happened to meet someone who had an 1989 GT-R for sale basically for a song and a dance. It has a fresh N1 engine (and fairly new transmission), Cusco rear diff, Blitz intercooler, R33 Brembos, all the gauges you could want, a Power FC, and puts it out about about 380 HP (limited by the stock cats). I am seriously considering buying it (I already have a sports car) just to drive it on the track and because it'll be import-eligible next year.

Only problem is that it has a bit of rust, which my body guy said could be fixed for around as much as the car is selling for. Needless to say it's the deal of the century because it drives (I drove it) for less than it's parts are worth, but I wanted to know what the hidden costs of owning a GT-R (it's got 99K KM on the clock, which is high by Japanese standards...) are. I don't intend on using it for daily driving in Japan because I can't afford to register two cars.

I just know I'd end up paying a ton of money to fix a bunch of very expensive parts if anything is wrong with it.

If I brought it to the US, how hard it would be to get parts? Can Nissan dealers special order them?

[JTR32gtst]

Personally owning a Skyline I can say you have to pay to play, especially when it comes to age of a car. Because the name plate says "Skyline", things can be pricey. As far as rust, basically every Skyline has rust on the rear quarters under the rear plastic pieces. Just like any rust, it can be fixed, but how well and how much is decided by who you take it too. If the car is tuned right, all the issues addressed, they can be pretty reliable, but as you know, you do not who has had their hands on this car nor the history of how hard the car has been pushed. I would get a mechanic to check it out (if you can do that in Japan) before you buy just to make sure there is not a hidden issue.

Otherwise, they are a blast to own and you WILL develope a love/hate relationship at some point of ownership..

[Gold Digger]

I'm guessing you are in the military? Not sure how it would work for you if you are, but if you want to take it to a track, without registering it, you'd have to trailer it there and back or go get those temp plates (ones with red lines that run diagonally).

Owning a Skyline in Japan is expensive. Parts are rediculously expensive, maintenance also, unless you can get it done on base (which I'm sure is a very good possibility.)

[Valkyrie]

I'm not in the military, I do my own maintenance (mostly), and I know two different people with car-carriers (one of them is two-car).

I know about temp plates, but it's too much of a pain in the butt to go and lie to the town office people every time I want to go to a track day.

Believe me, I know how much parts, oil, and gas cost here... I race my other car once in a while and do a lot of track days.


But what issues do first-year R32s have?

[tyndago]

But what issues do first-year R32s have?

I have been working on the Nissan Skyline GT-R since 1999. Was crew chief on a team that ran a couple of ex-Super Taikyu cars in World Challenge GT. I have a 1990 Nismo R32 GT-R here in the US. http://www.gtrusablog.com/search/label/500

Basics - http://www.gtrusablog.com/2010/05/real- ... 2-r33.html

[Valkyrie]

FWIW the one I'm looking at has a new transmission and a new N1 engine.

Ooh, the production date chart will help make sure it built in 1989.

[tyndago]

Ooh, the production date chart will help make sure it built in 1989.

Japan doesn't run a "model" year like the US. Where we have a 2014 R35 GT-R for sale now in January 2013. In Japan, when it was built is the year of the vehicle.

That chart will help to verify if a car is actually 25 years old. There will be lot of people that will be trying to pass off, because they either are ignorant, or though subterfuge, a newer car for import. US Customs knows how to read the deregistration certificates. The auto import specialist in Long Beach told me that when I talked to him, while I was importing my Nismo R32's. http://www.showordisplay.com/2012/12/19 ... -gt-r.html

We will hear about people crying because they have to send their 1993 or 1994 car back to Japan or lose it to customs. Seen it too many times. Some people think they are just the smartest mo-fo's out there. http://vehicleimport.blogspot.com/search/label/seized

Play by the rules, and you are good. We don't have to like the rules, but we have to know them in order to minimize out exposure.

[Valkyrie]

I know that.

America's system is dumb as rocks.

Although sometimes a car will be built in it's model year. My 1989 US model RX-7 was made in September 89 if I remember right. At least, it's an 89 on both the title and the body.

But customs just told me that the 25 years is based on the calender (or at least they told me their page was correct), so I'm probably going to have to make a skype call before I commit to anything.

The dereg certificiate will only show the date of initial registration, but the rules say that if you can prove when it was made (a letter from Nissan or that chart might count), you are good to import based on that date.

I don't want a show or display car since I don't want a restriction placed on how much I can drive it.

[tyndago]

America's system is dumb as rocks.

Although sometimes a car will be built in it's model year. My 1989 US model RX-7 was made in September 89 if I remember right. At least, it's an 89 on both the title and the body.

I don't want a show or display car since I don't want a restriction placed on how much I can drive it.

Its all about emissions and counting cars. Lots of why years are weird are for CAFE requirements. The government makes rules, the manufacturers use those rules to the full advantage.

As far as a mileage limit for Show and Display. In 2015 my car will be unlimited mileage, so that is no big deal to me. I have lots of other cars I can drive. A 25 year old GT-R is not a good idea for much more than a weekend car here in the US. I have worked on them for long enough to realize that.

[Valkyrie]

I'm pretty sure once you import a car you cant change the method of import without reimporting it. At least you can't for a racing vehicle.

[GTRPower]

Wrong.

[AZhitman]

Wrong.

Uh, let's not get into a pissing contest over this. Either present some helpful info, or let the others correct the statement (if it is indeed incorrect) - and I don't mean via some shady method.

Thx.

Carry on.

[GTRPower]

Try this on- my 1992 Skyline GT-R was imported temporarily by GT Motorcars, and then the documents were resubmitted to the government by MotoRex (previously GT Motorcars) to modify the status. Mine was the first customer car of MotoRex. Yes, I was there before MotoRex WAS MotoRex.

Just because someone says something with enough conviction does not make it a fact.

[AZhitman]

Understood - That was what I was looking for.

You'd agree, however, that yours was kind of a rare deal.

[GTRPower]

It doesn't matter if it's rare or not. The fact is, it has happened, and there is no reason why it cannot happen again IF the people who file the paperwork know what they are doing.

My initial statement was correct. To be blunt, he IS wrong. No pissing contest here IMO. I am surprised you did not write anything in my thread about my silver car- now what he did there was start a pissing contest for no reason whatsoever other than the fact he is clueless.

[AZhitman]

I didn't need to, Nick. I know of you and your car (didn't recall the specifics immediately, I know lots of people ).

I don't disagree that the other posting was off - Didn't catch it 'til you pointed it out.

You know as well as I do that sometimes, it's too much effort to go into details when it comes to this topic - sometimes, I just gloss over the misstatements and chalk it up to "dreamers" or people who aren't really serious about buying / owning one.

You still in central FL?

[AZhitman]

BTW, back to the OP question: In my experience, NO car is a "deal of the century" if it has rust to any appreciable extent. It's ALWAYS worse than it looks initially, and it's ALWAYS three times more expensive to fix than expected.

[Valkyrie]

Try this on- my 1992 Skyline GT-R was imported temporarily by GT Motorcars, and then the documents were resubmitted to the government by MotoRex (previously GT Motorcars) to modify the status. Mine was the first customer car of MotoRex. Yes, I was there before MotoRex WAS MotoRex.

Just because someone says something with enough conviction does not make it a fact.

Ok, that's interesting. Why did it need to be modified?

[Valkyrie]

BTW, back to the OP question: In my experience, NO car is a "deal of the century" if it has rust to any appreciable extent. It's ALWAYS worse than it looks initially, and it's ALWAYS three times more expensive to fix than expected.

Yeah, I know. But the value of a three-year old N1 engine and transmission (both brand new by Nismo) alone would make it worth the investment... For the record, it's a one-owner car.

[GTRPower]

I didn't need to, Nick. I know of you and your car (didn't recall the specifics immediately, I know lots of people ).

I don't disagree that the other posting was off - Didn't catch it 'til you pointed it out.

You know as well as I do that sometimes, it's too much effort to go into details when it comes to this topic - sometimes, I just gloss over the misstatements and chalk it up to "dreamers" or people who aren't really serious about buying / owning one.

You still in central FL?

Yup. Still in Florida and split my time up in Chicago, Hong Kong, and Colorado. A few years ago I dropped out of the GT-R stuff- it was too much to deal with- the internet bullies, the crap from people who "knew", etc. I started racing karts nationally, got married, started playing with other cars, then got this GT-R. That's why I'm back, because I have an interest in it again.

I'm not about creating any pissing match. I just see incorrect information, and I point it out. That's better than letting it go. Not everything on the web is correct, in fact most secondhand information is questionable at best. It's just like when people quote forum posts in real life yet refuse to believe the facts staring right in front at them, "yadda yadda yadda did so and so in this forum" etc. Forums are fun and all, but what is posted is not necessarily true, especially by people who have not actually done anything it the related matter. Misinformation is prevalent everywhere and twice so in forums.

[GTRPower]

Try this on- my 1992 Skyline GT-R was imported temporarily by GT Motorcars, and then the documents were resubmitted to the government by MotoRex (previously GT Motorcars) to modify the status. Mine was the first customer car of MotoRex. Yes, I was there before MotoRex WAS MotoRex.

Just because someone says something with enough conviction does not make it a fact.

Ok, that's interesting. Why did it need to be modified?

If it is imported temporarily, it is not permanent. To qualify the car for permanent status the paperwork had to be changed or it had to be exported.

[AZhitman]

I just see incorrect information, and I point it out. That's better than letting it go.

Agreed 100%.

That's why these are two of our most-trafficked articles:

so-you-want-to-buy-a-skyline-in-the-us-t159216.html
http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/the-fa ... tes-1.html

[Valkyrie]

Ok, why and how was it imported temporarily?

[GTRPower]

Why do you want to know? How is it pertinent to your needs? This happened a dozen years ago. I have forgotten more about this stuff than most people claim to know.

[Valkyrie]

Uh huh...

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ ... 022010.pdf

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig101012c.pdf

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ ... evoked.pdf

Either DOT is wrong or you are.

Florida is apparently one of the places it's pretty easy to title and register an illegally imported car.

Just sayin.

For the sake of argument, how about you got your first car? I am more than willing to listen.

[tyndago]

Nicks first car was a temporary import by MotoRex for RESEARCH, INVESTIGATION, DEMONSTRATION, TRAINING, OR RACING. It was TIB that was later converted into a normal entry, and brought into compliance. Its done though what is called a customs re-entry. Its a bit of a paperwork shuffle. VCP-17 did not exist when his car came in(early 1999). It did exist when the compliance package went in. It was brought in for "Research, and Investigation" to help move VCP-17 along.

"A vehicle may be imported for research, investigation, demonstrations or training, or competitive racing events. Unless the importer is a manufacturer that certifies vehicles as complying with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, the importer must obtain prior approval from NHTSA. An application form to obtain this approval can be downloaded at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/imp ... x7form.pdf. When completed, the application form, with substantiating information, should be faxed to 202-366-1024. If you have questions or need further details, please call 202-366-5291 or 202-366-5323.

The importer must attach a copy of the NHTSA permission letter and the importer's substantiating statement to the HS-7 Declaration form. Use Box 7 on HS-7 Declaration form."

Anyway, you all are getting off topic, on a topic that none of y'all know much about.

The NHTSA actually gave MotoRex its first bond release November 15, 1999. VCP-17 wasn't published in the Federal Register until January 2000. People talk about MotoRex like they actually knew what was going on then. They have no idea we visited the NHTSA on numerous occasions, and that they reviewed MotoRex's paperwork on the R32, R33, and R34 GT-R for 18 months prior to them giving their approval. Nothing was "pulled over their eyes". Unless you can count 18 months of research into something, as in their own research in correct. MotoRex actually did exactly what the NHTSA asked for. Exactly.

[GTRPower]

Uh huh...

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ ... 022010.pdf

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig101012c.pdf

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ ... evoked.pdf

Either DOT is wrong or you are.

Florida is apparently one of the places it's pretty easy to title and register an illegally imported car.

Just sayin.

For the sake of argument, how about you got your first car? I am more than willing to listen.

Who the f#€k likes to argue on the Internet? So stupid.

[AZhitman]

Uh huh...

I'm not gonna defend you. Your confrontational tone and attitude would piss me off. How about you do like all the other guys who don't know what they're talking about, and read the articles that Sean and I (and others) have posted up?

Or, better yet, go in the garage and build something. You're not going to "teach" anyone here anything - We've been playing with these cars since you were in kindergarten, man.

Sorry to be harsh, but it seems we get 2-3 of these a year in the Skyline forum.

[kellerk23]

"I"M FREAKING NEW SO DON'T KILL ME" Ok now thats out of the way. I spent some time in Japan (Marine Corps) and I saw for the first time a R34. After that I've always wanted on but I know I can't own one legally here in the US. Ok done with my soap box here is the One Question, are R32 going to be legal to own in 2014? I have someone I'm talking to that has a R32 not legal of course, has converted it to a R34. Now I'm doing my homework and know its not legal but I keep hearing 2014 I won't have to worry.

[GTRPower]

2014- 1989 cars will be DOT/EPA legal. I am not sure about CARB, that you have to check with tyndago (Sean).

A R32 chassis is still an R32 chassis. It may be dressed up to look like a R34, but it's still a R32. Chassis number is the key.