The Real Cost of Skylines?

[gigablade77]

Just for info - I live in Canada, so there's no legalization mods involved in importing a skyline (besides the headlights). The car just has to be 15 years old before it can be insured.

I've been looking into getting a JDM right hand drive import for a while now. I was set on an RX-7 but after talking to my brother (a mechanic) and doing some reading I decided against it, engine parts made out of Teflon are sketchy and general reliability is not exactly shining - as much as I like rotary engines. I was also looking at an Aristo [JDM Lexus], but the lack of a standard (that isn't a Supra swap) is a deal breaker. I've pretty much settled on a Skyline but I haven't been able to find consistent pricing for a few things.

My main question is what kind of pricing I'd be looking at for a Skyline R33 GT-R when they're legal in about a year here in Canada - does it look to be comparable to R32's, or will it be a huge jump? Also - does it look like there will be a huge drop in price for R32's when the R33's are available? eBay/Yahoo Auctions Japan shows anywhere from $13,000 Canadian to $30,000 Canadian as going price for an R33 GT-R (exchanging from JPY).

Second - insurance. What do skylines cost to insure in comparison to say a small honda or something along those lines. I haven't looked too far into this past a bit of internet searching, but somehow I'm guessing calling up my local insurance broker and asking them how much a Skyline GT-R is to insure would get me a response like "You want to insure a what?"

Lastly - gas. Anyone know the average MPG rating. I've been able to gather that stock and new they got an average of ~20MPG, does that sound about right.

Oh and while we're at it - any input on reliability and maintenance on the GT-R's would be appreciated.

Thanks all.

Modified by gigablade77 at 10:39 PM 4/24/2007
Modified by gigablade77 at 8:06 AM 4/25/2007

[ToDaMax03]

If you want to try legalizing the car yourself, try this web site for pricing: japan-partner.com

[ATpossible]

i've heard multiple times that people with rb25 240sx get around 25mpg if they stay off boost. the rb26 should be close i'd imagine.

[gigablade77]

If you want to try legalizing the car yourself, try this web site for pricing: japan-partner.com

I live in Canada, there's no legalizing involved besides changing the headlights - it just has to be 15 years old before I can import it, and the R33's started production in August 1993, so next August they'll be legal to import

i've heard multiple times that people with rb25 240sx get around 25mpg if they stay off boost. the rb26 should be close i'd imagine.

Thanks, that's good to hear.

[bone_stock_240]

i've heard multiple times that people with rb25 240sx get around 25mpg if they stay off boost. the rb26 should be close i'd imagine.

Except for the fact that the skyline is substantially heavier than a 240sx.

[ATpossible]

true which is y i put that instead of jus saying rb25. jus trying to help give general idea

[bone_stock_240]

Ah man, I would love to have an R32 GTR. When I graduate from university next year I am going to try and get one. Hopefully they won't go through with changing the Canadian importation age to 25 years. You skyline guys are living the dream.

[gigablade77]

Ah man, I would love to have an R32 GTR. When I graduate from university next year I am going to try and get one. Hopefully they won't go through with changing the Canadian importation age to 25 years. You skyline guys are living the dream.

That's just a rumor :P There's no proposition to do this.

[Count Zero]

I work for a Candian company.My boss (the owners) are trying to talk me into moving up there.

The fact that I could sell my R32 here for twice what a fully kitted-out R32 would cost there is almost enough to get me to do it.

[toughguyjr]

Just for info - I live in Canada, so there's no legalization mods involved in importing a skyline (besides the headlights). The car just has to be 15 years old before it can be insured.

True, and headlights have been a pain in the ***...

I've been looking into getting a JDM right hand drive import for a while now. I was set on an RX-7 but after talking to my brother (a mechanic) and doing some reading I decided against it, engine parts made out of Teflon are sketchy and general reliability is not exactly shining - as much as I like rotary engines. I was also looking at an Aristo [JDM Lexus], but the lack of a standard (that isn't a Supra swap) is a deal breaker. I've pretty much settled on a Skyline but I haven't been able to find consistent pricing for a few things.

Just like any used vehicle you have to consider A/M parts, K/Ms, condition, geographic location. There's tons of variables that you have to consider in the pricing of a vehicle, espicially a skyline.

My main question is what kind of pricing I'd be looking at for a Skyline R33 GT-R when they're legal in about a year here in Canada - does it look to be comparable to R32's, or will it be a huge jump? Also - does it look like there will be a huge drop in price for R32's when the R33's are available? eBay/Yahoo Auctions Japan shows anywhere from $13,000 Canadian to $30,000 Canadian as going price for an R33 GT-R (exchanging from JPY).

Couldn't tell you for sure, but if anything I would think R32s will be a bit cheaper because they will be older (22-18 years). But then again, I'd rather own a R32 then a R33. I'd rather own R32 then a G35 too :p

Second - insurance. What do skylines cost to insure in comparison to say a small honda or something along those lines. I haven't looked too far into this past a bit of internet searching, but somehow I'm guessing calling up my local insurance broker and asking them how much a Skyline GT-R is to insure would get me a response like "You want to insure a what?"

There are skylines insured in Canada so you should be able to get a quote from your insurance company. In BC, there's not much accident history with these vehicles (because there aren't many of them) so insurance is relatively cheap, depending on your driving record. I used to own an 88 Honda Civic and basic insurance was about $150 a month. My Skyline with premium coverage is below that.

Lastly - gas. Anyone know the average MPG rating. I've been able to gather that stock and new they got an average of ~20MPG, does that sound about right.

Well, I wouldn't expect CIVIC mileage, but the 800km drive back from Vancouver to Prince George was about $180 on 91+OCT.

Oh and while we're at it - any input on reliability and maintenance on the GT-R's would be appreciated.

Haven't owned it long enough to tell you, but anything worth having is gonna consume some time and money.

Hope that helps! Gonna be late for the day job! Peace!

D

[gigablade77]

Thanks for the big reply, toughguyjr, that did help :P