Nissan Skyline GT - R R34 (1999 - 2002) : REVERTING TO HYPE?

Thursday May 1

Models Covered:: (2 dr coupe 2.6 petrol [R34 GT-R] )

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Few cars have built up quite such a mantle of invincibility as Nissans Skyline GT-R. Founded on saloon car racing dominance, almost implausible lap times of the Nürburgring and an underground following that translated into unquenchable public demand here in the UK, the Skyline has created its own legends. Although the torch is now carried by the R35 GT-R, a car that has dispensed with the Skyline badge, the last of the Skyline GT-R models, the R34, remains the definitive Playstation generation car. As a used proposition, is it worth the money or is its price buoyed by a hefty bubble of hype? Heres the knowledge.

Part of the appeal of the Skyline GT-R was that despite being rapid and eminently tuneable to go even faster, it nevertheless had seating for four, a fairly decent sized boot and was sufficiently untemperamental that you could use it every day. Four-wheel drive gave it all-weather capability handy in this damp and pleasant land and our V-Spec models were also equipped with ATTESSA-ETS-PRO, a system which switched drive to whichever of the four wheels most needed it, correcting the car if it skidded from its intended line. When developing the R34, Nissans engineers took on board criticisms that the interior was a little undramatic for a car costing over £50,000 and fitted one of the most diverting features ever to grace a cars dashboard. The multi-function display could relay all manner of virtually useless information such as turbo rpm, exhaust manifold temperature and so on but the g-meter was the really fun toy.

Yes, your internal organs and inner ear would tell you whether you were accelerating, decelerating or cornering, but seeing a little ball veering all over the display as you lurched from lock to lock was strangely compelling. The fit and finish of the R34 isnt bad, with brushed aluminium effect trim and, on UK cars at least, Connolly leather upholstery. Theres also a six-speed Getrag close ratio gearbox and some great styling parts. The front and rear spoilers are huge, the eighteen inch wheels and Brembo brakes eyecatching, and the signature colour is Bayside Blue.

For a car that appears to put out less power than a BMW 135i, a used Skyline GT-R R34 at first seems like a lot of money. Its worth differentiating between Japanese import models and UK-specific cars. All UK cars are V-spec models. Non V-spec cars will be imports and should be priced accordingly.

With the R34, UK cars also gained an extra oil cooler and leather interior, but always demand paperwork to be sure of what youre looking at. The R34 GT-R remains a rare sight and UK cars are valued at around £24,000 for a 1999 car on V-plates. Compare that to £11,000 for a 99T BMW M5 4.9 V8 and you can see the benefit of a cult following.



As regards reliability, much depends on quite how far removed from standard trim your Skyline is. A colleague ran one that gave nothing but problems. It was only when analysing these problems that every single failure could be attributed to ill-judged aftermarket parts fitted by the previous keeper. The six-cylinder engine is a barely changed derivative of the powerplant that debuted in the Skyline GT-R R32 back in 1989.

Code name RB26DETT, its a heavy old lump that was eventually killed off by emissions legislation. The Skylines oil coolers are located right behind the front spoiler, so even a light frontal tap can rupture these, rendering the cars engine susceptible to costly destruction unless its switched off quickly. Tyre wear is an issue on cars which are used hard, and the low front spoiler of the R34 often comes in for some damage. Keep a look out for crash damage the Skyline encourages tail out heroics.

Otherwise, despite their complexity, Skylines are amazingly reliable. Middlehurst Motors are the source of UK Skyline expertise, being sole importers for new cars and having an expert eye for used stock. If a used Skyline has Middlehurst service records, its a good sign. If not, make sure that the cars specification corresponds to the age it purports to be.

Import cars have often led a chequered history, and as we have seen, proper UK Skyline experts are rare. The final tip is to make sure what youre looking at is a proper GT-R. Many GT-T models are dressed up and badged as GT-Rs but a lack of front driveshafts should give that particular game away.

(Estimated prices, based on an R34 GT-R). Spares for the Skyline arent cheap, but when compared to a model with comparable performance, its perhaps understandable. A big support network of owners and parallel importers has sprung up, so a bit of determined Googling may well pay dividends. An exhaust system costs in the region of £700, and a clutch assembly £300.

Performance brake pads will cost around £150 for a front pair and the same for a rear set. An alternator runs to about £300, and a headlamp unit is £425.

The Skyline driving experience is a bit special. From the angry growl of that straight-six engine to the visceral, sickening acceleration, its a car that demands respect. Nissans chassis engineers have succeeded where Mitsubishis conspicuously failed in making a large car with a high level of techno-involvement fun to drive. Power out of a tight corner and you can feel the GT-Rs electronics let the tail of the car drift wide before directing power to the front wheels, pulling the car back into a straight line.

The first couple of times it will feel odd, but before too long youll learn to exploit it and youll be as sideways as a fiddler crab until you crash, are arrested or receive your first tyre bill. The steering is firm and meaty in feel, and although the Skyline never feels small around you, it is wieldy and nimble on its feet. Enthusiast drivers rave over the earlier R32 model, being smaller and lighter than its successors. BMWs M5 is probably the closest thing the Skyline has to a rival, but even this car doesnt carry the urban kudos the GT-R exudes.

An R34 GT-R will sprint to 60mph in just 4.6 seconds and has an identical maximum velocity.

The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 is a bit of an enigma. Buy an unmolested example and youll pay around twice as much as you would for an early BMW E46 M3, a vehicle that, if anything, is a more satisfying and talented drivers car. Go for a modified car and youll need to know what youre up to because youre then into big bills territory. A quick search of the classifieds reveals a modified Skyline GT-R R34 selling for £65,000 which the owner had clearly spent a six figure sum on.

Overall? Well, youll buy this Nissan for its charisma and menace. It has a definite personality and a wicked one at that. Even to this day, the Skyline GT-R R34 gets serious respect. Can you put a price on that?


 

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