That is nuts. I hope to own an R32 one day... hopefully a grey GT-R.

 

Looking forward to your review. Will you be including driver seat video?

 

Ha ha nice! It is sitting at $40k right now with just over 16 hours to go. Very interesting...

 

I saw it was at $35k yesterday and did a bit of a double take. With everything that's done to it, that's a lot of car for anything under $45k.

 

That car was a deal for anything under $60k, but it timed out at $46K.

However, this one just arrived on BaT... (what's up with all the Skylines recently?)

 

Someone actually bought a modified 26 year old Japanese car for $46,000? Actually, seems the reserve was not meant. Jesus, you know what kind of a car you could buy that is better than that? I love Skylines, don't get me wrong. But the American market is hilarious to be buying them for that much just because of hype surrounding them due to those absurd fast and furious films. They're almost at the price when they were selling brand new. Still, a solid car when I've been in a couple back in the day. The 33s especially. I just don't know how the crowd for these cars afford them (they're 12-29 years old?) But for that price, I'd be looking at buying something worth that money. And this R33 appears to be at a bid of $33,333 right now. If it hits over $70,000 I am going to be laughing. Not because I am jealous (really happy for people to buy their dream car and help the economy) but because that seems absurd. Maybe my age is showing, but holy cow that is a lot of money for a basic Japanese sports car that even my Japanese friends who are car enthusiasts also think it's overrated by the crowd here in the US. The R32 GTRs sold for £5,000 in the UK before the legal age came about in the US. Surprised at how little Cefiros there are in the US. Those were an absolute riot to fling on the streets.

 

The white one will sell for a lot just because of its rarity and that is not worth it to me either. But go back and read the crazy build on the red one. It probably has about $75k in recent parts and labor alone. Fortunately it will sell for a lot more because of what it actually is instead of the Skyline legend. That is a rare one. I agree that most Skylines in the U.S. are overpriced at the moment. It seems like all the Canadians who were able to import them 10 years ago for a fraction of the cost are taking it to the bank now.

 

R34 is the poster child for the fast and furious movies. Younger individuals aren't drooling over a R32-33 (sure, there are some). Did they even make an appearance in the FF movies?? I think 35+ yr olds would be more inclined to go after those models. Of course your friends/acquaintances think it's crazy. The car was available to them. Meanwhile, Europeans are dropping $65k+ for a Mustang. We'd think that's insane but import tax and availability will do that.

Sure you can buy a lot for that price but if you're an enthusiast, it's not about that. It's about getting a car that talks or means something to you. I've seen you talk about all these fantasy builds/swaps and even reference importing a Scirocco; which seems a lot like a GTI to me..You think they're cool but to me they look like a 70-80's eco box. I couldn't imagine spending that much money or time to import that or swap/build a LS E36 but they're nostalgic to you and that's what it's all about.

 

That's the thing: most of the people who want to buy an R34 are younger people who can't even afford the R34 in the first place. Prices in the UK are £90,000 ($112,000 USD) for a bullsh*t car, which is a price in super-car territory. Even people who have worked for importing companies here say the same thing. Just confusing, especially since I saw an R34 in millennium jade that was an M-Spec a few months ago at a car show and everyone swarmed around it like flies to a turd. It wasn't a federally legal car too and the whole bumpers and garment paint colors were mismatched. Meanwhile, there were other high end cars being overlooked, like a clean manual Murcielago, or a Carrera GT. I suppose like you mentioned, cars that weren't available in a certain continent usually get a higher price tag. There's a Foxbody selling for £13,000 in the UK, four times the price you can get here, unbelievable.

I guess value is in the eye of the beholder. I still think it's a good car, but not $112,000 good. $40,000 USD is worth it. I wonder if the R32 or R33 prices will fall down here with the introduction of the R34. I also don't want to swap in an LS in an E36 cause I never liked their ugly look. I think you meant the pinnacle saloon, the E39? That is actually the most possible replacement vehicle for the G37 right now. Been actively searching the last month for a good, cheap, example.

 

I wonder how many of the younger set are actually buying these. It seems like most "that isn't worth what they're asking" type classic cars are bought by folks with enough money to not care that it isn't a good price.

I would love to have an R33, having driven a GT (rwd, 1 turbo) in Japan and loving it. But for BMW money... maybe not.

Another data point on the Supra: just saw one on the road today. Front end looks nice. Back of wheel arches to the rear end looks like it was designed by someone blind who had the batmobile described to him. Not a fan.

 

You could say the same thing for '69-72 American muscle. They go for absurd amounts and they have even fewer creature comforts, suspension bits than the '90 -- early 2000 Japanese cars that are fetching crazy asking prices. The majority of Boomers and Gen X who gawk at them can't afford them; but they love them none the less; It's all comparative.

The R32,33 & 34 are neat but they never get more than a second glance from me. I think they're cool but not over $40k cool; so I agree. I'd like to see that E39 build. Are you looking to do it yourself or a completed example? In the same vein, I was (am?) very interested in a LS swapped RX8. I might be in the minority but I really like the RX8 shell and would love an LS swapped one; handling characteristics be damned.

 

True. But most are not as absurdly priced as the R34. I also laugh at how some older guys try to list their classic car for a very high price due to delusion of making up for costs, having seen a '56 Ford Pickup in my area for sale for $58,000. 3 months later, he lowered it down to $39,000. I think the R34 will be over inflated and decrease down to somewhere in 5 digits once people realize that it's not that good of a car as mainstream makes it out to be. Maybe not, we'll see. Would I pay $40,000 for an exceptional gen 1 Camaro example that was owned by an older gentleman that took care of it and that will turn heads most of the time, or $120,000 for an abused Nissan Skyline that every millennial will run to and try talking to you for a long period of time? I'd go with the American soul.

I always thought RX-8s were overlooked. It's always something that grabs my attention still and interesting to look at, even now. 50/50 weight distribution, cool back doors, and a design that still looks new to this day. Maybe the Yamaha 2JZ would work well as well? You should definitely try and get a shell and go from there, because eventually you'll regret not doing it later in life. I want to do the E39 LS swap myself, since I could achieve a vision I want for the E39 I wanted after selling it and getting the G. Just looking for an inline 6 trim (better steering rack, and more abundant than a 540i) with a decent black interior, which won't be hard to find since their interiors don't fall apart like the G's. Paint shouldn't be an issue since they were very thick for that generation. Only like sterling grey and silver. Will definitely do a sunroof/moonroof delete which could probably lead me into doing a whole respray. I know from various research that the E39 with the LS will still have the 50/50 weight distribution. Might buy one after the lock down, and just enjoy it in factory stock form. Maybe a bit later, in a year or two depending on situations and enjoy the F while I'm at it, since I already put so much into it to look and feel good. Anything can happen, but I know it will replace the G. Congrats on the Subaru WRX by the way. A friend had one like yours and I've got to say it's actually a very versatile fun car, even though I was not a fan when it initially came out in the late 2000s. My other friend went car shopping the other day to replace his Mustang and he took a WRX out for a spin and loved it as well, even though he's into American.

And Mike, I agree the R33 GTS is a good car. A friend who went touring in Japan for basketball received a ride in a 600 hp (That's what he told me) GTS and told me it was the most insane car he has ever been in, and he isn't a car person. People sleep on the RB25, and it is a very good motor nonetheless like its brother the RB26.

 

I remember when I saw my first R32 GT-R here in the U.S. the first year they were legal at a car show. Everyone swarmed around it due to the legend. I like the racing pedigree a lot, but the styling of that car just looked like a 90's Nissan econobox- especially those cheap looking wheels, tail lights, and interior. Fortunately, the interior had not aged as badly as the E36 M3, but it was still nothing great. Not that the changes were huge with the R33, but for some reason that car seems to be the best looking to me of the R32-R34's. There was a yellow R33 in Fast and Furious, but its most noticeable scene is when they all pull up to the diner.

I also thought about the RX-8 in the past due to the handling. I even considered getting a turbo for one, but it is a pretty expensive project for a car that is not worth much. Fun car to throw around a really tight track though.

 

So I saw this car the other day and I have to admit it looks a lot better with these wheels and what looks like a pretty significant drop. Still not great, but better.

 

The full tint certainly helps. I know people hate the tail-light extension, but it doesn't bother me. What does bug me a lot is that stupid fender vent thing. Totally out of place and tacky looking. I wonder if there's an aftermarket for blanks to replace it?

Have you driven the Stinger yet? On paper, it seems all kinds of awesome. In person, it checks all the right boxes, yet still seems a little off for some reason. Except for the hatch. Absolutely love the hatch.