R33 GTST

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I've been looking at Skylines and I've seen a few GTST R33's for sale. I know that they are RWD and aren't as fast as the GTR.

Just wondering what people's views are on them? any issues I should be looking out for, the usual stuff.

I do like the GTST and they are in my price range so it's sort of ideal (Jap, Turbo and RWD)

 

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I had a R34 for 6 years, an absolutely phenomenal car! Tuning is "fairly" cheap but almost all R33's will have been tweaked by now I'd have thought so running around 300hp-ish (exhaust, filter and 1BAR boost).

Very reliable engine, gearbox and chassis, their main issue nowadays is that they're so cheap now that they get bought by the "wrong" sort of owner who thrashes them everywhere but doesn't do any maintenance so be careful.

Rod Bell near Blackpool, Abbey Motorsports down near Gatwick and RK Tuning in Essex are probably the best garages in England (no idea is Scotland) and I'd take it to one of these (probably Rod Bell personally) as soon as you buy one.

Thanks I'll check them out.

They're 2.5 single turbo as opposed to the 2.6 twin turbo lump in the GT-R. They also lack the 4wd system of the GT-R but retain the HICAS system I believe.

The RB series of engines is very good generally but a design flaw in the earlier ones saw a problem with oil pressure falling dangerously low. Something to do with how the pump mates to the block I think.

Golden rule of R33's is to check oil pressure and listen for knocking on cold starts. Check all the usual turbo engine suspects too along with white smoke when cold and blue smoke under load.

I'll keep that in mind.

The only reason I'm not going for a GTR is I want RWD instead. The power isn't as much obviously but as log as its over 250hp then I'm sure that's more than enough to go sideways.

Looking around most of them have been tuned so I'm looking for one that has only had cosmetic mods like coilovers and exhaust system. If not just means I don't have to spend the money on the mods myself.

 

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I had a R33 GTST and jesus did it drink fuel, also they are very very tail happy, had numerous RWD cars in my time but nothing as tail happy as the Skyline (wheel spin from 2nd to 3rd in the dry frequently)

I did always have the 'Skyline' smile but they aren't a cheap car to own and also be careful if you get the mod bug as that will empty your wallet quicker than a wife!!!

I know it sounds daft but what sort of mpg did you get around town? Currently out of my current car I get around 25mpg. Roughly around 120miles from £25.
I can live with 15mpg as that wouldn't be a killer for what it is.

Tail happy mean more fun in my eyes.

I already have a modding bug and the cost of parts for my current car isn't cheap anyway. Decent set of coilovers are about £900

 

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It used to cost me £20 to get to work and back all week (I worked 3 miles from home but up a steep hill), a 140 mile round trip to visit my Dad was £60 (and that was all motorway)

Tail happy can mean more fun but not having to crawl home at 15 mph coz a little bit of rain fell, too much power not delivered properly through the back wheels in my eyes, save up and get a GTR instead as at least you aren't going to be introduced to a ditch.

Ouch that's bad. I currently do 120 miles a week so can see myself needing a better paid job.

I'd get a GTR but it's just the extra cost and I'd rather have something a little different.


Also I'd love a S15 but they aren't cheap around £10k for a decent one.

 

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Yeah it is next to nothing hence a more thirstier car.

I've looked on the Internet and there's people saying that get 15mog and then some saying 25mpg. 15 is doable and reasonable for me. I'm seriously looking at getting one. If s15s where the same price as an r33 gtst then I'd get one of them instead but they aren't.

Plus I have to wait until my current policy ends as they won't insure me on a Rwd at the moment.

 

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Why won't they insure you on a RWD car?

Find that very strange, price maybe higher but to refuse to insure you on a RWD drive car I've never heard of that before.

They won't insure me on any rwd with more than 150bhp. Not until I have 1 years experience. Its their stupid policy seem as I've been driving 10 years and have 9 years ncb.

I've been looking at S14's and they seem nice enough with some mods so might get one of those. I'd prefer the R33. It's just going to come down to how I feel in the car.