Buyer's guide
18 min read
Buyer's guide & specs
Quick answer
The Skyline is a range of sedans and coupes, and only some of them are GT-Rs. The R30 and R31 never were. The GT-R returned on the R32 in August 1989 with the 280 PS RB26DETT and ATTESA E-TS four-wheel drive, and ran through the R33 and R34. Nissan announced that R34 GT-R production would end in early August 2002.
Background
The R30 was introduced in Japan on 18 August 1981 and the R31 on 19 August 1985. Neither carried the GT-R name. The R31 introduced the RB straight-six engines to the Skyline. Its August 1987 GTS-R, rated at 210 PS, is a different car from a GT-R. Nissan describes an 800-car limited edition; Top Gear reports 823 road cars.
The BNR32 GT-R of the R32 generation went on sale in August 1989, after a 16-year absence of the name. It has the RB26DETT twin-turbo inline-six rated at 280 PS and ATTESA E-TS four-wheel drive. The BCNR33 of the R33 launched in January 1995 with the same 280 PS rating, and Nissan attributes ATTESA E-TS PRO to its V-Spec. Nissan records 7 minutes 59.887 seconds at the Nürburgring for an R33 GT-R factory prototype.
The BNR34 of the R34 launched in January 1999 with a six-speed manual. Nissan's January 2002 release says R34 GT-R production would finish in early August 2002.
Editorial notes
Quick read
Constants
Chassis history
This guide covers five Skyline generations, R30 to R34. The R30 and R31 were never GT-Rs. The GT-R returned on the R32 and ran through the R34.
R32 (1989–1995: main range introduced May 1989; BNR32 GT-R sold August 1989–January 1995)
Identification
Generation names are broad families. The factory chassis codes below identify the variants represented in JDMBUYSELL's current Nissan Skyline guide data.
Confirm the complete code on the vehicle's frame or VIN plate; drivetrain, body, and market variants can use different prefixes within one generation family.
Buyer's call
Each point below is drawn from the generation guides.
Reliability
These are inspection points from the buyer's guides cited on the R32 and R34 pages.
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Rear-body corrosion (R32 GT-R) | Trapped debris and water can start corrosion, and so can poor jacking. | Inspect the inner rear arches, the area below the rear window, behind the rear spats and any damaged jacking points. |
| Engine checks (R32 GT-R) | Road & Track's R32 buyer's guide identifies the RB26 as an interference engine. | Check boost leaks, compression and documented timing-belt maintenance. |
| Disabled AWD or locked-out HICAS (GT-R) | A disabled all-wheel-drive system or locked-out rear steering can cover up a problem. | Check how both systems operate and whether they have been modified. |
| First gear popping out (R34 GT-R) | Road & Track lists it as an inspection concern on the R34 GT-R six-speed. | Establish the symptoms before assigning a repair. |
Market
The cars on this hub are Japanese-market Skylines. The federal safety age provision (49 CFR 591.5(i)) lets a vehicle that is 25 or more years old be declared on that basis, applied to each car's own age, so eligibility depends on the individual car and not on the generation. EPA's age exemption requires the original engine model and configuration, or an equivalent or newer EPA-certified replacement engine and emission-control systems. Check both before you buy.
R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II Review — The Holy Grail of JDM
Specs
Rows show the ratings published for the grade and year listed.
Nissan's English heritage page lists 1,150 kg; its Japanese page lists 1,180 kg for the facelift example.
1,160 kg.
DOHC four-cylinder.
No intercooler. Sedan 1,165 kg; hardtop 1,175 kg.
1,235 kg.
1,185 kg.
GT Twin-cam 24V Turbo Passage four-door hardtop. 1,460 kg.
GTS-X Twin-cam 24V Turbo coupe. HICAS. 1,370 kg.
Nissan describes an 800-car limited edition; Top Gear reports 823 road cars. Nissan's English heritage record labels the car KHR31 and gives 1,345 kg; its Japanese record labels it HR31 and gives 1,340 kg.
Grand-touring edition. Motor Fan gives conflicting launch dates (see FAQ).
ATTESA E-TS. 1,430 kg.
1,340 kg.
GTS-4 base. 1,480 kg.
ATTESA E-TS PRO. 1,540 kg.
1,560 kg.
1,410 kg.
Based on the GT-R V-Spec.
1,450 kg. Nissan's facelift release gives the earlier torque as 343 Nm and raises 5MT cars to 363 Nm from August 2000; the English heritage table prints 43 Nm.
Introduction table; transmissions are from Nissan's August 2000 grid.
Introduction table; the FOUR is four-wheel drive.
1,560 kg.
Conversion of used cars.
Lineup
The trim matrix lists ordinary grades and GT-R grades separately. GT-R grades carry the BNR32, BCNR33 or BNR34 chassis code.
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| R30 (1981–1985, sixth generation) | 2000GT-E/X sedan and hatchback | L20E 2.0L OHC inline-six | 125 PS, 167 Nm. Nissan lists the sedan at 1,150 kg on its English page and 1,180 kg for the facelift example on its Japanese page; hatchback 1,185 kg with rear drum brakes. |
| R30 (1981–1985, sixth generation) | Turbo GT-E/S hardtop | L20ET 2.0L OHC turbo inline-six | 1981 example: 145 PS, 206 Nm, 1,160 kg, front and rear discs. |
| R30 (1981–1985, sixth generation) | 2000RS | FJ20E 2.0L DOHC four-cylinder | Introduced 21 October 1981; 150 PS at 6,000 rpm. |
| R30 (1981–1985, sixth generation) | 2000 Turbo RS | FJ20ET 2.0L DOHC turbo four-cylinder | From February 1983; 190 PS, 225 Nm. Iron Mask face from August 1983. No GT-R name. |
| R30 (1981–1985, sixth generation) | Turbo Intercooler RS / RS-X | FJ20ET 2.0L DOHC turbo four-cylinder | From February 1984; 205 PS, 245 Nm. RS-X example adds an eight-way electric driver's seat, power steering, power windows and cassette radio. |
| R30 (1981–1985, sixth generation) | Other TI, GT and diesel grades | L20E, L20ET, Z20, Z18, LD28 | Launch engines listed by Nissan; the grade census is incomplete in the sources used. |
| R31 (1985–1990, seventh generation) | Sedan and four-door hardtop (launch) | RB20DET, RB20DE, RB20ET, RB20E, CA18S, RD28 | Range introduced 19 August 1985; sedan and hardtop are distinct bodies. |
| R31 (1985–1990, seventh generation) | GT Twin-cam 24V Turbo Passage four-door hardtop | RB20DET 2.0L DOHC turbo inline-six | 1985 example: 210 PS gross, 245 Nm, 1,460 kg. |
| R31 (1985–1990, seventh generation) | Two-door sports coupe: GTS-X Twin-cam 24V Turbo | RB20DET 2.0L DOHC turbo inline-six | Coupe added 22 May 1986. 1987 example: 180 PS net, HICAS, 1,370 kg. |
| R31 (1985–1990, seventh generation) | GTS-R coupe | RB20DET-R 2.0L DOHC turbo inline-six | August 1987; Nissan describes an 800-car limited edition; Top Gear reports 823 road cars. 210 PS net, 245 Nm, five-speed manual, Group A base. Not a GT-R. |
| R31 (1985–1990, seventh generation) | GTS Autech Version coupe | RB20DET 2.0L DOHC turbo inline-six | 1988; grand-touring edition with the same quoted peak figures as the GTS-R. Motor Fan's launch dates conflict (see FAQ). |
| R31 (1985–1990, seventh generation) | Wagon 1800 and Wagon GT Turbo | CA18S (1800); SOHC RB20ET (GT Turbo) | Introduced January 1986. 1800: five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. GT Turbo: four-speed electronic automatic. |
| R32 (1989–1994, eighth generation) | GXi, GTE and GTS | CA18i, RB20E, RB20DE | 1989 net introduction ratings of 91, 125 and 155 PS. |
| R32 (1989–1994, eighth generation) | GTS-t (rear-drive) and GTS-4 (four-wheel drive) | RB20DET 2.0L DOHC turbo inline-six | 215 PS net. Five-speed manual or four-speed electronic automatic (period table). |
| R32 (1989–1994, eighth generation) | GTS25 Type X-G sedan | RB25DE 2.5L DOHC inline-six | GTS25 added in 1991. 1993 ECR32 example: 180 PS, 225.6 Nm, 1,340 kg. |
| R32 (1989–1994, eighth generation) | Autech Version sedan | RB26DE 2.6L DOHC inline-six, naturally aspirated | Introduced 1992 on the four-wheel-drive GTS-4. 220 PS, 245 Nm, 1,480 kg. |
| R32 (1989–1994, eighth generation) | GT-R (BNR32) | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | From August 1989. 280 PS, 353 Nm, ATTESA E-TS, Super HICAS, five-speed manual. |
| R32 (1989–1994, eighth generation) | GT-R V-Spec | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | Introduced February 1993; Nissan documents Brembo brakes and 17-inch BBS wheels. |
| R32 (1989–1994, eighth generation) | GT-R V-Spec II | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | Dated to February 1994 in the historical specification table. |
| R32 (1989–1994, eighth generation) | GT-R Nismo and N1 | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | Distinct variant families; N1 derivatives overlap V-Spec. Totals not published. |
| R33 (1993–1998, ninth generation) | GTS, GTS25, GTS25 Type S and GTS25t | RB20E, RB25DE, RB25DET | 1993 introduction table: 130, 190, 200 (Type S) and 250 PS. Transmission varies by grade. |
| R33 (1993–1998, ninth generation) | GTS-4 (four-wheel drive) | RB25DE 2.5L DOHC inline-six, naturally aspirated | November 1993 table: five-speed manual or four-speed electronic automatic. |
| R33 (1993–1998, ninth generation) | GTS25t Type M sedan | RB25DET 2.5L DOHC turbo inline-six | 1997 ECR33 example: 245 PS, 274 Nm, 1,410 kg, 205/55R16 tyres. |
| R33 (1993–1998, ninth generation) | GT-R | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | Launched January 1995. 280 PS, five-speed manual. |
| R33 (1993–1998, ninth generation) | GT-R V-Spec | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | ATTESA E-TS PRO documented on the V-Spec. 1997 example: 368 Nm, 1,540 kg, 245/45ZR17. |
| R33 (1993–1998, ninth generation) | GT-R Autech Version 40th Anniversary (four-door) | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | 1997 show car, launched 1998. Four seats, own rear doors and fenders, BCNR33 code. |
| R33 (1993–1998, ninth generation) | NISMO 400R | RB-X GT2 2.8L (2,771 cc) | Advertised limit 99; Hagerty reports 44 built. 400 PS; 400R-exclusive parts not sold generally. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | GT and 25GT | RB20DE, RB25DE (NEO in the 2000 grid) | 1998 introduction ratings: GT 155 PS; 25GT 200 PS. August 2000 sedan grid: GT 5MT or E-ATx; 25GT 5MT. The facelift GT coupe is E-ATx only. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | 25GT Turbo (ER34) | RB25DET NEO 2.5L DOHC turbo inline-six | 280 PS. 5MT or M-ATx in the August 2000 grid; sedan and coupe. 1998 sedan example 1,450 kg. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | 25GT-V, 25GT-X and 25GT (rear-drive) | RB25DE NEO 2.5L, naturally aspirated | August 2000 grid: 25GT-V 5MT or M-ATx; 25GT-X M-ATx; 25GT 5MT. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | 25GT-X FOUR and 25GT FOUR L | RB25DE NEO 2.5L, naturally aspirated | Four-wheel drive. 25GT-X FOUR with E-ATx; 25GT FOUR L selection with 5MT or E-ATx. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | GT-R (BNR34) | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | Launched January 1999. 280 PS, four-wheel drive, six-speed manual. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | GT-R V-Spec II | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | On sale 30 October 2000. 392 Nm; carbon bonnet with NACA duct, aluminium pedals. Larger rear brakes extended to all GT-R grades. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | GT-R M-Spec | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | On sale 8 May 2001. Ripple-control dampers, leather seats, heated front seats; Silica Breath launch colour. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | GT-R M-Spec Nür and V-Spec II Nür | N1-based RB26DETT | 2002; combined limit of 1,000 announced. Gold cylinder-head cover, 300 km/h speedometer scale, Millennium Jade colour. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | NISMO Z-tune | Z2 2.8L (customer cars) | Later conversion of approved used donors from 2004; 19 completed, 500 PS in customer cars. |
Drivetrain
Editorial
The first question is GT-R or not. The GT-R is the BNR32 (R32), BCNR33 (R33) or BNR34 (R34) with the RB26DETT. The other Skylines are ordinary sedans and coupes, such as the R32 GTS-t with the RB20DET and the R34 25GT Turbo (ER34) with the RB25DET at 280 PS.
Check the chassis code and the paperwork, because an RB26 swap does not make an R32 a GT-R. Limited-edition counts are documented unevenly: Nissan gives 800 for the R31 GTS-R while Top Gear reports 823, and the 1,000 Nür figure covers two editions combined.
US eligibility is 25 years from each car's build date, so it depends on the individual car.
FAQ
Citations
Sources last verified: