So when I buy a Skyline GTR, what are usually the first things maintenance wise I should budget for? Or in some cases if I find a nice clean GTR for a decent price I wouldn’t have to worry so much about the maintenance issue? I’m also going to be using the car everyday, so that means in the winter too. So what are some things I should keep an eye out for when picking one up?
Body condition, any previous accidents, how the engine runs and how the car looks. As for maintenance, its just a car man, change your oil(first one probably in two weeks from getting it in case it has sat for awhile) radiator fluid, spark plugs, etc
You would be best to undercoat it if your driving it in the winter.
If its coming from Japan right to you budget to change every fluid on the car, it never hurts.
I’m just out the door, but here’s the impact a GTR will have on your wallet: :butthead: -> :anal
(I’m not joking either!)
Well, I’m taking into account it’s an old car…that’s the only thing that bloody worries me is the maintenance and that it’s not going to die on me if I drive it to Jasper or Calgary or something…
I think Charles blew a hole through his clutch master cylinder when he was in kamloops or somehting around that.
The fuel economy also will kill you.
You mayhave to get it tuned for 91 as well if its stock even.
I’m just out the door, but here’s the impact a GTR will have on your wallet: Nasty -> What u think
(I’m not joking either!)
haha dave, i was just going to suggest that he talk to you, from what i remember you payed a pretty penny to get yours up and going, but still a beautiful car
Correction: SCI paid a pretty penny to get it going :lol:
You might as well assume it’s going to need ball joints and CV boots, possibly some other suspension stuff. That’s also assuming you buy a decent shape GTR.
Actually it’s not that bad. If you can live with shelling out $70 bucks every 3-4 days on gas, and another $70 every 3000km for an oil change, you shouldn’t have any problems. Trust me, it does get expensive.
It is absolutely not possible to drive this car without boosting all the time! The twins kick in around 2600 RPM so they’re working a lot of the time 
What ever happened to shifting at 2000-2500RPM?
its those damn addictive turbos…
What’s a turbo? :E
Chris, you changed your mind on the Silvia?
Don’t get me wrong, GT-R’s are very cool, but you seemed so dead set on a Silvia… 
GT-R are cool… (Quiet qualthar, i surrender to your coolness…)
But wouldnt a Sil be more economical? I know the ****ed up thing to say but if you need a daily driven skyline = cool and stylish, silvia = cool and cheaper
But do whatever your hearts set on…
its those damn addictive turbos…[/quote]
Exactly… it’s physically impossible for me to suppress the urge to waste gas 
Well, I still have my mind set on the Silvia, its just I really like the Skyline but I dunno’ whatever comes first I guess
This started out as a maintenance question so…
The general things apply as they would for any car. Change all fluids for sure…in all likelihood the ones in there should be okay but it did wonders for my peace of mind to know I was starting with fresh everything. I did the plugs as well…really expesive iridiums :vom: . Check over the belts. Like any car they eventually break.
It is also a good idea to do the timing belt. The belt itself isn’t that expensive and not completely impossible to change. It is cheap insurance against what could be a really expensive repair.
GTRs also tend to want the vacuum lines changed. If you are totally paranoid, get a few handfulls of various sizes of vacuum lines (get a pretty colour if you are so inclined) and change 'em all. Do one at a time so you know where everything goes.
Depending on the set up (stock vs aftermarket), have a look at the air filter(s) and decide if you want to change.
Last but definitely not least is CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER! Easy to do and likely the cheapest thing you can do to improve performance. If you have smallish hands you can do it in like 15 minutes. If you have bigger hands, factor in an hour and bloody knuckles.
Aside from the regular maintenance…
The more important thing is to not buy crap in the first place. My car was the 7th car “investigated” before we found one worth buying. Just like Canada there are good ones and bad ones and it seems that people need to be more patient when selecting their cars.
I see all kinds of guys on GTRC talking about failing inspections because of steering racks, tie rod ends, RUST, etc. Take your time or buy one locally that you can see with your own eyes. PM me if you want any further advice.
My car has gone to Vancouver, Regina, and Kelowna in separate trips and recently to the Mountains…no problems at all.
As for fuel economy…a lot of it has to do with the weight of your right foot and proper maintenance. There are some brand new vehicles on the road that use more gas than the GTR when driven “properly”.