Yeah man you can’t go wrong, I’ve owned both and posted elsewhere on this, but I would take a newer Evo (VIII, IX) over an R32 GT-R… 15+ years younger, less problems, and all (or more) of the performance stock, and better aftermarket support (in the US).
Owning a GT-R Stateside takes serious commitment, plus it helps to be ok with spending a fortune and having another car as you will be waiting on parts all the time.
Most people who “think it would be cool” and research a bit would probably be disillusioned after a few months with the car, unless the high received from attention on the road / etc is more the reason for the purchase than the actual performance / heritage / always wanted one as a little kid factor.
I’ve always been in awe of the performance since seeing them advertised with 500-600 hp, fully built in a newspaper… Then taking a bus over to the dealer were the “imported” cars were sold and admiring the gunmetal 32 on display… And this was in 1991.
So you can count me in the “wanted to buy one as a little kid” pool too, but even then bringing the car over here and getting it legalized was just the biggest PITA.
Thanks to Motorex creating some real life F&F type drama for itself, it’s no longer possible anyways.
Only choice is to wait until 2014 and buy one manufactured in '89, pray that the 25 year rule doesn’t change. :lol