How expensive is a used Skyline in Japan?

I always hear that used cars in Japan are dirt cheap, so I was wondering just how cheap is a good used Skyline GTR in Japan?

Import issues aside, how much would it be to buy a late 90s/early 00s used Skyline GTR with not too many miles that isn't a lemon?

 

During school a few months ago my friend called a guy about importing one but it was really expensive. Probably due to the shipping costs lol.

 

Where do you live?

In Australia we have a few places that can take care of the purchasing/importing for you.

Such as

Ironchefimports

Prestigemotorsports

J-spec Imports

I have owned 2, what we call "grey imports" in the past a '90 Nissan 180SX that I purchased in '98 which I owned for 6 years and more recently a '03 V35 350GT Skyline sedan (loved that one as it was black/black 6 speed manual=rare) which we owned for about 2-3 years. Sold that recently and got a new Mitsubishi Outlander as we have a 1 yr old boy and just wanted the extra room. My wife loves the extra room of the Outlander but it couldn't pull the skin off a custard tart. We both miss the Skyline as it was different (over here) and had enough "juice" to keep us happy. The Skyline was roomy, just needed that bit more (throwing in prams/trikes/shopping/bags etc).

I think you will find R34 GTR's will hold there value for years to come since many see it as the last "true" GTR (probbaly more the case the last to have the RB26DETT).

*edit The build quality of our Skyline we had was much better than any equivelant Falco-dore of the same time period.

 

Not going to import one since stateside grey imports are just a great way to get broke and have your car impounded by the govt.

I need prices in Japan.

 

Used old sky-line in good condition is cheap. Just look on Yahoo Auctions for an idea.

 

Yes the government likes to do the same here (if caught "hooning").

This may help, it is a link to an auction, but gives an idea of start price. Also on that website it has wholesale/dealer cars which will give an indication as well.

http://j-spec.com.au/auction/NISSAN/SKYLINE

 

in Australia GT-R has the reputation as Godzilla as it was so far out that the motoring governing body changed to rule to exclude GT-R - and give V8 cars rooms to breath... Those properly configured/modified R32 AU spec would cost more than JP spec R32. Of course R33 onwards are all grey import.

 

That would be R32 that was sold here, R33 never made it, but yes I remember the touring car circuit trying to "choke" the GTR. It was funny when they made them add weights in there which made them quicker lol!

Differences from the Aussie R32 to the JDM was mostly for ADR requirements (for example brake lights was a different setup). Also subtle differences such as roof aerial.

 

oops! you are right that was R32.
personally not a big fan of R33 thou R34 was alright

 

R32 wins hands down for me

 

There are business devoted to importing J cards into Australia. Way easier than in the US where it's basically impossible.

 

Used cars in general are cheap in Japan because the cost of getting them insured as the years pass becomes exponentially higher. Most normal people couldn't afford the shaken (insurance) on a 5 yr old Benz.

 

having the steering wheel on the "right" side makes easier I guess...

 

Nope, no laws against that, it might be a problem while driving but there are workarounds, the problem is the shitload of tests every car has to go through before being sold in the USA, which the GTR lacks.

Really? why is that? shouldn't be cheaper considering old used cars have cheaper parts and stuff?

Yeah my japanese is bad/nonexistent, any alternatives?

 

They want to keep older cars off the road.

The grey imports into australia have to be tested initially (crash testing and the like) and then compliance plates are issued. For some cars the plates are worth more than the shipping!

Certain compliancing places have certain plates. For example if i want to comply a jzx100 chaser or mark 2 the car has to be sent Rockhampton as they have plates for them. The local one from me (carmen) has plates for r33, r34, v35 skylines, legnum, galant, supra and delica's.

 

You don't need Japanese just type GTR in to the search engine. There's only a crashed on on line at the moment but here's the URL - http://auctions.search.yahoo.co.jp/...&alocale=0jp&acc=jp&tab_ex=commerce&ei=euc-jp

 

Surely you won't find many cars from the 1990s in Japan any more? I thought all cars after a few years had to take such stringent tests (especially emissions) that the Japanese don't bother? Hence why there are so many shipped elsewhere.

 

Look on the auctions. Depends on car/kms/modifications etc.

2002 NUR V Spec 2 with 10,000kms on it, modified (vague memory, this was years ago) was close to $100k. Pretty sure this was pushing closer to 600hp though. 33 GTRs you could be looking at $35k locally - that is with a little profit in them of course but the car condition is basically immaculate - a mate sold his last year for $33k - car looked like brand new though, was amazing.

You can pick up cheaper track cars, but licensable vehicles can be more expensive. I imported my RZ Supra from Japan in 2011.

Jurgen (JM Imports) over in Europe imports to various countries and the UK.

You get what you pay for really, 1998 RZ brought in locally to Aus was bought over there for $12500 if I recall correctly, by the time it was shipped, licensed, taxes etc. the person paid I think $25000 - condition showed though. I bought mine over in Japan for $38k, complianced, rego'd and driving here was approximately $45k, not including modifications I have done to it since then.

 

I'm waiting patiently for some nice 1988 and prior Skylines/Silvias to pop up for auction - they don't need to be complied.

 

Shame they ditched the 15 year rule just as the "interesting" cars where about to be eligible (R32's etc).