Nissan R32 GT-R

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Irace86

Just fyi, it isnt only the boonies. My parents are thirty minutes north of santa rosa and dont have to smog in cloverdale.

Some would consider Santa Rosa the boonies.

Originally Posted by Noble713

If you really want to pay that much to inherit a 25-year old maintenance nightmare that will get spanked by a C5 Corvette, be my guest.

C5 Z06 is one of the best performance bargains out there right now, they can be found cheaper than a new 86.

Now why would anyone buy a 4-banger Toyota when you can have a 400+ horsepower Corvette for same money?

[TylerLieberman]

Originally Posted by KR-S 86

I really wouldn't rip on anyone for wanting to pay a reasonable amount of money to drive their dream car.

Still, considering that I live in California, I could never obtain an R32 unless it is a legal Motorex car or it was obtained through illegal means. Hopefully, Drazic is lucky to live in a different state to have that option.

It isn't difficult at all to own and register an R32 here in California.

[fumanchu1]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Some would consider Santa Rosa the boonies.



C5 Z06 is one of the best performance bargains out there right now, they can be found cheaper than a new 86.

Now why would anyone buy a 4-banger Toyota when you can have a 400+ horsepower Corvette for same money?

Hum because then youre stuck owing a corvette and everyone will know how tiny your engine is.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman

It isn't difficult at all to own and register an R32 here in California.

I would love to see evidence of one, I looked and couldn't come up with anything.

[KR-S]

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman

It isn't difficult at all to own and register an R32 here in California.

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I would love to see evidence of one, I looked and couldn't come up with anything.

What Strat said. Granted, I have seen a fair amount of R32s roaming around the street. However, I do wonder how many of those are actually (if at all) registered legally.

I suppose it's based on how good the importer is at paperwork?

[Noble713]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Now why would anyone buy a 4-banger Toyota when you can have a 400+ horsepower Corvette for same money?

If you live in the States, good question!

Living here in Japan:
1. Corvette is LHD only. Will get annoying (drive thrus and whatnot).
2. The lighter and smaller 86 suits Japan's tight, narrow, and twisty roads better.
3. There's far fewer places to make good use of the 400+hp on the street. Very little highway driving here.
4. Annual taxes on a 5.7L engine is something like $750. For over 6L it's ~$1000. Every....YEAR.

That's the main reason I'm looking at getting another used Evo X for my next car instead of an early IS-F. I'd love an NA V8 but taxes + general driving conditions mean anything over about 3.5L or 350hp just isn't worth it.

Not to threadjack or anything.....


In terms of sourcing spare parts for an R32....see if you can get a Japanese-speaking friend to setup a Yahoo! Auctions Japan account for you. You can sometimes find engines for cheap, but getting an RB26 shipped internationally is probably a pain. I tried to put my 1JZ and 1.5JZ up on Ebay but every Japanese shipping company refused to ship an engine overseas, even palletized, or by sea.

[ohnoitsthefuzz]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

California does not have rolling smog exemption and OP hasn't specified his location. Yes many places have a exemption of X number of years (I think I've seen anywhere from 15-30 years old) for emissions compliance, California is not one of them. There are a few counties that ignore the regulations but they're usually in the middle of nowhere.

All vehicles produced 1976 and later must comply to emissions regulations and go through regular testing every 2 years. Even cars built as far back as 1968 must have emissions equipment (that's why there's no USDM 1968 Porsche 911S), however unless they're being imported and registered for the first time nobody will check after it's been registered.

1976 BMW 2002, Datsun 280Z, Lamborghini Countach? Smog every two years. Brand new LS engine and Chevy OEM ECM in a 1989 Miata? Smog every two years after you've received referee certification. If my FA20 doesn't last I'd love to go rotary, a nice little 13B. Nope, engine older than chassis.

Show up to a California DMV with a vehicle imported from overseas built after 1975, they'll take one look at the VIN and require a CHP inspection and to get CARB/BAR emissions certified. Lots of stories on the internet about it, the guys with EDM BMW's seem to be the most thorough about detailing the process online.

Source:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/html/master_fa...t_cars_faq.htm

I just tried to google and see if anyone has a legally imported and registered R32 in California under the 25 year rule and came up blank. Wouldn't mind seeing some success stories if they do exist.

Edit: I've heard whispers of California street legal R32's existing but I think they were brought in by Motorex, maybe Mav's buddy is one, maybe he "lives in florida" which seems not to give a flying fuck about what you drive.

Don't know the exact hoops to jump through. However, on my way into work (Santa Clarita), stopped at a Shell station and a pristine blue 90 R32 GTR pulled in right behind me packed with 5 teenagers. Wanted to chat about the car but after starring in awe/envy for a while, had to get to work to pay for my sad FRS. Had Cali plates on it.

Wish I would have had time to talk to the kid.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by ohnoitsthefuzz

Don't know the exact hoops to jump through. However, on my way into work (Santa Clarita), stopped at a Shell station and a pristine blue 90 R32 GTR pulled in right behind me packed with 5 teenagers. Wanted to chat about the car but after starring in awe/envy for a while, had to get to work to pay for my sad FRS. Had Cali plates on it.

Wish I would have had time to talk to the kid.

My point was that I don't think the ones that are here came in under the 25 year rule.