What do you make of Skyline pricing? 🤔Thanks to ZenMarket for sponsoring this video! Signup for free and shop from Japan: zenmarket.jp/signup.aspx?affid=DRIVETRIBE
With the rarity/exclusivity/production numbers vs demand, I think they're properly priced. There are faster cars for the same money but none will capture the hearts and attention of our generation like these do. I saved for many years to achieve my 22 year long dream and I wouldn't have it any other way. They feel amazing to drive, unlike anything else I've driven, and I an not wait until it's in my garage!
Not it’s not overrated. It meets expectations. Thats literally the definition of not being overrated. No one that drove, sat in, or even just saw. Walked away thinking….someone lied to them…
I think the real reason the R34 is so much more valuable than the R32 is for two reasons not mentioned: 1. because of how it looks, its one of the coolest looking "tuner" cars of all time. 2. Its much rarer, there were almost 44,000 R32s built and fewer than 12,000 R34s.
@@samuelgarrod8327 Styling, proportions etc The R34 literally looks cool, FnF movies helped move the prices we're seeing today too. I'm not justifying the absurdity of it all, just my opinion of how it came to be
To be fair, the holiest of grails in Skyline circles are still the 400Rs which of the R33 gen. The OG cover car of Gran Turismo was the LM which was a 33 as well. Safe to say that R33 enjoyers simply have less mainstream tastes
Actually non of the above in my opinion. It's mostly because of the Fast and Furious franchise and NFS Underground 1. Brian's and Eddie's Skylines just grew on so many kids they just desired them when they got older and finally got money for them.
Yooooo, the 580bhp Red (AR2) VSpec at TorqueGT is mine! If ever you want it for a feature, let me know - would love to see it on the channel more! happy for them to pass my details onto you if you ever want to get in touch. 🔥 If you want my opinion, the car is definitely worth the pricetag. Does it drive like other, more modern options at that price tag? No. - That said it is a lot more raw of a driving experience, the sounds, the turbo lag, the boost... oh man the boost. I was lucky enough to get in before the prices soared, though at the end of the day price is just indicative of desire & passion to own such a gem of a car. There is definitely argument to own an R32 *and* R33 GTR for the same price (or even less) but there's just something about the R34 man. An engineering marvel, so modifiable, so rare (AR2 only 61 made with VSpec package, 121 total R34 GTR in that colour). There's a reason people know R34 and RB26, the same as they know Supra and 2JZ. These are the powerhouses of our childhoods, they don't make cars the same anymore (cliche, i know, they definitely do - the 90s-00s just hit different.) & as we step into an electric future, we may never see cars like it again. Just clocked my PS13 in the background too at 8:27 😂full garage feature in this ep, my word what a day haha
@@KitamiK11 Car is still pretty much as imported - full Rocket Bunny V2 kit, paint matched/smoothed engine bay, tubbed arches, SR20DET conversion - wheel specs i'm unsure of, definitely 18s, tires i think are 265, maybe 275?, recently became road legal & has had a new set of Tein coilovers, needs a Link fitted and a trip to the dyno to see what power it's making!
@@Kiingtong If you did that work in the UK I'm kind of disgusted but impressed, but if it was that way imported then that's just plain sick. Cheers for the response! May I ask why the large power number for the GTR? Is that more a capability thing and you run it lower or do you actually drive with that much?
@@KitamiK11 Depends on the day & the mood, it's got a 3 way switch. I'll usually drive it in low or med boost.. high is reserved for ride alongs, sending down on ramps & making nice noises. It's a very capable car but 580 is just way too much for UK roads (and insurers). Too many potholes, speedcameras & people who would complain given the opportunity. It's a priviledge to own such a car so I try to be as respectful to everyone in my town & on the roads when driving it, wouldn't want my joy to be someone elses annoyance.
I felt in love with the R34 Skyline with Gran Turismo 2, I used to pick the yellow colour, now Blue is the go 2. By the time I got to NFS or Fast Furious, I was already deep in love with the Car.
Market value. Watch the auctions. You will see 70 and 80 year old guys paying six figures for Chevelles, 442s, GTOs, and vintage Corvettes. Those were their dream cars. These are ours.
too true, sierra Cosworths have gone the same way , Now they're almost too valuable to drive properly now which is Heresy they are ment to be driven hard or whats the point owning one
I see loads of comments online about how JDM legend cars are only famous because of movies and games, however what most people don't realise is they were in loads of games and movies because they were already popular. I am old enough to remember life before the fast and the furious here in Australia and everyone already knew about skylines back in the day. For me, the reason the R34 is worth the most, is because its easily the best looking but also has the best tech as well.
Well in all honest Australia is a special case when it comes to GTRs because they made Skyline GTR what it is. It was Australian nissan team that perfected the R32 GTR and made it dominant race car.
The R34 was never my dream car but the fact that is has a cult following, I have to respect it because you could say the exact same thing about the BMW e30 M3 and I am completely on that hype train.
@@Desert_SpecI'd agree with this sentiment. An icon, definitely, but no way they're worth €50k. I drove an R34 GTR for a few days in Japan in 2019 - honestly, I wish I hadn't. They were always a hero car for me and on the list of cars for my dream garage. It was a fine car, but it was completely underwhelming. They say you should never meet your heros... true in this case unfortunately.
@@BLAZINGINGPHOENIXAaaaahhh! I was doing it wrong. :D So I'll buy one for £250k and drop another £150k on modifying it... that there is the key to happiness!! :D Actually, I would love to drive a track oriented one.
I once made the choice between a supra and a gtr, both around 10k at the time. If I had known that they would be worth as much as they are now, I would have been more economical with my supra. but I enjoyed it.
I own an r33gtr midnight purple ( I prefer the look to r34) and don’t underestimate the adrenaline and smile they bring. 150k is too much especially for a standard one like in the video, if it had 30-40k spent on the engine then maybe it would be worth it. Standard they are quite mediocre in performance. I’m about 700bhp currently and have well and truly gone down the rabbit hole spending on it but nothing I’ve been in has ever come close to the thrill and sound it makes. Low 3s to 60 is addictive with its old school turbo whistle and you can treat it like you stole it and it still remains so reliable.
I remember seeing your video of when you bought yours. All I could think at the time was "Dang, these were like 30-35k last time I looked". If only I could have convinced myself to do it! I did buy an R32 GTR about a year and a half ago, but my desire for the R34 will always be there until I make it reality.
Back when they were 15 years old, I met someone who imported a white vspec for $45k usd into my country (Canada). It was not a trailer queen but a decent driver that he’s been slowly restoring and afaik he still owns it. I know he will never sell it but I can’t image what it’s worth today.
I’d be fascinated to know if you are a 90s kid or a pre-90s/2000’s kid. Your opinion is fair either way I’m just curious if you grew up with it or not. For me I know the R35 is a better car in every way but there is still no contest (90s kid😂)
I absolutely can and absolutely would as would most Americans in their 30’s or 40’s. And even though rhd is without question the most idiotic and obnoxious thing ever I’d still drop 150 on an R34 just because it’s a manual.
@@jasonrogers1960 The whole conclusion of this video was about the American market that's about to explode for these cars, and yes, RHD is a problem in America.
Having recently completed my 6th decade of life, I really enjoy your channel and others like it (Jay Leno's Garage in particular). I started my career life in my dad's race engine shop in the late 1970's. He passed on in the mid 90's. I have been working with car nuts ever since. I believe the R-34 has favor over the R-32 because it is the more mature realization of the idea born in the R-32. The R-34 has a more refined appearance, more power, easier upgrade options, better driver/creature comfort, better handling, and more refined systems. It's maturity as a product has attracted more enthusiasts to it as the preferred vehicle to own. The publicity from Gran Turismo would not have worked without the R-34 already being the more desirable specimen on it's own.
The R34 GTR is a hugely competant and capable car, with 4 seat and respectable luggage capacity for everyday use. It (almost) ticks all boxes and everything after is personal preferences. I personally love the R32 best though xD
Paying mint and keeping them stock is nuts. The golden age of tuning cars is where these JDM icons made their name - affordable & easily tuned platforms, from braking, handling to power. HKS, Mines, RE Amemiya, Spoon, Amuse, Top Secret … the list goes on…. Nobody dreamed of owning a museum piece!
NFS, fast and furious/paul walker made the R34 an automotive icon. Myself being 27 Years old, I grew up with cars like this. So cars like R34, Supra, RX7 etc will never be over rated for me, despite prices going nuts
Haven't watched this yet, but the answer is YES! Over and over many times yes! Not only is it a weapon , but it looks beautiful and it's a Walker auto.
You obviously don't understand why certain cars are worth so much. Is it a 150k driving experience, especially in stock form? Of course not. But its nearly mythical status, tuneability, rarity, and its cemented place as one of the all time great JDM cars has increased its value accordingly
@@UmarTheGreat10 Its nothing special mate, if it was never in 2F2F nobody would even care about it. RB26 is nothing special, you're better off building an rb30, its far cheaper + bigger displacement.
Cheers from Far East of Russia, where most cars on the roads are made in and imported from Japan! Great video and points! Fun fact cause of weak rubble almost all Skylines GTR, I mean R32, R33, R34, all were bought back by Japanese and re-imported back to home Japan. That's crazy and now I see why, it's all about 25 year wall from US and the game to make money. BTW great watches TISSOT PRX am I wright? 🙂
Non of these JDM cars are worth what people are asking for them. We’re literally paying the “hype tax” and people forget that these are supposed to be everyday affordable sports cars. Unless its a very limited special edition, it should be no where near 6 figures. This is coming from someone who has JDM Toyota MR2.
Yes, Its a 1600KG car with roughly 320 HP and a trick for the time AWD system. It's a nice car and I get that classics go up in value, but you can get cars far more exciting to drive or much faster. Nothing about them stands out to me as being really special, but I guess there's all the limited editions, but the Japanese brands all do that and it's the same basic car. You could buy something like a Lotus Exige and a Porsche 911 GT3 for that sort of money.
Yeah, I agree with how the cars are meant to be originally. I'll happily pay quite a bit for one, especially with the limiter disabled, but a hundred and forty thousand is just too much. I would rather have a 2017 GTR, Lexus LC500, or Vauxhall VXR220 instead.
I always come back to the saying that a car is worth what people will pay for it, and yes it's silly but true. It's not about worth of the car, it becomes about worth to the owner.
As an owner of a JDM Supra that I bought for the equivalent of $775 here in Japan, I completely agree with you. For a 150k quid I'd rather build an R34-like kit car from scratch.
Had a neighbor who has an R34 GTR he uses it as a daily. I asked him once what it's like. He said it was really nice, he takes it to work, to the grocery store, dates etc.
Short answer: yes. It has some incredible suspension and chassis features that TO THIS DAY are still luxury items. Things like rear-wheel steer and the advanced AWD and traction control systems and the basic dynamics of the chassis are elements that very few companies have mastered in any way even 20 years later. Porsche is a notable exception - and I'm not surprised, considering the R34 is basically Nissan's Porsche 959. It is a legitimate supercar in every single way.
yh nissan literally reverse engineered it with a porsche lol. People give them hate but i think thats completely fine because nissan added their own mark to it
Just because they are hyped up, or have not reached "peak hype" yet like you mentioned in the video, does not answer the question to whether it is overrated. A well though out answer to the question would have left the hype bias aside, and objectively evaluated if the driving experience if worth 100k+, or compared it to other sports cars you can buy for the same money...
I never fully understood the argument that "you can buy a better car for the money". Of course you can.. Its like me saying "hey why buy a Ferrari F40 for 2.5mil when you can get an SF90 for 800k - which is a better car.." Same situation here. R34 GTR, only 11,000 units made, high racing pedigree, it's been a hero JDM car for decades, plethora of aftermarket support. The R34 GTR isn't lacking in anyway either, still a timeless design, turns heads, has a lot of road presence, most non-car enthusiasts wouidnt even think its 25 years old and its great fun to drive. Plenty of Aussies also breaking records with them. It's also not that far out of reach considering how much Modern-classic cars from other brands are fetching...
Biggest reason R34 "is worth" 150k, is that until resent years it wasn't legal in US so collectors couldn't get it legally and it was hyped by "influencers".
I think you mean weeks, not years. The R34 has only been legal in the U.S. for less than a month. I know there are a few running around but they technically aren't street legal in a permanent sense
This 100%. No one mentions this but this is exactly why the value went up. Canada has a 15 year rule, we could get them 10 years before the USA and the prices then were decent. I wish I would of bought one. They were going for about 50-65k cad dollars in 2012. Now it’s an easy 100+
For sure, but even if social media didn’t exist there would still be the same amount of rich Americans who have always wanted one and will pay whatever for one. There were no influencers in the late 90’s early 2000’s but there’s countless 16-21 year olds who now have the means to buy a car like this in their 40’s.
I have a business restoring these. Been involved since 1992 with GTR. I predicted this hike over 15 years ago when we were importing them for 16k a go. Currently we have over 30 skylines in restoration. Awesome!!
Mike's presenting style is fantastic. Very derivative of old Top Gear but, unlike most car youtubers, he has a natural unique style of delivering information. Really enjoyed this video
An r34 gtr will never be over rated! ❤ one of the stand out features is the looks - once you see one in blue with the nismo bodywork and the sun reflecting off it you'll understand why.
I never liked the way the r34 looked, it kinda looks like a brick. The r32 and r33 look a bit better in my opinion. None of them are worth anywhere near the prices they're going for nowadays though.
I feel so called out... I never even knew of the Skyline before Gran Turismo. But everything about it in the game made it one of my favorite cars ever. The look, the performance. Out of the entire lineup up to the current GTR, my favorite is still the R34 just by the looks. The one competing it is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
I’ve driven a couple now through work. For me, it didn’t really feel that special. Sure the statistics and figures are amazing, I just didn’t really care for it. Found the same with the Supra to be honest. If it wasn’t the main car in 2 Fast 2 Furious, I don’t think it’d be as valuable as they are today. But that’s the thing about cars like these, they are art. Art is subjective.
Lol, you wish... And so do i... but that's not how it work, value is based on what people are willing to pay and so far, a lot of people are willing to pay far more for their dream car...
@@maxnaz47 Obviously but I just mean if you look at the car itself logically without market influence it's 50 - 60, People will overpay for everything especially housing
Oh drivetribe just to add. Besides its bloodline’s motorsports feats and championships, the R34 Gtr is considered by the Japanese GTR enthusiasts as the “modern R32” (they also quite hate the R33 back then), thus it became the favorite Gtr. Production numbers too are lower.
I never played GT, I didn't even knew of it's existence 20 years ago or what a PlayStation even was. 90s japanese cars are just beautiful and peak design: R(32,33,34), Mazda RX7 and Acura NSX are the best looking cars ever made, they're pure art in my eyes.
A few years ago, I checked the prices online and found some offers for GTRs for ~50k€ and I thought wow, I need to hurry up saving money to get one - and now we are here.
The first time I've seen this car was in Need for Speed underground. My first impression of it was: "well that looks like a brick" Yeah I was never too high on this car.
My love for this car definitely comes from Gran Turismo, but to me it's also the best looking Skyline. It's just a gorgeous car. I've seen them live only a few times, they're smaller than the design made me think, but so, so beautiful.
I remembered driving one around on the test track on grand turismo. It was The Mine's version.....Christ I would push my speakers on my telly, and Dad's ears to the verge of all destruction haha!! !
I managed to have half an hour in one in 2019. I remember getting out of it disappointed that the engine felt slower than I thought it would but was shocked with how planted and stable it felt and how quick the rack was and agile it felt in slower corners. Power delivery was very linear which I wasn’t expecting.
Aussie watcher here. Back in 2005 I was about to pull the trigger on a grade A import R34 GTR Vspec II white and the dealer wanted $38,000 AUD and I thought I was getting ripped off!! hahaha how I wish I bought it then. Not for resale value, but to be able to have one at a $38,000 AUD instead of $199,000K AUD in 2024...lol Hindsight is a bit$h..
I was fortunate to buy an R34 GTR VSpecII in 2007 and import it to Oz from Japan. It was bone stock, but isn't anymore, pushing out nearly 600hp atw. I have great fun with it at track days and even just pottering around town. I also enjoy sharing the car with other enthusiasts at Classic Car & Coffee meets and other such get togethers. The car always attracts a crowd, especially when I open the bonnet! Lord knows what it is worth, but it is insured for a lot. 😎👍🗿
I had a business years ago and part of it was importing the odd car from Japan. I remember being able to buy these cars and they would have cost around £18-£20k landed and would have retailed out around £25-£27k at the time for an average example. Great car but not worth over £100k in my opinion but maybe that’s just because I remember paying a lot less for them 10 years ago. I don’t think they are any better than a mk4 supra twin turbo which arguably has a stronger engine out of the box.
First thing I would do to an R34 is give it the 600 horsepower it’s meant to have. Other than wheels, I would keep it totally stock. The car looks fantastic as is
If this channel is my only link to the entirety of my childhood watching Top Gear and The Grand Tour.. So be it! Thank you from Boston Massachusetts!🙏🏼🫡
I had an R33 GTS25T with a 5 Speed and a mild tune. It was fabulous! I can only imagine what a full R33 or R34 GTR would be like. They are ahead of their time but definitely overpriced.
In the early 00's in bought a Civic for 6k, traded up to an Integra for 11k, traded up for a Supra for 13.5k, then a Skyline GT-R for 15.5k. Those were the days.
There are two reasons why the R34 is my dream car, and believe you me the R32 is a close second. First: the looks. Pretty simple, its personal preference. Second: its the newest. 90's JDM (or there abouts as the R32 is '89 and R34 is early 2000's) is a funny thing where retro meets cutting edge technology. Hear me out with this metaphor: why would I have a Gameboy (an R32) or Gameboy Color (R33), when I could have a Gameboy Advance SP, with a modern LED backlit screen mod (a tastefully tuned R34)? I want to play those oldschool games, but I want the best of that era at the same time. And no, the Nintendo DS (or R35) will not do. The GBA will play all three generations of Gameboy cartridges, whereas the NDS will only do the Advance titles. At that point, I might as well own a Nintendo 3DS (something completely different, like an EV) and play all the DS games... At which point, this metaphor is overused.
I remember when they bottomed out here in Australia. $39,000 for a black, totally stock V spec, no more than 20 minutes from my door here in Geelong... Ughh.. With that said, I think they're an awesome car (Should have sold my JZA80 and JZZ30 to buy it). But not worth what they're going for now, considering what else that cash buys you.
I was a rare American excited for Gran Tourismo because it had the GTR in it, along with tons of awesome cars we never got over here. Was a chance to drive the unobtainable in a way.
As someone who owned a r33 gts as a daily my opinions are yes and no, to drive no definitely not overrated they are fantastic to drive and surprisingly easy to live with and practical BUT where they are overrated is in how they are originally built they are not as well built as they look rust extremely quickly and damage easily (mine got dented by a wheel bin at walking pace) so if you think of buying one make sure you have deep pockets and patience other than that a fantastic car never driven anything that feels like such a event everywhere you go, if you want a car to grab attention a skyline is perfect
Is a R34 worth 150k... well that depends on who you are and what you wanna do with it if youre a JDM lover, then yes. if you plan on spending more money on aftermarket parts, still yes because the performance potential from a skyline is off the charts for less money than a Lambo. if youre anybody else, probably no
I think another factor is that when people buy a car, they usually don't think about maintenance. Finding parts for an E85 Z4 is challenging enough. Getting a 20+ year old import fixed isn't going to be any easier.
Im 27 and I've played many racing games, from NFS Underground and many other NFS to Midnight Club 3 and many Gran Turismo. The GTR R34 has always been the "cheap" way to be able to compete against Ferraris and expensive stuff, you could really destroy these 200k+ supercars easily with a slightly modified GTR. That meant you could progress quite easily by getting a Nissan GTR early on instead of saving hundreds of thousands to get a Ferrari or Lambo and the GTR has always felt easier to drive fast than these supercars. I used to select 10%-15% traction to the front, 85%-90% traction to the rear. To all the kids blinded by it, id say its boring to drive compared to a Porsche for example but it gets the job done. Many Porsches are financially overrated too.
Loved these when they came out - especially in that blue. I remember in S1 of Top Gear, Jason Dawe (who remembers him?!) saying this was a ‘PS2 on wheels’. But personally, for me, it’s all about the R33 imo. Awesome review, scary how these will become leagues with the RS500 etc in terms of pricing (if not more)
For me, im a huge fan of this car and have been since Paul Walker bought one at the start 2 Fast 2 Furious and since then ive been wanting to own one. Its probably the most iconic JDM car. If you offered me a fleet of supercars or one of these id take an R34 in a heartbeat. Growing up Paul Walker was one of my heroes and always will be. R34 GTR V Spec over and of the latest supercars 1000%
What do you make of Skyline pricing? 🤔Thanks to ZenMarket for sponsoring this video! Signup for free and shop from Japan: zenmarket.jp/signup.aspx?affid=DRIVETRIBE
Got a r34 Gt love the drive
Well, money must end _somewhere,_ eh?
With the rarity/exclusivity/production numbers vs demand, I think they're properly priced. There are faster cars for the same money but none will capture the hearts and attention of our generation like these do. I saved for many years to achieve my 22 year long dream and I wouldn't have it any other way. They feel amazing to drive, unlike anything else I've driven, and I an not wait until it's in my garage!
I don't have 150000 pounds. That's what I make of it.
I think 150 grand will be dirt cheap in 20 years.
Overrated? No.
Overpirced? Absolutely.
Overrated? Yes
If we compare it to the R32, it has the racing heritage, first one to have RB26 and the name Godzilla belongs to R32
actually it's overrated.. pretty boring to drive stock as it's essentially the same drive train as an R32 +200lbs..
Not it’s not overrated. It meets expectations. Thats literally the definition of not being overrated. No one that drove, sat in, or even just saw. Walked away thinking….someone lied to them…
@@djnes2k7 i did. they're not worth 6 figures. Go sit in a Porsche and tell me it's remotely equivalent lol
@@djnes2k7 its an understeery e46 m3
I think the real reason the R34 is so much more valuable than the R32 is for two reasons not mentioned:
1. because of how it looks, its one of the coolest looking "tuner" cars of all time.
2. Its much rarer, there were almost 44,000 R32s built and fewer than 12,000 R34s.
@@samuelgarrod8327
Styling, proportions etc
The R34 literally looks cool, FnF movies helped move the prices we're seeing today too.
I'm not justifying the absurdity of it all, just my opinion of how it came to be
To be fair, the holiest of grails in Skyline circles are still the 400Rs which of the R33 gen. The OG cover car of Gran Turismo was the LM which was a 33 as well.
Safe to say that R33 enjoyers simply have less mainstream tastes
I've always really liked the look of the R33 to be honest, not sure why it's not got more of a following
Actually non of the above in my opinion. It's mostly because of the Fast and Furious franchise and NFS Underground 1. Brian's and Eddie's Skylines just grew on so many kids they just desired them when they got older and finally got money for them.
@@NamelessGlasses we imported a stunning 1 owner 400 a few years ago when they were 60k!!! A very special car to drive
Yooooo, the 580bhp Red (AR2) VSpec at TorqueGT is mine! If ever you want it for a feature, let me know - would love to see it on the channel more! happy for them to pass my details onto you if you ever want to get in touch. 🔥
If you want my opinion, the car is definitely worth the pricetag. Does it drive like other, more modern options at that price tag? No. - That said it is a lot more raw of a driving experience, the sounds, the turbo lag, the boost... oh man the boost.
I was lucky enough to get in before the prices soared, though at the end of the day price is just indicative of desire & passion to own such a gem of a car. There is definitely argument to own an R32 *and* R33 GTR for the same price (or even less) but there's just something about the R34 man. An engineering marvel, so modifiable, so rare (AR2 only 61 made with VSpec package, 121 total R34 GTR in that colour).
There's a reason people know R34 and RB26, the same as they know Supra and 2JZ. These are the powerhouses of our childhoods, they don't make cars the same anymore (cliche, i know, they definitely do - the 90s-00s just hit different.) & as we step into an electric future, we may never see cars like it again.
Just clocked my PS13 in the background too at 8:27 😂full garage feature in this ep, my word what a day haha
How's the S13 set up? Looks to have a widebody.
@@KitamiK11 Car is still pretty much as imported - full Rocket Bunny V2 kit, paint matched/smoothed engine bay, tubbed arches, SR20DET conversion - wheel specs i'm unsure of, definitely 18s, tires i think are 265, maybe 275?, recently became road legal & has had a new set of Tein coilovers, needs a Link fitted and a trip to the dyno to see what power it's making!
@@Kiingtong If you did that work in the UK I'm kind of disgusted but impressed, but if it was that way imported then that's just plain sick.
Cheers for the response!
May I ask why the large power number for the GTR? Is that more a capability thing and you run it lower or do you actually drive with that much?
@@KitamiK11 Depends on the day & the mood, it's got a 3 way switch. I'll usually drive it in low or med boost.. high is reserved for ride alongs, sending down on ramps & making nice noises. It's a very capable car but 580 is just way too much for UK roads (and insurers). Too many potholes, speedcameras & people who would complain given the opportunity. It's a priviledge to own such a car so I try to be as respectful to everyone in my town & on the roads when driving it, wouldn't want my joy to be someone elses annoyance.
Remember seeing your 34 in Barnstaple Halfords couple years ago when me and the missis were on holiday in my old.ratty bus 🤣
NFS helped in making the GT-R an icon too, when underground came out, every kid fell in love with the cover R34
don't forget 2fast 2 furious init..😄
Which is where NFS:UG was drawing from lol, that's the real injection into American pop culture@@UwaisQarni8683
@@UwaisQarni8683exactly 2F2F is my reason for liking this car.
Yea, but before that, it was GRAN TURISMO 2 in late '99.
That’s the GRAN TURISMO title where the Skyline GT-R R34 first appeared.
I felt in love with the R34 Skyline with Gran Turismo 2, I used to pick the yellow colour, now Blue is the go 2.
By the time I got to NFS or Fast Furious, I was already deep in love with the Car.
No its a great car and all but 150k is just crazy
Over here, there is a mk4 Supra for sale with 60.000km for €160.000. The kicker is, it's an automatic. Just insane lol
It all depends on your wallet really. If I had a mil in the bank, I'm buying one no debate. For now I'll stick to my Subaru Outback Wilderness though.
Market value. Watch the auctions. You will see 70 and 80 year old guys paying six figures for Chevelles, 442s, GTOs, and vintage Corvettes. Those were their dream cars. These are ours.
I agree it's just not worth it. Way too overpriced. Beautiful car but I'll never pay that much for one. 20-30k yeah even 40 yes but 150k plus nah.
too true, sierra Cosworths have gone the same way ,
Now they're almost too valuable to drive properly now which is Heresy they are ment to be driven hard or whats the point owning one
I see loads of comments online about how JDM legend cars are only famous because of movies and games, however what most people don't realise is they were in loads of games and movies because they were already popular. I am old enough to remember life before the fast and the furious here in Australia and everyone already knew about skylines back in the day.
For me, the reason the R34 is worth the most, is because its easily the best looking but also has the best tech as well.
Well in all honest Australia is a special case when it comes to GTRs because they made Skyline GTR what it is. It was Australian nissan team that perfected the R32 GTR and made it dominant race car.
@@StellarGale ya not wrong at all there
The R34 was never my dream car but the fact that is has a cult following, I have to respect it because you could say the exact same thing about the BMW e30 M3 and I am completely on that hype train.
Iconic - Yes
£150k - No
When you've actually driven one, then lets talk.
@@Desert_SpecI'd agree with this sentiment. An icon, definitely, but no way they're worth €50k. I drove an R34 GTR for a few days in Japan in 2019 - honestly, I wish I hadn't. They were always a hero car for me and on the list of cars for my dream garage. It was a fine car, but it was completely underwhelming. They say you should never meet your heros... true in this case unfortunately.
@@Desert_Spec drove one, felt slow, very slow
@denishogan your suppossed to drive a highly modded one on track lol
@@BLAZINGINGPHOENIXAaaaahhh! I was doing it wrong. :D So I'll buy one for £250k and drop another £150k on modifying it... that there is the key to happiness!! :D Actually, I would love to drive a track oriented one.
In a world of boring, over tall cars and SUVs, interesting cars like this will keep increasing in value, unfortunately.
And as long as rich Americans will pay whatever the cost, values will keep increasing.
@@axe2grind244Exactly!
"Supply and Demand" unfortunately…
I once made the choice between a supra and a gtr, both around 10k at the time. If I had known that they would be worth as much as they are now, I would have been more economical with my supra. but I enjoyed it.
You made the right choice.
I own an r33gtr midnight purple ( I prefer the look to r34) and don’t underestimate the adrenaline and smile they bring.
150k is too much especially for a standard one like in the video, if it had 30-40k spent on the engine then maybe it would be worth it. Standard they are quite mediocre in performance.
I’m about 700bhp currently and have well and truly gone down the rabbit hole spending on it but nothing I’ve been in has ever come close to the thrill and sound it makes.
Low 3s to 60 is addictive with its old school turbo whistle and you can treat it like you stole it and it still remains so reliable.
Nice!
I prefer the R33 GT-R.
Looks really nice, especially 100% original with its double 5-spoke wheels!
I'd say a well tuned FD3S is more awesome than a GTR. In terms of thrills. Something about that rotary engine and light weight car.
I’m an electrician in uk so blue collar. Financially a struggle to get and keep one but love it to bits.
I own both, and the R34 is the objectively better car.
@@Und34d_R your opinion isn't objective truth. Go look at the opinions of Japanese tuning houses and they completely disagree with you
No but it's incredible. 50k feels like a steal
I remember seeing your video of when you bought yours. All I could think at the time was "Dang, these were like 30-35k last time I looked". If only I could have convinced myself to do it! I did buy an R32 GTR about a year and a half ago, but my desire for the R34 will always be there until I make it reality.
Back when they were 15 years old, I met someone who imported a white vspec for $45k usd into my country (Canada). It was not a trailer queen but a decent driver that he’s been slowly restoring and afaik he still owns it. I know he will never sell it but I can’t image what it’s worth today.
I couldn’t imagine buying a 90s GTR for more than a brand new GTR.
I’d be fascinated to know if you are a 90s kid or a pre-90s/2000’s kid. Your opinion is fair either way I’m just curious if you grew up with it or not. For me I know the R35 is a better car in every way but there is still no contest (90s kid😂)
I absolutely can and absolutely would as would most Americans in their 30’s or 40’s. And even though rhd is without question the most idiotic and obnoxious thing ever I’d still drop 150 on an R34 just because it’s a manual.
@@axe2grind244 your comment about rhd is idiotic and obnoxious
What about people paying GTR money to just get a Porsche GT3 allocation? When people want something and clearly have plenty of money, its no object.
@@jasonrogers1960 The whole conclusion of this video was about the American market that's about to explode for these cars, and yes, RHD is a problem in America.
The stylized graphics at 11:40, well done team.
Having recently completed my 6th decade of life, I really enjoy your channel and others like it (Jay Leno's Garage in particular). I started my career life in my dad's race engine shop in the late 1970's. He passed on in the mid 90's. I have been working with car nuts ever since. I believe the R-34 has favor over the R-32 because it is the more mature realization of the idea born in the R-32. The R-34 has a more refined appearance, more power, easier upgrade options, better driver/creature comfort, better handling, and more refined systems. It's maturity as a product has attracted more enthusiasts to it as the preferred vehicle to own. The publicity from Gran Turismo would not have worked without the R-34 already being the more desirable specimen on it's own.
Excellent finishing statement. I’m from the US and just purchased a 2000 Skyline GTR r34 V-Spec - Bayside Blue.
Thank you for ruining all GTR prices
@@oWR3CKL3Zzo where were you when they were much cheaper? 😁
@@hungryalien I was 12 😂😂
Fantastic video on the r34, one of the best reviews, really well done
The R34 GTR is a hugely competant and capable car, with 4 seat and respectable luggage capacity for everyday use. It (almost) ticks all boxes and everything after is personal preferences. I personally love the R32 best though xD
@@justrandomstuff84 Meh, people don't buy cars because of the N'ring times.
@@justrandomstuff84I prefer the R33 GT-R but people don’t really care about Nürburgring lap times.
Paying mint and keeping them stock is nuts. The golden age of tuning cars is where these JDM icons made their name - affordable & easily tuned platforms, from braking, handling to power. HKS, Mines, RE Amemiya, Spoon, Amuse, Top Secret … the list goes on…. Nobody dreamed of owning a museum piece!
NFS, fast and furious/paul walker made the R34 an automotive icon. Myself being 27 Years old, I grew up with cars like this. So cars like R34, Supra, RX7 etc will never be over rated for me, despite prices going nuts
Haven't watched this yet, but the answer is YES! Over and over many times yes! Not only is it a weapon , but it looks beautiful and it's a Walker auto.
Short answer: No
Long answer: No but longer
You obviously don't understand why certain cars are worth so much. Is it a 150k driving experience, especially in stock form? Of course not. But its nearly mythical status, tuneability, rarity, and its cemented place as one of the all time great JDM cars has increased its value accordingly
Nostalgia will never be priced reasonably, they’re selling for the prices they’re listed at so obviously they’re worth the money
@@UmarTheGreat10 Increasing its value accordingly is one thing, selling it for nearly 60k over MSRP even accounting for inflation is another.
@@UmarTheGreat10 Its nothing special mate, if it was never in 2F2F nobody would even care about it. RB26 is nothing special, you're better off building an rb30, its far cheaper + bigger displacement.
Source: Can't afford one and is mad about it.
Cheers from Far East of Russia, where most cars on the roads are made in and imported from Japan!
Great video and points! Fun fact cause of weak rubble almost all Skylines GTR, I mean R32, R33, R34, all were bought back by Japanese and re-imported back to home Japan. That's crazy and now I see why, it's all about 25 year wall from US and the game to make money.
BTW great watches TISSOT PRX am I wright? 🙂
Non of these JDM cars are worth what people are asking for them. We’re literally paying the “hype tax” and people forget that these are supposed to be everyday affordable sports cars. Unless its a very limited special edition, it should be no where near 6 figures. This is coming from someone who has JDM Toyota MR2.
Yes, Its a 1600KG car with roughly 320 HP and a trick for the time AWD system. It's a nice car and I get that classics go up in value, but you can get cars far more exciting to drive or much faster. Nothing about them stands out to me as being really special, but I guess there's all the limited editions, but the Japanese brands all do that and it's the same basic car. You could buy something like a Lotus Exige and a Porsche 911 GT3 for that sort of money.
But you'd buy one if you really wanted one.
Yeah, I agree with how the cars are meant to be originally. I'll happily pay quite a bit for one, especially with the limiter disabled, but a hundred and forty thousand is just too much.
I would rather have a 2017 GTR, Lexus LC500, or Vauxhall VXR220 instead.
I always come back to the saying that a car is worth what people will pay for it, and yes it's silly but true. It's not about worth of the car, it becomes about worth to the owner.
As an owner of a JDM Supra that I bought for the equivalent of $775 here in Japan, I completely agree with you. For a 150k quid I'd rather build an R34-like kit car from scratch.
I love that PlayStation jacket you are wearing in this video. Very appropriate to the whole Gran Turismo theme.
This car has had a cult following since it came out.
Had a neighbor who has an R34 GTR he uses it as a daily. I asked him once what it's like. He said it was really nice, he takes it to work, to the grocery store, dates etc.
Short answer: yes. It has some incredible suspension and chassis features that TO THIS DAY are still luxury items. Things like rear-wheel steer and the advanced AWD and traction control systems and the basic dynamics of the chassis are elements that very few companies have mastered in any way even 20 years later. Porsche is a notable exception - and I'm not surprised, considering the R34 is basically Nissan's Porsche 959. It is a legitimate supercar in every single way.
yh nissan literally reverse engineered it with a porsche lol. People give them hate but i think thats completely fine because nissan added their own mark to it
Even by your standards, this was a fantastic video! Well done DT team!
Kudos to the host knowing his stuff! Drive Tribe is such a treat.
For me this is a tricky one.
It’s definitely not worth 150k
But if I could I’d buy it immediately.
The "Silvia" is just as beautiful or even better...love the looks of every variation of the GTR.....supercar
You forgot to mention Paul walker as a huge reason why it's this expensive
Just because they are hyped up, or have not reached "peak hype" yet like you mentioned in the video, does not answer the question to whether it is overrated.
A well though out answer to the question would have left the hype bias aside, and objectively evaluated if the driving experience if worth 100k+, or compared it to other sports cars you can buy for the same money...
I never fully understood the argument that "you can buy a better car for the money". Of course you can.. Its like me saying "hey why buy a Ferrari F40 for 2.5mil when you can get an SF90 for 800k - which is a better car.." Same situation here. R34 GTR, only 11,000 units made, high racing pedigree, it's been a hero JDM car for decades, plethora of aftermarket support. The R34 GTR isn't lacking in anyway either, still a timeless design, turns heads, has a lot of road presence, most non-car enthusiasts wouidnt even think its 25 years old and its great fun to drive. Plenty of Aussies also breaking records with them. It's also not that far out of reach considering how much Modern-classic cars from other brands are fetching...
Biggest reason R34 "is worth" 150k, is that until resent years it wasn't legal in US so collectors couldn't get it legally and it was hyped by "influencers".
I think you mean weeks, not years. The R34 has only been legal in the U.S. for less than a month. I know there are a few running around but they technically aren't street legal in a permanent sense
@@jmike8934 yeah weeks for R34.
This 100%. No one mentions this but this is exactly why the value went up. Canada has a 15 year rule, we could get them 10 years before the USA and the prices then were decent. I wish I would of bought one. They were going for about 50-65k cad dollars in 2012. Now it’s an easy 100+
For sure, but even if social media didn’t exist there would still be the same amount of rich Americans who have always wanted one and will pay whatever for one. There were no influencers in the late 90’s early 2000’s but there’s countless 16-21 year olds who now have the means to buy a car like this in their 40’s.
I guess I'm lucky living here. I see them every now and then since I was a kid 20 years ago.
I have a business restoring these. Been involved since 1992 with GTR. I predicted this hike over 15 years ago when we were importing them for 16k a go. Currently we have over 30 skylines in restoration. Awesome!!
Can I have one for a discount please?
The Hakosuka will always be the king for me.
Japanese cars in the 80s an d90s were ahead of their time.
I once had a chance to buy an R34 Gtr from my mechanic for 18k AU about ten years ago. Still regret that I didn't do it.
Mike's presenting style is fantastic. Very derivative of old Top Gear but, unlike most car youtubers, he has a natural unique style of delivering information. Really enjoyed this video
An r34 gtr will never be over rated! ❤ one of the stand out features is the looks - once you see one in blue with the nismo bodywork and the sun reflecting off it you'll understand why.
I never liked the way the r34 looked, it kinda looks like a brick. The r32 and r33 look a bit better in my opinion. None of them are worth anywhere near the prices they're going for nowadays though.
I feel so called out... I never even knew of the Skyline before Gran Turismo. But everything about it in the game made it one of my favorite cars ever. The look, the performance. Out of the entire lineup up to the current GTR, my favorite is still the R34 just by the looks. The one competing it is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
I’ve driven a couple now through work. For me, it didn’t really feel that special. Sure the statistics and figures are amazing, I just didn’t really care for it. Found the same with the Supra to be honest. If it wasn’t the main car in 2 Fast 2 Furious, I don’t think it’d be as valuable as they are today.
But that’s the thing about cars like these, they are art. Art is subjective.
Surprised Dustin Williams wasn’t mentioned 😮 Fantastic video!
Great car but overvalued, They're a 50 - $60,000 car at most unless it's one of the rare models
Lol, you wish... And so do i... but that's not how it work, value is based on what people are willing to pay and so far, a lot of people are willing to pay far more for their dream car...
@@maxnaz47 Obviously but I just mean if you look at the car itself logically without market influence it's 50 - 60, People will overpay for everything especially housing
@@valiantthor_ You have no understanding of anything.
I totally agree!
What a timeless design. Perfect in every way.
Oh drivetribe just to add. Besides its bloodline’s motorsports feats and championships, the R34 Gtr is considered by the Japanese GTR enthusiasts as the “modern R32” (they also quite hate the R33 back then), thus it became the favorite Gtr. Production numbers too are lower.
Please no AI generated thumbnails, I like this channel, and hope to continue liking it
leaving something you like over ai, how trivial
@@GloomGaiGar did I say I’d leave?
I never played GT, I didn't even knew of it's existence 20 years ago or what a PlayStation even was. 90s japanese cars are just beautiful and peak design: R(32,33,34), Mazda RX7 and Acura NSX are the best looking cars ever made, they're pure art in my eyes.
It is a very great $15k-$30k car.
They were roughly $70k new, which inflation adjusted is $125-130k by today's standards. They've barely appreciated.
@@Und34d_Rthey were 45k new*’ which inflation adjusted is 70k.
A few years ago, I checked the prices online and found some offers for GTRs for ~50k€ and I thought wow, I need to hurry up saving money to get one - and now we are here.
The US 25 year rule is also a factor to consider
Agree with it...
The first time I've seen this car was in Need for Speed underground. My first impression of it was: "well that looks like a brick"
Yeah I was never too high on this car.
At $175k USD+, yes, it's overrated.
These will be $250k by next year
My love for this car definitely comes from Gran Turismo, but to me it's also the best looking Skyline. It's just a gorgeous car. I've seen them live only a few times, they're smaller than the design made me think, but so, so beautiful.
Amazing? Yes.$140k? You're smoking rocks.
I remembered driving one around on the test track on grand turismo. It was The Mine's version.....Christ I would push my speakers on my telly, and Dad's ears to the verge of all destruction haha!! !
I managed to have half an hour in one in 2019. I remember getting out of it disappointed that the engine felt slower than I thought it would but was shocked with how planted and stable it felt and how quick the rack was and agile it felt in slower corners. Power delivery was very linear which I wasn’t expecting.
Aussie watcher here. Back in 2005 I was about to pull the trigger on a grade A import R34 GTR Vspec II white and the dealer wanted $38,000 AUD and I thought I was getting ripped off!! hahaha how I wish I bought it then. Not for resale value, but to be able to have one at a $38,000 AUD instead of $199,000K AUD in 2024...lol Hindsight is a bit$h..
The fact that you could get the R34 and then go bank tons of cash running circle tracks for hours in GT4 made them iconic...
Old is always gold ❤ it's not a car... It's an emotion
I was fortunate to buy an R34 GTR VSpecII in 2007 and import it to Oz from Japan. It was bone stock, but isn't anymore, pushing out nearly 600hp atw. I have great fun with it at track days and even just pottering around town. I also enjoy sharing the car with other enthusiasts at Classic Car & Coffee meets and other such get togethers. The car always attracts a crowd, especially when I open the bonnet! Lord knows what it is worth, but it is insured for a lot. 😎👍🗿
I had a business years ago and part of it was importing the odd car from Japan. I remember being able to buy these cars and they would have cost around £18-£20k landed and would have retailed out around £25-£27k at the time for an average example.
Great car but not worth over £100k in my opinion but maybe that’s just because I remember paying a lot less for them 10 years ago. I don’t think they are any better than a mk4 supra twin turbo which arguably has a stronger engine out of the box.
it's not overrated, this car is literally the king of all JDM cars
I had an r33 in my 20's, biggest regret in my life is selling it, not because of the money but because it was so nice to drive.
I once drove a Skyline GTX 2.8, I Still own a Datsun 180U. Can never be overrated. One of the best make of cars ever!!
Also the best car in Metropolis Street Racer on Dreamcast.
First thing I would do to an R34 is give it the 600 horsepower it’s meant to have. Other than wheels, I would keep it totally stock. The car looks fantastic as is
If this channel is my only link to the entirety of my childhood watching Top Gear and The Grand Tour.. So be it! Thank you from Boston Massachusetts!🙏🏼🫡
I had an R33 GTS25T with a 5 Speed and a mild tune. It was fabulous! I can only imagine what a full R33 or R34 GTR would be like.
They are ahead of their time but definitely overpriced.
Loving the Tissot PRX on your wrist!
Epic video! Loving the PS bomber jacket
I have AWD and 250hp and a warranty for 25k with my GR Yaris. R34 GTRs make that seem like the bargain of the century
I saw this at 1998 Motorshow at the NEC. It blew my mind as a 18 year old. Always wanted one since
In the early 00's in bought a Civic for 6k, traded up to an Integra for 11k, traded up for a Supra for 13.5k, then a Skyline GT-R for 15.5k. Those were the days.
There are two reasons why the R34 is my dream car, and believe you me the R32 is a close second.
First: the looks. Pretty simple, its personal preference.
Second: its the newest. 90's JDM (or there abouts as the R32 is '89 and R34 is early 2000's) is a funny thing where retro meets cutting edge technology.
Hear me out with this metaphor: why would I have a Gameboy (an R32) or Gameboy Color (R33), when I could have a Gameboy Advance SP, with a modern LED backlit screen mod (a tastefully tuned R34)? I want to play those oldschool games, but I want the best of that era at the same time.
And no, the Nintendo DS (or R35) will not do. The GBA will play all three generations of Gameboy cartridges, whereas the NDS will only do the Advance titles. At that point, I might as well own a Nintendo 3DS (something completely different, like an EV) and play all the DS games...
At which point, this metaphor is overused.
Literally just started the video and I can say YES it is worth it. Never owned one but still
I remember when they bottomed out here in Australia. $39,000 for a black, totally stock V spec, no more than 20 minutes from my door here in Geelong... Ughh.. With that said, I think they're an awesome car (Should have sold my JZA80 and JZZ30 to buy it).
But not worth what they're going for now, considering what else that cash buys you.
Id take the R32 over any of the others
yup, they just got fatter and fatter
I think I see what you were trying to evoque with the last shots of the static car and the music. Nice work.
Looks better than everything new being made and of course….it’s iconic in multiple franchises
I was a rare American excited for Gran Tourismo because it had the GTR in it, along with tons of awesome cars we never got over here. Was a chance to drive the unobtainable in a way.
I remember being 5 years old watching Brian O’Connor drive to a race in the silver r34. The sound blew my mf mind been my dream car ever since
I’m never gonna have that much money unless I win the lottery!
Turning cars into investments wasn't beneficial for non elites.
As someone who owned a r33 gts as a daily my opinions are yes and no, to drive no definitely not overrated they are fantastic to drive and surprisingly easy to live with and practical BUT where they are overrated is in how they are originally built they are not as well built as they look rust extremely quickly and damage easily (mine got dented by a wheel bin at walking pace) so if you think of buying one make sure you have deep pockets and patience other than that a fantastic car never driven anything that feels like such a event everywhere you go, if you want a car to grab attention a skyline is perfect
Is a R34 worth 150k... well that depends on who you are and what you wanna do with it
if youre a JDM lover, then yes.
if you plan on spending more money on aftermarket parts, still yes because the performance potential from a skyline is off the charts for less money than a Lambo.
if youre anybody else, probably no
I think another factor is that when people buy a car, they usually don't think about maintenance. Finding parts for an E85 Z4 is challenging enough. Getting a 20+ year old import fixed isn't going to be any easier.
Im 27 and I've played many racing games, from NFS Underground and many other NFS to Midnight Club 3 and many Gran Turismo. The GTR R34 has always been the "cheap" way to be able to compete against Ferraris and expensive stuff, you could really destroy these 200k+ supercars easily with a slightly modified GTR. That meant you could progress quite easily by getting a Nissan GTR early on instead of saving hundreds of thousands to get a Ferrari or Lambo and the GTR has always felt easier to drive fast than these supercars. I used to select 10%-15% traction to the front, 85%-90% traction to the rear. To all the kids blinded by it, id say its boring to drive compared to a Porsche for example but it gets the job done. Many Porsches are financially overrated too.
For many people, it was NFS and Paul Walker which made this car Iconic!!
Loved these when they came out - especially in that blue. I remember in S1 of Top Gear, Jason Dawe (who remembers him?!) saying this was a ‘PS2 on wheels’. But personally, for me, it’s all about the R33 imo. Awesome review, scary how these will become leagues with the RS500 etc in terms of pricing (if not more)
I stooped watching at 32 glad to see the legend continues
Kind of agree with Gran Turismo being a part of it. People who grew up playing those games were big fans of R34 and the Mitsubishi GTO
For me, im a huge fan of this car and have been since Paul Walker bought one at the start 2 Fast 2 Furious and since then ive been wanting to own one. Its probably the most iconic JDM car. If you offered me a fleet of supercars or one of these id take an R34 in a heartbeat. Growing up Paul Walker was one of my heroes and always will be. R34 GTR V Spec over and of the latest supercars 1000%
So iconic and soooooo....is the cost because of the cult clamor yaaaaassss love them
Its arguably the most iconic car Japan has ever made so yes it's worth at least 150k.
Forever and ever this is the 2Fast2Furious car in my head
I just picked one up at an auction in Saltash, Cornwall for £18,000. 92k on the clock and its stock completely stock