Many consider the R34 generation of the Nissan Skyline to be the pinnacle of JDM cars. And within it, the GT-R is king. When it launched over 20 years ago, the R34 GTR became an instant icon worldwide - even in markets where it wasn't sold.
Why did the R34 GT-R become so famous? Because of the mainstream media, predominantly. It captured the hearts of many young enthusiasts through Fast & Furious movies and Gran Turismo video games. But behind all the glamour was a seriously compelling sports car and a worthy successor to the mighty R33.
2000-2002 Nissan Skyline R34
- Incredible engine note
- Fantastic handling
- Clever tech (even by today's standards)
- Model: Skyline GT-R (R34)
- Engine/Motor: 2.6-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder
- Horsepower: 276 hp
- Torque: 289 lb/ft
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Timeless design
- Easily tunable
- Rewarding driving experience
- Very expensive
- Hard to find non-modified examples
- Can only own one under the "Show or Display" rule in the US
Overview Of The R34 Skyline
The R34 was the 10th iteration of the Skyline and launched in 1998 in both sedan and coupe form. However, the most anticipated version was the GT-R which arrived a year later. The AWD GT-R was an extensive upgrade over the basic RWD Skyline and had a revised chassis and significant other performance upgrades. Only available as a 2-door, the GT-R came with its own unique bumpers, a large air dam at the front, and a massive rear wing.
The R34 GT-R was an enthusiast's dream, with fantastic performance both down the straight line and around corners. It briefly held the Nürburgring track record for a production car, boasting an 8:01.72 minute time.
Production numbers of the R34 GT-R were low, with 11,578 built from January 1999 through August 2002.
Powertrain And Drivetrain
The 'standard' R34 Skyline had up to 197 hp. Meanwhile, the R34 GTR had 276 hp according to Nissan. However, in reality it packed around 332 hp. Japanese automakers had a "gentlemen's agreement" throughout the 1990s and early 2000s to not make excessively powerful vehicles and agreed to (on paper at least) cap power at 276 hp. Hence, a lot of fast JDM cars like the Honda NSX Type R and MK4 Toyota Supra were significantly more powerful than their manufacturers claimed.
But back to the R34 GT-R - 20 years ago it truly was a beast, and even by today's standards its stats are impressive. While the base R34 is RWD, the GT-R of course has an AWD drivetrain. It features a 2.6-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission. The R34's twin-turbo RB engine is legendary among the JDM community, in part due to the thunderous exhaust note it generates.
Performance And Handling
The R34 GT-R's AWD ATTESA system allows for excellent traction. Therefore, it can corner at high speeds while maintaining grip. The R34 GT-R is actually slightly shorter than its predecessor to allow for greater agility. 0-60 mph takes just 4.6-seconds, meanwhile top speed is 165 mph.
The GT-R V-Spec is the ultimate R34. It has a standard limited-slip differential at the rear and an even stiffer suspension. The extremely rare Nur variant of the V-Spec came with a carbon bonnet and bigger rear brake rotors as well. If you want even more performance, it's not hard to get as the R34 can be easily tuned - it's not uncommon to find modified examples with over 1000 hp that can reach well over 200 mph.
Interior Space, Quality, And Technology
The R34's interior is driver-oriented and has aged well. The GT-R has four seats; however, it is a 2-door, so rear space is tight and best suited for children. Its 5.8" MFD (Multi-Function Display) was revolutionary 20 years ago and is still rather impressive today. The system can record lap times and displays vehicle health (e.g. oil temperature and boost pressure). It also has a TV receiver that allows you to watch local shows when parked. Sure, the MFD doesn't have half as many features as most modern infotainment systems, but it's pretty amazing given it's from the 1990s. Undoubtedly, it is one of the R34's most impressive features. Aside from the MFD, the R34 also has electronically folding wing mirrors and powered windows. Quality is excellent (it is a Nissan after all) and most R34s have stood the test of time.
Pricing
Back in 1999 the R34 GT-R started at 4,998,000 Yen, which equated to roughly $45,600. The R34 was never sold in the US due to safety regulations. However, from 2024 onwards it will be a classic and eligible for trade. This is thanks to the 25-year rule. For now, Americans can only get the highly sought-after 1999 V-Spec Midnight Purple II and 2002 M-Spec Nur on US shores under the Show or Display law. This rule allows for certain special cars to be exempt from safety regulations so they can be shown at public events. A low-mileage V-Spec Midnight Purple II GT-R recently sold for $320,187. Meanwhile, an M-Spec Nur is currently asking $880,000. Yes, that's right - a 20-year-old Nissan is going for Porsche 918 money.
A handful of other R34 GT-Rs are street legal in the US thanks to a company called MotoRex. The importer went through the rigorous process of adjusting each car to meet safety requirements in the early 2000s, however it's only estimated around 15 R34s were ultimately brought in. Hopefully prices will reach somewhat attainable levels when the R34 becomes fully street legal two years from now. For reference, R34 GT-Rs currently sell for the equivalent of around $110,000 in Japan.