Is the Nissan Skyline Worth Buying Now?

James Reeves, a self-proclaimed "Skyline Hater" (who secretly loves them!), is diving deep into the JDM icon that everyone wants: the Nissan Skyline!

From the moment "Godzilla" woke up in 1989 to the jaw-dropping prices of today, the Skyline has captivated gearheads—but not all of them are created equal. Do you know the difference between a high-mileage GTR asking $70,000 and a cleaner, non-GTR sedan for $20,000? That's the GTR Tax and it's real!

In this episode of Automotive Icons, James breaks down the market, consults an expert JDM exporter, and scrapes hundreds of auction results (including from eBay Motors) to reveal where the true value lies for aspiring Skyline owners.

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Transcript:

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Hey everyone, my name’s James Reeves. You’re listening to Automotive Icons, and I’m going to admit something right up front: I’m a bit of a Skyline hater.

It’s like that “quit having fun” meme. It’s a me problem. It’s that part of the brain—the part all of us have—that wants to gatekeep the things we like. I don’t know why we’re like this. But as someone who’s been into JDM cars for years, I can’t help but resent how insanely popular the Skyline has become.

Never mind that it’s incredibly cool. It’s capable. It’s tunable. Arguably one of the best machines ever to come out of Japan. And yet it still drives me crazy that your seven-year-old nephew and your 63-year-old Uncle Timmy both want a Skyline—and neither of them knows the difference between a GT-R and a GTS, or an R32 and an R33.

But look, Skylines are huge in the United States now. The prices prove it. Just look at this eBay Motors listing: an R33 that sold for $75,000. And honestly, in today’s market, that’s not even outrageous. That’s used Porsche 911 money for a 30-year-old Nissan.

This is the same company that gave us the Nissan Altima doing 120 mph through your neighborhood school zone—and also one of the most badass cars ever built. I feel like I’m too old to buy a Skyline. I really do. James Reeves buying a Skyline at 42 looks like a midlife crisis—and to be fair, it probably would be.

I’m having a bit of an existential moment as I approach 45. I wish I knew ten years ago what I know now. And that’s what we’re talking about today.

When people say, “I want a Skyline,” do they actually know what that means? Everyone wants a Skyline—until you look at the market. Why is one $20,000 and another $250,000?

That kind of price spread creates fog of war. If you’re new to this, it’s hard to know what you’re buying—or whether you’re getting taken. Do you know what an R32, R33, or R34 actually is? Do you know the difference between a GT-R and a GTS? If you don’t, someone’s probably going to take you for a ride—and not the Paul Walker kind.

That’s why I’m here. I also consulted my friend Aaron Ross, a Skyline exporter and expert who’s inspected, bought, and sold hundreds of these cars. That’s literally his job. I also scraped hundreds of auction results across multiple platforms, including eBay Motors.

Today, we’re going to talk about what you’re actually getting, where the value is, and how these differences affect prices.

So, what is a Nissan Skyline?

The story starts in the 1950s with Prince Motor Company. Prince built small sedans and light GT cars and developed a reputation for solid engineering with style. In 1967, Nissan absorbed Prince—and with it, the Skyline name. Nissan kept it alive as a sporty sedan.

Through the ’70s and ’80s, the Skyline evolved into a family of rear-wheel-drive cars. Some were conservative. Some were sporty. But none were what we think of today as a Skyline GT-R.

The GT-R badge first appeared in 1969 on the original GT-R, a lightweight, high-revving motorsport car that dominated Japanese touring car racing. It won something like 49 races in a row before the badge disappeared in the ’70s.

Then, in 1989, Godzilla woke up.

The R32 GT-R arrived, and Nissan essentially decided to cheat at racing with engineering. The R32 was designed from day one as a Group A touring car—and it obliterated the competition. It was so dominant that Australia effectively banned it.

At the heart of that dominance was the RB26DETT: a 2.6-liter twin-turbo inline-six with forged internals and massive headroom. Nissan paired it with ATTESA all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering. In 1989, this stuff was sorcery.

Officially, the R32 made 276 horsepower, thanks to the Japanese “gentlemen’s agreement.” Unofficially, it was closer to 300 or more. Very Japanese behavior: polite lying.

The R32 is the raw, angular origin of everything we associate with the Skyline GT-R today.

In 1995, the R33 arrived. It’s the middle child—the Jan Brady of Skylines—but in many ways, it’s the best buy. It’s a better car than the R32: longer wheelbase, stiffer chassis, better aerodynamics, improved cooling, and better high-speed stability.

Fun fact: the R33—not the R34—was the first production car to lap the Nürburgring in under eight minutes.

The R34 arrived in 1999. This is the one everyone thinks of. Fast & Furious. Gran Turismo. Paul Walker. It’s the final boss Skyline. It’s also the newest one you can legally import today under the 25-year rule.

Under the skin, it still uses the RB26, but everything else is better: a stronger six-speed transmission, quicker steering, improved turbos, stiffer body, better cooling, and that futuristic multi-function display. In 1999, this thing felt like a spaceship.

The R34 was only produced for about three years, which adds to its mystique. Combine that with two decades of pent-up demand and the forbidden-fruit effect, and you get today’s prices.

That’s how a Japanese coupe became a six-figure collectible.

I’ve been to Fuji Speedway for the Meeting of the Yards—the largest gathering of Skyline GT-Rs in the world. You hear them before you see them. RB engines echoing off the mountains, Mount Fuji in the background. I’m not even a race guy, and it was a genuinely emotional experience.

Standing trackside as R32s, R33s, and R34s blast past at insane speeds—you get it. Even me, the so-called Skyline hater, gets it.

So let’s talk market reality.

There are two kinds of Skylines: GT-Rs and everything else.

Non-GT-Rs are rear-wheel drive, often single-turbo or naturally aspirated, with simpler drivetrains and far lower buy-in costs. They’re still Skylines. They still look the part. And they’re dramatically cheaper to own.

GT-Rs get the RB26, all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, massive brakes, race-bred suspension—the full experience. They’re incredible machines, and they command a huge premium.

The R32 market is chaotic. GT-R prices range from the mid-$30,000s to well over $100,000 depending on condition and provenance. Rust and abuse are real concerns.

Meanwhile, non-GT-R R32s can be had for $15,000–$25,000. Same look. Half the money.

The R33 is the value play. Driver-grade GT-Rs land around $40,000–$55,000. Clean examples sit in the $55,000–$70,000 range. Non-GT-R cars can be had for $15,000–$30,000—and sometimes less.

Then there’s the R34. GT-Rs start around $110,000 and climb fast. Non-GT-R R34s? You can find sedans and single-turbo coupes in the $25,000–$35,000 range.

That’s the GT-R tax. Hype over logic.

After reviewing hundreds of auctions and talking with experts, the conclusion is clear. If you’re buying with your heart, you get an R32. If you’re buying with your ego, you get an R34 GT-R. If you’re buying with your brain, you get an R33—or a non-GT-R R34.

Aaron Ross’s pick for the best Skyline buy right now? A manual R34 single-turbo sedan. You get the look, the RB engine, and modern feel—without the mortgage payment.

So that’s the takeaway. Not all Skylines are created equal. And if you want one, understanding the differences can save you a lot of money.

I’m not really a Skyline hater. I’m a Skyline understander. And honestly, I’m just jealous of how much fun everyone else is having.

Thanks for listening to Automotive Icons. My name is James Reeves. It’s an honor to host this podcast. Thanks to eBay Motors—and I’ll see you next time.

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This is the Automotive Icons podcast with James Reeves. Don’t forget to subscribe for new episodes.

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