Stock#5295

It sometimes feels like the R33 is the redheaded stepchild of the Skyline lineup. Admittedly the styling is polarizing, but very few complain about this sports coupe when they get behind the wheel. It's clear why, as this 1996 Type M is incredibly quick, thanks to the silky smooth RB25DET resting underneath the bonnet. It also handles well thanks to a more rigid platform than its predecessor, and its near 50/50 weight distribution. Offered with a mere 60k verified and documented miles, this Series 2 is barely broken in. It also has a handful of performance and aesthetic upgrades and was changed from its original black hue to a one-off Cardinal Red. Aside from a few light dings and chips the body and paint are in good shape, and we wanted to note prior repairs in Japan include a replaced left rear quarter panel. The FRP rear bumper, spoiler, side skirts, rear spats, and front lip are killer-looking and separate this coupe from the rest of the pack. For the performance enthusiast who wants to go fast and look good while doing it, this special Skyline would fit the bill and is a certified Japanese Classic. 

The cabin demeanor suits this particular R33 quite well. A highly bolstered Bride driver's seat and Nardi steering wheel make for a great combo, and the driver has an unobstructed view of the road ahead. The rest of the upholstery is in good nick and the back seats are more spacious than the R32 that this model replaced. The dash is in good shape and includes a passenger-side SRS airbag for some added reassurance. The driver has a surprising amount of power equipment at hand, such as electric windows, locks, and mirrors. Although the driver-side mirror no longer power folds, all the other items work flawlessly and make daily use manageable. While the head unit no longer works, we can confirm the speakers do, and a US Bluetooth replacement would be an easy fix. We also wanted to note that the tach sometimes stops working and then springs back to life, a common issue with the R33. The door cards and carpets look fine and the headliner has escaped the past 25 years without sustaining any major damage. The digital climate control does work and is simple to operate. Full heat and A/C are available to whoever sits up front and allows for comfortable year-round use of this Skyline.

This R33 has some tasty performance enhancers and a 2.5L turbo engine that was already powerful right from the factory. Fresh off an oil and filter service the RB25DET starts up promptly thanks to a new 12v battery. Six new spark plugs help the RB to idle with hardly a vibration and the straight-six makes a few more ponies thanks to a free-flowing HKS Silent Hi-Power catback exhaust and an HKS intake with a new filter. The sound doesn't hurt either and all the turbo noises are par for the course. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a close-ratio five-speed gearbox. The RAZO knob feels great in the palm of your hand and the transmission shifts without a hitch or grind. Power is sent to the rear wheels and the factory active-LSD was replaced with a more aggressive 2-way unit for those who want to slide this puppy around. The Tein coilovers lower the center of gravity and flatten out the cornering a touch, and a HICAS delete keeps things predictable. The brakes are confident and the Volk Racing 17" Group C forged alloys are all wrapped in new tires at all four corners. The new tires quite the ride down a touch and will last for tens of thousands of miles to come!

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.