Models · Nissan
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 buying guide
The last of the RB26-engined Skyline GT-Rs, built from 1999 to 2002 with a six-speed Getrag gearbox, four-wheel drive and Super HICAS rear-wheel steering. Nissan sold 80 V-Specs in the UK; most cars here are Japanese imports.
The versions
- 2.6 twin-turbo straight six (RB26DETT), officially 276hp, with timing belt drive to the camshafts
- Six-speed Getrag manual gearbox
- ATTESA E-TS four-wheel drive, with the ATTESA E-TS Pro system on V-Spec cars, plus Super HICAS rear-wheel steering
- UK V-Spec cars converted by Middlehurst with extra oil cooling, stiffer suspension, a new ECU map and Connolly leather; stripped-out N1 versions also exist
What to check on a R34 GT-R
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Rust at the strut tops, arches and boot lid
What to look for: Open the bonnet and look at the tops of the front suspension turrets for bubbling. Look along the rear wheel arches, the sills and the floor from underneath, and check the steel boot lid around the high-level brake light. Look for overspray on rubber trim, a sign of past repairs.
Why it matters: Strut tops, rear arches, sills, chassis rails and floors are the usual rust points, and the strut tops are awkward to repair. Water collects in the boot lid around the brake light. Evidence of proper rustproofing is a sign of a car that's been looked after.
Oil pressure, compression and the timing belt
What to look for: With the engine warm, the oil pressure gauge shouldn't drop below 4 bar at 4,000rpm. Check the history for a timing belt and water pump change within the last 5 years or 50,000 to 60,000 miles, and ask whether a cold compression test can be done.
Why it matters: The RB26 is a strong engine, but modifications and neglect shorten its life, so a compression test before buying is strongly recommended. The camshafts are belt driven, so evidence of the belt change matters.
Gearbox, especially first gear
What to look for: On the drive, check every gear goes in smoothly. Accelerate firmly in first and watch whether it jumps out of gear. Ask about hard launches and how often the gearbox oil has been changed.
Why it matters: The six-speed Getrag is a strong gearbox, but jumping out of first can happen. Repeated hard launches strain both the gearbox and the four-wheel-drive system, and parts can be hard to find, so frequent oil changes are a good sign.
Also in the full guide
- Four-wheel drive and the dash display
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the R34 GT-R
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Nissan.