Why it's a Legend | R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II

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The 2001 Nissan GT-R V-Spec II is the cream of already excellent crop. It would be hard to think of a modern car that is more idolized, renowned, rare, famous, and respected than the R34 Skyline GT-R. And this one, a V-Spec II with some special mods, is even more special.
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HUGE thanks to @yyzcurator for letting me drive his car!
Music:
"Robots and Aliens" - Joel Cummins
"Koto San" - Ofshane
"Digifunk" - DivKid
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[@Sleepy_spartan717]

I haven’t clicked on a smoking tire video so fast in my life. And that intro 😂😂😂. The fact that we got screwed on these in the states is still a tragedy. Even getting a semi clean r32 here these days in Florida is a minimum of 30k. And that’s not even a “clean” model. For that price, you’re having to tear it down for a pricey rebuild to make it reliable. The R33 is still my favorite though. It’s the perfect middle ground imo. Light, good looking and still sort of reasonably priced.

[@mistamontiel00]

FLAWDUH Represent! I die with my A70R yota she's my casket right heah

[@stevenwilliams1805]

R33 all day 👍

[@TheMasterBM]

400R :D

[@993mike]

R34 was the best. No matter how fast the R35 got, it was still an overweight ugly brick of a car

[@nismoR32GTR]

@@993mike and the r34 wasn't lol? R34 was no where near the "best". Heaviest R chassis, big and bulky. And for its time, old and not that exciting. The whole car was a refined 10 year old system. Which is why the r34 is where they died. Not saying it's a bad car, it's just insanely huge parked next my r32 GTR......which is the same thing lol.

[@Opt1685]

At first I though Zack was about to get carjacked, then I realized he's the one who is carjacking lol

[@alekschify]

Carzacking

[@Ezero8]

That was a hilarious Throttle-House-worthy intro.

[@garethwillmott4234]

Yeah that's literally the joke

[@Awsomeisimo]

4:30 the ballsiest pickup truck ive seen, mad man was driving backwards for 20 km

[@peterkaraferis]

And I thought I was the only one that noticed it. So funny dude🤣

[@ishaqmo7200]

Learned from the legend

[@TheSmokingTire]

@@ishaqmo7200 Reversed the speed of the shot so it was a push-in. LOL

[@stevemartegani]

@@TheSmokingTire Make sure there's nothing driving in the background the next time LOL

[@tomconnors8165]

You have been been killing it with your reviews Zack.

[@linchester8464]

a bit of context on the Clubman Race Spec. It is basically a full package which basically tears down the whole Skyline GT-R down to the bare chassis and clean up all the rust, do rust treatment and repair any frame damage and as well as doing the extra welds or bracing to the chassis. Then every single parts that was taken out during the teardown process will be refreshed with new rubber seals, gaskets and any replacements, like washer bottle, wipers, door mirrors. door handles etc. In the engine department, you can basically choose the engine package you want ranging from the mild Street engine called the Nismo S2 RB26DETT Engine and up to the R3 and R4 Nismo RB26DETT Engine or the RB28DETT Engine for the R4 version. The goodies on the engine includes all the Nismo N1 parts like the N1 block for the R3 and R4 series. the R4 gets the 2.8L stroker kit. The fuel injectors and fuel rail system comes from the R35 GT-R and they included the new and updated ECU to compliment the new injectors. Special high lift cams are also used in the R3 and R4 builds and the both uses the updated turbocharger system so the stock power output from the R3 is 450 bhp and the R4 2.8L version goes up to 500 bhp. The ATTESA ETS-Pro gets a new updated software that is similar to what is running in the Z-tune in terms of specs so the AWD will kick in faster and harder in the corners. Suspensions is OHLINS Suspension which is tuned just for the Skyline GT-R in conjunction with the updated AWD system and Nismo Titanium tower struts for better handling. Completing the look are the Rays Engineering LMGT4 rims which are 18 inches x 10.5 inches wide all 4 wheels on Pilot Sport 4 tires. Brakes are Brembos borrowed from the R35 6 pot calipers front and 4 pot rear and comes with Carbon Brake Air Guide for brake cooling. The gauge clusters you can get from Nismo Omori factory comes with either white/red or black/red and the tachometer goes up to 11,000 rpm and the speedometer goes up to 320 km/h Bodykit that the Nismo Omori carries are mostly the Z-Tune style bodykits After building the car, each car will be put to its paces on the track before it finally handed back to the customer Total cost of the Clubman race spec build without the base car is around $280,800 and the conversion takes 1 year to be completed not including at least 10-16 months for project to commence aka wait time. Only there have been 9 units built be Nismo Omori, the demo car is KAD Gunmetal , one V-Spec II was LX0 Midnight Purple III and 2 units were TV2 Bayside Blue and 2 whites. They can also do the R32 and R33 in Clubman Race Spec and as well as the R35 GT-R as well.

[@TheSmokingTire]

There's a menu of engines you can order, with power ranging quite a bit. Such a cool program! Thanks for the intel! Zack

[@TheRadeko]

I think there are things included in the particular spec plus many optional things you can “tick” in the catalog to make it towards your personal style and desirable function…. Basically there won’t be two gtrs done the same way… But I might be wrong 🥴

[@spdcrzy]

You know what? Considering how bulletproof these cars are in even their craziest "factory" form, the $400K or so would be money well spent in my opinion.

[@israelmendoza7734]

"a species will evolve when put under a certain amount of duress and forced to change" zack turned Dave Attenborough on us for a sec

[@TheSmokingTire]

I should have done the voice!

[@wanted.2480]

"God I need to make more money." Sentiment felt by many watching these skyrocket in price. 😂 Great review.

[@Noble713]

For realz. I've been living in Japan for 11 years. It feels like even ~4-5 years ago, R34 GT-Rs could be bought in acceptable condition for ~$50-60k. Now it's like 3x that at a minimum. WTF.....frickin' Quantitative Easing helicopter money.....

[@Playerz714]

@@Noble713 Blame outside countries how are the S15's in JP

[@Luckeysharms]

That was the best opening ever. You got me good and that was super creative

[@TheSmokingTire]

Thanks! I wasn't sure how it would play, hahaha.

[@ellisjackson3355]

Got you good? If I suspected someone was gonna car jack me I would be driving off no questions asked. It was definitely a creative intro though

[@ggarrison1087]

Remember when everyone used to complain when it was a Zack only review? I might prefer the zack content more than the O.G. now. Well done sir

[@Slaphappy1975]

I was at university when the R34 was unleashed on the world in '98. I still remember the cover of evo magazine with the low angle shot of the blue GTR V-SPEC II. An instant classic 🔥😎❤️

[@johnmitchell2269]

The issue with modern day AWD cars is that the AWD system on those are programmed for safety first, meaning when you are cruising along on a straight road it's still sending power to the front wheels. Older cars with AWD (like this) they have been programmed not for safety, but for performance and driver satisfaction. When there is no understeer or oversteer, it should always be 100% RWD, and that should only change the split second the car detects under steer or over steer (which is exactly how these GTR's are). Then there is the other issue with when peak torque is produced. Modern turbocharged cars producing maximum torque as low as 1,500rpm, that just takes all the fun out of everything. There is nothing to reach or aim for. I want peak torque in the midrange, and then peak hp as high up the rpm range as possible (but not at the redline), that way, the car is forcing you to rev it out and use the full spectrum of each gear to obtain maximum performance (which is enjoyable). Modern turbocharged cars are all about convenience. Screw the convenience. It shouldn't be able instant performance on tap regardless of which gear you are in. Having to downshift and put your foot to the floor is what it's all about. Modern day turbocharged cars are built for the lazy.

[@bradcomis1066]

Mostly true, which is a damn shame. There is a lot of economic logic behind the whole FWD based AWD systems employed in most cars (nearly all CUVs). You get most of the efficiency of a FWD car, but with the occasional traction aid from the rear end. The goals are just straight up different. Some manufacturers like BMW drive the rear wheels directly and then use a transfer case to supply power to the front wheels. Torque to the front is controlled through a electronically controlled variable clutch. Subaru doesn't mess with the stupid Haldex style junk either.

[@johnmitchell2269]

@@bradcomis1066 If I'm driving an AWD car, I don't want it to feel, drive or handle like a FWD car. I want it to feel and drive like a RWD car but with more grip and less oversteer (at all times)

[@bradcomis1066]

@@johnmitchell2269 So, buy a BMW (or similarly laid out car).

[@Mewzyc]

@@johnmitchell2269 get a car where u can adjust wheel biases?

[@VanishPenguin]

Rented a Giulia Quadrifoglio for 4 days. Almost nothing at the low end, you have to brake boost it to get aggressive. Once she gets moving though, she revs all the way to 7k rpm. No dip in power

[@jeremyhansen8186]

The welds on that sway bar nearly put me into orbit, they are so beautiful!! Yes, I am a welder.

[@PANTYEATR1]

I was living in Japan when these cars came out in 1998 for 1999. These cars have a presence then and they have a presence now. My heart is with the R33GT, but i like this R34GT💪

[@TommioRS]

Crazy how i remember seeing R32's and 33's from 6K-12k like 15 years ago or so. But even at that time years ago the 34's were like 20K-40K and thought that was nuts! Boy i was wrong! Amazing how times change btw i am Canadian so i have been seeing GT-R's forever!

[@bingoberra18]

Yeah, funny thing is the cars have not changed. I didnt see the r34 GTR being worth 35k at the time and I really dont see the current market value being anywhere near objectively worth it, although I do recognize it as the king of the JDM cars from the golden era. At the same time as this was 40k a manual ferrari 360 was 40k and had I wanted to spend the money disregarding market spekulation but just for ownership experience and driving the car I would have gotten the Ferrari. That is after I got a ride in a 650hp single turbo V-spec R34.

[@TommioRS]

@@bingoberra18 True that sir! Its funny because at the same time frame i was looking at 550 Maranellos in the 40k to 60k because they were undervalued for what you get. Now look at there prices and they are STILL cheaper than a R34 lol. Dont get me wrong i work with a guy at my work place with a R32 with around 600hp and BOY that car can do some crazy crap you would never guess! AMAZING car. But currently and these prices the GTR's and basically all halo JDM cars are way over price.... When GTR's were cheap relatively i was looking at the R32, NSX, Supra, 550 Maranello, Testarossa, and the gen one Corvette ZR-1. I drove all of them but the Ferrari and sadly none really did the trick....But the ZR-1. So know i own a 95 ZR-1, it does everything you want and more and i never broke the bank. Its magic and under the radar mostly!

[@masoncameron6443]

Me and my brother where just talking about this a few days ago! He’s older than I am. He had a buddy that had a backyard full of R32 GTRs around that time

[@nicolasdujardin5691]

Indeed, in 2007 i bought an r32 gtr for 16.450€ , sold it in 2012 for 25.000 , i thought i did the deal of my life! Right now: FUCK MY LIFE 😅

[@ZerozPk]

My dream car ever since Gran Turismo as a little kid. I drove that car all the time in that game and vowed I would own it one day. Shame its so expensive and rare.

[@lowstrife]

Now THAT is a clean car holy shit. It's immaculate.

[@johnxina2140]

Yyzcurator has an immaculate collection. He even has a 4door autech skyline gtr r33

[@NBoelkov]

An R34 GT-R can't get more perfect than this while not being an original Z-Tune. Very nice example right there!

[@mrstrawcloud]

Or a clubman race spec

[@devonthomas9449]

Zack needs to do a collab with throttlehouse seriously tooo funny 😂

[@PaleD]

Thats a really stunning automobile, owner has his priorities on point. Salut.

[@vyrnmn]

Great video. Informative presentation, great pacing, and a bump in production value with a little bit of unobtrusive music where appropriate that just lifts the video as a whole without getting away from the original One Take format too much. Great work!

[@TheSmokingTire]

Glad you enjoyed it! That makes the effort worth it. Give it a share if you would.

[@steven44799]

Its a shame this car didn’t have at least an aftermarket car back exhaust on it. Definitely adds to the experience.

[@yyzcurator797]

Fantastic video! Great to see you guys, thanks for taking the time to come out and review the car. Hope to see you around!

[@gt_grandtouring]

Also bravo to the owner for keeping it pure and factory correct!

[@einautofan6685]

Factory correct? It's having a Nismo Z-tune Bodykit, which is not Standard on V-spec II. That Bodykit came first in 2005 on the original 1 of 19 Z-tune, after production of regular R34 models ended in 2002! Soo, this is clearly modified by Factory AFTERWARDS!😉

[@audiodeluxe7647]

Always appreciate Zach’s little history snippets of late.

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

Literally breathtaking. That shot of the exterior at 3:48, I exhaled and forgot to breathe for a split second.

[@TheSmokingTire]

I kept staring at it and using swear words to express my love for it. It is stunnnning. - Zack

[@jlopez1017d]

Correct spec and color for one of the most iconic cars ever. You gotta love it

[@chrisduran3007]

I love that Zack has really made his One Takes his own.

[@bajarekn]

Perfect title for this gem of a video. Giving historical context and reviewing classics with a current perspective really shows which cars earned their legends.

[@gt_grandtouring]

Thank you Zac for the first properly researched English review of the Skyline GTR. All accurate, no bullshit.

[@WarriorsPhoto]

Still a dream car for me. Especially in that BLUE color. I don't care that the price has skyrocketed. It's still worth every penny to drive a legend. Plus you said it best. "I want to drive the GT cars with character." I wonder who else would pay $300,000 for one of these?

[@DDMSteveB]

I’ve saved this video to come back and watch when I was ready. I appreciate the extra ‘love’ this video got regarding editing/shots/music. Good job klappman!

[@TheBucketOfTruth]

Did Zack just do a whole R34 review without saying "Gran Turismo" even once? Maybe I missed it but wasn't until the last line of "video games" that we even got close.

[@azeema6338]

great vid thanks zack and yyzcurator

[@defnotatroll]

That car is GORGEOUS

[@jakeleyva1607]

Music over the beauty shots at the begging was perfect Zach! Keep up the amazing work 🔥

[@justinturner4850]

Very cool Matt gave this one to Zach. In the beginning it seemed like Matt kept the best ones to himself:)

[@Wazup8012]

Been a subscriber for a while. I know I can get my fix here, but I have to say this video was done really well. The amount of information provided was great. Just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed it! Well done!!!

[@shorew3]

Great job man! Love the information you provided in this!! Only gripe I have is the audio! The mics didn’t pick up that beautiful Inline 6 wail! Granted stock these cars were very quiet! I love the whole gtr line up owning several gtsts and having the privilege to drive them all! True piece of artwork!

[@AustenARW]

Very good review and description of what this car is like to drive. Thanks.

[@marcusscribner1603]

Bought my mnp 2 non vspec r34 gtr three months ago! Payed way too much money but can’t wait till December 2023 to import it! This review got me even more excited haha excellent job as always

[@-boner-]

Bro the video was perfect! You do a very good job at explaining stuff

[@tekink8143]

Good review and like that you did not abuse the car during the test. I might let you test mine( Modified Mspec Nur) next summer in NJ if visiting NYC .

[@BobKenge]

I couldn’t skipped it. Had to see the vid although I don’t consider myself a fan of GTR anymore. Best part for me was the end about Naganori Ito (19:38) Gold bits of inspiration. Thanks for the bit Zack 👍👍

[@robertosantana7472]

Beautiful car. Thanks for the video!

[@ScoutingForZen]

That intro would be 100% my reaction if someone ever threw me the keys to an R34. FANTASTIC video Zack, and mega props to the owner for keeping it period-correct and subtle with the mods.

[@mcbedeakin]

Great review Zack!

[@ryaneccles1237]

Awesome video Zack! You are hilarious Love it!!

[@TheRacingJoker]

Even after getting a raise these cars still make me feel poor 😂

[@dericanslum1696]

...was your "raise" more than inflation...?...

[@Bob_Smith19]

Inflation is a bitch.

[@Bob_Smith19]

Inflation is a bitch.

[@dericanslum1696]

@@Bob_Smith19 ...exactly...and if your "raise" doesn't beat it then it was a "cost of living adjustment" being sold off as a "raise"...

[@terrancecollins2696]

You guys went straight to the top with the R34 GTR lol but I think a mildly modified Mk4 Supra, NSX, FD, 3000GT, 300ZX would be amazing cars to review for the channel as well I love that not too much was done to this GTR in terms of power so it’s a true review of a great car and not something with 2000hp

[@davidsteinhour5562]

They've all been done several times over

[@NasnasFilms]

I like the reversing pickup easter egg 😁

[@shisnatz2]

10/10 skit Klapman! Absolutely killed it!

[@wheezzl]

Just checked and where I live there's a V-Spec for sale with 81000km, it goes for 200000+ USD :)

[@G_Ozare]

Zach is awesome. Got chills watching this. LEGEND

[@TonyWang]

I'm glad Zack got away 🙏

[@himynameistim009]

Finally we get to see Zack drive the R34 after hearing the hype on the podcast! Such incredible cars

[@juanc7714]

Thank you. That car is sick. GTR R34 dreaming will make a reality one day. Keep up the cool videos

[@bartholomew2278]

4:25 that truck in the background is driving backwards around that corner perfectly.

[@thesnipersfx1pis]

The Tennet reverse time travel truck at 4:28 is awesome

[@87PowerMan]

my favorite car to play on Grand Turismo back in the day.

[@larssonk22]

Zack you are a funny guy 😂 4:27 people drive crazy through the hills

[@CodeResp]

Badass cars but damn these prices are insane

[@pack-]

That truck driving backwards at 4:30 tripped me out 😂

[@Al-vl3tp]

Yooo I need this Private Auto to buy a car in AZ! ST always have the best plugs! Thanks Matt

[@ViceCityNightcrawler]

🔥 I’ve been waiting for a new R34 review from you guys. Now please find a decent S15 to review.

[@chrisstevens1272]

There's some pretty dope backwards driving from that pickup truck at 4:26

[@snape1464]

That reversed clip at 4:30 xD

[@tomyeplcharger]

Perfect wheels to body proportions 👌

[@Master_Psyper]

Whoa😳the truck at 4:26 had me tripping out for a second 🤣🤣🤣

[@motonvipr]

Saw this car at the Canepa facility when Gordon Murray was there. Fricken awesome. Would love to own one, one day.

[@AndreThompson925]

That was the best intro I've seen in years.

[@jdmandsuch6739]

Lmfao Zack that intro was hilarious! I thought there was a creep around 😅

[@jorgeantoniolomeli2255]

4:25 that truck really just came around the corner zoomin in reverse 😂

[@Petrospect]

Can't wait for the episode Zack hightails it to Vegas 😬😬 shoulda been this one 😂😂

[@reversegiraffe3976]

Very educational video, well done

[@TheSmokingTire]

Thanks!

[@FalconXE302]

Yep... you hit the Holy grail on this one Zack... nice... very nice....

[@Sazuza2]

great intro!

[@carsaregood911]

16:52 🤣 Never change Zack

[@bingoberra18]

I would love to see a well kept and unmolested Mitsubishi Evo 3 on the channel.

[@StrikeEngine]

90s-2000s Nissan chassis are peaches. Primera GT is a highlight (for the price)

[@spdcrzy]

I was today years old when I learned that R32s, R33s, and R34s had rear wheel steering. THIRTY YEARS AGO?!?!? Jesus. No wonder they were amazing.

[@CHILLIMAN666]

Zach this might your best combo of deadpan humor, car nerdgasm and fanboi car geek tech talk I have seen yet 👌

[@tommypayne1980]

A GOD level car. The greatest car of that era.

[@Vashed555]

👀 I see you over there trying to compete with GR Corolla reviews releasing today. 😂

[@penntano]

Was walking down the street the other day and freaked out seeing a R34 VSPEC II NUR on the back of a car carrier. Girlfriend thought I'd lost my mind but that might have been one of the rarest cars I've seen in the wild.

[@DanDiMaggio]

Dude has some mad reverse driving skills @ 4:29

[@conspicuoustraverser7375]

I'm here and so is Zacks awesomeness

[@kentbeitel9966]

Zack is a good actor! I thought that was real! 😂😂 what a gorgeous vehicle! I love the bayside blue 👌🔥 the calsonic gtr is like the heavyweight champion of the world 💪

[@chikaw0ng]

Absolute legend of a car!

[@wbwright79]

dream car. amazing that it made it to the states.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

The fanboy’ism definitely infiltrated this review lol

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Love the fact that Polyphony Digital (of Gran Turismo fame) designed that sweet graphics screen.

[@Dietcola1]

Thank god Matt didnt drive for this review I dont think I could stand another one of his reviews, so jaded. Nice review Zack!

[@asij11]

Anyone else tripped out at 4:35?

[@blacksheep343]

So absolutely special that car is. Jealous and ecstatic you had a go in such a iconic machine.... I am poor.

[@solocamo3654]

Solid paint, too.

[@drill_fiend1097]

I think I saw this car (or another one with the same trim) around the Bay Area. Very surreal to see one in real life.

[@cs2294]

The only car where if I'm fortunate enough I will justify the insane price tag to have one

[@Jordan-ql8pv]

As cool as this car is, if I could afford a half million I think I would just double my money and have an LFA.

[@ppppw2]

Its not worth it lol.

[@PinkGuy120]

30k kilometers! Props to the owner for actually driving it!

[@rmp5s]

God...what an icon. Total legend. EDIT: I posted that before you said it...lol

[@wheezzl]

What a beauty!