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Righto, I suspect I'm going to find anyone who has direct relevant experience of owning both cars to make a valid comparison but... I don't have the money or space for another car right now but... This stems from a conversation in a pub. I'm posting on a couple of forums to get a cross section of opinion as its one I've been mulling over on and off for a bit I've always fancied a Skyline. The R32 & R33 GTS versions and similar (I don't fully follow the designations) are very reasonably priced now compared to what they were and how jolly super they are. The Fox body and now SN95 series Mustang is a very good affordable muscle car/pony car option. Broadly similar money puts you behind the wheel of a Skyline with a turbo motor or a Mustang with a V8 in it Now the general opinion of the pub was that the Skyline would be better handling and a more suitable daily type car in general and that MPG would be better on the Nissan although not great on either. And "you can get a thousand horse from a Skyline" But... I also hear tales of "Skyline Tax" on parts and services for the iconic Nissan. I hear tales of sudden and catastrophically expensive failures on them. I hear you can't go down the shops without being challenged to race or pulled by the law. Many/most Skylines on sale are going to have been ragged to within an inch of the lives by the GR8 4 DRFTN posse? "You have to spend a couple of grand on one to make it any good really" "Parts are a nightmare" and so on Now I've driven and ridden in Mustangs of the type so I'm happy I know what they are like as stock and mildly modified but not the Skyline. Mustangs on the other hand, well, many are owned by the polish-it-Sunday and line dancing fraternity so they haven't been abused (other than musically!) I know enough about Mustangs to not buy into the pub expert talk on them. Mustang is (like the Skyline) well served by a huge aftermarket supplying everything from air filters to tubular subframes. You can find them doing their thing in just about any type of motorsport. Mustang and Skyline seem about the same size to me, same general look to them, same layout, Skyline seems more "complex" mechanically, the Mustang perhaps a tad "old fashioned" - unless I drop a pile of cash on one with the aluminum DOHC V8 or factory supercharger in which case cost and complexity just went right up.... What is missing from my "fleet" is a competent A-Road/B-Road blaster. Hypothetically which car is going to do the job better for me? And why? And remember I am built from Yorkshire DNA so value for money is always a key element... Fox R32 SN95 R33
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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ToolsnTrack
Posted a lot
Homebrew Raconteur
Posts: 4,121
Club RR Member Number: 134
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Mustang Vs Skyline?ToolsnTrack
@overdrive
Club Retro Rides Member 134
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May 13, 2012 10:17:51 GMT
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If you buy a skyrine, your other cars will bully it.
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marksparks999
Part of things
I aim to live forever, or die trying!
Posts: 656
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May 13, 2012 10:24:24 GMT
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mustang is hit it with a hammer to fix it - skyline is you need a PHD in computer engineering... personally I like the Skyline but only in 4 door versions, or if you want load lugging go for the Stagea! Having said that the Mustang is a mighty fine looking car (SN95)... however never driven one, but driven the Skylines new big brother the GTR in anger, and that is ANGRY!!!
The wifes uncle use to own many Yanks, including Mach 2, and Mach 3, then went british with big Jags, now he swears by Big Mercs and would never go back! (perhaps its because he got old?)
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Retroless at the moment... but on the hunt for something old!
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May 13, 2012 10:35:14 GMT
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I don't have any first-hand experience of owning either, but I can make a comparison on paper.
An SN95 Ford Mustang GT has 260bhp and weighs 1468kg. A 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra has 240bhp and weighs 1520kg. An R33 Skyline GTS25t turbo manual has 247bhp and weighs 1360kg. An R32 Skyline GTS-t turbo manual has 212bhp and weighs 1260kg. Both Skylines have quite good IRS setups, whereas the Mustang has a live axle rear.
From this, you can see that on paper at least, the huge weight saving and IRS should make the Skylines significantly quicker and handle better. Also, as they are turbocharged and intercooled, a reasonable power increase is very easily obtained by simply turning up the boost and giving it a tune.
In Australia, Mustangs are super rare and expensive but Skylines are everywhere, so over here it would be a no-brainer. You can get a decent R33 Skyline any day for $10,000, whereas late-model Mustangs are few and far between and sell for more than the classic '60s ones! $25-40 grand.
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MonzaPhil
Posted a lot
Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought
Posts: 2,456
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May 13, 2012 10:45:50 GMT
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I have no experience particularly of either but the R32 GTR wins for me, did go out in a tuned R33 and it was.... quite fast. I've stood near a Mustang and that looked quite fast too. While you can't beat a V8 (obviously) I'm afraid that in my game of top trumps, the R32 wins. As with all imports I guess it's down to ease of maintenance/availability of parts and whether corners have been cut on any previous repairs etc? Seen some horrors when the proper parts have not been available (I think this is code for "can't be bothered to get the right bits")
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This is now a clicky linky!
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May 13, 2012 10:46:35 GMT
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No experience here, but I always thought that the Mustang and Skyline are quite comparable in a way.
Just cultural differences are refelcted in the cars.
I recon a BMW e36 325i is the 'european' car that fishes in the same market.
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Click picture for more
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tragic
Part of things
Posts: 125
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May 13, 2012 10:48:54 GMT
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I had a R32 GTST (2.0 Turbo) as a daily for a year or so, and thoroughly enjoyed it! Mine was as stock as a stock thing when I bought it, a fresh import. Mushroom filter and 3" polished stainless cat-back exhaust (which was a thing of beauty!) came from Ebay for less than £200 and a decat pipe (free) woke it up, and made it sound fantastic. A set of Kumho Ecstas sorted the handling. Service items such as brake pads are cheap as chips from main dealers and they seem to share a lot of bits with Z32 ZX / Fairlady. As mine was an auto it was a docile beast to drive as a daily and wasn't too bad on fuel (V-Power only). Very comfortable on a long run, and a decent size boot. However, if you wanted a B-road blast it was awesome. Had the power to overtake anything in front and handled better than anything else I've owned (including the exes MX5). As an all rounder I reckon a Skyline is hard to beat, they just do everything exceptionally well.
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May 13, 2012 11:00:06 GMT
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i would only bother with a skyline if its a gtr and in which case you should by the r32,but if you don't want to look like a bit of a boy racer then definately buy a mustang although i agree it will be useless on b roads and so the argument goes on. . . .
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May 13, 2012 11:00:25 GMT
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I read on Wiki (so probably balls) that the R32 and 33 GTR engines were a detuned race engine, i.e. designed for track performance first off. Due to the J car manufactures 'gentleman's agreement' of a max of 280ps or whatever it was, it was restricted to this figure (although they apparently lied and only restricted it to 300) via exhaust, ECU and boost restriction. That boost restriction was of physical form in a control line, marked in yellow by Nissan so the new owner could remove it and enjoy a lot more boost safely.
Whether that's true or applies in anyway to the RB20/25DET I don't know, so could be irrelephant. I'd pick a Skyline but that's because I'm a fanboy.
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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May 13, 2012 11:41:27 GMT
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Hmm,
My minor knowledge of Skylines.
I've driven an R34 GTS-T including on special low grip surface (like ice). It was fantastically well balanced and the only thing I could ever really "drift". Totally flattered my pathetic skills and made me very happy.
In terms of a B road blaster I have to admit I think it's one of those cars that is so capable that by the time you feel like your really challenging and engaging with it you have reached staggering speeds without even realising.
I have more experience of the same engine in a Stagea though (R33 Skyline platform but as an estate) where unfortunately it's always coupled to an Auto box. From my point of view this totally sucked all life form the car and left me feeling totally cold, it might as well have been a 1.6 Primera wagon for all I got from it.
My understanding is that aside from a couple of common issues (think coil packs are one) unmolested cars are bomb proof, they are a touch complicated but hail from Nissan's belt, braces + a bit more days. Like all unwaxed J-Tin I think they suffer form a bit of rot too unless gunked up to European spec cavity wax wise.
When I finally get round to tackling my 240z that's the engine I have planned for it, a nice single turbo RB25 with a mild tune hooked up to the 70's body and suspension set up in the Zed, Which in some ways leads me nicely to my "image" of a Mustang.
Now I've never driven any Mustangs, but anything with a V8 and a live axle sounds like a bit of an animal to me. I can imagine hustling one around a twisty B road, and being no where near as fast as a Skyline but having quite an enjoyable time none the less, but you know Mustangs better, so please tell me!
In summary I guess the people I know who have owned and tuned their Skylines have been obsessed with the speed and precision of the car, the Mustang owners have been ignited by the noise and the raw character. I think someone else said these cars personify the cultures they come from, and I'd say that's a good call.
I err towards the Mustang character side but I'm afraid if it's a sunny day and a B road awaits, you'll never prise me from my puny little 1.6 MX-5 because I can give it 10/10ths almost everywhere, still be somewhere close to the speed limit and if it expires I'll just find another, for less than £500.
Sorry,
Rob
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'55 Austin A30
'71 MGB GT
'72 Datsun 240 shed
'72 Mercedes 240D
'79 Firebird
'86 Austin Maestro Van
'91 Mercedes 250D
'91 BMW e34 535i Sport
'92 Mazda MX-5
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May 13, 2012 12:28:16 GMT
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I'd pick the 'Stang as the less obvious choice and then mod it to make it nice to drive on british roads, along with a mild power hike and some styling changes it would be a much more satisfying car to use at normal road speeds i think.
Skyline may excel but it has to go fast to feel like its trying and that's a sure way to incur prizes on ones driving permission document.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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May 13, 2012 13:20:37 GMT
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Both. ;D
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May 13, 2012 13:43:06 GMT
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I read the article on the build of the Tokyo Drift Mustang and all the action shots were done in V8 powered cars and redubbed because the straight six Nissan engine one drove so appaulingly and was only used for close shots. Article was in an American mag, but was an interview with the build crew so draw your own conclusions as to any bias. The only SN95 I drove was a V6 and my only concern was its lack of two cylinders I think I've only been in modified fox bodies (my ex-Fairmont not included) so hard to judge on the basis of that as its down to how well it was cut up. Monzaphil - your comment made me laugh. So did overdrive's.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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May 13, 2012 13:51:24 GMT
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V8 skyline?
*n
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Top grammar tips! Bought = purchased. Brought = relocated Lose = misplace/opposite of win. Loose = your mum
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Raoul Duke
Part of things
Posts: 990
Club RR Member Number: 117
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Mustang Vs Skyline?Raoul Duke
@raoulduke
Club Retro Rides Member 117
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May 13, 2012 13:52:24 GMT
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As said really, speaking with no actual experience of either: I'd guess that the Mustang will make you smile with minimal speed/effort, whereas the Skyline will give you a huge grin at the risk of losing your license. Only you know whether the 'image' of either will sit comfy with you. Skylines can be made to look quite subtle and un-aggressive if you're worried about getting raced/pulled, whereas the pic you posted of the track Fox certainly didn't make me think of line-dancing.
If you really can't make up your mind, borrow an Xbox and Forza 4.
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...a redder shade of neck on a whiter shade of trash...
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,929
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Mustang Vs Skyline?stealthstylz
@stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member 174
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May 13, 2012 13:53:58 GMT
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I think you should be ironic and plaster a Skyline in "Elvis is alive in our hearts and minds" stickers.
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May 13, 2012 14:00:18 GMT
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I've got you down as a naturally-aspriated V8 and live axle kinda guy, rather than boosted 6-pot and IRS. So Mustang it is. ;D
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,784
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Mustang Vs Skyline?Dez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
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May 13, 2012 14:01:22 GMT
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the smart skyline money isnt the GTR. you pay a premium, for a car thats likely had a much harder life than the lowlier ones. personally id choose an unkitted r33 (yeah the ugly one) GTST, as its correct wheel drive rather than more wheel drive, yet has the larger turbo-d engine lurking inside and the better running gear, stronger box, bigger brakes etc., plus wont get as many numpties trying to race. plus lower insurance too.
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Last Edit: May 13, 2012 14:02:36 GMT by Dez
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Mustang Vs Skyline?Robinxr4i
@robinxr4i
Club Retro Rides Member 143
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May 13, 2012 16:19:07 GMT
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Never driven a Mustang, infact I've never even been in one. But I know that I really want a Fox body I think they look rad.
Skylines however I've got a fair few mates who've owned them, so I know a little. They are lovely cars, great handling mega predictable and extra power is so easy to extract. HOWEVER I wouldn't want to live with one, any 32 or 33 that's spent time on the UK's salty roads seem well a bit grotty Nissans of thise era IMO don't fair well and imported ones fair worse. Parts are easily and widely avaliable but are expensive, and from what I've seen reliability is no better than anything else.
Plus not wishing to paint all owners with the same brush, but alot of Skylines get into the hands of owners who've little or no idea about cars and just want something fast plus a good number get drifted. Meaning if you want a good one you pay a premium.
Like I said great cars, but massive potential to be a money pit.
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Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
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crazymonkey
Posted a lot
ummm....what was I doing again???
Posts: 1,981
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May 13, 2012 16:23:41 GMT
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If you did get a skyline it would have to be an r32 even in gts-t form. personally i prefer the r30 and r31 you would get more looks with a mustang. I know it sounds stupid but Ive seen so many skylines now (a few years ago this wasnt the case) that it has to be pretty special to make me look twice. whereas even a ratty old mustang I'm drawn to (and I'm Nissan mad haha) depends on what you want. if you want a car thats going to be fun enough to play with/track day but civilised enough to pop down the shops without killing yourself then skyline it is. if however you want a car that gets the looks, is fun as hell to drive and is basically - bought it because I want to - then the mustang is the only option. like you said skylines are cheap but thats because they're becoming more and more common now especially with the younger generation, mustang is more of a fanatic car and will be looked after better and appreciated more. *based on my observations locally
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whoever said dogs were man's best friend....obviously never heard of cable ties
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