Of all the performance cars not sold in the US, none quite capture the imagination like the Nissan Skyline GT-R. Especially the final iteration, the R34. But, with any "forbidden fruit" car, there's always a chance that it doesn't live up to the hype. That it isn't as good as Gran Turismo made it out to be.
Not with the R34, as The Smoking Tire's Matt Farah found out with this 2001 example. With some fairly mild engine and suspension modifications, it's genuinely quick and handles beautifully.
Many Skyline GT-Rs have their four-wheel steering systems disabled, but this one doesn't, giving it super sharp turn-in. This GT-R also has extra stiff aftermarket coilovers, aiding handling at the expense of any semblance of ride comfort.
So, after watching this, you probably want to import your own R34. Unfortunately, you'll have to wait until 2024, when the first R34s are eligible to enter the US under the DOT's 25-year rule. This GT-R is said to be from Canada (where you can import any car over 15 years old), though a quick look at the owner's Instagram indicates it spends most of its time in the US. We're not sure how this works, either.
If you want to keep everything kosher, you can at least get an R32 GT-R now.
A car enthusiast since childhood, Chris Perkins is Road & Track's engineering nerd and Porsche apologist. He joined the staff in 2016 and no one has figured out a way to fire him since. He street-parks a Porsche Boxster in Brooklyn, New York, much to the horror of everyone who sees the car, not least the author himself. He also insists he's not a convertible person, despite owning three.
