Nissan Skyline R33 1993-1998

Class:       Sports Compact

Rivals:     Mitsubishi Evo 6, Subaru Impreza S5, Audi S4 MKI, BMW M3 E36

Engines:  Petrol, 2.0, 2.5, 2.5Turbo, 2.6 Turbo (GT-R), 2.8 (400bhp)

Gearbox: 4 Speed Auto, 5 Speed Auto, 5 Speed Manual

Awards:  A R33 GT-R Lapped Nordschleife in 7 mins and 59seconds!! That's Award Enough!!

OK the keen eyed blogger may have noticed that the video is actually of the R34 around the Nurburgring but its still very cool and gives a very good idea of the challenge of the Nordschleife!

The R33 Skyline was launched in 1993 as successor to the very popular R32 and although heavier, did come with 6 cylinder engines from 2liter up and there was also a 4pot 1.8liter available!

The very 1st Skyline rolled off the production line of the Prince Motor Company in 1957 which went on to become Datsun and then Nissan.  It wasn't until the 1980s that the Skyline legacy really took off with the introduction of the R31!! A 2 liter turbo, rear wheel drive beast!

The R33 was seen as the every day sports car, it was the 1st in its class to have airbags fitted (post 1996).  Parts are interchangeable and very affordable and easy to source!

The Straight 2 liter model boasts 130bhp standard and its not unheard of to hear of a R33 tuned to over 1000bhp!!!

The 130bhp R33 will not set the world alight, but it is enough fun and has enough power to light the rear tyres when required and you will not be left short on over taking.  A bit more torque would be nice but you can always fit a 2.5 turbo engine for less than €1000!!!

They are easy to source cars 2nd hand and if your brave enough to import directly from Japan yourself, you can save a small fortune, but you will have the hassle of paying VAT (because your importing from outside the EU), VRT, NCT and if you can put up with all that, not exactly knowing what you are getting!  If you have the patience to do it, we would recommend it, but if you don't there are plenty of specialised importers of Japanese cars along the Ports in Dublin or in the UK.

The Skyline has always been the boy racers wet dream, and we would reckon tongue in cheek that there are a disproportionate amount of middle aged women down as owning several Skylines around the country!!

There isn't a petrol head on the planet that will not raise more than a passing glance as one of these cars pass!

Take time to watch the video because its is serious driving and remember, the speedometer is in MPH, not KPH!!

Here at Allparts.ie, we will be adding one of these to our ever expanding virtual car collection!

Gary

Nissan Micra/March 1982- Present

Class:     Supermini
Rivals:    Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, Honda Jazz, Ford Fiesta, Vw Polo,
Variants: 3 door hatch, 5 door hatch, Cabriolet, Saloon (Japan Only), Estate (Japan Only)
Engines:  Petrol 1.0, 1.3, 1.4,
              Diesel 1.5 (Japan Only)
Awards: European Car of the Year 1993

Yes a Nissan Micra!!!  The often used as an excuse for being late for work! "Why you late?" "Well Sir I got stuck behind a bloody Micra!!"

This is not my favourite car what so ever, but the reason we are featuring it is because of its longevity!! Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the Launch of the Micra and with a new model out this year, it will be around for another while!  The Micra was also the first European built Japanese car to hit the milestone of over one million models built in its Sunderland Factory in 1998!
Now I would love just to write about the Micra SuperTurbo, which had a supercharger and a turbo on a 930cc 8 valve 4pot developing 110bhp which by comparison is like 300bhp in your average 4 door family car! But unfortunately there is not too many of them around!

The Micra has won many plaudits from different automobile associations for its sheer realibility and if you pay attention your sure to see a few '95/'96 MkII models still around!

The MkII Micra scored a 2 star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests which is no bad feat, the MKIII scored 4 stars the the New MKIV has also scored 4.

The MkII micra came in many variations, probably most exclusive is the Nissan Figaro, which was sold by lottery when it came out first in Japan.  Many have reached Irish shores and have reach cult status for chic!

You have to admire the mkIII Micras styling, and to be honest I was excited to see what they would come up with next; and when I did I was utterly dissappointed! It looks like a drab, boring plastic toy car you buy in Lidl for your baby cousin for him just to throw it out of the pram because thats how bad it looks!  Although it was designed to have a drag co-efficient of 0.32 (how slippery it moves through the air) and returns 18km per liter, its just so bad to look at!

Theres not much to look out for when buying a used micra apart from the usual wear and tear on any car.
They are cheap to tax and to insure for any driver. You can pick one up for anything from a few hundred euros to 7 or 8,000 for a new one.

The Micra is a good easy to drive car, and a favourite with driving instructors!
If your looking for something cheap and cheerful, its ideal, but don't expect much respect from other road users!!!

Gary