The Dr. Is In: The One True Skyline Edition

"Kake Bake" (kakebake)
02/13/2014 at 17:59 • Filed to: gt6

Yes, this has been another installment of Kake's Kalls and you heard it here first. The DR30 was the last true Skyline. OK, technically it was the R31. Anyhow, my point is, every Skyline thereafter got all bloat-y and 4WD-y.

DISCUSSION (17)

Skif6996 > Kake Bake
02/13/2014 at 18:03

That's kind of like saying the last true Viper was the RT/10 because after that all (except SRT10) Vipers got roofs.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Kake Bake
02/13/2014 at 18:11

but the R32, R33 and R34 were all available in RWD.

Kake Bake > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
02/13/2014 at 18:15

Well, the option was there.

That's enough for this uninformed, knee-jerk, armchair automotive lifestyle forum poster.

Kake Bake > Skif6996
02/13/2014 at 18:16

Well, have you ever seen an actual viper (animal) with a roof?

I rest my case.

Textured Soy Protein > Kake Bake
02/13/2014 at 18:16

How do you feel about the R32 GTS-t? It has an DB20DET like the R31 turbo models including the GTS-R, weight is 1260 kg (2778 lbs) compared to the R31 GTS-R at 1345 kg , and not too far off the 1200 kg R31 RS Turbo.

Gamecat235 > Kake Bake
02/13/2014 at 18:17

Kinja'd!!!

#Skylines4life! (wait, what?)

TwoFortified > Kake Bake
02/13/2014 at 18:22

The R32-R34 generations were fantastic. People like to say that they were "bloated" with technology...but I'm not really ever entirely sure what they mean.

Is it the AWD (Skylines technically came with 4WD, because, at the time, there was no such distinction AFAIK)? The ATESSA system on the R32 is still (from what I've heard) one of the (if not the very) best AWD systems for cars on pavement. From the mouths of Subies and Mitsus themselves, I've heard it described as a superior system on tarmac. Was it necessary ? No...but it was pretty forward-thinking.

Is it the 4-wheel Steering? I know car manufacturers have gone down this road more than once, and generally it feels like a fad (or, at least, one more system that can fail), but the HICAS system offered superior track-day driving IMO. My source? The complete and absolute domination of Group A racing.

Is it the "over-engineered" RB26DETT? This engine is one of the finest items to leave Japan's shores if you ask me.

Damn near everything else (on the R32 anyway. I know they went a bit bananas with the R34 as far a gadgetry is concerned) was/is standard.

I like the R31, don't get me wrong, but casting stones at the next 3 (arguably, the most beloved 3) generations seems unnecessary.

Kake Bake > Textured Soy Protein
02/13/2014 at 18:33

I'm still not a fan.

My argument is mostly cosmetic. The R32 introduced that godawful vacuum-cleaner nose that for some reason is lower than any other part of the body. Ew I say. Ick.

Kake Bake > TwoFortified
02/13/2014 at 18:40

My armchair enthusiast view is that beyond the R31, Skylines became too gee-whiz. There was too much between the driver and the wheels.

Also, In my opinion, they were supremely unattractive cars. They were all soft lines and curves and vague, non-committal musculature with gross vacuum-cleaner noses.

Lastly, and I know this isn't the car's fault, but for me they're (well, the R34) too associated with bros thanks to the F&F movies. The R30 seems like the working man's Skyline.

TwoFortified > Kake Bake
02/13/2014 at 18:52

(FWIW, my enthusiasm is still armchair as well. The plan, should it work out, is to own an R32 GT-R in the nearish future)

Seems like a harsh judgement to claim that the, say, R32 had too much going own between the driver and wheels...I mean, it's still a cable-driven throttle. Still hydraulic-powered (find me a car that doesn't come with power steering anymore) rack-and-pinion steering. Any complaint related to the AWD system would be valid for any AWD car (and they may be fair arguments, so I won't take that away from you). In a world with Drive/Steer-by-wire, CVTs, assisted stopping/parking/launching/etc, I think the R32-34 generation still has a lot of connection between driver and road.

As to the opinion of them being unattractive...To each their own I guess. Different strokes...(though, in the case of the R32 and R34, I vehemently disagree with you).

And as for the bros. Ah yes. Those damn bros. Can't enjoy an Eclipse anymore because of the goddamned bros. Hell, M3s are towing a line at this point.

Any car that looks good (well, again, that's relative) and performs well will likely attract bro-culture. Give the FR-S 10 years, and watch. It'll be raining bros. That said, through conscious effort, I don't (read: try not to) let the bros' opinion sway mine. The RB-powered Skyline GT-Rs perform very well, and 2/3 of them even look good (to me).

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Kake Bake
02/13/2014 at 18:57

You're on the right track but for the wrong reasons.

R31 was the last to offer a wagon version (Stageas don't count)

Kinja'd!!!