The R34 is the last installment in Nissan GT-R Skyline’s exceptional lineup, and it’s an absolute JDM legend!

No matter which JDM car may be your favorite pick, it is next to impossible for any gearhead to deny the cultural importance of the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 as an icon of the JDM world. The car’s boxy frame and striking looks continue to turn heads to this day. There aren’t many cars that come as close to automotive excellence as the R34.

RELATED:
10 Reasons Why Gearheads Love The Nissan Skyline GT-R

The R34 is a speed demon through and through. It is revered for plenty of reasons, one of which is the car’s sheer capability for boosting and modding. In fact, you probably won’t find an R34 that doesn’t have any modifications. For tuners, the car definitely provides quite the canvas. Additionally, it has an engine that is considered by many to be one of the most powerful. With that being said, the next time someone asks you why this Nissan is such a legendary JDM icon, you should probably tell them the following things.

10.The R34 Has An Iconic Pop Culture Status

The R34’s revered pop culture status is probably enough on its own to make the car larger than life. It has appeared in popular movie franchises such as Need for Speed and Fast & Furious. That iconic scene from the first race of 2 Fast 2 Furious where Paul Walker pulls up in his R34 is etched into our minds. Paul’s history with the R34 is also one major reason why the Godzilla is one of the most beloved vehicles ever.

On top of this, it is also one of the most easily recognizable JDMs out there. Most gearheads still believe that the R34 was the first vehicle that introduced the modern world to the wonders of JDM cars.

9.The R34’s Powerful RB26 Engine Is Something Else

The almighty 2.6-liter six-cylinder engine has been responsible for plenty of upsets on the track. In fact, the RB26DETT engine’s sheer power was rumored to be the reason behind the car being banned in the US. People believed it could outrun cop cars, so the engine was too powerful for American roads.

While there may not be much truth to these legends about the RB26 block, it goes without saying that it is one of the most impressive engines ever engineered. Its racing heritage, dependability, tuning potential, and blasting induction sound are why we will never get enough of it.

8.The R34 Was A Forbidden Fruit For A Long Time

Since there are several differences between the American and Japanese laws for motor vehicle safety compliance, the R34 was basically illegal in the US for the longest time. Ever since the 1988 Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act was introduced, JDM imports like the R34 were banned throughout the United States.

Fortunately, this only added to the growing interest in the R34 as it became even more sought after thanks to its illegal status. There are several known cases of enthusiasts who were successful in finding a workaround to bring the car legally to the US. These workarounds included using the platform solely as a show car or a race car, while some went as far as registering the vehicle in a different class altogether. If you’re also interested in importing the car, reports suggest that people in the US will finally be able to import the R34 from January 2024.

7.The R34 Is One Of The Easiest JDMs To Mod

One of the main reasons behind the R34’s popularity is its mod-friendly characteristics. It doesn’t take an expert mechanic to work on the car and unleash its true potential. The car is known to require only a basic remap to take the stock 276 horsepower engine all the way up to 400 horsepower. In fact, there’s even a 1700 horsepower mod of the R34 out there.

On top of this, since the GTR-R R34 has such a simple, boxy frame with a plain construction, it makes for a great base for cosmetic changes. There aren’t many cars that are so easy to work with, and working with the R34 is a truly rewarding experience.

6.The R34 Is Agile, Responsive, And Reliable

Not many JDM cars have a racing pedigree as glorious as the R34. The car is coveted by racers for its remarkable driving experience, and it’s lauded for being responsive, quick, and light. The R34 impresses on the track almost always. The 18-inch wheels are large enough to provide a good grip on the road and complement the unparalleled power of the RB26 engine.

Reliability
Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $689

Est. Maintenance Costs During First 5 Years: $2,759

Recalls: 0

Highest Mileage Reported on CarSurvey: 96,000+ miles

Additionally, the car is also known for its exceptional build quality as most owners on platforms like CarSurvey.org have reported little to no major issues despite clocking high mileages on their R34s.

5.The R34 Has The Price Tag Of Royalty.

1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 in whiteBring a Trailer
As per Classic.com, the average selling price for the R34, including all model years between 1999 and 2002, is around $216,000. It’s certainly unusual for a car that’s over two decades old to still have an asking price in six figures, but in case anyone forgets, the R34 is a legendary car.

Some special edition trims are so exclusive, such as the GT-R Nismo, which are nearly impossible to find anywhere. In other words, they’re probably too valuable to sell. This only adds to the allure, and not many cars on the market command this level of royalty in terms of pricing.

4.The R34’s Track-Focused Interior Is Sublime

Despite being nearly 25 years of age, the R34 has an interior that will help any driver feel instantly at home. In fair conditions, it is always a pleasure to drive the car specifically thanks to the pleasant interior.

Although the leather seats are wrapped around a plastic frame, they still provide plenty of cushions. There’s a multifunction retro-looking display, which helps you feel more connected to the driving experience. There’s plenty of insulation from the outside to keep you feeling safe as you blast through at high speeds.

3.The Highly Sought After Special Edition Skyline R34 ,Trims

There’s no denying that the GT-R in stock condition is a beast on its own. However, Nissan was generous enough to introduce us to several special edition trims of this fabled car, all of which carried different tunings and modifications.

The most famous and exclusive of all is probably the GT-R Nismo as only 19 of them were ever built. Apart from this, the manufacturer also produced M-Spec, Z-Tune, V, and Nurburgring models. Each of these provides additional bonuses over the stock model such as extra displays, stiffer handling, or multiple oil coolers.

2.The R34 Is The Last Of Its Kind

The R34 was the last installment from a lineup of truly great JDMs that have all cemented themselves in automotive history. In fact, this is one car that is not only given due respect in the JDM world but also in the rest of the automotive industry.

Of course, the current GT-R is a spiritual successor to the original Skyline, as far as the R34 is concerned, it remains irreplaceable for all gearheads alike. The car’s long history makes for quite the story.

1.The R34’s тιԍнтly-Knit Fan Base

Since it’s one of the most popular vehicles out there today, the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 has a dedicated community of fans. This тιԍнт-knight fan base provides a sense of belonging and support for Skyline lovers globally. The community consists of owners, mechanics, and others who simply adore this mythical Godzilla. You will find plenty of online forums and social media groups dedicated to the car.