REDLINE ALLEYNissan Skyline R33 GTS-T buying guide
1993 to 1998. An R33 GTS-T suits a buyer who wants an affordable rear drive turbo Skyline and will check the rust spots carefully.
Big jobs
- Ceramic turbo. A noisy standard ceramic turbo is a bad sign, and many have been swapped for steel units. Whistling under boost can mean turbo trouble or an air leak.
- Sill seams and chassis legs. Rust starts in the welded seams just below the plastic door kick plates. The small centre weld on the chassis legs under the doors often pops open after a hard impact.
- Strut tops, arches and rear guards. Corrosion is reported on the underside, front strut tops and rear arches. Large repairs in the rear guards show up with a magnet.
Workshop jobs
- Coil packs and ignition amplifier. A misfire between 4000 and 5000 rpm once the car is warm is a known sign of coil pack trouble. Misfires above 5000 rpm point to fuelling.
- Overheating and heater pipes. Rust coloured water stains in the engine bay point to past overheating, and the heater matrix water pipes give up over time.
- Boot leaks and boot rust. The boot rim under the rubber seal is a prime rust spot, and boot leaks usually come from the seal on the right rear light.
- Rear subframe bushes. Worn rear subframe bushes that have gone soft are the most reported suspension problem.
Questions for the seller
- When was the timing belt last replaced, and is there an invoice?
- Has it run on 98 octane, and what boost does it run?
- Is the turbo the original ceramic unit or a replacement?
- Has it ever overheated?
- Is the HICAS working or has it been removed?
Sources
Researched 2026-11-03. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.