- adam234534
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
A Golden Era Pricing Guide for True JDM Enthusiasts (R32, R33, R34 GT-R)
For many hard core JDM enthusiasts, the Nissan Skyline isn’t just a car.
The golden era of these remarkable JDM legends represents a moment in time when Japanese performance cars were redefining what was possible.
We all want one, but when the dream starts turning into a reality, one question quickly takes over:
“What does it actually cost to import a Skyline into Canada?”
The answers online can be very confusing for Canadians looking for clear and direct answers, and usually missing a lot context. This guide is here to change that.
At JDM Rush Imports, we work directly with our trusted export partners in Japan and track real auction results weekly. Below is a clear, honest breakdown of what key Golden Era Skylines are actually selling for at auction in todays competitive market— and what that realistically translates to once the car is customs-cleared in Canada.
No hype. No fantasy pricing. Just clarity.
Before we get into the cars, a few important things to know for context:
Golden Era Skylines only
This guide focuses on the most popular Canada-eligible Skylines from 1989–2002:
R32
R33
R34
We’re highlighting the most commonly requested enthusiast models, not every trim ever produced.
Auction price vs customs-cleared price:
For each model below, you’ll see two numbers:
Auction Purchase Price (JPY)
Estimated Customs-Cleared Price (CAD)
Customs-cleared pricing includes:
Vehicle purchase
Ocean shipping
Import duty
GST
Brokerage and port fees
Transport within Canada is additional:
Transport from port to your final destination in Canada is not included in the prices below.
We can arrange:
Open transport
Enclosed transport
We also offer some of the most competitive vehicle transport rates in Canada. Contact us for exact pricing based on your location.
Exchange rates fluctuate:
All CAD estimates are based on an exchange rate of:
¥1 = $0.009158 CAD (at time of writing)
These are close, well-calculated ballpark estimates, not fixed quotes.
Nissan Skyline Pricing by Generation
R32 Skyline (1989–1994)
The car that earned the legend
The R32 Skyline is where everything truly begins.
This is the car that earned the “Godzilla” nickname after absolutely dominating Group A touring car racing in the early 1990s. Compact, raw, and brutally effective, the R32 didn’t just win — it embarrassed established competitors so thoroughly that Japanese performance cars could no longer be ignored.
For many enthusiasts, this was the moment Japan announced itself to the world.
R32 Non-GT-R (GTS / GTS-T / Type M)
Auction price (JPY):¥2,500,000 – ¥3,500,000
Customs-cleared (CAD):~$32,000 – $44,000
Turbocharged GTS-T and Type M cars sit toward the top of this range. Automatics and higher-kilometre examples fall toward the lower end.
R32 GT-R (BNR32)
Auction price (JPY):¥3,800,000 – ¥7,500,000
Customs-cleared (CAD):~$47,000 – $83,000
Condition, mileage, originality, and auction grade make a huge difference here. Clean examples remain one of the most engaging driver-focused GT-Rs ever built.
R33 Skyline (1995–1998)
The misunderstood evolution
For years, the R33 lived in the shadow of both its predecessor and its successor.
Longer, more stable, and more refined, the R33 GT-R was the first Skyline to lap the Nürburgring in under eight minutes. Today, enthusiasts are rediscovering it as one of the most usable and balanced Skylines ever produced.
R33 Non-GT-R
Auction price (JPY):¥2,300,000 – ¥3,000,000
Customs-cleared (CAD):~$30,000 – $37,000
Often overlooked, these cars represent excellent value for buyers who want Skyline ownership without GT-R pricing.
R33 GT-R (BCNR33)
Auction price (JPY):¥3,900,000 – ¥6,500,000
Customs-cleared (CAD):~$48,000 – $74,000
Pricing varies with condition and spec, but the R33 GT-R remains one of the most capable real-world performance cars of the era.
R34 Skyline (1999-2002)
The dream car
The R34 didn’t create the legend — it carried it into global mythology.
By the late 1990s, the GT-R name already commanded respect, but the R34 refined everything into something timeless. Video games, magazines, forums, and eventually pop culture cemented the R34 as the dream car for an entire generation of JDM fans.
Every variant sits on a different rung of the ladder, and understanding those differences is key.
R34 HR34 (Naturally Aspirated)
Auction price (JPY):¥1,200,000 – ¥2,800,000
Customs-cleared (CAD):~$18,000 – $34,000
The most affordable entry into R34 ownership. Typically automatic and naturally aspirated, but visually iconic and increasingly sought after.
R34 ER34 GT-T (Automatic)
Auction price (JPY):¥3,200,000 – ¥4,500,000
Customs-cleared (CAD):~$40,000 – $50,000
Turbocharged with automatic transmission. Sedans and coupes fall here, with coupes usually commanding a slight premium.
R34 ER34 GT-T (Manual)
Auction price (JPY):¥4,200,000 – ¥5,200,000
Customs-cleared (CAD):~$48,000 – $58,000
Manual GT-T cars represent a clear step up in desirability and price, especially in coupe form.
R34 GT-R (Base)
Auction price (JPY):¥13,000,000 – ¥16,000,000
Customs-cleared (CAD):~$138,000 – $168,000
This range reflects base-spec GT-Rs. Low mileage, high grades, and rare colours can push prices higher.
R34 GT-R V-Spec / V-Spec II
Auction price (JPY):¥25,000,000 – ¥30,000,000+
Customs-cleared (CAD):~$245,000 – $295,000+
Collector-grade territory. V-Spec models feature upgraded driveline and chassis components, and global demand drives pricing aggressively. Iconic colours and low mileage can exceed this range.
Why Canadian buyers still have an advantage
Canada’s 15-year import rule allows access years before the U.S. market opens.
Certain late-model R34s (especially 2001–2002 cars) are:
Legal in Canada
Still restricted in the U.S.
Often subject to less auction competition
That window won’t last forever.
Thinking about importing a Skyline?
If you’re exploring options and want realistic numbers based on today’s market:
👉 Start with our Get Started form, and we’ll walk you through pricing, timing, and options — honestly.
No pressure. Just clarity.
Want to Learn More about Importing JDM Cars?
Check out these resources:
👉 Check out our JDM Insight Blog for info, tips and tricks for all things importing.
👉 Want to understand the pricing breakdown from auction to shipping to delivery?
Check out our Video.
👉 Want to learn how to read and decipher JDM auction sheets? Our comprehensive
blog post covers this in detail. 👉 Wondering about insuring your JDM in Canada? We've got an excellent resource for you here.
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