Step into the world of Japanese automotive royalty with this deep dive into the iconic 2000 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34—a machine that redefined performance and style in the late ’90s and early 2000s and continues to dominate hearts today.
The R34 isn’t just a car—it’s a symbol. Revered in motorsports, immortalized in video games like Gran Turismo, and catapulted into global fame by the Fast & Furious franchise, it represents the golden era of Japanese performance engineering. For JDM enthusiasts, the R34 is more than metal and rubber—it’s a dream, a legacy, and a badge of honor.
The R34’s aggressive stance is unmistakable. With its sharp lines, wide fenders, and signature quad taillights, it exudes purpose and precision. Under the hood lies the legendary RB26DETT—a 2.6-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine that delivers 276 horsepower. Paired with the ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system and an active LSD, the R34 offers razor-sharp handling and explosive acceleration. Tuners worldwide have pushed this engine well beyond its factory limits, and this particular car has over 600hp!
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering the magic of the Nissan Skyline, this video captures the essence of what makes the GT-R R34 a timeless legend.
Also check out Drive Culture on YouTube. Drive Culture is detailed car review YouTube channel hosted by the ultimate car enthusiast, Jonathon Rivers.
Who is Jonathon Rivers?
Well, he’s a +15 year Auto Industry veteran, born and raised in the Motor City!
He lived several years in Japan, speaks & reads Japanese, and now works for American Honda Motor. (Although this channel is his own & not affiliated)
He’s owned several fun cars including a Evo IV, multiple Civic Si, Focus RS, and most recently the Integra Type S (which he lead planning for Acura)!
He’s also been lucky enough to drive just about every key new product in the market from compact cars, to SUVs, EVs and super cars!
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A transcript, cleaned up by AI and edited by a staffer, is below.
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Transcript:
2000 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 Review
All right, guys—here we go. Time to head out in the GT-R R34. Welcome to Drive Culture. I’m Jonathan Rivers, and today we’re looking at the 2000 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34. I’ll explain why this is the best generation of “Godzilla.” We’ll cover the exterior, interior, powertrain, and of course, take it for a drive. If that’s your kind of content, make sure to subscribe and click the bell so you don’t miss future videos.
This is the R34 I’ve been waiting to bring to the channel. If you’ve been following Drive Culture, you know I already have an R33. Now that I have an R34, I guess the next step is to find an R32—and maybe even one of those older 1970s GT-Rs. Hopefully, I can bring those to the channel as well.
It’s a big day to feature this car, and like I said in my R33 review, it’s something special to drive a right-hand-drive car in Southern California—especially one in this kind of condition. This R34 is immaculate. There are quite a few modifications, which we’ll go over in detail, but let’s start with some background.
History and Value
The fifth-generation Skyline GT-R debuted in Japan in 1999 and ran through the 2002 model year. The car we have today is a 2000 model, which puts it right in the middle of that short production run. Nissan released several special editions—V-Spec, V-Spec II, Nismo Nür—but this one is essentially a standard GT-R R34.
This was also the last GT-R to carry the “Skyline” name. When the R35 came along, it became a standalone performance model rather than a Skyline variant, marking the end of an era.
Back when it was new, the R34 cost around 4.8 to 5 million yen—about $45,000 USD at the time. Not cheap, but reasonable for its performance. Today, prices have skyrocketed. A clean R34 like this can run anywhere from $150,000 to $250,000, depending on condition and modifications.
Exterior
The paint on this car is stunning. It’s finished in Cloud White (paint code QM1), which looks incredible in person. The body is in immaculate condition with a few tasteful aftermarket additions.
The R34 continued the clean, muscular design of the R33 with sharper character lines running down the hood and into a distinctive front fascia. The stock xenon headlights and centered GT-R badge give the front end that unmistakable “Godzilla” look.
The front bumper features an ARC front-mount intercooler and a lower lip from the V-Spec II that’s both functional and stylish. Additional ducts on the right side of the fascia are part of a UK V-Spec kit—rare and hard to find, showing the level of detail in this build.
From the side, the car sits perfectly on a set of Yokohama Advan tires wrapped around Volk Racing TE37 SL wheels. The fitment is spot on, and behind the wheels are massive Endless six-piston brakes with floating rotors—painted in a striking royal blue.
Suspension is handled by an Aragosta adjustable coilover setup, a high-end system with F1 pedigree. The car’s stance is low and aggressive but functional.
At the rear, the iconic quad taillights dominate the view. The carbon-fiber Voltex racing wing has been painted to match the body, with exposed carbon end plates for contrast. The rear fascia features a titanium exhaust from Biko—“beautiful sound” in Japanese—and it certainly lives up to the name.
Interior
Inside, the R34 feels like stepping back into a golden era of Japanese performance cars. It’s remarkably clean, with materials that have aged well and modifications that stay true to the original design.
The stock steering wheel has been beautifully reupholstered with suede grips, leather accents, and red stitching, topped with the classic GT-R badge. The gauges are official Nismo units with a white background, 320 km/h speedometer, and an 11,000 rpm redline—pure motorsport vibes.
Up top, the multifunction display (MFD) has been upgraded to the Nismo version, adding extra functionality and a touch of Gran Turismo nostalgia. The center console features a Pioneer double-DIN stereo neatly integrated into the original trim.
Below that sits a six-speed manual transmission with a Nismo shift knob, manual handbrake, and simple console storage. The gray stock seats are supportive, with aggressive bolsters that hold you firmly in place—perfect for spirited driving.
The rear seats are tight but usable. I’m 5’10” and still have adequate headroom and knee clearance. It’s a true four-seater, though the middle spot isn’t realistic for adults.
Cargo
Despite being a performance coupe, the R34 has a surprisingly spacious trunk—8.8 cubic feet, enough for a couple of full-size suitcases or several duffel bags. The carpet and panels are still in excellent condition, and this one even has a rare GTR Magazine-branded trunk mat, a small but collectible touch.
Powertrain
Now to the heart of the R34: the legendary RB26DETT engine. This 2.6-liter inline-six twin-turbo setup is one of the most celebrated engines ever made by Nissan. The one in this car has been heavily modified, though the owner didn’t share all the specifics.
From the upgraded intake to the polished piping and tuned components, it’s clear this is far from stock. We’ll go deeper into how it drives later, but one thing’s certain—the R34’s engine bay is a shrine to performance engineering.
Driving Impressions
All right, let’s take the R34 out for a drive.
The first thing that stands out is how tight and connected everything feels. The steering is sharp, with immediate feedback through the wheel. The clutch engagement is firm but manageable, and the six-speed gearbox slides into gear with a satisfying precision. There’s no play, no hesitation—everything feels deliberate.
The engine settles into a steady idle, and even before getting on boost, you can feel how responsive it is. Turbo lag is minimal, and the throttle response is surprisingly crisp for a twin-turbo setup from this era. Once the revs climb past 3,500 rpm, both turbos spool, and the RB26DETT comes alive. The pull is smooth, linear, and intoxicating.
The sound is everything you’d want from a Skyline. There’s a faint whistle from the turbos, the deep tone of the titanium exhaust, and that unmistakable mechanical growl that builds as the revs rise. It’s not overly loud—just the right balance of aggression and refinement.
Through corners, the R34 feels planted and balanced. The ATTESA E-TS Pro all-wheel-drive system constantly adjusts torque between the front and rear axles, giving it incredible stability. You can feel it working underneath you—pulling the car out of corners with confidence, even when you push harder.
The suspension setup from Aragosta is firm but not harsh. It soaks up small imperfections without losing feedback. You always know what the tires are doing. Combined with the Endless brake setup, it’s a car that inspires total confidence, even on unfamiliar roads.
Despite being 25 years old, the R34 feels incredibly modern in how it drives. There’s a precision and directness to it that’s missing from a lot of newer performance cars. It’s raw, mechanical, and analog in the best possible way.
Legacy and Final Thoughts
Driving this car reminds you why the R34 GT-R is more than just a collectible—it’s a benchmark. It wasn’t the fastest car of its time, but it was one of the most complete. Nissan built something that could handle real roads and real conditions, combining everyday usability with serious track capability.
It’s also one of those cars that connects generations. Whether you discovered it through Gran Turismo, Fast & Furious, or real-world motorsport, the R34 represents an era when Japanese engineering was at its absolute peak.
This particular example is about as clean and well-built as they come. The owner clearly put a lot of time and care into every modification, from the performance upgrades to the interior refinements. Everything feels cohesive—nothing overdone or out of place.
As more R34s become legal for import into the United States, we’re going to see prices rise even further. But driving one like this makes you understand why collectors and enthusiasts are willing to pay the premium. It’s not hype—it’s genuinely one of the most balanced, rewarding cars ever built.
So, that’s the 2000 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34. The legend of “Godzilla” lives on, and honestly, it’s easy to see why.
I’m Jonathan Rivers with Drive Culture. Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this review, make sure to like, subscribe, and let me know in the comments which Skyline generation you want to see next—the R32, the R33, or maybe even something from the classic Hakosuka era.
Until next time, keep driving with purpose.
