Here's a take that'll upset some people: the BCNR33 is the most underrated car Nissan ever made. It lives in the shadow of the R32 and gets crushed by the R34 hype machine, and as a result it's been overlooked, undervalued, and misunderstood for decades. I think that's a genuine tragedy because the R33 GT-R is quietly one of the best driving machines to ever come out of Japan.

The hate started with one number: 8 minutes 26 seconds. That's the R33's Nürburgring lap time from 1995, compared to the R32's 8:21. Five seconds slower. The press absolutely savaged Nissan for it, and the R33 was unfairly branded a fat, slow failure from day one. Context matters though — the R33 lapped the Ring 21 seconds faster than the Ferrari F40 that year. People conveniently forget that part.

What Nissan Actually Changed

The R33 GT-R launched in 1995 and ran until 1998. The wheelbase grew by 70mm and the overall weight increased by roughly 100kg compared to the R32. Critics screamed about it being bloated. But Nissan had specific reasons for the changes — they wanted better high-speed stability, more interior space, and improved refinement for touring use.

What got less attention was what they did to the suspension geometry. The R33 introduced a revised multi-link rear setup that is genuinely superior to the R32's — more adjustable, better behaved at the limit, more neutral. The front suspension geometry also improved, and the steering feel got more consistent. Ask any R33 owner who has driven both and they'll usually admit the R33 is more predictable and easier to drive fast.

The RB26DETT carried over with minor improvements. Same 2.6-litre twin-turbo inline-six, same factory 280 PS rating that everyone knows is conservative. The ATTESA ET-S AWD system came with a revised controller. HICAS four-wheel steering remained standard.

The LM and V-Spec Variants

The R33 GT-R LM is one of the most fascinating factory variants in GT-R history. It was homologation spec for the 1995 and 1996 Le Mans 24 Hours. Nissan built 92 street-legal versions with carbon fibre front and rear bumpers, a stripped interior, and no rear seats. These rarely surface for sale and when they do, prices are extraordinary.

The R33 V-Spec added ATTESA ET-S Pro (with active limited-slip differential) and Brembo brakes. If you're buying an R33, the V-Spec is the one to look for. The V-Spec II added larger rear brake rotors and came in Midnight Purple — a colour so coveted among collectors that it commands a significant premium over standard colours.

Why the R33 Makes So Much Sense Today

Here's the practical case for the R33: it's cheaper than an R34 by a significant margin, better engineered than an R32 in several measurable ways, and just as capable with the same tuning. The RB26 in the R33 responds to exactly the same mods. Same turbos, same injectors, same intercooler upgrades. You can build a 500+ PS R33 for the same money as an R34 running identical power.

The R33 GT-R became US import eligible in 2023 and 2024 (depending on production date). Prices have risen sharply as a result but haven't reached R34 insanity yet. Clean V-Spec examples in desirable colours are the smart buy right now.

On rust, the R33 suffers in similar areas to the R32 — floor pans, rear arches, and around the spare tyre well. Always inspect underneath and get a proper workshop inspection before purchasing.

Driving It

Get in an R33 GT-R and go somewhere with empty roads and you'll understand why some serious drivers prefer it over the more hyped models. The ride is compliant without being soft. The steering is direct without being twitchy. The ATTESA system is refined enough that you can drive right to the car's limits without the system feeling intrusive.

Turbo lag is slightly reduced compared to the R32 thanks to revised boost management. The engine pulls strongly from 4000 rpm and is properly urgent past 5500. In a straight line it's identical to the R32 — which is to say it's very, very fast.

If you want a GT-R that's genuinely sorted to drive — not a museum piece, not a trailer queen — the R33 is the answer. Five years from now people will be kicking themselves for not buying them when prices were still sane. Don't make that mistake.