A decade of dominance. That is how we would describe the 2017 Nissan GT-R, the 10th anniversary of the “Godzilla”. It was revolutionary when it debuted, and through continual updates, it is capable of outperforming cars several times its price. Nissan’s halo car was engraved in popular culture by video games and movie appearances.
The first examples were built from 1969-73, but a fuel shortage put an end to Japanese performance cars. The Skyline GT-R returned in 1989, known internally as the GT-R R32 chassis. It was the first GT-R to feature All Wheel Drive, and it was replaced by the GT-R R33 series in 1995. The GT-R R34 series launched in 1999, with a model run that lasted until 2002. Unfortunately, these models did not comply with US safety laws, so they were never legally imported.
Our first opportunity to experience a Skyline GT-R was the 2003 Infiniti G35. Americans were allowed to enjoy the looks, but we were denied a proper engine. It would not be until 2007 that the GT-R arrived as the Nissan GT-R R35 chassis, without the Skyline name. Built to take on the world, it arrived with a 3.8-liter version of their venerable VQ series V6. Many years in the making, it shocked the world with brutal power and perfect weight distribution.
One of the first combinations of all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch transmission. The seven-speed transmission is mounted at the rear axles, and connected to the engine by a torque tube. The front differential is powered by a secondary driveshaft running parallel to the tube. It might seem like overkill, but such engineering is needed to control over 500 horsepower.
You should buy a used Nissan GT-R because it’s unlike other supercars. Nissan’s dedicated team assembles each car in a one-piece jig. Without the distractions of an assembly line, each car is built by hand in a series of clean rooms. Only the most skilled workers are chosen, and the team has several hundred years of combined experience.
If that is not enough, the aftermarket has embraced the potential of the design. Shops like Switzer, Heffner, and AMS Performance have redefined our notions of street-legal power. Starting with an affordable daily driver, you can transform a 2009 Nissan GT-R or a 2010 Nissan GT-R into a 7-second monster. Several special editions like NISMO and the Black Edition will hold their value compared to base models, so read all the reviews before your search. Our dealers are waiting for you, so click the link below and get ready for the ride of a lifetime.
