Just 10 Nissan High Performance Centres (it’s what sellers mean when they write ‘full NHPC history’ in ads) were appointed to handle sales and servicing of the R35-series GT-R. Early cars came in a choice of three specs: standard, Premium (Bose sound system, automatic headlights) and Black Edition (powered leather seats). All three can do 0-62mph in 3.5sec, with a top speed of 193mph.
Only a few months later Nissan’s GT-R team updated the car with revised suspension and tweaked the engine and transmission software for better low-speed behaviour and more aggressive gearchanges. Inside, the infotainment system gained an improved sat-nav.
In October 2010 power was raised to 523bhp, the body was stiffened and a new R mode permitted faster standing starts (when the oil temperature was at a safe operating level). A raft of body tweaks improved stability and cooling performance, while detail styling changes included magnesium in the paddle shifters. The new £70,000 starting price for all of this is one reason why 2009 cars resist depreciation so well.
In early 2012 the GT-R’s power rose again to 545bhp, bringing 0-62mph under three seconds. The car gained an asymmetric suspension set-up providing a firmer spring rate on the left side to counter the combined weight of the driver and propshaft on the right. The Recaro edition with Recaro seats joined the line-up, too. Fuel economy improved by 0.5mpg to 24mpg. Incidentally, road tax is £515 across all models.
In the spirit of continuous betterment, subsequent years have brought further ride, handling and performance improvements to the GT-R, culminating in today’s £150,000, 592bhp GT-R Nismo – a cool £115,000 dearer than the starting price for a 2009 car, which is our pick for supercar value.

An expert’s view...
IAN LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD
“The GT-R’s engine is so strong we warrant it at 750bhp without any internal strengthening. Equally as strong are residual values, partly because Nissan keeps raising the new prices. The GT-R was £53,000; today, prices start at £80,000, and at heart it’s the same car. Each time Nissan launches a new one, it gives used ones an extra boost. You just can’t buy another supercar for the money that’s as usable or tunable. But they are expensive to run, so just as the performance isn’t for the fainthearted, neither are the bills.”
Buyer beware...
ENGINE
Chains can stretch, causing tensioner wear, and should be replaced at around 70,000 miles. It’s a £2k engine-out job. Noises from bell housing could be flywheel shaft bearings. Interrogate the ECU to check the number of launch control starts, plus additional historic data (see ‘Also worth knowing’).
Join the debate
NoPasaran
35k, common man
rare
But not the common woman it
jer
Running costs
xxxx
Surprized
typos1 - Just can’t respect opinion
TStag
I might be a badge snob but I
Tuatara
TStag wrote:
Must admit I share similar sentiments about the GTR. It's an incredible performance machine, but is nothing special to the eye.
Tuatara
TStag wrote:
Must admit I share similar sentiments about the GTR. It's an incredible performance machine, but is nothing special to the eye.
jmd67
I often wonder how the same
Steve Jobs legendary advice to a struggling Nike was "You make some incredible products as well as a whole load of c**p. Stope making the c**p.".
The Micra is a low profit, low prestige car. If they can't make it great they shouldn't make it at all.
Deputy
If you have to ask...
stumpys182
Used to sell these from
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