Nissan GT-R R35 (2009 - 2024) collectible buyer's guide, and specs

Nissan is in a precarious place. The brand may not live beyond 2026 if it can’t secure a key investor to keep it afloat. Likewise, the Nissan GT-R has finally bowed out of North America after a 17-year run, though it looks like it will resume sale on other continents.

The Nissan GT-R has become a Japanese legend as a purchase bargain, a hypercar slayer, and a positive highlight through troubling times on behalf of its maker. As a result, values of the R35 generation model are still high. Let’s look at what makes the Nissan GT-R a collectible.

As Autoblog gears up for a reboot, we are launching a new initiative to go with our Buyer's Guide. This is the first entry in our Collector's Buyer Guide, which will look at the vehicle's legacy and its value in the market. 

One powertrain, multiple iterations

From its incarnation, the R35-gen Nissan GT-R featured a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 (codename VR38DETT) mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. For the first few years, this made 480 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque from just 3,200 RPM. However, these engines are hand-built so power fluctuated slightly. For the purpose of this guide, we’re going off of general estimates reported.

For 2012, the Nissan GT-R received its first major facelift, with slightly adjusted bodywork and new wheel designs. It also got a power bump up to 530 hp and 448 lb-ft of torque. This dropped the 0 to 60 mile-per-hour time from the three-second range to 2.8, thanks to the launch control system.

Soon after that, the GT-R Nismo debuted at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. It features a larger front splitter, brake cooling ducts, larger diffuser, and a larger wing. A greater use of carbon fiber is used throughout the car. All of this was done to make the Nismo more friendly for the track.

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The engine also received upgrades; including bigger turbos, new fuel pump, and improved ignition timing, ballooning horsepower to 600 and torque to 481. The Nismo variant remained in the GT-R lineup until the end.

The final substantial refresh came for the 2017 model year. New wheels and bodywork came once more, as well as a powertrain upgrade. This saw a final power bump to 565 hp and 467 pound-feet of torque in the GT-R Premium. The GT-R also saw a reworked interior with new materials, infotainment system upgrade, and improved seat comfort.

For 2024 and its final year, the Nissan GT-R received exterior refinements and brought back the T-Spec, a limited edition model that replaced the Track Edition, which was available for a number of years in the GT-R lineup.

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Interior remained sporty and practical

One of the greatest qualities of a Nissan GT-R is the usable cabin. It utilized a four-seat layout, meaning passengers could partake in the hypercar-like acceleration experience. A Bose sound system was available for North America, and premium packages were available to spruce up the seats and surrounding areas in leather or suede.

Every Nissan GT-R had a useable trunk, making it the Japanese alternative to the Porsche 911 Turbo.

New car bargain, high used value

When the Nissan GT-R first launched for 2009, it held a base MSRP of $69,850. For all of the potent performance, it’s hardly surprising to see values hold steady as the price increased over time. By 2024, the MSRP had risen to $121,090.

A well-known auction site puts GT-R values anywhere from $50,000 to $250,000 depending on trim. Previous owners aren’t shy about putting miles on them either, so it’s always a good idea to glance over the vehicle history report.

Final thoughts

As the Nissan GT-R R-35 ends its run here in the U.S., it’s worth noting its incredible legacy that spans across multiple presidents. The Nissan GT-R is going out as a modern classic that will embarrass supercars for years to come. 

As part of our new initiative to drive engagement, we are asking you: what vehicle should we cover as part of the Collector's Buyer Guide? Let us know by commenting below!

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