If you are a car enthusiast, and you want to get the most possible speed for the lowest possible price, it’s pretty difficult to beat a Nissan GTR. The GTR seats 4, and is relatively inexpensive compared to other supercars, despite the fact that it puts up faster lap times on the Nurburgring than exotic supercars like the Mercedes AMG GT R.
Tempted to look for a used GTR for sale near you? You’re making a good choice – but there are a few things you need to know before you purchase a used GTR for sale.
1. Repairing And Maintaining A Supercar Like The GTR Isn’t Cheap
This is a trap many people fall into when they’re looking at older, used supercars. You may see a 2000 Ferrari 360 for sale for $60k, and think you can afford to drive it. Hey, it’s cheaper than a fully-loaded Ford F-150!
But older supercars – the GTR included – are very expensive to maintain. Tire replacements can run you thousands of dollars. Oil changes will cost several hundred dollars – not just $50 at Jiffy Lube.
And you may even have to find a specialized mechanic who works with exotic cars, or pay for a Nissan dealer to service your car – so you’ll be spending even more on labor.
You need to have enough money to cover expensive repairs if you buy a used Nissan GTR. If you can handle that, let’s move on to the next section. If not, you probably should save up a bit more before looking for a used GTR for sale.
2. Some GTRs Have Serious Transmission Issues
The Nissan GTR is fairly reliable, as far as supercars go. But there is one major weak point, especially in the R35 GTR debuted in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The gearbox.
The GTR has a sturdy chassis and frame, a durable AWD system, and an extremely powerful engine. But its weak spot is its transmission. The transmission – which is responsible for delivering more than 600 horsepower to the AWD system – is the most common point of failure in GTRs.
How serious is the issue? Here’s a hint – the GTR is the only Nissan that’s not included in the certified pre-owned program. If you’re looking at a GTR that’s beyond its 5-year, 60,000 mile powertrain warranty, beware.
Why? Because a GTR transmission costs $13,500. And that’s just for the part. It doesn’t include shipping or installation.
If you’re shopping for a used GTR for sale, do your homework, and make sure it doesn’t have transmission issues – or you’ll be paying out the nose for repairs.
3. If You Buy A Track-Day GTR, It’s Probably Been Through More Abuse Than You Think
If you see a GTR with low mileage, chances are that it’s not as great a deal as you may think. Most people who buy the GTR don’t drive it every day.
But when they drive it, they drive it hard. After all, why spend over $100K on a Nissan supercar if you don’t wring every ounce of horsepower out of it during track days and races, right?
Because of this, even low-mileage cars have likely been through more abuse than you may think. One good way to see how much a GTR has been raced is using the Nissan Consult 3 diagnostic tool to check how many times it’s been launched via launch control.
The higher the number, the more the car has been raced. It’s not a bad idea to buy a track-day GTR, but you should be aware of what you’re getting into.
4. You Should Expect To Pay A High Insurance Rate
For minimum (liability) coverage for a GTR, you’ll be paying $158 per month, according to Finder.com – and that’s with great credit and no accidents/tickets in 5 years.
And chances are, you’ll want full collision and comprehensive coverage on your Nissan GTR, due to how valuable the vehicle is. This means you’ll pay even more. A report by Insure.com showed that the GTR was the most expensive car to insure in the United States, with an average premium of more than $3,500.
Know What To Expect – Before Looking For A Used GTR For Sale
The Nissan GTR is the ultimate driving machine. But, a used GTR is a bit of a gamble – unless you have the money to cover unexpected repairs, and are willing to do the due diligence to ensure the vehicle is in good condition. It can certainly be a suitable business car that will exude professionalism and success to clients.
So know what to look for – before you start looking for a used GTR for sale – and you’re sure to make the right purchase.
