Used Nissan GT-R Buyers Guide - 2009 - 2015

Updated with Midnight Opal info.

Red (A54), base/winter silver wheels

The Nissan GT-R has piqued your interest, and now you are looking for a used example.  Should you pick a 2009, 2010, 2011,2012,2013, 2014 , 2015?  What are the differences?  What is it that I hear about the transmission?  Does it have launch control? What are some of the problem areas with the car? Which year is fastest? What is the NISMO?   This guide is going to be based around US models first sold in July 2008.  Worldwide models are similar but not exactly the same as US models. Stock the Nissan GT-R is fast, however with a strong aftermarket behind it, modified it is nearly unbelievable.


First Look

Titanium(KAC), the rarest color

The Nissan GT-R or R35 was first sold in the US as a 2009 model starting in July 2008. Why is it called an R35?  The chassis code for the 2009-2011(US) GT-R is CBA-R35. The 2012 up(US) GT-R has undergone several minor updates and is referred to as a DBA-R35.  In Japan and other parts of the world, there has been a Nissan Skyline GT-R sold from 1969 to 1973, a 16 year break, and then from 1989 to 2002. From 1989-1994 the chassis code was BNR32, 1995-1998 was BCNR33, and 1999-2002 was BNR34.  Even though the "Skyline" name is no longer used officially by Nissan, there are still many journalists and enthusiasts that refer to the R35 GT-R as a Skyline GT-R.

In 2009, from July though December there were  667 cars sold in the US.  In the first year of sales from July 2008 though June 2009 there were 2597 sales though the 691 certified GT-R dealers. July 2009- June 2010 there were 1171 cars. Total sales from July 2008 though October 2012 were 6489 cars. Breakdown by year, and some other countries is listed below.

Two models of the GT-R were first offered in 2009 and 2010, the Base, and Premium, in 2011 the only model was the Premium,.  In 2009 and 2010, there were a few options available on each model, ipod connector($400) in the glovebox, GT-R labeled floor mats($280), and a cold weather package(NC). In 2011, the GT-R floor mats($280) and the cold weather package(NC) were options.  Super Silver(KAB) paint was a $3000 option in each year.    There were 3 runflat tire options, the Bridgestone(Premium), the Dunlop(Base), and the Dunlop all season(cold weather package).Six exterior colors were available in 2009. In 2010 and 2011 there were five exterior colors(Titanium was dropped).  The interior had two color options, black and gray from 2009-2011.

For 2012, there were a few changes to the color, and model options. A Premium and a Black Edition were available. The Black Edition sports unique wheels, red and black trimmed Recaro seats, and a black headliner. All performance aspects are the same for the Premium and the Black Edition, both now running a new version of the Dunlop Sport Maxx tires, or the Dunlop all season tire, the Bridgestone was dropped.  For 2012 a backup camera became a $600 option for the first time officially in the US. The Black paint was changed to Jet Black(GAG), and Deep Blue Pearl was introduced (RAY).

For 2013 Nissan GT-R the Nissan GT-R gets a world wide increase to 550PS (545hp).  Torque has been increased to 463 lb-ft from 448 lb-ft. In addition, the suspension has been retuned and a handmade dry carbon rear spoiler has also been added to the Nissan GT-R Black Edition model. A RearView Monitor is now standard on all models. There is also a model called a Track Pack, that is built of a "other than the US" market Pure model. Information on the Track Edition was released in February 2013. Look for it to hit the streets in May 2013.

2014 US - 2013 Nissan GT-R Japan information. What we see on the Japanese 2013 Nissan GT-R, will probably show up on the US cars. However we only have a Premium GT-R, and a Black Edition. Some items will not find their way onto US cars as an option, like the carbon fiber Recaro seats. 0-62 (0-100 km/hr) time for the 2013 Japan drops to 2.7 seconds, with a 7:18.6 Nurburgring time. Just a second faster than the Corvette ZR1. The US Market will get 150 Track Edition (Track Pack) GT-R's starting in May 2013. Nissan also offered a special edition Midnight Opal Nissan GT-R. Only 100 were offered worldwide. 50 in the US. The 50 for the US were all snapped up within two weeks. 48 went to Japan, and two were sold to Europe.

NAS - Regal Red - New color for 2015

2015 US. - For 2015, the big news is the NISMO version of the Nissan GT-R. Not a lot of information about the car has been released yet, but its 600 horsepower, lots of carbon fiber, new turbos from the GT3 car, new wheels and tires and a 7:08.67 Nurburgring time.  With the harder NISMO version hitting the streets, Nissan has made moves to "soften" the Premium. An often critique of the R35 GT-R has been the harsh ride and noise. Bose active noise control has been added that is supposed to reduce interior noise by 10 dB. The spring rate and suspension tuning has been revised to improve ride. An additional color for the interior, ivory goes along with black, and amber red.   An additional color Regal Red(NAS) is added for 2015. The MFD and instrument cluster see revisions.

From all the current rumors, we are expecting the current R35 GT-R chassis to continue for several years.

2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO

600 horsepower/481 lb-ft
New aero package
New wheels +1/2 inch front
Revised suspension
7:08:69 Nurburgring
  MSRP  2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

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2009 Nissan GT-R - Launch control test

Edmunds did 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds

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How a DSG transmission works

Animation / video of the Audi/ Volkswagon DSG transmission. Some pretty cool video of Audi 1980's rally cars at the beginning of the video.

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Gran Turismo TV - GT-R Legend - Inside Story

Part 1


Part 2

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Super Taikyu ? R35 GT-R

Nissan R35 GT-R race car ?

Looks like this might be a Super Taikyu car. Has a cage and a couple other elements. They got rid of the stupid quad exhaust ....yeaaa.

"December 1st, at the Fuji speedway, prototype of the production race/lace car of NISSAN GT-R test drive. As for driver shadow mountain Masami and the Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. vice president Carlos Taba less."

The cryptic response is that it is a test car for various developments, not just specifically Super Taikyu. Grand Am maybe ? There was a short post on GT Channel about a possible Grand Am effort.

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Urbanracer.com 2009 Nissan GT-R renderings

This post and rendering are from 2007. For more information on the Nissan GT-R- check out 2009gtr.com

Urbanracer

Click the link for full details. The rear rendering...

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GT-R video from R35 GT-R roll out

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Countdown to LA Autoshow - 2009 Nissan GT-R

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Autoweek

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2009 GT-R - Nissan email

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SuperCarlos - GT-R Supastar - 7:38

Edmunds Inside Line

The record lap would be set by Nissan's top shoe, Suzuki-san, who ultimately turned in a lap in 7 minutes, 38 seconds on a partially wet circuit. Those ominous clouds looming in the sky earlier in the day left their mark on two areas of the track, Kesselchen and Wehrsiefen, and required Suzuki-san to rein his speed in a bit.

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Nissan to enhance sales, technical support services in Japan

Market Watch

"Nissan Motor Co. (7203.TO) said Wednesday that it will provide staff in Japan with special training to improve their automobile maintenance skills in order to deal with more advanced devices used in cars.
In a bid to enhance its sales operations, the Tokyo-based auto maker will launch "Nissan High Performance Center," a new sales and technical service center, when it introduces its flagship Nissan GT-R in December in the domestic market. "

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2009 Nissan GT-R - the highlights

• On Sale May/June 2009 in the USA

• PM platform meaning Prime Midship.
• Dimensions: 4655mm(183.2 in) L x 1895mm(74.6 in) W x 1370mm(53.9 in) H
  
• Weight 1740 kg /3836 lbs ( 1730 with titanium muffler - 3814 lbs) (Autoweek - 3792 lbs)
  
• Premium edition comes with a Thatcham class immobilizer and alarm (optional on the Base and Black Edition)
• Premium edition comes with a Bose sound system (optional on the Base and Black Edition)
• Side airbag system is optional on all 3 trims

Engine and Drivetrain:

• The engine designation is VR38DETT (Twin Turbocharged 3.8-liter V6)
• 7000 rpm redline
• The engine performance of the 3 trims is the same
• IHI turbos with integrated exhaust manifolds
• 473 horsepower @ 6400 rpms
  
• 433 pound-feet of torque from 3200 to 5200 rpm.
• 20-inch wheels wrapped by Bridgestone Potenza RE070s,
  255/40 in front and 285/35 rears.
• Front suspension was upper and lower
  A-arms and the rear was a five-link.
• Bilstein Damptronic shocks: 3 settings R, Sports and Comfort
  
• 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds
• 11.7 seconds in the quarter mile
• 192 mph top speed (Autoweek 193mph)
  
• 0.99 lateral G
• Carbon fiber propshaft
• GR6 transmission -transaxle (The shifting is done via a
  direct, twin-clutch system. One clutch handles the odd gears and
  another clutch handles the even ones. Shifts take 0.2 seconds.)(should be 0.02 of a second. 20 milliseconds)
• Below 25 mph the torque split is 50/50, above that, under
  normal driving, the split is 40/60. But it can split up to 2/98 under
  hard acceleration.

Standard Equipment:

• HDD Satellite Navigation System
• Electronic Traction Control
• Cruise Control
• Electrical Adjustable Seats
• Heated Seat (Premium Edition)

Options:

• Titanium muffler (10 kg lighter)

• Anti-theft immobilizer 250,000 JPY

	R32 GT-R	R33 GT-R	R34 GT-R	R35 GT-R
Weight (lbs)	3262	3373	3388	3836
Length (in)	178	184	181.1	183.2
Width (in)	69	70	70.3	74.6
Height (in)	52.7	53.5	53.5	53.9

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Autoweek - 2009 GT-R test drive

Yes, it lives up to all the hype!

The coming Nissan GT-R is a world-class supercar: Top speed of 193 mph, 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, a 473 hp, 433 lb ft twin-turbo V6 mounted in the front and driving all four wheels through a rear-mounted transaxle. Take a breath. Okay, continue. And a dual-clutch six-speed automatic you can operate via paddles on the steering wheel.

After a full day driving it on the Nurburgring, the Autobahn and up and over numerous little German country roads we can easily say this is one car that was not over hyped. It is truly a world-class supercar on par with, if not just ahead of, the iconic Porsche Turbo. (They had a Porsche Turbo on hand, too, and we thought the GT-R felt better tied down.)

But it's one thing to put a license plate on a race car and call it streetable. Chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno said the new GT-R was designed and engineered as an all-around, all-season, all-weather car that is comfortable to drive every day, even at normal speeds on a normal day.

During the few minutes we drove at what could be called a "normal pace" that day we'd have to say we agree with him. But given only a few hours at the wheel of this, the most highly anticipated supercar in years, we were only in "normal" mode for very brief spurts. The rest of the time we were at some level between "pushing it" and "hammering on the mutha'."

Our first time behind the wheel was on the A48 autobahn in Germany somewhere out around Koblenz or Koln or some other K-town where the German socialist government had not yet succeeded in adding those awful 120-km-hr speed limits. It was like Bonneville with elevation changes and guardrails. The only limitation out here was aerodynamic. Hence, we were obliged to go all-out whompin' fast the whole time.

Rolling right out of the autobahn rest stop where we rendezvoused with the Japanese engineering support crew, we nailed the throttle to the floor and man did the throttle respond. The 3.8-liter VR38 V6 is "an evolution" of the award-winning VQ engine family. It sits up front, with two of its six cylinders forward of the front axle and four aft. Two bagel-sized IHI turbos sit right at the exhaust manifold for quick response. The 433 lb ft of torque rails across the tach from 3200 to 5200 rpm. Peak 473 hp comes at 6400 revs.

A carbon fiber prop shaft ("Good damping and stiffness") runs back to the transaxle, incorporating the clutch, transmission and transaxle altogether. The shifting is done via a direct, twin-clutch system. One clutch handles the odd gears and another clutch handles the even ones. Shifts take 0.2 seconds. There are BorgWarner triple-cone synchronizers for all gears. Another shaft runs forward from that transaxle to send power to the front wheels. Below 25 mph the torque split is 50/50, above that, under normal driving, the split is 40/60. But it can split up to 2/98 under hard acceleration, which was what we were giving it.

Our car rode on 20-inch wheels wrapped by Bridgestone Potenza RE070s, 255/40 in front and 285/35 rears. Front suspension was upper and lower A-arms and the rear was a five-link.

It's always fun to go from zero to warp factor in a right hand-drive car using a jet-lagged left hand-drive brain, trying not to turn on the windshield wipers when you think you're hitting the turn signal.

The GT-R lists quarter-mile time at 11.7 seconds and entering the Autobahn we had no reason to doubt that. The turbo boost was, as promised, very progressive, with little or no discernable lag, just smooth, even power delivery.

Despite the late-morning hour and the mid-week day, there were still a few cars in the way. When we eased onto the 15.2-inch ventilated cross-drilled Brembo brakes from well into triple-digit speeds the car slowed without drama. But then traffic would clear out and the GT-R resumed its high velocity chase with ease.

There are three settings for the Bilstein Damptronic shocks: R, Sports and Comfort. We went out in Sports.

Top speed is listed at 193 mph but with traffic the best we could do was 176. You wouldn't try that in any country but Germany, where you can usually assume everyone else is paying attention. There was a Japanese engineer riding shotgun over on the left whom we dubbed "Bushido engineer-o" or brave engineer. He thought that was pretty funny.

While the coefficient of drag is an impressive 0.27, more than almost any production car, the GT-R also produces downforce at each axle, something very few production cars can claim.

"Cd is more important than downforce on a G35," said chief designer Hiroshi Hasegawa. "But in the case of the GT-R we have to make downforce."

At 193 mph you might appreciate that philosophy.

The first time we went out, the right front wheel felt just a little out of balance, so we came back in and they changed all four wheels. They're efficient, these guys. After that the car was smooth as well as stable and safe, due in equal parts to the German roadway and the Japanese engineering.

The whole car sits on the new PM platform, PM meaning Prime Midship. It's an evolution of the ubiquitous FM platform that sits underneath everything from 350Zs to crossover SUVs. The PM incorporates what Mizuno-san called a "hybrid superstructure body." There is carbon-injected material in the front end and carbon composite material underneath for aerodynamic downforce. There's even some polypropylene in the body, too. In any case, it's not just another FM variant.

We truly enjoyed the Autobahn experience. This is the perfect car for such a top-speed run-it gives such a sense of control at those speeds that you feel like you could do anything.

Next on our agenda of "anything" were some miles of country road. We were able to drive the GT-R back-to-back with a Porsche Turbo.

"Okay now, please enjoy," said the Nissan technician as we exited the company compound down the street from the Nurburgring.

After "much spirited driving," we can say the Turbo had a good deal more lag and more dive and squat than the GT-R. But once the Porsche got spooled up, achtung, baby. It felt lighter and the steering felt quicker, too. The biggest difference between the two was that the Turbo demanded more of its driver while the GT-R was easier to handle, flatter and more stable. We'd be happy with either one, if you're considering a birthday present or anything.

Next up on this Disneyland of a day was Der Nurburgring. This is what all those teenagers whose parents have not taken away their Playstation access really want to do: drive an actual GT-R around the actual Nurburgring as fast as grip, guts and gasoline allow.

Man-oh-flippin'-man. The real deal is about 100 times more thrilling than any computer simulation, even those with the little plastic steering wheel and feet pedals attached.

This was the new Nurburgring, too. Nissan wasn't foolish enough to turn this small squadron of car writer hacks loose on the narrow, blind, crazy-dangerous Nordschliefe. At the time of our drive there were only three prototype GT-Rs extant in the world, and all the apologizing on Earth wouldn't bring one back if you crunched it.

The new Nurburgring is faster, with wide, sweeping turns bordered by runoff areas so huge that even the most no-talent buffoon could likely stay on the pavement. So we did.

All the Japanese engineers and executives had been telling everyone that there was a 35-mph speed limit in the pits, but in all the excitement we kind of forgot about it and nailed the throttle right out of the parking spot right there in pit lane. The wide, low, squealing run-flat tires laid down long patches of black rubber as we launched past the closed garages, pulling back on the right paddle to shift the rear-mounted dual-clutch six-speed transaxle every time the engine got close to its 7000-rpm redline.

In no time at all we were roaring onto pit-out near the end of the straight and directly into the low, evening sun. By the time we got fully out on the front straight and were shifting up from four to five or so, the sun was directly in front of the GT-R and streaming into the windshield; we were trying to remember if that first right-hander came at this rise or just past it. It was just past it, but we'd already started braking and downshifting, the GR6's "synchro-rev control," which perfectly matched each downshift with a throttle blip much better than we'd ever have been able to match it.

Tiptoeing through the first couple turns to avoid the infamy of the run-off gravel, the car felt perfectly safe and willing. So we hammered it up through the gears down the hill and to the far 180-degree turn and started to feel more confident. By the end of the first lap we were flat out on the front straight, roaring up through all six gears for all it was worth.

Nissan lists lateral g's at 0.99, and we certainly bumped up against that in many a Nurburgring corner.

We only got three full laps and no one was timing us, so you'll just have to assume we set the lap record. Earlier, Mizuno-san had offered some lap times from the Nordschliefe for various cars driven by the German magazine SportAuto. Those times are driver-dependent, track-knowledge-dependent, weather-, traffic- and bunny-crossing-the-track dependent. But Mizuno suggested the GT-R could get anywhere from 7:44 on up, with most laps coming in between 7:55 and 7:58. So he suggested the GT-R's strong suit was that it offered "the best cost per lap time." For whatever that's worth.

The GT-R will be worth somewhere in the low-$70,000 range, which does make it perhaps the best cost per lap. We'll know for sure when it enters U.S. showrooms in May or June. Japan will get first crack at it, we get second and the Europeans, who did such a great job of getting out of our way during our Autobahn drive, will have to get it third.


SPECS: 2009 Nissan GT-R
On Sale: May/June

Base Price: Low 70s

Drivetrain: 3.8-liter, 473-hp, 433-lb-ft twin turbocharged V6; awd, six-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 3792 pounds

0-60: 3.5 seconds

Fuel Economy (EPA Combined): 21 mpg (mfg. target)

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2009 GT-R Horsepower and 1/4 mile specs.

If you take the "official weight" of the 2009 GT-R 3836 lbs , and put it into a drag race calculator with the 11.7 number that Motor Trend has thrown around, you end up with 473 hp. The same HP number that has been give by Edmunds, and Autoweek.

This horsepower calculator figures horsepower at the flywheel. Still not sure how it exactly figures that, but its one of the first calculators that comes up on Google.

Drag racing calculator

Drag Times
3836 hp 11.7 seconds 116 mph

If you add a 170 lb driver to the car you are at 4000 lbs , and now it takes about 493 hp to go 11.7 seconds.

So what part of the whole equation is just the estimate ?

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2009 Nissan GT-R revealed on cover of Motor Trend Magazine

Autoblog

"Today is October 16, but Motor Authority reports that the December issue of Motor Trend has begun arriving in some subscribers' mailboxes. What those readers will find on the cover is the first unmasked photo of the 2008 Nissan GT-R. According to MT's headline, the GT-R boasts a 0-60 of 3.5 seconds, an 11.7-second quarter mile, a 192 mph top speed, and a sub-$80K price. Motor Authority had no additional info, but we expect to see that explode onto the web in the immediate future as other outlets sitting on long-lead info react to the Motor Trend release. "

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2009 GT-R - 21" wheels and tires ? - NOPE - bad photo

Seems as though this is a bad photo. I have heard they are actually 20" wheels from a couple of sources.

http://www.nissangtrproto.com/2007/news/gt-r-tires-may-be-21/

There is some discussion on the Nissan GT-R wheels and tires being 21 inches. Pretty large and unique for a performance car.

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Nissans official GT-R website and countdown

Tokyo Motor Show Countdown

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Nurburgring..keep refreshing this...

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2009 GT-R video from Laguna Seca and..

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