The general rule of thumb when purchasing a pre-owned performance car is to be even more careful and pedantic about the car's history, maintenance record and potential faults, but when it comes to buying a used supercar, this process has to be taken to the next level. The Nissan GT-R might be considered 'affordable' for a supercar, but its list price is still nearly eight times the price of an average consumer car. If you are looking for a pre-owned version of the R35 GT-R, what are the potential pitfalls? Despite being released back in 2008, each year the GT-R has been mildly updated, with the two major revisions coming in 2012 and 2019 locally.
Related: Find new or used Nissan GT-R models on AutoTrader here
Reliability
Generally speaking, the GT-R is considered reliable by supercar standards, and as is the case with all used performance cars, the way that the car was maintained and driven is incredibly important. A car that is well documented and cared for should be a safe bet, provided you have the car inspected thoroughly before purchase, however, a car that has been excessively modified and abused poses a risk for buyers.
Things to look out for before buying
Test drive- When driving the GT-R, make sure there is no blue smoke on start-up and blue/grey smoke under boost, which could signify a sick engine. The dual-clutch gearbox should also select all gears easily. Try going from 1st to reverse several times when the car is cold. If the car refuses and simply goes to second gear, the gearbox may be on its way out.
Modifications- The R35 is popular amongst tuners, with many cars featuring aftermarket modifications that range from an exhaust and a software tune to full-on engine, turbo and gearbox upgrades and everything in-between. While some may consider these modifications a bonus, it is important to remember that any modified car is a bigger risk in terms of longevity, generally speaking. Also consider why people modify their performance cars, in order to have more performance, alluding to the fact that they may drive the car hard, passing on this potentially abused car to you, the next owner.
Tyre wear- Performance car tyres are expensive, and the GT-R is infamous for being heavy on tyres, so ensure you have wheel alignment done regularly.
Rubber seal leaks- There are many rubber seals n the mechanical bits of the GT-R, and these are known to perish with time, meaning fluid leaks which will have to be addressed.
Speaker failure- The Bose sound system in the GT-R is impressive, but the speakers are prone to blowing.
ABS pump- The ABS pumps are known to fail, however, many of these components will have been replaced under warranty or by a previous owner.
Rear shocks- The rear shocks on older versions are known to leak, requiring a replacement part.
Verdict
The R35 GT-R is a good car, Nissan would not produce something for nearly 15 years without it being both robust and well-engineered. As with all performance cars, buying used is a risk and one that can be managed by doing your research and having that car inspected by professionals before pulling the trigger.
