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The R35 Nissan GT-R has soldiered on the market for over a decade, and it’s seeing a couple of minor revisions for the 2023 model year. Otherwise, it’s still the same old all-wheel drive turbo monster that it has always been. It’s no wonder that it’s referred to as “Godzilla.” One thing is for sure; the GT-R is tough to kill.

But not just in the production lines but also in the streets and on the track. The Nissan GT-R has proven itself time and time again, and every car enthusiast knows that it can keep up with the best exotic cars in the market. Here are four reasons buying a Nissan GT-R could make more sense than buying an exotic car.

1. The Nissan GT-R’s twin-turbo engine has a lot of tuning potential

Nissan GTR in orange at an auto show
Nissan GTR | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

The Nissan GT-R has long been powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine called the VR38DETT. It was originally rated at 480 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, but in its current form, it puts out 600 hp in the special Nismo-spec GT-R.

But as Hot Cars reports, “that’s just the tip of the iceberg.” Tuners have been tuning the almighty VR38DETT engine for years. Many of them have been able to extract 1,000 hp out of the already potent mill, while others have squeezed out close to 3,000 hp. That’s insane!

2. The Nissan GT-R provides a far better value than any exotic car

A Ferrari 458 isn't fast enough to outsprint the C8 Corvette.
Ferrari 458 | Ernesto Vicinanza, SOPA Images, LightRocket via Getty Images

You can currently find used Nissan GT-R models for around $60,000 nationwide on CarGurus. That may seem cheap – it is – but considering the car cost $80,000 when it was new, that means it didn’t lose much in value. To add to that, newer used models are still selling for well over $100,000, or close to the cost of the new model.

Case in point, the Nissan GT-R retains its value well despite what year it was. Try that with most exotics – like a Ferrari GT 456, for example – and you will yield nearly the same results.

3. The GT-R’s monstrous power makes it accelerate as quickly as an exotic car

2023 Nissan GT-R rear view
2023 Nissan GT-R | Nissan

Remember that crazy amount of power we talked about earlier? That power equates to some serious performance numbers. How serious? The GT-R can get up to 60 mph from a standstill in only 3.3 seconds, which is quicker than a Porsche Carrera GT. The new Nismo GT-R is even quicker and can cover that same distance in only 2.5 seconds.

Part of this stupendous feat is thanks in part to the car’s sophisticated AWD system. The system helps it gain traction in a straight line and around the corners.

4. The Nissan GT-R has a back seat (kind of)

2023 Nissan GT-R interior
2023 Nissan GT-R | Nissan

This last point might sound like a cheap shot, but it’s worth pointing out. One leg up that the Nissan GT-R has over most exotic competitors is its inclusion of a back seat. Although the two small seats are better suited to children than two full-grown adults, they are still a positive aspect of the car. If anything, they can also be used for storage.

Reasons why a Nissan GT-R makes more sense than an exotic car

It’s no secret that the Nissan GT-R is a great alternative to buying an exotic car. It has supercar-like performance, holds its value well, and is more practical than many of the new and used exotic cars in the market today. If you’re in the market for a high-priced performance car, check out the Nissan GT-R. You may find it to be the answer to what you’re looking for.

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