Nissan GT-R (R35) | PH Auction Block
With production winding up, is now the time for a GT-R? Do we have the R35 for you
So time is finally being called on the Nissan GT-R. Even with European sales having halted a while back, and the R35 having been around for as long as it was, it just felt like one of those cars that might soldier on in its homeland for ages yet. Almost like the last of the US muscle cars, the Challengers and Camaros and Vipers, the Nissan never quite seemed done. But time waits for no man (or machine), and the last few R35s are in production. Imagine getting hold of the last one.
Because without a GT-R, Nissan is missing a performance flagship in the range - and its most famous badge. It’s a big deal. This has happened before, of course, with a few years passing between R34 and R35, though it would also be fair to say Nissan was in better shape 20-odd years ago. Back then another GT-R seemed likely, because Nissan embarked on more interesting projects; now, not so much.
So instead of worrying too much about the future, let’s instead consider the welcome embrace of the past. With the GT-R on sale for as long as it was, the PH classifieds always boast a good few, with nearly every budget catered for: from less than £40k to five times that for a late NISMO. All tastes are covered off as well, from stock (or close enough) to the full Liberty Walk.
This one is the first GT-R to fall under the PH auction hammer (after nearly 300 cars sold), and looks a beauty. It’s one of the first facelifted cars, which was actually a reasonably significant refresh for the 2011 model year: as well as a power bump to 530hp (with changes to both intake and exhaust), new dampers were fitted, as was some additional bracing, and the interior was spruced up.
That’s all still intact for this example, too, with only a couple of cosmetic tweaks from stock (there’s a spare standard grille even). The perfect blank canvas for somebody to live out their GT-R dreams, then, or one to preserve for posterity. It’s turned out really nicely, in fact, for a car now 14 years and 50,000 miles old.
There’s recent work from specialists like Litchfield in the history, and an MOT that runs into 2026. It’ll probably benefit from some fresh fluids for 2025, but with recent new tyres and front brakes (not small jobs on a car this powerful and heavy) it should be on the button and ready to roll. Which a GT-R will do in a fashion like nothing else, which is why it’ll be so sorely missed. But what an opportunity to remember one of Japan’s greatest hits.
In my eyes, they've aged well too, still stand out on the road whenever you see one. Not traditionally handsome, but has a real aggressiveness and masculinity to it (much like the R33/R34 before it) which is appealing. Wonder if we'll ever see an R36.
shame really, love a GTR.Think at the lower end of the GTR market, you may meet owners that may be somewhat working class.
I buy cars on condition, mileage and maintenance records, will overlook some gel plates and maybe curse not doing better at school so could afford a new one, unsullied by Darrens (I can say that, its my middle name)
Paid just over 48k ( I’m a crip so don’t pay vat) for a brand new 09 GTR in silver back in May 09, being one of the first I got to do the Nissan experience at Silverstone.
Did a couple of track days, plus JOG to LE in the August, then sold it for 52k in the November, thinking prices were going to drop.
How wrong was I, reckon I could have had another 10 yrs of GTR ownership and still only be 10-12k below my purchase price.
Paid just over 48k ( I’m a crip so don’t pay vat) for a brand new 09 GTR in silver back in May 09, being one of the first I got to do the Nissan experience at Silverstone.
Did a couple of track days, plus JOG to LE in the August, then sold it for 52k in the November, thinking prices were going to drop.
How wrong was I, reckon I could have had another 10 yrs of GTR ownership and still only be 10-12k below my purchase price.
I took it on a long route through the Alps that I know VERY well and it kind of put me off the car
I didn’t regret selling it after owning it for 4 years but I feel I’m doing what ex GTR owners do…. thinking I might fancy one again
And I think this accounts for the high ownership
And NO, they aren’t Playstation, they are incredibly mechanical things with a huge sense of grip / tension to the road surface
Compared to a lot of other quick cars, that's not bad even today, surely?
Compared to a lot of other quick cars, that's not bad even today, surely?
I wonder how many remain completely standard, like the R33/34 before it, so many have been messed about with that a stock, 'ordinary' (not Nismo etc) one, if you can find one, will be the one to have if appreciation is your goal.
I remember driving one, it was more visceral than you'd think, a proper license loser, it wanted to go fast everywhere, and it was certainly capable. A ride in a friend's one pushing 850bhp taught me that, on the road at least, chasing power is a race to nowhere.
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