The Nissan GT-R is a legend. It’s fast, it’s aggressive, and it’s one of those cars that always gets people talking. But here’s the question most enthusiasts don’t think about until they’re seriously considering it: what does it actually cost to own one?
Let’s break it down.
Purchase Price: The First Big Hit
If you’re buying a new GT-R today (U.S. market), expect to pay around $120,000–$140,000 depending on the trim (Premium, T-Spec, NISMO). A used one? You can find older R35s (2009–2015) starting in the $60k–$80k range.
Not cheap, but compared to supercars with similar performance (think Porsche 911 Turbo, Audi R8), the GT-R is almost a bargain.
Insurance
This one surprises a lot of people. Insuring a GT-R isn’t like insuring your Toyota Corolla. On average, GT-R owners report paying $3,500–$6,000 per year depending on age, driving history, and location.
If you’re under 25? Yeah… you’re probably looking at the higher end of that range.
Fuel Costs: Feeding the Beast
The GT-R has a 3.8L twin-turbo V6 pushing 565 hp (600 hp in the NISMO). That power doesn’t come without a price. Real-world fuel economy is around 16 mpg city / 22 mpg highway.
Let’s say you drive 12,000 miles a year:
- At $4 per gallon, that’s roughly $3,000+ in fuel costs per year.
- Drive it hard (and let’s be real, you will), expect that number to go higher.
Maintenance: The Hidden Costs
Here’s where things get interesting. The GT-R is not your average Nissan. Routine service is more expensive because it’s a high-performance car.
- Oil change: $200–$400 (synthetic + special filter)
- Tires: $1,500–$2,500 for a set of high-performance rubber (and they wear fast if you track the car)
- Brake pads/rotors: $3,000–$5,000 if you need a full replacement
- Annual service checkups: $1,000+
If you take care of it, the GT-R is reliable, but it’s definitely not cheap to maintain.
MODS
Let’s be honest: very few GT-R owners keep their car stock. Even simple bolt-ons can run you thousands.
- ECU tune: $1,000–$2,000
- Exhaust: $2,000–$5,000
- Bigger turbos? Well… now you’re talking $10k+ easily.
It’s easy to spend as much on mods as you did on the car itself if you get carried away.
Total Yearly Ownership Costs
So, let’s say you own a GT-R for one year. Here’s a rough estimate (not including mods):
- Insurance: $4,500
- Fuel: $3,000
- Maintenance: $2,000 (average year)
- Registration/taxes: $1,000+ (varies by state)
👉 Total: around $10,000 per year just to keep it on the road.
Add mods, track days, and unexpected repairs, and that number can easily climb higher.
Final Thoughts: Worth It?
Owning a Nissan GT-R isn’t cheap—it’s definitely not a “budget supercar” once you factor in the extras. But here’s the thing: people don’t buy GT-Rs because they’re practical. They buy them because they’re one of the most exciting performance cars you can drive without spending Ferrari or McLaren money.
If you’re ready for the financial commitment, the GT-R is absolutely worth every penny.