2023 Nissan GT-R

What can be said about the 2023 Nissan GT-R that hasn't already been said a million times before? This is Japan's quintessential all-wheel-drive supercar and is notorious amongst gearheads for being one of the most brutal launching cars around. Production of the GT-R started back in 2007, the days before the global financial crisis when people were still spending big on houses and cars they couldn't afford, but unlike the housing market, the Nissan GT-R has remained a popular and solid investment. Under the hood, you get a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 565 horsepower and 467 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch sequential transmission resulting in a 0-60 mph time of only 2.7 seconds based on real-world testing. However, the car has aged badly in other areas, and you shouldn't expect to find the attention to detail, quality, or technology that you'd enjoy in Nissan GT-R competitors like the Porsche 911 Turbo, Acura NSX, and Audi R8. Still, with aftermarket tuning parts widely available, it's easy to turn the GT-R into a hypercar killer, and many will harbor a sense of nostalgia for the GT-R as it is gradually discontinued around the globe.

The Nissan GT-R is free of clutter from multiple configurations and there is only one trim that starts at an MSRP of $113,540, which excludes a destination charge of $1,895. It's possible to spend over $120,000 on the GT-R.

Almost every early Nissan GT-R review described its handling characteristics as "PlayStation-like" or "Arcade-like." To many, this sounds like a disconnected and less interactive driving experience, but the truth is that the GT-R is just that good. Its ATTESA ET-S all-wheel-drive system and rear limited-slip diff come together to deliver masses of grip, and despite its weight, the GT-R remains beautifully flat in the corners thanks to its DampTronic suspension setup from Bilstein. This car offers more feedback than its more modern competitors. The GT-R is so easy to drive fast that it sometimes feels illegal; just point where you want to go and mash the accelerator. The brakes give good feedback and turn-in is electric. When in its most comfortable mode, the Nissan GT-R can be driven on a daily basis, but it's no grand tourer.

Although the powertrain is often noisy, it remains something to admire when used fully in anger. Making 565 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque, brutal acceleration is the result thanks to the effective launch control system. The transmission is rather slow but becomes more urgent when shifting manually.

The Nissan GT-R is on its last legs, but it's going down fighting. This car is now well over a decade old and, in the right hands, will still show much more expensive and capable cars a thing or two. Nissan got the recipe so right that the GT-R is still an explosive car to drive to this day. The chassis, AWD system, and suspension setup deliver an otherworldly driving experience, and that V6 engine continues to deliver a haunting howl. Sure, the GT-R isn't as quick or sharp as a Porsche 911 Turbo, but it's a beast for its age. It must be said that the GT-R has fallen way behind in terms of comfort tech and driver assistance features, and those rear seats are just as useless as ever. Despite that, this is a classic in the making, and if you can live with the price, we'd suggest getting one and holding on to it.

It's not difficult to decide which GT-R to buy as there is only one trim, unless you choose the Nismo version that costs a ridiculous $210,740. Pick your favorite color and drive off into the sunset, enjoying a car that is as far removed from the electrification era as it gets.