How Long Do Nissan GT-Rs Last? (10 Important Facts)

The Nissan GT-R is a sports car that delivers optimum speed as we’d expect it to.

However, some car reviews are a little critical towards the GT-R, some more than others.

We’re more interested in its lifespan than its performance. Let’s explore all there is to know about the GT-R’s durability.

Before we start, bookmark our list of most-common problems with the Nissan GT-R models.

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Here is the short answer to how long the Nissan GT-R lasts:

A Nissan GT-R can last 200,000 miles with the required maintenance. However, if you work the GT-R too hard, it may not even exceed 150,000 miles before it needs major repairs. With proper care and deliberate use, this car can last over 16 years if you average 15k miles annually.

How Many Miles Can You Expect From a Nissan GT-R?

The GT-R is a remarkable sports car. Since sports cars are usually driven hard, sports drivers can expect 150,000 miles from their cars. Regular commuters may get as much as 200,000 miles or more.

Note, however, that the GT-R’s longevity is not limited to these estimates. Some drivers may only get to the 50,000 mile mark and they’ll experience severe problems needing serious repairs. There are drivers that care less about longevity and more about the car’s performance while it lasts.

Other drivers can be lucky and their cars may even exceed 250,000 miles without experiencing massive problems.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on Your Nissan GT-R?

The GT-R doesn’t rust easily.

What we know is that there aren’t a lot of complaints on CarComplaints regarding rust. In fact, looking for one there would cause a needle in a haystack scenario.

That being said, you shouldn’t expect rust on your Nissan Gt-R. Just stick to regular maintenance and keep your car neat and dry at all times. It’s also better for your Gt-R if it’s kept indoors.

However, if rust is going to appear on your GT-R, it’ll probably start from the underbody. The frame would be more likely to rust. If you don’t catch it in time, it would eventually spread out until it becomes visible on the car skirts.

The GT-R’s low bumpers and skirts make it easy for rust to thrive for some time without being noticed. On that note, ensure you monitor these areas regularly.

Whatever the case, Nissan’s rust-through warranty covers your vehicle for up to 5 years.

How Long Do Nissan GT-Rs Last Compared to Similar Cars?

We can only truly know if the Gt-R’s longevity figure is good enough when we compare it with other cars. Here’s how well the Gt-R performs against other cars in its class.

Nissan GT-R vs. Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger can easily outlast the Nissan GT-R by up to 50,000 miles. This means the Charger has an average lifespan of up to 250,000 miles.

The Charger further has a lower annual maintenance cost of just $652. Whereas, the GT-R costs a whopping $920 to maintain annually.

This means that in 10 years, the GT-R would have swallowed an extra $2,680 in maintenance costs than the Charger.

Nissan GT-R vs. BMW i8

A BMW i8 is estimated to last between 150,000 miles to 200,000 miles. Since 200,000 miles is the upper boundary for the i8, it’s safe to say the GT-R has a longer lifespan.

Hence, it performs better against the i8 than it did with the Charger. The GT-R further has lower ownership costs than the i8.

Check also: Most common problems with BMW i8.

The BMW i8 has an average annual maintenance cost of $979. This means owners would spend over $500 more on the i8 than the GT-R over the course of 10 years.

While both cars still seem to have above average ownership costs, give the GT-R credit.

Nissan GT-R vs. Porsche 911

The 911 can last up to 200,000 miles on average. This means both the GT-R and the 911 have equal lifespans.

Let’s find out which of them would tip the scale with ownership costs, shall we?

The 911 has an average annual repair cost of $1,072. This means the GT-R has lower ownership costs. It also means drivers would spend over $1,500 more on the 911 than the GT-R over after 10 years.

How Reliable Is the Nissan GT-R?

The GT-R is a fairly reliable car. For a luxury sports car, it doesn’t stack up too many complaints relating to it breaking down.

Out of all 16,824 complaints for Nissan, CarComplaints reportedly have only 8 reported complaints for the GT-R. Compare that with the over 5,000 complaints for the Nissan Altima and the GT-R seems like a perfect car.

Edmunds gives the 2019 to 2021 models a 7.4/10 overall rating, while the 2018 model has a 7.6/10 rating. The 2009 model then got a 4.7/5 consumer review rating. All models seem to do pretty well.

There aren’t a lot of reviews for the Nissan GT-R. Still, from the information above, you can tell it’s a fairly reliable car.

However, CarEdge says there’s a 17.36% chance the GT-R will need a major repair in its first 10 years. Still, they say it’s “better than similar cars in its segment”.

The Best and Worst Model Years for Nissan GT-R

Even if all models perform well, we still have to identify the least promising one. Here, the 2013 model takes the cake and is the worst model year on carcomplaints.com.

Its problems have to do with the exterior lighting because the lens may absorb moisture. This could cost over $2,000 to repair. The 2013 model is probably the worst model year because of the high cost of fixing this problem.

The headlight may fail before 30,000 miles.

The 2010 model has the most complaints and includes a wider range of reasons. These reasons involve the interior accessories, engine, transmission, fuel system, among others.

Hence, the 2010 and 2013 models may not be ideal. The 2015 model also has the most reported problem regarding a rattling noise. Recall that there aren’t a lot of complaints about the GT-R, so these models may not be as bad.

All other models are outstanding, especially the 2018 to 2020 models.

For a more in-depth review, please read our article about the best and worst years for the Nissan GT-R.

What About Recalls for These Models?

The GT-R has just 6 recalls to its name. The 2009, 2015, 2016 and 2019 models all have 1 recall each. These recalls are because of the steering, equipment, or back over prevention.

The 2021 model has 2 recalls, which is the highest number of recalls for any model year. These recalls are because of the steering and suspension. For such an expensive high profile vehicle, the GT-R seems to do just fine.

Nissan GT-R Model Year List

Although the GT-R was unveiled in 2007, its model years began from the 2009 model:

2009 Nissan GT-R
2010 Nissan GT-R
2011 Nissan GT-R
2012 Nissan GT-R
2013 Nissan GT-R
2014 Nissan GT-R
2015 Nissan GT-R
2016 Nissan GT-R
2017 Nissan GT-R
2018 Nissan GT-R
2019 Nissan GT-R
2020 Nissan GT-R
2021 Nissan GT-R
2022 Nissan GT-R

Are Nissan Gt-Rs Expensive to Maintain?

As stated earlier, the GT-R has a pretty high annual ownership cost. However, it’s still cheaper to maintain than some cars in its class.

CarEdge’s estimates are significantly lower than that of RepairPal.

They say a GT-R will swallow about $8,243 in maintenance costs for the first 10 years. In theory, we can break this down to about $824 annually, as opposed to RepairPal’s $920 estimate. However, the maintenance costs experience steady increase year after year.

CarEdge added that the GT-R’s 10 year maintenance cost is over $1,000 more than that of the industry’s average.

How Long Do Nissan GT-R Brake Pads Last?

The brake pads can last over 40,000 miles on average. However, this can be further extended if you drive mainly on highways and experience little traffic daily. Usually, the pads will give warning signs before they eventually fail.

Signs may include vibrations whenever you step on your brake pedals. Replacing the brake pads when they fail may cost between $1,257 and $1,280, according to RepairPal.

How Long Do Nissan GT-R Tires Last?

The factory tires that come with the brand new car usually last longer than replacement tires. The tires can deliver over 50,000 miles under the best conditions before they’d need to be replaced.

Subsequent tires can last over 3 years on an average of 12,500 miles driven annually. Expect a lot less if you drive and brake too hard.

Also, rotate your tires to ensure they age evenly. You shouldn’t spend more than $2,000 to replace your tires.

How Long Do Nissan GT-R Transmissions Last?

Your transmissions should normally outlast the car. However, keep a keen eye on it at 150,000 miles.

Drivers complain of hard shifting and stiffness. Your mechanic should be able to diagnose and fix these problems. Only replace the tranny if the other components of the car are in good shape.

Replacing a tranny sometimes can make car owners consider buying new cars.

How Long Do Nissan GT-R Spark Plugs Last?

The GT-R’s spark plugs are expected to get to 100,000 miles before they fail. However, it’s possible for them to deteriorate before the 100,000 mile mark.

You should know that spark plugs have different grades and lifespans. The cost of replacing your spark plugs range from $334 to $554.

What About the Insurance Cost of Nissan GT-R?

The GT-R has above average insurance costs as we’d expect from a sports car. They’re super-fast and expensive. In addition, younger people go for sports cars than older drivers.

These factors contribute to drive the GT-R’s insurance costs higher. Bankrate estimates its average annual insurance cost to be $3,945 or about $328 monthly for full coverage. This, they say, is over $2,000 higher than the national average cost for car insurance.

CarEdge gives a lower figure of $3,471 to insure per year or about $290 monthly.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Nissan GT-R

Your driving habits affect your GT-R’s longevity. In fact, your focus should be more on maintenance and less on average longevity figures. With the right maintenance, roads and mechanics, your GT-R can outlast all others on the road.

Change your engine oil and filter every 7,500 miles.
Replace the air filter and flush the brake system every 30,000 miles.
You may also need to flush your cooling system at 90,000 miles.
Carry out regular inspections on your car’s body. Search for dents or scratches.
Inspect your car’s underbody for damages regularly.
Never ignore even the slightest rattling sound. They’re usually indicators to help you catch problems early.
Pay utmost attention to your engine and transmission, since they are the major parts that determine your car’s longevity.
Sometimes, it’s good to get a second opinion. However, this usually means more costs.

Please also read our article about the best and worst years for the Nissan Skyline.

Sources

Nissan GT-R | repairpal.cpm

Nissan GT-R | carcomplaints.com

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