For several decades, Nissan has been one of the largest and best-known automakers in Japan. However, Nissan vehicles are known worldwide and, due to their reliability, are also very popular in the USA and Europe. It is not least due to the constant new technical innovations and a competitive price-performance ratio that Nissan cars can offer.
The brand with the well-known bar in the logo produces the well-known sedans, station wagons, and SUVs. It can not resist athleticism in its style: The model portfolio has always included some very well-known Nissan sports cars and is continuously improving performance.
Even its nickname is more than scary: Godzilla, like the Nissan GT-R, is probably the most iconic Nissan sports car. Its ancestry reaches back to 1957 and originates on particularly sporty versions of the Nissan Skyline. After several model series, the still current R35 series, an independent sports car with the name GT-R, came onto the market for the first time in history. And it hit like a bomb! Although the GT-R still offers four seats and lots of equipment features. It was able to compete with the established competition from Europe and the USA in terms of performance right from the start. Due to its durability and optimization potential, the Nissan GT-R enjoys great popularity, not least in the tuning scene.
The top model of Nissan sports cars is available as a closed Nissan GT-R Coupé. The only available engine is a double-charged V6 engine with a displacement of 3.8 liters, which has been installed in various power levels from 2007 to the present day: Originally with 485 hp, the GT-R was gradually upgraded to 530 hp as part of ongoing model maintenance measures, to 550 hp and finally 570 hp. The top model of the R35 GT-R series bears the name Nissan GT-R Nismo. The sports car was specially optimized for the racetrack by Nissan’s in-house motorsport department with exclusive motorsport features, which has also been increased in output to 600 hp.
In addition to the all-powerful GT-R, Nissan has been offering the Z series, a cheaper sports car for the mass market, for several years. The current series operates under the name of Nissan 370Z. It has everything that characterizes a real sports car: an agile chassis with perfect weight distribution, a naturally aspirated V6 engine with a generous 3.7-liter displacement, and to match, a crisp 6-speed -Manual transmission and the mandatory rear-wheel drive. The result is an affordable sports car that doesn’t have to hide from its established competitors if it is about sportiness and suitability for everyday use.
The current entry-level Nissan sports car is available both as a closed Nissan 370Z Coupé and an open Nissan 370Z Roadster. The choice is relatively easy: All versions of the 370Z are powered by the tested 3.7-liter V6 engine, which has always been further developed. The basic model is the normal Nissan 370Z, while the top model Nissan 370Z is titled Nismo and – like many top models from sports car manufacturers – has been trimmed in several ways for optimum racetrack performance.
There are many ways you can enjoy the benefits of being behind the wheel of a Nissan sports car. In the end, of course, this is primarily a question of budget.
In addition to buying from the closest Nissan dealership (or, in the case of the GT-R, a Nissan High-Performance Center), special leasing websites have also been established here. Buying a new car is the most expensive option, but it also offers some advantages: You get your Nissan in exactly the configuration you want. The car has the full manufacturer’s guarantee. And the condition is flawless.
The market for used Nissan sports cars is enormous, and the range of corresponding sellers is just as huge: Whether directly from a Nissan dealer, from an exclusive sports car dealer, from a used car dealer, corresponding online portal, or from private sources – the decision is entirely up to the buyer. Buying a used sports car naturally also has the advantage that you can also purchase older, no longer manufactured model series, such as the glorious Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R.
One alternative that has become very popular in recent years is renting a sports car. It has several advantages: You don’t have to spend a fortune to drive your dream car. All costs are already included in the rental price. You can change vehicles with complete flexibility if you feel like doing a new one. And you don’t have any annoying monthly costs that burden you even when financially a little tight.