SPEED AT ANY COST? NISSAN GT-R VALUE ASSESSMENT WITH 370Z IN THE SHADOW

There is something indelibly stamped atop, or perhaps alongside, the GT-R that marks it as utterly masculine. One suspects that a Nissan GT-R’s owner is a Type A personality. How do I figure? Think of Mr. Type A as impatient (0-60mph in 3.3 seconds), excessively time-conscious (Nurburgring lap in 7:29), insecure about his status (he bought a ridiculously expensive Nissan?), highly competitive (same 0-60 time as the $303,000 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano), hostile and aggressive (he learned to love and drive the GT-R on his son’s PlayStation after all), and he’s also incapable of relaxation, as exemplified in this GT-R burnout video.

Ah, but the purpose of this post is not to determine the character of its owner but the real value of the car. Much has been made of the GT-R’s outstanding value when contrasted with cars like the 599 GTB or Porsche 911 Turbo. What about the Nissan GT-R’s little brother, the Nissan 370Z? The Z is better than ever. Thus, from a standpoint that’s purely objective – finances and figures only – the Numbers below should help you see past the $$$ figures of these two sporting Nissans.

80,790 – cost, in USD, of the most basic Nissan GT-R available

485 – total horsepower produced (allegedly lowballing) by the GT-R’s twin-turbocharged V6

29,930 – cost, in USD, of the most basic Nissan 370Z available

332 – total horsepower produced by the 370Z’s naturally-aspirated V6

166.58 – cost of each single pony found under the hood of the all-wheel drive Nissan GT-R

90.15 – cost of each single pony found under the hood of the rear-wheel drive Nissan 370Z

87,720 – cost, in USD, of the most expensive Nissan GT-R, the Premium with every possible option and the delivery charge

180.87 – cost of each individual horsepower under the hood of a $87,720 Nissan GT-R

41,135 – cost, in USD, of the most expensive Nissan 370Z, the Touring with Sport Package, equipped with the maximum number of options and the delivery charge

123.90 – cost of each individual horsepower under the hood of a $41,135 Nissan 370Z

3,390.67 – extra price paid by the owner of a Nissan GT-R, a car capable of hitting 60mph in 3.3 seconds, for every tenth of a second saved, under and beneath the Nissan 370Z’s 4.8 second result in the 0-60mph test