When you think of Nissan, which models come to mind? The Leaf? The Sentra or Altima? Maybe even the Maxima. However, if you’re looking for the fastest car that Nissan makes, then you’ll have to aim much higher than those commuter cars. In fact, the fastest Nissan in the current market is also its rarest model.

Which Nissan is the fastest?

The title of the fastest Nissan goes to none other than the 2022 GT-R Nismo. This special version of the Japanese supercar is beefed up from the factory with a number of carbon fiber parts, lightweight RAYS wheels, and a revised engine. When it was all said and done, the GT-R Nismo was born, and it put out 600 hp and 481 lb-ft of torque.

For reference, the non-NISMO GT-R puts out 565 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque, which isn’t that much of a difference in power on paper. However, if you lay the hammer down in the GT-R NISMO, Nissan says that it will reach 60 mph from a standstill in only 2.5 seconds. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a racecar driver to hit that number either, as the many hours of engineering and design allow for the most novice drivers to feel like a rockstar in a GT-R.

Of course, it would help to have some driving chops, especially if you plan to take a Nissan GT-R NISMO onto a racetrack. In addition to the added power – which is mainly due to upgraded turbochargers – the GT-R NISMO has an enhanced transmission for more optimal gear shifts, upgraded Brembo brakes for better stopping power, and a bevy of carbon fiber aero enhancements to lighten up the car and give it more downforce.

Those enhancements include a carbon-fiber hood, roof, front and rear facias, trunk lid, and rear wing.

All in all, the GT-R Nismo can get up to a top speed of 205 mph, which is amazing for a road-going supercar. Of course, we doubt that most people who buy this car won’t go near that speed.

How rare is the Nissan GT-R NISMO?

According to Car Scoops, only 300 copies of the 2022 Nissan GT-R Nismo were made and they all sold out within three months at a $210,740 price point. That means that if you want a GT-R Nismo someday, you’ll likely have to spend that much or more on the used market.

Buying a used Nissan GT-R could be a better idea

Although owning and driving the most expensive and fastest Nissan GT-R would be a treat, those who can’t afford it could be better off looking for a used model instead. A recent nationwide search on CarGurus reveals that earlier 2009 to 2010 models are selling for around $60,000, which is far more palatable. Of course, that’s still a hefty sum to pay.

But considering the early GT-Rs were powered by the same twin-turbo V6 that made 485 hp at the time, that’s well worth the price of entry. Also, consider that the early model could still go from 0 to 60 mph in around four seconds, which is quicker than most of the other cars on the road.

In that case, you don’t need the fastest Nissan ever made to feel like a pro driver. However, it would still be nice to have. Just keep an eye on those used car classifieds for the next 10 years.