What would you pay for a Pulsar?

Kinja'd!!! "DanPadge" (danpadge)
06/14/2015 at 12:43 • Filed to: pulsar gti-r

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The Nissan Pulsar GTI-R, aka “Baby Godzilla”, becomes legal for US import in August and I’m curious as to what the hypothetical market would be for one. Skyline GTRs are well into the $17-20k range and auction prices are so high in Japan that importers have stopped importing them. Now the “hot new thing” is the GTS-T, which sell for $10-15k landed, have a similar Skyline GTR look and, most importantly, have a healthy profit margin. To me, the GTS-T is a car for the person who wants GTR but can’t afford one and is willing to settle for something looks like a GTR but lacks in the performance area.

The Pulsar GTI-R on the other hand, does not lack in the performance department. For those not familiar, it’s a 227hp awd hatchback that can make an easy 260hp with the conservative boost cranked up a few. It’s got the motor from an s13 (the SR20 “red top”) with a turbo and a top-mount intercooler and the awd system from a Skyline GTS-4.

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0-60mph time? Under 5 seconds. Quarter mile time? 13 seconds. Not bad for a car with 4 wheel disc brakes, independent suspension, abs, power locks/windows and a/c.

It also has some other advantages over the Skyline models. The motor has huge aftermarket support and was actually sold here in the US so you can easily get parts for it at your local Autozone. The econobox version of the Pulsar was made in the zillions and shares almost all of its parts with the souped up version so body and mechanical parts are also cheap and easy to come by, aside from the awd system (though will need to be “overnighted from Japan”).

Pulsar GTI-Rs were made from 1990-1994 and where unchanged aside from some cosmetic differences. However, those cosmetic differences mean an “early” model is the one you want. They got their own unique seats (rather than the base Pulsar seats), a red GTI-R badge on the steering wheel and had the Prince logo on the front.

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Little things, but if you’re going to import a Pulsar GTI-R, why not import the one with the small, unique details that make it just that much more special?

So, what would you theoretically pay for a low-mileage, stock, early GTI-R? Two things worth noting are that it is extremely hard to find one with the original steering wheel (most get replaced with a cheap Momo) and it is extremely hard to find one without a cage welded or bolted in the back half.

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An August build-date, stock, low-mileage car (which the above photo is) is a unicorn and would allow you to likely have the 1st legal one in the US. Would this car (landed) be in the:

$17-20k Skyline GTR range - This thing is hot and highly desirable!

$13-15k “nice” Skyline GTS-T range - A sweet car for sure, but its no GTR

$10-12k “average” Skyline GTS-T range - It’s cool and all, but it ain’t all that

Under $10k “niche enthusiast market” range - It’s nice if you’re into that kind of thing, but it’s no Miata

Cast your votes!


DISCUSSION (24)


Kinja'd!!! G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > DanPadge
06/14/2015 at 12:47

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I’m going to say between $12 and $15k.


Kinja'd!!! Tohru > DanPadge
06/14/2015 at 12:49

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I’m going to vote 3.


Kinja'd!!! LongbowMkII > DanPadge
06/14/2015 at 12:50

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3.


Kinja'd!!! Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > DanPadge
06/14/2015 at 13:16

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3 to 5K


Kinja'd!!! TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > DanPadge
06/14/2015 at 13:23

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Kinja'd!!! DanPadge > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
06/14/2015 at 13:28

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Lol


Kinja'd!!! XJDano > DanPadge
06/14/2015 at 13:29

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5

dollars.


Kinja'd!!! Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > DanPadge
06/14/2015 at 13:32

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It’s still just an old hatchback. I don’t see them going for a whole hell of a lot


Kinja'd!!! DrJohannVegas > DanPadge
06/14/2015 at 13:32

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Depending on the actual mileage, between $8k and $12k.


Kinja'd!!! DanPadge > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
06/14/2015 at 13:51

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That’s like saying an E30 M3 is just an old tarted up 3-series. It’s a car that can spank a VW R32 or Focus ST and has no problems keeping up with an STI. 25 years after being built it still has the best power to weight ratio for a hatchback. Plus, $3k is about what it costs to ship a car and clear it through customs alone.


Kinja'd!!! Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > DanPadge
06/14/2015 at 14:20

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A 25 year old Japanese hatchback beating a brand new golf r or focus st?

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And I didn’t realize you meant to include shipping. With shipping and taxes and all that I’d say 6-8k


Kinja'd!!! DanPadge > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
06/14/2015 at 14:47

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Autocar, Fast Lane and Performance Car tested the Pulsar GTI-R at 5.0-5.3sec 0-60, 13.5sec 1/4mile. Edmunds tested a 2014 Focus ST at 6.6 0-60 and 14.5sec in the 1/4 mile. It has about the same hp as a Focust ST but less weight and awd (has anyone ever enjoyed torque steer?).

Car & Driver tested a 2015 Golf R at 5.0-5.3 0-60, 13.7-13.9 1/4mi, so same specs.

The 2008 Golf R32 (which is what I mentioned) was tested by Road & Track at 6sec 0-60 and 14.6sec 1/4mi.

So in other words, it was a nice try with the Jennifer Lawrence gif but yeah, actually a 25yr old Japanese hatchback will beat a brand new Focus ST and match a brand new Golf R.


Kinja'd!!! Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > DanPadge
06/14/2015 at 14:57

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That was when it was new. They aren’t new anymore and if you think they won’t suffer from HP loss you’re going to be disappointed


Kinja'd!!! DrJohannVegas > XJDano
06/14/2015 at 14:59

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5.

Yen.


Kinja'd!!! DanPadge > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
06/14/2015 at 15:12

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Eh, something with 50k miles (not uncommon) is practically new imo and those numbers are at the stock 7psi. You can turn it up to 9 or 10 with no issue and then you’re at 260hp. All I can compare is “tested as new” speeds, not “theoretical after a number of years” speeds because I don’t have the ability to line up a Pulsar against a new Focus but I bet even today it could match a car that is tested at 1 1/2 sec slower. It’s basically a mk2 golf in size and weight with 227 turbo hp and a race-developed awd system.


Kinja'd!!! Street Surgeon > DanPadge
06/14/2015 at 21:55

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One sold locally for a smidge over 5k. They’re neat cars buuuuuuuut finding things like body parts, replacement awd parts (CV shafts etc), will be a real pita. Also, they seem to have glass jaw transmissions at anything over BPU hp levels. I really like their quirky charm and I don’t know how much they go for at the auctions over there but I probably wouldn’t pay over 6k USD landed for one and that’s if I could be persuaded to buy one at all. If you break something it could be a long time before you get it replaced/repaired!


Kinja'd!!! DanPadge > Street Surgeon
06/14/2015 at 22:42

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Locally as in the US? I think regarding parts the same can be said about almost any JDM but I bet they’d be easier/cheaper to source than a GTR. I dunno what they go for at auction as I haven’t seen one go through yet but I see dealers selling them for $6-10k depending on condition.


Kinja'd!!! Street Surgeon > DanPadge
06/15/2015 at 09:09

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Yep, as in bought here in Nebraska for a bit over 5k. The car wasn’t perfect by any means but it was straight and only had a tiny spot of surface rust on the hatch. It did include neat things like a weird webbed umbrella when you opened the doors up, an umbrella that came with the car and slides in the door (apparently Nissan was very concerned with keeping people dry), aaaaaaand that’s about all I can think of right now. Oh, and it smelled like mint.


Kinja'd!!! DanPadge > Street Surgeon
06/15/2015 at 10:04

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Wonder if it was some other version of the Pulsar. Those sort of add-ons sound like a very Japanese thing to do.


Kinja'd!!! NJAnon > DanPadge
06/15/2015 at 13:43

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Baby Godzilla? I don’t like babies.


Kinja'd!!! DanPadge > NJAnon
06/15/2015 at 14:07

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Aw, how you could you dislike this little guy? He just wants to be your friend!

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Kinja'd!!! Street Surgeon > DanPadge
06/15/2015 at 15:59

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Well, definitely a GTiR. It used to belong to a friend of mine, then he sold it to a fella that put it in a garage for a bit, and then sold it to another local who promptly registered it in Vermont but still lives here. I see him from time to time on my way to and from work.

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Kinja'd!!! Tassie Lorenzo > DanPadge
11/25/2015 at 05:24

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$AU5k IS what they go found, down under. That’s about $3.7k in USD. They are notorious for being difficult to work on and relatively unreliable due to their age and complexity. Plus they understeer badly, have gearboxes made of chocolate and well undersized nrakes. Buy one at your own peril.


Kinja'd!!! DanPadge > Tassie Lorenzo
11/25/2015 at 11:42

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Nice ones are being listed for $13k currently in the US. Don’t think they’re selling very quickly at that price though.