Between 1990 and 1994, Nissan produced the Pulsar GTIR, and they had a primary purpose in mind when creating this small yet mighty automobile. Their sole purpose was to follow the precise homologation requirements to enter the FIA group A rally, and they succeeded. Known around the world as “the baby Godzilla,” this Nissan creation is a classic and an excellent purchase for someone looking for a compact thrill that you don't see every day.
Since making its first appearance on the Japanese market, the Nissan Pulsar GTIR has competed with other hatchbacks in the industry and has been forgotten along the way.
Though the Nissan GTIR never made its way to production in America, now you can own this beautiful car, and we are here to tell you everything you need to know before purchasing.
GTIR: What to Expect
Though the Nissan Pulsar GTIR has a release date close to 30 years ago, many people still have little to no knowledge of how much power this small car has to offer. This AWD automobile has a compact design offering easy handling when operating.
The Pulsar GTIR is a rally car weighing around 2900 lbs with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and accelerates from 0-60 MPH in as little as 5 seconds.
The rear spoiler makes this car more aerodynamic than that of the regular pulsar and gives it the sporty look that it deserves. It’s equipped with a large grille and intake in the front of the car to keep its high horse-powered producing engine cool.
The Nissan Pulsar interior design includes a five-speed manual gearbox offering the driver complete control when maneuvering this hot hatch car. Despite having only one generation in production, there are three different models for the GTIR. The GTI-RA was the most common of them all and had a design fit perfect for the street. Standard equipment options such as powered windows and A/C came with this version.
GTI-RB is the rally version of this Nissan hatchback. Specifically designed for competitive motorsport, the GTI-RB was stripped of the luxuries such as powered windows and A/C to decrease its weight on the track. Nissan also offered an upgrade of Nismo features like slip differentials and a racing suspension.
GTI-R Sunny is externally identical to the regular GTI-R. However, Nissan produced the Sunny version for the European market, which reduced its horsepower by seven due to lower octane fuel offered in Europe during that time.
Pros:
- Compact design offers excellent power to weight ratio
- Engine delivers 227 horsepower
- Adaptable handling
- MUCH Cheaper than the Nissan GT-R
Cons:
- Not a great car for big families
- Hard to find one in good condition
- Parts can be expensive to replace
Buying Your GTIR
Typically anyone would use the standard car websites or visit nearby dealerships to find a car they’re interested in buying.
However, Car Gurus, Autotrader, Cars.com, and similar websites are not the place to be if you’re looking for a Nissan GTIR. With only having 15,000 units produced between 1990 and 1994 and its atypical specifications, makes the Pulsar GTI-R a rare hot commodity.
A few online private sellers have the GTIR available for purchase though they tend to sell out fast. Sites such as JDMbuysell or Shinku Classics have exclusive cars that are usually harder to find on the market.
Not only do they offer a selection of Nissan GTIRs, but you could also come across rarities like the Honda Civic Type-R, Mitsubishi Minica, and Renault Clio. The price for a Nissan GTIR can vary depending on mileage and specs, of course, but asking prices don’t ever seem to get ridiculous considering the car is rare and popular amongst a lot of car enthusiasts. Well kept GTIRs are priced on the upper end of $15,000, and those in decent condition have been sold on the lowered end of $10,000.
If you’re looking for a project GTI-R, prices float between $4,000-$6,000 range.
Final Thoughts On Buying A Nissan Pulsar GTIR
Nissan did an excellent job in the ’90s producing this car, and it’s no secret that many people around the world would love to give this hatchback a test drive.
While gaining most of its popularity after its production years, the Nissan Pulsar GTIR can be hard to find, but it is not impossible. In doing your diligence as a buyer, you’ll be sure to find someone willing to sell you this fantastic car loaded with speed due to its lightweight design and turbo engine.
Remember, this car was built to follow all of the homologation requirements and has gone against and beat the GTR of its time. Will you be buying the Nissan Pulsar GTIR?
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