THINK TWICE

The GR6 dual-clutch transaxle is the R35's signature failure and its most expensive: NHTSA complaints describe it "letting go" under acceleration or refusing to engage forward/reverse, with Nissan quoting ~$18,000 to replace and declining to repair -- one owner's failed at ~40,000 miles. Bellhousing and clutch-pack wear are the known weak points. A slipping, clunking, or overheating transaxle, or evidence of hard track/launch use, should be treated as a five-figure risk.

Check — Insist on a documented transaxle service history and a test drive that exercises all gears (including reverse and 4th/6th); a specialist pre-purchase inspection with a transmission fluid check is worth its cost on this car.

Early (2009) cars leak fuel from the EVAP/fuel system under hard driving: NHTSA complaints describe fuel weeping from an overwhelmed EVAP canister onto the rear fender liner -- inches from the exhaust, and cited as the source of at least one track-day fire -- plus strong fuel fumes in the cabin during spirited driving and spillage from the filler neck at fill-up. Owners note Nissan redesigned the fuel tank and EVAP canister for 2010, so this is chiefly a first-year concern.

Check — On a 2009 car, smell the cabin and inspect the rear passenger-side fender liner for fuel staining; confirm whether the 2010 EVAP/tank revision or any related fix was applied, especially on a tracked example.

Instrument-cluster LEDs burn out on early (2009-2011) cars: eleven NHTSA complaints report the gauge/cluster lighting going dark -- speedometer, fuel gauge, and shift indicator unreadable at night, which owners repeatedly flag as a safety hazard. Nissan extended the warranty on the cluster for some VINs but many owners were quoted ~$2,000 for a replacement and had claims declined.

Check — Check the cluster at night for dead LEDs or dim/uneven segments; ask whether the cluster was replaced under Nissan's extended coverage and get the receipt.