Nissan GT-R Nismo vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS — I've Driven Both to Death

Japan's AWD tech monster vs Germany's RWD purist machine. I spent way too long testing both. Here's which one deserves a spot in your garage.

The GT-R Nismo and 911 GT3 RS are basically the two opposite ways to build a fast track car. Nissan throws every computer they have at the problem — twin-turbo V6, AWD, rear-wheel steering, enough electronics to launch an actual rocket. Porsche goes the other way: naturally aspirated flat-six, RWD, PDK that feels manual, mechanical purity over electronic babysitting. In FH6 both sit in S1 and put down similar lap times. Which one you pick basically comes down to how you like driving. But honestly? After testing both for weeks I've got some strong opinions.

Spec Comparison

Cornering — Totally Different Feel, Weirdly Similar Times

The GT3 RS corners like nothing else. All that weight over the rear axle means you get on the gas stupid early and the car just hooks up. It's addicting. The front end is so light that turn-in feels instant — first time I drove one I kept turning in way too early because my brain couldn't keep up with how fast the nose responds. You have to recalibrate. But once you do? It's magic.

The GT-R meanwhile just computers its way to the same corner speeds. The ATTESA E-TS system shuffles torque around constantly — sends up to 50% to the front when it feels understeer, then dumps it all rearward on exit to fake RWD behavior. The car always feels planted. Always finds grip. Never surprises you. It's less exciting than the Porsche, no question, but at the limit that predictability is actually really nice. You can push harder because you're not scared of it biting you.

Lap times are stupid close. On a balanced circuit with mixed corners the GT3 RS usually edges ahead by half a second to a second per lap. Less weight, better tire use. But the second it rains or the surface gets sketchy, the GT-R's AWD just walks away. Wet track? GT-R every time.

Upgrade Path — What Actually Works

Both have solid headroom in S1 if you know what to spend PI on.

The GT-R's biggest weakness is weight. Stock it's 3,800 lbs which is chunky for a sports car. Drop 300-400 lbs and the handling transforms. It goes from a heavy AWD bruiser to something that actually rotates. The VR38 also wakes up with basic bolt-ons — sport exhaust and intake push it past 650 hp without busting S1. Honestly the engine's the easy part, it's the weight that holds this car back stock.

The GT3 RS benefits most from suspension and aero. Stock suspension is already great but race springs and adjustable ARBs let you dial out that mild entry understeer. A rear wing with adjustable downforce is almost mandatory above 150 mph — the stock aero starts fading right when you need it most. Tune the wing right and the car feels planted all the way to top speed.

Verdict

GT3 RS for dry track days, GT-R for literally everything else. On a perfect day on a perfect track the Porsche puts down the faster lap and is way more fun doing it. It's the purist's choice. It'll actually teach you how to drive rather than just making you look good.

The GT-R is the pragmatist's choice. Faster in the wet. Easier to drive consistently. More tuning potential with the turbo engine. If you race online where conditions are unpredictable and half the lobby is trying to ram you off the road, the GT-R's AWD is basically a security blanket. And sometimes that's exactly what you need.

Can't decide? Buy the Porsche. The GT3 RS is one of the best handling cars in the game, period. It'll make you a better driver. The GT-R is excellent too but it flatters you — you'll learn more in the Porsche, and honestly it's more satisfying when you nail a lap. That said if you're grinding online ranked? GT-R. Nobody's judging your driving purity in an S1 lobby full of rammers.

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