download it... i did, because i couldn't believe it either.

 

i certainly see the apparent inconsistencies... but if it can't be explained, it doesn't necessarily make it a bad car, or cheating... unless every single car has been given an obvious advantage in one form or another.

and like i said earlier - as long as my gt-r experiences these same advantages, i'm not going to care what happened at the ring, or top gear, or whatever...

please let me/us know what you see at the track. this is the information i was searching for when i stumbled across this thread in the first place.

 

Here's the car being discussed at the London Motor Show...blown open...

 

I have not blamed the car for the mags cheating. Havent blamed the car for Steve Millen cheating either In fact it isnt the cars fault that Nissan had more hp on the car that ran the nurburgring to run toe to toe with a ZR-1in a straight line. But this does bring in to serious question all of the results we've seen so far. If the media will intentionally drive bad in one car to see to it that aother wins, then how can we beleive any of them?????

My answer is that I dont. When I see owners setting lap records at tracks across th country, then I'll buy it, but the one lap of america car had a darned good driver and he got straight waxed by a hardly modded GT3, that was the first real life test, more to come.

 

well said... I think that its great that you as a GTR owner appear pretty damn level headed on this thread.

I for one have grown a healthy respect from seeing this car at the track. Enjoy your car. Take it to the track. And so long as it suits you, there is no need to over analyse its strengths and weaknesses compared to any other car. And hell, there is no need to justify your car to any other car owner.

The GTR has an amazing track record here in Asia and Australia and has had in its various incarnations since the early 90s (never really knew about the first generation that I believe came out in the 60s) been a top level performer and always compared against the Porsche. In motorsport it has had a huge presence in the region and in modification circles has had a cult following for many years.

The early 90s version was in fact priced and compared at the time to the 964. But it is only the latest version of the GTR that has had comparisons drawn to the TT . So they have always in some way or another had their eyes set on the Porsche. But only in the latest generation has the hype really been put into overdrive.

Is it really as good? Have all the road test cars really been standard. I dont know. And truth be told I dont give into the hype of the mags nor do I really care for them.

BUT at Sepang racetrack, in the hands of people that I PERSONALLY know, the car has performed well... as I mentioned previously there is an owner of a 430 Scuderia and the GTR. He has owned and driven many generations of TT, Ferrari and Lambo, and on his first outing in the GTR hit a personal best time in the GTR as compared with his Scuderia. Granted that he has also had limited seat time in his Scud as its still very new, but as a car to just get into and drive at the limit, the GTR appears to be great. And they have run fair and square against many "better" cars in Sepang already.

In terms of handling, feel etc etc, thats entirely subjective (just like I will never give up my 4wd, while others have moved to 2wd in their 996tt- which is better? Whichever one suits the individual).

I have yet to actually drive one and hence will reserve my final judgement. But I can say that there have been a few that have kept up and more than handed my *** on a plate to me (well actually one... and he knows who he is ;P). Sure it has a hell of a lot to do with driver variable (maybe I am just plain slow). But at the end of the day I will give credit where credit is due, and on the face of it I see potential...

But will I give up my 996tt for one? Sorry, not a chance... for now

 

+1....I had to put another bag in the microwave.

 

True, the 996 GT3 did outperform the GT-R. But the GT-R did beat the C6 Z06's at One Lap, so they also got "straight waxed by a hardly modded GT3".

 

heavychevy - i didn't mean to imply you (specifically) did, but others have (even on the nissan/infiniti forum that i'm a member of).

harold - i envy your experiences with all of those cars. thanks for the feedback. i hope, when given the opportunity, you enjoy your ride in the gt-r. please report back with opinions.

mikelly - i've heard here that you go to vir. are you a member there? or do you go with car clubs? i used to track when i lived in cali. it was easier there. now that i've moved to nc, i'm not familiar with all of the tracks (other than vir, and atlanta). i'd like to go regularly, but i'm not familiar with the area yet. i'd love to tag along (if it's possible).

 

People seem to be forgetting that as it sits, the GT-R just isn't the value people are touting it as. Why? Because they are currently changing hands at $100k+ (30-40k over msrp)!!! For that price you're getting seriously close to an '07 997TT territory.

 

it's only worth what people are willing to pay...

look at the ford gt.

edit: and this is why felt i had to chime in. this is not true for all gt-r's. there are still a few dealers offering at msrp. of course you're going to see inflated prices... somebody is always going to try and make money. had i known the situation was going to be like it is, i would've bought 3 and sold one of them...

 

True enough, that doesnt surprise me though, the only stock Z was driven by amatuer DE guys and same for the 997 GT3. Those guys were in it for fun. When you get in the top 15, the guys can REALLY drive and most are there at least trying to win their class.

Tony Swan has been one lapping for 7 or 8 years, and has run several endurance races, so the guy can drive, but still waxed by that GT3, which also had a very good driver. And would have gotten beat by the stock powered Cayman had they not hit the dear.



As for maintenance the GT-R will be far more expensive in and out of warranty to maintain than a 997 Turbo. So once you buy the car, the affordability goes out the window, prepare for Ferrari like maintenance.

 

Heavy,
What's the deal on the service and the check ups on these cars?

 

There is an inspection at $1000 (or $1800) 12 months 24 and 36 months, dont know what they do, but it's covered under warranty.


But if you track, you have to get it inspected within 1800 miles of each track day or warranty is void and that inspection is a grand I think (at least I think it's $1800 too). They have two black boxes in the car, one tells them if you've been to the track and the other senses mods. They change the tranny fluid every time you do this, I assume to keep the trannys from blowing up, if they dont blow up from regular driving.

So the question is if the fanboys can outsmart Nissans black boxes. And judging by what I'm seeing, I think not. The good thing is that the warranty isnt voided for going to the track (unless you're racing or crash). But the bad thing is that it's going to cost you and extra grand just to do a track day.

Brakes cost over 6k to replace rotors and all. And Nissan dealers are pushing guys to change the whole thing, not just pads or rotors. That sucks a big one. A transmission fluid flush cost 1k by itself. And everything else is also in the Porsche range of product prices.

 

I normally run with PCA, MazdaDrivers.com, THSCC, and now with Chin Motorsports. I'll be back at VIR September 5-7 and again in November. Those are the last two weekends I expect to run this year at VIR. I'd be more than happy to hook up with you and let you convince me that this car is as Nissan and most of the motor-journalists have painted it. Or just let me know when you'll be there and with what group and I'll try to get in to the event... I really want footage of this car on track.

Guys, you have to admit that the media and Nissan have truly done this car a dis-service. Nissan has gone to great lengths to make this car appear to be a world beater, and now the truth about their test cars and their tactics are coming out. It's a shame, because I think, for what the car is, they built one hell of a great car... But to make it appear to beat all these high end cars, only to have the truth come out is truly sad, and shows their lack of ethics in marketing this car... It's gotten Nissan a whole lot of press for sure, but they've lost some respect...

For those who've been around Nissans as long as I have, you'll remember they did similar "marketing" when the 2nd Gen 300ZX was pre-released as a TT... This is Nissan's standard "game"...

Enough arguing over what this car can and can't do. There are enough of them being released and enough of us road racer types to capture it in film for Youtube... And me personally, I can't wait.

Mike

 

The Cayman was a Farnbacher Loles GTR. This is a >$100k car, powered by a 400hp 3.8l motor in place of the stock 295hp 3.4l - not your garden variety Cayman. Also, it was driven by Leh Keen, who also drives the Farnbacher Loles GT3 in Grand Am.

BTW, Leh was very impressed by the Nissan GT-R. He test drove Tony's car and wrote up his impressions:
http://forums.evolutionm.net/showthread.php?t=344882