I know many of magazines have written about this subject in length but I was recently presented with the chance to buy a GTR at a pretty decent price. I have been thinking very hard about buying a 911 and finally put my order in when I was called by a local Nissan dealer who had a car open up. Lucky for me I have two friend that happen to have a turbo and a GTR and both were kind enough to allow me to drive the cars to help me decide.

First off the GTR

The car is huge in real life. Pictures don't do it justice. It really looks good in person. I don't know that it would be considered beautiful in a classic way but I found it appealing. The interior was a bit of a let down. Its felt like a Nissan, but not a Nissan that most dealers are asking close to 100k for. The motor was out of this world. It just pulls and pulls and when its time to change up the gear box is seamless at speed. I wish I could say the same at legal speeds. The box becomes a bit clunky at slower speeds. The handling is faultless. The car is big and heavy but when the pace picks up the car sheds it LBs and turns into a true sprinter. Now for my one gripe. The cars does not feel special to me. I know its every bit the equal of the turbo but it does not get my blood going. The car almost feels like a video game. I think my grandmother could drive the car as fast as I can because the car does not require the drive to be very skilled. When my buddy asked me how I liked the car all I could say is its an amazing car. When he asked me if I was going to buy it, I had to say no. I think when one buys a sports car they are doing so much more for emotional reasons than a necessity to get from point A to B. The GTR just did not get my emotions going.

The PORSCHE TURBO

Well i will first admit that I started out with a bit of a bias towards the 911 as I have wanted one since I was a little boy. When you slot into the 911 you notice it is more upscale although its still a touch bland for a 130k car. Both of these companies should get Audi to consult on the interiors. Before the car even left the parking lot my pulse was already higher. All of the storied about 911's swapping ends had me on edge. Well those stories are of 911's from the past because this 07 Turbo was extremely stable. I never turned off the electric nannies in either car but the PSM keeps the car pointed in the right direction at all times. This Turbo was a 6 speed, which is the way I want my sports car. I don't live in a city where traffic is bumper to bumper so I don't mind rowing my own gears. The motor had more Turbo Lag than the GTR but it made for a much more exciting ride. When the turbo kicks in it really kicks in. The push is addicting. This car gives the overriding impression of being solid everywhere. The styling has been around for years but it still looks fresh to me. After driving this car I had to rethink the 911 I ordered. I am a CAB person and I ordered a 09 911 cab S. I now have to dig under my couch cushions, raid my babies college fund and beg barrow or steal my way to a 911 turbo cab.

Verdict:

Well I guess its a bit anti-climatic but I much preferred the Porsche. It just got my blood going while being everyday user friendly. The GTR is an amazing car, and to be honest I could drive the car faster point to point than the porsche and most likely by a considerable amount. But it just did not make me want to run down to the dealership and plunk down my money. I can honestly say the price had nothing to do with it. The GTR would have set me back 86k, but I don't think my opinion would have changed if the car was 50k. For the guys that have wanted a GTR and waited for years for the car to come to the US you won't be disappointed. The winner for me is the Porsche. Since my last drive I can't get the Turbo push out of my head. The looks make me stop and admire for several minutes after getting out of the car. The handling was stable but involving. The car made me feel like I was driving it as opposed to being along for the ride. I know if I went to the track that I would have to learn the car and work up to fast laps, but thats the beauty for me. Once I bond with the car I will be able to go fast and do things new comers could not. The GTR felt like I could turn fast lap times within the first 10 minutes, but then what. It really felt almost a touch disposable.

So my money will go to Germany, but if someone asked me to put up some money on a friendly bet against the GTR based on pure performance I will most likely decline.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

 

The other day I was slowly cruising and I looked in my rear view mirror and spotted what I thought was an Acura or Honda on first glance . It seems like eveytime I drive my 997tt it sparks the fast and furious and I usually ignore them .

This time it was different . The car pulled in front and I noticed it was a GTR . It looked nice too from the rear . It had about 4 car lengths and momentum .

A downshift to third and a short sprint for us both (3rd gear only) and I caught him .

IN a straight line the GTR was faster than my M3 , slower than my modded Turbo , but IMO faster than a stock Turbo.

I like the car . When its time to trade in my Civic Si (3rd car) I might consider it .

What I like about the Gtr is that bone stock the Nissan is impressive .

I don't use my 997tt as a daily driver but that's only because with all the options and mods it's just too expensive to bring to trhe supermarket , mall, or movies for me . The GTR is priced where I feel it can be driven everywhere and does not need mods at all . I'd leave it stock.

The great thing here is that one has choices . The Porsche is IMO the better car . The Nissan is IMO the better value . Each has its place and my vote goes to buying BOTH .