I test drove the Audi R8 V10 recently. Nice drive, but somehow a kind of boring. Right after I drove the Lamborghini Gallardo. And this one was fun (somehow strange as both share a lot). Have you considered the Lamborghini?

 

I have looked at the Gallardo but more so in passing. A lamborghini to me needs to have the gull wing doors and the ones that do are out of my price range. While I haven't driven an R8, I do have a client that has one and he loves it. For me, it just doesn't have that "I WANT IT" feeling!

 

While this might be a bit harsh, I do hear what you are saying. I had a C6 before the aston and while it is really good bang for the buck, it just didn't have the same wow factor as an aston or several others. I tend to put the GTR in the same class as the corvettes. Nothing wrong with either but I don't consider them an 'exotic'.

 

If you read the original post, he wants to keep his v8v ang something to compliment it for 130k. An is one of the only exotics you can get for that money. A Maserati is probably possible but a Lambo or Ferrari while will be so old and out of date, never mind the maintenance. That's why the GTR is perfect. Limitless power, still somewhat unique, albeit an interesting choice. I live in Dallas, a fairly large city filled with one of everything. My v8v is still unique and rarely seen on the roads ona daily basis. I think the GTR would be in the same category, but obviously a completely different feel. Best part is that since it is a Nissan it can be daily driven and not cost an arm and a leg.

Never mind the fact you can spend about $6K to mod the heck out of it and push it past 600hp and 550tq. $6K on the Aston gets me a new muffler and some cats. Oh yeah, I have to pay more to install it. of course I am a sucker like most of us and have done these mods and outrageous prices.

But hey, to each their own. In the end the Aston will always be my fav.

 

^^^^ How much was it for a standard brake service on a GTR again?

 

That's the problem with the GTR - it's only admired by 15 yr old boys...

I'm sorry but the GTR goes against everything I thirst for when I drive a sports car. 0-60 means nothing to me. It's a car that has so many electrical nannies that make a driver with no skill feel like they know how to drive a car. On the track they are slow compared to many other cars. HP is a crutch when you're trying to learn how to drive on the track and its a car that is numb with very little feedback. Sorry but I'd rather take an Elise to truly enjoy the visceral road feel and feedback from a sports car.
Not to mention that it's a behemoth and an eyesore cosmetically in design.

 

^^^ I know exactly how you feel having competed in a BMW M3 csl race car which I still own and instruct with today, and my Porsche GT2 which is a total no frills beast of a drivers car... But that said Ive driven many GTRs on track and the are fast, when driven right they really haul out on track, you can feel their size, they don't feel like a Ferrari or a 911 or a lotus, but they can be made to handle very well and post very competitive lap times for sure.

 

I believe you Sunir but having a racing pedigree, wouldn't you rather take a 911, Ferrai or Lotus over a GTR on track? I'm sure the GTR can post fast times but my point is the car is doing all the work with its technology.
I actually view all of the electrical aids as a hindrance to learning how to truly drive a car. I'm sure you understand this.
Sure it's fun to have the latest technology, but it numbs the rawness of the car. I'd much rather have a Scud over a 458 in this regard, not so much about speed but rather experiencing the true sportiness of the car. A DCT is too tame in comparison to feeling the bang and the sound of an F1.

 

Of course they say the same thing about the MP4-12C and I know that I would rather have that car over most others right now.

 

One may argue that the McLaren looks 1,000,000 times better than the GTR.
Still prefer a Scud over both choices.
There's a fine balance between technology and rawness that gives the driver the sense of "feel" for the car.

 

I think the GTR is an amazing feat of engineering and I respect that but I can't see spending 100k for a Nissan because you get no other benefits out of it. I've owned Nissan's in the past and the service was horrible. I sold the car and bought a BMW because of how horrible their service was. For reference, the service was consistently bad at 2 different locations before I sold. BMW treated me well and were respectful of my time and that has always been consistent for me. If I spend 100k on a car, I expect a different level of service.

 

I agree with what you're saying and I love having a true drivers car beneath me on track, Formula conti or Atlantic or any open wheel being my fav, but yes there is a certain reward to piloting a 911 cup car, Ferrari NGT, Lotus. You have to actually drive the car and use concepts like trailing throttle and power-on oversteer to rotate the car in certain corners and really watch your pedal transitions and so forth. THere is no substitute for that, why do you think I kept my GT2 (the widowmaker - no drivers aids at all unlike the current chassis cars )

This said try the GTR on track, it;'s sublime, it's fun. The car is really really fast for a heavy production tin top chassis. The car can be setup perfectly and it just rips when the boost mapping fits the track. I was at VIR with Leh Keen last summer and he brought down his GT2 RS but was testing for a GTR shop at the event, Leh's a friend of mins who races with Alex Job in ALMS and I was there with a couple of students from Forge Motorsports track rental. We were talking about the GTR in the pits, both of us being Porsche guys...he ended up running a 1:52.xx with a track prepped GTR which is GT3 RS Cup times... we were both amazed with what the GTR can do on track. I drove several of them that day, and wow, what a car!

 

Agreed on the service and it concerns me as well. But, only a few Nissan delaerships in each city can service them and they are "fairly" well trained for it from what I hear. Additionally one thing that is unique to the GTR is resales value. Since Nissan has been dramatically increasing the price since 2009, the demand is high and the numbers of cars is relatively low, the resales value are unreal. 2009s models sell for $60-65K right now. I think the MSRP in 2009 was $77K. That is unmatched right now except for maybe the Ford GT. All models since are doing similiar value holds.

 

Nearly fell off the bed laughing. A very good summary of the GTR

Rep upped

FF