Hello,

Hoping to get a bit of insight. I currently have an 07 911 3.6 and have been trying to decide on trading in for a 2010 or 2011 GTR. Being in Toronto I'd be using this car year round and taking it to the track in the summer. I'm just curious about upkeep and maintence on a car using a turbo. Also anyone in Toronto that car recommened a good dealer to purchase from? Thanks guys!

Mike

I went from a 996tt to a 2009 GT-R and couldn't be happier. I also had a Gallardo, and Modified e55 and the GT-R is worlds better than all. The performance, handling, interior amenities, etc, are all amazing. I do not drive mine every day, but other that the seats a little less comfortable for my taste, it could be driven every day, as I know many owners do. Maintenance if done intelligently is not as expensive as some magazines have eluded. Its a daily drivable super car for sure.

Former 997S and 996TT owner myself that is seriously considering one ...if prices for an '09 are in the low to mid $60's range come Nov/Dec.

i hear you and also looking to pick one up soon.. Some 09s are in the low-mid 60s now, so id think (hoping) used 09s will be < 60 by dead of winter if not sooner.

If any other prev 996tt owners could provide feedback on the gt-r that would be great

My audiologist is selling his GTR It's here in Winnipeg ( google nott auto corp winnipeg)

The only think that I might add is that, although the GTR is a fabulous car, does it have the same "soul" as the 911...?

Just a thought...

"Soul" is very subjective.

I did not own but I had the pleasure of spending a lot of seat time behind the 997.1TT and 997.2TT as well as a few regular 911's. I own a GT-R and use it as a daily driver. It's an amazing machine and almost gives that feeling of the Gallardo (which I also drove a lot) but without being too over-the-top and more civilized. The handling is incredible. It's so easy to go fast in and to feel the limits of the car. Very safe feeling and predictable. I recommend it but if you are worried about a car with "soul" then maybe the GT-R isn't for you since the AWD system and dual clutch transmission play a big role in the involvement of the car. Otherwise, the car is a world beater at a cheap price. Daily driving is no problem.

Stallion - you think the GT-R is a better DD than your former Z06? I ask because I owned a C6Z06 and thought it actually rode better than my 997S and 996TT both of which were lowered (one on springs and one on c/o). I'm contemplating a new '11 Vette Grand Sport with F55 suspension or a slightly used GT-R. My list is down to these two. Ruled the M3 out....just doesn't do it for me aesthetically.

Recently picked up an '11 GT-R which replaced a 996 C4S in daily driver duty. That's not a perfect comparison in some respects given the difference in age, but here are a couple thoughts:

The GTR excels as a daily, particularly in terms of i) tech creature comforts (iPod / audio / nav controls that work well and actually make intuitive sense); ii) realistic trunk space (you can fit 2 golf bags back there -- its big); and iii) smoothness of auto mode when you're fighting traffic. Lip clearance is about the same as a Porsche (as is weak exhaust note). The one convenience that is missing is park sensors but there is a way to add a rear camera interface using factory wiring for $500.

Ride wise, its a pretty firm ride, more like a 030 sport suspension than a stock Carrera. While I personally like it that way, there is a "comfort" mode which works well for when you have non-enthusiasts riding shotgun. Note, I've heard this mode was recalibrated on the '11s and is less effective on prior MYs.

Drive wise, its incredible, but not without trade-offs. The torque is intoxicating particularly if you're coming from a NA car and I'm not sure I've driven anything else that feels as planted and confident hustling around a corner. On the other hand, (and this may raise some ire from die-hard GT-R fans), its missing some subtleties, like the direct and communicative steering feel of a Porsche, or the way you can feel a Ferrari rotate around you in a turn even with the electronic safety nets on. Whether or not that makes a car less "involving" is a personal thing.

The interior is where the GT-R falls short. I have owned the last 2 generations of Nissan Pathfinders and its hard to overlook the carry-overs from its cheap siblings. The plastic radio plate looks like it was pulled from a cheap rental car (seen here) and the fabric seat centers echo that theme (all that's missing is a cheesy pattern). The faux gold finish on the console and inside grab handles scratches if you breathe on it. While to me its still a better interior than a Corvette or Viper, its a far cry from the experience of sitting in a 997.

Maintenance is the other area the GT-R clearly falls behind, particularly if you prefer to follow factory recs. The oil change interval is every 6 months instead of every 2 years. In addition, there are some relatively large service bills at 18k miles (diff / tranny fluids cost ~$1,500 to change), and stock brakes are $7,600 (!). If you're willing to do a little research and use non-OEM fluids / rotors / pads / etc. the cost can be lower as others have pointed out, but you're still making alot more trips to the dealer than with a Porsche.

On balance, I think its a great daily and a nice contrast to the 911 if you just want a change. In addition, if you add a mid-pipe and a tune (which can be had for just $1,700), you will have a car that is pushing 550+hp that is docile enough to take on a hardware store run.

tuonoR - Great feedback Im def intrigued by the GT-R for the bang for the buck and modability (similar to 6tt). IMO there is a bit more space in the back for bringing kiddies along for a ride and a decent trunk to boot. I know id def want that backup cam, so thats good to know.

i frequent here and nagtroc... any other forum to recommend? thanks.

Went from 996 GT3 and GT2 to 2010 GTR last year. Loved the GTR with some small mods it was a killer ride and great DD if you like firm rides. No problems whatsoever but did not track it much. Recently sold it since I wanted another GT3 and have car A.D.D.- my 2011 GT3RS should be here in Aug. I'd definitely consider another GTR-perhaps in 2012 to replace my E90 M3. All great cars-good luck!

I thought that the back seats would be more usable that my 996TT based on the size of the car, but they are not. The front seats need to be back far enough that they are almost up against the rears. And, I am not tall, at 5'10". The seats are real deep, but minimal leg room.

It does have great trunk space, though.

I have driven many cars including the GTR. I say the GTR is one of the most tame mobiles I have seen. Too good and very fast. I might get one in the near future.

nagtroc is the best forum for the GT-R I've found. For the back-up cam, check out the vendor for sale section for a guy name adrey.

On the rear seats, I haven't put the kid back there yet but that's the plan. Similar to the 911, you can pull the cushions out (its as easy as on a 911). However, I haven't found the time to actually check how much of a difference it makes (it added perhaps 1.5" on my 996).

It's a tough call. The Z06 was an excellent daily driver. I know a lot of people will try arguing that, but I can honestly say that the Z06 was a comfortable, easy going, and problemn free daily driver.

I don't know if I could say one is better than the other in terms of DD'ing. The GT-R has more interior room since it has back seats. The back seats may be small but they are life savers to me because there are occassions where I need to squeeze someone in the back (and you can do it believe it or not. Not too comfortable but it can be done and to me that is a big benefit). The trunk space of the GT-R is very nice and I love that when compared to a Porsche 911. The AWD system is a huge plus to me because I live in the NE and have to deal with snow and slippery roads (this alone is worth it). The traction control system and the AWD make the handling a breeze. The other day I took an onramp at 1g of lateral force the whole way around. If I pushed the throttle a bit more, you can very easily feel where the car starts to lose grip. It is the easiest car to control by far and this is great in the safety deparment, as well as performance-wise. Maybe not as fun as the Z06 though since you can kick the *** out and burn rubber, but it is definitely more effective and safer (this increases by 10 fold if you're in bad weather). Suspension wise, they seem about the same as far as comfort goes. I drive the GT-R in comfort mode most of the time and I'd say that this is about the same as the Z06. Another big difference is the transmission. The GT-R's transmission is a gift from God. Really incredible piece of machinery and once you get used to it and start driving it aggressively, then you go from that to being stuck in traffic and crawling around town, you see why the dual clutch is so great. Of course, you have to sacrifice the fun you lose with a 3rd pedal and for some, this is a huge no. The GT-R also feels heavier than the Z06. But if feels very planted and more secure over bumps and uneven roads where the Z06 would "hop" and get kind of scary. When it comes to modifications, both cars are very mod friendly. The GT-R with midpipe and cobb ecu flash results in about a 100hp gain. The Z06 with boltons and ecu flash is like around 50hp or so...so for light mods you have to hand it to the GT-R. Not to mention the AWD system gets that power down no prob. Heavy mods (you're gunning for low 10's on the 1/4 mile or the 9's) I'd say stick with the Z06 since it's cheaper and easier to obtain, unless you have deep pockets and want to build the motor and trans of the GT-R.

Long story short (LOL) I say the GT-R is just as good as the Z06 in the daily driver segment but it offers more by giving you awd, back seats, trunk space, better handling, an adjustable suspension, and even if you think it doesn't look as nice as a Z06, once you see it in person and it's cruising down the boulevard, you will turn twice the heads that the Z06 turned (I know this from experience).

Goodluck! Try to take one for a test drive if you can. I was also looking at a Corvette GranSport but the GT-R is MUCH more of a car than a Corvette is, IMO.

Edit: oh and the M3 is a nice car. Looks classy but pretty aggressive and is a very usable sporty car. The lack of torque was a joke for me though (this was coming from an M5 which had anemic torque lol)

Thank you very much for your well thought out detailed opinion on the two cars. I am so torn on the two....I do agree, in person, the GT-R has so much more presence than in pictures. I was concerned about the ride quality and you are the third person that has owned both (Z06 and GT-R) and said they are pretty equal in terms of ride quality. Now I just have to get in a GT-R for a test drive.

Agree on the torque of the M cars. I just felt like a tool revving my former M5 up all the time to get it in the power band.