A journalists not-so-kind words for the Nissan GT-R.

[Gold Digger]

I was sitting at my computer today, trying to come up with something to post that was worthy of a disscussion; something other than the usual, "Can I import a Skyline if I do this?" type thread.

So, I fly over to google, type in "Nissan GT-R news", and this is what I get.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs...mentsPosted August 5th, 2009

Now, while I do appreciate and respect the new GT-R, it's not my favorite car, nor do I dis-like it. I actually enjoy seeing them on the roads, myself. I was passed by one on the highway last week, me doing about 115KMH, him doing considerably much more.

But, the article brings to a point.

Did the journalist miss the whole idea of the GT-R?To make and sell a car that has the performance and capabilities of a Porche 911 turbo for the price of a Z06.

He compares some decent cars to the GT-R, but comparisons that are outside the GT-R's demographic, which is to buy a sports car that can do everything it's advertised as doing.

Comparing a GT car like the 650i or a 911 Carera 4 S?The Z06 is about the closest to the new GT-R.

So, have a read through the article, and let's see what we can come up with.

[ravera]

I don't think this is a negative article at all. It's one of the few articles I've seen that actually depicts the car as it is: A car. And as a car designed just like any other car these days: By a crack team of accountants and salesmen. As such I'm going to shed some light on something that many people might find as a shock:

Wait for it....

It's not perfect! There I said it. Flame away but let's look at what just transpired here...

When the R32 GTR came out and even way back with the GTR's of 40 years ago it was designed as, more or less, a homologated race car that Nissan put on the street so they had more room to play at the track. Fast forward to now, and really the only resembling the race GTR in Japanese Touring Car and GT500 is it looks similar... Kinda. With the new GTR, it's become less of a race car, sure it laps the ring with the best of them and since the new V6 is built in a clean room it's obviously the greatest motor ever built (sarcasm implied), and more of a high end lux performer. When you view the car like this, Nissan, which has traditionally provided a car that the masses can afford, has produced a vehicle that takes aim at a market dominated by high end German Tourers and a select few British and American Cars. Now if you expect a car company to come into a market fresh with a bunch of veteran mfg's who have been in the business for decades and expect it to blow the doors off all of them, you're crazy.... or just ignorant. Sure, for a forte into this market, especially the US market, it's a damn good car and I'm sure after Nissan has been at it for a few years they'll have a car that can compete, and win, with the old standby's, but for now they're playing a big game of catchup. But as it stands now, it appears that Nissan is catering to the current audience that can actually put up the dime for this type of vehicle (no that's not you fine people that have set lap records on every track in GT4, use vernacular that includes tyte, mad, and the ever popular yo, or believe that something is better just because Japan kept it from the states) and they're moving from the all out performance TC that we're so fond of, and trading in some of that hard edged performance for some luxury, creature comforts, and computer controls. Had this not been the case, I feel that the R35 would not have been the size it is, in my opinion about twice as big as it needs to be, and not weigh 3800lbs.

[themadscientist]

A year late.

zerothread?id=359680

As much as you GT-R fanbois would like to beleive otherwise the new R will NEVER, NEVER, command the respect and admiration of a true exotic. It isn't about masturbating on the ring, It's not about stoplight races and it most definately is not about gizmos and tire pressure monitors. This is an exotic.

http://videos.streetfire.net/v...9.htm

The R is, I guess the word would be "notable". I detest it not because of what it is but rather what it used to be but there is no doubt it has a place somewhere in the automotive pantheon. Then again so does the Yugo, you decide where you think it fits. The GT-R used to be a car than demanded a symbiotic relationship from the driver, it isn't anymore.

It is definately not though, nor will it ever be unless Nissan takes a completely different tack for the R36, an exotic. It may go around a track faster than some exotics, it may beat them down the quarter mile, it may deliver comparable stats at a lower cost but that is not an exotic's reason for being. The point of an exotic is exclusivity, tradition and the love poured into it by the craftsmen that build them.

The GT-R is a car built to satisfy geeks, most who would be incapable of driving it were the various assist features were switched off. There are of course people who will buy it who could but the car was not really built for them. Satisfy the geeks it does as well as a handful of driving enthusiasts.

I see a lot of videos of the new gizmo R trying to wrest respect from the likes of Lamborghinis, Ferarris, Bugattis etc. This is a glaring example of how most R fanbois don't truly get it. The R is not in the same cultural class as those cars and never will be. That in and of itself is not bad, the R is a capable vehicle. When it tries to jump the fence into the country club based solely on the fact that it can drive a golfball farther than some and putt better than others it looks foolish.

I like a quote from the designer of the Murcialago, I paraphase "when you are driving this car you are keely aware that the weak link is not the car, it is you". You will never feel that way behind the wheel of a nanny R. It won't let you and that is why it is not a pure driving machine that a true exotic is. Could you put it through a guardrail if you act the fool, sure; somebody crashed one almost immediately. You won't feel the adrenaline rush though that a car barely contained and demanding maximum precision from you would deliver.

I think it behooves Nissan not to try to campare itself to exotics at all but rather seek a market position unqique to this vehicle. I see a batch of similar "on the cusp" vehicles coming soon from their fellow Japanese manufacturers and Nissan should define a new segment of the market rather than try to crash a party they are not invited to and would never be accepted at.

end sermon, don fireproof suit

[PantherRacer]

They should've just slapped a turbo or two (+AWD) on the Skyline 350GT and thrown an R behind it. Now THAT is the "Nissan Skyline GT-R", it would be the first tier on the ladder. Then they could have the GT-R as the "Nissan GT-R" The flagship sports car for the hardcore, rich, and those who want to be exclusive. Screw those who get confused, they'll figure it out.

Hell, Slap a turbo on the Skyline/G35 and call it the 350GT-T/350GTS-T and have the GT-R as the be-all end-all. Stick to the old formula! lol

[Y34GLORIA]

They should've just slapped a turbo or two (+AWD) on the Skyline 350GT and thrown an R behind it. Now THAT is the "Nissan Skyline GT-R", it would be the first tier on the ladder. Then they could have the GT-R as the "Nissan GT-R" The flagship sports car for the hardcore, rich, and those who want to be exclusive. Screw those who get confused, they'll figure it out.

Hell, Slap a turbo on the Skyline/G35 and call it the 350GT-T/350GTS-T and have the GT-R as the be-all end-all. Stick to the old formula! lol

Amen to that Brother. I hate the whole idea of GT-R separated from SKYLINE line. its like when they cease production line of CEDRIC/GLORIA to produce a line called FUGA. Why close a long run line for over 47 years. I hate renault FRENCH for that but never the less they did save the NISSAN from bankrupts. Do u know originally GT-R was gonna badge as INFINITI instead of NISSAN. INFINITI prob will get their own GT-R version soon in the ESSENCE concept car.