Motor Trend compares 2017 Acura NSX and 2017 Nissan GT-R

[szh]

Enjoy!

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/acura/ns ... ssan-gt-r/

Z

[centralcoaster33]

Cool stuff. I was at Laguna Seca this weekend for the Pirelli Tire challenge. They had an orange (rust maybe?) GTR out there. I picked up a Nismo cap and signed up for a hot lap but didn't win. Those Acuras look pretty nice in person. The GTRs are pretty cool to see also. It's a tech war for sure and I'm not really for tech that replaces driver skill. However, I do find the progression interesting and competition will help speed things up. I like the summary where they say "The real winner? Us!"

[szh]

I like the summary where they say "The real winner? Us!"

Yes, indeed!

Z

[MinisterofDOOM]

They're both impressive examples of engineering and great performers. But I just can't get excited about either of them. I'm excited about what they DO, what they ARE, and what they represent for the industry, but I really can't see forking over cash for either unless I already owned at least one of almost everything else.

[Bubba1]

I have yet to drive a new NSX, but I have a couple of GT-R's. The hybrid technology and/or excessive technological idiot-proofing does not excite me that much. For the same money I'd rather buy an Audi R8 or Porsche 911R, both of which offer more driver involvement and manual transmissions.

[szh]

more driver involvement and manual transmissions.

Point very well-taken.

However, let me offer some other thoughts. We don't always drive at the limit all the time. And for the typical 90% driving experience to be simple, some driving comforts become important.

Also, with age comes a desire for simplicity.

So, for example, I used to always buy and drive drive manuals when I was young... all the way to my 1986 300ZX Turbo.

But then I drove a Q45 in March of 1991 and was hooked on the ease of not having to worry about changing gears, etc., and yet driving a luxury car that made the innards of everything I had owned previously look chintzy.

Since then, I don't even miss manual transmissions anymore ... 98+% of my driving is commuting in traffic and a manual would get painful in a jiffy.

Oh, well ... my old age showing through. The good thing is that I know I will be 6 feet under before fully-autonomous cars become required by law.

Z

EDIT: corrected word from "wrong" to "young".

[Bubba1]

Very reasonable points, and if we're discussing daily drivers, and must contend with traffic jams, I think we're on the same page. In fact, I'd also prefer automatics and creature comforts (like heated seats) for that type of use. But in this case, we are discussing hi performance sports cars designed with track days in mind. And as old as I am (we're probably not far apart), and in the midst of my second or third childhood (though at times my wife accuses me of still being in my first), I still crave that driver involvement. Though I accept I represent a minority view among baby boomers.

[szh]

Yup! Can't argue. My son (only child) is going to go to college next year, medical issues permitting, and I was only slightly seriously thinking getting a Miata then.

To either to add to or replace my aging 2003 M45.

The GT-R and NSX are way too far off the pricing chart to be realistic possibilities, although a 370Z would be a contender ... I also have a deposit on a Tesla 3 for 2019 or 2020 so.

Since it will only be my wife and I next year, a two-seater would be fine - for anything more or when my son is visiting, we would use her Acura TSX.

Z

[Jesda]

We don't always drive at the limit all the time. .

I do. That's what makes Miatas so much fun at safe speeds. The skinny tires squeal and you have to romp on them hard, but it's never ever boring.

[centralcoaster33]

I don't feel sorry for Jesda's tires. You gotta beat them into compliance regularly or they turn on you like a pack of wild dogs!

So, I really like driver involvement, but I also like technological advancement. While the two aren't quite aligned with each other they aren't mutually exclusive either. Tech is only as good as it's application, IMHO. Some if the new ideas are really cool and creative, but their application is far from what I'd want in a production model. But that's from a sporty performance perspective. Some things take time to evolve. Sports cars are (or at least wannabe) high end, as they get beat on more than a commuter. For example, if there was a beefy a** CVT that could hold up to being driven hard and somehow it managed to be manual (yeah, just slide the lever forward or back), then that would be a hell of a ride. You could run uphill at any speed and maintain peak power. I'd put one in my 240sx for a while and relearn my way of driving.

Did you guys notice that Brake-by-Wire technology is being used? This is the first place I've read about that. I'm sure they're DBW throttle. I wonder if they are power assisted or just fully powered steering. At what point could the wheel and pedals be completely replaced with a PS3 controller? Maybe right now with these two cars. Maybe these cars can be completely controlled remotely. A 1:1 scale RC car! I can think of useful applications for that technology, but those ideas wouldn't be putting them into an expensive sports car. I'm thinking more of the handicapped population.