The GT-R and its competition - A look at the market

[RicerX]

The R35 Nissan GT-R has long been considering a "bang-for-the-buck" supercar. However, as the platform has aged, it has gained in both performance and price point. At its debut, the car was priced in the $70k range. Now, the vehicle starts at a price of just under $100k. In addition to gaining performance and price, the GT-R has gained the response of the competition.

The new Corvette C7 Z06 model boasts greater performance figures as well as a starting price at $79k. In addition to this, Dodge has just announced a $15k reduction for its Viper, making for a starting price of $84,995. This figure is astounding when you consider an adjustment for inflation against its very first model year - the 2015 Viper is now the cheapest it has ever been. These two significant competitors to Nissan's halo sports car are now cheaper by several thousand dollars.

In light of this, is it time for Nissan to look into a pricing revision on its car? Is it still competitive?

[Kompresshun]

I still think the GT-R is in a league of it's own in comparison to those two vehicles, but only because it's what I like to call a "user friendly" supercar. Pretty much anyone can hop in it and drive it at least somewhat fast, or can drive it everyday the same way they would their Camry.

For the true enthusiast though, I think they have a whole lot to fear with the Z06 and the Viper at those pricing points. They're not dumbed down and they still give you that feeling that you're in control more than the car actually is. There is something special about a car that still wants to kill you if you don't respect it. It keeps you sharp and hones your skills, unlike the GT-R that is more like playing a video game on beginner. You can hop right in it and while you may not be as fast as everyone else, you can still be competitive with little to no experience at all.

All of them are amazing vehicles, but I would hands down spend my money on the Z06 and spend the $21k I left over on better tires, brakes, and on go fast goodies that'll make a GT-R cry.

[darylzero]

Would the Dodge Challenger Hellcat 707hp (at half the price) beat the GTR in a drag race?

[SX APPEAL]

Not even close. AWD + launch control = 0-60 in something like 2.6 seconds. The Hellcat would be coming back fast by the end of the strip, and in a 1/2 or 1 mile drag race it would probably win. But in a 1/4 mile drag race the GTR's advantage off the line would be too great.

[themadscientist]

The gizmo R is sort of in a league of its own, like curling.

[darylzero]

Not even close. AWD + launch control = 0-60 in something like 2.6 seconds. The Hellcat would be coming back fast by the end of the strip, and in a 1/2 or 1 mile drag race it would probably win. But in a 1/4 mile drag race the GTR's advantage off the line would be too great.

Kinda figured that. I'm not a muscle car guy, but I can't wait to see one of those.

[Bubba1]

The R35 Nissan GT-R has long been considering a "bang-for-the-buck" supercar. However, as the platform has aged, it has gained in both performance and price point. At its debut, the car was priced in the $70k range. Now, the vehicle starts at a price of just under $100k. In addition to gaining performance and price, the GT-R has gained the response of the competition.

The new Corvette C7 Z06 model boasts greater performance figures as well as a starting price at $79k. In addition to this, Dodge has just announced a $15k reduction for its Viper, making for a starting price of $84,995. This figure is astounding when you consider an adjustment for inflation against its very first model year - the 2015 Viper is now the cheapest it has ever been. These two significant competitors to Nissan's halo sports car are now cheaper by several thousand dollars.

In light of this, is it time for Nissan to look into a pricing revision on its car? Is it still competitive?

I think the GT-R WAS a bang-for-the- buck supercar back in 2007 when it came out, but now that 2015 vehicles are coming out...uh no. Nissan hasn't done any significant development on it since then except jack up it's MSRP. The industry just does not stand still that long. you would think Nissan would recognize that having watched Honda make the same mistake with the NSX. And Honda's in the process of reintroducing a new NSX. What's Nissan doing? Oh yeah, stuffing a GT-R motor in a sedan, naming it after a famous Spa turn instead of Q-something-something, and thinking they can instantly defeat BMW, Audi or Mercedes with it. The only way I can see them making a dent in the that luxury/performance market is reducing their prices.

I'm not saying the GT-R is a bad car. I think its great, though I'd be wary of owning such a technological terror after the warranty expires. But if Nissan continues to ignore sports car development, and expect to sell them, I agree they'll need to reduce their prices....a lot. But perhaps the leadership changing at Nissan will result in more attention invested in the area of fun cars. Though until Mr. Ghosn leaves wearing his golden parachute, I suspect it won't be for awhile.

[numbnuts240]

you would think Nissan would recognize that having watched Honda make the same mistake with the NSX.

they could just look at the steady decline in sales they experienced with the z32.

[Looneybomber]

The GTR is porky as are all of Nissan's sports oriented cars. In addition, the GTR's styling has been bland - always had a sort of "cool Maxima" look to me. Fix those, and they'll have a contender. Seriously, the car is a beast, but if they could strip a few hundred lbs by eliminating steel in the body/chassis and using CF for the body panels while not changing the engine and drive train, they'd have a hell of a car.

[SX APPEAL]

Using CF in the chassis as opposed to steel would require a lot of reengineering, and also drive the price sky high. Most reviews of the GT-R agree that it has enough grip, power and brains to deal with its heft. The GT-R is so different to the Viper and Corvette in terms of style and driving experience that I don't think that straight objective performance figures will be the deciding factor in which one an individual decides to buy. I do agree the styling is a bit less than inspiring though. Thats something that could definitely be helped without a jump in cost.

[Desert Rat]

The comparable Lexus costs 2.5 what the GTR costs.

[float_6969]

Yea, I don't really think this is an apples-to-apples comparison. That being said, I think the GTR is down on power by today's standards and needs a body update.

[gearheadms]

A body update to the gt-r is in need. Nissan has to realize thats its a long term investment and shave some weight off by building a different car while keeping the positives. The Vettes have always been a good value if you want to go in a straight line but if you want to do some kind of circuit racing with them they suck. Same with the Viper. The GT-R has a better platform in that regard. Totally agree with the first reply in the argument that driving the domestic supercars is more stressing and gives the cars that mystique.

[OriginalWheelman]

Using CF in the chassis as opposed to steel would require a lot of reengineering, and also drive the price sky high. Most reviews of the GT-R agree that it has enough grip, power and brains to deal with its heft. The GT-R is so different to the Viper and Corvette in terms of style and driving experience that I don't think that straight objective performance figures will be the deciding factor in which one an individual decides to buy. I do agree the styling is a bit less than inspiring though. Thats something that could definitely be helped without a jump in cost.

It's the computers that make that big beast handle it's weight like that. Imagine what the same computers could do to a carbon chassis.

[Bubba1]

The Vettes have always been a good value if you want to go in a straight line but if you want to do some kind of circuit racing with them they suck. Same with the Viper. The GT-R has a better platform in that regard. .

If by "circuit racing" you mean racing that involves turns, I think you're off base. Both the corvette and vipers are among the better handling sports cars out there. The GT-R obviously has an excellent platform too, but it's computers reduce driver involvement to help achieve fast lap times. To an inexperienced driver, that's probably a good thing. But that's not necessarily the case with an experienced driver. I do a lot of track days every year and like Nissans, but if I were given a choice of a Vette, Viper or GT-R to have as a track day car, the GT-R would be a distant third.

[SX APPEAL]

Agreed ^^^

It's the computers that make that big beast handle it's weight like that. Imagine what the same computers could do to a carbon chassis.

That's what I meant by "Grip, power and BRAINS."

And imagine how much a carbon chassis GT-R would cost. Its not even in the same conversation as the Viper and Vette at that point, now you're talking Lexus LF-A, Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc... A CF chassis GT-R would basically be a heavier, way uglier, not-as-fun-to-drive Lamborghini Huracan lol. I don't think that's the concept nor the market that Nissan is aiming for with the GT-R.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I'd like a Viper AND a Corvette. I wouldn't mind a GT-R, but it does absolutely nothing to make me feel tingly like the other two do. It just doesn't. It's too damn clinical. I feel the same way about most modern Porsches, too. I don't want a mobile device, I want a car. I want it to rumble and growl and make me a little nervous while still doing everything I ask it to. And the Corvette and Viper both check all of those boxes and more.

If i could afford it, I would daily drive a brand new Viper and I would enjoy every damn minute of it.

If by "circuit racing" you mean racing that involves turns, I think you're off base. Both the corvette and vipers are among the better handling sports cars out there.

Absolutely. Both are HUGELY successful in IMSA/USCC and in ALMS/Rolex before that. Corvettes take home win after win after win, class and overall. They're out there beside 911s, 458s, prototypes, Z4s, and they are incredibly competitive and they win. Top Gear might enjoy the humor behind perpetuating the myth that American cars still can't make turns, but it hasn't been accurate in a long time--longer still for sports cars in particular.

[gearheadms]

The Vettes have always been a good value if you want to go in a straight line but if you want to do some kind of circuit racing with them they suck. Same with the Viper. The GT-R has a better platform in that regard. .

If by "circuit racing" you mean racing that involves turns, I think you're off base. Both the corvette and vipers are among the better handling sports cars out there. The GT-R obviously has an excellent platform too, but it's computers reduce driver involvement to help achieve fast lap times. To an inexperienced driver, that's probably a good thing. But that's not necessarily the case with an experienced driver. I do a lot of track days every year and like Nissans, but if I were given a choice of a Vette, Viper or GT-R to have as a track day car, the GT-R would be a distant third.

I meant to say, to amateur drivers without a lot of experience RWD cars that powerful are hard to drive because they are not forgiving. You make a mistake on a GT-R and you can recover, yes the computers take away from the whole experience and a car with computers controlling everything may feel dumbed down to the experienced driver.

[darylzero]

I meant to say, to amateur drivers without a lot of experience RWD cars that powerful are hard to drive because they are not forgiving. You make a mistake on a GT-R and you can recover, yes the computers take away from the whole experience and a car with computers controlling everything may feel dumbed down to the experienced driver.

This guy couldn't recover

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxgmQZX0V0s[/youtube]

[Bubba1]

I meant to say, to amateur drivers without a lot of experience RWD cars that powerful are hard to drive because they are not forgiving. You make a mistake on a GT-R and you can recover, yes the computers take away from the whole experience and a car with computers controlling everything may feel dumbed down to the experienced driver.

This guy couldn't recover

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxgmQZX0V0s[/youtube]

Yep, GT-R's are more forgiving than the other two, but they can't defy the laws of physics. I think main problem with all 3 is that so many folks that buy these kind of cars are seduced by what they can do, but are not trained to correct when things go awry.