CTC Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R

[Kai]

Not all Nissan dealers can sell these and I can understand that.  I think from a servicing aspect Infinity dealers would be better suited.

Not if you're talking about Calgary's Hyatt Infiniti!  They have the worst attitude towards their customers.  If you're a buyer who pays them whatever they ask for, you'll be ok.... not even good at best.

Back to GT-R - this car is the affordable supercar and I think Nissan has done it... they just need to increase supply so that more people can own one.  12,000 units for the world with 6,000 for Japan!!  Wonder if the aftermarket is having trouble tuning this car with it sensing it's own wheels and having speed restrictions via the navi system.

[vdk]

nismo already has upgrades for it in jdm... ecu, suspension, wheel, aerodynamic upgrades...

[loser40]

Its a £70,000,000 ($140 million CAN) jackpot in this weeks Euro lottery.

BTW, some of the UK motoring press refer to the GT-R as a baby Veyron...

My finger are crossed.

M

[Turbo Bob]

There are many late 30's and 40's guys that can afford these cars in this country.  However, IMO many would be image concerned enough to want to tell their social crowd, who don't have a clue what a GT-R is, that they drive an Infinity over a Nissan.  

That's the biggest load of crap I've ever heard... 

[ghost]

whoa! nice. saw one on the road last week. I had to give it a double take to recognise the gtr over Z/G. Of course it was raining too.

[Juke1]

There are many late 30's and 40's guys that can afford these cars in this country.  However, IMO many would be image concerned enough to want to tell their social crowd, who don't have a clue what a GT-R is, that they drive an Infinity over a Nissan.  

That's the biggest load of crap I've ever heard... 

  You said it, crap crap crap, always crap.  Talking through the .....hole as usual, being this obsessed is sick IMO.

[Jason1]

By far for the price and the performance you get out of this car , IT IS A SUPER CAR.

Not sure how you managed to say that the car is noisy on the inside in such as to the tranny, but if you have a dual cluch tranny you will hear them shefling the gears, regardless of the car.

On the other hand, how could some one mistaken the GT-R with a 350Z, are you kidding me, it seems that these days any one can be a car critic just by creating their website, and get few hits on it.

This car has looks, power, perfromance, for a price that no other manufacturer has yet been able to dish out..

By the way the R8 that you talked about, fell way way behind the GT-R in performance, 1/4 mile, 0-60, braking and it cost twice as much.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The exterior door handles look awkward in their operation... how are they to use?

[wing]

SAM, best door handles EVAR!

They are cool actually.  You push them in and then grab and pull.  They work just great.

[Zombie]

SAM, best door handles EVAR!

They are cool actually.  You push them in and then grab and pull.  They work just great.

I noticed that when I walked by it. Very cool but don't most super cars have cool door and/or handles?

[Jaeger]

Well the trouble is with these cars. Is that most people who buy them are in the 60's. you have to be retired to even afford cars like these. Sports cars are wasted on the old. 

No doubt spoken with the ignorance - and arrogance - of youth. 

Given the massive amount of pre-launch hype and wildly soaring expectations that surrounded this car, I figured it was a set-up for a massive let-down.  Even as a fan of the brand, when I heard that Nissan was setting the 911 Turbo as the performance bogey for their new car, my response was yeah, suuuuure.  That it pretty much destroys a 911 Turbo is something I can still scarcely comprehend.

To me, the most remarkable thing about the GTR is that it has not only met- but exceeded expectations.  The vibe from fairly jaded automotive press tends to range from stunned disbelief to unrestrained euphoria. 

I'll leave the luxury / grand tourer / sports car / whatever debate to those who enjoy semantics.  Hang whatever label on it that seems right to you.  It is insanely fast.  And it is insanely capable of carrying speed through a turn.  It is an instant automotive icon.

Hats off to Nissan.

[carcrazed]

I agree. Who cares what the brand is and which category it's in?
It's a bloody fast car with a pretty reasonable price tag!

About the exhaust note, although the closest thing I've heard is from the Top Gear's episode, it did sound pretty quiet until it was pushed.  More like a G35 Sedan than a Z350 or G37/G35 coupe.

[Juke1]

From 5th grar,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-Fo4ZpdZ94&feature=related

For those who may not have seen this, sorry if it's a repost.  Funny at times.

[Mitlov]

Given the massive amount of pre-launch hype and wildly soaring expectations that surrounded this car, I figured it was a set-up for a massive let-down.  Even as a fan of the brand, when I heard that Nissan was setting the 911 Turbo as the performance bogey for their new car, my response was yeah, suuuuure.  That it pretty much destroys a 911 Turbo is something I can still scarcely comprehend.

To me, the most remarkable thing about the GTR is that it has not only met- but exceeded expectations.  The vibe from fairly jaded automotive press tends to range from stunned disbelief to unrestrained euphoria. 

I'll leave the luxury / grand tourer / sports car / whatever debate to those who enjoy semantics.  Hang whatever label on it that seems right to you.  It is insanely fast.  And it is insanely capable of carrying speed through a turn.  It is an instant automotive icon.

Hats off to Nissan.

Great post, but I have to disagree with the "instant automotive icon."  The Skyline's reputation as a rolling Playstation, a cheat code on wheels, that is unbelievably, mind-blowingly fast has been several generations in the making.  Here, for example, is Jeremy Clarkson talking about the R34-generation Skyline GTR...a review that could be that of the current R35 if you closed your eyes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKdKV1AsQXM

Here's Tiff Needell, comparing a previous-generation Skyline GTR (not sure precisely what generation) to a Porsche 911 Turbo, and noting that Nissan has dramatically understated the Skyline's horsepower (deja vu anyone?).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh586XwvTxY&feature=related

[Turbo Bob]

I think people can be split into 5 categories when it comes to the GTR:

1. People who can afford it and understand what it's about.
2. People who can't afford it and understand what it's about. (me)
3. People who are badge snobby and don't like it because it's a Nissan.
4. People who don't know what it is and could care less.
5. And people who don't like it because it thrashes everything else they like. (mainly 911 and corvette owners judging from comments on Pistonheads, ha ha)

 

Feel free to add more...

P.S. Have to agree with Mitlov, this car has real motoring heritage.

[safristi]

   6. New GTR = Chinese Olympic atheletes...sassy brassy and BALL KICKIN' GOLD MEDAL WINNERS.

[Jameel]

SAM, best door handles EVAR!

They are cool actually.  You push them in and then grab and pull.  They work just great.

I can attest to that. Although I had to ask James how they open, but very well crafted car.

After getting close to this car in person it does look a lot better in real life compared to pictures.

The performance is amazing, for a 3,800 lb car it handled a slalom with little body roll.


Actually a tunning shop in Japan (forgot the name) has cracked the computer on the GT-R and it's making 620HP with just intake/tune/exhaust.

[rrocket]

It's funny....how some people say the car is just an electronic tour de force with little personality.  Then James talks about all of the whirs, sounds, the way you have to "drive" the car.  Isn't THAT personality??

Oh and James...I can relate to the tramlining feeling...I have 255 in front and 315 in the back of the Supra with the suspension/steering setting set up "lively"......But that's part of "driving" the car, eh??

I do wish I could meet up with the Supra so you could try them side by side.  I'm certain the Supra would run away and hide in the power department, but the GT-R would most certainly trounce it in the handling department....

[The Mighty Duck]

Nope, Nissan has the Z car already.  IMO, Nissan would sell more of these units thru Infinity and help boost that brand's image significantly.  Poor business decision.  

  Nissan doesn't need to sell any more GT-Rs than they have.  It's a limited-production vehicle, and in many cases they were sold out well before they launched.  Back in May the European press described 1000 pre-orders for a total order bloc of 1400 cars...  Nissan doesn't need to slap an Infiniti badge on the car to sell more of them; they've already sold every one they've made.

Well before the car launched there was discussion about whether it would be a Nissan or an Infiniti.  I put more faith in Nissan's market research and focus groups than I do someone on the internet...

[Juke1]

more like...

I put more faith in Nissan's market research and focus groups than I do someone on the internet... on this or any forum...