CTC Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R

[tpl]

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.

7. People who might be able to afford it, do understand it but just don't  want it.   (me)

As I have zero interest in driving on a track,  Large number negative interest on being Fantino'd  but do have considerable positive  interest in super technology.     I still come out at -1 interest.  Must be getting old I guess.

Now if all that fancy electronics was applied to a normal civilized  car...like an A6  or a 535xi  both of which can be in a similar price range.  I would love to have that information display.

[Ken Chambers]

There are not many cars that excite me anymore. However I have always been a Nissan ( Datsun) fan.  I loved my old 510, 240Z, Maxima 6 speed,  But this one I drool over.  Kind of like bringing a bazooka to a knife fight...I am currently thinking of ways to liberate the money to buy one of these, that is if I can even get one.   I am not hung up on the moniker of this being a "Nissan".  I have had BMWs', and while nice machines the maintenance bills were ridiculous.   So, I will take one in that nice titanium color if you please. 

[Turbo Bob]

7. People who might be able to afford it, do understand it but just don't  want it.   (me)

Good point, forgot about that demographic.  I didn't think it really existed... 

[ovr50]

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.

7. People who might be able to afford it, do understand it but just don't  want it.   (me)

As I have zero interest in driving on a track,  Large number negative interest on being Fantino'd  but do have considerable positive  interest in super technology.     I still come out at -1 interest.  Must be getting old I guess.

Now if all that fancy electronics was applied to a normal civilized  car...like an A6  or a 535xi  both of which can be in a similar price range.  I would love to have that information display.

Mark me in #7 with you, tpl. 

[Jispi K]

Was having coffee at the Starbuck's on King West @ Spadina not two hours ago when a sweet white GT-R pulled up beside me...I talked to the guy for a brief moment, not surprising, he LOVES his car. I asked him if he was going to use it all year round...nada, he said...it's a summer car... I have no idea how anybody could mistake the GT-R with a 350Z, in person they don't look anything alike... The Lambo dealership is down the street from where I live, see at least 5 a day on the road plus other exotics when I go up to visit family in Forest Hill... the GT-R is THE car that everybody notices...not the exotics... just my 2 cents... from an arm chair critic who has owned a few nice cars in his day...

Peace and be well...

[Jipsi K]

Was having coffee at the Starbuck's on King West @ Spadina not two hours ago when a sweet white GT-R pulled up beside me...I talked to the guy for a brief moment, not surprising, he LOVES his car. I asked him if he was going to use it all year round...nada, he said...it's a summer car... I have no idea how anybody could mistake the GT-R with a 350Z, in person they don't look anything alike... The Lambo dealership is down the street from where I live, see at least 5 a day on the road plus other exotics when I go up to visit family in Forest Hill... the GT-R is THE car that everybody notices...not the exotics... just my 2 cents... from an arm chair critic who has owned a few nice cars in his day...

Peace and be well...

Haha...I'm an idiot...I mis-spelled my own name... it's Jipsi K... not Jispi...

[Zombie]

Was having coffee at the Starbuck's on King West @ Spadina not two hours ago when a sweet white GT-R pulled up beside me...I talked to the guy for a brief moment, not surprising, he LOVES his car. I asked him if he was going to use it all year round...nada, he said...it's a summer car... I have no idea how anybody could mistake the GT-R with a 350Z, in person they don't look anything alike... The Lambo dealership is down the street from where I live, see at least 5 a day on the road plus other exotics when I go up to visit family in Forest Hill... the GT-R is THE car that everybody notices...not the exotics... just my 2 cents... from an arm chair critic who has owned a few nice cars in his day...

Peace and be well...

Haha...I'm an idiot...I mis-spelled my own name... it's Jipsi K... not Jispi...

It's ok, it is expected... You live in Toronto.   

[auto_enthusiast]

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...

Agreed. 

And there are rumours that Infiniti might come out with their own version of the GTR, either with more luxury features, or in sedan form.  It would make good financial sense to spread the engine, chassis, and driveline to other Nissan/Infiniti vehicles.

[Mitlov]

I think that Nissan should sell the GT-R as it is, and Infiniti should sell a sedan with a GT-R-based chassis, GT-R engine, four doors, rear-wheel drive, a choice between a six-speed manual and a dual-clutch, Infiniti ride quality and sound deadening, and a more traditional (and more luxurious) Infiniti interior and exterior.

The GT-R would be the fast car for 30-something computer programmers who grew up playing Gran Turismo.  The Infiniti wouldn't be capable of the blazing-fast Nurburgring times, but would steal customers away from the M3, RS4, and C63 AMG.

And like you said, that would spread the cost around and make both models more profitable.

[initial_D]

... and call it the Infiniti GT-Cute or GT-S? 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Put me down as:
8. People who can't afford it and understand what it's about, but don't want one.

I'm very impressed with the speed and performance but it's just too heavy, too much technology, too ugly. For performance driving, I'd want something small light and raw, a four wheel motorcycle.

[huota]

Put me down as:
8. People who can't afford it and understand what it's about, but don't want one.

I'm very impressed with the speed and performance but it's just too heavy, too much technology, too ugly. For performance driving, I'd want something small light and raw, a four wheel motorcycle.

Ditto. Give me a motorcycle or a Lotus/Caterham Seven and I'll be a happy man.

[Jaeger]

I think that Nissan should sell the GT-R as it is, and Infiniti should sell a sedan with a GT-R-based chassis, GT-R engine, four doors, rear-wheel drive, a choice between a six-speed manual and a dual-clutch, Infiniti ride quality and sound deadening, and a more traditional (and more luxurious) Infiniti interior and exterior.

The GT-R would be the fast car for 30-something computer programmers who grew up playing Gran Turismo.  The Infiniti wouldn't be capable of the blazing-fast Nurburgring times, but would steal customers away from the M3, RS4, and C63 AMG.

And like you said, that would spread the cost around and make both models more profitable.

You have my vote.

Jaeger

[tpl]

Put me down as:
8. People who can't afford it and understand what it's about, but don't want one.

I'm very impressed with the speed and performance but it's just too heavy, too much technology, too ugly. For performance driving, I'd want something small light and raw, a four wheel motorcycle.

Ditto. Give me a motorcycle or a Lotus/Caterham Seven and I'll be a happy man.

I'd rather have a Caterham for a summer fun car as well.     Add lightness.

[johngenx]

Saw one in traffic today.  Veddy sexy, but the lines are not nearly as attractive as the Corvette. 

[Snowman]

Awesome car based on the reviews I have read to date and being a Subaru owner will quickly forgive styling for the tape measure. I struggle with it being categorized as affordable and even I would struggle to justify this car considering my household disposable income. I’m a 7.

I will wait for the Vetted Pontiac G8 GXP for $45k for the affordable poor man’s performance MT sedan.

[Turbo Bob]

will quickly forgive styling for the tape measure

My wife did...

[wing]

[Mitlov]

will quickly forgive styling for the tape measure

My wife did...

Why are women so bad at math?

Because they keep on being told that this:

|--------------------------------------|   

is twelve inches.

[The Mighty Duck]

I think that Nissan should sell the GT-R as it is, and Infiniti should sell a sedan with a GT-R-based chassis, GT-R engine, four doors, rear-wheel drive, a choice between a six-speed manual and a dual-clutch, Infiniti ride quality and sound deadening, and a more traditional (and more luxurious) Infiniti interior and exterior.

I agree...  an AMG M45 kind of thing.  Now Infiniti just needs a funky moniker for a performance division.  GT-M?