Why I Hate The Nissan GTR

"Road Magazine" (roadmag) 12/21/2013 at 13:43 • Filed to: Rant, Nissan GTR

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The Nissan GTR, a technological step in the automotive world which has created a benchmark upon rivals from other manufacturers.

This article isn't about why it's such a technological, amazing, blah, achievement, it's my account on why I despise its existence.

Anyway, let's cut to the chase:

A couple of months ago, a friend who was going on holiday wanted to leave his car with me which incidentally was a 2013 Nissan GT-R. It was quite exciting in a way having a GT-R parked in the drive but the excitement was short lived.

Most of us don't live near a race track, nor do we try to turn the streets into one, but I know a fun car when I drive one and the GTR was the opposite of that. Absolutely no feedback to me as the driver, bone-shatteringly harsh ride, weird clunks in the gearbox and zero refinement.

Okay, now I know what you're thinking, "But around the corners it's the best car in the wuuurld", no it really isn't. Around a track yes, but on the road, not at all.

Here in England, where the surfaces are perilously slippery 80% of the year, the GTR's AWD system should work a treat, but I felt more secure in Audi RS Quattro models. The GTR slips about in your hands when you hit a pot-hole in the wet and is incredibly disconcerting.

The GTR's fan-base is also just a bunch of whiners banging on about how cheap it is and what you get for your money if you mention something like a McLaren 12C. Yes yes it's amazingly quick around a track, and can out-do the 458 Italia on the Nurburgring by 0.000000000000001, but that's not the point is it.

The GTR does not feel safe or in its comfort zone on the road, it does want to go faster yes but it asks you to go too fast, and that's not the bloody point.

On the motorway/highway, the GTR has immense wind noise, and way too much engine/transmission noise coming through to the cabin. This obviously is refinement issues.

Now Nissan are a great company, they create good and reliable cars but the GTR, although a technological success, it's just incredibly overrated for what it is.

Okay maybe a good point for some balance, it's great off the line, it is fairly fast once you accelerate from about 50mph but doesn't give me the fizz or giggles.

It's easy to drive, but boring at low speeds.

Here's a good comparison. Something like the SL63 AMG, a cruiser yet just as fast (probably not to 60 but you know what I mean). The SL63 gives you the burbles you need when cruising along, it is instantaneous in its response and you feel connected to it.

Most cars these days have that electronic steering malarkey yet they still give you some sense of feedback, the GTR, just doesn't.

Maybe there was something wrong with my friend's GTR, I don't know, but from my experience, I hated it, and I couldn't park it, due to poor visibility.

You can blame it on my driving, but performance cars should NEVER feel this vague in everything they do. It's a curse.

I'm just giving my account of the GTR, it was a bad experience for me, and I just don't understand why people praise it so much. Fast in a straight line, fast round a track, but to buy with money and to live with, it's utter bollocks.

GTR fanboys, do your best.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 13:48

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You backed up your argument

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 13:48

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I quite liked the few GT-R's I've driven. Plenty fast, handled very impressively, and turned heads.

No car is going to be fun to drive unless you push it, it's like driving a Lamborghini without ever breaking 2500 rpm and going the speed limit everywhere.

Road Magazine > E30Joe drives a Subaru 12/21/2013 at 13:51

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I agree, but a Lamborghini tells you what you as a driver needs to know. A Lamborghini talks to you, a GTR doesn't. It just does it. Yeah that's great but are we getting to a point where cars that "just do things" are great? What happened to working for it.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 13:54

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The GT-R is idiot proof, may not be as fun to drive as a Gallardo or something like that, but it will go fast with very little work, and it will go REALLY fast if you're a good driver.

lucky's pepper > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 14:10

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Next time your buddy goes on holiday tell him to ship his GT-R to Ohio. I'll be glad to watch it for him since you seem to dislike it so much.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 14:10

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I'd definitely take an SL63 over a GTR, and I would love one. In addition, I've also always been somebody that never quite felt drawn to the GTR. But I have to say, your review seems to contradict everything I've ever read about it. I have never driven one, but I have probably read an entire book's worth of reviews on it.

AM3R > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 14:11

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This might help solve the problem, what car do you drive daily?

I have a friend who drives a Suburban and whenever he drives my E90 he says it murders his back... And it's on stock suspension at the moment. On the other end of the spectrum my other friend drives a Lifted jeep, and says my car feels like a go kart and much more stable than his jeep. Whatever car you drive daily can dilute how you feel towards other cars. I'd love to drive a GTR and see how I feel about it

Road Magazine > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 12/21/2013 at 14:16

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So have I, and they repeat the same old bells over and over again.

fdomestic > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 14:21

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While I've never driven a GTR, it seems like you're more familiar with Mercedes, Audi, etc and subconsciously went in expecting the GTR to be as high end. I'd just be elated to have driven a GTR...

Road Magazine > AM3R 12/21/2013 at 14:21

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Don't get me wrong, I'm not your average guy who has never been in a fast car before, I have driven tons of performance cars ranging from McLaren's 12C, AMG's to Jaguar R Models. I drive fast cars for a living; I review cars, that's what I do. So out of experience, I know when I don't like a car.

Road Magazine > fdomestic 12/21/2013 at 14:22

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From what I've read about it, I'm sure I expected more from it than a sporting saloon!

Road Magazine > lucky's pepper 12/21/2013 at 14:26

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This was a review, not if I appreciate a friend handing over his keys.

MoparKetchup > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 14:28

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MoparKetchup > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 14:29

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Desu-San-Desu > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 14:44

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Ironically enough, I'm respectful-yet-ambivalent towards the GT-R, but I just cannot bring myself to even look twice at any new Mercedes.

GTS > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 15:02

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Maybe next time try driving it faster. Judging by your diction, I assume you live in Britain; go out on some B-roads and really flog the thing. I've driven a number of high-performance cars, including Aston Vantage and DBSs and Ferrari 550Ms and Daytonas, on track and on road. I found the GTR is as capable and enjoyable as all save the Daytona, and that's really a statement.

So in conclusion, try actually driving next time.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 15:02

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I dunno, I've driven some European sports cars and none of them had the feedback, at all. Some are simply too irritating (Lamborghini) while some are made just for prestige (Ferrari), so fuck that.

shpuker > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 15:05

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The closest I've come to a GT-R was a moment of seat time (non-moving seat time) in the showroom of a dealer. I immediately felt uncomfortable in a way I never have in any other car. I can't exactly place my finger on what it even is about the thing, but it just feels cramped in every way (Compared to WRX's, Z3's, 350Z's, etc. Much smaller cars). It's like the entire thing is designed around a 5' 7" 150lb frame, and even at 5' 11" it feels TINY.

That said I do respect the hell out of what they are capable of. It's like taking what you're capable of in a damn video game and throwing it on the road, impressive, but not exactly fun.

carwitter > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 15:06

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Typical Merc fanboy.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Birddog > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 15:35

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You may be my new Superhero!
Most of what you said is why I could give a dog turd about lap times and cornering forces.
I don't live on a race track and the closest road course is 3 hours away. The odds of me using a car like the GTR within 11% of it's capability are virtually nil. As are the odds of me enjoying the car itself.

AM3R > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 17:55

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You sir have my dream job haha. I guess it's disappointing to hear that the GTR isn't satisfying to drive, but it's not like I'm going to be buying one anytime soon haha

Rock Bottom > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 18:19

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Plus, it's kinda ugly...

King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 18:22

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You took it for a ride and you despise its existence?

It is a good thing this is a consumer product you don't have to purchase if you do not feel inclined ;-)

FireSpittingV12 > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 21:04

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I had the opportunity to do launch control on a 2014 GT-R in soaking wet conditions. That son of a bitch WENT. Almost no wheel spin for the conditions. Takes one hell of a four wheel drive system to do that.

I tried that in my GTI and I literally STOOD STILL. LOL

Road Magazine > FireSpittingV12 12/21/2013 at 21:22

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Launch Control in the GTR is awesome I have to say, absolutely brutal.

Krieger (@FSKrieger22) > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 22:15

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In my opinion, yes it's a fine piece of automotive engineering, but it's possesion of a soul is debatable. And it is rather overrated as you say...

ZiptieMcBumper > Road Magazine 12/21/2013 at 23:43

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OK, I'm not a GT-R apologist (do those need to exist), and I do realize this is one person's opinion, BUT...

From some, we get:

"Too clinical; like a video game; not like driving a real car; no driver skill required"

While from others, we get:

"Too harsh; no refinement; too much wind/drivetrain noise."

As I said, I'm not a GT-R apologist (I've driven exactly one 2009 GT-R for exactly 10 minutes), but does it occur to anyone else that if these faults were said about another manufacturer with a more "bespoke" pedigree or history, these would be positives?

Those are the exact gripes I hear about the Ferrari F40. Nobody's saying that is a crappy car.

Any performance car is going to be boring at slow speeds (unless it's pure exhaust noise that's giving you "the fizz", in which case... all you really need is a Mustang).

mandy's mimosaaaaaa > Road Magazine 12/22/2013 at 10:45

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I think the GT-R is what happens when a car focuses too much of its resources on outright lap times while pursuing a considerable price differential to its competitors.

I have nothing against the car and would wet myself if I got to spend any time on a track with it, but for something to live with daily, its personality appears to be less than appealing.

Casper > Road Magazine 12/22/2013 at 11:07

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I understand these complaints, but it's really kind of stupid. You are essentially saying "I drove a car in a way that wasn't the primary focus of the car and it did it really well, but not the way I liked". It would be as if I took an LMP car to the market and complained the gearing was too high for toddling around town and the gear box made it hard to get going at a light. What the car was made for and what it's being used for are two different things.

The GTR is a super car you can daily drive. It does that. In order to do that well, it sacrificed a lot of driver feel, whether that is good or bad depends on each individual. In my case, I would much rather than a slower lapping car that is more communicative and fun... but then again that's why I think the FR-S/BRZ aren't that bad and why I think the S2000 was a nearly perfect drivers car even with less than 300 HP. That doesn't mean the GTR is bad, it means what I want from my car for most of my driving isn't what the GTR offers.

Drew > Road Magazine 12/22/2013 at 11:16

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you just described every Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Corvette I have ever driven.

Around town these things are like riding in OX Carts, but that's the tradeoff for flat corning and plastic acceleration.

Would love to get my hands on a McLaren. I hear they are wonderful for daily drive

Road Magazine > Drew 12/22/2013 at 11:23

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I drove the 12C around Milbrook Proving Grounds and the roads surrounding it. It was unbelievable, the ride was so subtle.

somebrit > E30Joe drives a Subaru 12/22/2013 at 11:49

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From my experience, it's really not idiot proof on a badly surfaced , off-camber, corner.

England's rural lanes have a lot of badly surfaced, 0ff-camber corners and having the car abruptly pitch off line in response to a lumpy road surface is deeply disconcerting in a car of the GT-R's size and weight.

The problem is that the standard runflats and rock-hard damping are fantastic on perfect tarmac, but tarmac in the real world is very rarely perfect.

It is my understanding that US market cars are softer, but, based on the UK market vehicles, I agree wholeheartedly with the author.

Drew > Road Magazine 12/22/2013 at 12:00

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The 12C is definitely a car I would like to have. I pucrchased a Lotus Evora a couple years back due to the fact that it is reasonably comfortable on long drive and is loads of fun at legal road speeds. It is not my daily driver but could be in a pinch.

The dealer had a 12c last time I was in for service and was temped to take it for a test drive but decided that would be far to dangerous for my bank account.

Have tried to talk my wife into a Vantage V8 for years and just about ready to convince her it would be a great GT car while still having the Lotus for track days. maybe for the price of the Lotus and the Aston I could get the 12c and combine both into one car and I would not need to buy a lift for my garage to store the extra car. might have to wait till kids are done with college.

Dennis loves you too > Road Magazine 12/22/2013 at 12:02

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Typical German sports car fanboy

dariof01 > Road Magazine 12/22/2013 at 12:13

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Alot of the "issues" mentioned are common with alot of cars, yet with the GTR it incites "hate" whereas with other cars with similar problems, i'm guessing, its just a minor bother. this sounds like a classic case of someone hearing about the GTR reputation, having high expectations and expecting it to be nothing but perfection, and then driving it and realising it has a few rough edges. but really though, "hate"? because it didn't live up to your high european levels of expections?

Destructive Tester > Road Magazine 12/26/2013 at 01:14

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Hmmm... Lives in England, tests performance cars and reviews them for a living, and hates the fact that cars are designed for the Nurburgring...
All is well Capt. Slow, your secret identity is safe with us!
/sic

Road Magazine > Destructive Tester 12/26/2013 at 05:56

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I don't hate the fact that cars are tested on the Nurburgring as a matter of fact.

Money Hustard > Road Magazine 12/29/2013 at 16:16

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This story has been written at least 543098502457234895798234598 times in the past 5 years, you just churned out one that is poorly-composed and shorter than most, backed up with extremely little evidence or time with the car.

A lot of what you are saying is the consensus about this car, even among the fanboys.

CanyonDriver73 > carwitter 12/30/2013 at 00:31

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I'm no Merc fanboy... but I'm not the biggest R35 fan either...

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > Drew 12/30/2013 at 00:56

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What about the Maserati Granturismo MC.

Damn sexy, amazing noise, 4 seats in case of kids and comes in a variety of colors

Drew > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you 12/30/2013 at 13:40

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yes, the Maserati is another car I considered, but still like the styling of the Aston more.

No bad choices here

Tim Sears > Road Magazine 12/30/2013 at 17:05

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I had the chance to drive a '14 GT-R for about 4 days. Coming from a Corvette C6Z06, the GT-R is about 4x as comfortable, refined, and engineered. Coming out of corners the AWD system absolutely propels the car; as with the Z06, I'd have to wait for the rear tires to catch. It's nimble for a 3800lb car, refined in it's appointments, and exudes the class that you expect from a $90k vehicle.

You think the GT-R has wind noise? Drive a Z06.
You think the GT-R has engine/transmission noise? LS motors are notorious for valve tick.

It's hardly overrated, and to compare it to a Sl63 AMG is disheartening to me. It's leagues beyond what a stock SL63 can do performance AND engineering-wise. Sure it doesn't have the luxury refinements of a Merc, but that's the intent of the GT-R. It's heritage was on the track. It's designed for the track. It lives on the track. It's designed to do two things, race, and go home. It does those well, and comfortably, I might add.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 01/02/2014 at 20:26

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What kind of E90 do you have? And on what kind of tires?

That's weird it murders your friend's back. My E90 M3 doesn't hurt my back, even when I set the EDC to a stiffer mode.

My back does get sore if I've been driving for hours on end without stopping to stretch. But that happens to me in most cars and it's due to the seats, not the car.

The seats in my 997 don't do that - I'm able for a long time without getting sore. I had a previous car that I couldn't go more than an hour with without breaking. Those seats were terrible on my body.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 01/02/2014 at 21:25

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328i on the godawful run flats that BMW chose to use. The first time he drove it was for a 2 hour time period so that might've been what made it think it was so harsh.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 01/02/2014 at 21:47

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It was probably the tires. I heard the first gen run flats are awful

I think there are newer run flats you can buy now that will ride nicer?

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 01/02/2014 at 21:50

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Yeah but for a lot of $$. You can spend far less on non run flats that will last longer, ride better, and give you much higher performance. I'm upsizing from the stock wheels to some 18"s, possibly 219M's off an M3 and the ride is expected to be much better than the runflats. I do plan on getting a space saver donut for emergencies.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 01/02/2014 at 21:52

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As long as you don't mind carrying the space saver donut or the goo + air kit from the M3 then getting regular tires is the way to go. Better value , performance and ride for sure.

I don't have a car with run flats myself so I dunno a lot about them. I just heard that the newer generation of run flats are cheaper and ride better than the first gen that the E9X used.

rmp5s > shpuker 01/06/2014 at 11:52

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Dear God, man...don't EVER sit in an FD RX-7 then...

rmp5s > shpuker 01/06/2014 at 11:53

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Dear God, man...don't EVER get in an FD RX-7 then...

AMJAD > Road Magazine 01/14/2014 at 04:25

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i m disagree with u totaly. GTR is the icon of japan.is is so fast in the roard track compare to all other car's. it is good looking,comfortable,highest speed.it also left behind the BUGATTI.It is very cheap compare to others. I also drive it. MALIK AMJAD 03347994477

Canum > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 06:06

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I own a 2013 Nissan GTR.

You would expect me to disagree with you. I don't! In fact you are wrong only in one respect. You say its good on a track. That's where you are very wrong. Visit my site and help me debunk the myth. gtrfails.com www.gtrfails.com

Fred > Road Magazine 07/02/2014 at 05:10

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I want to put another spin on this. I am a driver of a 96 skyline GTR and a GTR enthusiast from way back, and also had the privilege of looking after a 2011 GTR for 2 months. Now my 96 GTR has over 350 awkw and suspension upgrades which I drive daily. So I take possession of my mates GTR and drive it daily for 2 weeks. Now with excitement and anticipation I drive it amazed with the refinement, power on demand, and torque from anywhere in rev range. So I continue driving it in mundane daily duties and some spirited mountain twisties. Amazed with the mid corner stability and point and shoot corner exit. Typically all a GTR's strength from the R32 and later but all the much better. However something was missing. It did everything so much better that the previous generation and other high performance cars that I have driven but I was irritating me. So I took my 33 GTR out for a spirited drive and realised what it was.

The GTR was not connected with the driver, it was not involving where I received feed back, where I had to adjust my throttle or steering, or knew what the car was doing. I had no feedback on this at all. So I think Nissan did a great job in making a super fast supercar that has a modern Japanese car dullness, and automation. They took the character out of the classic. In its quest to modernise a classic they made it perfect to the point that it has faults where supercars shouldn't. They took out driver involvement and driver connection. They reduced the feel the driver has for the road and the car. Even the exhaust and engine noise was ummm artificial. For me this is a no no.

Don't get me wrong though it is an amazing accomplishment and fast,, actually super fast from out of the hole to flogging it up a mountain, but there are better cars in its league that are 'driver's cars' and more pleasurable to drive.

HGB > Road Magazine 07/24/2014 at 06:47

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Hmm.. really suprises me that you had such a bad experience with the car.. I own an Mp4 12c, Bentley GTC and previous cars i had before my Mclaren was a Ferrari California and Merc SLS.. All fantastic cars.. But out of all of them, i still prefer my Tuned 600Bhp GTR :)

I guess its about preference but after having such refined cars, i actually prefer a rough and tough girl who i can ragg out on the track all day long.. Also murders everything else on the road..

Bob > shpuker 11/27/2014 at 10:04

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You women out there that want a luxury car go buy one, as a sports car lover, and owner of many great cars, the Nissan GTR is in a class by itself, top shelf, I have driven them all and the GTR handling and ride are what you would expect. The new 2015 is the best yet.

CJP > Road Magazine 07/01/2015 at 23:24

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One of the things I hate the most about the GT-R is it’s fanbase. Probably the most annoying fans of any car in the world. Most of the time it’s little middle school kids who don’t even have their license yet trying to argue how great the car is. And also, when you compare the competition, the GT-R, to me, seems more like a toy. Like something that a kid would want instead of a grown man.

BlasterX > Road Magazine 01/01/2016 at 04:14

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I don’t think you hate the car as much as you say you do. This article was purely to generate views and revenue. Epic fail mate. People here may not know what you’re doing but I do. Trying to be ‘controversial’ but not very good at it. Next time try talking about the GT-Rs real short falls like mileage, but not the ride lol. If you think the ride was harsh - you truly have never driven a sports car, really.

MenaceR32 > Road Magazine 04/02/2016 at 14:41

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I had a very similar experience myself. Nissan dealer manager who lives on my street always hang out when I am working on my 1990 R32. He is always very helpful when I am out there and seems to be a car guy with some track experience. One day he asked me if I could take him for a spin. I actually let him drive instead and he was like a kid in a candy store.

Fast forward well over a year later and the guy has one of the new GTR’s for the weekend. He returned the favor and I was so excited before we set off. I can’t remember the last time I was more disappointed than when I got out of that boat.

Might have been a different experience if my Skyline was st0ck but considering it is something like 2800 lbs now and 630 awhp, the GTR was severely lacking. It would need something like 800+ AWHP to have the punch of my Skyline.

A console with a decent steering wheel that has force feedback will give you more info than the steering of a new GTR will. Again, this is way off from the classic Skylines.

Why are these things so far off the mark?

Jesus christ > Road Magazine 06/30/2020 at 18:39

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Literally every car apart from the gt-r you have just described and i would know because i own one

The GT-R community are not at all winey because they have nothing to whine about other than the price of after market parts like widebody kits Spoilers Turbo kits and exhaust systems