Is the R35 GTR more or less "fun" than its rivals?

"MegaSuper" (megasuper)
05/01/2015 at 14:00 • Filed to: None

Hoo boy, I don’t want this topic to be super-controversial, but…

The R35 seems to divide opinion quite a bit. When it first came out, there was a lot of “WOW it looks even better than the concept! So fast! What a 0-60! Wow!”

Now a few years after that, most comments I see (on the main Jalop site at least) are “Oh it’s a pig, it’s so big, so ugly, enormous car, not even fun unless you’re outrunning a small aircraft on a racetrack, etc”

So is it just a case of “fatigue,” and the lustre wearing off as people wait for the R36 or something ? (When is that supposed to happen, BTW) ? A lot of new sports cars have been unveiled since the GTR, so maybe it’s just not as “special” to some now?

Maybe I was under a rock or something, but I also can’t recall hearing much about the NISMO GTR. Unless it was horrible or something, I’m surprised it isn’t mentioned in the same circles as the Porsche GT3, Corvette Z06, etc. Usually enthusiasts go nuts for the track-day specials, especially considering a lot of NISMO products have been restricted to Japan in the past.

Most magazines have given the GTR 4.5-5 star ratings, so I guess it’s great, but I’ve read so many things about journalists being wary of giving poor reviews to $$$ cars for fear of being blacklisted from future press cars.

So if you were DDing it, not really taking it to the track, is the GTR worth how much it costs? Or would a Corvette/Cayman/911/F-Type/AMG GT/whatever else is near that price range be more exciting?

Does the fact that it has AWD and 4 seats change that calculus in any way? Utility in the snow or something? Haha.

Anyone drive an R35 and have any impressions to share?

DISCUSSION (8)

TheHondaBro > MegaSuper
05/01/2015 at 14:09

Pretty much everyone who criticizes it hasn’t driven a car even close to a GT-R.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > MegaSuper
05/01/2015 at 14:14

“Fun” is subjective.

There is no definitive answer.

A better question would be is there a better performance bargain then the GTR to be found today? A simple spreadsheet of performance figures and price will lead to a more concrete conclusion.

MegaSuper > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
05/01/2015 at 14:33

True, but if a whole bunch of reviewers are saying “It’s kinda boring unless you’re driving at ten-tenths” then that tells you something.

As for your second question…there isn’t one, right? Maybe the Z06…but what else?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > MegaSuper
05/01/2015 at 15:14

I got the choice between an R8 and a GTR for a track experience a couple years back. I didn’t even consider getting in the GTR, there’s no doubt it’s an incredible machine but it does absolutely nothing for me.

DoYouEvenShift > MegaSuper
05/01/2015 at 16:23

I read a review once, dont remember which. It compared the GTR to the last gen Z06. It said driving the GTR was like watching a porn with a hot chick. Driving the Z06 was like being in the video with the girl.

AM > MegaSuper
05/01/2015 at 16:33

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The GTR has impressive performance and outruns a lot of cars that are more expensive than it. However, I feel the car doesn’t have enough soul for many drivers. Sure it’s mind-boggling how fast the car is but I’d rather have a car that’s a little slower but more engaging. The GTR just seems to do everything for you, it doesn’t have that real special feeling imho.

MegaSuper > AM
05/01/2015 at 16:36

So you’ve driven one then? What have you driven that does have that special feeling?

AM > MegaSuper
05/01/2015 at 17:11

I haven’t driven one but I’ve rode in one being driven by a Nissan guy (not sure what his official title is). It’s fast and impressive which is fun and leaves you with a big grin but it’s really not my style of car; in my eyes, the GTR will never live up to the R33/R34 Skyline’s. I also wish that they would add a manual gearbox, at least as an option with the auto still standard. My other issue with this car is its appearance, it’s in no way as pretty. I would even go as far to say it’s the ugly duckling of the GTR family. Also, the amount of fanboys for this car who have such a negative attitude against other cars is what really turns me off of this car. I usually don’t have a bias for cars and I honestly don’t know which car I would say is better than the GTR because every car has its issues. My main point is that the car doesn’t do it for me, I don’t get that “look at me I’m special” vibe from it.

Now the Q50 Eau Rouge is something that really gained my attention, that car actually did something for me.