2009 Nissan GT-R vs. 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo

dlin submitted on 12/13/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 1:41 AM
from: www.edmunds.com

Tags: Nissan GT-R Porsche 911 Turbo

Nissan GT-R Porsche 911 Turbo

2009 Nissan GT-R vs. 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo

Mizuno-san is right. This car has no competitors. Not at any price. But that won't prevent one of the first GT-Rs in Europe from being bought by an anonymous man and taken to Porsche AG in Stuttgart for a thorough examination. With an even more powerful and lighter V-Spec GT-R on the way, Porsche can't afford to lag behind for long. Read Article

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qweasdzxc - 12/13/2007 1:47:19 AM

+4 Boost

Great car. This is just the first punch after 280hp agreement was gone. More to come.

Can't wait to see the Nürburgring lap time of LF-A and NSX. The latter is rumored to comes up 580hp from 4.5 NA V10. Time for BMW to reverse engineering HONDA engine.

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dlingkk - 12/13/2007 3:28:14 PM

0 Boost

580hp from 4.5 NA V10? My God, that's almost 130 hp/L. Even Ferrari ENZO is "only" at 110 hp/L, not to mention the Germans.

W/ SH-AWD and that kind of horsepower, NSX might gives GT-R a run! The only thing I hoped is HONDA stays mid-engined. Bring the legend back!

Lexus - 12/13/2007 2:23:28 AM

+2 Boost

Good Job Nissan, keep it up, Godzilla is back and back with a vengence. The rightful ruler has return to rule it playground. He..he..he..he...

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Need4Speed - 12/13/2007 7:09:15 PM

-2 Boost

The GT-R has not proven itself in any "arena" event. It hasn't won any 24 hour endurance races or competed against any other AWD cars in any event. Yes it lapped the ring and it may have a rein on the street cred thing...but can it run like a Porsche on a track for 24 hours? Speculate all you want but the proof is lacking the pudding! That's the kind of pedigree your buying when you buy a Porsche.

Need4Speed - 12/14/2007 4:28:24 PM

+2 Boost

Lexus_whatever...you could have done better for yourself by looking up the word pedigree in the dictionary!

Talli - 12/13/2007 2:24:04 AM

+2 Boost

simply amazing.

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 12/13/2007 2:25:29 AM

+2 Boost

Godzilla is alive. My god what a car.

But I would never buy it. It just lacks the pedigree and nobleness of the Porsche.

Just wait for the 911 Turbo facelift: more power and more torque combined with the dual-clutch gearbox

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Ingenieur - 12/13/2007 10:25:05 AM

0 Boost

The facelifted 911 Turbo will most likely be faster than the GT-R. The GT-R is just too heavy. But I think Porsche will have a more difficult time matching the GT-Rs handling capabilities. This is the GT-R's primary edge over the 911 TT.

ThierryHenry14 - 12/14/2007 11:42:11 AM

+2 Boost

The turbo is faster, no? From every source and article I have ever read, the Turbo is faster.

Lexus - 12/13/2007 2:29:05 AM

+3 Boost

Bring it on, Nissan is coming out with a ligher version of the GT-R the V-spec. Godzilla rock for sure!

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EL34 - 12/13/2007 2:38:30 AM

-5 Boost

The Nissan GT-R is H-I-D-E-O-U-S.

Give me a 911 anyday :)

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EL34 - 12/13/2007 10:48:37 AM

-4 Boost

It's not my fault the GT-R looks like it's been in an accident :(

GetemHigh125 - 12/14/2007 12:34:39 AM

+6 Boost

el34 is just a straight up hater...wish there was an ignore list

yrralis1 - 12/13/2007 3:49:42 AM

+5 Boost

I currently own a modified 997tt yet respect both cars.

Notable quotes from article and my comments -

1) "More on the mighty Porsche later. Let's look at the star of the show first"

It seems like he made up his mind "first" .

2) "The transmission clunks and clacks a bit, but you soon get used to it. Its low-speed maneuvering isn't on par with the auto-clutch unit on the 430 Scuderia, being slightly jerky in the uptake,"

Why the Red Herring ? He's not comparing this car to a Ferrari . Is he that unable to praise the Porsche?

3)"It is almost as fast as the Porsche"

"it weighs a chunky 3,800 pounds, 170 or so more than the Porsche. But its supreme Nürburgring lap time of 7:38, a full 2 seconds faster than the Turbo"

It sounds like a contradiction . First --he mentions the Ferrari yet fails to mention the list of Porsches which have track times that have been faster .So I'll post this link .
http://www.supercars.net/PitLane?
viewThread=y&gID=3&fID=0&tID=10073

Secondly -- a 2 second lap difference and the times he lists imply the cars are close competitors . So what? The GTR is not the only fast competitor which costs less than a 997tt .

Lastly -- The Porsche 997 Turbo in stock form (depending on transmission) is simply one of several Porsche 997 offerings . In my opinion the idea behind the car comfortable suspension is that it's a luxury power car.

Instead he calls it "ancient" which to me sounds more like a negative compliment .

I understand that the GTR is the car du jour and it deserves praise too but it's also my opinion that the full picture of both cars goes really is up to the individual who chooses his vehicle .

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Ingenieur - 12/13/2007 10:28:51 AM

0 Boost

Didn't he say, "By "ancient" I don't mean old-fashioned, other than in its strangely narrow cockpit and upright windscreen — it's ancient in its utter solidity and feeling of being honed for decades."

I love the 911 Turbo and that sounds like a great compliment to me.

"Why the Red Herring ? He's not comparing this car to a Ferrari . Is he that unable to praise the Porsche?"

He was comparing the transmission to the Ferrari because the Porsche had a manual.

Ingenieur - 12/13/2007 10:43:02 AM

+1 Boost

"It seems like he made up his mind "first"."

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by this. Are you saying he made a conclusion even before he drove the Porsche? If so, remember this is an article recounting his back to back drive. He wasn't writing it while he was driving.

yrralis1 - 12/13/2007 1:19:10 PM

+1 Boost

Ingenieur -

1) His usage of the word "ancient" followed by his clarrifaction that it was somehow positive in my opinion either sounds like a negative compliment, or perhaps a positive insult .

The choice of the word renders a mixed message --one which even he felt necessary to have to clarrify,
I felt taht his choice was intentional because he could have selected another word . It's like Starbucks calling a "small" coffee a "tall" .

I feel that words are carefully selected and edited long before it makes it to an edited final release.

2)I felt that his compliment of the Ferrari transmission was an effort to praise a car BUT NOT praise a Porsche when it came time to compare to the GTR . After all Porsche does have a tiptronic but by praising the Ferrari in that instant the reader is drawn away from the topic into this diversdion about a different car (Ferrari)which was not part of the comparison originally.

3) "It seems like he made up his mind "first"."

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by this. Are you saying he made a conclusion even before he drove the Porsche?

Only he would know why he stated his conclusion of the comparision so immediate . All I did was identify it as a reader and raise awareness.

Kinger - 12/13/2007 5:00:53 AM

+2 Boost

http://www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=3&fID=0&tID=10073

Did anyone else notice in this list of laptimes that it says the LF-A has lapped the Ring in 7:24, according to motormagazine.co.jp. If thats true then the car should be epic, can it really be faster than a Zonda F Clubsport and Carrera GT. I have my doubts.

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golfer38 - 12/13/2007 11:18:56 AMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

That's a big if....

1995e34 - 12/13/2007 7:26:37 AM

-1 Boost

how could they get the performance so right, yet the styling so wrong?

i can honestly say i've never been as disappointed by a car's styling as with the gt-r. the previous model looked fine. they turned it into a freakin GOBOT

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06STI - 12/13/2007 10:31:21 AM

-2 Boost

I agree. It may be too much to ask for a $70 car to be that good mechanically AND pretty. Gotta make cuts somewhere.

bmwfan1513 - 12/13/2007 7:39:36 AM

+5 Boost

I really want a GT-R!

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M35MT - 12/13/2007 8:52:17 AMView My AgentSpace

+7 Boost

"The GT-R is all aggression on the outside. To my eye, it is a phenomenal-looking machine, distinct from anything else. Very Japanese and very hard. The overall stance is all wide shoulders and slashing arcs, a ground-hugging, flat-sided brute."

I love it ^

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Dave - 12/13/2007 8:58:18 AM

+10 Boost

"The 911 Turbo comes in at about $100,000, which is a good value for such a stupendous car, but the GT-R will cost about $40,000 less."

$100,000?.....Try more like $126,000. I've checked out the 911 turbo each time I go to the auto shows I see that sticker tag that says....STARTING at $126,0000. Add some options in and the price climbs high quickly.

http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-turbo/

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yrralis1 - 12/13/2007 1:21:46 PM

-2 Boost

He might have meant in Euro figures.

JWalkerLegrande - 12/14/2007 4:29:07 PM

+4 Boost

Yet again, the list price of the 911 Turbo in Germany is 154,750 euros or ~ $225K. I'd doubt he meant euros.

Even worse, you can order options for up to 50,000 euros ($72K) more...

yrralis1 - 12/16/2007 2:02:08 AM

0 Boost

Jwalker -

Have you looked at how much a Porsche 997tt costs in Europe and abroad ?

Look Here -
http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=783140cc774b6370af1105518a2acc60&t=89413

Designer1 - 12/13/2007 9:04:18 AM

+5 Boost

An awsome car, GT-R. Reduce some weight and the Porsche won't even catch it.

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Bill - 12/13/2007 9:33:08 AM

-3 Boost

Isn't this comparison a little on the "weird" side? The Nissan GT-R strikes me as a hardcore performance machine that has no luxury aspirations. The Porsche 997 Turbo, while a serious and capable performer has a hue of luxury to it (just a hue).

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vman1013 - 12/13/2007 10:05:43 AM

+7 Boost

The performance numbers make the comparison worthwhile. On one side you'll have the tuner, boy-racers screaming victory because now they don't have to touch the GT-R to keep up with the Porchse and you'll have the Porsche "badge-whore" types up in arms because there is a car available, at 2/3 the price that will give them a run for the money - that is if they ever push that Porsche Turbo to the limits.

One thing I believe is that the GT-R will steal Carrera S and potentially Corvette Z06 buyers. Same price point, better performance.

Targa - 12/13/2007 10:46:13 AM

-1 Boost

I agree that it might steal some buyers... but mostly those who would have to stretch financially to afford the Porsche.

We will see though, this is a very impressive performing car. I am not a fan of the looks, but you have to give it up for what it is putting on the road.

golfer38 - 12/13/2007 11:22:28 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Some may have my opinion where I would purchase the GT-R over the 911 regardless of price. I have great respect and admiration for the Porsche, I simply like the Nissan better.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/13/2007 5:23:41 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I agree, the Turbo seems like the GT of Porsche's lineup. It can take back roads with ease and has more power than anyone would ever need, but at the same time you can have it with a gorgeous full-leather interior and it can be driven every day. The GT-R can also be driven every day, but no, it's not at all luxurious. This makes up the bulk of the price difference, IMO.

Need4Speed - 12/13/2007 7:16:36 PM

+1 Boost

Porsche's problem is that they are fighting Mechanical Engineering against Electrical Engineering. Most of the GT-Rs performance is in the software and computer chips whereas the Porsche's lies in its supreme mechanical design. I'm willing to be that Porsche will see the difference and begin to endow their cars with the same electrical wizardry found in Japanese cars. The only difference will be that the Porsche will now have the mechanical advantage as well.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/15/2007 12:24:26 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

"I'm willing to be that Porsche will see the difference and begin to endow their cars with the same electrical wizardry found in Japanese cars."

So what does the Turbo not have? It makes the same power out of a 3.6L to Nissan's 3.8L, and it will be getting more next year. It may not have a DSG right now, but the Turbo's Tiptronic is faster than the manual, and it will be getting a DSG next year. I also think mechanical engineering is FAR more important than electrical engineering. There's a lot more you can do with a good chassis and suspension than a good engine.

yrralis1 - 12/16/2007 12:33:42 AM

0 Boost

yman -

Many Turbo owners like myself have more than one car . If the GTR is so great a Turbo owner may buy it too . It's really a wait and see what really shows up in dealerships .

Need4Speed - 12/17/2007 4:45:58 PM

+1 Boost

S4 - I wonder why the author of an article I read commented that it would take a skilled race car driver to extract the most performance out of a Porsche 911 whereas any grandmother driving the Nissan would be able to do the same and keep up. Is it because the Nissan Engineers have perfected what it took Porsche almost 20 or 30 years to do! That goes at the heart of the problem that you and everyone else fail to realize. Its when you have software engineers writting programs that compensate for the lack of the driver skill to the point where anyone can do the same thing. What the hell is so special about the car or the driver. At least the Porsche requires a skilled hand even if it does have traction control or certain nany aids. I will always take a car that requires you to learn about it's nuances and have fun doing it rather than a car that has been programmed to do it for me ahead of time. I'm really suprised that someone like you wouldn't see that. Are you really into performance cars or are you like the others that only care about 0-60 times and couldn't care less about driver involvement?

Also, as someone who attained a degree in Electrical Engineering I can tell you that I don't argue with other fellow engineers about which is more important because I see the value in both! I love EE but it doesn't have to take over every aspect of my life. I guess I just old school that way.

RealitySmack - 12/13/2007 11:50:40 AM

+1 Boost

I'd still take the Porsche. Can't beat the flat boxer. :p

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RealitySmack - 12/13/2007 11:52:00 AM

+6 Boost

But, kudos to Nissan for an awesome GT-R.

Ingenieur - 12/13/2007 1:22:39 PM

+2 Boost

"How can anyone who has followed Edmunds’ continual "coverage" of the development of the GT-R, avoid the conclusion that some sort of “special arrangement” exists between Edmunds and Nissan?"

Actually, the article was first published (at least relative to Edmunds) in TopGear.

http://www.tacticalcenter.net/GT-R/

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JUGNU - 12/13/2007 1:48:19 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

sevor

GT-R also have pedigree and hugely respected as it's got a 39 years history and huge racing success.

Just accept everybody this car is just amazing and out of the world.

and do u know a middle east is currently the biggest market for the GT-R. Qatar gave the higsets number of orders for the new GT-R, 2000 which makes it the biggest market for this monster. Other Middle East countries like UAE are not further back. They are close to 1000.

What a car, i'll get one as soon as avialable.

JUGNU

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Ingenieur - 12/13/2007 5:06:38 PM

+4 Boost

kaisersozedude,

I agree potential 911 Turbo buyers will not be cross-shopping the GT-R. I think Nissan's goal is to expand the affordable supercar market and producing a car that can compete with the 911 Turbo at 2/3 the price is a good selling point for them. It's marketing mate! No mystery there.

And if the claimed lap times at the "Ring" sounds suspect to you, then you're not gonna like this bit of info: Nissan claims the true potential of the GT-R at the "Ring" is in the low 7:30s. AND, the GT-R can lap the gruelling Sendai circuit faster in the wet than the 911 Turbo can in the dry.

I guess we'll have to wait for independent testing.

Oh by the way, SportAuto, a German magazine lapped the Ring in the GT-R at 7:50. This was not their famed Supertest though (where they try to get the best lap times using the same driver). It was more of a trial-run. In a previous Supertest, they managed a 7:54 lap time for the 911 Turbo (which is slower than their "trial-run" lap time with the GTR).

I like both cars, by the way. I'll take a 911 Turbo in gray and a GT-R in black please!

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Ingenieur - 12/14/2007 11:12:08 AM

+2 Boost

Well it might not meet your personal standards (whatever they may be) of what a "supercar" is but the GT-R, at the least, has the performance envelope of cars generally regarded as "supercars" (Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, etc).

Hey, had to google Alessandro Ambrosio (sorry never heard of her). I have to agree with you. Man, she is smoldering! I hope I don't get in trouble at work.

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Ingenieur - 12/13/2007 4:40:21 PM

+5 Boost

Yessir, you are correct:

http://www.tacticalcenter.net/GT-R/

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farabira1 - 12/13/2007 5:11:26 PM

+6 Boost

Godzilla trounces the 911 turbo, that is frankly stupendous achievement, because the 997 is one of the best cars on plant.

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/13/2007 5:27:26 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

As kaisersozedude mentioned, this is a largely subjective article. There are no cement performance models that prove one way or another--only the author saying the Porsche is faster. So, no, this isn't a trounce, but it just depends on which one YOU personally prefer.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/13/2007 5:32:28 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

I'll get this out of the way first: congrats to Nissan and the GT-R. It is an incredible vehicle, the crown jewel on a history of excellent Skylines.

But this is where I feel uncomfortable. I would buy the 911 Turbo over it in a heartbeat, no questions asked. I have no logical answer to "why," so don't ask. But the Nissan, while scary fast, doesn't make me want it. The Turbo has always been a dream car of mine, and that dream may become a reality soon. I'll be test driving it in the spring.

But will I be driving the GT-R? Well, no. Yes, it gives me all the performance of the Turbo for the price of a normal 997 C2, I know that. But it's not the kind of car for me. Like others have said, Turbo shoppers won't cross-shop their cars with the GT-R; I guess I will be among them. I want a luxurious interior in addition to my performance. I want sophisticated style. I want smoothness and drivability in addition to my warp speed. The Porsche gives me all this. Does the Nissan? Questionable. So yes, I think it's worth $60K more, for those reasons. I'm willing to pay for the best.

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KZ258 - 12/13/2007 6:00:04 PM

+4 Boost

Ok S4. you go right ahead and buy the 911 turbo and i'll go for the GTR but pray that you never catch me at a red light or at a local track ;)
I was in love with the 911 turbo too but with the GTR exposed like this, the 911 seems so...i dunno.

But the thing with me is i'm not really bias. I just buy the more logical car if that makes any sense. Like with the G or the 3. chances are i would be getting the G over the 3 due to the difference in price(7 grand fully loaded). the name isnt all that much of a concern to me. it matters yes, but not a whole lot(i dont have any insecurity issues btw). I guess it all depends on your priorities in the end.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/14/2007 12:49:14 AMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

Well, my REAL love is the Audi R8. I would take it over a top-of-the-line Porsche GT3. It's 99% the perfect car for me--but the one terrible thing it's missing is the rear seat. Yes, I know, the Porsche's back seat is nearly useless... but it's still there, just in case. Does that make any sense?

I probably won't be getting any of these cars, though. I'll still try the Turbo on, but if I did, it would be my only car (as opposed to the two cars I use now). I would probably want my only car to have a usable back seat. The BMW M5 and Audi S8 would be smarter choices, or even the upcoming Porsche Panamera, which looks sexy in recent renderings.

candywhite - 12/13/2007 6:10:59 PM

-1 Boost

Glad to see Nissan make a good car.
The more good cars out there the harder it is for me to choose.

I do have to say that the GT-R and 911 Turbo are in different classes and make this comparison trivial.

Compare the GT-R with the IS-F, those are in the same class.

this comparison reminds me some what of the jeep cherokee commercial where Jeep compares its off-road strenghts to an Audi TT.

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/14/2007 12:50:54 AMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

"Compare the GT-R with the IS-F, those are in the same class."

Um.

1995e34 - 12/13/2007 6:51:08 PM

-2 Boost

so the porsche is faster, yet the gt-r beat the carrera gt around "the ring"?

interesting, i assumed the carrera gt would roast a 911 turbo

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1995e34 - 12/13/2007 7:01:08 PM

-1 Boost

i see.

bmwpowerf1 - 12/13/2007 8:50:29 PM

0 Boost

porsche > nissan

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olscuul - 12/13/2007 10:06:10 PM

-1 Boost

let godess sabine decide which is best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI_oLLqW1BE

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BMWfan_Alfredo - 12/13/2007 10:46:06 PM

0 Boost

to "LexusAdmirer" or whatever, you get a porsche , you get the race history of porsche, its mechanical engineering, and longevity throughout its life..you cant even compare a turbo to gt-r...totally different kinds of cars...but just because they're in the same platform layout/power range people compare them...you cant compare them...its like comparing file mignon from a fine restaurant to a poorly cooked steak..not to bash nissan, they made an extraordinary vehicle..

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BMWfan_Alfredo - 12/13/2007 10:48:06 PM

0 Boost

annnnnnd, whats with all the hype of Nissan saying it was gonna be a z06 killer? where are the comparisons between the z06 and gtr??? 'porsche must catch up' because of a new lightweight gtr coming up???? porsche could destroy the gtr...hell, Turbo RS anyone? ;-P

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yrralis1 - 12/13/2007 11:31:05 PM

+2 Boost

KZ258-

You mention the price difference and do you really think that with GTR's limited production (1500 cars) that there won't be markup ?

So you pay 100K for a new GTR and by then a used 997tt might be even priced .

The 997tt has been out for almost two years and you don't think Porsche will look at the GTR and raise its bar too with the facelift ?

So go ahead --buy the GTR and when the first year engine and technology snags come up see how much fun it is to sit in Nissan service as the mechanics scratch their heads over this new car.

Then talk about AFTERMAKET with Nissan and see if they go voiding the warranty whereas Porsche even offer motorsport tuning at various dealerships .

In fact let's talk about tuning for a moment because it only takes a few bolt on parts and an ECU flash to revise the Porsche and the motorsport tuning of Nissan is yet unknown .

No matter how great the Nissan is it still does not offer a manual transmission -- if that works for you then I say buy it .

Lastly --I like the Nissan but I bought a 997tt because the car offers more than high performance . In every area from performance to comfort to customer service the car is astounding . By the way I did own a Nissan 300ZXtt in 1990 --great car too and I have a two other vehicles currently where one is a Civic Si so I respect the refinement of these fine Japanese cars and my choice was not based on badge loyalty or status . Many Turbo owners can buy multiple cars and some might even buy both and like both cars for different reasons .

Yet if I had to choose only one --I will keep my 997tt .

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/14/2007 12:53:29 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

"So you pay 100K for a new GTR and by then a used 997tt might be even priced."

Sorry, but I don't think so. Desirable sports cars have frustratingly good resale value, which is great for the owner but bad for the prospective buyer.

Even with the mark-up on the GT-R, which won't be anything close to the $30K you're suggesting, a one-year-old Turbo would run you $110K at the least... but probably more.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/14/2007 12:56:22 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

BTW... I would take your car, too. I have seen a handful or 997 Turbos around, and it just looks mouth-wateringly upscale, without being gaudy. It puts the other 997s to shame, with the exception of the token GT2/GT3.

KZ258 - 12/14/2007 11:21:58 AM

+2 Boost

good point with the markup issue but the price isnt all im after. porsche doesnt update any of their cars after 2 years. no way. you gotta wait like 5 or so years to get a noticeable face lift. If the GTR will spend any days at Nissans service department is subjective. I'm pretty sure anyone can safely bet nissan will offer a range of nismo upgrades to the GTR and plus didnt a company already tune up a GTR? it was on here a while ago. Yes, I am a little let down with no manual option with the GTR but editors who've tested the car said that no one should complain about GTRs manual mode. Lastly, I will choose the GTR because its something completely new, love the styling, hardcore racing history, and how the editors at INSIDE LINE specified how great the GTR is.

yrralis1 - 12/14/2007 2:11:27 AM

-1 Boost

Mid Engine-

Great Article --
I found much of it interesting but picked this one about the 7.38 lap time .

"At the time of our drive there were only three prototype GT-Rs extant in the world, and all the apologizing on Earth wouldn’t bring one back if you crunched it."

Followed by this --

"We only got three full laps and no one was timing us, so you’ll just have to assume we set the lap record. Earlier, Mizuno-san had offered some lap times from the Nordschliefe for various cars driven by the German magazine SportAuto. Those times are driver-dependent, track-knowledge-dependent, weather-, traffic- and bunny-crossing-the-track dependent. But Mizuno suggested the GT-R could get anywhere from 7:44 on up, with most laps coming in between 7:55 and 7:58. So he suggested the GT-R’s strong suit was that it offered “the best cost per lap time.” For whatever that’s worth."

My Comment --

In my opinion it's worth a lot when journalists quote the 7.38 lap time , claim victory over the 997tt and cheer with a car that is a prototype and not going to make it to production .

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Ingenieur - 12/14/2007 10:09:48 AM

+2 Boost

That article in Autoweek was based on GTR prototypes driven in April. The 7:38 lap time happened in September.

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KZ258 - 12/14/2007 11:24:24 AM

+2 Boost

cant you just quote it? its such a drag copying and pasting links lol

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Ingenieur - 12/14/2007 12:56:09 PM

+1 Boost

I was putting the engineer's comments in context. It was made by the engineer at a time (in April) when the best they could do was 7:44. This has since been improved with the 7:38 lap time several months later.

I do agree there has to be independent testing.

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yrralis1 - 12/14/2007 1:56:53 AM

0 Boost

S4 -

My prices are speculative and this blog is guessing 15K over MSRP .
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/19/nissan-expects-to-sell-1-500-gt-rs-per-year-in-u-s/

When the Turbo was launched pricing was high too but I not only waited , I even bought a 997S for five months ,thought I'd keep it --great car too . I decided to trade it in though after a test drive .

Then came the mods :
Engine-
Werks 1 carbon Fiber Intake
Evo headers
Evo intercoolers
Tubi Exhaust
Techart Tips

Wheels -
HRE C20

Suspension -
Techart

Aerodynamics
Techart -
Front Splitter
Rear Diffuser
Carbon Fiber Vent
Carbon Mirror Inserts
Roof Spoiler
Side Skirts

Een though I like the Nissan and feel it's great -- I simply prefer this because it delivers everything from performance to comfort along with great customer service and reliability .

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/16/2007 12:40:56 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Excellent choices there... I'm sure I wouldn't mistake your Turbo for anything else if I saw it on the street.

yrralis1 - 12/14/2007 1:58:44 AM

0 Boost

S4 -
Forgot an important mod -
GIAC ECU recalibration

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farabira1 - 12/14/2007 8:45:42 AM

+4 Boost

Porsche fans are having a hard time even swallowing the idea that there is another supercar, after the R8 that can match the 911 in performance and usability. Don't worry Porsche still will sell by the hundred thousands, and will remain one of the main choice of enthusiasts, but it is good to see the legendary GTR storm back into the scene. As for the R8, well that is another great car. But i just feel happy for GTR, because the old master is back with a vengeance, and that is good news for GTR enthusiasts like me who just loved the R33.

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 12/14/2007 10:53:42 AM

+1 Boost

I'm a Porsche fan and I don't care. Nothing drives like a Porsche.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/14/2007 11:43:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

It's true. Porsches are other-worldly. They are even more perfect than Ferraris to drive; different experiences, though.

ThierryHenry14 - 12/14/2007 11:49:23 AM

+2 Boost

Great comparison. Its not that the GT-R is trying to demolish the 911 Turbo. The GT-R is just out there to say that you can get 911 Turbo performance for a little more than half the price.

They are both great cars, but different in nature. Its pointless trying to compare the two. Its like comparing a Maybach 57S to a E46 M3. Yes, they are similar in performance numbers, but its two different cars with different intentions.

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/15/2007 12:26:09 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Well, it's not THAT different. It's like comparing a Porsche GT2 with a Ferrari 599 GTB. Similar performance, completely different prices, different intentions, different buyers.

Ingenieur - 12/14/2007 12:54:43 PM

+3 Boost

yrralis1 - 12/14/2007 1:04:39 PM

0 Boost

I glad you corrected this. Look at the bottom of the Autoweek article and it clearly stated that it was updated in October. It also claims that the lap time "record" was set by them with those 3 prototypes.

In contrast the Inside line article ONLY mentions the 7.38 time and implicates that as the faster run aroud the ring.What a spin attempt.

In my opinion the Nissan is afast car and a good value but this final quote from Autoweek says it best about the ACTUAL car that WILL be offered.

Quoted from Autoweek
"But Mizuno suggested the GT-R could get anywhere from 7:44 on up, with most laps coming in between 7:55 and 7:58. So he suggested the GT-R’s strong suit was that it offered “the best cost per lap time.” For whatever that’s worth."

Ingenieur - 12/14/2007 1:32:52 PM

+2 Boost

yrralis1,

That engineer's quote from Autoweek *is* from April. The track times document are actually floating around. There's an entry in there for 7:37 actually. That and the 7:38 lap time were set in September.

r15mohd - 12/14/2007 2:02:20 PM

+3 Boost

as time goes buy before the release i feel the GTR will get to 7:35...Nissan is out their almost constantly testing and tuning the GTR on the ring.

by the time production vehicles hit the street, 7:35 should be had!

r15mohd - 12/14/2007 2:02:43 PM