2009 Nissan GT-R vs. 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo

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.

— qweasdzxc (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 1:47:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

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...

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 2:23:28 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

simply amazing.

— Talli (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 2:24:04 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

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

— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 2:25:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

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

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 2:29:05 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

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

Give me a 911 anyday :)

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 2:38:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

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 .

— yrralis1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 3:49:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

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.

— Kinger (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 5:00:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

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

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 7:26:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

I really want a GT-R!

— bmwfan1513 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 7:39:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

"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 ^

— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 8:52:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

"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/

— Dave (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 8:58:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 10   

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

— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 9:04:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

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).

— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 9:33:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

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

— RealitySmack (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 11:50:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"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/

— Ingenieur (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 1:22:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

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

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 1:48:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

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!

— Ingenieur (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 5:06:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

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.

— Ingenieur (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 11:12:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Yessir, you are correct:

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

— Ingenieur (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 4:40:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

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

— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 5:11:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

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.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 5:32:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

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.

— candywhite (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 6:10:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

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

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 6:51:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

porsche > nissan

— bmwpowerf1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 8:50:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

let godess sabine decide which is best.

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

— olscuul (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 10:06:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

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..

— BMWfan_Alfredo (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 10:46:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

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

— BMWfan_Alfredo (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 10:48:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

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 .

— yrralis1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/13/2007 11:31:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

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 .

— yrralis1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 2:11:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

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

— Ingenieur (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 10:09:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

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

— KZ258 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 11:24:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

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.

— Ingenieur (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 12:56:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

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 .

— yrralis1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 1:56:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

S4 -
Forgot an important mod -
GIAC ECU recalibration

— yrralis1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 1:58:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

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.

— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 8:45:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

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.

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 11:49:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

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.

— Ingenieur (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 12:54:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

When Nissan set out to create the GTR they used the 911 Turbo as a benchmark. Do you certainly believe that anyone in the market for a 911 Turbo would consider a GTR?....that is absurd. There is no doubt in my mind that is a great car, maybe even epic, but it is in a different class all together. If i'm looking at a 911 turbo, that's what I'm getting, if not that then maybe a Aston Martin, CL AMG, Ferrari F430, Gallardo etc.... sorry to say but not a nissan.

No different then comparing an EVO to the GTR.

A seiko can tell time just as well as a Rolex(maybe better), but do you honestly believe one would cross shop the 2?

Can't wait to test drive the GTR though, seems like a great car according to Edmunds.

— kablaam (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 3:46:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Ingenieur -

I decided to search for the actual date and GTR vehicle used to establish the 7.38 .

I stand corrected that the test car was driven in September .

The questions which remains is whether the production car be the same ,slower, or even faster and if the Autoweek article is right --it will be slower .

Keep in mind that Porsche could have released a faster 997tt too and just a simple ECU flash changes the car dramatically.

It also leaves the question of whether the facelifted Turbo will give the added punch . Remember the Turbo is two years old and both the GTR as well as the facelift 997tt have yet to enter the showrooms.

It also leavs all the aftermarket questions too.

I found the video of the actual lap --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGe_fyhQazg

— yrralis1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 5:38:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

theyre both great cars. but I might lean to the gtr more because theyre becoming common for some apparent reason and those owning 911s these days don't use them to play around the track. they'd use them as if the highway was the 'ring and im not kidding.

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 6:15:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Exclusivity is a factor of any new limited production car . The R8 for instance got the same reply .

When the Z06 came out all the press touted the speed to price ratio of that car too and in the head to head contests sometimes it wins , sometimes not .

The GTR is new --the Porsche design has evolved over decades yet is recognizable even years later .

As a seven time Porsche owner and current Turbo owner I can't imagine any car offering the exact driving experience as the Porsche 911 BUT I do have other cars too and if the GTR is all that and a bag of chips I would not ignore considering the idea of having one sitting right next to my 997tt in place of one of my other cars .

There are some things which have to be proven with time though and my guess is that GTR Vs 997tt will face other track tests but my guess is that Porsche will raise the bar as well with the facelift too.

— yrralis1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2007 2:05:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Thank you Fast -

I have seen several Z06 Vs 997tt matches and it's very close . The Gt board shows the Z06 and this Japanese clip shows the 997tt ahead.

Keep in mind --these cars are stock .
Mine isn't --and I had been holding back on the last mod (aftermarket Turbo's ) --there are three to choose from (Evo, Promotive. AWE).


With the GTR maybe history is repeating itself . In 1990 as a much younger yrralis1 I bought a 300ZX tt . At the time the Japanese sports car was really making its name visible . Outside of Porsche and the Corvette at that time there was no "M" BMW or "AMG" Benz or any other's . The NSX was very expensive and the Supra and RX7 were going to join the party . The Nissan was touted at the Porsche beater and it was fast in its time .

There were some differences though . The 300ZX tt had a huge blind spot, it had a poor quality interior , and it just felt cheaper . A Porsche was 60K or so and the ZX was 40 (with markup at launch) and they were close matched performance wise .

When the 993 came out the Nissan ZX was going out of production . So was the Supra soon to follow and the RX7 as well . The NSX remained but low volume .

Once again the German cars faced the challenge.
Since then so much has changed .

I have other cars and I do change cars every two years so it is possible that a GTR might make its way into my driveway --but NOT my garage . That is reserved only for one car --Porsche .

— yrralis1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2007 4:33:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Fast --

I forgot to post the Japanese Clip of the Zo6 Vs 997tt . The GT board shows the Z06 win and this one shows the 997tt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyKVCx-VO-U

— yrralis1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2007 4:50:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

i think most m3 potential buyers would have 2nd thoughts

— siumeigo (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 5:16:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1