Nissan expects to sell 1,500 GT-R units a year in the U.S.

Its a bargain, and the waiting list is going to be long... They should expect to sell more like 3000 because of the price.

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/19/2007 11:17:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

why such tiny volume?

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/19/2007 11:49:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Give me an Audi R8 anyday.

Forget about this Nissan.

;)

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/19/2007 12:55:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

I was going to post that this was a bit too much, however the more I think about it, it's right about online for competing with the Corvette Z06. I know it's direct competitor is the Porsche Turbo however when your up in the $50,000+ car range, name recognition means alot. And while many car afficianado's know godzilla quite well, most of the crowed that has that type of disposable income look at BMW,MB Audi and Porsche because they have been in that range for quite some time. Even if we look at american customers with that income, you may find them looking at Z06's because corvette's name recognition is huge. Nissan has yet to make a big splash in the high end field, within he US. When people think Nissan they think cars ending at about 40k fully loaded. 30-40k is alot different than 70+k.

That being said, good luck Nissan. As a nissan owner I'd like to see them do well in this venture.

— Spectator (View Profile)

Posted on 11/19/2007 2:22:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I just saw it in person. It is stunning. My only gripe is that they didn't badge it with Infinity. I know it won't have a problem selling though. Seriously this thing is gorgeous, I wanted to be its FWB.

— Autophile (View Profile)

Posted on 11/19/2007 2:31:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

as i understand it, many 911 owners USED TO OWN corvettes. many 'vette owners ASPIRE to own porsches.

i don't think 'vette owners are so blindly loyal as you think/imply. even domestic truck owners were once THOUGHT to be fiercely loyal. but a LOT have jumped ship to the tundra.

a new car on the block will draw customers from ALL competing brands for at least a look see.

if it excels on its own merits (as this car seems to), it WILL end up wooing and winning NEW converts and buyers.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 11/20/2007 7:02:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"i don't think 'vette owners are so blindly loyal as you think/imply. even domestic truck owners were once THOUGHT to be fiercely loyal. but a LOT have jumped ship to the tundra."

If the Tundra's constant problems are an indication, they will be jumping back, soon.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/20/2007 6:35:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

WHAT "constant problems?" the camshaft issue was quickly resolved, once toyota rapped the knuckles of the errant supplier. and toyota didn't merely install new cams on the FEW affected vehicles. they gave the customers fresh NEW ENGINES.

you think a problem and resolution like this will drive away buyers? if anything, it'll make them EVEN MORE appreciative of having a toyota.

WHATEVER problems the tundra might have with a small amt of 4x4 v8 trucks, the domestics ALSO have, and IN SPADES. look at the CR frequency of repair records. FULL BLACK marks across the line for gmc 4x4s, even from the 2nd year.

(audi drivetrains aren't much to brag about either, btw!)

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 11/22/2007 5:43:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

the people who own corvettes that i know only own them because they are a performance bargain. given the chance and if they had the money, a GTR would be miles ahead of a corvette, C6 Z06 withstanding. of the people who own porsches that i know (carrera s) only own them because of the name. they would never take their precious porsche to the track. the GTR certainly plays to those who have stis and evos, but i think the appeal includes those of a fundamental level of enthusiast. after all, this car has all the luxuries of an R8 (and more) yet is cheaper, more practical, and has better performance. who can argue with that?

— gsh23 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/20/2007 2:05:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

"The GT-R probably does compare favorably to the R8 in terms of performance. But it certainly doesn't compare in terms of luxury. The interior of the GT-R looks like something that Mitsubishi would have done a couple of decades ago. Besides, it doesn't matter, for three reasons. First, the R8's power-to-weight ratio isn't spectacular. Second, I doubt if Audi expects to sell 1,500 units of the R8 per year. Third, there is no reason to expect that people to whom the R8 is appealing, will find the GT-R appealing."

I agree, I want an R8. Not for its straight-line performance only, but for its perfect handling, its stunning, sexy style and yes, its luxurious interior/everyday drivability. It just doesn't compete with the GT-R; they're too different.

Audi could easily sell 1500 R8s if they wanted to... but they don't want to, so there's a MASSIVE waiting list.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/20/2007 6:38:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The GT-R looks awesome and I know they will easily reach that goal.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/20/2007 6:38:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1