The Germans Are in Trouble!: Nissan's new GT-R Won't Cost as Much as Expected

I dont care what you say, this does not threaten a 911.

— J328Coupe (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 8:00:21 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Please don't insult raccoons like that.

— weaponX (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 9:33:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

HAHAHA.U r right it will not be the rival of the normal 911 (C2/C2S) but the Turbo.

What r u guys talking about? Skyline is going to be a serious/hardcore sports/super car.
Only Turbo could able to challenge it.

BTW can't wait to see the new king.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 8:35:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

jungu ... lol .. you have to be kidding right? How can that ugly thing threaten the porsche 911? thank goodness for autospies and some of the comments. lmao

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 8:57:34 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Low cost means cheap materials.

Porsche owners expect better quality.

And BTW, this car is ugly and ordinary.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 9:03:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

It might not threaten the 911 sales, we all know at this price range, the name on the badge means just as much as the capabilities of the car to some. However, those that say that the performance will not rival the 911 or possibly the 911 turbo, just don't know the history of the GTR. All some people see is a Nissan badge and will never give the car a fair change regardless of its performance which I would think SHOULD be the primary concern when buying a sports car. I would laugh out loud at anyone who thinks the GTR is a direct competitor to an Evolution or a WRX, thats clearly ignorant and shows a lack of knowledge about the high performance sports coupe segment.

— stone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 9:09:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

well one thing is, who ever posted that pic, is an idiot. that is the first concept back in 2001. and what makes you think this cant compete? the skyline gtr34 beat the porsche 996 turbo at the nurburgring. all other porsches that beat the gtr's time were the GT2s, GT3s/RS. i for one think this will be a great car. so really whats so wrong about this car that it cant compete at the track?

— Alec (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 9:13:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

its ok to fire back when you feel threatend. the gtr is still not out,so any pros and cons are pure speculations. the truth will be revealed once the gtr is out and what ever the outcome, whether you like or dislike this nissan, you must accept it. becuase living in denial is living in your make-believe world. and that is just silly.

— WeAreMad (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 9:18:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

I don't think that the new GTR is going to be that cheap. At that price, it will ruin just about anything in the coupe market and that includes their 350z and infiniti Gs.

Plus, offering the variation in GT-R range would be a good idea but getting the entry level half-priced of the top of the shelf doesn't sound right!! It will reduce the brand image automatically.

I really believe that a smart guy like Carlos Ghosn wouldn't do stupid thing like setting the price of GT-R at 3series range.

— underthegravity (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 9:31:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

29,000 GBP = 57,150.92 USD
35,000 GBP = 68,975.25 USD
59,000 GBP = 102,474.83 USD

considering the GTR will be sold in the US, this is price is geared toward a RS4 for the v-spec. while the GTR Evo is priced just lower than porsche 911 turbo. there shouldnt be any reason why the gtr would be a great competitive car against it.

— Alec (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 9:44:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

It has a long way to go before it can compete with the 911. This may be a 911 competitor for getting groceries but I highly doubt the GTR will shine on the race track or when pushed to the limit.

— kpaxx (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 10:00:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

previous gtr was ugly?

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 11:58:07 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

it may be impressive mechanically. we'll see.
but it's definitely one ugly car.
the 911 has nothing to worry about.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 10:14:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Definitely sounds pretty impressive mechanically. Hopefully, it will be as impressive as the R34, not just another mass produced, profit-driven G35 or G37. That said, it's sad to see that some posters never get to see the world outside the U.S. and read the mags other than MotorTrend and Car And Driver. Just several frogs living in a well.

— BMWRU (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 11:30:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

i think it'll do fine based on it being the only hardcore japanese sports car on the market. i don't like the styling...so far...(need to see in person).

and it still isn't cheap.

nissan has spent enough time on this to meet even the loftiest expectations...if ANY japanese company is to make a splash in this price range, it's nissan

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 12:06:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

For those who cant do the conversions.

$35,000 EUR= $46,683.86 USD
$52,000 EUR= $69,358.87 USD

— Sauceboy01 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 12:22:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Its not aimed at porsche... not at all. The porsche although is a fast car and handles brilliantly, can also be comfortable when needed to. I dont think this 1 will do the same. It will probably be like the last car, something that will eat corners, but uncomfortable in daily driving. But Im sure it will be great.

Another thing, not everyone that buys porsches care that much about performance, just the badge. A nissan wouldnt be on their shopping list...

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 12:44:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

This is the latest Japanese/Korean marketing mentality of late: claim your new product is aimed directly at an unrealistic competitor to garner some attention for said product.

Lame.

— Zackary (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 1:19:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Why would I ever spend $50 to $70k on a Nissan? I dont care how fast it is or how well it performs. Not in a million years would I ever buy a nissan over a Porsche. This article kills me. This and the fact that some of you on here actually believe the Nissan will take away from 911 sales. Didnt VW try and dab into the high luxury market and fail miserably and why would this be any different? It is still a Nissan.

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 2:24:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Why would I ever spend $50 to $70k on a Nissan? I dont care how fast it is or how well it performs. Not in a million years would I ever buy a nissan over a Porsche. This article kills me. This and the fact that some of you on here actually believe the Nissan will take away from 911 sales. Didnt VW try and dab into the high luxury market and fail miserably and why would this be any different? It is still a Nissan.

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 2:25:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I am not saying that it wont be an excellent performance car. I am saying that it is still a Nissan and how can one compare it to a porsche? I would never spend $60 to $70k on a nissan. In that price range, I am offered a RS4, M3, porsche cayman, C63, S5, Z06 and a nissan. What does not belong in that comparison? this article kills me ...

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 3:55:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

nissan has been compared to porsche for decades. since the introduction of the Z, it has been compared to the 911. back then, porsche was as spartan as most other sports cars. it wasn't long ago that porsches still had air-cooled engines.

maybe the consumer doesn't go from the nissan to porsche dealership back to back, but these are comparably priced, and performing cars.

i'd lean towards porsche for the novelty of a rear-engined ride as well as it being an icon. but i respect all the gtr is capable of on the track, and it's motorsport accomplishments.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 5:32:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

prestige is based on years and years of delivering a consistent, UNIQUE product. a product that lives up to a certain set of priorities.

every brand has history/heritage. few have the prestige that enables them to price their products at a premium to competitors. economics rule the roost here. if people won't pay more, they don't think something is worth more.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 8:48:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

lexusadmirer:

heritage and prestige are NOT interchangeable!

for example, ford has more heritage than almost anyone else in the car business. hell, ford invented the assembly line. but is ford prestigious? um, no.

other examples of brands with tons of heritage but no prestige: buick, chevrolet, sears, plymouth, dodge, kmart, etc.

furthermore, heritage doens't give you pricing power. brand prestige certainly does.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/29/2007 12:38:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

i have no doubt the japanese could build a true prestige auto brand.
but they keep trying to do it on the cheap.

if they were serious, they'd design a luxury brand from the ground up. unique designs not shared with cheaper siblings. but they don't. and people aren't stupid. that's why the japanese luxury brands don't have pricing power over competitors.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 8:52:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

i think the GTR is a legend and it should get the respect in needs, this car looks pretty nice, not as nice as i thought, but still nice. I also think that this car well go side by side with the 911, no joke.

— trd1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 4:46:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"As I've always said, people buy Porsche for the same reason they buy BMW. The Rice factor. " -Ricemaster

Probably the most unintelligent thing I've read from you. German cars=Rice? Hmmm... Then Japan must be known for Oktoberfest.

— MookGmbH (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 5:35:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

you're not being fair to chickens

— Cynical (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 3:58:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

and design.
and minimalist interiors.
and innovative technologies (for example...ABS, airbags, traction control, stability control, etc that they've invented)

and, yes, handling.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 8:55:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Umm, Nissan 350Z starts @ 26,495 in the UK, with the roadster @ 27,995. Realistic. The Nissan Murano is 29,995 pounds in the UK.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 7:30:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I say if they brought the old version of the skyline back, and sold it in america, it would do loads better than this version.

I hate the exterior on this car...just makes me want to throw up. The old skyline although not much, I still loved it.

— VinnyP (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 12:00:05 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

i noticed one thing on this web site that really bothers me. "the germans are in trouble" line is getting so old.
most people on this site it seems to me have no clue what people in the real world want.
IT DOESNT MATTER if this car is better or faster than a porsche or bmw. people buying porsches and bmw's wouldnt piss on japanese cars to save them from a fire.

i personally drive a 2005 m3 and when im next to a suburu wrx sti or mitsubishi EVO i really dont care if the car is just as fast as mine at half the price. those cars have no elite image. its just a fast n furious car for kids. i wouldnt be proud driving an evo and park it in a parking lot next to an s550 or bmw 7 series or audi a8, those fast race cars look like cheap pieces of garbage from "pimp my ride". you think you will tell a girl " i have an EVO" and you think she will know what the hell ur talking about ???? tell her porsche and the eyes will light up. u dont see japanese cars in music videos cause its just too cheap. just because a car is faster doesnt mean all that much. a car needs to have an overall package.
performance, prestige, comfort, luxury.
GTR- evo and WRX are all power and nothing else .

— iamdabest1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 12:04:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

who are you?

— cs4444 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/31/2007 3:19:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

If its even in the same league as the Z06 performance wise and for under $60k they will sell everyone of them. I would prefer the Z06 but then again I love the idea of being that close to 600 hp!

— germeezy2 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 1:21:52 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

wow im quite shocked at the responses this car is getting. people, this is the GTR. this is the nissan equivalent to the GT40, a car built solely to dethrone all others on the racetrack. this isnt a hopped up lancer or WRX. no other car has the technology this machine has and as a result, will be quite competitive even up against a 911 turbo. i feel like this is such old news, that picture was the original concept. here we have 009 creating **** again. we all know and have seen the latest pics of the real car. believe me, nissan will create a legend in the US. every single one will be sold even before hitting the shores. if i had the money theres no question. i simply am astounded, but i guess thats good, less competition from your wallet = GTR in my garage = sad smiley on your face in your new M3 or shiney 9114S. jesus....

— gsh23 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 1:38:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Chances are that it will be more reliable than the competition as well.

— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 9:00:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

It doesn't mean Nissan didn't use a 911 as comparison to the Skyline. Most of the vids I've seen show a Skyline being tested alongside a 911.
It'd better be a heck of a performer though b/c the car has been under development for almost 10 years now!

— ElSparquito (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 11:44:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

GTR -- Get That Raccoon

— AMGC55 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 12:50:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

In Arizona last month I photographed what the Nissan officials present told me was the 2008/9 GT-R.
http://flickr.com/photos/mikefield/sets/72157594528020753/

— Badgermike (View Profile)

Posted on 3/29/2007 3:06:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

hello,everyone. From what I read, I think there 4 kind of people here.
1.people who are Nissan(Japanese) fans
2.people who are German fans (I am very thank you for your support, I am german)
3.people who care just about brand name.
4.people who care just about performance.

These are my thoughs. I can't denied that german cars have both heritage and prestige. and when it come to most women, german cars is winning the japanese cars. but eventhough, I am german I am sure that 911 will lose and 911Turbo will have a hard time catching up or getting away from GT-R. and the GT-R will leave the current M3 in the dust(every car fans know that current M3 can't even win the R-34)unless you have CSL.

I just visit my friends in the USA, and it was very fun,most of NewYorkers are very nice. but most fun of all was when he took me in his 06 M3 competition we took turn racing people on freeway (I think it called 87 or sprainbrook parkway.) everyone want to race with us and it very strange to me because some hyundai, civic, and some low-end cars want to race with us, because in germany if you know your car is not competible with your opponent we won't race them it is common sense. but Americans are fun, they race everything they have, that make America interesting and fun.

I think the bottom line is
if you are in the USA. and care about look Go for German cars
if you are heading to Bundesautobahn (autobahn), race tracks or just want to beat someone on the freeways just make sure you have what it take to play with your opponents.

— Autofanatiker (View Profile)

Posted on 3/31/2007 9:45:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1