Video: AutoCar pins the Nissan GT-R against the 911 GT3 and the M3

People, I give you EL34, autospies' goon!

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 1:02:00 PM | | Votes: 15   

What's the matter, don't like the Datsun Goon?

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 7:08:31 PM | | Votes: 5   

Cry ElNina, the GTR is the most revolutionary Automobile Since the McLaren F1.

— PintoRacer (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 8:32:18 PM | | Votes: 6   

Yes Indeed PintoRacer, yes Indeed.

— GTR35 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 9:41:32 PM | | Votes: 3   

It looks like a WWI era tank!

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/1812984/2/istockphoto_1812984_wwi_military_tank.jpg

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 12:39:51 PM | | Votes: -14   

EL34, don't be so bitter because the GT-R is a great car.

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 1:04:49 PM | | Votes: 9   

GTR did look pretty good in the black. In my opinion, I am not a big fan of the overall styling. Then again, this is not meant to be the best looking car. It is designed to perform and that is does really well.

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 1:07:23 PM | | Votes: 9   

I'm not afraid of that monster.

What do you think I am 3 years old???

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 1:40:29 PM | | Votes: -6   

Go lower my friend.

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 1:58:32 PM | | Votes: 11   

i remember saying how the M3 isnt really worth the money and this video here very well proves my theory. now everyone else is saying the same. bias german fans need to control themselves.....

— KZ258 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 6:42:02 PM | | Votes: -2   

Are you kidding? The new M3 is stunning from every angle!

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 8:22:03 PM | | Votes: 4   

fastonekiller calm down. no need to call me names. control yourself damn

— KZ258 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 3:33:53 PM | | Votes: 2   

Best performing, sure. But since when have cars been rated solely on their performance stats?

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 4:54:09 PM | | Votes: -1   

Xero ... watch the video and tell me I am wrong. In regards to performance for the M3, 5.2 is the slowest of any test that I have ever seen. Even with the Porsche it was horrible. 4.7 for GT3. I would expect that from an above average driver, but not from someone who is trying to provide a subjective article about performance cars. These are performance cars and I expect the drivers who are working for major magazines to be able to drive. the guy is an idiot.

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 1:36:08 PM | | Votes: 1   

Actually, I think it shows what Joe Buyer should expect out of the car, and not, say, Lewis Hamilton...

— Agent004 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 1:51:11 PM | | Votes: 2   

uh Im guessin most of the people on autospies is from the states, cause Chris Harris is one of the most respected auto journalists and enthusiasts in the UK. He a much better driver then the those top gear and fifth gear presenters with the exception of tiff. The man loves and ownes porsches, owns a gallardo, and the m3 in the video is his. He regularly writes articles for Porsche magazine, so to BMW4me4ever who said he cant drive, I dont think so. Autocar magazine is taken seriously in the UK and Chris Harris always drives the cars to the limit.

— car_dude (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 3:06:04 PM | | Votes: 0   

times are irrelevant. He did say it was about 2 degrees outside so the tires are probably still cold as well as the tarmac. The conditions are not optimal thus explaining the slower times.

— SVTruong (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 8:15:50 PM | | Votes: 3   

o yes! and there was a passenger

— SVTruong (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 8:19:57 PM | | Votes: 2   

And you can...

— nozferatu (View Profile)

Posted on 2/28/2008 1:58:38 PM | | Votes: 1   

Just like you?

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 1:05:05 PM | | Votes: 12   

that is mostly due to the driver's inability to actually drive. He bogged the porsche and the M3 at the start of the performance times, then he spun in 2nd gear. If I am drag racing someone, regardless of the car, they are going to get pummled. How come he has posted the slowest time ever for a Gt3 and M3? In the GTR, he didnt have the opportunity cause my 10 year old couldnt mess that up.

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 1:05:46 PM | | Votes: -3   

The GT-R is an auto pilot car.

Just like Lexus and their self-parking doodad.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 1:39:12 PM | | Votes: -6   

Still bitter I see? Just bend over and accept it.

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 2:01:49 PM | | Votes: 5   

But still got "slayed" by the GT-R. Come on, they're not even in the same class.

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 1:59:31 PM | | Votes: 9   

and I should mention that I don't care if the GT3 or M3 can keep up with the GT-R, I'd still rather have either of those. The GT-R is an amazing car but if I'm going to spend $70-100k on a car, I want something that's going to turn people's heads who aren't just avid fans of Fast and the Furious or Gran Turismo.

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 1:58:13 PM | | Votes: -2   

so you would rather show off than take the better car? Shows how much of an enthusiast you are. If you actually chose the other 2 for something that actually relates to the car and not image then i wouldn't say you aren't a proper enthusiast.

— zairnaim (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 2:22:59 PM | | Votes: -2   

Just because one is faster than the others doesn't make it "the better car". It's just better at one particular aspect of owenership, in this case "driving fast". Frankly I reject your notion that choosing the GT-R because it's the fastest is the only way to be a "proper" enthusiast, who are you to judge what a "proper" enthusiast is? It's my money, not yours. By the way, the GT-R is faster than all but one or two Ferrari's, all but two Porsche's, and every Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Bentley, etc. I don't care what you say, the GT-R is not "better" than those, it's just faster.

I am an enthusiast. And I would still choose the M3 or GT3 (or M5/M6, Audi RS4/RS5/RS6, or E63 AMG, or any car I just listed above) because

a) all of these vehicles perform better than 99% of cars on the road, and

b) I value performance AND image, not just one or the other.

With the cars I listed I get more than enough performance for my needs (certainly more than I can legally get away with), and yes, I get a vehicle that has cachet to more than 5% of the population. If I'm a car snob so be it. But I'm not taking my car to the track, so I don't care if the GT-R laps the 'Ring faster than whatever I drive.

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 2:52:27 PM | | Votes: 9   

_43LE: Do you own a large stake in NSANY? You seem to get very defensive when it comes to anything GTR/Nissan related? I'm not being facetious.

— kablaam (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 3:11:02 PM | | Votes: 3   

"_43LE: Do you own a large stake in NSANY? You seem to get very defensive when it comes to anything GTR/Nissan related? I'm not being facetious."

Kablaam, you must be fairly new here. I do not have strong affinity to Nissan. I just know that EL34 hates anything Asian which is negative and racist. If you pay further attention to his comments you'll soon realize this for yourself and what a horse's you know what he can be.

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 6:53:55 PM | | Votes: 1   

Actually I've been here longer then you think.....

GTR will def. be iconic but can you honestly say the M3 of 911 sucks because it's slower around a track? Plus, I don't care what anyone says, an auto DCT will beat any manual anyday(albeit not as fun). This def. added to the GTR's win over the manual 911 and M3.

Barring price my choices in order would be:

911
GTR
M3

This is assuming the GTR is a half way decent road car, not just a track/performance vehicle.

This is where the BMW shines, it will do great on the track but it has wonderful manners to be a daily driver.

Only time will tell.

— kablaam (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 9:41:35 PM | | Votes: 2   

Kablaam, I never said that the M3 or 911 suck. I think that they're both great cars. You're putting words in my mouth. The GT-R happens to be a great car too. Also:

"Yet this mill remains perfectly mannered whether it's being thrashed mercilessly or just lugged around town. If you left the transmission in automatic mode and only used one-quarter throttle, you'd never guess that this car could suck the doors off nearly anything on the road.

Holding a conversation with the Nissan engineer riding shotgun even during a 250-kph (155 mph) cruise barely requires raised voices, and the locked-down high-speed stability inspires me to pick up the pace. Alas, there are too many other cars on the autobahn to push much beyond this speed...

...The car's performance envelope is as broad as Texas, and it is as perfectly content creeping along in rain-drizzled traffic as it is smashing the Nürburgring lap times of some of the world's fastest sports cars. It demands little sacrifice from its owner, offering all-weather capability in a truly practical package."

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=123099

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 10:46:16 PM | | Votes: 2   

AMen

— montyz81 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 3:25:11 PM | | Votes: 5   

The Porsche unbeatable? It just got its ass handed to it in the video and every comparison made so far. I personally believe the previous M3 to be superior to the current M3 (I like BMW's too, although it was completely outclassed the M3 was compared to the GT-R because in the UK their prices are close to each other. The GT-R has already won in the objective areas, its looks are subjective and personally I like it. In the UK everybody has a porsche or BMW its getting boring so I welcome this car.

— car_dude (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 3:13:52 PM | | Votes: 1   

So the M3 is classed with the GT-R based on price? now isn't that just the dumbest category to compare them against?

Personally, I have a GT3, and I think that its sufficient for me. I am not going to pretend like the GT-R is a bad car, because its an awesome machine, but in the end, I think that its too mechanical and effortless for me (from the way every article and test describes it).

But the GT3, M3 and GT-R all have their weaknesses and strengths, and they all shine in their own ways... Stop fighting already!!!!!

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 3:36:42 PM | | Votes: 4   

"Thanks. I expected nothing less from a badge whore."

couldnt of said it better myself

— KZ258 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 6:46:25 PM | | Votes: 1   

Badge whore? Lol I drive a camry man. Forget about the badges now. I would take the porsche , how about that. I dont hate the GTR, I just dont like the front end. I love its interior. But I like the Porsche, the 911turbo has been my dream car since I was a kid.

— M3owns (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 7:25:12 PM | | Votes: 2   

I just cant wait until Clarkson compares the GT-R in some way with Keira Knightley

— Threepoint1415926 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 3:03:07 PM | | Votes: 2   

Chris Harris is one of the most respected drivers in the UK and is a avid Porsche enthusiast, he regularly writes articles for porsche magazine. He a way better driver then clarkson and those top gear clowns save the stig and a whole lot better then the fifth gear crew with the exception of tiff.

— car_dude (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 3:16:42 PM | | Votes: 1   

car dude ... if he is a better driver, then maybe he had a bad day. That was a horrible demonstration at driving and launching a manual transmission. If is such a great driver, then how can he blow the start on both the Porsche and M3. It cost him at least a second, which biased his point of view ...

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 3:50:48 PM | | Votes: 2   

What was that about not involving Keira Knightley...?

Clarkson: "Sure, Nissan’s GT-R will be faster, but that’s like being married to Keira Knightley and then being jealous of someone who’s married to a horse with a first from Oxford."

— Threepoint1415926 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 7:11:27 PM | | Votes: 2   

It's funny how you people say that Tiff is the best and the only good driver from fifth gear.
All the while Jason Plato is the real active racing driver among them, with a BTCC championship behind his name and a second place last year.

— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 3:22:09 AM | | Votes: 1   

"I'd like to see what BMW or Merc can do w/ AWD."

Good point. Judging from what I've read about the X6's new xdrive system, it sounds like they're getting serious about AWD. Hopefully it will make its way to their cars too.

— tattedtwice (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 3:53:09 PM | | Votes: 4   

yea, perhaps the trend of performance AWD might extend to the likes of the 911 Turbo, Gallardo, R8, Veyron...

or maybe its been going on for a while, and the GT-R is just the latest in a series of AWD performance machines.

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 10:40:31 PM | | Votes: 2   

Well, let's see...... maybe Porsche should keep GT3 RWD but make GT2 AWD, and AUDI should purchase AWD from NISSAN so they can have an AWD of 21st century. In fact, that may also help Lambo to stand up to Ferrari.... :)

— dlingkk (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 2:56:46 AM | | Votes: 1   

actually , on dry track, not much difference between AWD and RWD, AWD is set back by additional weight

— mwrmmg (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 6:19:25 AM | | Votes: 1   

dlingkk, you quite obviously have not driven an Audi R8. Neither have I, but at least read a damn review, man! It's a sensation. It acts like a RWD car at the track, and it's pure Audi quattro in the snow. Motor Trend magazine took the R8, with 19" wheels, through a blizzard in the Midwest... without winter tires. It conquered the snow.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 9:00:48 PM | | Votes: 1   

Just like you hate badges, not cars.

— Threepoint1415926 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 7:13:38 PM | | Votes: 2   

That is irrelevant. It's like saying Porsche was really the first company to have a true hybrid, because they invented it in the early 1900s. Obviously, the Daimler AWD vehicle didn't spur a host of competition and revolutionize rallying across the earth. Audi's quattro did.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 9:03:18 PM | | Votes: 1   

no, it's not irrelevant Mr Audi fanboy. He said 'develop'. You do know what that word means, right?

— infunf (View Profile)

Posted on 2/27/2008 12:21:36 AM | | Votes: 0   

You know what I meant, and I know what he meant.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/27/2008 1:05:21 AM | | Votes: 1   

But the GT3 is a far better car than the M3, true the M3 looks better than either but in terms of performance it lags behind. And Check out the price, GT3 79 thousand Sterling Pounds, M3 54 thousand poudns, and GTR about 58to 60 thousand pounds. I am sure the M3 is awesome in it's own league, but it can not be compared in the same length as a Porsche 911 GT3, or a Nissan Skyline GT35 R.

— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 9:55:48 PM | | Votes: 2   

and You=idiot. When was the last time you saw a chick driving an m3? Huh?

— M3owns (View Profile)

Posted on 2/27/2008 6:30:48 PM | | Votes: 1   

but this guy blew the test drive of both the Porsche and BMW. That is why the Porsche was that slow. Even if it was one shot, if bogged both cars and spun in 2nd gear. Anyone that has actually drag raced legally or illegally, knows that if you do that you are dead. I have done both. It is crazy that a professional driver who made errors on both cars, then provides an opinion to the best car. even thought he did not drive the Porsche nor M3, well at all.

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 11:01:49 AM | | Votes: 0   

Top gear already tested the R8 against the GT-R for car of the year. The GT-R was the faster car but the award for car of the year went to the R8 while supercar of the year went to the GT-R. Apparently the R8 had more soul

— car_dude (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 4:17:50 PM | | Votes: 2   

The new issue of car magazine which is called nissan crushes the germans is out, and there like 20 pages comparing the GT-R against the m3, turbo, and r8. GT-R came first 911 turbo came second R8 third and m3 last

— car_dude (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 4:25:48 PM | | Votes: 1   

Here the top gear article comparing the R8 and GT-R

http://www.tacticalcenter.net/GT-R/topgear_gtr_vs_r8.html

— car_dude (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 4:34:19 PM | | Votes: 1   

The R8 and the GT-R are marketed to two very different buyers. I would love to own either car, for different reasons, though I definitely prefer the R8. It loses out on speed, but makes up for it in style, luxury, ease of use and its exceptional handling.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 9:30:08 PM | | Votes: 2   

I agree with you S4

— M3owns (View Profile)

Posted on 2/27/2008 6:33:57 PM | | Votes: 1   

yeah i agree, go buy yourself bentley, merc or maybach, plenty of luxuries...

— mwrmmg (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 6:22:44 AM | | Votes: 2   

BTW, GTR has loads of gadgets to play with on its flat screen - torque curve, G force and all sorts of gauge and settings to play with.. you'll be in the car forever..

— mwrmmg (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 6:39:06 AM | | Votes: 3   

How will you feel when you're driving a car that looks like it's styling was inspired by a Rhinoceros? :-/

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 11:14:17 AM | | Votes: -1   

styled like a Rhinoceros... well then if its like that, it would make porsche drivers feel even worse when they see the rhino out pacing them. You hate it for its design and probably cause it says NISSAN. If it looked like that and said AUDI, you'd probably praise the living crap out of it.

— Alec (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 12:18:11 PM | | Votes: 2   

It's Ok, sitting on the inside you dont see it , just enjoying all the flat screen gizmos and scared faces of porsche drivers . anyway.. ugly looks & calling it Datsun is just so lame.... haven't u got anything else worth to criticize . It's so difficult isn't it to bite the rhino's / godzilla's bullet

— mwrmmg (View Profile)

Posted on 2/27/2008 6:10:38 AM | | Votes: 2   

M3 is not half the price of either the GTR or the GT3. THE M3 costs 54 grand pounds, and the GTR costs 58 grand, whereas the Porsche costs 74 thousand pounds. So clearly in terms of price, the GTR and the M3 are rivals. And as we all know the GTR can smoke the M3 to trash.

— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/28/2008 10:32:20 AM | | Votes: 1   

Agent63, most of the people buying this car are business professionals (they have money) not some broke ass teenagers. Just snoop around some of the gt-r fan sites and you'll see most of the people on the waiting list for the car are professionals, they just don't want to be associated with the snob appeal.

— car_dude (View Profile)

Posted on 2/27/2008 9:34:34 AM | | Votes: 1   

only thing is a Porsche or M3 doesn't have snob appeal. It's not a Ferrari. But I get what you mean. Those professionals are the ones who are probably younger generation late 70's early 80's who are looking for these cars. Rightfully so. I guess I'm old fashioned I would rather spend that kind of money on something I know. The GT-R is a great car. Until I see the fit and finish on the interior I still think it's just an pricey Japanese sports car. With that said the car is amazing i'll never take that away from it.

Nissan is gaining ground but I just wish they would have badged that as an Infiniti. Then that premium price would make sense.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/27/2008 6:32:09 PM | | Votes: 2   

Vendetta I don't agree on your statement: "Porsche isn't on the same level as Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls, or Bugatti. They are not even special compared to Aston Martin or Maserati."

1) Porsche made the Carrera GT (IMO a great car)
2) Porsche owns a good percentage of Volkswagen > Audi > Bugatti > Lamborghini
3) Just because they don't make the most expensive cars doesn't mean their not in the same league.

If you say Porsche isn't in the same league as a Ferrari or "EVEN" Aston Martin then how can you say a Nissan is in the same level as a Porsche?

I'm not a C-class fan and yes I would choose a 335i over a C350 but who am I to say people won't choose a 350 over the 335i? different markets and if you look at the people who drive them (ESP the new C-Class) they may not be looking for that extra bit of performance but instead the more refined and classy interior MB is bringing out to the market.

The Nissan GT-R hands down great performer/handling car/ yadadada. I respect it but doesn't mean I have to like it. Numbers vary from driver to driver. It's hard for a driver to drive exactly the same when they switch over to another car. So with that said the Porsche or the GT-R are good cars. But who are we to say which one is the BEST. IT's all subjective and up to us WHEN/IF we drive them.

I respect your comments but all we're basing our comments on are on video reviews and magazine reviews. Track conditions, choice of tires, type of track, etc all play a factor.

All I have to say is all three of these cars are good cars. It all depends what you want to do with it. M3 is more of a luxury car than anything. Porsche's are more or less luxury as well but they make quality products and have shown they can compete with the best of them. Nissan (like Honda/Toyota) can make fast cars if they choose to. That goes for any German company as well.

lastly it all boils down to the feel of the car when you drive it not the numbers. Only reason why the M3 was so drift-happy was cause it was RWD. It would have been a little bit closer if it had all 4 going.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/27/2008 8:05:13 PM | | Votes: 2   

Who gives a sh*t about you. If you don't try to buy the GTR, the better it is for us, because there are almost thousands of people who are ready to deposit for the GTR, so if there is one out of the list, then there is a chance that i'll get to buy the car faster. GTR is not only about a lesser expensive price, but the fact that it is actually better than the 997 in almost every respect. I'll be buying a GTR over a 997 just because it is a better car, not becuse of it's price.

— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/28/2008 10:36:54 AM | | Votes: 0   

Who gives a &%^$ about me? haha I was stating my opinion and respecting others as well. Who are you to even speak? I wasn't talking to you.

Have you even driven a 997? or even better how about a GT-R?. It's been showing great results and appears to be the better car. As much as I respect the GT-R and what Nissan has done it doesn't mean I have to like the car.

I have driven a Porsche and their fit and finishing is superb. Now I can't say that for Nissan. No matter how fast a car is and how well it handles it doesn't mean it's built well. Have you seen the other Nissan's on the market? the 350z has cheap plastic. But for the playstation generation it's all about the performance and less about the quality of the build.

Reason why i'm backing a Porsche is because I know the product im getting is quality. And I think in the video the GT-R was set with better tires than the GT3 but I forget what the guy said.

Many factors play an important role in the times recorded. I won't restate them all again.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/28/2008 7:35:09 PM | | Votes: 1