Has Nissan Upset The Order Of The Sports Car Universe With The GT-R?

ABSOLUTELY.

I agree with the article; it needs a better sounding exhaust, it's ugly, and the interior is a mess. But, judged solely on bang-for-the-buck, it's top dog right now.

boss ... just because it has leather stitching, doesnt mean that it is using the highest quality leather. Also, it doesnt use high quality plastic. For me, I could care less how fast it goes, due to it is ugly. For $70k there are plenty of sharper looking, nicer interior cars that are plenty fast ... I would never spend that much on a Nissan. Wait til someone has to service that car and goes to the nissan dealer. That will be humourous

I detect resentment based on jealousy... of the fact that BMW can't make a vehicle that comes within a stratosphere of the performance of this great car, let alone at the same price.

"While the shape of GT-Rs interior might not be a looker..."

Thanks for agreeing with me. Enough said.

"I detect resentment based on jealousy... of the fact that BMW can't make a vehicle that comes within a stratosphere of the performance of this great car, let alone at the same price."

Do you fools on this site have to turn EVERYTHING into a 'vs. BMW' thread? You sound like you're the one stretching and trying to start an argument just because he stated a simple OPINION, one that didn't even mention BMW.

Also, don't be ignorant, or a hater, it's a bad combination. To suggest that BMW 'can't' make a ulta-high performance vehicle is laughable. The M3 is no slouch on a drag strip or a track, certainly more than enough performance for people who don't equate being fastest with being superior.

BMW4ever...Nissan is ensuring that there is a GTR specialist at most of its dealerships...so getting it fixed up shouldnt be too humorous.

I guess no body knows about the Corvette's All leather interior option. VERY NICE! Not quite at Porsche's standards but definitely up there.

It may be a fast car, but the design looks like a cheap plastic toy.

It is a fast car, and the design, while not pretty, is not ugly either. It certainly has road presence and a uniqueness to it. You have to give credit where credit is due.

I may be a poor salesman and may not be able to afford a nice car, let alone the GT-R but it does look like a fast car. /;->

I knew it, poor salesman, can't afford anything. ;-)

Yall get a room... :-P

I am not a big fan of the cars look but the engine and the driving dynamics don't seem to have a fault. Its goes like stink and the budget pricing (in terms of supercars) makes a great case for it. I wouldn't spend my money on it but I think its kind of cool. T

If actually had the quality of the competition inside and out and offered it at the same price I'd say, "Yes!". But, as it stands now, no.

I give it credit though. It has put up some really nice numbers. But, isn't it possible to mod an old Civic, Supra, or Celica and bring it up to the same level of performance.

There are a lot of fast ricers out there, that doesn't mean I'd buy one over a Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, or Corvette.

Plus, it's STILL a Nissan.

As far as quality goes, sure it isn't actually in lambo or ferrari territory but it sure as hell is better then the corvettes.

So what? If you mod a civic, supra, you be beating the other competition you mentioned. Especially the Supra that car is a beast.

Your right it's a Nissan but the corvette is a chevy. Last time I checked chevy wasn't actually anything special, specializing in low end cars and trucks like nissan. If anything the corvette and GT-R are both in the same position which is fighting the European establishment. The previous versions of the corvette weren't anything to brag about especially during its dark period, during the 80's and 90's. Which is when the GT-R starting making a name for itself starting in 1989. There so much hype about this car because the previous versions starting with the R32 were so good. Hell Clarkson rated the R34 GT-R as his 8th greatest car from his 100 greatest car of the century. The chevy boys only got their act together with the C6 versions, which I admit has proven itself to be a winner but alittle late to the game (2005). The GT-R has been consistent since 89 till now, so this just ain't no ordinary nissan.

Auto expert:"...isn't it possible to mod an old Civic, Supra, or Celica and bring it up to the same level of performance"

Are you mixing your private stash with oregano?!
How can you compare those cars with this high-tech beast? Show me a modded, street-legal Civic, Supra or Celica that can do 0-60 in 3.5 seconds.

whether or not you think so, or even care, the Corvette is not a car to turn your nose up at, there are many people that drive Corvettes that also drive the exotic cars that it is compared to, it is a Legend in its own right and far from an also ran at anything. It has a long line of history, and heritage and has improved alot with each passing generation. It is hard to argue with 45,000 and the performance or 70,000 and the Z06 performance GTR around or not. THe GTR i think is impressive, not the best looking car in the world far from, but unique and industrial looking. The interior much like the Corvette is OBVIOUSLY going to lack some frills i mean comeon look at the price and its competition, not to mention 1.i love astons but to call them true sports cars is rediculous they are certainly great GTs though, 2. The 911 interior isnt that great and the GTR was clearly inspired by the 911 with its toggle switches3. a 911 with less power than a G37 cost over 70 grand, and has a one color for everything interior that would fine in a 25,000 or less car because it lacks power seats, full leather seats, or leather on the dash doors in base trim hmm base at 75 grand are you kidding me...the 911 is a great sports car but it makes no sense otherwise....

Not sure if upsetting the order is an acurate phrase, it's more like demolishing everything around it. This machine is so awesome!!

The vette has more sex appeal and status than the gtr ever will. Even after being on the road 3 years, the vette still turns heads and attracts attention. The only types likely to get excited when spotting the gtr are dumb teen ricers. Anyone with real taste likely wont give it a second glance.

the gtr isn't a car for brand whores. Who gives a damn about what its called? Its an amazing car like the 911 and z06. I'm suprised that this site is full of so-called car enthusiasts who would rather impress hoes and their friends at the country club than enjoy the car for themselves.

Just because you offer exotic performance doesn't mean its an exotic.It takes alot more in terms of quality materials,refinement and styling etc.

If you've been around cars long enough, you realize that there's always the "next best thing". Six months ago it was the R8, now it's the GTR. In another year when Porsche brings out the 525hp turbo with PDK and a tuned suspension, it'll be the one to beat again from a performance perspective. The GTR-V spec will have it's day, too. It'll never end.

I don't think anyone doubts that someone will beat the GTR in the future, the point is Porsche will more than likely upgrade the 911 Turbo to beat the GTR's numbers, but it will still cost DOUBLE the price. The whole point of the GTR is supercar performance for the price of a fully loaded luxury midsize sedan. You will never be able to buy even an entry level Ferrari, Porsche, Lambo, Aston whatever for the price of this car and it is faster than all of them. Kudos to Nissan and anyone complaining about the interior with performance like this needs to pull up their skirt. YOU DO NOT BUY A GTR TO CARESS THE SUPPLE LEATHER DASH, you buy it to give you a nose bleed......

Stone

Very well stated Stone...

Stone, you talk price/performance and you're right, if you can actually get purchase a GTR for near list price. Sadly, the GTR fanboys are the very ones that will never own a GTR. It is the wealthy guys who own those high performance expensive Europeans that will be stealing the GTRs right under the fanboys' noses. Simple to do - walk into a Nissan dealer, offer him 50K over list and tomorrows fanboy delivery becomes tomorrows fanboy tears. Nissan lowballs the price on the GTR and lets the dealers do the dirty work.

i agree with you stone 150%

911 owner doesn't mean must to be GTR hater. I think a lot of 911 owner when consider to buy their 2nd sport car, GTR will be in their top list. who say they can't own both...

people can also own a lexus, mb, and a bwm at the same time. you really dont have to hate the competition...
btw, i wonder how the lf-a will stack up?
(better interior for sure)

What's "exhause" sound? DOH
Just because it doesn't sound like a kraut burner doesn't mean it can't whip the crap out of one!
By the way... a Corvette is STILL a Chebby.

AN EMPHATIC YES!!!

I wouldn’t have paid attention to this car had it become just a performance standard in its price class. Perhaps beating the likes of Porsche 911, Corvette and M3 would’ve been impressive, but not eye-opening. Of course, when you start talking about slaying the likes of the mighty 911 Turbo and GT3….uhhhmmm… it’s got my vote. Of course it’s not as pretty as a 911, but I can live with that if they’re selling it for half the cost.

It’s rare that a car lives up to its hype. That’s how you become a legend.

My undisputed pick for car of the year.

I wouldn't call a flattened Beetle "pretty".

The bottom line in comparing the GT-R to other exotics is:
How satisfying is it to drive?
I know it's faster around a track than just about anything you can buy with the exception of a out-and-out race car, but is it enjoyable compared to 911 Carrera? From the tests on the GT-R the exhause sound is sorely lacking. What about other characteristics?

You mean like the Autoweek article that compared the GT-R to a Lexus IS-F and concluded that the Lexus may not be as fast but it is more fun to drive than the GT-R?

Hell Ya

I'm going to have to go with a big NO on this one...

The GT-R has always been very technologically advanced. While that pure raw sports car power may be attractive to many, the GT-R can help out a bad driver.

Isn't safety a little bit important?

Actually Infiniti (g35/37, fx35/45..) and Nissan (350z) have the best exhaust notes around. GTR sound just as good as well...

I think in a few years, people will look back at the GT-R and recognize it to be the first of a new breed. It will force all the established players to step up, and at a bargain price too!