Which Is The Best Hardcore Coupe On The Road? 911 GT3, Vantage V12, R8 V10, Corvette ZR1 Shootout

My personnal choice would be the GT3, but on the "hardcore scale", it goes like this:

1- ZR1
2- GT3
3- AM V12
4- R8 V10



Mitchell's picks:

1- The SC430 Pebble Beach edition with gold crests
2- The LS600HL with gold crests
3- The LX470 with gold crests
4- His mom's "High end" Corolla (with gold crests)

— MSP6

Awesome totally agree!

You forgot the car that isn't even out yet, the LFA! :P

You didn't add the HS 250 (does that come with Gold Crest as well)? What's wrong with you. You know Mitchell has to add in the newbie.

I'll take that sexy Audi R8 V10.

GT3

Tie GT3/R8

001

I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THIS IS MY PICK FOR A HARDCORE RACER. PORSCHE TO ME GETS NUMBER 1 W/O A DOUBT. THEY HAVE A HARDCORE RACING HISTORY

1)GT3
2)ZR-1
3)R8 V10 (THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN OUT LONG ENOUGH TO BE JUGDED AS A HARDCORE RACER)
4)AM v12

If we are talking about a track car, then the 911 GT3 takes the crown...hands down.

1)AM V12
2)R8 V10
3)GT3
4)ZR1

if we were talking track cars then yes, i would have to say the GT3 after that i surely wouldn't care.

1_ZR1
2_R8V10
3_GT3
4_Vantage V12

Comments about the corvette were biased. It does better that the other cars and it is "Cheap" when you see the price tag of the others.

4-Way Tie.

Lol, the Corvette is easily the most hardcore. its not about refinement, its about going fast. The others have luxury aspirations which soften them.

Between those 4, my list would go:

1. R8
2. Vantage
3. ZR1
4. GT3

However, I would take a GT-R over all of them.

ZR1.
R8 shouldn't be on this list. Ferrari Scuderia or 599GTB
above all of them.

I would argue that the v10 r8 is more of a hardcore coupe then the 599gtb.

1/4 mile

GT3: 12.4
ZR1: 12.5

Pretty incredible considering the 203hp deficit...

My vote goes to the GT3. With the most powerful naturally aspirated six cylinder engine in any production car, and a chassis and suspension crafted by God; it's no surprise it drives better than almost anything.

I saw that review also, but the car is spec'd at a 11.3s quarter mile and there have been reports of people pulling 11.2s runs. Whereas the GT3 I haven't seen anyone break 12s with it.

GT3 has no speed limiter.

I guess the Viper is not a coupe ?

For me personally, my ranking would be:

1) 911 GT3 -- ultimate gentleman's track car
2) Vantage V12 -- amazing they stuffed the V12 in there plus you feel a little like 007
3) R8 V10 -- by far the most exotic looking of the group
4) ZR1 -- never been a big Vette fan, but you get a big bang for your buck

Dont like agreeing with trolls,but they actually should have put the GTR in this test. It performs just as well if not out performing the competition and seems to me to be the most practical. Out of these choices though I have to pick the ZR1. Amazing machine. I got to drive one back to back with a ZO6. The ZR1 belonged to the owner of a country club in New Rochelle here in NY if anyone knows where that is and the ZO6 belongs to a buddy. Plus I use to own a worked Trans am with a LS1 so I favor the vette lol.

I agree. And more to the point on the ZR1, you can talk about numbers all you want, but with so many variables like test conditions, driver ability and or bias, etc., track numbers can be very misleading. I, however, have personally witnessed 2 different races between a ZR1 and a GTR at different times. Although it was close to 60 mph, after that, the ZR1 just walked away, not even close. On a rolling start, the ZR1 was much faster.

1)Audi R8 V10
2)ZR1
3)911 GT3
4)AM Vantage V12

I'm sorry, I'm not a fan of the ZR1, but I respect it as far as performance goes. 12.5 in the 1/4, you have to be ........ me. No way! The ZR1 is at minimum a 11.2 sec car (the trap speed should be your first clue.) It had to be tested by a bunch of queer Europeans who obviously despise anything American. The ZR1 would rape them all-all day long. You may hate the ZR1, but give respect where it is due.

It's a rattle trap fiberglass flunkie.

Top of JD Powers list.

Never saw a Callaway ever actually finish a high speed run. Ha, ha.

Its not only straightline speed that makes a hardcore car. It's also how the car handles and how the car feels while it is handling.If you all read road test reviews from various publications you've got to pick the GT3. Everyone says its the car with the least amount of slack on turn in. Yet it has a reasonable ride. It's basically the same car on the road as well as the track. Others may have more power and hense more straightline speed but when it comes time to make a turn the GT3 has to take it as the most hardcore car.

what, the GT-R is too good for this group?

Yes. That's why it's not included in comparisons anymore. At first, everyone wanted to prove that Nissan couldn't do it but after several failed attempts everyone gave up (some even became owned by VW).

Here's an example why it's not included:

"Although the car felt totally at home on the Nordschleife, I never drove more than two consecutive laps because I was keeping an eye on the transmission oil temperature. Nissan is wary of gearbox failures, and if the oil goes above 120deg C you’re obliged to take your car to your dealer for an early (and expensive) fluid change." Evo August 2009"

It's fast, but for about 20 miles, than it breaks

Out of the three I'd own the Aston first (love Astons), the Audi second, The Porsche third and the Vette, well you know...

I'll take the GT-R and the leftover 40k to mod that bad boy into making the rest of these cars fully submit.

Porsche 997 GT3! Best hard-core ride not on the list? Ferrari F430 Scuderia. Real hard-core motoring at it's best. Wow!

I agree with you Tim. The GTR is fast on the first few laps but then it gets tired. (a side note:)The Nissan 370Z does not even have an engine oil cooler but the ones the magazines test "magically did" along with a magical differential oil cooler not fitted on production cars.

The GTR also costs $2000 to change the transmission fluid. A Ferrari F-430 Scuderia costs the same to change ALL fluids, engine, tranny, coolant, differential, brake fluid and change all filters. So in retrospect the Ferrari is cheaper to maintain then the nissan (with respect to fluid changes only not mechanical bits like the Ferrari $5000 clutch)

How do I know this...I asked my local Ferrari dealer in Edison NJ.
http://www.ferrariofcentralnj.com/

Overall, it is amazing how the ZR1 is first or second on the list of many on this post. GM is now in a perfect position and of course some will argue the fact the bailout is a cloud over the company, but besides all that, the next ZR1, GM would be wise to advance the car by first a kick ass no holds barred interior to rival even the Cadillac Cien Concept interior. That interior had a luxury feel, but resembled Nissan's GT-R interior even before it made it to the market (do away with the graphic gauge readout the in Cien though). GM can own this segment if they really put in a frontal assault and for the new GM, it needs all the help it can get.

The ZR1 is the fastest, but many people won't know it was a ZR1 and think it's a lessor vette! The Audi is the most refined the Porsche will scare you the most with snap over steer. It depends on the individual needs/wants/desires.

Nothing is more refined(in my opinion for me) then the new Ferrari 458 Italia, with combining handling, high speed stability. I mean refined not speed.

But doesn't the gt3 look more like a base 911 then the zr1 like a c6 or even a z06? The same can be said about the v10 r8 which looks identical to it's v8 sibling.

The Nissan GT-R can be quick, on one lap. It's overweight and loaded with non race-proven brakes, pads and clutch.

Results of that: does't takes more than 2-3 laps and the tires are completely worn, brakes are overheating and loosing pressure.

The kind of car that qualify first and finish last. (if it ever finish)

I love all those cars, differently but equally.

The GT-R is still a Nissan. Sorry to say it. It is what it is. My choice would be the GT3 no question. I will own one some day. Followed by the AM, Audi, and Z1. I just really love that car.