M3 challenger is here! Guess which car...

[adamr]

i like it ... will buy one when it comes out!!!!

[KASM3]

Completely different cars for a completely different crowd than the typical BMW buyer. If Nissan had priced the GTR closer to the 911 turbo(It's direct competitor from the get go), we wouldn't even have this spirited debate again and again. GTR is a great performer, not a great looker and definitely a fast and furious type ride for the next 10 years. A matter of taste. I prefer the M3. I dont need to lap the Nuringburg(sp?) faster than a 911 Turbo. M3 is wicked fast, great looker, great everyday driver and gives it to more than 90% of the vehicles on the track costing more.
Keep debate going. Great read!

[Davo2003]

The more I see it the better it looks....regardless it still says "Nissan" , no pedigree and just ho-hum looks. Not for me although I can understand some wanting to buy it. I've just been sold on Bimmers since I first drove one.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ihyln

Yeah but Mustangs handle like shit.

No doubt. That's why its insane to pay $80k for one. You can get a car that handles 10x better and is just as fast in a straight line. Basically people are paying soley for the name and the nostalgia which is great if that's what they want but it seems like complete madness to me.

And, BTW, my neighbor works for SVT and took me for a ride in a GT500KR the other day. The car was balls-to-the-wall fast and not at all unfun. But I could feel the body flex on acceleration (worse than my M3 cab) and I could feel the body roll in the turns. She works on the suspension and I'd say she did a good job for what she had to work with but there's definitely a distinct disconnected and sort of sloshy feel. And no I did not drive it because she would get absolutely slayed if I wrecked it.

[ihyln]

Top Gear had an episode with the Shelby GT500, it was brutally apparent that the Mustang is not a track car at all. It is, however, the ultimate red light racer.

[ersin]

I haven't seen the GT-R in person so I'll reserve my judgment on how it looks for later. Besides, it's subjective. I'm sure it will be a great car and loads of fun to drive. But ...

I'm really scared of having to take it into a Nissan dealer for service. I have never had a good experience with Nissan service. Ever!

The price seems in the M3's range, but in reality it's going to be closer to $90K - $100K. Plus, there are so few that even if you were willing to pay, chances are next to nil that you could get one if you haven't already spoken for it. And I'm not willing to pay that much. If Nissan doesn't make them faster the situation will stay the same unless you have Nissan friends. Thankfully, I don't.

Furthermore, compared to the M3 it is less refined, less practical, less comfortable, less luxurious and heavier. This is all from reviews, but it isn't too hard to imagine it's true. It's pretty easy for me choose the one I want.

[JunkStory]

sorry.. but the GTR is not really a challenger or competition in terms of performance. The GTR will rape an M3 anytime anywhere.. sorry ..

[ersin]

Originally Posted by tfurban

I think the position of the button is silly. GAY even.

GAY??!!?? You callin' me GAY? Them is fightin' words.

j/k. Wouldn't want anybody calling me faggophobic, er, I mean homophobic.

BMW couldn't put the button there because of the iDrive hockey puck. The button behind the shift knob seems easier to reach. On the dash it just seems unnatural. I prefer the old "stick the key in the steering column" method the best. Why did they all mess with it?

[Gig103]

Originally Posted by BK

I got curious, so I did a Google image search. Take a look at it! It really would be depressing using only the very bottom of this speedo.

I'm reminded of that the old line about amplifiers (From Spinal Tap)
"These go to 11!!" (Link)

All the JDM and F&F crowd will care about is that the speedo reads 220mph.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by S65B40

The more I look at them, the more I miss the styling of R34.

+3

...and the R33 Vspec for that matter.

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

I may be alone here but I think it's ugly.

Ugly in a purposeful kind of way. At least it has its own design cachet and cues.

[darkphantom]

Originally Posted by yoyeewee

Even though the GTR outpowers the M3, Car and Driver did rank the M3 1st place in their comparison test against the GTR and 911TT. YES!

Car and Driver is also the most biased car reviewer pro-bmw....nothing against C&D, just look at their history w/ BMWs being compared to other high powered vehicles out of their class

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by tfurban

I think the position of the button is silly. GAY even.

As someone who drove an old Saab, I like the button position. It made more sense with a key, because then my keys weren't always dangling down and hitting me in the knee. But the position is convenient, even if it is not the norm. I got used to it very quickly, and liked it.

The GT-R style does look better in person, and the right colors (red or black) help it out a bit. Not a beautiful car though.

Cannot knock the car in performance. It is great performance for the money (at least if the markup is not too outrageous), both in a straight line or around a track. (based on #'s and reviews of course, not like I've really driven one)

[Sovereignty]

It is not an M3 challenger, performance-wise the GTR is just in another league. you can't compare an M3 to 997 turbo, then how come you compare the GTR to the M3 "if we consider the GTR the 997 turbo beater". if the price what you are talking about, then why not saying that the M3 is a lotus Exiege challenger or the other way around. I believe that BMW doesn't have a car to compete in this category yet. we need a true super sport BMW that would compete with cars like 997 tt, ZO6, GTR etc... . just my opinion, correct me if i am wrong

[Krueger///M3]

Originally Posted by darkphantom

Car and Driver is also the most biased car reviewer pro-bmw....nothing against C&D, just look at their history w/ BMWs being compared to other high powered vehicles out of their class

What about this one? http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...omparison_test

[BMW3R]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

I may be alone here but I think it's ugly.

+1

[J08M3]

I like the M3 best, hence my owning of one and my membership to this forum. In my mind the M3 is better than any other car in it's class otherwise I would've bought something else. It's really pretty simple and straight forward, doesn't take any fancy car magazine reviews to tell me what's best. I make up my own mind.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by darkphantom

Car and Driver is also the most biased car reviewer pro-bmw....nothing against C&D, just look at their history w/ BMWs being compared to other high powered vehicles out of their class

That test did prove one thing. The GT-R isn't the so-called 911 Turbo killer.

In that test, the 911 turbo and GT-R were tested on the same track, same conditions, same driver.

The results were, the 911 turbo had the fastest 0-30, 0-60, 0-140 and the fastest 1/4 mile. It also had the best 70-0 braking and skidpad numbers. Also surprising the 911 turbo had the best gas mileage.

[d3l0n]

This Is No M3 Challenger Dude (only In Price!!!!) This Is Ahead Of The M3 In A Number Of Levels

[M3Mikey]

Originally Posted by ericld

no soul... PLENTY OF INTERIOR PLASTIC, though.

+1 who wants plastic? BMW isn't all about the engine; the luxury of it is in a whole different league.

[MattDogg42]

Originally Posted by S65B40

The more I look at them, the more I miss the styling of R34.

[gtr]

I like the GT-R. It is so awesome, only an car enthusiast would like. I think i'm going to make some calls. If no MSRP i'll wait until the vspec and by then probably 998gt3, supra, Nsx or other cool cars would be out.