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      07-30-2011, 12:35 AM   #1
w00tw00t
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I went out for a spin in a rocket ship today...

Well since about a month or two, I’ve been slightly on the fence on dumping the m3 for a GTR - yeah I'm nuts I know. Before today I had never sat in a GTR, let alone go out for a spin in one. Since I won’t be ready to actually buy until about Nov-Dec, I was hesitating to reach out to dealers for a test drive (which would have been hard in any case)

Well, a day ago a PacNW GTR owner and member of NAGTROC offered to take me for a spin in his GTR. Today, he went out of his way, spending a long time in traffic, getting to me in Issaquah and then took me out for a drive.

Okay so basically I did a very, very bad (good? ) thing by sitting in his GTR… HOLY @(*#@($*#@ .. this thing is INCREDIBLE!!!! It’s a rocket ship! My M3 feels like a Toyota Camry now … I was slightly one the fence before. Now I am 100% certain that I’ll be in a GTR in the next few months.

Also I was expecting the GTR to be harsher – and even though his GTR has a KW coilover setup, is lowered and has de-catted midpipe – It felt very comfortable (stiffer than my M3) but not crazy at all. I feel my wife won’t freak out and will be happy in the GTR (happy wife = happy life). BTW, with his catless midpipe setup.. the GTR sounds about ten times meaner than my V8 M3 … !! It was amazing!


Well basically I'm soon to be a GTR Owner... now I just need to sell my M3
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      07-30-2011, 12:59 AM   #2
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At least you don't have the M3 Corolla, you have the M3 camry with ZCP GTR is insane, go for the 2012s if budget isn't an issue. Accessport and you will have a hell of a car. I bet it rips your face off
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      07-30-2011, 01:05 AM   #3
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yep I'm going to try and get a 2012...
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      07-30-2011, 01:11 AM   #4
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GTR is one bad ride! Glad you enjoyed it! Not sure I'd go for messing with the suspension... most just screw it up personally... but the mid-pipe & accessport is a must.
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      07-30-2011, 01:13 AM   #5
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get 2012, i sat in a 2011 for a long drive. even in Comfort mode, it hurts my back due to stiff chasis. downpipe, midpipe, full Catback + accessport = 650hp for 2012
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      07-30-2011, 12:53 PM   #6
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Awesome.
Aha...now you are hooked. It's really a like a jet fighter cockpit isn't it? The power and handling of this car are very addictive. Compared with other all wheel drive cars I have driven, in my opinion it responds and steers more like a rear wheel drive car most of the time. Up to 100% of the torque can go to the rear wheels and up to 50% up front when needed.

Are you going with a 2012? If so, the interior has been updated rather nicely and of course it has more power. In case you get an earlier one, they are easy to mod. As I just stated in my last post one really has to test drive one before writing it off as being too impractical or labeling it as "Nissan." Don't get me wrong I love my M3 with the high reving v8, but this thing is a whole other ball game. NAGTROC is a great resource. This website breaks down many of the differences between the model years:
http://www.2009gtr.com/2010/12/used-...2009-2011.html

Also, don't let the rumor of high maintenance costs get to you. While it's not as cheap, esp compared to free maintenance with a new M3, for the level of performance you receive it's a bargain. If you buy one new or with low miles and you don't track the car regularly the only thing you will have to worry about are oil changes and tires. At 36000 miles you have to get the tranny oil changed (18,000 miles on pre2012 models) that costs around 1400. See thread below. Keep us posted.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=553385&page=4

Last edited by erio; 07-30-2011 at 01:18 PM..
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      07-30-2011, 01:18 PM   #7
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I sold my gtr for financial reasons about a year and a half ago! Had Cobb on it and other bits and bobs! Thing was absolutely immense and would destroy all it came across

Been running around in a mini until yesterday when I chopped it in for a white m3 edition. Could have easily afforded another gtr. It is only my opinion but I will never have another gtr. Too easy to drive quick and no real involvement coupled with shitting yourself that you do something to invalidate the warranty puts me right off them now

If you get one I really hope you enjoy it and you will have the fastest real world car about but in time I think if you like driving you may agree with me at some point

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      07-30-2011, 01:23 PM   #8
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i've been on the fence for awhile also... just want to get school and other life stuff out of the way before stepping into a GTR.

OP - have you seen the AMS & Switzer project GTRs? Now those things are NUCKING FUTS!
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      07-30-2011, 02:03 PM   #9
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I've been in a GTR----and felt like my M3 was a Toyota Yaris afterwards, it is THAT good.
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      07-30-2011, 07:08 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MM33 View Post
I've been in a GTR----and felt like my M3 was a Toyota Yaris afterwards, it is THAT good.


haha, i guess i better make friends with a GTR driver.
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      07-30-2011, 07:22 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by w00tw00t View Post
yep I'm going to try and get a 2012...
Good. The 2012s GT-R “comfort” suspension setting was altered to be more relaxed, and the chief engineer Mizuno says he can now circle a track in comfort mode without dropping ash off his cigarette, apparently a major test criterion. Your wife will appreciate that feature. I have driven an earlier year model and this setting is definitely softer in the new car. Also, like the M3, the best launches have been obtained using the comfort setting. I have yet to try out the launch on mine as I'm just finishing up with the break in period.

Last edited by erio; 07-30-2011 at 07:50 PM..
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      07-30-2011, 07:48 PM   #12
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I test drove a GT-R today! Amazing acceleration! Amazing amounts of grip! Amazing amount of weight!Amazingly bigger then the M3! Interior was nice. The CF looked good.
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      07-30-2011, 07:57 PM   #13
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Are all the noises that the car reportedly makes that bad/loud/noticeable?
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      07-30-2011, 08:22 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alms211 View Post
Are all the noises that the car reportedly makes that bad/loud/noticeable?
They are not bad at all. I think they are kind of cool actually and give the car character. The main sound you notice will be some clunking of the tranny in the back (tranny in GTR is at the rear transaxle to provide better weight distribution) mainly at low speeds and the turbos. The 2012 shifts smoother due to some reprogramming so it's not quite as audible. This car likes going fast...the faster you go the smoother it gets, but is also comfortable around town.

Last edited by erio; 07-31-2011 at 05:57 AM..
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      07-30-2011, 09:22 PM   #15
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OMG, I thought I was on the wrong forum for a minute
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      07-30-2011, 11:13 PM   #16
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OMG, I thought I was on the wrong forum for a minute
LOL!!! GTRpost.com
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      07-31-2011, 02:13 AM   #17
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I still can't get used to the looks of those things.
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      08-03-2011, 05:49 PM   #18
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I drove one not to long ago as well and was impressed big time.

Things I didn't like about the car was that it was too easy to drive, the gear shifts were clunky? (first time I drove a car with flappy paddles) and turbo lag.
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      08-03-2011, 07:57 PM   #19
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If only they made one in manual ...
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      08-03-2011, 08:37 PM   #20
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I just saw a black one not 10 mins ago. Amazing!
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      08-04-2011, 03:01 PM   #21
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Yeah, was in a friend's '12 GTR recently. I swear the voice control on that thing called me pussy because I didnt take it to 180km/hr. Its that bad ass. Even 6th gear had plenty of power on the streets. The funny thing is, I expected it to be extremely stiff from what I hear from others. Surprised to find out it wasn't so bad. The whole cabin looks very techy with buttons galore.

Once I was done, my friend drove my car. His 1st words were "am I driving a 323? 'Cause it sure feels like it"
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      08-04-2011, 03:25 PM   #22
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My friend let me drive his 2010. It hits 100mph in a heartbeat. Speed limits are definitely an issue with this car.
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