FlyinHawaiian
Member
- :
- Mazdaspeed Protege #1460
So around this time of year, my dad and I always like to go to a couple of dealerships, posing as potential buyers in order to score test drives in cars that others might not get. In the past we've driven Aston Martins, Ferrari's and Maserati's. Yesterday, we might of out-did ourselves...
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PERSONALLY WRITTEN REVIEW:
My dad had been setting this test drive up for a while, since they don't just throw you the keys to a Nissan GT-R. He'd go in, talk to a salesman and keep in touch. A week prior, he brought my mom in (who conveniently said she "preferred the Aston Martin" lol). So on D-Day, we rolled up in my Dad's 2008 C6 Corvette and talked with the salesman. After looking in every nook and cranny, they agreed to give my Dad the keys and let us take a test drive, sans salesman. I think the reason they agreed to this was the car had been a demo-model and had nearly 2,000 miles on the clock already.
So back to the car. First impression inside, was a little disappointing. For $86,000 I would have expected the interior to be a bit nicer. To be honest, it felt like a slightly more plush 350Z. The seats were nice, but slightly hard and I expected a bit more bolsters on the side. I guess they figured the target market here in the US were going to be fat, middle-aged bald guys, so deep bolsters would get in the way...
Pulling out of the dealership, the car was surprisingly tame. Suspension soaked up bumps, though was slightly stiffer than the Corvette, or even my Mazdaspeed Protege. First problem we had with it was as we pulled up to a stoplight, smoke started coming out of the bonnet holes and from under the car (wtf?). At first we thought it was steam, then we could smell it. I used the SatNav screen to check all the engine vitals and gauges to see if there was anything wrong, but nothing was reading abnormally. We called the dealership and they said it was just the stuff they used to make it all shiny burning off the manifold and whatnot. riiiiigggghhhttt. Second thing we noticed was a clunking sound coming from the rear of the car. No idea what that was, but it happened either when we came to a stop or started off again. No matter, we were still gonna have some fun.
As soon as we hit some open road, my dad floored it. What can you say about the power except 'wow'! It wasn't as ferocious as the Vette we took to the dealership, but it just seemed endless. As opposed to exploding off the line as the Vette would, it more 'whooshed.' We eventually switched spots and I got my turn in the car as well. It was my first time driving a dual-clutch transmission, and I have to say it was absolutely amazing. The upshifts were lightning quick and with the enormous wave of power churning all 4 wheels, it seemed endless. Thanks to Jeremy, I also knew the 'secret' launch control setting and lined up for a 0-60+ run. TC off, Transmission in R-mode, suspension in R-mode, foot on the brake and floor it. It seemed as soon as my foot released the brake I was already at the top of 1st gear, BAM second, 60 mph came and went well under 4 seconds. I'll let you watch the video below to really see what it was like.
Steering was direct, but didn't have as much feedback as I like. I've always noticed in AWD cars that the steering is a bit vague and the GT-R was no exception. I guess when the front wheels have any sort of drive input going to them, its just another link in-between you and the road. Somehow my Mazdaspeed gets around it, but that's a different review. The car easily darted around turns and the grip was endless. Only once, turning from a stop sign did I get the tail to step out, but it really took some work and the TC off.
As one would expect, the brakes were vicious. The pedal feel was consistent, yet firm and it had no trouble trying to plant our faces against the windscreen. Everything about how the car drove was simply amazing. I had never driven a car like that, nor do I think I'll be able to top it any time soon. In person, its a large car to look at, but it didn't feel that way inside. You knew it was wide, but it never felt like it was spilling over into another lane. That said, for just shy of $90,000, it really is a steal. For the same money you can buy a plethora of nice sports cars, but none will even come close to the performance of the GT-R on the track. On the street, though, its a different story. Its not as good looking as a Corvette or an Aston Martin (which goes without saying) and either way, its still a Nissan. Even after our 30 min test drive, I felt worn out and the seats weren't the most comfortable things in the world. Either way, it was a DAMN cool car and I feel privileged to have driven it.
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PERSONALLY WRITTEN REVIEW:
My dad had been setting this test drive up for a while, since they don't just throw you the keys to a Nissan GT-R. He'd go in, talk to a salesman and keep in touch. A week prior, he brought my mom in (who conveniently said she "preferred the Aston Martin" lol). So on D-Day, we rolled up in my Dad's 2008 C6 Corvette and talked with the salesman. After looking in every nook and cranny, they agreed to give my Dad the keys and let us take a test drive, sans salesman. I think the reason they agreed to this was the car had been a demo-model and had nearly 2,000 miles on the clock already.
So back to the car. First impression inside, was a little disappointing. For $86,000 I would have expected the interior to be a bit nicer. To be honest, it felt like a slightly more plush 350Z. The seats were nice, but slightly hard and I expected a bit more bolsters on the side. I guess they figured the target market here in the US were going to be fat, middle-aged bald guys, so deep bolsters would get in the way...
Pulling out of the dealership, the car was surprisingly tame. Suspension soaked up bumps, though was slightly stiffer than the Corvette, or even my Mazdaspeed Protege. First problem we had with it was as we pulled up to a stoplight, smoke started coming out of the bonnet holes and from under the car (wtf?). At first we thought it was steam, then we could smell it. I used the SatNav screen to check all the engine vitals and gauges to see if there was anything wrong, but nothing was reading abnormally. We called the dealership and they said it was just the stuff they used to make it all shiny burning off the manifold and whatnot. riiiiigggghhhttt. Second thing we noticed was a clunking sound coming from the rear of the car. No idea what that was, but it happened either when we came to a stop or started off again. No matter, we were still gonna have some fun.
As soon as we hit some open road, my dad floored it. What can you say about the power except 'wow'! It wasn't as ferocious as the Vette we took to the dealership, but it just seemed endless. As opposed to exploding off the line as the Vette would, it more 'whooshed.' We eventually switched spots and I got my turn in the car as well. It was my first time driving a dual-clutch transmission, and I have to say it was absolutely amazing. The upshifts were lightning quick and with the enormous wave of power churning all 4 wheels, it seemed endless. Thanks to Jeremy, I also knew the 'secret' launch control setting and lined up for a 0-60+ run. TC off, Transmission in R-mode, suspension in R-mode, foot on the brake and floor it. It seemed as soon as my foot released the brake I was already at the top of 1st gear, BAM second, 60 mph came and went well under 4 seconds. I'll let you watch the video below to really see what it was like.
Steering was direct, but didn't have as much feedback as I like. I've always noticed in AWD cars that the steering is a bit vague and the GT-R was no exception. I guess when the front wheels have any sort of drive input going to them, its just another link in-between you and the road. Somehow my Mazdaspeed gets around it, but that's a different review. The car easily darted around turns and the grip was endless. Only once, turning from a stop sign did I get the tail to step out, but it really took some work and the TC off.
As one would expect, the brakes were vicious. The pedal feel was consistent, yet firm and it had no trouble trying to plant our faces against the windscreen. Everything about how the car drove was simply amazing. I had never driven a car like that, nor do I think I'll be able to top it any time soon. In person, its a large car to look at, but it didn't feel that way inside. You knew it was wide, but it never felt like it was spilling over into another lane. That said, for just shy of $90,000, it really is a steal. For the same money you can buy a plethora of nice sports cars, but none will even come close to the performance of the GT-R on the track. On the street, though, its a different story. Its not as good looking as a Corvette or an Aston Martin (which goes without saying) and either way, its still a Nissan. Even after our 30 min test drive, I felt worn out and the seats weren't the most comfortable things in the world. Either way, it was a DAMN cool car and I feel privileged to have driven it.
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