My first Japanese import since I traded in my Stealth for a Crossfire six years ago. I still have my Crossfire as my DD and I decided to keep my 98' GTS and sold the 94' RT/10 last fall. I wanted something different and almost bought an F430 or Gallardo. But I know that they are maintenance nightmares and I wanted something that would dominate the street as well as the track. So I picked up a 2013 Godzilla with 750HP+ (650AWHP) with 4k miles. It launches like a bullet from a standstill. It smoked an Aventador all the way past 100mph. I've never owned anything this fast before, it's like it has a warp-drive built in. You wait for it to start tapering off and it just keeps pulling harder and harder. I will not be naming this car a girl's name, it is not feminine or sexy. It's masculine, purely function over form and simply murders the concrete at every light.

Surprisingly around here it gets as many stares and thumbs up as my Viper. I guess because you don't ever see them over here. I literally see 10 Vipers to every 1 GT-R. I'm stoked right now. BTW, that 0-60 time is on the street with all-season tires. I'm waiting to get some Toyo R888's that will really hook.

Now for the review...
A comment that many of the reviewers and test drivers have said countless times in the past when the car first came out is that the GT-R feels disconnected and has no soul. And its why I never considered this car until recently. Granted the 2012's and up had many updates including the suspension, so reviews on the 2011's and back are not for the same car. When I first test drove one last fall, at first I could see what others were saying. But when I got on the entrance ramp and took the corner that I normally take with the Viper at 70mph, I looked down and saw triple digits. I realized then that it wasn't that the car felt disconnected, but rather that it was actually so connected that I could do things I normally wouldn't because of the confidence it gave me. You feel so invincible in this car that you do things and take corners you wouldn't dare in any other car. The guy I bought this one from let me have a real test drive, with no restrictions and I was hooked. I then immediately went to the Porsche dealer the next day and drove a new 911. I found the PDK to be assuming, intrusive, and downright weird in the way the paddles work. I drove it for nearly 30 minutes, but simply didn't fall for the experience the way I did with the GT-R. It was nice but it didn't scare me, it didn't make my palms sweat. The GT-R, at least this GT-R, gives me the ******* when I gun it. Anyone who doesn't think this car has soul doesn't have a pulse. I actually find the Paddle-shifting to be more challenging than a stick in this car, at least right now. The reason is because it goes so fast so quickly that I really have to concentrate and think quick when shifting. I actually find the paddle shifting to be very engaging, even without a left pedal. Another thing, it does have a raw side. It's cool to actually hear the twin clutch engage and clamp, the mechanized gear shifting, the sequential downshifting when coming to a stop, very much like an F1 racecar. It doesn't have to be "just push the pedal and go", it lets you engage as much or as little as you want. When you are in Auto mode, you can take over anytime by blipping a paddle. When in "R" mode, it then stays in manual mode, and unlike the PDK, the transmission computer stays out of your way even if you forget to upshift. Like a stick, you hit the rev limiter. After my buddy drove it, he said it was the most insane and crazy driving experience he has ever had. He actually said it was more engaging and fun than a C7 stick.

I don't know why some people get bored with their GT-R and move on, I guess I'll have to wait a year and find out. Maybe destroying everything on the road becomes boring after a while, I admit there is no challenge and very little driver interaction when using launch control. I don't even get nervous about blowing the launch or losing to wheelspin, I know it's like loaded dice and the GT-R will always win. It's fun to see the other car in the rear view mirror ten car-lengths back within seconds. But I'm also the type of guy that loved using cheat codes and secret tricks when playing video games back in the day, so it doesn't bother me to have the tactical advantage. I paid to have that advantage and I can't wait to utilize it on the track this summer. Maybe those that got bored never turned the steering wheel.

 

Beautiful car! I've had the chance to ride with my unlce for a few launches and its unbelievable I cannot imagine what a veyron launch is like I bet given track conditions and tire choice the gtr could out launch it but would probably fall short quickly after...

 

The GT-R is an incredible car for the money. If it was in my budget, I'd be driving one. Congrats on a beast of a machine.

 

Beautiful car, definitely imagine its a hell of a fun time

 

Great car. Didn't know you were on this site too (know you from the Viper sites). It seems like it would be a huge difference to drive the GT-R with all the electronics and driving the GTS with no nannys. Have fun!

 

Awesome car!! If you ever need any Nissan support (dealers, etc) shoot me a PM.

ENJOY!!!