Doesn't the fact that you have to ask the second question answer the first question?

 

 

LOL

Nissan is fast becoming the king of ugly...

 

No, that would be Acura. It looks like all their cars have gone to the Orthodontist for a set of shiny braces. I think Nissan is light years ahead of most other automakers in the styling department.

 

styling is subjective I suppose, most of Nissan's sports car line reminds me of Transformers-meets-a-Sears-home-appliance-store...smooth and sexy they ain't

 

No, not really. I wanted a comparo of both setups.

 

Hitler is pissed...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOAXJTTc__w

oops repost... i forgot all new GTR anything needs new thread....I will remember next time.

 

Man that video of that thing is sooooooooooooooo tired. First time I saw it, was VFR guys that made one. Dumb.

 

The new Acura designs are horrific. I usually reserve judgment till I see the car in person (vs. a magazine/web), but wow, I hated them immediately. I know manufacturers try hard to create a unique look for some brand identity, but it's giant step in the wrong direction.

Anyway...

When the GT-R designs first surfaced I kind of liked it. As the final production design took shape, it looked awkward and out of balance to me. Then the as the technical details were released I could not believe it was so heavy. When the performance numbers started coming in, mixed with controversy about the timing methodologies and there being a little too much impossible performance, I kind of got put off.

There were way too many GT-R threads by non-owners on other car forums. Then Nissan jacks up the price and combined with the [st|d]ealer markup it just pissed me off

So now the rabid fanboi-ness has gotten diluted, some real numbers have circulated, the markups have dropped (though I don't pay over MSRP for any vehicle).

Now I can evaluate the car better, and I think it's pretty stellar. If I was in the market for a 2+2/4 seater high performance car, I'd seriously consider one. I'd take it over other high end coupes like the M6 (vs. an M car, it's a bargain.) For a weekend high performance ride, I'd likely still fall back on Z06 (I'm a big fan of Corvettes) - I just think it provides way more of a visceral experience.

At first I hate the "bigness" and all the mismatched folds and creases - I felt it followed the new Japanese designs most of which I don't like. However in person, there's a cohesiveness to the aesthetic - it sort of balanced in it's harshness. Some of the proportions clearly don't show up in print - the fenders, ducts, etc., are big and bold.

It leverages a good bit of technology to overcome the weight - a couple of owners I've chatted with say it's a little mute (vs. say a Porsche or Z06), but it does a better job on track than it feels like it's doing - you just kind of have to have confidence in the magical engineering. I think the interior is a little silly, but overall the materials were decent, lots of plastic, good seats - it's a very typical bit of modern Japanese interior design for mid-level sports car.

 

Oh here's something that *just* came in from my StreetFire e-letter:

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/G...tle_210002.htm

Looks pretty cool (haven't watched the whole thing yet) - it appears to be an offroad/track video so I assume it's cool to post it.