lundarius

G.D.

LionZoo

WOW, $70,000 plus for this riceball and speeds a wimp might get hot over but stock 10 year old Corvettes do 150 MPH averages in Open Road races that are from 80 to 120 miles long and maintain that average over a old 2 lane road with many blind turns through hilly areas that are from 4000 to 6000 feet above sealevel.

Interesting how out of the blue a vendor picks a track and with no standards or rules puts out marketing hype when if you do the math if a 480 HP car cannot do 105 MPH it should come clean that the car is nothing but a riceball that is fast compared to their hot sport of "Drifting" in a parking lot.

Now get that car to a ORR and see how it does over 120 miles but a jpa vendor tried that in the past and broke down in less then 10 miles at speed

vetteracer

Hello_Newman

Vee-Dub

[video.google.com]

om nom de plume

Somewhere in the design process I think some Subie engineer was chuckling to himself. It isn't big on power, it isn't sharp in the turns, but damn it, it's way more fun than a Camry. It just is. And the rest of the time it gets okay mileage, is super easy to park, and spends more time on the road than in the shop.

And I sure as hell didn't lay down $70k for it.

Elhigh

But doesn't Nurburgring have corners? And lots of them?

@Elhigh: I know a lot of enthusiasts hate the Camry and Accord for being mobility appliances, but that's what a guy like me drives.

I don't hate them. They have their place in the world (much more so than SUVs), and there are a lot of drivers who shouldn't be allowed to own anything faster.

But why are you even bothering to post on a site like this? It'd be like going to Kotaku and saying you hate computer games.

@Elhigh: it just begs the question, "Who needs this thing?"

Who needs a Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini or Zonda? Nobody. And the same question could be asked about SUVs and McDs. Nobody needs them. They don't add any value whatsoever.

As far as very fast performance cars go, the GTR is a very practical car. Especially compared to something like a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Zonda which it can compete quite nicely with. Sure, it uses a lot of electronic trickery to do so. But without that technology, all performance cars (especially 911s and Ferraris) would still be the death traps they were in the 60s and 70s.

Doshu

QUOTE: "It's turning into "how much ya bench?" for the meatheads."

I find your statement to reflect more of a "how much horsepower ya gots?".

The "Ring" is more of a Triathlon for automobiles and not just a bench press competition so it does make more sense to compare cars on this track. It's almost becoming an international standard and I'd like to see the USA bring in a car (Vette ZR1) and prove its worthiness by comparing lap times on this track! Hopefully America does not throw out this measurement like they did with the metric system!

Blistix

Hmmm ... I'm guessing you drive a Camry for 1 of 2 reasons:

1. That's what you can afford

2. That's all you're willing to spend on a vehicle and everything else goes into your secret plans for world domination and getting Devilock to lick your boots.

Either way, you made a choice to buy and drive a Camry. No problem. The people who can afford a GT-R (and at $70K, even in the midst of a recession thats quite a few people) are going to buy it and drive it how they please. Why are you getting so upset about it? This is a capitalistic free market right? I have a friend who's on the wait list for this car. He definitely won't use his GT-R to go to the grocery store or even to work. He has a 750i and a Jetta GTi he uses for that. He'll probably run the GT-R as much as he runs his current 911. A few times a month when he feels like having fun. He can afford it. He's worked hard to earn it. You shouldn't have a problem with that.

b33g33

So please, all those who complain that nobody "needs" a GT-R; give it a rest.

carguy

Well, if you think about it, a lot of people who ride the bullet train in Japan or Europe might just be eating their bento box lunch (no pun intended...) or a sandwich at about that kinda speed..why not in a car, as long as you're in Autobahn or something?

akirachan

Adamskiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiy

Mysterious Utility Bento

Being close to a state university I see more than my share of people that have no clue what they are driving, just that people should be impressed.

When you see a 20 year old kid and some babe in a SL600 you just want to puke in your shoes. Did you buy that with your babysitting money?

This is where primer gray Camaros get their reputation from, trouncing these jackasses. They don't learn anything but somehow you feel better watching it.

Beware the primer gray Camaros.

mytdawg

NovaloadMissesPolar

But your point is well taken, it's just that speed does matter to most of us at Jalopnik, the last time I checked.

And the fact that the GT-R can take you and your wife and a couple of kid to Mickey D's in relative comfort, and the fact that you can spank a 911 turbo for about half the price is very significant to me, and I don't think I'm the only one that thinks so.

Sorry, I don't mean to negate your opinion, it's just that it's not everyday that a super car comes out with a price "relatively" accessible, with a performance that smokes and practicality to afford daily driving...and a lot of people are excited over it.

It's not for everyone, I know, and let's face it, a lot of cars today have performance figures that are not "necessary" to engage in normal daily chores.

akirachan

that's right - I was assuming Al would finagle a loaner GTR or Zonda for a Jalopnik write-up!

Cup tire shod GT3s and CSLs (the two most popular tools for well-heeled, balls to the wall Ringers) can use up between $50-$75 per lap in tires and brakes ALONE.

Josh - thanks, I was very fortunate indeed to have a job which allowed me play on the 'Ring for a while. Although supercars are nice to dream about, I've had more than enough fun lapping in 80-175hp cars.
cheers

Nurburgringer

slackinfux

But I agree, no one needs this car. That doesn't stop me from appreciating it for what it is. If you're out to make a high performance car, why not aim for the top? Go big or go home.

devilock138

It's turning into "how much ya bench?" for the meatheads.

The Name's Ash78, Housewares

FЯeeMan is slowly cЯawling out of the new commenting system

Fellas, sour grapes.

The MSRP for one of these is $70k, not $270k. There will be a large number of individuals who can afford this. I've seen enough Z06s and 911 Carreras on the street on a nearly weekly basis and enough people lining up to give their money away to Chrysis for a Challenger SRT-8 to know so.

johnnyichiban

joshman — repeatedly clicking expand all

The Porsche owners were interesting, to say the least.

There was the black-socks-and-70's shorts beanpole.
There was the five-buttons open medallion guy.
There was the punk kid whose dad owned four McDonalds.

The GT-R may indeed be vehicular God mode, but in the name of all Jalopniks everywhere, damn if I don't want to put a full clip from my plasma rifle into the kind of non-enthusiast dorkwads who own most of the enthuiast automobiles out there.

Why should Prius owners be the only ones who get to be smug? Maybe I'll never take a GT-R to the 'Ring, but it'd be worth it to pull up to some starbucks-latte-sippin', two-hundred-dollar-haircut-havin'..., blackberry-bluetooth-yakkin', wine-snob-haute-cuisine-pedicured-italia... yahoo in his 911/F430/R8 and just sneeeer.

boosted-lego-wagon

I wonder if a "Car Shark" cartridge will fit into my Suburban to unlock that one?

danio3834

Nobody "needs it", not really.

But then, probably 95% of our cars are not cars we need. Who needs a restored Lincoln? Who needs an El Camino?

This whole website is devoted to things that we do not need, and "need" only enters into it rarely.

I think the only modern car that we really "need" is the Tesla Roadster :)

Shapeshifter

I think the thing people miss about the GT-R (and similar systems) is that it doesn't replace the driver. The ATTESA system isn't a driver replacement like traction control, it's a tool. It's an incredibly good tool, which means that it makes ordinary people much faster than normal. But if you can use it well--like a professional driver--you can go faster still.

With the GT-R's technology you can do things that would otherwise be impossible. It isn't about (solely) compensation.

With that said:

JESUS GOD this thing is fast. Unbelievable. Even the Zonda F isn't really a street car, so the GT-R is pretty much faster than anything in its class.

And they're making a V-spec cranked up version, too.

You know... i think the ZR-1 is cooked. I don't see how it can possibly compete with this.

@Nurburgringer:

I did the math on the 'Ring and it's more like $50-100 per lap (depending on what kind of car you drive), all things considered. (Including guesses at things like "will you crash and total the car".)

Quite expensive :(

Shapeshifter

And lets have the new GT-R V-spec have another run when its finished as well.

johnnyichiban

The car itself isn't unjustified. It's just ridiculous. Like NASCAR, I just don't see the point of it. It may have had relevance at one time, but now...it just begs the question, "Who needs this thing?"

The answer is, nobody. So what's the point?

If my inexhaustible supply of pragmatism leaves you similarly scratching your head at my inability to "get it," then I think we're going to have to agree to disagree.

Elhigh

God mode already comes unlocked on this car. But maybe if I remembered the code for Infinite Gasoline, I'd warm up to it more.

bzr loves you long time

'Ring taxi laps are awesome (especially in the wet), but you don't have to spend ~$100 for a fun, fast lap.
Let me know when you go over there and I'll hook you up for some passenger laps with friends who live nearby.
Bring a helmet.

Nurburgringer

devilock138

"ZR1 Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter is noted as saying the ZR1 will beat any production car's track record anywhere in the world..."

The General better deliver.

Parramore64

I'm also tempted to book Sabine's Ring Taxi, but am scared that I will literally crap myself.

Al Navarro

Number_Six

oldskoolparts

@devilock138: Lick my boots when you say that. The car doesn't offend my sensibilities as much as people buying them and then wasting them on public streets.

Elhigh

Now, if I had Glickenhaus money and could have Pinninfarina rebody one, we may be on to something...

FЯeeMan is slowly cЯawling out of the new commenting system

I completely concur. Living in the twisties has proven to me that I can have just as much fun with a Honda Fit, Scion xD or Nissan Versa with a decent set of rubber, shocks, springs & swar bar. And my trip around the ring was by ring taxi.

smokeydog001

POLAЯMISSESEVEЯYBODY

danio3834

Dr.Danger, I run the Death Star

devilock138

When I lived in Germany from 2002-2005 I took various rental (non track prepped) cars around:
- Opel Speedster ~100 laps (favorite car. Rented from a very trusting eastern german Opel dealer 3 times :)
- BMW 116i ~50 laps (low power but precise)
- VW Beetle Cabrio diesel (most fun w/ 3 helmeted passengers) ~25 laps
- Smart Roadster Coupe ~75 laps (brilliant)
- BMW Z4 2.2L ~40 laps (surprisingly good)
- Alfa 156 2L wagon ~25 laps (not a track car)
- BMW 528i (first laps in 1998, good 'Ring trainer)
- Merc SLK 2L (even with auto trans good fun)
- BMW 320d wagon (great torque)

I didn't time myself much (a good number of the people who crash are timing themselves, hmmmm.....), but wristwatch checking with the Speedster showed a low 9 minute BTG time (during 'tourist' laps the main straight is split up so the accepted times are "Bridge to Gantry", figure on adding ~25 seconds for the straigh so the GTR is a low 7 minute BTG which is inconceivable to me) time.

Without a full cage and 6 point belts low 9's high 8's is about as quick as I'd want to drive.

A few friends and I did have a "Smoadster Time Challenge" - my best was 9:40 in this 80hp mini-Elise, the winner was a VLR race driver who took one around in 9:24. He barely touched the brakes on the whole lap, and took Schwedenkreuz corner (a popular place to die) at least 10mph faster than me. It was kind of like Sabine's 10:10 Van lap - afterwards he said that was as fast as he could go, and never timed himself in a Smoadster again.

Now, as a passenger I've lapped in the low 8's in a supercharged, lightened Opel Speedster, Manthey tuned 996 GT3 w/ ~440hp, and a high 7 minute capable fully tuned 3rd gen RX7 w/ >400hp. These guys were VERY committed, very good drivers, and knew every bump and dip of the 'Ring (I just know which way it goes and a few different lines after ~225 laps).

[s180.photobucket.com]

some vids
[video.google.com]

Nurburgringer

*I do remember it wasn't too bad though, the truck was/is lowered a bit on Eibach springs with fat swaybars and fat (for the time) tires.

GM tested the Trailblazer SS on the ring as well.

tenbeers

But I can't be bothered with all the penis measuring of half a second here or there and what were the conditions but but but humidity but but but temperature but but but stock tires whatthefuckever! Give me a decent YouTube video with some hot engine noise and I could not care less about one second faster 'round the 'Ring.

cyclopticgaze

But I love Oldsmobiles so don't listen to me. I need to be weird.

mytdawg

MagnificentBastard

If I was going to drop that kind of dough, which isn't likely, I'd still have to go with a Vette. It's not an image thing, it's more of a character thing. Personal preference.

You know, if I was dreaming. Hell I'd settle for a good running Yugo (like there was such a thing).

mytdawg

lets do it. mine was 13.54 in a diesel 2006 rental c class on snows. one of the last runs before it closed that day. never played gt4, but I'm told it would have helped.

mcryder

I eagerly await this car being power lapped by the Stig. I suspect it will give good old Jezza the same amount of astonishment as the Prodrive P2 did. Like the P2, this car does things that it "shouldn't" be able to.

Sloop_John_B

SwatLax

we should keep it real, i bet there are a lot of good times in gt4, but it would be interesting to see what readers did in real time.

mcryder

dculberson

The Name's Ash78, Housewares

Do GT4 lap times count?

Airport_Whiskey

mcryder

I know a lot of enthusiasts hate the Camry and Accord for being mobility appliances, but that's what a guy like me drives. I need two back seats and decent fuel mileage. Once in a long while I'm touring through the Smokies or Frozen Head State Park and the road becomes a twisty dappled-sunlight fantasy - the accelerator goes down and the shifter gets some attention. But the rest of the time, a car like the GT-R is an utter waste of time and steel for me - and virtually everyone else.

Cars like that should be relegated to places the Bondurant School. Then they'd get enough use, in the right environment, to validate building them.

Elhigh

voodoojoo

POLAЯMISSESEVEЯYBODY

Schm, problems around every corner

Then I will be impressed. And I will feel I have a real comparison, not this nebulous green hell stuff.

The Name's Ash78, Housewares

fullmoonparty

acarr260

"accessible to anyone, anytime and anywhere?" man, i wish i was somebody.
sometime.
somewhere.

NICKNICK

I don't mean to say that on my first attack I am confident I'd even make it round the 'ring in under ten minutes; I just feel that car manufactures seem to be trying to remove the driver from the equation. And somehow that adds up to less for me, despite the impressive performance numbers.

So yes, I lust for this car. But I think my lust falls in the same category as a 60 inch flat screen to play Forza on. Auto related gadget lust, but not auto lust.

SubyDrew

reefer