Used Nissan GTR over a 991 Carerra? - Conundrum...

[jpy1980]

I doubt I'll get rid of my lovely F80 at this moment, but I've been lusting after the DBA 2015+ Nissan GTR right now. Although I love manual cars as my F80 is manual with a CAE shifter (its glorious), I may replace it with the dual clutch GTR. I actually have never driven one, but it was one of my boyhood dreams to have a M3 and also a GTR (any flavor but these days I want the r35) so it seems fitting. The problem lies with the fact that universally everyone says to get the 911 instead. I had a 996 C2 in the mid 2000s and although it was great, the newer 911s don't give me that fizz unless its a GT car. Since I usually have only one car at a time, I need 4 seats, so a GT P car is not an option. I've been getting recommendations to just get a 991 C2 or C2S in manual instead of the GTR.

Has anyone owned a GTR? What were your thoughts of it and why did you switch to the F8x gen? I doubt it will be a downgrade from the F80, but would I be happier in terms of the driving experience with a 991 C2 instead of the GTR?

I would go test drive it, but with the pandemic rearing its ugly head, I'll just rear online reviews.

I daily drive my cars, go canyon driving and track days as well. I also love modding my cars so there will be that too.

Thoughts? My budget would be around $70K.

[henrylee]

Between the two, I would go GTR. The 991 C2 will feel like similar to the M3 in terms of speed. The GTR is a difference beast.

[ntg44]

I wanted the R35 until I drove one. Not because of the cliche "feels like a video game" stereotype you always hear (it doesn't), but because it sounds like a vacuum cleaner stock, sounds absolutely terrible the louder you make it, is incredibly stiff, and the suggested maintenance schedule on them is kind of ridiculous. I could maybe overlook everything but the exhaust note. If all you want to do is go fast, sure, it fits the purpose, but there are so many other cars that can satisfy that purpose and are more enjoyable, even if the absolute numbers aren't completely on par.

I forgot which reviewer said it, but his summary went along the lines of the R35 GT-R is a numbers car. Which is great, but the problem with numbers cars is that they are always improving, and once the numbers are beaten, the car has nothing left to impress. And that kind of sums up my opinion of the car best. I wanted to love it so badly, but in the end, I thought about what makes me personally enjoy cars, and what I'd have the most fun out of for the long term.

In the end, I passed up the GT-R 8 years ago for my R8 V8 Spyder with a manual. And 8 years later I still have it, and it's not going anywhere. I can almost guarantee I would have gotten over the GT-R after 3-4 years and realizing I could never make it sound good, ever, and so I decided to open up the door to a possible future R33 GT-R import down the line. Not saying my priorities are the same as anyone else's, but the R35 is probably my biggest disappointment given how long I've waited for it to reach the US and how let down I was after driving it. Especially for me to pick a V8 R8 over it, the performance isn't even close.

Hell, I'd probably build my M3 before buying an R35 to be honest. Just something to think about.

[nicknaz]

If you can get your hands on the gtr you want in the condition you want, seems like a good time to go for it before it gets old and hard to find.

You can always get a 991 later on

A good friend daily drove a lightly modded gtr for many years and loved it.

After a few years, the interior rattled like an early 2000s Subaru but it was still fast and fun.

I say go for it

[jpy1980]

Thanks for the messages guys!

I think I'm going to need to test drive the GTR to really see whats up.

I'm really less about the numbers and speed, but I want a car that feels special. Maybe something a bit garish, semi-ostentatious? I thought that the GTR would stand out since it breaks my neck every time it drives by. I also need 4 seats as I have kids. Like I said a GT3 P-car would be cool, but need the back seats and I don't think I want to spend 6 figures on a GTS when its so close to a GT3 cost. Turning 40 and having your second kid really does bring out your car insecurities. haha

I guess if after I test drive it and I don't like it, I'll just keep my F80.

[Walmart Parking Lot]

I've heard multiple people say the transmission on the GTR suck. Even the ones after 2013. I don't know from first hand experience but it's just what a few friends that have/had GTR's told me.

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by Walmart Parking Lot

I've heard multiple people say the transmission on the GTR suck. Even the ones after 2013. I don't know from first hand experience but it's just what a few friends that have/had GTR's told me.

Yea I’ve been reading that a lot too, especially the pre 2012 models, but I wonder if it’s blown out of proportions like the crank hub for our cars? Or is it serious like the rod bearing issues on the e9x M3s?

[bsmf8x]

Don't get the GTR. It's a terrible car overall in 2020. Shit engineering it was just impressive back in the day because of the 0-60 and stuff because nobody could keep up with it. Now everyone can so there's nothing special about it. The ones before 2017's facelift also look outdated now.

[bsmf8x]

Originally Posted by ntg44

I wanted the R35 until I drove one. Not because of the cliche "feels like a video game" stereotype you always hear (it doesn't), but because it sounds like a vacuum cleaner stock, sounds absolutely terrible the louder you make it, is incredibly stiff, and the suggested maintenance schedule on them is kind of ridiculous. I could maybe overlook everything but the exhaust note. If all you want to do is go fast, sure, it fits the purpose, but there are so many other cars that can satisfy that purpose and are more enjoyable, even if the absolute numbers aren't completely on par.

I forgot which reviewer said it, but his summary went along the lines of the R35 GT-R is a numbers car. Which is great, but the problem with numbers cars is that they are always improving, and once the numbers are beaten, the car has nothing left to impress. And that kind of sums up my opinion of the car best. I wanted to love it so badly, but in the end, I thought about what makes me personally enjoy cars, and what I'd have the most fun out of for the long term.

In the end, I passed up the GT-R 8 years ago for my R8 V8 Spyder with a manual. And 8 years later I still have it, and it's not going anywhere. I can almost guarantee I would have gotten over the GT-R after 3-4 years and realizing I could never make it sound good, ever, and so I decided to open up the door to a possible future R33 GT-R import down the line. Not saying my priorities are the same as anyone else's, but the R35 is probably my biggest disappointment given how long I've waited for it to reach the US and how let down I was after driving it. Especially for me to pick a V8 R8 over it, the performance isn't even close.

Hell, I'd probably build my M3 before buying an R35 to be honest. Just something to think about.

+1. GTR is just a numbers car and honestly after 2018 and the new M5 and F8x tuning capabilities there's literally no reason to get it. Our cars sound way better too and that's crazy because our cars sound like shit compared to what's out their for 100k.

[Humdizzle]

i owned one for about 3 years.

Its not a bad choice if you crave acceleration. I'm seeing multiple 1000whp builds on ebay for 70-80k... Not a bad price for veyron like acceleration. The car has insane traction that the f8x couldn't dream of. Even in freezing temps on summer tires my car put down the 600whp no problem. You can fit a huge tire on it as well. i had a 285 up front and 335 in the back.

Some would say it lacks feel... but it has a hydraulic rack while everything else these days is electric. Its definitely more 'raw' than a current M car in my opinion.

The main problem with the car is its size. It feels like an extremely fast SUV compared to other sports cars like the cayman, 911, viper, vette. Posts great lap times, braking numbers, acceleration... but it doesn't feel like a sports car.

For 70-80k my money is going to a Viper

GTR would be fine to try too. both of them are holding value very well on the used market.

[FormulaMMM]

Anecdotal, and not necessarily relevant to the question, but -- for a couple of years seemed like there was a GTR or two at every DE event. Don't see them anymore. Reliability? or everybody is drag racing them nowadays?

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

For 70-80k my money is going to a Viper

Want a go in one of these.

[gtr2M3]

I had owned a GTR for 6 years While I owned an E92 M3

FBO and custom tune, it was fast

Prop shaft bearing in bell housing got replaced 3 times, I imagine that the problem will continue until the end of time

The acceleration was addictive but the novelty wore off after year 3

Level of luxury compared to a BMW today is about a 2

If you don’t track it the cost of ownership isn’t bad at all

I would not buy one again but with that said I don’t regret owning one, I had a lot of fun with it

[Walmart Parking Lot]

Originally Posted by gtr2M3

I had owned a GTR for 6 years While I owned an E92 M3

FBO and custom tune, it was fast

Prop shaft bearing in bell housing got replaced 3 times, I imagine that the problem will continue until the end of time

The acceleration was addictive but the novelty wore off after year 3

Level of luxury compared to a BMW today is about a 2

If you don’t track it the cost of ownership isn’t bad at all

I would not buy one again but with that said I don’t regret owning one, I had a lot of fun with it

Any transmission problems?

[jpy1980]

Did the GTR feel special too?

I love my F80 and its very very well sorted in its current configuration, but just doesn’t feel special enough. Also I would track the GTr but keep it stock. I think I’m over modifying cars. If I didn’t just have another kid, I wouldve gotten a GT4 or GT3 or something with 2 seats but life is life. I think I just want a 4 seat car that feels special. Haha. I mean I must be going through a midlife crisis when I just spent so much time wrapping my car to smurf blue hah.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Anecdotal, and not necessarily relevant to the question, but -- for a couple of years seemed like there was a GTR or two at every DE event. Don't see them anymore. Reliability? or everybody is drag racing them nowadays?



Want a go in one of these.

there are better options for tracking now. the gtr is fast but the costs of the wear items is huge because the car weighs so much (tires, brake rotors, brake pads, and with big hp you get big heat so you need to upgrade cooling)

the gtr hype was huge in 2009-2013 ish... but it kind of died down after that once the rest of the market caught up with dct+turbo setups.

[bsmf8x]

2018 e63 is like 80k.

Crazy 0-60, crazy exhaust, crazy interior. I'd consider that.

[PoorLurker]

Originally Posted by henrylee

Between the two, I would go GTR. The 991 C2 will feel like similar to the M3 in terms of speed. The GTR is a difference beast.

Yea C2 doesn't seem like such a different drive in terms of performance.

From what I hear the biggest complaints about GTRs are they feel too easy to drive. People joke about them driving themselves.

People complain that you are taking a $100k car to Nissan for service and get $15k car customer service.

I think the GTR has aged well (has it changed at all in the last decade visually? haha)

[Mthrice]

I currently own a 991.1 GT3 and an f80 M3. Sold a GTR about 6 months ago. If you want something that really pulls you’re gonna want the GTR. The GT3 is the best sounding car ive ever owned, but I consider it a high powered go cart. It doesn’t pull like the GTR, except maybe between 7-9k rpm.You would be so disappointed with a 991.1 C2 over a GTR. The GTR has a very unique sound and the engine and exhaust sound so much better than the f80 in my opinion.

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by Mthrice

I currently own a 991.1 GT3 and an f80 M3. Sold a GTR about 6 months ago. If you want something that really pulls you’re gonna want the GTR. The GT3 is the best sounding car ive ever owned, but I consider it a high powered go cart. It doesn’t pull like the GTR, except maybe between 7-9k rpm.You would be so disappointed with a 991.1 C2 over a GTR. The GTR has a very unique sound and the engine and exhaust sound so much better than the f80 in my opinion.

Hmmm I like what you’re saying. You have the holy trinity of cars!

[Mthrice]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Hmmm I like what you’re saying. You have the holy trinity of cars!

Thanks! I think the 991.2 manual GT3 is part of the holy trinity, couldn’t afford that one😂 Test drive the GTR for sure, some people end up not liking it. I thought it was a blast🔥

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by Mthrice

Thanks! I think the 991.2 manual GT3 is part of the holy trinity, couldn’t afford that one😂 Test drive the GTR for sure, some people end up not liking it. I thought it was a blast🔥

Yea the gt3 is a grail car, but the 991.2 manual gt3 was jesus’ personal water bottle.

When you had the GTR were you bored of it after a couple of years?

[Mthrice]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Yea the gt3 is a grail car, but the 991.2 manual gt3 was jesus’ personal water bottle.

When you had the GTR were you bored of it after a couple of years?

I kept it for six years and slowly modded it over that time, which kept it interesting. You can push hp to 700+ very reasonably.