2008 Nissan GT-R 3.8 twin turbo V6

Summary:

I just can't love it

Faults:

A little bit of tiny scratch on the bumper, but it's not a big deal.

General Comments:

The GT-R has amazing reputation in outperforming some other supercars at a higher price, which is why I decided to trade my BMW M3 that I had owned for 8 months with this car.

For a car at this price, you get a lot of speed, and compared to my BMW M3, it is really fast! It's surprisingly easy to drive too for a car this fast. I have never driven any supercar before, but this car is so easy to control.

I never had any serious problem with the car; it's reliable despite the hot climate in Aussie. As for comfort? I don't think it's as comfortable as my M3 in, let's say, the comfort settings. It shakes and bumps on rough roads, though thankfully I live in Sydney where the roads are pretty good compared to most other parts of the country. The quality? I'm not an expert on this, but I feel the M3 is so much more toughly made, especially when closing the door. It's quieter too at higher speeds (except for the engine noise, which is louder than the Nissan).

The car is fast, and for a first time supercar owner like me, it feels like a fighter jet! Slight hit on the gas and it just goes. It makes me wonder how the Bugatti feels. I also quite like the paddleshift where I can switch gears like a racing car. The brakes are powerful too. So powerful that it feels like my eyes are about to pop. The seats are comfortable and supportive, especially for a super fast car like this. Great for storing items in the back. The steering wheel is grippy and nice to hold (though not as nice as my BMW). Overall, satisfied, that is, in the early weeks.

After months of owning it, I decided to trade it with a Porsche Cayman S. I learned that the GT-R is not quite as exciting as my BMW. I personally think it's a bit boring, especially at lower ends where it doesn't hit the turbo. In my BMW, I got excited even when I was driving it at lower RPMs. Even though I'm not expert on cars, I began to understand why certain people prefer European cars. The GT-R handles so well that you have to push it hard to have fun with it, where on the public road where there's traffic and speed limits, you won't get much chance to enjoy it. In my BMW, even when I was just cruising in the sporty mode, it felt a lot more enjoyable. The biggest difference is probably the engine sound. My European cars, the BMW M3, and the Cayman, had a fantastic sound. Whereas the Nissan sounds kind of dull. But again, I'm not an expert on cars, so I don't know if it's weird to not like this car.

Anyway, I traded this car with a 2008 Porsche Cayman S after 6 months of owning the Nissan. Yes, the Cayman is a lot slower than my GT-R, and sometimes I miss going fast with the Nissan. But I am a lot more satisfied with my Porsche. I think the reason is because it's more challenging to drive. In the GT-R, everything is too easy, and of course, the engine sound is too boring.

Even until now, thinking back my ownership and driving the GT-R, I still think it's dull and boring! That's what I have in mind every time I think of that car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th August, 2013

8th Aug 2013, 20:52

Maybe if you kept a car for more than a few months you'd grow to like it; it takes time to appreciate good cars.

6th Mar 2015, 02:17

I do agree with you in every way. The GT-R is fast and that's all it is. It has no thrill, and it's just a super car made for people on a low budget. Just like any other Japanese car - it's not a quiet cabin, the engine noise is boring, and it's not the most comfortable car. The interior is simple, which is good in a way, but it doesn't have the wow factor... more like Corolla specced up to be a super car.

BMW and Porsche didn't get up there overnight. Those guys know how to make a car, and pure engineering goes behind every little thing, which is why you may pay more, and they might not be as fast, but they are very well refined.

6 months is long enough to tell how good that car is. It's not a house - it's a car. An hour is also more than enough for pros to tell you exactly what the car is all about.