On Saturday morning I took our long-term 2009 Nissan GT-R to the hand wash. I was going to display it that evening at our unveil party for the 2009 Nissan 370Z and it was in deep need of a bath. Of course, everyone at the car wash wanted to know about the car, including a nice man there to bathe his almost new 350Z.
He wanted to know how much faster the GT-R was than his Z, which by the way was rolling on heavy 19s. I told him the GT-R was much faster than his Z. That it wasn't even close. That the GT-R's speed was in a whole other dimension than his ride.
He wasn't buying it. "But they're both V6s," he said. "Same engine, how can one be that much faster than the other? My Z would be just as quick if I threw on a turbo."
I argued the benefits of the GT-R's special engine, dual-cluch transmission and all-wheel drive, but he wasn't buying. So I offered to take him for a ride.
Screw the warranty. I set the launch control and blew his mind. He had no idea a car could be as quick as the GT-R. Its performance was actually out of the man's limited imagination, beyond what he thought was possible. After three gears he begged me to slow down.
It was such a good launch I went back to the spot after I dropped the guy off at his Z. The GT-R laid a 23 ft. patch (look closely at the photo) with its rear tires before the all-wheel drive system caught up and send some of that power to the front tires.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
sabastian says:
04:46 PM, 11/18/08
""But they're both V6s," he said. "Same engine, how can one be that much faster than the other? My Z would be just as quick if I threw on a turbo.""
Ahh the old "Well car x would have more power if you put a turbo on it!" argument. The classic go-to excuse of every fanboy. Funny how most of them have absolutely no understanding of what a significant power boost does to the rest of the car. Sure, it'll be quicker than your friend's Mustamaro GT-RZ spec V, but what will that do to the handling? What kind of shape will the clutch be in after a couple of hard launches? Most cars are designed around the amount of power that they are given at the factory. Do you really think you know better than an all of those engineers who worked for years developing this car? Didn't think so.
Anyway...
So is the warranty now void or is that just a rumor?
dragonflight says:
04:54 PM, 11/18/08
Love how this is quickly turning into a competition of whose rubber is the longest.
Incredible that you guys could get 23 feet out of this, wonder what you could do with a ZR1? Next longterm purchase: Mazdaspeed3 vs ZR1: Which puts down more rubber?
subytrojan says:
05:00 PM, 11/18/08
Video would've been sweet!
How about all Edmunds/IL staffers carry vid cameras Riz-style (and a mount if necessary) to shoot video for blog entries? I totally would if you gave me a LT car every day/night.
louiswei says:
05:14 PM, 11/18/08
Scott I am amazed that you have that much patient for that man. If it was me after he said "But they're both V6s, same engine, how can one be that much faster than the other? My Z would be just as quick if I threw on a turbo" I'll be like: Oh sorry, I got a call, catch up with you later...
lazyhater says:
05:59 PM, 11/18/08
I'll lose interest after "they're both V6s....."
trackwrex says:
06:29 PM, 11/18/08
Scott, I'm sure you had to resist every urge to backhand that guy; that or run him over with the GTR. Then again, he could've been trying to bait you to give him a ride in the thing... in which case, he won. I hope the ride made him pee in his pants. ;)
ddoouugg says:
06:56 PM, 11/18/08
What an idiot. So if I say my RSX would be as fast as your gt-r if i threw in a turbo will you give me a ride?
estreka says:
10:06 PM, 11/18/08
Never underestimate the power of slapped-on forced induction. ;-)
mustang5507 says:
10:18 PM, 11/18/08
my car's a V8. So it must be faster ^_^
stovt001 says:
10:30 PM, 11/18/08
I would have dismissed him after noticing the wheels.
ace47 says:
11:12 PM, 11/18/08
23 feet. Thats highly impressive for an AWD car, especially one that can hit 0to60 in as little as 3.3 seconds.
ace47 says:
11:38 PM, 11/18/08
And Scott, Iam not saying you are a bad driver but have anyone of you guys ever tried to launch it without using launch control, just by flicking the paddles? I mean, they have it there for a reason.
waevox says:
12:02 AM, 11/19/08
Niiiice =)
tryan says:
03:35 AM, 11/19/08
Did we have to clean the passenger seat afterwards? =)
I will, however, ask how you got away with not including the obligatory legal disclaimer at the end of the article...you know,
"Edmunds does not condone having fun like this with your steroid-induced, chest thumping sport coupe, blah, blah, blah, driver thinks he's a professional and considered the straight road a closed course, blah, blah, blah" =)
jaguar36 says:
04:42 AM, 11/19/08
Wait a minute, all I have to do to get a launch control ride in the GT-R is to make idiotic claims about how my car is faster? That seems well worth it to me.
sgude says:
06:29 AM, 11/19/08
So this is what Michael Jordan was talking about when he wrote "car-guy wannabe" -- this guy is the perfect example.
mrryte says:
06:56 AM, 11/19/08
"But they're both V6s," he said. "Same engine, how can one be that much faster than the other?"
Ok, this is the part where you just kill the conversation and move on. If this person doesn't even know what the differences are between the 350Z and GT-R powerplants then there's nothing more to be said.
tinyelvis says:
08:01 AM, 11/19/08
Do you really want to announce you are screwing with the terms of the warranty?
>pause<
Hell Yes!
johnmarco says:
08:06 AM, 11/19/08
Westchester Pkwy?
joefrompa says:
08:22 AM, 11/19/08
That's like asking why a 2.0 liter race engine putting out 800 HP is different from my 2.0 liter honda civic SI....
I actually have to say that this was a great blog entry. As someone who has never driven a 300+ HP car AT THE limit, I can't imagine how that car builds speed from the low-end.
I've driven a 2002 BMW M3 6-speed where I blinked and was at 80....but it was a rolling acceleration and that car doesn't FEEL like it was accelerating that quickly.
I've driven a 2001 BMW 540i 6-speed where the low-end torque made me get pushed back in my seat....but I ran out of road before I could actually take it to the peak of it's powerband.
I've driven a 350z 6-speed and just felt it was a raucous torquey monster that didn't excite me.
I've never driven anything Z06 fast, Porsche 911 Turbo fast, or anything that approaches it....and I have to agree that I imagine it's outside of my capacity to understand power that will overwhelm traction AT speed. Where you can floor it in 4th cruising at 70 and overwhelm the rear tires.
I'd like to experience that one day :)
Joe
compliance says:
09:37 AM, 11/19/08
Put me in the line for rides :)
roar02ram says:
10:19 AM, 11/19/08
That is by far my favorite car wash in LA. Awesome place and usually nice machinery there.
cheslin says:
11:34 AM, 11/19/08
joefrompa, I've driven a CLK63 AMG Black Series up to 177 (on a track of course) and then lost my nerve to hit the limiter at 186. It was still pulling. I pulled around a slower moving Merc entering a straight, hammered it, and laid rubber at 55. Was doing 140 before I could breathe. Truly amazing for NA. And the thing can rev for a big V8, it will bounce off the limiter if you're not careful.
It truly is an amazing experience. I liked the Black better than the McLaren SLR.
boxermike says:
12:39 PM, 11/19/08
"And Scott, Iam not saying you are a bad driver but have anyone of you guys ever tried to launch it without using launch control, just by flicking the paddles? I mean, they have it there for a reason."
The only way to get that car out of the hole without bogging for a split second is launch control, and then it's just fast instead of stupid-fast.
-mike
autoboy16 says:
01:01 PM, 11/19/08
This reminds me ofthat lexus GS Commercial with the Car doing Donuts!
'"Yes you can, & No, you shouldn't!"
autoboy16 says:
01:02 PM, 11/19/08
Found it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WATZz37MVCY
joefrompa says:
02:35 PM, 11/19/08
The difference between launch control and not seems like the difference in most cars between a 0-60 run and a 5-60 run :)
Joe
dotsara says:
05:36 PM, 11/19/08
@tryan
"Inside Line Editor in Chief"… that's how he got away with it. (:
ace47 says:
11:29 PM, 11/19/08
"The only way to get that car out of the hole without bogging for a split second is launch control, and then it's just fast instead of stupid-fast.
-mike "
Then I suppose you wouldn't believe me if I told you I have hit constant 11's in a GT-R on a number of occasions without using launch control? Without blogging?
Iam not saying that this car shouldn't blog but it normally has 98% rear wheel torque bias. I don't think launching it in a straight line would be that different from a GT3 or more in its own line, the 911 Turbo but I haven't driven a Turbo.
joe, the 350Z is by no means a monster but you probably didn't get excited because of the shitty manual transmission. It won't get your blood flowing like the GT-R would but it will grow on you. Especially if you "throw on a turbo".
dougtheeng says:
08:44 AM, 11/20/08
no launch control on future GT-R....lame
boxermike says:
09:13 AM, 11/20/08
"Then I suppose you wouldn't believe me if I told you I have hit constant 11's in a GT-R on a number of occasions without using launch control? Without blogging?"
Without bogging? Nope.
Tell me how you did it, either here or send me a message in carspace, and I'll strap our gear onto the GT-R and give it a go.
-mike
dodo2 says:
09:31 AM, 11/20/08
I wonder if Nissan removed the option to turn off the VDC because OPERATING (not necessarily LAUNCHING) the vehicle with the VDC off was what was voiding the warranty according to the warranty booklet.
joefrompa says:
10:06 AM, 11/20/08
Can you powerbrake the GT-R? I would assume that would help prevent bogging without the launch control.
Joe
wahsingku says:
04:18 PM, 11/20/08
powerbrake... thats the $20,000 question that I've always wanted to know...
ace47 says:
11:06 PM, 11/20/08
"Tell me how you did it, either here or send me a message in carspace, and I'll strap our gear onto the GT-R and give it a go.
-mike "
No, I'll do one better. I'll just wait and see how you guys get 2010 GT-Rs off the line and also the V-Spec. Lets see how the "proffesionals" get it off the line because I can recall a review about the GT-R being nearly as fast with sub 11 times without launch control by a "profesional" on this site. Or was that a load of bull?
Just like when the GT-R hit 12s when it came back and then hit a 11.8 against the ZR1. Zero to sixty also decreased. Also about the ride being ultra comfortable when on COMF and then regarding it as harsh as best in later reviews. Then sayng it made no difference whether on RACE or COMF mode and THEN saying it was just bearable on COMF. Not to mention the braking lenght being shorter, which suddenly seemed to increase against a new test against the ZR1 when usually brake feel increases over time.
Good day.
dougtheeng says:
06:10 AM, 11/21/08
"No, I'll do one better. I'll just wait and see how you guys get 2010 GT-Rs off the line and also the V-Spec. Lets see how the "proffesionals" get it off the line because I can recall a review about the GT-R being nearly as fast with sub 11 times without launch control by a "profesional" on this site. Or was that a load of bull?"
Refusing to explain isn't helping your case or your credibility with regards to having extensive experience driving a GT-R at speed.
ace47 says:
02:36 PM, 11/21/08
"Refusing to explain isn't helping your case or your credibility with regards to having extensive experience driving a GT-R at speed."
Yes because I care about what someone thinks of me over the internet. Whats pissing me off is the number of times the so called proffesionals back track on their own words and come up with something different.
joefrompa says:
08:38 AM, 11/24/08
"Just like when the GT-R hit 12s when it came back and then hit a 11.8 against the ZR1. Zero to sixty also decreased. Also about the ride being ultra comfortable when on COMF and then regarding it as harsh as best in later reviews. Then sayng it made no difference whether on RACE or COMF mode and THEN saying it was just bearable on COMF. Not to mention the braking lenght being shorter, which suddenly seemed to increase against a new test against the ZR1 when usually brake feel increases over time."
Ace - The 1/4 mile times and 0-60 times changed when tested on a different day/surface? GASP!
Braking distances changed on a performance car on different days/times/surfaces? OMGWTFBBQ!
Now answer my question people. Can you powerbrake it?! :)
Joe
ace47 says:
11:48 PM, 11/27/08
"Ace - The 1/4 mile times and 0-60 times changed when tested on a different day/surface? GASP!
Braking distances changed on a performance car on different days/times/surfaces? OMGWTFBBQ!"
Yes, because back when the GT-R came out, all the tests done showed it having near identical lap times, so the conditions must have been the same for all. Please!
Braking distances - The ZR1 posted amazing numbers, probably its best on the same day that the GT-R didn't do so well. Under normal conditions, the time differences shouldn't have been that much. 12.3 verses 11.8. I didn't read anything about the trial conditions being all that different. Funny you didn't have anything to say about the ride quality. Why don't you stop defending IL and take your Civic for a drive.