2009 Nissan GT-R: It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a GT-R

"if any engine could be described as organic-sounding"

Maybe a Porsche flat-six or Ferrari V-8 with their animal-like howl?

So here's a question - you can own either the GT-R or a 370Z as your only personal car (can't sell it). Which one do you take?

The GT-R is faster and is a 2+2. If you can handle the stiff ride, I don't see any reason to get the Z. Maybe if you really want a true manual, but some Z's have that rev-matching feature anyway. I would take the GT-R every time.

So there is someone else in the world that yells out "shake and bake!" when passing slow-moving traffic... good for you, Riswick.

I'd have to agree with sabastian...a Porsche flat-6 and a Ferrari V-8 make quintessential automotive sounds that have been honed over the decades. They are the most 'organic' of all engines.

"The twin-turbo V6's 480 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque seemingly reside everywhere. It's not like a high-revving Honda or BMW M engine, where all the power (and fun) is up high. Nor is it your typical domestic V8 that's all guts-and-glory down low but packs it in by 6,000 rpm. No matter what rpm you're at, the GT-R is ready. "

Interesting comment when you consider than modern small blocks make their power much higher than before. LS7 makes peak torque at 4800 rpm and peak power at 6300 rpm. LS3 puts out it's best a 4600 and 5900 rpm respectively. Perhpas it's time to update your view of a "typical domsetic V8." Then again, I shouldn't expect much since IL refuses to add a Corvette to the Long Term Fleet. I know one of you staff members owns a C6 LS3 so why not strap the test gear to it and give us some numbers and driving impressions?

My beef with all these GT-R posts is that people pretend is the first and only car available at this price to exhibit such acceleration. The engine doesn't even sound nice or aggressive. It lacks the character and shrill of high revving Porsche or BMW M engines and lacks the burble of the GM or AMG V8s. This car is simply an appliance for speed much like the Camry is an appliance for basic transportation.

@Chavis

The key word is "typical," and I was thinking in generalities (like the last ten years of engines) to help readers better relate to what the GT-R is like. Obviously, not every domestic V8 is like this, the C6 Z06 being one. Oh, and the C6 LS3 owner? That's me. -- Brent

I love cars, fast cars, race etc.. but the GT-R just doesn't do anything for me. Still, after all these months of coverage and articles and videos, there is not one thing about these cars that interest me. I'm young enough to appreciate the techno-wizardy that pervades this car, but it just doesn't do anything for me.

I guess there is a lack of soul or personality to them that makes me not too hot and bothered by it.

The choice between GT-R and 370Z is actually a lot harder than I had initially anticipated. I don't really want another automatic, and the thought of going RWD again sounds fun. However, I think I'd still take the GT-R simply for sheer exoticness and the extra pair of seats (unusable as they are).

"So here's a question - you can own either the GT-R or a 370Z as your only personal car (can't sell it). Which one do you take?"

GT-R. Though the 370 is really good..hmm...No, still GT-R.

Also, @ Chavis, who said, "why not strap the test gear to it and give us some numbers and driving impressions?" We did, here:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=123805

"This car is simply an appliance for speed"-- All cars are. Revel in your M-shrill and AMG-burble all you want (lord knows I loves me some AMG), but the GT-R is hardly the Camry of sports cars. Note Paul's wife's refusal of GT-R trips as a recent example. While the engine is muted the transmission and differentials make as much noise as those in M cars. The transmission's an automatic, but shifts faster than anyone working a clutch could hope to.

Does a shark sound as aggressive as a lion? Certainly not, but in its element the shark is the more purpose-built killing machine.

-mike

I'm with Chavis that I would much prefer my sports car to have character and a great sound than be nuts @ss fast. So, I'm interested in learning the character of, say, the V8 planned for the new Camaro. Is it lazy and torquey, or does it sing? How 'bout the Mustang V8?

@felonious,

"the extra pair of seats (unusable as they are)"

They're totally usable for short trips. You make the GT-R sound like a 911 or something -- it's not. I once had four adults in the GT-R for about an hour (link to follow), and they weren't complaining.

http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/08/2009-nissan-gt-r-sounds-like-a-plane-and-other-observations.html

-Josh

Oh please with your "sports car to have character and a great sound than be nuts @ss fast"... First off, you cannot even define "to have character" coherently. Gtr is not just ass fast, but capable all around, which is what every sports car should be. And if you wouldn't drive a car because it doesn't sound cool - well it sucks to be you because you just like the sound of american v8s. Start saving for a f430.

I would argue that the GTR does have character. It's this mean, computerized, snarling, whining breathing, jet propelled, killer robot character. Just like a Ferrari is an Italian Madonna character, a Porsche a German bruiser, and a Corvette trailer trash that got invited to the Princes' ball. They all have character and it's what makes them great. And what's better is, you get to pick which character you like.

"Character" is shorthand for attributes that are desireable and involving and interesting. And, yes, it's in the eye of the beholder. I noted that Jeremy in his Top Gear episode felt the GTR was rather boring to drive across Japan as it did not inspire a lot of involvment by the driver. His opinion, but I'm also not interested in a car like that.

boxermike- I meant in the vane of the LT tests since you have sports cars in the fleet. There have been numerous times where you've pitted the EVOs and STi against each other and reported on their characteristics on the same or similar roads and conditions. I know you have conducted a full test on the Vette, I already read it.

As for the character (or lack of) of the GT-R, I just don't get it. Most performance cars have a certain sound or characteristic that makes it special and noteworthy. I don't know what that feature is on the GT-R. All we hear is that "it's stupid fast." Well so is just about every sports car available. However, you know what a Porsche, AMG, M, Vette, Ferarri, Lambo, etc sound like without even seeing them. The GT-R? It sounds artificial. Even the standard VQ has a unique sound that is easily recognized. That was my point. Leno had a good video review of the GT-R. He keeps it real in all his videos about what's good for street/real world driving.

Lol. I have to wonder, of all the people who bag on the GT-R for having no soul or being boring to drive, how many have actually driven (or even seen) a GT-R in real life? I haven't so I can't say whether its boring or not, but from everything I've read/seen about the GT-R, I find lack of character hard to believe....

I haven't driven one but I see them all the time. I saw 2 today. When I hear one coming up my street I think it sounds like a Scion tc with a loud exhaust. So the sound does not impress me at all. I think it has character because it is so focused on going fast and letting average drivers go fast. it's not about the sound or appearance. It's about its purpose.

ddoouugg- exactly, which is why I labeled the GT-R the Camry of performance cars. it's an appliance for speed and nothing more.

"ddoouugg- exactly, which is why I labeled the GT-R the Camry of performance cars. it's an appliance for speed and nothing more."

Ah, the typical comment of a Vette lover. Any car either be an appliance or something else. It all comes down to how you drive and judging by your comments, you drive your car, if you have one, like an appliance.