I was soo lucky to land the 2009 Nissan GT-R as our road trip car to Vegas. I usually HATE driving to Vegas, such a boring trip. But the GT-R's seats are comfortable enough for both the driver and passenger to withstand 283 miles and our car has all the amenities to make that long, boring slog to Sin City bearable. We had satellite radio so we wouldn't have to keep switching stations, seat heaters!, 480 horsepower for short bursts of speed to enliven things and the entertainment of watching fellow motorists drool at the car.
Before the trip I was warned that the suspension, even in Comfort mode, would still make the car shudder over road imperfections but it really didn't bug me as much as I thought it would.
On the way back home I asked my road trip companion if she enjoyed her ride in the GT-R. She did, especially because it was so comfortable as the seat sort of cradled her and the lumbar support pushed her in at the right spot so she didn't get an achey back. She did feel guilty that I had to do all the driving, though. Heh. Yeah, I think that I had a lot more fun than she did and that's saying a lot considering I usually find the road to Vegas so very dull.
I was fascinated by the power of this car which made me feel like a giant trying to pet a kitten. So much oomph that a couple of times when I wanted to pass slowpokes, I found that I had jumped to 10 mph faster in what felt like a mere second when all I wanted to do was get around them. Oops! Looked in my rearview mirror and they were now a faint dot on the horizon.
I had to watch my speeds on the 15, though, since there seemed to be a lot more cops out than usual. Such a bummer. Leaving Vegas, after Stateline there had to be a cop every 2 miles sitting on the side of the road with their laser speed guns pointed at traffic.
BTW what has to be the biggest plus about the interior of this car is the 9-cubic-foot trunk that can accommodate the luggage of two girls going away to Vegas for three days. That's pretty amazing for a supercar. Our Audi R8 had about 7 cubic feet of oddly shaped space in its frunk.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 18,717 miles
sealclubb3r says:
10:42 AM, 03/13/09
Was the GT-R quiet on the trip? I seem to remember it being said that it generated a whole lot of tire roar and road noise.
caroscuro says:
11:11 AM, 03/13/09
Yeah, it was noisy in the cabin. My passenger likened it to being on a plane.
HassanK says:
11:16 AM, 03/13/09
haha "likened it to being on a plane" That's an awesome way of putting it.
johnnyr3 says:
11:29 AM, 03/13/09
"...being on a plane" sounds like a cool effect. The more I hear, the more I'm sold on this car.
brn says:
11:42 AM, 03/13/09
The car is interesting and exciting. That doesn't make for a good road trip car. Noisy? Even worse. A place to put your buddies and their stuff? No. Smooth ride? No.
It's not a road trip car.
dougtheeng says:
12:03 PM, 03/13/09
"It's not a road trip car."
I'd love to take a road trip in it, ha ha.
redliner says:
12:08 PM, 03/13/09
I have never driven a GT-R, but i would imagine that it would be great for this type of short 'road trip.' However, just like 'being on a plane,' i bet the GT-R would get anying on longer trips.
redliner says:
12:10 PM, 03/13/09
I bet the people in that Volvo V70 think the same thing about their car...
funny how tht works
bankerdanny says:
12:17 PM, 03/13/09
BRM, there's road trips and then there's road trips. Less than 300 miles is not really a very long trip.
I don't know that I would want the trip from LA to Detroit in the GT-R, but a few hours to Vegas doesn't seem like a big deal.
billt9 says:
01:39 PM, 03/13/09
Brn,
Ya I know we know all things Toyota are the best roadtrip cars. Mmmmm pillow soft suspension and vault like silence...
LS460L you can't hear someone talking right outside the car at all... Bumps? Me no understand what bump is.
If that's what you like.
DCuerpoJr says:
04:59 PM, 03/13/09
I'd love to take a GTR on the 1 & 101 from Seattle to San Diego during the summer. I've done it several times in various cars, but I can't think of many that would be as much fun as the GTR while driving through winding roads along the west coast.
cx7lover says:
05:38 PM, 03/13/09
Yeah I'd rather have the V70 T6 AWD w/ the Dynaudio package.
drewsrx says:
10:34 PM, 03/13/09
The GT-R would be a perfect road trip car!
mustang5507 says:
03:50 AM, 03/15/09
Sad that your car is the nicest one in the valet. Last time I walked through Caesars, saw a Bentley Arnage, 2 Maybach 57's, and a slew of Mercs.
fastgtr says:
12:07 PM, 03/16/09
I did New York to Chicago in my GTR. The road noise is a bit annoying but you get used to it; I would liken it to being on a boat. Yes, I would rather do the trip in a Merc or BMW seven, but the thing absolutely flies. It changes everything on how you move in traffic; it’s like everyone is standing still.