AndyN said:
Did the drive happen yet? If so what'd you think? Definitely louder than the Leaf. Half the time you think the transmission is going to fall out right? But boy I love that sound. The clang of mechanical sounds is what excites me every time. That and the break neck acceleration. Oddly when I'm in the Leaf it's the dead silence that I love. In the GT-R its the gurgle, the turbo whine, and transmission.
If you haven't driven it yet I'd stake out a long stretch of empty road. Put everything into RRR. Hit the brake and then accelerator all the way. Watch the rev's climb then let go of the brake and launch. I'd just do that all day long. Wish I could trade in for a '12. Nissan really got it right with the '12.
Yep, it was quite a 24 hours, plus a few. I got a red 2010 model with upgraded wheels and tires. I didn't realize that the wheels and tires weren't stock until I returned the car to the dealer, so I didn't write down the tire dimensions. I think it might have had a Stillen exhaust, as well.
Everything you say about the car is right. Just an amazing piece of engineering in every respect. Even driving in Auto mode, the car always feels "on cam" and ready to go. Very little lag on acceleration from low speeds, and then "whoa, baby", just hang on and enjoy the ride. If you haven't driven this car, or something very much like it, of which there are few, you don't really understand what it feels like to drive a car that can accelerate to 60 mph in well under 4 seconds. You can talk about it and you can imagine it, but in person, it is just addictive. The transmission is the center of the car. With the twin clutch system, shifts are super quick in either manual or auto mode. At low speeds, you feel and hear the transmission working, and as my friend mentioned, it is actually much smoother to be in manual shift mode. But on freeway ramps and when really accelerating, I mostly just left it in Auto and hung on for dear life.
The other thing that was so different from any car I've driven was the handling on high speed ramps and curves. I don't think I ever heard a tire squeal and the car just held the line that I chose without a hint of concern that it would slide or skid. So cornering was the most secure experience ever. I just knew that on mountain roads, this car would be easier to drive than a lesser car. Just confidence inspiring.
Now all that being said, I'm not depressed about having to give the car back after a day. It was a full time, involving experience driving that car. It is loud, jouncy and noisy whenever the engine is on. The steering is compliant and properly assisted, but stiff, so you know your arms are working. It was a great, never to be forgotten experience, but I was happy to be driving my LEAF again. It is such a relaxing and comfortable car, and it can give me a grin when I step on it, as well.
Speaking of grins, I told several people, and many who drove the GTR agreed, many sports cars give you an automatic grin as soon as you turn a corner in them, but with the GTR, you grin and then you just start shaking your head in amazement. That head shaking amazement was the feeling that I'll remember forever.
Many, many thanks to Mark and Elise Ranauro at Connell Nissan, for this fantastic, once in a lifetime opportunity to drive a dream car. Every interaction that I've had with either of these fine people, from well before I ordered my LEAF, through the ordering and delivery process, to this moment, has been of the highest caliber. I can't recommend Connell Nissan in Costa Mesa highly enough.
Pictures from my GTR experience to come in the next few days.
