R8 vs 997.Turbo vs GT-R

[ZX10R NIN]

This is how I saw it when I was in a position to spend that kind of money I bought the Maserati as it put a smile on my face everyday at a lower performance point, if I was going to go on the track I'd take the bike.

I looked at all three the Porsche & Nissan are very much similar interior wise the Porsche edged it performance wise it went back to the GT-R, if I was buying either it would be for their performance & in that sense the Nissan edged it plus the potential for more was a major reason for it being second on my list when I was looking to buy.

The Audi as good as it was didn't have Four seats so as nice as it was it didn't make the shortlist, the badge wasn't an issue for me but the grin factor was.

So for me it went:

Maserati Granturismo
Nissan GT-R
911 Turbo
CL63 AMG
M6

[will_]

Vested interest alert - I have a (new to me) R8 V8 manual. But I have just been through the same buying thought process.

Of the three, the R8 is the least practical but in my view the most special - with the most "supercar" attributes (I appreciate that there is a never-ending debate as to whether the R8 is a supercar or not). It is mid-engined, with a V8 and the lovely glass engine panel. It also has serious presence. Personally, I also think it looks the best of the three.

The 997 Turbo is most capable, but the 911 shape is ubiquitous.

The GTR, for all its capabilities, held no attraction for me from an aesthetic point of view and I really didn't like the interior.

I also considered the V8 Vantage but some ownership/reliability stories put me off. And the 4.3 really isn't that quick for all the noise and fuel consumption.