Nissan GT-R - thoughts as a potential "family" car?
Discussion
Hi guys
I am in the process of looking for a family car (i.e. meets my wife's requirement of a family car of having min 4 seats and a bigenough boot for a buggy/pram). As i already own a TVR T350 i need something that also has some power and fun to it or i'll go mad driving a sensible car....
Anyone here experienced a GT-R and would they recommend them? Heard they are expensive to service and run?
Cheers all
Dan
I am in the process of looking for a family car (i.e. meets my wife's requirement of a family car of having min 4 seats and a bigenough boot for a buggy/pram). As i already own a TVR T350 i need something that also has some power and fun to it or i'll go mad driving a sensible car....
Anyone here experienced a GT-R and would they recommend them? Heard they are expensive to service and run?
Cheers all
Dan
TVR newbie said:
Hi guys
I am in the process of looking for a family car (i.e. meets my wife's requirement of a family car of having min 4 seats and a bigenough boot for a buggy/pram). As i already own a TVR T350 i need something that also has some power and fun to it or i'll go mad driving a sensible car....
Anyone here experienced a GT-R and would they recommend them? Heard they are expensive to service and run?
Hah! Do it!I am in the process of looking for a family car (i.e. meets my wife's requirement of a family car of having min 4 seats and a bigenough boot for a buggy/pram). As i already own a TVR T350 i need something that also has some power and fun to it or i'll go mad driving a sensible car....
Anyone here experienced a GT-R and would they recommend them? Heard they are expensive to service and run?
I have been four up in the GT-R but the rear seats aren't really suitable for anyone over 5', even for short journeys. You'll be banging heads against the rear glass each time you accelerate.
Probably ok for kids, there's ISOFIX for babies but I don't imagine that getting them in/out would be all that easy.
Coming from an RX8 the GT-R was a disappointment on the practicality stakes (bigger boot tho). However the RX8 was bloody fantastic - long weekend with four (full sized!) adults in France was no problem at all. Perhaps not enough power for you though, but they're dirt cheap - could always pick one up & have someone bolt something onto the engine for forced induction.
Cheers for that reply
Well the wife has a R32 which she'll keep and i'll be selling the TVR for this car so getting baby in and out will only be an issue for me which i'll put up with if i think it worth it.
As for the back seats - i'll just have to get some small friends....
Maybe i should book a test drive....
Well the wife has a R32 which she'll keep and i'll be selling the TVR for this car so getting baby in and out will only be an issue for me which i'll put up with if i think it worth it.
As for the back seats - i'll just have to get some small friends....
Maybe i should book a test drive....
GTR is practical enough to use as the others have said.
Its a big car though and quite wide which my wife doesnt like much. But servicing is every 6 months and isnt cheap, fuel is 18mpg and tyres and parts are pricey.
Its very fast though, clearly quicker than the TVR even, and the RX8 is not in the same league. If you have a practical family car as well it will be fine.
Its a big car though and quite wide which my wife doesnt like much. But servicing is every 6 months and isnt cheap, fuel is 18mpg and tyres and parts are pricey.
Its very fast though, clearly quicker than the TVR even, and the RX8 is not in the same league. If you have a practical family car as well it will be fine.
Bought my GT-R at the beginning of October & i can't rave about the car enough. The performance is biblical & is another league from the RS4/6's & M5 i owned previously.
The back seats are NOT practical for older children or adults, but for younger kids in car seats they are more than acceptable assuming the front passenger/driver can pull forward a little. My youngest son loves going out in the GT-R.
Bought mine new so only had the 1st opti service (which is free) & whilst in i had a Miltek "Y" pipe fitted to raise the volume a little (defo a must have modification). Servicing isn't cheap & more so given it's every 6000 miles, however the HPC's appear to be relaxing on their pricing as they're aware alot of owners are going to Indi's for better value servicing.
All i can say is do it as i'd bet you'll not regret it
The back seats are NOT practical for older children or adults, but for younger kids in car seats they are more than acceptable assuming the front passenger/driver can pull forward a little. My youngest son loves going out in the GT-R.
Bought mine new so only had the 1st opti service (which is free) & whilst in i had a Miltek "Y" pipe fitted to raise the volume a little (defo a must have modification). Servicing isn't cheap & more so given it's every 6000 miles, however the HPC's appear to be relaxing on their pricing as they're aware alot of owners are going to Indi's for better value servicing.
All i can say is do it as i'd bet you'll not regret it
I suppose you're looking at R35, which is a pity as an R33 has a decent boot and can carry 4 adults and luggage at (quite high) speed across country.
As I've said before, if you look at the GTR across the generations, the cars have gotten bigger but the interior space has shrunk with each iteration...
As I've said before, if you look at the GTR across the generations, the cars have gotten bigger but the interior space has shrunk with each iteration...
Just a general GT-R comment, as one decided to have a play with me last night.
Wow.
He was showing off quite well around a roundabout and I tried getting him back but no chance... never has 305bhp felt so flacid
we both happened to park at the same shop so I had a look around, and whilst they certainly are massive, they're bloody impressive as well.
WANT
Wow.
He was showing off quite well around a roundabout and I tried getting him back but no chance... never has 305bhp felt so flacid
we both happened to park at the same shop so I had a look around, and whilst they certainly are massive, they're bloody impressive as well.WANT
Cactussed said:
I suppose you're looking at R35, which is a pity as an R33 has a decent boot and can carry 4 adults and luggage at (quite high) speed across country.
As I've said before, if you look at the GTR across the generations, the cars have gotten bigger but the interior space has shrunk with each iteration...
When you say "quite high" i assume you speak of a bog standard car? 200+mph is common amongst R32, R33 & R34 GTR's......As I've said before, if you look at the GTR across the generations, the cars have gotten bigger but the interior space has shrunk with each iteration...
But, as you say the R33 GTR will easily transport 4 adults in comfort with enough luggage space too. (at "very high" speeds if required)
I would opt for a R32, 33 or 34 over the R35 as they are more of a "drivers" car and are in a sense more raw, not to mention would save you a few quid too. they also have a proper gearbox and a proper engine too (joke)
edited to add: don't forget your "Y PIPE" and your "COBB tuning bits" as they are a "must" for the R35 fanboys....
Edited by ROB_GTR on Saturday 11th December 05:34
Theres a big difference between whats 'do-able' and 'practical'.
In the R35, yes the boot is pretty big but you have to lug a buggy over the rear end and drop it into the boot. Not fun for the missus and nor the you the owner fearing the scratches on paintwork :/
The car is massive which is an issue in itself so there is more to lift over (prob 3 ft to the boot?) and of course parking/narrow roads become more of an issue. The wheel prices (plus low front splitter) would certainly put you off trying to mount any kerb if things get very narrow with parked cars/oncoming traffic.
Rear seats have ISO fix yes but good luck on using it. I never managed to get a seat into place as there is no room either side to get your hands in and the ISO mounting points sit about 2" higher than the seat base. The mounting points are also not visable and is scary trying not to rip the leather looking for them.
Theres very little in the room in the rear for passengers (esp if behind the drivers seat) and hitting your head on the rear window is a given if over 5 foot.
If you get a puncture dont expect to drive to Kwik Fit and get a new one fitted. HPC will charge you 500-600 fitted per corner.
If that all sounds negative, its just my honest opinion of a 'family' car. My missus used it just twice.
As a car for just you (and a passenger) to enjoy, nothing comes close for the money. A simple Cobb access port and Y-pipe put mine to around 600bhp and performance was just brutal... and i miss it.
In the R35, yes the boot is pretty big but you have to lug a buggy over the rear end and drop it into the boot. Not fun for the missus and nor the you the owner fearing the scratches on paintwork :/
The car is massive which is an issue in itself so there is more to lift over (prob 3 ft to the boot?) and of course parking/narrow roads become more of an issue. The wheel prices (plus low front splitter) would certainly put you off trying to mount any kerb if things get very narrow with parked cars/oncoming traffic.
Rear seats have ISO fix yes but good luck on using it. I never managed to get a seat into place as there is no room either side to get your hands in and the ISO mounting points sit about 2" higher than the seat base. The mounting points are also not visable and is scary trying not to rip the leather looking for them.
Theres very little in the room in the rear for passengers (esp if behind the drivers seat) and hitting your head on the rear window is a given if over 5 foot.
If you get a puncture dont expect to drive to Kwik Fit and get a new one fitted. HPC will charge you 500-600 fitted per corner.
If that all sounds negative, its just my honest opinion of a 'family' car. My missus used it just twice.
As a car for just you (and a passenger) to enjoy, nothing comes close for the money. A simple Cobb access port and Y-pipe put mine to around 600bhp and performance was just brutal... and i miss it.
GTR is not a family car I am afraid - it is too compromised as others have said. in addition to that we obviously don't know what you think you need - all we know is you have to sell and your partners doesn't.
Working with the limited info given, I would probably go for an M3, M5, C63AMG or the reportedly excellent Lexus IS-F.
Good luck but forget the GTR imho in this situation,
Working with the limited info given, I would probably go for an M3, M5, C63AMG or the reportedly excellent Lexus IS-F.
Good luck but forget the GTR imho in this situation,
Well i can only add to this topic my experience and its is as follows;
I had a T350 in 2004 and it was lovely. I thought id try a Evo FQ360 when i, well thought, got bored of the TVR and got rid within a year as build was awfull !!!! Very very fast tho. Now build i thought would have been leagues ahead of TVR but im sorry to report in a Jap forum TVR biuld was so much better! Yep thats true....honest!! Dont miss the FQ one little bit. Seats are for Jap people only. Extremely uncomfortable, rattles around while sdriving, dash creaked ALL the time. So i then thought id go for an Audi so bought new a lovely A4 S-Line with everything fitted to it in white with RS 19 inch alloys. Looked bloody lovely BUT by god was it SOOOOO boring. So got rid of that as couldnt stand falling asleep after 50 miles of pure boor!!!!
I then sadly lost my daughter last year so my wife said, sod it go and get the car of ya dreams....TVR SAGARIS!!!! UTTER AWSOME JOY!!!!!!!!
Ive learnt that my heart lies with TVR. The Sagaris has been faultess. Not a wisper of any fault at all. Just pure and utter joy and such an event to drive. A pure drivers car.
Now i nearly did buy a GT-R just before the Sagaris and glad i didnt.
This is just my veiw and thank the lord we all dont have the same taste.
Good luck in whatever ya go for.........
Justyn
I had a T350 in 2004 and it was lovely. I thought id try a Evo FQ360 when i, well thought, got bored of the TVR and got rid within a year as build was awfull !!!! Very very fast tho. Now build i thought would have been leagues ahead of TVR but im sorry to report in a Jap forum TVR biuld was so much better! Yep thats true....honest!! Dont miss the FQ one little bit. Seats are for Jap people only. Extremely uncomfortable, rattles around while sdriving, dash creaked ALL the time. So i then thought id go for an Audi so bought new a lovely A4 S-Line with everything fitted to it in white with RS 19 inch alloys. Looked bloody lovely BUT by god was it SOOOOO boring. So got rid of that as couldnt stand falling asleep after 50 miles of pure boor!!!!
I then sadly lost my daughter last year so my wife said, sod it go and get the car of ya dreams....TVR SAGARIS!!!! UTTER AWSOME JOY!!!!!!!!
Ive learnt that my heart lies with TVR. The Sagaris has been faultess. Not a wisper of any fault at all. Just pure and utter joy and such an event to drive. A pure drivers car.
Now i nearly did buy a GT-R just before the Sagaris and glad i didnt.
This is just my veiw and thank the lord we all dont have the same taste.
Good luck in whatever ya go for.........
Justyn
If you're looking for a car with a bit of poke but practical at the same time then I'd go for Christer's list as well.
Not supercar specs but fun nonetheless.
Out of those listed the Lexus IS-F is the one I have most experience with - the 2010 MY with the mechanical LSD. I can certainly recommend it- a great hoot, fast and what a noise!!! It just has such a deep bellow from 3.5k revs up, very addictive.
However,I wouldn't say no to an M3/M5 or a saloon AMG either!
Not supercar specs but fun nonetheless.
Out of those listed the Lexus IS-F is the one I have most experience with - the 2010 MY with the mechanical LSD. I can certainly recommend it- a great hoot, fast and what a noise!!! It just has such a deep bellow from 3.5k revs up, very addictive.
However,I wouldn't say no to an M3/M5 or a saloon AMG either!
extremekiter said:
Well i can only add to this topic my experience and its is as follows;
I had a T350 in 2004 and it was lovely. I thought id try a Evo FQ360 when i, well thought, got bored of the TVR and got rid within a year as build was awfull !!!! Very very fast tho. Now build i thought would have been leagues ahead of TVR but im sorry to report in a Jap forum TVR biuld was so much better! Yep thats true....honest!! Dont miss the FQ one little bit. Seats are for Jap people only. Extremely uncomfortable, rattles around while sdriving, dash creaked ALL the time. So i then thought id go for an Audi so bought new a lovely A4 S-Line with everything fitted to it in white with RS 19 inch alloys. Looked bloody lovely BUT by god was it SOOOOO boring. So got rid of that as couldnt stand falling asleep after 50 miles of pure boor!!!!
I then sadly lost my daughter last year so my wife said, sod it go and get the car of ya dreams....TVR SAGARIS!!!! UTTER AWSOME JOY!!!!!!!!
Ive learnt that my heart lies with TVR. The Sagaris has been faultess. Not a wisper of any fault at all. Just pure and utter joy and such an event to drive. A pure drivers car.
Now i nearly did buy a GT-R just before the Sagaris and glad i didnt.
This is just my veiw and thank the lord we all dont have the same taste.
Good luck in whatever ya go for.........
Justyn
Good on you mate. If you can afford it, live life today. I always do and bought a BMW 535d for a quick family car (the missus reckons an R32 gtr isnt practical,dopey woman!), but now wish i bought an M5, so if finances allow, i'll chop the 535 in for an M5. If not,then i'll just get the 535 mapped. Its already got more torque then the M5!I had a T350 in 2004 and it was lovely. I thought id try a Evo FQ360 when i, well thought, got bored of the TVR and got rid within a year as build was awfull !!!! Very very fast tho. Now build i thought would have been leagues ahead of TVR but im sorry to report in a Jap forum TVR biuld was so much better! Yep thats true....honest!! Dont miss the FQ one little bit. Seats are for Jap people only. Extremely uncomfortable, rattles around while sdriving, dash creaked ALL the time. So i then thought id go for an Audi so bought new a lovely A4 S-Line with everything fitted to it in white with RS 19 inch alloys. Looked bloody lovely BUT by god was it SOOOOO boring. So got rid of that as couldnt stand falling asleep after 50 miles of pure boor!!!!
I then sadly lost my daughter last year so my wife said, sod it go and get the car of ya dreams....TVR SAGARIS!!!! UTTER AWSOME JOY!!!!!!!!
Ive learnt that my heart lies with TVR. The Sagaris has been faultess. Not a wisper of any fault at all. Just pure and utter joy and such an event to drive. A pure drivers car.
Now i nearly did buy a GT-R just before the Sagaris and glad i didnt.
This is just my veiw and thank the lord we all dont have the same taste.
Good luck in whatever ya go for.........
Justyn
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