RE: The Nissan GT-R in 2008: Time For Tea
Monday 23rd April 2018
The Nissan GT-R in 2008: Time For Tea?
Yes, we really have had R35s in the UK for a decade - time to remember what a milestone it was
Alright, so "R35s in the UK for a decade" requires some qualification, because it wasn't actually until 2009 that you could officially buy a GT-R over here from your Nissan dealer. However, for the truly committed, importers like Litchfield could bring one over before then, and so we really have had 10 years of them. Crikey.
It's a Litchfield import that features in this classic Autocar video, alongside an E92 BMW M3 and a first generation 997 911 GT3. It's presented by that man Chris Harris off the telly, who you might not recognise with all that hair. And a fleece.
It's a jolly good watch, too, for it's all too easy to forget what a seismic impact the GT-R had on the UK fast car scene. Here was a car that cost less than £60k, yet was faster around a circuit than the most track focused 911. It remains like nothing else in 2018, and that's with 10 years of getting used to its abilities. Back then, the way it pulled an M3's pants down for not much more money really was a shock.
We won't spoil the conclusion of the feature here - it's split across two videos - although it's fair to say the big Nissan gave a pretty good account of itself even once the stopwatch had been put back. And while the GT-R's impact may have dwindled over the decade since 2008, its abilities remain extraordinary. How much longer does this generation have to run? That's something only Nissan knows at present, and news that enthusiasts await with baited breath; whenever that car emerges and whatever it may be, the next GT-R has one heck of a legacy to live up to.
Discussion
Best mate had one of the first official dozen in the UK and I was lucky enough to drive it lots around the 'ring back when we both had enough spare time to spend plenty of weekends over there!
Still one of the best cars we've ever driven, such an event and although it may have been easier to extract lap times than the GT3RS he now has it was utterly not some "playstation easy to drive" thing that people always mention on forums.
Truly epic running costs as well!
It was a terrific way of meeting people as well, it drew crowds back then like nothing else-you could park up next to a Ferrari and everyone would ignore it
I also think it started the modern trend of super-performance in cars that has ended up with such high powers and weights across the board-for better or worse.
It doesn't seem like so long ago in some ways but longer in others, happy days
Still one of the best cars we've ever driven, such an event and although it may have been easier to extract lap times than the GT3RS he now has it was utterly not some "playstation easy to drive" thing that people always mention on forums.
Truly epic running costs as well!
It was a terrific way of meeting people as well, it drew crowds back then like nothing else-you could park up next to a Ferrari and everyone would ignore it
I also think it started the modern trend of super-performance in cars that has ended up with such high powers and weights across the board-for better or worse.It doesn't seem like so long ago in some ways but longer in others, happy days
jakesmith said:
Would love to experience driving one. So tune-able too. Usually gets lots of cliched comments about playstation / dull / not noisy enough but I bet it's a f
king riot to hoon
Drove a GT-R on a track day experience at Lydden Hill, it was by a mile the most thrilling car of the day (comparing against Audi R8, Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari 430) and full of feedback. Was two years ago and I can still recall the sensations - desperately want to own one.king riot to hoon Yes, they were cheaper back then and probably looked more like a bargain. However, at the time, didn't they also need to be serviced every 5k miles or so? They're not exactly cheap to service anyway. I know later on down the line, they changed the service intervals to pretty much double that, so every 10k.
They're still good value though, even with the hike in price. I just wish they'd stop updating this one and bring an all new model out.
They're still good value though, even with the hike in price. I just wish they'd stop updating this one and bring an all new model out.
Had an import in 2008. Drove it to Crete and back. Abiding memories are of rock hard suspension, and a feeling of how the size of the thing made roads feel small that had previously felt big enough. Wouldn't mind a drive of a more recent one, but if it never happens, I won't be bothered. It isn't missed.
I respect and admire Nissan for what they've achieved with it, in spite of the comments above. It's a hell of a thing, engine and box wise.
I respect and admire Nissan for what they've achieved with it, in spite of the comments above. It's a hell of a thing, engine and box wise.
It was THE game changer.
Before the GT-R came along, Ferrari/Porsche et al were offering manual or single clutch paddle gearboxes and then Nissan came along with their DCT box and 4wd system and powertrain losses were almost completely suppressed which allowed so much more forward momentum to be had, it made the F430, 997 Turbo, AMG's, M5/M6 look very very archaic.
I remember seeing a red one in 2008 - it was a grey import from Japan - and it had so much road presence.
Before the GT-R came along, Ferrari/Porsche et al were offering manual or single clutch paddle gearboxes and then Nissan came along with their DCT box and 4wd system and powertrain losses were almost completely suppressed which allowed so much more forward momentum to be had, it made the F430, 997 Turbo, AMG's, M5/M6 look very very archaic.
I remember seeing a red one in 2008 - it was a grey import from Japan - and it had so much road presence.
jakesmith said:
What are the typical running costs on this car? I have a Maserati Granturismo that has cost me £5k in 18 months not even including a service. Can't be worse than that surely!?
On track? A set of pads every ring weekend and a set of tyres every two. Front discs about the same.Full tank of 100ron fuel? About 3.75 laps
I saw an 09 plate the other day and couldn’t believe how old they actually are, still look fresh today, I can’t wait to see what the come up with next, I don’t think it will have the same impact as this though!
I wonder what 60k in 2008 would be today, there’s no way the replacement would cost under 100k imo
I wonder what 60k in 2008 would be today, there’s no way the replacement would cost under 100k imo
I remember reading a copy of EVO magazine roughly 10 years ago and they had a huge article on the GT-R and thought I will own one of these one day! I bought mine just over 4 years ago and I have enjoyed every minute of owning that car and I will continue to enjoy it as I don't ever plan on ever selling it.
Running cost can be expensive if using a Nissan Dealer. Once my warranty was out I started to use Litchfields and JM imports for my annual service which usually cost from 750-1200 pounds a service depending if it's a major or a minor. The most expensive consumables on these cars are tires and brakes they chew through them because of the weight of the GT-R. Expect to pay 1200 pounds for tires which last roughly 10k and 2k plus for brakes but you are best going for aftermarket options. If you end up tracking the car obviously you will go through tires and brakes a lot quicker which I found out quiet quickly
Running cost can be expensive if using a Nissan Dealer. Once my warranty was out I started to use Litchfields and JM imports for my annual service which usually cost from 750-1200 pounds a service depending if it's a major or a minor. The most expensive consumables on these cars are tires and brakes they chew through them because of the weight of the GT-R. Expect to pay 1200 pounds for tires which last roughly 10k and 2k plus for brakes but you are best going for aftermarket options. If you end up tracking the car obviously you will go through tires and brakes a lot quicker which I found out quiet quickly
culpz said:
Yes, they were cheaper back then and probably looked more like a bargain. However, at the time, didn't they also need to be serviced every 5k miles or so? They're not exactly cheap to service anyway. I know later on down the line, they changed the service intervals to pretty much double that, so every 10k.
Before 2010 they are 6 months/6,000 miles and after that they changed to 12 months/12,000 miles.But since the engine and gearbox are essentially the same, and the 6 month service is little more than an oil change, a lot owners follow the 12 month schedule now anyway.
And every 12 months a service is between about £600 to £1000 (depending on which one) at a specialist but Nissan will charge you about 3 times as much, which is why they get little repeat business from GT-R owners.
Do GTR owners see many problems if they look after them not heard of any ?
Be interesting to see what Nissan offer next, the R35 has been caught up a little (TTRS ? a bit, if not quite) if not quite, still seems other worldly, the R34 still an icon but would struggle against a Golf R.
R 36 needs to be something pretty amazing to pull the same game change stunt.
Be interesting to see what Nissan offer next, the R35 has been caught up a little (TTRS ? a bit, if not quite) if not quite, still seems other worldly, the R34 still an icon but would struggle against a Golf R.
R 36 needs to be something pretty amazing to pull the same game change stunt.
J4CKO said:
Do GTR owners see many problems if they look after them not heard of any ?
Be interesting to see what Nissan offer next, the R35 has been caught up a little (TTRS ? a bit, if not quite) if not quite, still seems other worldly, the R34 still an icon but would struggle against a Golf R.
R 36 needs to be something pretty amazing to pull the same game change stunt.
Aren't we at peak performance car now? When there is not that much between a top of the rage golf with a remap, and a lambo / ferarri, surely it's more about physics and tyre grip and friction and stuff rather than engineering? Be interesting to see what Nissan offer next, the R35 has been caught up a little (TTRS ? a bit, if not quite) if not quite, still seems other worldly, the R34 still an icon but would struggle against a Golf R.
R 36 needs to be something pretty amazing to pull the same game change stunt.
I was bought one of those "experience days" driving two cars at Rockingham.
One was a GTR, a car I thought I'd be buying, loved the idea of, and was dying to try. The other car changed it all, and I bought that instead.
I'm sure it was a great car, but there and then... it just seemed so ordinary in comparison.
One was a GTR, a car I thought I'd be buying, loved the idea of, and was dying to try. The other car changed it all, and I bought that instead.
I'm sure it was a great car, but there and then... it just seemed so ordinary in comparison.
J4CKO said:
Be interesting to see what Nissan offer next, the R35 has been caught up a little (TTRS ? a bit, if not quite) if not quite, still seems other worldly, the R34 still an icon but would struggle against a Golf R.
R 36 needs to be something pretty amazing to pull the same game change stunt.
While the R35 is highly effective, looking at the fundamentals there's significant room for further improvement.R 36 needs to be something pretty amazing to pull the same game change stunt.
I'd like to see the R36 being a lot lighter - under 1500kgs would be appropriate for a drivers' car. Using direct injection should enable higher compression ratio / boost, so a 3.0 hot-vee V6 should be able to push out ~600hp. It would be interesting to consider the advantages of a hybrid 4wd system akin to the new NSX, with torque vectoring - although it might be too heavy. Try and get the weight back in the car, maybe using advanced materials strategically for the front end, and lower, ideally dry-sump the engine, to attain natural good handling. Ideally make the car a tad smaller, too, without compromising accommodation.
This would be a big investment, but it could yield an R36 that would live up to those famous letters, and the lighter platform could also be used to make an attractive new Z, perhaps even other interesting FR cars.
Had a track day experience, Vantage, Gallardo, F430, 997, and GTR.
The Aston didn’t suit this environment, the Lambo was fast but an ergonomic challenge, the Porsche didn’t feel as wonderful as I’d hoped (but sounded amazing).
The GTR was a weapon. Faster than I’d want on the road as it’s addictive to feel that go, and very manageable. I didn’t get close to what it could do. But despite the “physics defying” abilities and reputation you could feel the immense forces involved, especially under braking and turn-in, which I found off-putting.
The Ferrari was an easy favourite for me. It had delicacy, response, feedback, but also this immense sense of supple cat’s cradle stability and low CoG that made it feel the most welcoming when contemplating learning it. Even the single-clutch box had reached a stage of real polish. The instructor in the 911 disagreed and rated the Porsche best.
The Aston didn’t suit this environment, the Lambo was fast but an ergonomic challenge, the Porsche didn’t feel as wonderful as I’d hoped (but sounded amazing).
The GTR was a weapon. Faster than I’d want on the road as it’s addictive to feel that go, and very manageable. I didn’t get close to what it could do. But despite the “physics defying” abilities and reputation you could feel the immense forces involved, especially under braking and turn-in, which I found off-putting.
The Ferrari was an easy favourite for me. It had delicacy, response, feedback, but also this immense sense of supple cat’s cradle stability and low CoG that made it feel the most welcoming when contemplating learning it. Even the single-clutch box had reached a stage of real polish. The instructor in the 911 disagreed and rated the Porsche best.
Edited by Baddie on Monday 23 April 20:32
jakesmith said:
What are the typical running costs on this car? I have a Maserati Granturismo that has cost me £5k in 18 months not even including a service. Can't be worse than that surely!?
I know a Barrister that had one of these and spent a fair bit on upgrades and the like and even he said they are expensive to run, if a Barrister says that 
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