MY12 Litchfield Nissan GT-R
Discussion
My first post after lurking and learning for a very long time...
Back in 2012 I had an RX8, which, ever since an energetic drive between Okehampton and Bude en route to a surf I really bonded with. I didn't do that many miles so the horrendous fuel consumption was somewhat mitigated and I could overlook the fact that, as a day to day car, a 330i would have been 'better' in nearly every way. Besides, I could rev to 9000...
[Photo missing until Photobucket fix their servers]
I then needed something that would carry more stuff but also saw the opportunity to tick boxes in uncharted territory- a Porsche, an SUV and a V8. This was at the time, the cheapest Cayenne S in the country, sold because the owner was between house purchases and temporarily living with his family in a hotel. In Chelsea. The car was in great condition for the mileage, with just tyres on the OE 18" wheels top of the list to change.
The car was externally huge (my now wife hated it and it was nicknamed my 'Big Fat Porsche') so in an effort to fill the arches a bit more, I eschewed the change of tyres and picked up a set of 20" deep dish Vossen splits on eBay. With it now in full low-rent drug dealer spec I ran it for a year or so as a guilty pleasure, the air suspension wafting me along quite nicely and the PASM proving that two tonnes can hustle too.
Impending self-employment meant getting rid of any high overheads as a safety net, so the (at best) 20mpg Cayenne had to go. A friend was selling his seven year old TDCI Focus estate, owned from new, so after taking a hit on the Porsche that became the sensible replacement. A car which has done it's duty ever since and been relatively cheap to look after, covers ground well and has plenty of space for sports gear and the dog.
It got very boring though...
My intention was to replace it with something petrol engined in the name of driving dynamics and the possibility of diesels becoming the next governmental green-washed cash-cow. I didn't want to invest in a fuel that was out of favour, and I didn't have the budget to get a decent Tesla. After having my heart set on a B8 S4 I realised that there were a lot for sale just as they were coming out of the extended warranty. A bit of reading showed a potential bill for the diff of £7k, £10k for gearbox replacement or £2.5k for a rebuild etc.
After deciding there was a big chance of big repair bills I focused attention on a Mk3 Octavia vRS as a jack of all trades, with an easy 300bhp available from a remap. This seemed like a really good option and would have almost certainly been followed up on had I not honeymooned in Japan...
We were out for a hike near Mt Fuji and stumbled across Fun2Drive when getting off the bus. I ran around in circles checking out the R34s, FD RX7, 964 Turbo and F355, wondering why they were all there. My wife had a facepalm moment after immediately noticing the 'Fun 2 Drive' sign and pointed out that it was, fairly obviously, somewhere you could hire said cars. Wanting to get the best of the weather we headed straight up a nearby mountain for views of Mt Fuji, but all I could think about was which car to choose if they could squeeze me in the next morning.
I was born in '88. I played Gran Turismo a lot growing up. I was in Japan. After much deliberation things could only go one way.
What a car it was! I'll get it out the way now- by modern standards it's not fast. However I don't think I've ever driven anything as physically involving, with as much feedback and with such a lovely turn in. I met a childhood hero so the spectacles were very rose tinted, I just wish I had the confidence on a particularly greasy T?ge, in an £80,000 car which wasn't mine, to really push it in the corners. Maybe another day...
A point I noted also were the rear seats. Any car I owned had to fit both wife and dog, and here was one that could. I quickly decided to keep the Focus for day-to-day duties, hauling kayaks, our collie and whatever else and I was straight on the internet doing my research. My first big issue was that I don't have £80,000 to spend on a car, especially a car which shouldn't really cost that much anyway. Yes I could have a white one for less, yes I could get a GT-T, but it had to be a GT-R in a decent colour (i,e, Bayside Blue, Midnight Purple or Millenium Jade). This wasn't going to happen unfortunately.
I looked at R32s- they're lovely, and actually now I've got the R35 I'd love to have one next to it on the driveway, but at R35 money the newer car did seem like the better proposition.
So just eight days after I returned to the UK, after spending every spare moment reading forum posts, watching YouTube videos and speaking to a friend who's building an R35 track car, I arranged a viewing in London. I knew if I got a standard one I'd always wonder what it would be like if it were tuned, so top of the list was a car that had been to Litchfield for the stage 4.25 upgrades.
This particular car also had the following;
I didn't actually collect it until nearly Christmas so only have the photos from the dealer so far, but I'll hopefully get some more at the Queen's Square meet at Bristol harbourside this coming weekend when it's clean again!
It's an absolute animal if you push it- definitely too quick for the roads if you're using all the revs, but has the torque to sit in sixth gear at 30mph so does feel usable at the same time. There was some press when they came out comparing to driving in a video game, and I can see the parallels in some ways, but you don't feel disconnected. I've no doubt it's a forgiving way to drive 660bhp, but without a lot more driver training and experience I don't feel complacent, and certainly not bored! I do find the width of it a bit daunting though, something I'm sure I'll get used to in time.
Plans? Putting some miles on it once the weather improves for sure! I'd like to do the NC500, and there are plenty of great roads just over the border in the Brecons. Mechanically there's not much to do apart from tyres and brakes in the not too distant future. It's due a service in a couple of months so I'll see if Litchfield pick up on anything else. I don't want any more power, so that box is ticked. Cosmetically I'll probably have a ceramic coating applied to the bodywork to protect the infamously soft paint and that's about it for now!
Back in 2012 I had an RX8, which, ever since an energetic drive between Okehampton and Bude en route to a surf I really bonded with. I didn't do that many miles so the horrendous fuel consumption was somewhat mitigated and I could overlook the fact that, as a day to day car, a 330i would have been 'better' in nearly every way. Besides, I could rev to 9000...
[Photo missing until Photobucket fix their servers]
I then needed something that would carry more stuff but also saw the opportunity to tick boxes in uncharted territory- a Porsche, an SUV and a V8. This was at the time, the cheapest Cayenne S in the country, sold because the owner was between house purchases and temporarily living with his family in a hotel. In Chelsea. The car was in great condition for the mileage, with just tyres on the OE 18" wheels top of the list to change.
The car was externally huge (my now wife hated it and it was nicknamed my 'Big Fat Porsche') so in an effort to fill the arches a bit more, I eschewed the change of tyres and picked up a set of 20" deep dish Vossen splits on eBay. With it now in full low-rent drug dealer spec I ran it for a year or so as a guilty pleasure, the air suspension wafting me along quite nicely and the PASM proving that two tonnes can hustle too.
Impending self-employment meant getting rid of any high overheads as a safety net, so the (at best) 20mpg Cayenne had to go. A friend was selling his seven year old TDCI Focus estate, owned from new, so after taking a hit on the Porsche that became the sensible replacement. A car which has done it's duty ever since and been relatively cheap to look after, covers ground well and has plenty of space for sports gear and the dog.
It got very boring though...
My intention was to replace it with something petrol engined in the name of driving dynamics and the possibility of diesels becoming the next governmental green-washed cash-cow. I didn't want to invest in a fuel that was out of favour, and I didn't have the budget to get a decent Tesla. After having my heart set on a B8 S4 I realised that there were a lot for sale just as they were coming out of the extended warranty. A bit of reading showed a potential bill for the diff of £7k, £10k for gearbox replacement or £2.5k for a rebuild etc.
After deciding there was a big chance of big repair bills I focused attention on a Mk3 Octavia vRS as a jack of all trades, with an easy 300bhp available from a remap. This seemed like a really good option and would have almost certainly been followed up on had I not honeymooned in Japan...
We were out for a hike near Mt Fuji and stumbled across Fun2Drive when getting off the bus. I ran around in circles checking out the R34s, FD RX7, 964 Turbo and F355, wondering why they were all there. My wife had a facepalm moment after immediately noticing the 'Fun 2 Drive' sign and pointed out that it was, fairly obviously, somewhere you could hire said cars. Wanting to get the best of the weather we headed straight up a nearby mountain for views of Mt Fuji, but all I could think about was which car to choose if they could squeeze me in the next morning.
I was born in '88. I played Gran Turismo a lot growing up. I was in Japan. After much deliberation things could only go one way.
What a car it was! I'll get it out the way now- by modern standards it's not fast. However I don't think I've ever driven anything as physically involving, with as much feedback and with such a lovely turn in. I met a childhood hero so the spectacles were very rose tinted, I just wish I had the confidence on a particularly greasy T?ge, in an £80,000 car which wasn't mine, to really push it in the corners. Maybe another day...
A point I noted also were the rear seats. Any car I owned had to fit both wife and dog, and here was one that could. I quickly decided to keep the Focus for day-to-day duties, hauling kayaks, our collie and whatever else and I was straight on the internet doing my research. My first big issue was that I don't have £80,000 to spend on a car, especially a car which shouldn't really cost that much anyway. Yes I could have a white one for less, yes I could get a GT-T, but it had to be a GT-R in a decent colour (i,e, Bayside Blue, Midnight Purple or Millenium Jade). This wasn't going to happen unfortunately.
I looked at R32s- they're lovely, and actually now I've got the R35 I'd love to have one next to it on the driveway, but at R35 money the newer car did seem like the better proposition.
So just eight days after I returned to the UK, after spending every spare moment reading forum posts, watching YouTube videos and speaking to a friend who's building an R35 track car, I arranged a viewing in London. I knew if I got a standard one I'd always wonder what it would be like if it were tuned, so top of the list was a car that had been to Litchfield for the stage 4.25 upgrades.
This particular car also had the following;
- Lightweight RAYS six spoked forged wheels, normally available as part of the £25k Nismo Club Sport upgrade kit or on the Spec-V version.
- Akrapovic exhaust with carbon fibre tips.
- Recaro Sportster CS seats- I love these and they fit me really well.
- An all black interior- I really don't like the red bits in the 'Black' Edition!
- Audison front speakers to replace the rubbish BOSE.
- Eight previous Litchfield services and a comprehensive history, braided brake lines, Alcon discs and essentially anything that had been recommended had been seen to.
I didn't actually collect it until nearly Christmas so only have the photos from the dealer so far, but I'll hopefully get some more at the Queen's Square meet at Bristol harbourside this coming weekend when it's clean again!
It's an absolute animal if you push it- definitely too quick for the roads if you're using all the revs, but has the torque to sit in sixth gear at 30mph so does feel usable at the same time. There was some press when they came out comparing to driving in a video game, and I can see the parallels in some ways, but you don't feel disconnected. I've no doubt it's a forgiving way to drive 660bhp, but without a lot more driver training and experience I don't feel complacent, and certainly not bored! I do find the width of it a bit daunting though, something I'm sure I'll get used to in time.
Plans? Putting some miles on it once the weather improves for sure! I'd like to do the NC500, and there are plenty of great roads just over the border in the Brecons. Mechanically there's not much to do apart from tyres and brakes in the not too distant future. It's due a service in a couple of months so I'll see if Litchfield pick up on anything else. I don't want any more power, so that box is ticked. Cosmetically I'll probably have a ceramic coating applied to the bodywork to protect the infamously soft paint and that's about it for now!
Edited by Murph88 on Tuesday 7th January 13:17
Edited by Murph88 on Tuesday 7th January 13:22
Oke to Bude is indeed a rapid road! Used to live Oke and play rugby for Bude, great times had hussling hot 90's hatches out that way.
Nice GTR. Looks like it has been very well looked after. An old school friend took his black one to a crazy green with many ponies. I feel yours holds a better visual drama though.
Nice GTR. Looks like it has been very well looked after. An old school friend took his black one to a crazy green with many ponies. I feel yours holds a better visual drama though.
Very nice OP loved the r35 when it came out and still do! And that 34 
the owner of my local Subaru specialist had one in bayside blue was just a stunning thing. Iv been eyeing this up (not that I can afford it!) but bet it would be incredible fun!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
the owner of my local Subaru specialist had one in bayside blue was just a stunning thing. Iv been eyeing this up (not that I can afford it!) but bet it would be incredible fun! https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Nice cars, however I'm confused by your logic.
Wouldn't buy a B8 S4 because they weren't in warranty, but goes to buy a GTR which is a more complex and costly machine? See my point
I wouldn't mind a GTR, although I worry it would be boring because it's so competent.
Wouldn't be for several years though, as I am poor
Wouldn't buy a B8 S4 because they weren't in warranty, but goes to buy a GTR which is a more complex and costly machine? See my point
I wouldn't mind a GTR, although I worry it would be boring because it's so competent.
Wouldn't be for several years though, as I am poor
Thanks for the comments
thelostboy said:
Used to have mates down there and remember that road too!
Nice; the R35 seems like a bargain. Given they are getting on a bit, I take it they are still considered reliable?
Handily I'm not far from Litchfield so it'll continue to be a case of the car having anything they recommend. I've not read many horror stories about reliability though and this car has been really well looked after so far!Nice; the R35 seems like a bargain. Given they are getting on a bit, I take it they are still considered reliable?
tvrfan007 said:
Lovely car that, would love one myself. Wheels suit it to a T.
Nice car, what's the retail on one of those? /Paul Walker
"More than you can afford, PAL"Nice car, what's the retail on one of those? /Paul Walker
Triple Six said:
Nice car OP, a neighbour had one Lichfield tuned and used it as his DD for a few years.
I forgot the Queen Square meets were a thing; may try and head there this weekend if the weather holds out!
See you down there! I'll be with my friend in his track prepped GT-R too.I forgot the Queen Square meets were a thing; may try and head there this weekend if the weather holds out!
xjay1337 said:
Nice cars, however I'm confused by your logic.
Wouldn't buy a B8 S4 because they weren't in warranty, but goes to buy a GTR which is a more complex and costly machine? See my point
Point well made! My logic was that an S4 will likely cost a lot to keep on the road and also be worth next to nothing in a few years, especially being used a daily. As a second car, this not only has a (hopefully) smaller potential for ruinous bills, the depreciation is starting to bottom out on them too. Plus this was bought as a fun car that's vaguely practical, rather than a daily driver compromise of a faster estate.Wouldn't buy a B8 S4 because they weren't in warranty, but goes to buy a GTR which is a more complex and costly machine? See my point
Edited by Murph88 on Thursday 9th January 09:54
Lovely R35, look forward to seeing how you get on with it.
We honeymooned in Japan last year and I drove that exact Nismo R34 on the longer tour, chasing an american in the Porsche up the touge for national pride in the wet, I'm glad I didn't know it was 80k then! Drove the Rx7 the following day and the 34' was the favourite, suprisingly, it took me months to decide on which car to take so you did well! I think he said it was around the 300-350bhp mark, with a new gearbox.
We honeymooned in Japan last year and I drove that exact Nismo R34 on the longer tour, chasing an american in the Porsche up the touge for national pride in the wet, I'm glad I didn't know it was 80k then! Drove the Rx7 the following day and the 34' was the favourite, suprisingly, it took me months to decide on which car to take so you did well! I think he said it was around the 300-350bhp mark, with a new gearbox.
Lovely car!
I'm heading out to Tokyo for 2 weeks in November and have my eye on Fun2Drive. Do they let you push it a bit or are you being babied like they do on supercar experience days over here?
I'm only 22 but Fun2Drive say 18+ so I should be okay. Looking forward to it, just hope I don't come home and decide I need something JDM for the weekends!
I'm heading out to Tokyo for 2 weeks in November and have my eye on Fun2Drive. Do they let you push it a bit or are you being babied like they do on supercar experience days over here?
I'm only 22 but Fun2Drive say 18+ so I should be okay. Looking forward to it, just hope I don't come home and decide I need something JDM for the weekends!
Sko77y said:
Lovely R35, look forward to seeing how you get on with it.
We honeymooned in Japan last year and I drove that exact Nismo R34 on the longer tour, chasing an american in the Porsche up the touge for national pride in the wet, I'm glad I didn't know it was 80k then! Drove the Rx7 the following day and the 34' was the favourite, suprisingly, it took me months to decide on which car to take so you did well! I think he said it was around the 300-350bhp mark, with a new gearbox.
Awesome! I'd have loved to do the longer tour but time and capacity didn't allow it sadly. Funny you mention the decision making- initially it was pretty quick, but then after booking I did the whole 'buyer's remorse' thing and started wondering if I should take the Hakosuka instead for the 'romantic' option. I'm really glad I didn't, as with the 40 minutes of driving time (one of their short route touge's was shut) it was good to flex a little bit.,We honeymooned in Japan last year and I drove that exact Nismo R34 on the longer tour, chasing an american in the Porsche up the touge for national pride in the wet, I'm glad I didn't know it was 80k then! Drove the Rx7 the following day and the 34' was the favourite, suprisingly, it took me months to decide on which car to take so you did well! I think he said it was around the 300-350bhp mark, with a new gearbox.
Hammy98 said:
Lovely car!
I'm heading out to Tokyo for 2 weeks in November and have my eye on Fun2Drive. Do they let you push it a bit or are you being babied like they do on supercar experience days over here?
I'm only 22 but Fun2Drive say 18+ so I should be okay. Looking forward to it, just hope I don't come home and decide I need something JDM for the weekends!
There's a strict no video policy, I'll not say why in the public domain but you'll be able to have fun I'm heading out to Tokyo for 2 weeks in November and have my eye on Fun2Drive. Do they let you push it a bit or are you being babied like they do on supercar experience days over here?
I'm only 22 but Fun2Drive say 18+ so I should be okay. Looking forward to it, just hope I don't come home and decide I need something JDM for the weekends!
Their insurance is quite gnarly so after being shown various photos of wrecked cars I went for the enhanced option. It's not quite like the UK though... the extra £15 meant I'd pay a mere £3000 per accident instead of the usual £6000!Murph88 said:
There's a strict no video policy, I'll not say why in the public domain but you'll be able to have fun Their insurance is quite gnarly so after being shown various photos of wrecked cars I went for the enhanced option. It's not quite like the UK though... the extra £15 meant I'd pay a mere £3000 per accident instead of the usual £6000!
Sounds great, cheers! Will get the enhanced insurance, only 11 months to go... Their insurance is quite gnarly so after being shown various photos of wrecked cars I went for the enhanced option. It's not quite like the UK though... the extra £15 meant I'd pay a mere £3000 per accident instead of the usual £6000!Murph88 said:
Sko77y said:
Lovely R35, look forward to seeing how you get on with it.
We honeymooned in Japan last year and I drove that exact Nismo R34 on the longer tour, chasing an american in the Porsche up the touge for national pride in the wet, I'm glad I didn't know it was 80k then! Drove the Rx7 the following day and the 34' was the favourite, suprisingly, it took me months to decide on which car to take so you did well! I think he said it was around the 300-350bhp mark, with a new gearbox.
Awesome! I'd have loved to do the longer tour but time and capacity didn't allow it sadly. Funny you mention the decision making- initially it was pretty quick, but then after booking I did the whole 'buyer's remorse' thing and started wondering if I should take the Hakosuka instead for the 'romantic' option. I'm really glad I didn't, as with the 40 minutes of driving time (one of their short route touge's was shut) it was good to flex a little bit.,We honeymooned in Japan last year and I drove that exact Nismo R34 on the longer tour, chasing an american in the Porsche up the touge for national pride in the wet, I'm glad I didn't know it was 80k then! Drove the Rx7 the following day and the 34' was the favourite, suprisingly, it took me months to decide on which car to take so you did well! I think he said it was around the 300-350bhp mark, with a new gearbox.
Hammy98 said:
Lovely car!
I'm heading out to Tokyo for 2 weeks in November and have my eye on Fun2Drive. Do they let you push it a bit or are you being babied like they do on supercar experience days over here?
I'm only 22 but Fun2Drive say 18+ so I should be okay. Looking forward to it, just hope I don't come home and decide I need something JDM for the weekends!
There's a strict no video policy, I'll not say why in the public domain but you'll be able to have fun I'm heading out to Tokyo for 2 weeks in November and have my eye on Fun2Drive. Do they let you push it a bit or are you being babied like they do on supercar experience days over here?
I'm only 22 but Fun2Drive say 18+ so I should be okay. Looking forward to it, just hope I don't come home and decide I need something JDM for the weekends!
Their insurance is quite gnarly so after being shown various photos of wrecked cars I went for the enhanced option. It's not quite like the UK though... the extra £15 meant I'd pay a mere £3000 per accident instead of the usual £6000!I did the shorter tour in the RX7, it was good but the the longer tour was just mind blowing. Funny you say that, the Hakosuka was considered heavily for me also.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff