So After All The Hype, Speculations Etc, Is The R35 Gtr What It's Cracked Up To Be?

[Spunky Munky]

Hi fellas,

Long story short...I'm now 28 years old, working very hard and am often away from home...I am married, have a loving wife and expecting my first child in a few months.

Now my story with cars...my first sports car was the amazing 300ZX, then I went to a R33 GTS-T, then a Silvia S15 SpecR and now I have a R33 GTR Vspec. At my age, I'm pretty much am thinking of purchasing myself possibly what I call "the last sports car" before it's all family-oriented as I do not go to the track often and frankly don't really have much time to spend driving the thing.

I have been thinking long and hard, I have basically two options...to keep the R33 GTR Vspec for now and drive it for the next 2-3 years before upgrading to something European like an Audi R8 or possibly much longer down the track, a Ferrari or Porche and I'll call it a day and won't ever own another sports car ever. However, I have a soft spot for Japanese imports...always have and always will. I have a couple of mates that can afford to buy and maintain the fairly new R35 GTR and was thinking of selling off my R33 GTR, add some extra coinage and buy the R35 GTR and stop it there.

So my question is...is the R35 GTR worth it...I believe a brand new one would be in the vicinity of around $140K AUD, does this sound right? Secondly, if it were to be the final sports car that I would own - would it be worth it? Like I mentioned, I won't have the time or interest in modifying it no more like I did to my previous R33 GTS-T and Silvia S15, so it'll be left stock as a rock...please help me decide...after always wanting one, I don't know but the R33 GTR just doesn't tickle my fancy no more...I think I'm getting too old...the thought of fatherhood really does scare me sometimes...

Thanks fellas...

SM

Edited December 18, 2009 by Spunky Munky

[LSX-438]

my $0.02 is:

if you are interested in lap times (from a stock or near stock car) the R35 is a weapon, buy it!

If you don't really care for lap times, look elsewhere.

Simple as that i reckon. At least it is for me.

[DRD-00F]

If you're only going to buy one more Japanese sports car and then hang it up, you might as well buy the best...

[Snowman]

Agreed - to a degree.

You need to USE the R35 to really appreciate it IMO. It's taken me 8 months to work this out.

So I don't think you need to chase laps times especially but the R35 is too good for anything the streets can really offer. So it's almost boring on the roads because it does everything so easy. You need to give it a challenge to enjoy it.

I've re-watched that Top Gear Episode recently where JC drives it across Japan and I appreciate that story even more now as he just wasn't fond of the car until he got to the "fun" bit at the end. But if you are prepared to have some fun in it from time to time you will actually appreciate how sedate it is under normal conditions even more as you really aren't comprimising fun for discomfort.

But if you aren't going to have any fun in it I just can't see that you'd every really love it. There are much better cars out that for that purpose.

[writeoff]

To buy a new ADM R35 GTR you are looking more at $170k+ rather than $140k. I assume that you want an ADM car for the warranty if you have no intention of modifying it.

The wise advice, given that you won't get to drive a new sports car very often and will rarely track it - if at all - is to not buy one. As Snowman said public roads will not bring out the best in a GTR. But wisdom is for those older than 28.

It sounds like you would be better off in a 'fun' car rather than a balls out, purpose built 'fast' car. Maybe cars like the 370z, BMW 135i coupe or even the upcoming VW Golf R (4WD, 190kW) would be better suited to your needs. Less initial outlay, less $ lost in depreciation, lower insurance and more likely to deliver smiles on a public road whilst having the ability to tear up a track on the rare occasion that you get to one.

The best advice I can offer is the same advice I give to anyone considering a new car. Take the time to go and test drive several different cars that you are considering. Start with the R35 GTR.

[Beer Baron]

yeah the budget is about $30K out. I'm not sure about "selling the 33 GTR and adding some coin" they are a BIG step apart price wise. you'll need about $140K + your R33 GTR (worth about $30K tops) to be looking at buying a new R35 GTR.

yes they are an amazing car and represent excellent value for money. is it the right car for you? who knows. if you can afford it, and think you'll enjoy it, then I say buy it. if you don't like it you should be able to sell it a few months down the line without taking a massive loss.

[Gibbo_R35]

OK 2 cents worth time too.

I am a little older than you but have the following condition imposed by the wife;

- Sports cars with 4 seats are fine incase I have to pick up our 2 kids.

Facts:

- The GTR will take a baby seat no problems. it is a 2 + 2 seater, plus it will take kids up to about 10 or thereabouts on short trips...eg home from School, to the shops etc. because they have to cross their legs on the seat due to limited leg room.

- The GTR is about $180k on road now, with a price rise this year there are very few new under this price.

- You have to track the GTR to really appreciate it

- The service costs are going to hit you, no doubt about it.

There is no need for this to be your last "Sports Car" it is the first "practical sports car". I have owned the RX-8, BMW 335 and now the GTR as my practical sports cars.

Considering your situation I would honestly look at a 12 month old 335. Plenty of rear room, good boot and plenty of fun. They have all the luxuries and can be a great compromise.

That being said my wife has always had the truely practical car, (Wagon, X5 etc etc), if you wife has a tiny car and your car is goign to be your main mode of familty transport then bite the bullet and get a 4 door car like the 335 sedan, or a 12 month old X5 or similar. The GTR is not suitable as your primary everyday car for a family.

Good luck, but do not think of this car as your last sports car, it is simply the first "Practical Sports Car"

Cheers.

[NickR33]

its really his 2nd practical sports car... you can fit 2 adults in the back of a 33GTR no problem

never understood why people sell their cars as soon as the wife is pregnant... kids are small, they fit in small places... hell I used to fit in the back of dads Lancia/Alfa/MG etc... even me and a couple of mates... no seatbelts of course... great for playing 'corners'... and dad would only be too happy to oblige us by flinging the car round so we could squish each other... aaah those were the days

[Sammy-qld]

I bought one and its nice to drive but honestly a bit boring to drive around town. Like everyone says if you can track it, and really crank it and enjoy it great, otherwise its a little tame maybe its just me but the engine note being so tame really does take away from the fun factor. I gotta get me a custom exhaust at some point I guess. The Cars limits are so high that it just doesn't try at anything less than 200km and so it feels completely stable and effortless to drive.

The car is great for everyday use, you can't pickup the kids in a Ferrari or a Audi R8, you can do everything in the R35 as its quiet, has a big big boot, and rear seats.

I certainly don't regret buying it, its the perfect supercar for everyday use and the best in its field when it comes to unique looks, gadgets, speed & price.

Edited December 18, 2009 by Sammy-qld

[Spunky Munky]

Hey guys, ok so I test drove a R35 GTR today...I have to say, it pulls freaken hard from factory...it goes very well but the only thing is, it's really nimble, quiet and somewhat too tamed....do you guys feel this too? I have to say, my R33 GTR feels much more rough and wild...whereas the R35 GTR just doesn't have that GTR Godzilla feel to it...or am I just being bias? However, I really liked it's interior and handling...very very nice.

[LSX-438]

Hey guys, ok so I test drove a R35 GTR today...I have to say, it pulls freaken hard from factory...it goes very well but the only thing is, it's really nimble, quiet and somewhat too tamed....do you guys feel this too? I have to say, my R33 GTR feels much more rough and wild...whereas the R35 GTR just doesn't have that GTR Godzilla feel to it...or am I just being bias? However, I really liked it's interior and handling...very very nice.

Look, it's always going to be a relatively "boring" road car. To be frank most road going 35 experiences are like going to the strip club (vs doing the ACTUAL wild thing). The level and breadth of excitement offered by the "on-track" experience will seriously question any enjoyment you thought was possible on the street. If you dont care about white knuckle track stuff, look elsewhere i reckon. The fact the r35 can get you to the track (and back) in legal comfort is a huge bonus, and most of the point. If that doesnt appeal, teh r35 probably isnt for you.

[Spunky Munky]

Look, it's always going to be a relatively "boring" road car. To be frank most road going 35 experiences are like going to the strip club (vs doing the ACTUAL wild thing). The level and breadth of excitement offered by the "on-track" experience will seriously question any enjoyment you thought was possible on the street. If you dont care about white knuckle track stuff, look elsewhere i reckon. The fact the r35 can get you to the track (and back) in legal comfort is a huge bonus, and most of the point. If that doesnt appeal, teh r35 probably isnt for you.

+1 to that...I think your comments have summed it up. I don't think the R35 is for me. I have yet to test drive the Audi R8 but will do so sometime next year and may just save long and hard for it with a view of purchase later next year instead.

Thanks fellas...much appreciated.

[pixel8r]

After reading your initial post, I just wanted to say that having a family doesn't mean you have to give up on your own interests. Certainly your money will be divided more and you will prioritise on other things, but you shouldn't need to give up on your own interests completely. Well, pretty soon your family will probably be your main interest anyway (if it isn't already)...but I still think its important not to give up on the things that make life fun now...

[Birds]

Some nice honest opinions from R35 owners up there^, kudos.

[tangomatt]

Spunky Munky Posted Today, 01:22 AM

Hey guys, ok so I test drove a R35 GTR today...I have to say, it pulls freaken hard from factory...it goes very well but the only thing is, it's really nimble, quiet and somewhat too tamed....do you guys feel this too? I have to say, my R33 GTR feels much more rough and wild...whereas the R35 GTR just doesn't have that GTR Godzilla feel to it...or am I just being bias? However, I really liked it's interior and handling...very very nice.

I agree totally with the above quote, as I test drove the R35 at Ferntree Gully Nissan two weekends ago. The R35 is tamed, quiet, efficient, clinically fast and easy to drive briskly on the streets. In comparison, my R34 requires a real effort to drive fast, and it makes all the whizz, bang idiosyncratic noises (the rattling from the twin plate clutch; the minor squeal from cold brakes; the howl from the front pipes at over 4000rpms; even the puff of smoke that I leave behind when I hammar it) that make it exciting and give it personality; its also manual so I can light up the tyres at will. It hunches and lurches around corners if not careful (until I get my suspension sorted). ANd it bites if you don't respect it.

That's my 2 cents worth. This is an interesting thread as I have the same dilemma!

Cheers

[Snowman]

Yeah but the problem is you are both comparing stock cars to modified ones.

Go and find a bog stock R33 GTR and/or R34 GTR and tell me how wonderfull and exciting they are.

And then get Slip to take you for a spin in his R35 GTR and tell me how boring and tame it is! Hell even find someone with $2K spent on one with a midpipe and a Cobb tune and tell me how tame and boring it is. Like all GTR's they change a lot with very little effort.

So you can't compare the "tameness" of a modified car to a stock one. Hell a modified Gemini will feel less tame than a stock R35 GTR. But you will stuggle to find any stock car out there that compares to a moddified R32-R34 in wild factors.

[NickR33]

Snowy logic has no place here... this is a forum

[LSX-438]

some cars are more enthraling/engaging out of the box though. Personally i think even a 6.2l commodore in manual is a lot of fun on the street, even in stock form. you can just use much more of what the car has to offer. it's boofy, noisy, torquey, brash. it just depends on your priorities, everyone is different.

[handbrake]

As much as I love my car, I do long for a built R32 or similar in the garage for occasional fun. something about a car you have put together that inspires me. Dont look at the build threads on this forum otherwise you might start getting ideas like I have.

The same would go for other 'supercars' or exotics though.

Having said that I enjoy getting into the R35 every arvo after work for even the shortest of trips home.

[tangomatt]

I agree! A straight out of the box R34 is boring and very very ordinary. That's why my R34 didn't stay stock for more than two weeks! The R35 on the other hand is fast in stock form, no doubt about that.

I am just making comparison based on MY OWN experience with my modded R34.

I wish one day I would be in a position like Snowman owning BOTH a modded R34 and a R35 - The best of both worlds. I envy you Snowman!