Porsche 911 Turbo - Dead Last?

[hjkim550]

I just got the latest issue of Road & Track. The title of the issue: Outrageous! Nissan's GT-R Spanks Porsche 911 Turbo and Corvette Z06.

They tested the three cars at Buttonwillow raceway with Steve Millen at the controls. Laptimes for each: Nissan 1:56.9 (84 MPH Avg); Porsche 2:02.1 (80.4 MPH Avg); Corvette 2:02.2 (80.3 MPH Avg). They ranked the Nissan first, Corvette second and the Porsche dead last.

Now, I am sure that with all the technical enhancements in the GT-R, I could turn much faster laps than in the Porsche Turbo. With the ATTESA E-TS (try explaining that to your friends) the Nissan practically drives itself. However, I am not sure that it is a good thing. The excitement and pleasure of driving is that you are the one who is controlling the car. There is a sense of accomplishment when you can push it to its limit (or in my case somewhere generally around the limit) and adjusting your line with throttle inputs, brakes, steering.... so on and so forth. It seems that all you need with the Nissan is to point the car and mash the throttle as much as your courage allows.

I also have a problem with their subjective ratings (always did). They rated the Porsche dead last in driving excitement, brakes, handling, exterior styling and ergonomics/controls. They also rated it second best in engine and steering. I have not driven a Z06 or a 911 Turbo. However, I have driven a current Corvette as well as a 911 Carrera S. I thought the handling, driving excitement, steering, brakes, fit/finish, ergonomics and exterior styling of the 911 S was far superior than the Corvette.

Last and most important point - the GT-R is UGLY
It is just massive with awkward lines and angles. The Corvette is just rather plain. (Not to offend any Corvette owners... current styling does not invoke any feelings - good or bad; and makes me long for the Vettes of the 60's)

I guess I am biased but even with the test results... I would choose the 911 Turbo.

[JCL12]

Maybe they liked having 2 GT-Rs for the price of one 911 turbo?

[Bob Z.]

I will agree that the GTR is fugly...certainly fast but fugly. And it is a Nissan.

[limoncello]

+1 on ugly.
Bet they sell all they make - a lot of horsepower and technology for the price.
But the looks???

Wonder if $70 is the true cost, or if it is under-priced figuring they'll sell enough extra Altimas and Maximas to make up the difference, and since many will sell for a premium anyway?

[pbanders]

Sure would be interesting to see resale figures on all three cars at 1, 3, and 5 years as a percentage of MSRP. I'm pretty sure the rankings would be reversed, with the GT-R a distant third.

[yellowboxster01]

A guy that comes into my work put one on order through a dealer and he'll be paying $90K. I think it's ugly and can think of lots of other cars I'd rather have for that price. They may not perform as well but, they sure look alot better.

Perhaps the day is coming soon when Porsche will have to abandon the protection of the feelings of 911 owners. Let's face it, they could make a super Cayman that would compete in a far more favorable manner, I guess overall sales and proftiability as always guides the decisions of Manufacturers.

[blue2000s]

I'm not too surprised. Even Excellence is luke warm over the 997 turbo. They site the same issues with suspension tuning and slight turbo lag. The hard truth is that the 997 turbo is a very fat, very fast boulivard cruiser. Two tons on a 911 isn't something Porsche should be proud of.

[LoveBunny]

I don't care if the Nissan is faster. I'll take the Porsche any day.

[jmatta]

I've driven a Z06 and instruct for PCA Chicago region. 911 turbos are fast, but very heavy; you can feel the weight behind the wheel. The Nissan should stay on the playstation games where it belongs. Now I have to wonder why they didn't compare these to a GT3 or even a GT3RS? Would have kicked the snot out of it.

[blinkwatt]

If they are going to compare the best that two companies,Nissan and Chevy have to offer why don't they compare the best that Porsche has to offer?! Wouldn't the 997 GT2 be the only thing that would be fair to compare in this comparison?

[hjkim550]

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

If they are going to compare the best that two companies,Nissan and Chevy have to offer why don't they compare the best that Porsche has to offer?! Wouldn't the 997 GT2 be the only thing that would be fair to compare in this comparison?

I do not think that the GT2 would be a fair comparison. It does qualify as the best Porsche has to offer. In the recent write up in Excellence, Walter Rohl was able to push the GT2 faster around the Nurburgring than the almighty Carerra GT.

However, the GT2 costs... oh $191,000 without the dealer mark up. While the Z06 as well as the Nissan cost about $75,000 - 80,000 without the dealer mark up. The 911 turbo is about $125,000. Like jmatta, I wonder why they did not compare the 911 GT3 instead of the turbo. I know it would have been left behind in straight line acceleration but it would have given the GT-R some competition around the race track. Besides, the GT3 costs less... $104,000. It would have been interesting.

[Gary in BR]

Originally Posted by LoveBunny

I don't care if the Nissan is faster. I'll take the Porsche any day.

Very well said.