Kraziekatz1 Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) Have always loved the big muscle cars like skyline and GT-R, grew up in awe of the GT-R safety car used in Superbikes and always wanted one. Got to take one out on track yesterday and don't get me wrong, it was awesome. Never driven an automatic in my life, and never want to as I like to be in control of the car, not let the car choose which gear it thinks I should be in, but I got the hang of the paddle gear shift really quickly and it does save time not having to take your hands off the wheel. The car was incredibly powerful and effortless, very precise. It goes exactly where you want it to, perfect set up for grip and stability (track was initially damp). I was conscious of the weight though, particularly into tight hairpin bends but found because of the set up I was able to brake later and jump back on the throttle much quicker than the other cars and so was able to overtake on corners as well as the straights It does feel big though, you sit so much higher, a lot of gizmos to play with plus it has seats in the back, as long as your passengers don't need leg room But I did miss the feedback I get from the zed, I know mine is maybe set up a little different to standard 350s but I love the way I can feel the camber and road surface back through the wheel and when I push a little too hard, the back end starts to slide away. The zed can be twitchy and punishes a sloppy driver but it definitely feels more fun to drive I noticed it straight away jumping from the GT-R back to the zed. So.....always thought I would upgrade the zed for a GT-R but now I don't think that would work! The GT-R would make a great daily ride. Very comfortable, easy but powerful, practical and to be honest after 2 hours stuck in traffic my left leg starts to cramp up so the paddle gears would be a very welcome option. It feels a bit like driving the Scooby in terms of road handling, guess that's the AWD vs RWD. But I wouldn't want to give up my zed for that....not just yet, anyway Edited August 16, 2015 by Kraziekatz1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Should have put it in race mode, or switch off the traction fully to get the wow factor. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraziekatz1 Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 I don't think they would let me do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian@TORQEN Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Get a 370z 7AT then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomS Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 You obviously weren't pushing it anywhere near its limits. Can't compare driving 1 car on is limits to driving another briskly and expect the same kind of feedback. I went from 350z to GTR and not for a single moment do I miss the zed, especially having taken the GTR on a good few track days now. And I loved the zed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraziekatz1 Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 Oh I agree, definitely not anywhere near its limits. I mean I was pushing hard, a couple of laps in and the driving instructor said he was happy I knew what I was doing and could give it some and have a bit of fun, but it clearly it had so much more to give. But to be honest I'm not a complete nutter and don't drive the zed on its limits either. But that's not the point I was making, power and handling, the GT-R wins hands down but the ride just felt a little too refined and polished....I missed the rough, rawness. My buttocks remained un-clenched, so to speak lol You obviously don't agree? Maybe someone should let me borrow their GT-R, so I can have another drive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) , the GT-R wins hands down but the ride just felt a little too refined and polished....I missed the rough, rawness. My buttocks remained un-clenched, so to speak lol You must have had the "GT-R in Granny off to the shops" mode. Edited August 16, 2015 by ZMANALEX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 You know if a car is right for you or not. Sounds like the GT-R isn't, no shame in that, I wouldn't want one either. I always wanted to drive a Hummer H2, then my Dad bought one. It's one of the most horrible things to drive in the history of the world. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P15UL T Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 I can understand what your saying as it can be more fun driving a slower car past its limits than a fast car faster but still within its limits but for me my gtr was the best experience I had was driving it round Spa. At my limits. The car had much more as Alex showed me at knockhill :-D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraziekatz1 Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 Really? Always fancied a go in a Hummer.....had visions of me just driving over all the cars in my way on the M4. Maybe a tank would be better then Hmm.... Seems I need another go in the GT-R then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT350 Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 I don't know if your Z is forced induction or not, but going FI on the Z really changes it's characteristics. It really overcomes that 1550kg inertia and the change in power delivery while still smooth (with my kit anyway) is much more explosive. I'm probably just stating the obvious. But what I mean is, it sounds like you enjoyed the power of the GTR but prefer a more tactile and visceral car like the Z. I think the Z really suits being FI or rather the 100 or more extra horses and torques. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Whoever started this "GTR's drive themselves" thing is one hell of a marketeer ............ If youre driving a GTR, turn everything off, remove your brain and give it to a friend to look after, then do things you never thought were possible. Repeatedly. The feedback and all that are just as good, youre just going a shedload faster. The only thing Id knock it for is weight, if feels markedly bigger and less unwieldy, but that hardly unexpected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 You know if a car is right for you or not. Sounds like the GT-R isn't, no shame in that, I wouldn't want one either. I always wanted to drive a Hummer H2, then my Dad bought one. It's one of the most horrible things to drive in the history of the world. Spot the Essex boy! :razz: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 I have never driven one so can personally offer no insight. A guy I used to work with however used to race TVR Tuscans amongst other things and is now an instructor, does Mercedes test days etc, his first drive of the GTR was at combe along with a Maclaren Mercedes and SL Black, obviously he said it was devastingly quick, but he remarked on that it felt light and nothing like the 1750kg it actually is, which is quite the opposite to a couple of comments here. Would it depend on what you are used to or does it genuinely feel that heavy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 I does not feel heavy as such It just happens to be a heavy car and takes a bit of stopping on track, however if you upgrade the brakes then that should not be a problem The car is very nimble through the curves and not much can stay with it in the right hands. Getting the power down (WOT) just before the apex transfers the torque split from rear to front and just pulls you through the corner. But you need to have balls to maximise that stunt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
370Ad Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 (edited) I think I know where you are coming from here, even on the donnington Nissan Event day the GTR boys were very quick off the mark but as soon as you got to a tight corner they were all over the place. For me the corners are the fun part as TBH any car can do 3 figures these days. It's not shame not to like it, not everyone can! You know the Z now too, I bet you felt a bit detached in the first week of ownership though. Edited August 17, 2015 by 370Ad 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian@TORQEN Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Getting the power down (WOT) just before the apex transfers the torque split from rear to front and just pulls you through the corner. But you need to have balls to maximise that stunt. Alex, will Titanium GR7 balls do the job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smc1992 Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 When I drove the GTR (Before I purchased my Z) I found the car was very fast but I thought it felt quite light, definitely did not feel like it was 1750kg. I also feel like it was very refined and smooth. I have always fancied a GTR and would probably still like one in the future but one thing I am not too sure on is the paddle shifters. They are brilliant for daily driving (I hired a car in america which had paddle shifters) it makes driving well and truly effortless but something about the paddle shifters just felt like I was cheating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Getting the power down (WOT) just before the apex transfers the torque split from rear to front and just pulls you through the corner. But you need to have balls to maximise that stunt. Alex, will Titanium GR7 balls do the job? Afraid not mate unless mixed 50/50 with haggis. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian@TORQEN Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Had to google that :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraziekatz1 Posted August 18, 2015 Author Share Posted August 18, 2015 You're right Ad, and I probably need to spend more time behind the wheel to get a true feel for the car. I still enjoyed it, and it was SuperCar day! So, it was pretty cool being able to overtake all the Megabucks cars, the guy driving the Lambo must have been really disappointed OH seems relieved with my first impressions of it though.......his cheque book is safe for a while longer lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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