Whats your take...Nissan GT-R vs ZR1

  • Thread starter Thread starter peeweegary
  • 199 comments
  • 7,178 views

Which one will be faster around the ring?

  • Nissan GT-R

    Votes: 54 57.4%
  • Corvette ZR1

    Votes: 30 31.9%
  • Too close to call

    Votes: 3 3.2%
  • Don't Care

    Votes: 7 7.4%

  • Total voters
    94
not necessarily. one thing more to take away the feedback from the wheels etc. it might be a pain in the parking situations, but otherwise I prefer that to vague power steerings.
 
it wouldn't have power steering
In a car that weighs nearly 2 tons and goes 190+ MPH? :odd: You know, power steering can be done right. Not every car drives like a mid-70s Cadillac (or a new Corvette) just because it has power steering.
 
Yeah, and I'd LOVE to see you try and RACE a car for two hours+ without power steering, Leo.

Most road-race cars DO have power steering... I wonder why?
 
In a car that weighs nearly 2 tons and goes 190+ MPH? :odd: You know, power steering can be done right. Not every car drives like a mid-70s Cadillac (or a new Corvette) just because it has power steering.

Cheap shot, have even driven a new Corvette?
 
Even the most die hard of Corvette enthusiasts will admit that the current Corvette (though better than it was when the C6 launched and worlds better than the C5) has power steering feel that can be described at best as "vague."
 
The GT-R weights about 3836 lbs compared to the ZR1's 3350 lbs. The ZR-1 also has 620hp compared to the GT-R's 473hp.

Those are two reasons for the ZR1 being faster on the track then the GT-R. If you've seen the video of the ZR1 lap on the 'ring, its clear that the driver wasn't the greatest. I'd imagine with a more experienced driver you could easily shave of a couple of seconds. But yeah, the GT-R is still one hell of a car. I'd imagine the V-Spec model will slap the ZR1 record lap time upside down when that car gives the 'ring a go.

Having driven a Z06, I can say that car hauls some serious ass. I can't even imagine what the ZR1 must feel like.
 
Race cars have power steering, but that doesn't actually give them any steering "feel". It's a difficult trick to get any feel into power-steering, and even then, a simple change of tires can ruin it. The tires that give you the most "feel" often aren't the best for performance.

With modern supercars (and even regular road cars) running really wide tires with tons of grip, actually looking for "organic feel" is a pretty pointless task.

I find that impossible.. since most Porsches are just stretched and smoothed Beetles with big engine.. :D

Awww... no one bit? :lol:
 
Even the most die hard of Corvette enthusiasts will admit that the current Corvette (though better than it was when the C6 launched and worlds better than the C5) has power steering feel that can be described at best as "vague."

That's something that almost every Corvette has had a problem with, but at least in my opinion, its just part of the package... And you deal with it. GM has attempted to "fix it" in the C6.5 that they released for the 2008MY, but it by no means rivals the feel you're going to get from a BMW M3, or for that matter, a Mazda MX-5. But hey, some change for the better is always welcome.
 
... About the time though, congrats, another pointless time that shows nothing. 3 seconds on a track that is that big isn't all that much. Take both cars and run them again and you'll probably get a vastly different time. I'll care when someone takes them to Infineon Raceway or some other track that is like it in whatever country the tester's choose. ...
I fail to see how a time on another, more "normal" race track could be any more relevant, or relevant at all.

The 'Ring is more like a road than any stadium style race track, and we're not testing race cars here.

Also, run them again and the times won't be vastly different.
 
Well, that's the problem... times on the Ring can vary wildly depending on traffic, or lack of it, weather conditions, humidity, temperature, and even wind (with that absolutely long back straight, wind speed in that section will affect the lap times a great bit).

On a shorter track, say, Tsukuba, or SECA... little mistakes can still cause differences in times, but in the time it takes you to do one balls out time attack lap on the Ring, you can do half-a-dozen Tsukuba laps, or more... allowing you to get a more consistent time and to get closer to 100% than you can on the ring.
 
more like Z06 = GT-R.. :sly:

I meant that and figured someone would catch it, just too lazy to edit it.

Who knows what the future will hold with the VSpec and then possibly a VSpecII.

Its scary to think what a lighter, possibly more powerful GT-R will be like
 
I fail to see how a time on another, more "normal" race track could be any more relevant, or relevant at all.

The 'Ring is more like a road than any stadium style race track, and we're not testing race cars here.

Also, run them again and the times won't be vastly different.

Well, that's the problem... times on the Ring can vary wildly depending on traffic, or lack of it, weather conditions, humidity, temperature, and even wind (with that absolutely long back straight, wind speed in that section will affect the lap times a great bit).

On a shorter track, say, Tsukuba, or SECA... little mistakes can still cause differences in times, but in the time it takes you to do one balls out time attack lap on the Ring, you can do half-a-dozen Tsukuba laps, or more... allowing you to get a more consistent time and to get closer to 100% than you can on the ring.

Niky pretty much hit the nail on the head why Ring times are pointless. You could easily take both cars out on a different day under different conditions (mainly traffic) and have them run a different time. Whereas if it was a closed track, like Tsukuba or Silverstone you would see closer times due to less variables and more laps to generate an average.

I firmly believe Ring times are worthless in the grand scheme of things other then using them to say, well that car is fast around the Ring and that one isn't. Times that are 2 or 3 seconds off from one another don't really tell a whole lot which is the point I'm trying to make.
 
I disagree with anyone who thinks the Nissan GT-R looks ugly. I think its one of the sexiest cars ever made. The whole car from its distinctive front fascia to the sexy tail-lights. The car screams future of automotive technology. 👍
 
Niky pretty much hit the nail on the head why Ring times are pointless. You could easily take both cars out on a different day under different conditions (mainly traffic) and have them run a different time. Whereas if it was a closed track, like Tsukuba or Silverstone you would see closer times due to less variables and more laps to generate an average.

I firmly believe Ring times are worthless in the grand scheme of things other then using them to say, well that car is fast around the Ring and that one isn't. Times that are 2 or 3 seconds off from one another don't really tell a whole lot which is the point I'm trying to make.

Im not sure about the GT-R's run, but the ZR1 had a clean run with basically no traffic.

If im not mistaken there are a lot of days the 'Ring is closed to manufacturers only, and most of the fast runs are done with little to no traffic.
 
Im not sure about the GT-R's run, but the ZR1 had a clean run with basically no traffic.

If im not mistaken there are a lot of days the 'Ring is closed to manufacturers only, and most of the fast runs are done with little to no traffic.

Even one car makes a difference though. Also how many laps to they typically do when they go for a Ring time? I don't know but I can't imagine it's more than one or two. On other shorter tracks they would be able to run 10, 15 or 20 laps and get an average time, which to me says more about the car's performance.
 
Even one car makes a difference though. Also how many laps to they typically do when they go for a Ring time? I don't know but I can't imagine it's more than one or two. On other shorter tracks they would be able to run 10, 15 or 20 laps and get an average time, which to me says more about the car's performance.

Im sure the ZR1 has been run for a ton of laps on the 'Ring. Who knows how many were balls to the wall, but i doubt they only did 2, unless one of those first two was just that insanely fast.

Most shorter tracks don't put a car through its paces like the 'Ring. Plus isnt the ring basically road surface instead of true race tarmac? There's a reason all the major manufacturers are testing at the 'Ring and not elsewhere.
 
Going on the subject of Top Gear, I completely agree with Clarkson on the GT-R. It appears to be soulless and missing passion. Yes it's a technology marvel in terms of automotive engineering but that's not what driving is all about. If I'm going to have a super car I want something with character, with soul, with passion.

Out of the GT-R or the ZR-1 I would take the ZR-1 because it's built by a struggling company to show the world that "hey we can make something fast". Even though it's goofy looking and I think it's pointless, it has a heart. When it comes down to it, how many gadgets on your car or how fast it goes means nothing, if you don't love your car and if you don't love driving your car, what's the point?

I think I would be happier in my car over a GT-R in all honesty...and I'm ok with that. I think to many people let the numbers cloud their judgment.
 
...And I'd still be the "crazy guy" and take the step-down to the Z06. Its nothing personal against the ZR1, but I wouldn't want to pay the money. The Z06 matches the GT-R under most circumstances, so why get the other one? Sure, I appreciate the "ZOMG" factor that the ZR1 has... But meh, its just not my style.
 
...And I'd still be the "crazy guy" and take the step-down to the Z06. Its nothing personal against the ZR1, but I wouldn't want to pay the money. The Z06 matches the GT-R under most circumstances, so why get the other one? Sure, I appreciate the "ZOMG" factor that the ZR1 has... But meh, its just not my style.

You are right, I probably would too seeing as I think the Z06 is the better looking car. It pulls off the "I'm mean and here to kick ass" look with out over doing it or looking goofy like the ZR-1 does.
 
To be honest, its not just the look. I'm just not a fan of forced induction. Certainly, the LS9 is a marvel of engineering... But the LS7 just represents so much more for me. The look, sound, performance and price just makes the Z06 seem that much better. If I could find a Ron Fellows Edition, quite frankly, it would be the perfect car.
 
Going on the subject of Top Gear, I completely agree with Clarkson on the GT-R. It appears to be soulless and missing passion. Yes it's a technology marvel in terms of automotive engineering but that's not what driving is all about. If I'm going to have a super car I want something with character, with soul, with passion.

Out of the GT-R or the ZR-1 I would take the ZR-1 because it's built by a struggling company to show the world that "hey we can make something fast". Even though it's goofy looking and I think it's pointless, it has a heart. When it comes down to it, how many gadgets on your car or how fast it goes means nothing, if you don't love your car and if you don't love driving your car, what's the point?

I think I would be happier in my car over a GT-R in all honesty...and I'm ok with that. I think to many people let the numbers cloud their judgment.

I dont understand why people are hating on technology... I guess that means you guys dont want fuel injection because thats a gadget, or ABS, or any other innovation over the last 100 years. Technology is a good thing, thats why the GT-R, despite having less power and weighing more, keeps up with the ZR1 on the track
 
I dont understand why people are hating on technology... I guess that means you guys dont want fuel injection because thats a gadget, or ABS, or any other innovation over the last 100 years. Technology is a good thing, thats why the GT-R, despite having less power and weighing more, keeps up with the ZR1 on the track

I don't hate technology, I just hate when a car is all about technology and forgets that there really are people looking to have fun with it. Pump cars full of technology, but do meaningful things with it. I don't care if the GT-R's engine is made in clean room to prevent dust from getting into it. I don't care it's coated with plasma. Yes I think the engine is a marvel at what a company can do with forced induction and I agree the AWD system is quite impressive as well. But it just seems like it's missing what a driver's car is all about...the soul.

Things loaded with technology can be full of soul. Read Clarkson's book You've Got Soul and you'll see what I'm talking about. I rarely agree with Clarkson's opinions but I think he hit the nail on the head with this one.
 
I dont understand why people are hating on technology... I guess that means you guys dont want fuel injection because thats a gadget, or ABS, or any other innovation over the last 100 years. Technology is a good thing, thats why the GT-R, despite having less power and weighing more, keeps up with the ZR1 on the track

I'm just nitpicking here, but do you really want to the world to still be in Model T's?

Most guys here, myself included, think Nissan just went overboard on the computers. Some computers are good, but theres one or two too many systems on the GTR
 
Back