[Epacy]

Originally Posted by TommyBahama

the new Vette will be insane.

as for the vette image, the same can be said for paying 100k for a ricer...

Ricer????? Are you kidding me?

[SpecC]

All the kids who rice up their cars dream of Skylines, but how many get them?0!

[obLu]

It's guaranteed not to "fail". The 350z hasn't been a failure for Nissan. G35 coupe hasn't been a failure for Infiniti. My guess is though that Nissan North America won't bring the different versions over. They'll just bring the base and then go the option package route. Majority of americans don't understand "v-spec" and I doubt they'd pay accordingly. 55k sounds like an awesome price point for the performance they're going to bring.

The vette's a fair analogy; it gets no love because it's perceived as cheap and only attracting a certain type of buyer. I looked at a C5 way back when, and the thing that struck me was that it was just too focused to be my daily driver. Wasn't so much the nasty interior (which it was ... but hey when you've got that much power for so little money you can't complain too much) it was more the thrill-ride factor. After a 20min test drive, I got out smiling ear to ear, but I also had a headache and I felt like I'd just gotten off 20min of riding a roller coaster. Just too much sensory overload. Not a commuter car.

It'll be interesting to see what the do with the GT-R; isolate the current fan base by making the new car softer, heavier, more luxo barge with monster power, or keep the edge and risk not drawing in the people that've never heard of the legend?

[Bimmerista]

I think if I understand correctly Nissan will hedge its bets: there will be a GT-R as the enthusiast community knows it: Nissan, in a base trim 330 hp and then double turbo 911 killer (which by the way is what the Vette is as well-heck the Vette Z06 tracked faster than 430 Modena on Top Gear).

Then Nissan will (apparently) badge an Infinti model on the GT-R platform as a top line Infiniti. Now given the pricing, I actually think that the Nissan GT-R will sell less in the long run in NA than the Infiniti badged model (which will have higher quality interior). Intially, the fans wil get the GT-R but once that relatively narrow buyer pool is exhausted, the lux buyers will more easely justfy the Infinti badge at $100,000. Just my view of course,

[musoo]

GTR Rocks !

[FirstClass]

Originally Posted by Bimmerista

I think if I understand correctly Nissan will hedge its bets: there will be a GT-R as the enthusiast community knows it: Nissan, in a base trim 330 hp and then double turbo 911 killer (which by the way is what the Vette is as well-heck the Vette Z06 tracked faster than 430 Modena on Top Gear).

Yes, but it's just like our cars versus an Evo. Sure the Evo is faster but is it really a better car overall? I don't think so. Honestly, the interior on a Corvette looks like it was lifted straight out of the entry level Chevys. Not nice at all. But if all you're looking for is speed then sure the Corvette is damn quick, but an Atom is faster still and cheaper.

[Bimmerista]

I completely agree-I would not get a Vette as a daily driver. But I would get it as a track car, rip out the interiror, get racing Recaros with a harness and roll cage, momo steering wheel, short shifter, and you have a Tasmanian devil on the track (plus you just shaved 50 pounds off the weight.

Now the GT-R has truly outstanding performance and I am really looking forward to finaly seeing it in NA officially (I just hope they tone down a bit the post-apocalyptic looks of the prototype).

[wuufer001]

i haven't read what the later members said but every time i look at the skyline it puts a smile on my face