[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by erio

I don't agree. Most GTR owners are modding their cars....much more so than M3 drivers. This is due to the ease of tuning a FI car and the type of people who buy the cars.

You're entitled to your opinion, but MOST GTR owners don't mod. The GTR forums aren't comprised of MOST owners. The demographic of GTR owners varies as well, so there exists no true and verifiable "type". If I used the forum as a basis for establishing what MOST M3 owners do, I'd come to the conclusion that every M3 was running around with an Akra exhaust, custom/BBS wheels and every body kit part imaginable. That isn't the case in reality.

Originally Posted by erio

A lot of M drivers are buying because of the badge. I know several. That's a fact. Buying a Nissan is not generally not regarded as a status symbol.

Come on erio! If you're going to use the badge argument, at least concede the that GTR is a BADGE ICON CAR. It is not, nor will it ever be, considered a "regular" Nissan......

...at least not here in the states. If we lived in Japan where the streets were filled with GTR's, I would feel differently.

Originally Posted by erio

Most people that buy them are true car enthusiasts who buy them for their performance capabilities, even if they are not tracking.

You can't use that argument for the GTR without applying it to the M3 as well. Your average BMW driver can rarely differentiate an M car from its normal stablemate, thus, enthusiasts generally drive M cars and prefer them because of the performance capabilities. We enthusiasts are but a small portion of the population.

Originally Posted by erio

I had a 997.1tt a couple years ago and def. prefer this GTR. I could care less what others think. I bought it because I like the overall package.

Originally Posted by erio

I have seen young and old women. It's not the point. My point is that they are most likely not buying for performance. They are buying a badge/status symbol.

...Kinda like young GTR fan boys! I'm not asserting that you are one, but there are plenty of examples of this type of individual.

[US///M3]

Originally Posted by Stoutnj89

Wow.. I am having a very similar dilemma right now.. My 135i is constantly in the shop and my family HATEs the BMW brand because of it.. I really want to trade my 135i in for a used M3.. But on the other hand I have seen some good prices on used GTRs and I could pay a little more and be in super-car territory.

The GTRs repair costs are nuts.. But Im worried about another BMW just braking down every other month.. Also me being 22 years old (I turn 23 jan 1st) God knows how much insurance would be... I graduate USF in a semester and might have to knock out a class or 2 in the summer. I will have a bachelors of Finance.. So I hope to be working soon... Key word HOPE...

SORRY did not mean to but its seems close to my situation.. Any thoughts?

I had an old VW Golf GTI that had over 132k miles that I bought used for less than $5k when I went to college. I had some great times with that car,it was a fun little car.
I guess a red GT-R rather than an M3 will work since your family hate the BMW brand.

[Joey]

Congrats! Wow you drove a lot in 8 months! My friend has a GT-R that car is insanely fast! I think he has a 09 its all black, Tampa FL.

[erio]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

You're entitled to your opinion, but MOST GTR owners don't mod. The GTR forums aren't comprised of MOST owners. The demographic of GTR owners varies as well, so there exists no true and verifiable "type". If I used the forum as a basis for establishing what MOST M3 owners do, I'd come to the conclusion that every M3 was running around with an Akra exhaust, custom/BBS wheels and every body kit part imaginable. That isn't the case in reality.


Come on erio! If you're going to use the badge argument, at least concede the that GTR is a BADGE ICON CAR. It is not, nor will it ever be, considered a "regular" Nissan......

...at least not here in the states. If we lived in Japan where the streets were filled with GTR's, I would feel differently.

You can't use that argument for the GTR without applying it to the M3 as well. Your average BMW driver can rarely differentiate an M car from its normal stablemate, thus, enthusiasts generally drive M cars and prefer them because of the performance capabilities. We enthusiasts are but a small portion of the population

...Kinda like young GTR fan boys! I'm not asserting that you are one, but there are plenty of examples of this type of individual.

While the demographic may vary, I think most GTR owners are indeed on the forum from time to time. It's a relatively low volume car compared to the m3, with a very dedicated following on nagtroc. I know it's hard to believe, but I think it's true. There is obviously no way to proove that.

M3 is different with a much broader demographic, many of which could care less about the forums. No I'm not that young anymore...I wish and I'm by no means a fan boy....just a fan. I appreciate all types of cars with BMW and Porsche being my personal favorite overall brands. I will probably keep my m3 for many years. I don't think the GTR badge is nearly well known as the M badge here in the states. The m3 has a much longer history with several generations of owners all over the globe. The GTR/Skyline wasn't imported to the states until the r35 came out in 2008.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by erio

While the demographic may vary, I think most GTR owners are indeed on the forum from time to time. It's a relatively low volume car compared to the m3, with a very dedicated following on nagtroc. I know it's hard to believe, but I think it's true. There is obviously no way to proove that.

Not to argue about this ad nauseum, but I have yet to personally meet a GTR owner who is on NAGTROC that is over 30 years old. This is my personal experience with people whom I've met in passing, neighbors and motorists that have been cited. The younger owners (..and not coincidentally, the stoplight racers) are on NAGTROC.

Originally Posted by erio

M3 is different with a much broader demographic, many of which could care less about the forums. No I'm not that young anymore...I wish and I'm by no means a fan boy....just a fan. I appreciate all types of cars with BMW and Porsche being my personal favorite overall brands. I will probably keep my m3 for many years. I don't think the GTR badge is nearly well known as the M badge here in the states. The m3 has a much longer history with several generations of owners all over the globe. The GTR/Skyline wasn't imported to the states until the r35 came out in 2008.

Yes, the M3 will likely appeal to a broader demographic, but trust me, anybody who is young enough to have played Gran Turismo knows what a GTR is. Anybody that is old enough, and who has been following automobile trends knows what a GTR is (..as well as a Cosworth Escort, etc.). Anybody that grew up racing/modifying Honda Civics (..yes, I was one of them) knows what a GTR is. People who know cars have heard of the Skyline! The Skyline has just as generous a following dating as far back as the 80's. Again, it's an ICON car (..just of Japanese origin)!

P.S. People have been driving Skylines in this country for a long time. Long before the dealership began importing the R35 (..remember the Motorex debacle?). I personally used to see R32's, R33's and R34's cruising around SoCal as far back as 1999/2000, especially in the Santa Anita/Rosemead/Sherman Oaks area. I have friends that STILL own their R32's and R33's. A neighbor of a friend of mine has an R33 and an R35 sitting in his garage. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if somebody on this forum owns or knows of someone who owns an R32/33/34.

[1MOREMOD]

jeez i go on vacation for a couple days and everybody is jumping ship. nice puchase.

[US///M3]

For such an exclusive,low volume car,there seem to be a lot of used 09 GT-R's for sale out there.

[erio]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Not to argue about this ad nauseum, but I have yet to personally meet a GTR owner who is on NAGTROC that is over 30 years old. This is my personal experience with people whom I've met in passing, neighbors and motorists that have been cited. The younger owners (..and not coincidentally, the stoplight racers) are on NAGTROC.





Yes, the M3 will likely appeal to a broader demographic, but trust me, anybody who is young enough to have played Gran Turismo knows what a GTR is. Anybody that is old enough, and who has been following automobile trends knows what a GTR is (..as well as a Cosworth Escort, etc.). Anybody that grew up racing/modifying Honda Civics (..yes, I was one of them) knows what a GTR is. People who know cars have heard of the Skyline! The Skyline has just as generous a following dating as far back as the 80's. Again, it's an ICON car (..just of Japanese origin)!

P.S. People have been driving Skylines in this country for a long time. Long before the dealership began importing the R35 (..remember the Motorex debacle?). I personally used to see R32's, R33's and R34's cruising around SoCal as far back as 1999/2000, especially in the Santa Anita/Rosemead/Sherman Oaks area. I have friends that STILL have their R32's.

I don't know about that. I think there is a very broad range of owners on there. I know two long time members who are in the 50s and one of them tracks their cars regularly. The Gran Turismo thing may be true. I personally have only heard of the game...never even seen it being played. I don't play video games. The Skyline actually dates back to the 60s with the first GTR Skyline produced in 1968. So yes it's an Icon, but mainly in Japan. Yes there were some exported here, but none street legal. I have seen a couple in person. They were essentially banned from Australian endurance racing, ie. Bathurst 1000, due to their shear dominance. They did this by banning turbocharging and AWD. Yes this debate has certainly run it's course....

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by erio

I don't know about that. I think there is a very broad range of owners on there.

I know becuase I inquired.

Originally Posted by erio

I know two long time members who are in the 50s and one of them tracks their cars regularly.

There are always exceptions.

Originally Posted by erio

The Gran Turismo thing may be true. I personally have only heard of the game...never even seen it being played. I don't play video games. The Skyline actually dates back to the 60s with the first GTR Skyline produced in 1968. So yes it's an Icon, but mainly in Japan.

You essentially understood my point.

Originally Posted by erio

Yes there were some exported here during that time, but none street legal.

That's incorrect. I personally went with a friend to the DMV "back in the day" to finalize the registration for his R33. I also knew people with legalized RHD Civic Type R's and CRX's certified to be driven legally on U.S. streets. The game was ripe back then. Sigh!

[erio]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I know becuase I inquired.




There are always exceptions.




You essentially understood my point.





That's incorrect. I personally went with a friend to the DMV "back in the day" to finalize the registration for his R33. I also knew people with legalized RHD Civic Type R's and CRX's certified to drive on U.S. streets. The game was ripe back then. Sigh!

I don't know how you can inquire about the age of GTR owners on the forum....haha. Sure. I have seen quite a few young college kids running around here in there M3s...not just exceptions. Yes there were some that got legalized/registered here, but I think that was an extremely small number.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by erio

I don't know how you can inquire about the age of GTR owners on the forum....haha.

Sorry if you misunderstood me. I was referring to the people that I've personally met. My bad if I confused you.

Originally Posted by erio

Sure. I have seen quite a few young college kids running around here in there M3s...not just exceptions.

My statement about exceptions was in reference to the "50 year old GTR owners who track their cars". You have to pay attention to what I'm quoting!

Originally Posted by erio

Yes there were some that got legalized/registered here, but I think that was an extremely small number.

You said none.....

...which I kindly refuted.


Entertaining discussion/debate though.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

That's incorrect. I personally went with a friend to the DMV "back in the day" to finalize the registration for his R33. I also knew people with legalized RHD Civic Type R's and CRX's certified to be driven legally on U.S. streets. The game was ripe back then. Sigh!

You can REGISTER the car for use on public roads - but not in California. Other states it is more lenient. But as for LEGALIZE? No way. You'd have to crash test the car, have it registered from a legal importer or manufacturer and tons of legal work to get it through. Just cause you can register it doesn't mean it is legal as all you are doing is going through a loophole - the car does not meet Federal requirements.

[erio]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Sorry if you misunderstood me. I was referring to the people that I've personally met. My bad if I confused you.





My statement about exceptions was in reference to the "50 year old GTR owners who track their cars". You have to pay attention to what I'm quoting!





You said none.....

...which I kindly refuted.


Entertaining discussion/debate though.

You didn't confuse me, but I cannot read minds. You responded to my comment about the age of owners on the forum by stating you inquired about it. That would be confusing to anyone because it's not logical.

You met "some people" who have a gtr, but are not on the forum to see the large age range of owners. Most people I know personally who own them are at least in their 30s and I know quite a few owners as one of the tuners is not too far from here. Most kids don't have the finances to buy one...yes there are exceptions. Yes I know that you were referring to exceptions about older gtr owners. However, I don't believe that so I refuted your arguement and stated that young bmw owners are not an exception. Follow....

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Z K

You can REGISTER the car for use on public roads - but not in California. Other states it is more lenient. But as for LEGALIZE? No way. You'd have to crash test the car, have it registered from a legal importer or manufacturer and tons of legal work to get it through. Just cause you can register it doesn't mean it is legal as all you are doing is going through a loophole - the car does not meet Federal requirements.

Trust me, this particular car was registered here. What methods he used to circumvent any requirements are beyond me. It was a long time ago!

Originally Posted by erio

You met "some people" who have a gtr, but are not on the forum to see the large age range of owners. Most people I know personally who own them are at least in their 30s and I know quite a few owners as one of the tuners is not too far from here. Most kids don't have the finances to buy one...yes there are exceptions. Yes I know that you were referring to exceptions about older gtr owners. However, I don't believe that so I refuted your arguement and stated that young bmw owners are not an exception. Follow....

Huh?

My purpose was to illustrate that in the 20 or so people that I've come across that were older than 30 (..this doesn't necessarily mean IN their 30's), none of them were on NAGTROC; conversely, the younger drivers were. I stated explicitly that such an observation was drawn from my experience (..either in passing, because it was/is a neighbor or because I was citing them), and it only served to illustrate that not ALL GTR owners are on NAGTROC. There is no way to truly qualify how many GTR owners are on that website.

Just to make sure that I understand you correctly. You DON'T believe that a 50 year old GTR owner who tracks his or her car is an exception????? Okay! I never mentioned anything about young BMW owners, so I can't fathom why you continue to mention them. My comment about exceptions was ONLY in reference to 50+ year old owners who track their GTR's. That, sir, is an exception.....

....just like the owners of Ducati Desmosedici's who track their bikes. Sure they exist, but they are more rare than they are common.

[Optherion]

I didnt bother reading 7 pages cause Im sure theres a bunch of hating.

Welcome to the official "I traded my m3 for a GT-R and never looked back" group.

Enjoy it! If you ever get tired of the face ripping cornering and gobs of grip, just remove the front drive shaft

[Sedan_Clan]

Nice vid!

[Z K]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Trust me, this particular car was registered here. What methods he used to circumvent any requirements are beyond me. It was a long time ago!

Those loopholes are long gone... My friend had a Japanese imported Integra Type R with a Top Fuel turbo kit - built and tuned by Top Fuel in Japan. Extremely rare, registered in CA under the JDM VIN. That was definitely a once in a lifetime deal and you definitely can not do that anymore.

But as I said, it isn't LEGALIZED, it is just REGISTERED for street use. Should a police officer choose to be an ass, he can impound the car on the spot as it doesn't meet Federal requirements.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Z K

Those loopholes are long gone... My friend had a Japanese imported Integra Type R with a Top Fuel turbo kit - built and tuned by Top Fuel in Japan. Extremely rare, registered in CA under the JDM VIN. That was definitely a once in a lifetime deal and you definitely can not do that anymore.

But as I said, it isn't LEGALIZED, it is just REGISTERED for street use. Should a police officer choose to be an ass, he can impound the car on the spot as it doesn't meet Federal requirements.

I was not referring to crash test legalization. It is rare for an officer to hassle a motorist with a legally registered imported vehicle. I wouldn't!

Sigh, the loopholes of the good ol' days!

[s4awd]

Congrats on the car. I did the opposite. After the GTR I got an M3 as a daily and eventually swapped the GTR out for the RS. The M3 eventually got replaced by the car on the bottom :P

[1MOREMOD]

noooooo! a prius and gt3rs.

[mattixxg]

Originally Posted by scheherazade

Every time I look at the nose of an R35, I wonder who designed it ... and wtf they were thinking.
The rest of the car looks so good that the contrast/mis-match is just jarring.

But, that's what you get when you divide up the exterior design between design offices in japan (front), US(mid), and England(rear) (IIRC).

-scheherazade

Its definitely not the sexiest looking car, but very interesting looking. I love the back tho.

Originally Posted by odiesback

what a bad way to start my day:
Opening a thread in the M3 forum to look at
pics of a Nissan!!!

Please no lectures on performance, so fast blah blah blah

It's still a Nissan in my book, from the same family that gives you
the Sentras and Maximas of the world.

So wait..let me get this straight, you think youve "arrived" because you drive an M3?

lol

Correct me if im wrong, but its not like you own a 458 italia. Sorry but, youre not that great.

While it would still be arrogant of you if you did, (own a 458)it would hold water. Its a 458. But were talking an incredibly common m3 lol. WTF?

M3s are all over the place out here in SoCal.

Im totally laughing here.

Price wise, a Black edition cost more than an m3, hell stock for stock base options a GTR costs more. Anyone can google it so at the end of the day, mine is more expensive than yours....if you want to go that childish route.


Youre trying to speak like you are elite but its not working. You act as if the GTR owner CANT afford an M3.

Funniest thing ever.

But based off your post and all the stuff ive seen on this forum, you, hands down are the DUMBEST poster i have ever seen on these forums.

"OMG IM SO KEWL CUZ I GOT AN M 3 OOOH WEEE!"

This is EXACTLY how i see you.

Originally Posted by odiesback

Oh Sorry... I should have waited till I got my M3 delivered to post a
comment... didnt know one's knowledge was commensurate to the car
he/she drives and besides, paying $100K for a Nissan that looks like a
transformer is beyond me... and again... just my ignorance at play!

But the point about my post is: I think is pretty annoying someone to post a
thread about dumping a BMW and showing off a Nissan in a BMW forum
and having people discussing it at nauseum...

Sure, I could've ignored the thread but decided to express my opinion even if
it was against the rational of the so called car experts here..

Has it ever occurred to you that lambo owners look at you the same way?
They may not say it, but the probably do.
As far as the OP, hes excited about his car and he was a BMW owner.

This is how you treat ex bmw owners?
Your arrogance is absolutely hilarious.

Originally Posted by erio

Looks are of course are subjective. Obviously a lot of people like the car and don't share your opinion or it wouldn't be selling so well. It's not just because it's fast. If it was so ugly it wouldn't sell. Most are lucky to find them at MSRP nowadays, esp. at 2012, unlike an M3 which you can usually get at or near invoice pricing. BMW isn't always better and why can't another brand excell. Whether you like it or not, there are some great cars coming out of Japan and Korea. I love my M3 but there GTR is on another level. It was built to compete with the 997tt, etc. That's my opinion and I have owed a quite a few cars. It's an apples and oranges comparison....period. The guy is just showing us his new car. It's not like he was trashing the M3. I'm not sure why that annoys you? Some people can't get away from brand sterotypes or simply desire to drive what they believe is a status symbol in hopes of acquiring prestige.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

That GT-R has 485HP. The new GT-Rs have 530hp and the 2013's are rumored to have 570!!!

Yup. Scary.

Originally Posted by VVG

Not really. Just don't agree that the GTR is an "upgrade" to the M3. It is a totally different type of car with an entirely different purpose.

Can you believe that I looked at the GTR several times and still chose the M3?

Anyway, this thread is getting pretty near beat-to-death. I'm checking out.

In performance it is. Especially if its a 2012.

Originally Posted by username11

On the Honda forums:

"Dude if you just turbocharge your Civic it will be as fast as an M3, so it will be better. I don't know why anyone buys a BMW."

On the M3 forums:

"Dude if you just supercharge your M3 it will be as fast as a GTR, so it will be better. I don't know why anyone buys a GT-R."

Same dumb shit, different day.

lol..

Originally Posted by Rekrul

That's a shitty analogy as stated before. The differential is not nearly as great. Maybe you should utilize your brain....before you start insisting people are dumb.

How about a 335I then?
LOL

Originally Posted by Rekrul

Ok Albert Einstein, that was rather verbose but utterly stupid. Bar none.. the diffential is not even remotely close so that why your analogy is stupid.

Assuming your turboed a civic to be as fast as a m3. Would it even hold a candle to the M3 in terms of styling,engineering, fit and finish, and handling? Absolutely not. The same can not be said about the difference between a M3 and the GTR.

If I wanted a straight performer.. I'd buy a z06.

No you wouldnt, because youre a badgewhore.
Youd get a pcar or *ghasps* GTR if you could afford it.

Originally Posted by US///M3

I have a base AW M3 on 19's,to me an upgrade would be a space grey/fox red extended 6SPD E92 M3,not the GT-R. I gotta have a true manual,besides I'm not into the boy racer look.

I really think that people who are into GT-R's are attention whores, notice me...since most don't even track them.

Well..one could call people like oldiesback a badgewhore.
This goes both ways. Always has, always will.

Originally Posted by US///M3

An M3 or AMG don't look that different than their sibblings 3 series,C class,having one isn't exactly begging to be noticed.
Re the GT-R is an upgrade
It's like telling a guy who rides a BMW bike in town that a Hayabusa is an upgrade.

Performance wise it is an upgrade period.
You cannot deny that. Its plain and simple. Your M3 stock for stock is simply NOT the better performer (Im going off of the 2012).
Thats what GTR owners are looking for. They know what they are buying the car for. Its not an accident. Its purpose built. You buy your BMW because of the name, they get the GTR for performance.

(I guess you COULD add in the comfort ride, of which i would agree, but lets be real, based off your posts, its all in the name to you and a few others ive addressed already)

Originally Posted by erio

I think I'm done with all the gtr ignorance on this thread.

Im not...its fun lol!

Originally Posted by Z K

Those loopholes are long gone... My friend had a Japanese imported Integra Type R with a Top Fuel turbo kit - built and tuned by Top Fuel in Japan. Extremely rare, registered in CA under the JDM VIN. That was definitely a once in a lifetime deal and you definitely can not do that anymore.

But as I said, it isn't LEGALIZED, it is just REGISTERED for street use. Should a police officer choose to be an ass, he can impound the car on the spot as it doesn't meet Federal requirements.

Yeah i also heard the feds were (waste of money IMO) specifically going after R 34s in the US. So if one is spotted, theres a huge chance it will be confiscated.

[IFX]

gt3rs, and prius. mighty odd driveway, i'd probably snap a pic if i came across that. lol