Charles:
I had an ear-to-ear smile when I heard we were going to be test-driving the new GT-R. Talk about a day in the office. It's days like this that I overlook the crud I have to endure, like photographing models, attending car shows and covering races. Who am I kidding; I can't believe I'm getting paid for all this. This could possibly be the best car I'll ever get to test drive, so I spent every moment enjoying it. If my closet allowed, I would have showed up to work in a crushed white linen suit, sandals and t-shirt. Yeah that's right, Miami Vice steez. Not the version with Colon Farrell, but straight OG Sonny Crockett style. Luckily for me, my closet and salary, limits me to plain tees and jeans. This wasn't going to be a white Ferrari like Sonny had, but the GT-R definitely reinstates a guy's manhood. ARGH!
Of course we showed up to work early that day, instead of rolling in just before lunch. Then we immediately dove into LA's canyons, full of twists and turns. I'm always careful when I have passengers, so I had to keep things somewhat tame. Especially when the cargo consisted of all staff editors of the bestest (yea, I said 'bestest'!) magazine ever printed in the universe. I know the benefits of paddle shifters, and unlike most, I'm open to the idea. But all the paddle shifters I've driven so far have pretty much sucked ass. Well, the GT-R finally does some justice to this shift system. Every shift was so precise and quick; I really didn't miss having a full manual transmission. And, of course, it was nice to keep both hands on the steering wheel, in mid-turn shifts. The new GT-R weighs a beastly 3800 lbs, but with a perfectly engineered weight balance, the car never felt heavy. From turns, to acceleration, to braking, it was as easy to control and maneuver as a lightweight compact car. As monstrous as the brakes are, the car didn't feel over-braked. Braking was very controlled and steady. There are very few factory cars I've enjoyed like this. I can't wait to see and drive modified ones.
After a long day of driving a true sports car beast like this one, I don't think I can continue playing with my current car. I've got to step up my game. The gentleman's agreement is off and Japan is sending new competition.
Jonathan:
There is no doubt about it - the GT-R does everything Nissan says it can do, and oh boy, does it do everything right. Even after spending more than 12 hours sitting in one, with a quarter of that time being slouched in the rear seat with my head pressed against the rear windshield, I wanted nothing more than to spend whatever remaining hours we had with the car than to be behind the controls, cruising, speeding along and being "that asshole" who caused camera phones to be pulled out without fail at every stoplight. Unlike Chuck and T, I already had some seat time with the GT-R but like any good thing, you can never have enough. Sure, I'd blasted a handful of laps at a closed circuit in Nevada and had a world-class driver show me the GT-R's full potential. But to have it in my own hands, without any adult supervision (remember, it's me), along with the streets and highways of Southern California in my backyard to serve as my playground, to say I wanted to show it off, is an understatement.
Like its predecessors, planting yourself inside a GT-R instantaneously gives you an overwhelming sensation of vehicular courage, a god complex that strikes fear in the heart of your infidels and makes you the life of the party, that is, if you're down for sausage parties. Sorry, but if you think it's going to score you tail, then the only action you'll be getting is going to be from the GT-R fan boys. No, wait, add in all "Z" drivers, aspiring-Honda owners who think they can pick a fight with you and the douche bag Porsche a-holes who act like you're not there, but break their necks as you cruise by with ease.