I drove the Ferrari 458 Italia and a 2014 Nissan GTR yesterday

Evenly matched?

Other than speed what does the GTR do for you?

Please that car is ugly as sin.

 

End of the day its a nissan.

 

I find it an insult to even mention that car in the same breath as a 458, frankly im tired of everyone bringing that car up as a comparison to any supercar.

And as usual, its the young guys who love going fast.

rant over

 

It's awesome you got to experience both cars on a track.

Even though the Ferrari might not have stroke you as much as it should have. The GTR is a very different car. Sure, they both go fast but a 458 is a totally different ball game.
Aside the obvious historical legacy that comes along with the Ferrari brand, the whole experience of driving a 458 (to me) is only unique to this car.

I can imagine that on a track as a first time driver, the adrenaline kicks in and the GTR surely will give you a blast! But ownership wise, a 458 (in my eyes) is close to perfection. You just cannot compare the two side by side.

Nonetheless it sounds like you had fun which is what it's all about

 

You know the Nissan GT-R is a legend when the only downside people knock it down for is its looks (and other times, the make, Nissan)

 

I love the GTR - have always loved the GTR. You cannot get any other car as capable at that price point with some of the basic amenities. The car is a bloody value!

It is not always about going fast - if it is, GTR can give you what you need. It has a terrific driving experience and it a whole lot of fun! It truly is an all round performer!

The 458 is different, offers a different driving experience as you guys mentioned. I don't think it is fair to compare the two directly. I have always said that the ultimate car would be a fusion between the GTR and the 458!

Must have been amazing to drive the two one after the other - it's the stuff dreams are made of when we are kids!

 

+1 Even though I love the 458, I must admit I am a closet GTR fan: great performance, amazing value and imho very attractive manga-like looks, would own one if my garage was big enough and my wife was into cars
PS Hope my 458 doesn't see this post, she is very jealous and might throw error fault codes as a result

 

Basically you can compare everything, even a cow with a glider. It's all a matter of personal perspective and expectations.

I had also the possibility to drive the tuned GTR of my friend. What a monster, extraterrestrial performances are possible. There is no question, with my Scuderia I never had and will never have "a real chance" against my colleague on the track. But to be honest there were already Corvette's, Porsche's and McLaren's faster than me. Of course, not much faster, but faster.

Therefore who cares! I love my Scuderia, I never had more driving fun in a car than in my Scuderia. I allow me to say, at the very end this is it what counts: the personal fun you have in your car. No matter what brand it is.
I love my Scud, my colleague loves his GTR, life is good to both!

 

Question: why do everyone says "the GTR has a better price/speed"?
You are not supposed to buy something convenient, you should be supposed to buy the car that you prefer
Both cars have a different drive feeling, the GTR will never give me those kind of feelings!
It's like a biker who says: "I bought a bike because it's cheap and it goes up to 280kmh"!
All the bikers that I know have this line of reasoning and it's sad.
The GTR is a great car, but not a Ferrari.
Oh, obviously this is IMO and my experience!

Ares


Sent from my F430 using Tapatalk.

 

Well The GTR is a beast and honestly the 458 is too but to be insulted, why? Because ones a Nissan and the other a Ferrari. Who cares what the make is, the GTR is one of the best performing and handling cars in the world and at only 100k. I would choose the 458 over the GTR too, but there is no denying the GTR is an animal and deserves respect.

 

Agree. Have you tried them yet?

Guys: buy what you like.
It's useless to say "the GTR is cheaper" etc etc because that's not the point
If you like the 458, buy it.
If you like the GTR, buy it.
"Nissan" it's not the problem, I've never had a bias on it.
But the GTR will never gives you the feelings as a 458 does.
I don't care if they're running a half second less me on Monza. (It's an example)


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Funny how people knock the Nissan....Owning both I can say they are both monsters in their own way....The Nissan may not be beautiful but it's Japanese so comparing the two isn't fair....True the 458 is much more visceral to drive but sorry to say the Nissan is faster and handles better....in the end I would take the 458 all day long but can't knock the GTR, especially for the price....

 

Great experience,congrats.
I drove my first ferrari when I was 22 years old,remember that like yesterday,kind of a unique experience.

Also the GT-R was the first supercar that I drove..the first generation (2009).It was very quick but just that for me.I agree that is the best car that you can buy around 100k.
I will probably consider the GT-R Nismo in the future.

And comparing both well...the 458 is on top, simply stunning,everytime I drive her is a real real pleasure.

 

It is a little bit faster and has better handling because the 4wd. Not because it's a Nissan GTR!
They're both great cars, but my line of reasoning is this
I do not buy a car because "cheaper and faster".
At least the GTR would be faster at low speed and on track!



Sent from my F430 using Tapatalk.

 

Did you get your car? Any pics?

 

If all you want is speed then sure buy a GTR or a Vette no denying it or a Porsche turboS. But hey we are all in here cause we wanted more than just speed we wanted something special something these other car brands don't deliver... Ferrari will always be the Icon.

 

piling on....

I had actually not driven a GT-R until the other night, though have seen many on the road and been on track with them.

They are very nice cars, quite quick and well done. Clearly a high bang-for-the-buck on sheer performance. While I only did a (quick and definitive) 20 miles of so, my impressions were

1) it's fun
2) it goes
3) it's heavy, or feels heavy
4) the "feel" - steering, brakes - were good. not great.
5) fit-and-finish was, well, Nissan. Which is better than average.

The car I drove had been modified by my friends at a local shop - the mods were very well done and the car drove very well...

The fun thing about the GT-R is it seems a larger percentage (an opinion, not fact) of owners will mod their cars, will track their cars, and enjoy going hard in them. That could be due to a lower-age demographic of owners, or a variety of things. It's an impression I have, unsure there is data to support or refute that statement.

Candidly, I prefer the tactile feedback of the Ferrari (or Porsche) in driving. I also think the GT-R goes like hell in a straight line, not so sure it was the best in hard braking and cornering balance. The 458 and F12 are pretty damn sorted in that regard.

Having said that, kudos to Nissan for making it, and for people who drive it and enjoy tweaking them. OTOH, few Ferrari owners drive their cars hard, track them, or dare modify them (other than to make them sound louder, not "faster or better"....seems Capristo hit a market bullseye with their valve switch).

 

Nissan v Ferrari - chalk v cheese.

Yeah they both accomplish roughly the same thing - Speed and lots of it!!

BUT: one is a car with history and passion built with a soul, the other is a machine, cold and a little clinical.

Besides here in the UK Nissan/Toyota represent nearly every private hire/taxi cab on the road.

Nissan - no thanks, great car, but just a car.

 

I am going to have to drive one. Besides some say our Ferraris are Fiats. Lol

 

GTR is to be respected. As usual, the tifosi resort to subjectives to explain their preference of the 458. This same process applies to all other vehicles, such as ZR1, McLaren, etc. by the numbers the GTR is quite the equal of the 458. It is heavier and on track will make the tires greasy and fade brakes, but for spirited driving, the GTR is awesome.

And price is a factor for we mortals. All you guys wih 458s, when do your LaFas arrive? Don't tell me some of you have to live with a 458?

It's all relative and to simply downplay the GTR because it's a Nissan is failing to respect what an accomplishment it is.

The 458 is vastly better looking and lighter but it is a shame IMO that you have to accept inferior performance

 

Keith, have you driven a GTR at (or close to) the limit? I've always suspected that the car comes alive past 8 or 9 tenths, just most people never get there.

 

I'm glad you understand it's PLURAL LaF's... I couldn't decide what color to get. (I'm kidding for anyone to whom that isn't obvious.)

I came really close to buying a McLaren instead of a 458. 458 wins on sexy, and interior for me. MP4 is faster, no doubt. Also having a dealer where I live is a win for Ferrari.

I do totally agree that it's funny to watch some peoples responses. I'm not a GTR fan, if I'm going to drive something that heavy I want 4 doors. But it's a hell of a car. And I have a lot of reasons to dislike Nissan. Still a hell of a car. So is a 370.

 

+1 for the GTR tifosi out there! besides, I like the exterior styling too (the interior is another story )
and the price makes it the best supercar out there today imho (please note this comment is coming from a completely
infatuated ferrarista who adores his 458 as u all know )

pretty badass if this turns out to be the refreshed 2015 MY chassis, imagine it lowered another 50mm or so!
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Do people forget or even know that Nissan has a very good racing history. They are nothing to laugh at or scoff.

The OP is a young guy that enjoyed himself, shared his experience and opinion, and I for one appreciate it. Cheers kid and I am glad you had a great time of it! Cherish the moment and I hope it is one of the things that motivates you to enjoy life and to accomplish great things in your life!