No, it’s not a Z-Car, but it’s by the same maker – so bare with us here… Let me tell you of my GT-R experience. 

IMG_4278If you don’t already own one, then you really don’t know how good it feels to drive a Nissan GT-R; if you do own one, you still don’t know what it’s like to drive the $165,780 Nissan GT-R NISMO edition.

First off – Yes, youth in Blyth Park sitting on the picnic table; yes, it was THAT good.

Secondly – I really want one. But until I have the spare $165,000 I’ll settle for test driving. Driving the NISMO GT-R isn’t just glorious, it’s probably the closest thing to car-heaven that you’ll find this side of the pearly gates.

The GT-R’s 3.8L twin turbo’d V6 engine puts out a whopping 600hp and 481-lbft of torque, pushing you back in your seat like a fighter jet instead of a car.

The dual-clutch is switch and smooth through the flappy paddle system. Around some Woodinville corners, I was able to feel the double wishbone suspension keeping me absolutely flat, while Bilstien electronic shock absorbers took all the bumps and made them disappear.

When needing to brake, even from normal street speeds, the quick stop of the Brembos made my face feel like it was tearing off.

There’s only one problem.

It’s not as fun on normal roads as it’s smaller cousin, the Nissan 370Z.

The reduction in power, from 600hp to 350, means that the engine gets to stretch it’s legs a little on the backroads.

While driving from Woodinville to Bothell via E. Riverside Drive, the GT-R didn’t go above 2nd gear – it didn’t need to – but the 370Z was alive on the roads, giving the driver a kick. Not just a kick in the butt.

Not to say the GT-R isn’t fun. It’s unbelievably fun, and should be for the engineering prowess that Nissan puts into it and the price-tag said knowhow comes with.

The design that Nissan came up with is not only pleasing to the eyes, but begets the GTRs power and stature. It looks like a beast, but it doesn’t handle like one.

It’s glorious. And, for the price tag, it really better be.