Godzilla might not survive .....!

[OBI_agent]

I'm a huge fan of GTR but this news makes me cringe.

— A source close to the project tells Inside Line that the next Nissan GT-R has not yet been approved for production. Company CEO Carlos Ghosn, we're told, has not given the go-ahead to design and engineer the car. And he may never give it the green light.

In other words, it's possible that the Nissan GT-R in its modern form is a one-hit wonder.

Five years ago, the GT-R created a global phenomenon due to its combination of extreme performance, high technology and low price. Since then, Nissan's engineers have been slowly refining the R35 with subtle changes to its styling, suspension and engine output.

But all that time we assumed an all-new, fully redesigned model was in the works, possibly for the 2014 model year. There has even been speculation that the next-generation GT-R would get a hybrid drivetrain to keep it on the good side of the efficiency scale.

Now, it's increasingly looking like that's not going to happen. At first, rumors began to circulate that the next GT-R (R36) was delayed to the 2018 model year and it would receive another face-lift in 2013 to try to keep the car fresh for longer. Then we dug a little deeper and found out that development of the R36 hasn't even started yet.

Inside Line called Nissan for an official comment on the topic and received this brief e-mail reply from a company spokesman. "I cannot comment on that speculation and cannot comment on future product plans for the GT-R."

Although Ghosn was a champion for the GT-R project back in 2009, his new pet project, the all-electric Nissan Leaf is on the other side of the automotive spectrum. Ghosn approved the original GT-R only after being assured that it would make money for the company even at low volumes. Since its introduction, GT-R sales in the United States have added up to just 5,914 units and they have slowed recently to just 583 this year.

Add into the equation that the R35's chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno recently retired and it's easy to see why the next GT-R in in jeopardy.

Inside Line says: Come on, Carlos. Let them build it!

I didn't know GTR sales were so bad.


http://www.insideline.com/nissan/gt-...ot-happen.html

[MR///M3]

I think GTR sales got bad due to the jumps in msrp every year.

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by MR///M3

I think GTR sales got bad due to the jumps in msrp every year.

+1 I would be all over a GTR at 85k

[Cuz5150]

Damn!!! Not good news. I gotta up^ my weekly lottery allowance!!

[Inspired]

GTR is too expensive IMO. 96k for MSRP. Your looking at 100k+ with options

[GammaZeta]

It's a great car, but when you get into the $100K price range, people are looking for a little more flash.

Compared to a used Ferrari, Viper, Porsche or even a Corvette...the GTR lacks in looks bone stock. You could literally drive by one and think its just a regular car.

You really have to add aftermarket touches for it to really look the $100k price tag.

$100k is now used Ferrari 360 range or a very modern 911 Turbo.

For $75k - $85k, people would sacrifice on looks a bit for performance and reliability, but if you're throwing around $100k on a car, many more attractive options open up.

[eamon]

We should deliver this thread to Nissan, agree with everything posted so far.

[US///M3]

It's too ugly to survive in this economy.

[HotIce]

Originally Posted by Inspired

GTR is too expensive IMO. 96k for MSRP. Your looking at 100k+ with options

What options? The GT-R has ONE option and it's free. The cold weather package.

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by Rated ///M

What options? The GT-R has ONE option and it's free. The cold weather package.

I meant out the door it will be well over 100k for me. It cost $98k already with destination and handling.

Here this is a package.

Super Silver Special Metallic Paint $3,000*

[SaMaster14]

Might be because of the Infiniti Essence. Similar performance to the GT-R, but with added luxury (and a steeper price tag).

But, I would definitely hate to see the GT-R go. One of my favorite cars on the road!

[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by US///M3

It's too ugly to survive in this economy.

I don't like to bash cars for looks, but the GTR might be one of the most unsightly $100,000 cars I've ever seen on the road.

[smohr33]

I would guess the GTR is a loser for Nissan even if they sold twice as many. Think about how many hours/dollars of R&D they have in that car to only sell a few thousand of them. Now take in comparison the Altima that has much less cost associated with it, yet they sell hundreds of thousands per year. Nissan isn't in the low volume/high price market. They sell loads of cars and probably turn a good profit on them. It's pretty easy to see this car doesn't exactly fit their typical business model.

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by eamon

We should deliver this thread to Nissan, agree with everything posted so far.

You should have wrote Renault as they hold Nissan's purse strings, especially with Ghosn in charge at Nissan.

I can't see the GT-R surviving under Ghosn, given his past decisions.

[BMWcoupe335ii]

I think once your hitting 100k everything changes. Most people that want a great performing can't afford a 100 or even 50k car, so they look for cheapeR alternatives and they expect some lack of luxuary, gadget, and comfort. When you get in the 100k price range most people would want everything, looks, performance, comfort (when you want it), exclusivity, and luxury. I think the gtr just lacks most of what people want in a car that cost so much, therefor the car doesn't justify the price, even though its brilliant in performance. Now if the gtr started at 65k I think they would sell very well. Shit, for 100k+ I'll be looking into a 2013 911 2s or and Aston Martin v12 vantage (my dream car).

[A418t81]

It is getting too expensive for it's purpose. They fell for their own success and priced the car accordingly. At $75k it was the deal of the century. At 100k, it's a decent price for the performance you get. As to the attention the car gets, I can't believe how people freak out about it. Literally every time I drive it people go bonkers.

[K3N R3D]

Are you guys serious? The GTR is a beautiful car and you seem to forget you are getting super car performance for less than 100k. All those cars you listed that you have compared it to, the GTR is faster around the ring and it can be a daily driver. At every car show I have been to swarms of people can't stop looking at the GTR. Its not an ugly car. Every time I see one on the road or parked, heads are turning. I don't think the pricing point is the problem, I would say its the marketing.

[GammaZeta]

Last week where I worked, a local GT-R owner drove by our front while we were all outside. The biggest response was "oh, there is the GT-R". Half of us didn't even see/know it drove by or even bothered to acknowledge it.

The same week a drop-top Lambo Gallardo drove by. Everyone LOST THEIR MINDS and talked about it all day.

If I had 100k to spend between a new GT-R and a Lambo Gallardo used, I would pick the Lambo.

[ptack]

Nissan's strategy for the GTR was obviously a failure for the company. They developed an impressive sports car which they originaly offered at a tremendous price. Unfortunately, they either needed to move a large number of these to justify the cost or they needed to raise the price. I doubt they ever planned to produce it in Corvette volumes so the project was probably more a bragging rights project. I'm sure they've raised the price to try and recoup some of the investment, but a $100K Nissan GTR is like a VW Phaeton. It may objectively be comparable to other cars in that price range, but people don't objectively spend six figures on a car. They are usually well aware that they are spending an excessive amount of money and they want prestige along with performance/luxury. The Nissan may have offered performance, but its appearance and marketing never positioned it as a special, exotic alternative to its performance equals.
We'll see if Honda has more luck with the NSX - note how the very first TV commercials were all about the exclusivity of the car.

[K3N R3D]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Last week where I worked, a local GT-R owner drove by our front while we were all outside. The biggest response was "oh, there is the GT-R". Half of us didn't even see/know it drove by or even bothered to acknowledge it.

The same week a drop-top Lambo Gallardo drove by. Everyone LOST THEIR MINDS and talked about it all day.

If I had 100k to spend between a new GT-R and a Lambo Gallardo used, I would pick the Lambo.

Yup and thus proving my point that marketing is the issue with this car. The GT-R was not made to compete with Lamborghini or Ferrari. However it does beat most of them on the track that cost 100-300k+ more. It was created to directly compete with the Porsche 911T. With a Brand new GT-R you can get a faster car for about $50k less. $50,000??? And with Porsche they make lots of money on the options. So basically the base price of a E92 M3.

We all have our preferences and I'm not trying to song like a poster boy for the GT-R cause I'm not. I respect a lot of you guys here cause I'm a BMW fan just like most of you are, but you guys keep saying it cost too much, and that you would buy a used 360 or a used Galardo for 100k. So let's compare apples to apples. A used 2010 GT-R with 30k miles will set you back about $70k.

So I stick with my original point which is I don't think the price is high for what you are getting. Nissan should have spent much more money on the marketing cause I still don't fully understand how a car so heavy can do the things it can do.

[HotIce]

Originally Posted by HREM3

+1 I would be all over a GTR at 85k

[HotIce]

Originally Posted by K3N R3D

Are you guys serious? The GTR is a beautiful car and you seem to forget you are getting super car performance for less than 100k. All those cars you listed that you have compared it to, the GTR is faster around the ring and it can be a daily driver. At every car show I have been to swarms of people can't stop looking at the GTR. Its not an ugly car. Every time I see one on the road or parked, heads are turning. I don't think the pricing point is the problem, I would say its the marketing.

The base price of the 2013 is 96k. You're now pretty at 100k. Still, the car offers stunning performance.