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Choices: Nissan GT-R or Ford Mustang GT500?
Click above to read the rest of the post and vote in our poll
A few months back we were lucky enough to roll around in a 2010 Nissan GT-R. On our way up to a pre-burnt Angeles Crest Highway for the now infamous flip-flop-gate photoshoot, yours truly began explaining to our intrepid photographer Drew Phillips just exactly how Nissan's latest and greatest is faster than a speeding Gallardo, more powerful than a F430 and able to leap tall canyon roads without breaking a sweat. And on and on and on. When I finally shut up, Drew asked me, "Would you take a GT-R over a GT500?" Whoa...
Read the rest of the post and vote in our poll after the jump.
Gallery: Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R
Gallery: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang
I couldn't say "yes." In many ways, the new 2010 Shelby GT500 is the yang to the GT-R's yin. The Nissan represents a highly specialized, bespoke car, while the Shelby represents the proud American tradition of stuffing a bigger motor into an existing chassis. Aside from interior bits (like the start button) there are very few pieces Godzilla shares with other, lesser Nissans. Under the Shelby sits a V6 Hertz rent-a-special waiting to happen.
In terms of practicality, the Nissan can run around town in full auto mode while the Shelby has a bigger back seat (snore, on both points). Godzilla represents the future, while the GT500 is a much improved (maybe idealized?) version of the past. One has a sophisticated, hand built, super-computerized twin-turbo all-aluminum V6 hooked up to a paddle-shifted dual-clutch transmission feeding all four wheels. The other features a supercharger bolted on to an old iron truck motor driving the rear wheels via three pedals and six-speed manual. The Nissan has a sophisticated suspension system that can adjust itself a zillion times a nanosecond (or whatever) and the Shelby has a solid rear axle. However, both cars pack underrated motors that make more power than they advertise. And while the 2010 Shelby GT500 is very fast and very capable, the 2010 Nissan GTR is ludicrously fast and ridiculously capable. About twice as expensive, too.
But throwing that last bit out -- as well as resale, depreciation, reliability, practicality, insurance rates and anything else that gets in the way of this pure fantasy mental exercise -- which car would you rather have parked downstairs? Talk about a tough one. I'm going to go with 51% Shelby, 49% Nissan. But don't push it, because both of these cars are that superlatively good. You?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)
JeremiahBWhite 12:00PM (11/19/2009)
I'm going to go with the GTR. Handling is more important to me than almost anything else.
Reply
Rar 12:13PM (11/19/2009)
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0810_2009_corvette_zr1_vs_porsche_gt2_vs_ferrari_599_vs_nissan_gtr/lap_times.html
"With the other cars you can control understeer with the throttle. But in the GT-R, more throttle means more understeer. When you reach the limit, though, it suddenly goes into snap oversteer. But mostly it understeers like a pig."
some1 12:23PM (11/19/2009)
GT500 all the way...
Something about the power in its raw simple form that tends to be more fun for me. The GTR is a great car, but i would take a GT500 in a heartbeat over it.
avc709 1:10PM (11/19/2009)
GT500 anyday. I would hate to give up a 6speed manual trans. I love having control over my cars and the gtr takes everybit of that away from you. GTR's are built for old people who have become senile and need help with their driving skills.
geo.stewart 1:00PM (11/19/2009)
this really is personal preference. As noted, they are not really comparable vehicles. All in all, the GT-R is probably the 'better' car from a statistics perspective.
BUT, I'm a Mustang fan. wouldnt keep me from picking a better car but in this comparo, the Mustang would win me over. I love the sounds of an American V8, the neverending torque so that when i mash the pedal, it just accelerates until redline and the '10 interior is much better. not stellar, but definitely acceptable.
Put an Aston Martin up there or an Evora and I might have a different answer but against the GTR, i'm picking the mustang
cBraunDesign 1:20PM (11/19/2009)
All things aside, I can't pick the GT-R just because of how ugly it is. That, and how beautiful the GT500 is. :)
Tommy 1:46PM (11/19/2009)
Well, since I already have a Mustang that's got about 700 horsepower, I'll take the GT-R! Seriously. I used to autocross regularly and really like the Nissan. I think that the choice should have been GT-R or Shelby Super Snake with the 750 HP option. Those are both around $80,000. I'm sure that would've made the decision more difficult for some. Then again, the GT500 is $30k less than the Nissan. We ALL know what a few thousand in mods can do to a GT500!!
ripiopower 6:23PM (11/19/2009)
GTR babyyyyy''' this is a monster in every category'' and more advance technology.
LesPaul1 2:33PM (11/19/2009)
Going thru the comments here and it seems everyone is complaining about AWD tech and paddle shifting as detracting from "pure" driving pleasure.
I guess by the standards of all those complaining, F1 cars, full of tech n paddle shifters are blasphemous to a pure driver's car and are boring cars to drive.
John H. 2:38PM (11/19/2009)
AWD >> RWD, simple as that.
Scott Seigmund 3:16PM (11/19/2009)
Most people have never driven either of these cars. I count myself among the few who have, and for my garage it's the GT500.
The GT-R is a technomarvel from another planet. Like a flight simulator with real acceleration. It's the Orgasmatron from the movie Sleeper. Did I just have great sex, or was it my imagination? Am I really driving this car or just providing inputs into a super computer?
The GT500 is raw, real and everything you are expecting, but better. You can take'er home and live happily for a long time, comfortable in the knowledge that your first blo . . er . . brake job won't be costing you $20,000.00.
jeff 4:23PM (11/19/2009)
The GTR may handle better but its not a drivers car. It handles because the computers are doing all the work, a 5 year old could go fast in a GTR.
I'd take the GT500 all day every day even though its slower, it takes some skill to hustle one around a track.
some1 7:40PM (11/19/2009)
There are people here that will take the GTR because of its press, its numbers, its sky high limits in terms of track ability, and its gizmo's but im pritty sure 90% of people would NEVER take their brand new 70+ k car to the track in fear that something bad would happen, and guess what, you wave your insurance when you do that kinda stuff.
Then theres the GT500, and some will pick this because of its past, its raw potential, its manual transmission, because its a ford, or (for me) its clumbsyness by comparison. The difference is this car has soul no matter what you do with it. Driving down the street, taking it to the drag, or even dare i say tracking it for those 10%, it would still be a riot to drive.
Like i have said, theres a difference between the "best" and the most "fun" sometimes they are the same, but not always.
personally, i would take this over a lambo or an prancing horse... but hey thats just me.
Chris O 1:30AM (11/20/2009)
I've never been much of a Mustang guy, but I certainly respect the GT500. I drove one, and basically I found the whole experience just a little too raw. I like to autocross, and that really rewards smoothness over raw power. I have a GT-R, a Z06, and a track-only 300ZX as my toys.
For anyone that says that a GT-R is like playing a video game, all I can say is this: drive one. If you drive one and don't have a blast, then you aren't doing it right. My 300ZX and Z06 demand your full attention when pushed on a track. The same can be said for the GT-R, but only once you get up to 9/10's or higher.
Lar7789789 8:51PM (11/19/2009)
Vettro07
1:34PM (11/19/2009)
I would agree I don't think that they appeal to the same type of driver. In my opinion neither one is very attractive and would buy something else in both price ranges (GTR is far uglier). I would never drive a performance car without a standard 6 speed transmission. For a fun car you need a manual...for a track day car you want paddle-shift. I don't see a paddle-shift as being a real drivers car, but more like a real race car drivers car. For me there is something special about connecting to a car with a stick...left hand on the steering wheel, right hand on the shift knob, left foot on the clutch, and right foot on the gas...every part of you is linked with the car...it's fantastic.
If I saw a GTR in my driveway I would say " Dang I should have bought Z06"
Really thats funny, I think the Mustang is by far one of the best looking cars out there without being too over the top.
The Corvette is just plain and boring looking and not very attractice, and the Camaro is too cartoonish too be attractive.
Lar7789789 8:59PM (11/19/2009)
Vettro07
1:34PM (11/19/2009)
I would agree I don't think that they appeal to the same type of driver. In my opinion neither one is very attractive and would buy something else in both price ranges (GTR is far uglier). I would never drive a performance car without a standard 6 speed transmission. For a fun car you need a manual...for a track day car you want paddle-shift. I don't see a paddle-shift as being a real drivers car, but more like a real race car drivers car. For me there is something special about connecting to a car with a stick...left hand on the steering wheel, right hand on the shift knob, left foot on the clutch, and right foot on the gas...every part of you is linked with the car...it's fantastic.
If I saw a GTR in my driveway I would say " Dang I should have bought Z06"
Yea right, the Mustang is way better looking than a Corvette. The Corvette is plain and boring looking next to a Mustang GT500
Lar7789789 9:03PM (11/19/2009)
GT500 ALL THE WAY!!!!!
esteva03 9:30PM (11/19/2009)
i get you. i really do. i love the gtr. but this question has given me an insight to myself. i actually like te mustang enough to not want the gtr. i didn't know this!!! if it were the NSX there would be no chance. with a porche i wouldn't even read the other car. . . but i didn't know this till i took this pool. i like the mustang 2010 more than a GTR. . . AMAZING.
Randy 9:51PM (11/19/2009)
So the question is.... Do you want to drive a car (GT500) or do you want to drive an appliance (GTR)!
There is a difference! Both cars a insane! But which do you DRIVE and which do you STEER!?
My pick is the GT500 - You drive it!
Jared 3:00AM (11/20/2009)
No Z06?
Choices fail.