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Question for Sutcliffe:money no object, not only car which would you have...Scuderia or GT-R? How do they compare on track (7.29 for the GT-R you know where)

When Alain Prost test drove them back to back in Vairano, the Scuderia was more than 2 sec per lap quicker than the GTR and a couple of tenths quicker than the GT2 and the 560-4, all of which were much faster than the Nissan both in a straight line and around the track. Prost didn't like the GT-R and said that the Nurburgring time was highly doubtful.

Thanks for the answer! Do you believe it is quicker than th 911 Turbo and GT3 on road and track as most of the testers say? I had an original Gallardo which had a lot of low speed understeer on the road. Trying the GT-R at the Nurburgring on Sept.24th. May have to cancel the order.

ps..haven't found a more enjoyable road car than my 3 year old V10 M5

Yes, nearly all tests concur that the GTR is considerably quicker than the 911 Turbo (997TT) in a track and probably on the road as well. The GT3 is a special case. Under circumstances it could be quicker than a GTR but as a daily driver, the Nissan has much more usable performance and all weather grip. In a recent track test that R&T performed (www.roadandtrack.com) the GTR ranked 3rd behind the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 (a very differente beast to the original tame Gallardo, like the one you had) and the Viper ACR 10. The GTR was much slower than the GT2 on some tests, even though it was overall a bit better due to its very well rounded manners; the GT2 needs special conditions to showcase its power advantage. In a straight line though there is no comparisson. All of the aforementioned cars (and the Scuderia of course), except the GT3, are much quicker than the GTR. The 911 Turbo Tiptronic is a second quicker than the GTR in the 0-120 mph run for example.

Thanks again. Sounds like the GT-R is pretty good then, especially with its enormous price advantage, decent packaging and all weather potential.(I live mainly in Switzerland;plenty of snow). The Scuderia seems to be the unanimous choice as the number one sportscar though. I enjoyed my 360 but never liked the 550 and recently did 500 kilometers in a 599 which I also didn't like, but the straight line acceleration was really impressive. Wonder how the ZR1 will compare, again with a considerable price advantage?

Funny thing you did not like the 599. Never heard anyone else not liking it. Perhaps you are the Scuderia mide engine/hardcore type, which is a rther excellent driving personality if I may add. ;) The ZR1 will, in most probability, be behind the 599. The Yanks of R&T managed a rather unbelievable 3.2 sec 0-60mph run for the 599. That Enzo engine, even de-tuned, is hard to beat.

Interestingly (or not) I actually felt the 612 handled better on the road, at least I felt more confident to lean on it! I guess I don't like front engined shortish wheel base sportscars, especially pointy ones like the 599...or maybe I shoudn't have watched Tiff Needell driving it with the ESP off. The gearbox, though, was very impressive compared to the 360, Lambo and the quite awful M5 box (although that and the terrible range still don't detract too much from a great car)

The 612 is more benign, perhaps that' s why you liked it more than the more hard core 599. The 599 can be intimidating when the CTS is turned off and so can the 430. The 612 with the softer suspension set-up and longer wheelbase is friendlier.

pdlst:

Question for Sutcliffe:money no object, not only car which would you have...Scuderia or GT-R? How do they compare on track (7.29 for the GT-R you know where)

Has Sutcliffe ever written in these forums?

I sense some forummers are somewhat optimistic when they think the Autocar staffers monitor this closely.  (though some staffer such as Mike Duff and Chas Hallet do reply (plus James on the used car thread of course!))

If you want a car for the track- why go for either of these??

Get a Caterham, Ariel or something and save yourself a packet!!

I'd have the GTR for sure

Jimmydrama:

I'd have the GTR for sure