Why my LS430 made my hate my GT-R
12-29-15 | 05:11 PM
#19
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
If money is not a concern, here's my suggestion:
BMW X5M
ML 63 AMG
Lexus LX with TRD SC
On a budget:
Acura MDX
Audi Q7
Lexus GX
This list will help you get around with a baby in tow. Diaper changes in an SUV is so much easier than using the trunk in a sedan. The extra space will be a blessing in disguise when lugging around baby gear as well. I would keep the GT-R for those times you and the Mrs. need to get some R&R while the baby is with a sitter.
BMW X5M
ML 63 AMG
Lexus LX with TRD SC
On a budget:
Acura MDX
Audi Q7
Lexus GX
This list will help you get around with a baby in tow. Diaper changes in an SUV is so much easier than using the trunk in a sedan. The extra space will be a blessing in disguise when lugging around baby gear as well. I would keep the GT-R for those times you and the Mrs. need to get some R&R while the baby is with a sitter.
12-30-15 | 05:25 AM
#21
Thanks for all your input guys! I figured some of my experiences could potentially help / guide future owners of these cars. I ended up trading in the GT-R for another AMG... I told myself I wouldn't buy another one, but the CPO and pre-paid maintenance put my worries aside. Check it out:
Video of exhaust note:
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Mast...hfp4r.mp4.html
Video of exhaust note:
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Mast...hfp4r.mp4.html
12-31-15 | 07:23 AM
#25
The GTR is really just a transition or stepping stone car. Most people buy it for the high HP or performance aspect but once that novelty wears off, the car is ready to be sold. It's a rather cheap quality car in terms of build and the earlier models had some big issues for me that I could never overlook. I know some of you own one so hope you don't get too offended but I never liked the GTR.
My buddy just picked up a 2015 and he loves his but we'll see how long he keeps it.
In your situation, get rid of the GTR and get a F80 m3. It will do 95% of what your GTR does and have some comfort level you have learned to expect from the LS. M5 would be another good choice if you want to be around $100k. Forget the AMG cars, never a fan of those and once out of warranty, they will be expensive to maintain. The good thing about buying an AMG is their residual value is horrible so you can get a 1 year old car for roughly 40% off.
My buddy just picked up a 2015 and he loves his but we'll see how long he keeps it.
In your situation, get rid of the GTR and get a F80 m3. It will do 95% of what your GTR does and have some comfort level you have learned to expect from the LS. M5 would be another good choice if you want to be around $100k. Forget the AMG cars, never a fan of those and once out of warranty, they will be expensive to maintain. The good thing about buying an AMG is their residual value is horrible so you can get a 1 year old car for roughly 40% off.
12-31-15 | 12:24 PM
#27
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,592
Likes: 28
From: TN
The GTR is really just a transition or stepping stone car. Most people buy it for the high HP or performance aspect but once that novelty wears off, the car is ready to be sold. It's a rather cheap quality car in terms of build and the earlier models had some big issues for me that I could never overlook. I know some of you own one so hope you don't get too offended but I never liked the GTR.
My buddy just picked up a 2015 and he loves his but we'll see how long he keeps it.
In your situation, get rid of the GTR and get a F80 m3. It will do 95% of what your GTR does and have some comfort level you have learned to expect from the LS. M5 would be another good choice if you want to be around $100k. Forget the AMG cars, never a fan of those and once out of warranty, they will be expensive to maintain. The good thing about buying an AMG is their residual value is horrible so you can get a 1 year old car for roughly 40% off.
My buddy just picked up a 2015 and he loves his but we'll see how long he keeps it.
In your situation, get rid of the GTR and get a F80 m3. It will do 95% of what your GTR does and have some comfort level you have learned to expect from the LS. M5 would be another good choice if you want to be around $100k. Forget the AMG cars, never a fan of those and once out of warranty, they will be expensive to maintain. The good thing about buying an AMG is their residual value is horrible so you can get a 1 year old car for roughly 40% off.
Yeah I never have liked the GTR either, for the quality reasons you mentioned. Don't like the styling or how damn big it is either.
But my main reason is I don't love the technology. I respect it, yes it is an awesome machine. But give me something that isn't like driving a video game, that doesn't have 10 different display screens with 1,000 electronic adjustments. I'd much rather have a new C7 Vette, even a base model, over a GT-R.
Its an analogue car if you want it to be, manual gearbox, you can switch off the excellent traction/stability control if you want and just go do donuts, be stupid and compeletely destroy a $1000 set of tires in 2 minutes if you want to. Plus it has a lot tech from the Corvette race team built in, which has just dominated ALMS series for the past 15 years.
As to the OP, congrats on the new AMG Benz. If I wanted a really fast car with all the latest tech, the Benz is basically the same ethos as the GT-R with a much better sounding V8 under the hood in a practical body style. Like you said, you get all the speed and tech from the GT-R in a much more livable(and IMO prettier) package.
01-01-16 | 04:43 AM
#28
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,448
Likes: 2
From: Japan
01-01-16 | 10:28 AM
#29
Always been a fan of AMG cars. Congrats on the new purchase. You got the best color combo IMO.
We did some work on a dark grey E63 a few months ago, beautiful car.
A previous customer had a jet black E63 that he ended up taking to AMS for performance upgrades and word was he was making in the area of 800hp on that thing when they were done. An AWD sedan with that kind of power is truly a wolf in sheep's skin. Very badass!
We did some work on a dark grey E63 a few months ago, beautiful car.
A previous customer had a jet black E63 that he ended up taking to AMS for performance upgrades and word was he was making in the area of 800hp on that thing when they were done. An AWD sedan with that kind of power is truly a wolf in sheep's skin. Very badass!
01-01-16 | 12:23 PM
#30
Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: TX
Hello, Lexus LS 430. Goodbye, Nissan GT-R.
Hello, Lexus LS 430. Goodbye, Nissan GT-R.
When forum member <em>DONT SLEEP</em> bought a 118,000-mile 2003 Lexus LS 430 as a winter car, his GT-R's trade-offs made him see the sedan as more than just something to keep road salt off of his Nissan-badged road rocket.
Read the rest on the ClubLexus.com homepage. >>
When forum member <em>DONT SLEEP</em> bought a 118,000-mile 2003 Lexus LS 430 as a winter car, his GT-R's trade-offs made him see the sedan as more than just something to keep road salt off of his Nissan-badged road rocket.
Read the rest on the ClubLexus.com homepage. >>