Daily driving a GTR.....Reality vs wishful thinking
#31
09-27-2011 | 12:18 PM
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If the touch points on both clutches are not set right, the GR6 bucks pretty hard.
REK - have you had your touch points adjusted at all, during your ownership?
I'm asking, because you and I have had our R35's for about the same period of time (Aug '08). I remember the pre-LC2 reprogram - both of my touch points were set to 0/0, when previously they were 0/-2 (I believe), which gives some creep. But when I had 0/0, it felt like a torque converter set at 1250RPMs, and I had to be on throttle, and then launch at 1250 every time (very frustrating uphill).
Anyway, I know that the GR6 can be adjusted quite a bit, and I was wondering if you think that more creep would have smoothed out your experience? Also, the touch point of the other clutch would make the 2nd gear change smoother as well. Basically, I'm suggesting that the touch points can be set in quite a range, that you may have been able to find something more livable (softer). I know that my touch points were adjusted again (two years ago), and shifts 2,4,6 are pretty heavy, and lunge the car forward. But because I drove it in other settings, I know this can be undone.
REK - have you had your touch points adjusted at all, during your ownership?
I'm asking, because you and I have had our R35's for about the same period of time (Aug '08). I remember the pre-LC2 reprogram - both of my touch points were set to 0/0, when previously they were 0/-2 (I believe), which gives some creep. But when I had 0/0, it felt like a torque converter set at 1250RPMs, and I had to be on throttle, and then launch at 1250 every time (very frustrating uphill).
Anyway, I know that the GR6 can be adjusted quite a bit, and I was wondering if you think that more creep would have smoothed out your experience? Also, the touch point of the other clutch would make the 2nd gear change smoother as well. Basically, I'm suggesting that the touch points can be set in quite a range, that you may have been able to find something more livable (softer). I know that my touch points were adjusted again (two years ago), and shifts 2,4,6 are pretty heavy, and lunge the car forward. But because I drove it in other settings, I know this can be undone.
#32
09-27-2011 | 12:24 PM
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I actually did adjust the touch points using the Cobb. I am not saying the transmission was horrible, one just needed to gently engage it before driving from a full stop and then there was no bucking. I did not sell it because of the GR6, I felt it was 3 years old and I it was time for a change. In addition I did not want to spend big bucks if the transmission failed on a 3+ year old car.
I've driven a PDK for quite some time (C2S for a couple months, Turbo for 4 weeks). I have found that the gear changes seem a bit smoother (almost like an automatic), but I've experienced this at some point in the GT-R as well. It wasn't until I complained about the bucking in Feb '09 did I get the adjustments done to 'liven' up the gearbox (damn thing hits me in the back on upshifts).
#36
10-08-2011 | 07:44 AM
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I'm taking my 9yr old daughter, 5 yr old son, and my 11month old rottweiler to the park in 15 minutes...
But my 15 yr old son joins us sometimes (the dog then sits on someone's lap).
But my 15 yr old son joins us sometimes (the dog then sits on someone's lap).
#37
10-08-2011 | 01:45 PM
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Maximum driver size is inversely proportional to rear passenger size.
Rear passenger size is directly proportional to driver muscle cramps experienced.
Rear passengers over 64 inches tall cannot wear neck braces.
What's my point, well it is really cramped inside with more than two people. Also traveling any longer than 30 minutes may be comparable to water-boarding!
Rear passenger size is directly proportional to driver muscle cramps experienced.
Rear passengers over 64 inches tall cannot wear neck braces.
What's my point, well it is really cramped inside with more than two people. Also traveling any longer than 30 minutes may be comparable to water-boarding!
#38
10-08-2011 | 08:45 PM
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By the way - just drove my GT-R in DC for a week... Did not enjoy it. Not sure if it was because of the car, or because I wanted to take those on/off ramps at 60mph, and somebody was always doing 15mph.
Majority of the time, I was traveling 25mph on interstates (or 0mph). I don't know if there is any car that make this more enjoyable...
I missed Fayetteville's proximation of traffic.
Majority of the time, I was traveling 25mph on interstates (or 0mph). I don't know if there is any car that make this more enjoyable...
I missed Fayetteville's proximation of traffic.
#39
10-09-2011 | 06:07 AM
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Any car CAN be used as a daily driver particularly if you are petrol-head.
But, I found that when I had my GTR (for over a year including tracking at the 'ring etc) that whilst I loved my car when I wanted a fun drive somewhere on backroads, with friends or for events it was not something I used every day.
If I walked out the front door and chose which car to drive, if it was for a short local drive, going shopping, or taking kids, I would jump into my Alpina B5 instead.
The back seats in the GTR are a terrible design, for small kids they cannot get their feet into the footwells as the seat is far too deep (unlike a 911) and for adults there's no headroom. With a 6 foot driver, the front seats nearly touch the backs.
It's also not a car that's comfortable driving slowly, it really wants to be going fast and so driving in traffic at slower speeds become frustrating.
My GTR would destroy my Alpina B5 on track or on twisty roads, but to be honest in 95% of driving the B5 was the far better car. (The B5 is a supercharged BMW 5 series with 500hp, proper autobox and 195mph top speed for those unaware.)
But, I found that when I had my GTR (for over a year including tracking at the 'ring etc) that whilst I loved my car when I wanted a fun drive somewhere on backroads, with friends or for events it was not something I used every day.
If I walked out the front door and chose which car to drive, if it was for a short local drive, going shopping, or taking kids, I would jump into my Alpina B5 instead.
The back seats in the GTR are a terrible design, for small kids they cannot get their feet into the footwells as the seat is far too deep (unlike a 911) and for adults there's no headroom. With a 6 foot driver, the front seats nearly touch the backs.
It's also not a car that's comfortable driving slowly, it really wants to be going fast and so driving in traffic at slower speeds become frustrating.
My GTR would destroy my Alpina B5 on track or on twisty roads, but to be honest in 95% of driving the B5 was the far better car. (The B5 is a supercharged BMW 5 series with 500hp, proper autobox and 195mph top speed for those unaware.)
#40
10-10-2011 | 06:33 AM
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By the way - just drove my GT-R in DC for a week... Did not enjoy it. Not sure if it was because of the car, or because I wanted to take those on/off ramps at 60mph, and somebody was always doing 15mph.
Majority of the time, I was traveling 25mph on interstates (or 0mph). I don't know if there is any car that make this more enjoyable...
I missed Fayetteville's proximation of traffic.
Majority of the time, I was traveling 25mph on interstates (or 0mph). I don't know if there is any car that make this more enjoyable...
I missed Fayetteville's proximation of traffic.
#41
10-10-2011 | 07:18 AM
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But I only have 5 lights seperating me from my home office, which is why, perhaps, I don't mind the daily commute.
Anything in Fayetteville is only 10 minutes away (pretty much everything).
The thing that is good about the GT-R as a daily vehicle, is the trunk space. It is about the same as my old BMW 3 series (if not wider). I couldn't put half the crap in my 996, that I can fit in that big butt-of-a-trunk.
#42
10-10-2011 | 08:48 AM
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Where I live now, the closest stop light is 3 miles west, 10 miles north and 30 miles east, with posted speeds of 45 to 65 mph. I retired my bicycle
#44
10-17-2011 | 03:31 PM
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I think when you ask this question you really need to split it into 3 categories:
A) Maintenance costs
B) Fuel Economy
C) Ride/handling characteristics
Each person has a different tolerance for each of the above correct?
I have a buddy who has his GTR and only drives it 10 miles per day if even and yes for that it makes a daily driver. But if your idea of a DD is a commuter for 100+ miles per day in traffic, plus kids (aka baby seat), hauling gear, etc. then forget it.
I do not own a GTR and he let me borrow it for a few days. My impression is awesome car since I don't have to pay anything. But add up tires, fuel economy and the actual dealer maintenance costs and it's surely no cheap DD!!!
P.S. I came from a B5 S4 when I lived in the midwest (hence my SN) and that is a true DD, the GTR is not so don't kid yourself. This is the same as guys who think they want to DD a NSX, it just doesn't happen!
A) Maintenance costs
B) Fuel Economy
C) Ride/handling characteristics
Each person has a different tolerance for each of the above correct?
I have a buddy who has his GTR and only drives it 10 miles per day if even and yes for that it makes a daily driver. But if your idea of a DD is a commuter for 100+ miles per day in traffic, plus kids (aka baby seat), hauling gear, etc. then forget it.
I do not own a GTR and he let me borrow it for a few days. My impression is awesome car since I don't have to pay anything. But add up tires, fuel economy and the actual dealer maintenance costs and it's surely no cheap DD!!!
P.S. I came from a B5 S4 when I lived in the midwest (hence my SN) and that is a true DD, the GTR is not so don't kid yourself. This is the same as guys who think they want to DD a NSX, it just doesn't happen!
Last edited by s4play; 10-17-2011 at 03:34 PM. Reason: typos
