Go Toyota!

[surenj]

http://www.smh.com.au/drive/motor-news/japanese-supercar-to-shake-ferrari-lamborghini-and-porsche-20091021-h8es.html

[Killakoala]

Just like any Toyota, it will be mechanically brilliant but totally boring. Given the choice between the Toyota and an Aston, I will choose the Aston every time. (If I had the money)

Even broken down on the side of the road, the Aston will still look better. I am yet to see a 'pretty' Japanese car, one that makes me say WOW.

[gstark]

I'm with Steve on this.

The key with supercars is that they have personality. What ever happened to Honda's NSX?

There is no Toyota with personality. The closest, I guess, might be the Yaris, which simply was given a good whacking with the ugly stick. Lindy nearly bought one a couple of years back, but I suspect that my observation that one would be embarrassed to be seeing getting into or out of one, might have affected her decision making processes.

[Wink]

The R35 GTR is a good argument for a nice Japanese car. Massive BFYB!

[aim54x]

The R35 GTR is a good argument for a nice Japanese car

Sorry I'd take something with a bit more character and a bit less hoon. I have to stand with Gary and Steve on this one.

[Wink]

Each to their own.
For me i think that when it comes to high end performance cars then the focus is more on performance than character.
I'd find the choice extremely hard! Aston Martin's are some of the best looking cars on the roads. The Veyron is the ultimate car but looks a bit so so. Would i still like one? Absolutely! I could forgive the cosmetics in exchange for what it delivers.

[gstark]

The R35 GTR is a good argument for a nice Japanese car.

No. That would be the Datsun 1600. Probably the best car to ever be made in Japan. Handsome, good power to weight ratio, very well engineered.

For me i think that when it comes to high end performance cars then the focus is more on performance than character.

The operative term being your statement of "for me".

The term "performance" infers way more than just straight line speed. A true performance car can go very quickly in a straight line, but it also needs to be able to stop very quickly, and, shock horror, it also should be able to negotiate corners at high speed.

With a supercar, there is still more, and this is where Ferrari truly comes into its own: each component is a work of art, unto itself. Brake calipers. Engine cylinders. Even the block.

A Ferrari is a celebration of form and function, with masterful design. Other cars may go faster, but if you're driving a Ferrari, you really don't give a damn. The drivers of those ostensibly faster cars are still looking at you1

I'd find the choice extremely hard! Aston Martin's are some of the best looking cars on the roads.

Aston Martins are very nice, and the current crop of Jags are too. Which Japanese car would you like to say competes with them? Which Japanese car can match the beautiful lines of an XK?

And we still come back to Ferrari: the Modena is a modern classic; it's already about 10 years old, but is still of such classic beauty, and that is where the true test lies: how will the car be regarded ten years hence? 30 years hence? How gracefully will the car age?

Mini Coopers from the 60s have aged very well, as has the orignal Volvo P1800. The current Minis don't come close, and Ford's reincarnation of the P1800 is still just a Ford.

The new Ferrari California is very bloody nice, and I suspect that it will become a modern classic, just as its namesake from the late 50s remains my favourite car ever made.

So, getting back to your point, how fondly do you honestly think the GTR will be remembered 50 years hence? How fondly will this new Toyota be remembered 50 years hence? I suspect that neither of these cars possess anything that will make them a future classic.

Let me put this a different way for you: of these three cars, the GTR, the Toyota, and the new Ferrari California, which of those would you buy, today, in the hope that in 50 years time you could sell it, perhaps for no less than the price you paid for it?

[sirhc55]

I actually like the look of the Lexus.

When I was 24 I could never image what the song “When I’m 64” could mean. Now I am 64 and can look at this Lexus and can see who it has been made for, someone who is 24 and not 64

[Reschsmooth]

Unfortunately, GTRs are associated with a different driving/owning crowd than your 'standard' super-car. If not for that, I would happily take one.

Ferraris (particularly the more recent ones) are a little so-so for me. Again, I find them too ostentatious.

Again, for me, my two makes of choice (ignoring the Veyron) are Porsche 911 and Aston Martin. Regarding the former, having been driven around Eastern Creek circuit at race speed in both a GT3 and the Turbo, knowing that they advertise their 0-100 kph but also their 100-0 kph (both numbers being remarkable), and just the beautiful lines and finish, make this the car I will buy once I reach certain goals (Alicia has okayed it ). Besides, they are Alex's favourate car (he has two 911s).

Of course, all of this would be left by the side of the road if I am in a position to purchase the 1955 SL300 Gull-Wing. Nothing comes close to personality, except, maybe, the 1956 Porsche 356A....then again, nah - the SL300 is the best looking car ever, ever made, and if anyone disagrees, they are wrong.

[gstark]

and if anyone disagrees, they are wrong.

Selling the Nikons, too?

[photohiker]

The Ferraris are definitely hand made. I saw one at a panel shop a couple of years ago that was waiting for the LH headlight mounting bracket to come from Italy. The factory had sent 4 different brackets and none of them fitted. The Panel Beater was rather annoyed to be told by the factory that he had to modify the factory part to fit the car.

At least the Japanese don't suffer from that particular disease.

Ferraris are a beautiful thing as long as someone else owns it. I'd take a Porsche any day for great looks, performance and reliability. Well, any Porsche except for that SUV mess and the new cringe worthy Panamera sedan.

Michael

[Reschsmooth]

and if anyone disagrees, they are wrong.

Selling the Nikons, too?

Too witty for me this Friday afternoon, Gary.

[surenj]

I think the classic Toyota vs others come in to play because Toyota's are also significantly cheaper.

In this case, they seem to be charging premium for this one> $500,000. I think the pressure would be on for them to deliver. Surely they have to hand make the parts?? If it's all factory made, the Ferrari will be better value! ?

[Wink]

The R35 isn't a supercar. However, it is a fine example of a Japanese car.

Gary, i actually do think the R35 will be remembered in 50 years because GTR's don't come along all that often and the R35 offers so much for so little.

The "for me" comment wasn't by accident. Cars are a very personal thing and everyone has different tastes.

As far as supercars though i'd decline all of the options you gave me. My money would be waiting for the McLaren MP4-12C. It's a big leap forward compared to what's currently available.

If this little fantasy was actually real and i was actually trying to decide what car to buy i wouldn't have any supercars on the short list because they aren't really cars you can drive every day. Now, i'm talking real supercars here. Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin etc etc all make performance cars but supercars are the next level.

In the real world i'll just have to get by with my 370kw XR6 Turbo. If only it handled and stopped as well as some of these we've talked about.

[Wink]

The latest Motor magazine has a road test of this car.
They said it's impressive, but falls a little short in a couple of areas.
It's just slower than a R35.