[The Tony Show]

Disclaimer: If anyone on here happens to like the GT-R, I'll extend my apologies now... I know everyone isn't the same and I'm just commenting on repeated experiences with several other GT-R fans.

But seriously... can someone shed some light on this phenomena? Is it because many buy them to compensate for this, that, or some other... so subsequently they feel an "attack" on their GT-R is a purposeful attack on their insecurities? Who knows... but it's just weird that they get so completely outraged and defensive when someone questions its capabilities.

I honestly think though, that an GT-R is one of the ultimate "poseur" vehicles. This is a rare occasion where I can say that I truly respect those who buy one merely for its "show-off" factor... but I can't understand how some believe that they are top-notch racing vehicles that have a well balanced chassis instead of just some amazing computers to compensate for the understeer and weight. I constantly hear from those with that point of view that a GT-R more than belongs in the same league as a Porsche, and will then also usually put down a Corvette.

I really don't get it at all. How can someone make the claim that a GT-R has a well balanced design when it drives like a pig with the aids turned off, and is numb and hard to break loose with them on? Can someone please explain this... because unless I'm totally missing something, GT-Rs are built on the old FM platform, correct? And while they'll then counter with it being a "highly modified" version of the FM (now called the PM)... as far as I can tell... the biggest difference being that it uses carbon injection in front frame and composite underneath for downforce.... Even the (not so) "heavy" modifications are counterproductive for a neutral handling vehicle... the turbos and transfer cases and all of it adds up to entirely too much weight for balanced performance... I've never met any serious road racer who would find such mass to be beneficial and want a car that only handles well with the electronic nannies left on. A well designed car drives better with them off.

I firmly believe that the GT-R is a fast, good handling and impressive car, but I wouldn't call them bona fide track monsters. Because of which... it seems to me that an GT-R is still nothing more than a highly modified AWD 350Z with a heavy modification in marketing. I'm sure many of you have seen the video of the Keiichi Tsuchiya calling the car "nose heavy" and "ponderous" with the computer aids turned off.

So in all honesty... am I the only one who doesn't see it? Am I the only one who thinks it's ridiculous to put a souped up Nissan amongst vehicles such as a 911?

I guess my bottom line is that it's perfectly acceptable to own one for the sake of making some sort of varied statement... there are a lot of cars that do the same... But as a serious track monster and a "true" exotic car? That's just a bit delusional IMO.