Modern Lifestyles SUMMER 2015 | Page 88

This car guy’s dream machine So much has been written about the Nissan GT-R it’s tough to actually sit here and try to come up with something original. I could talk about zero-to-60 and quarter-mile times, skid pad ratings and all the other things that go with a performance car. But if you follow me, you know that’s not my style. So why bother? THE CAR EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT 2016 NISSAN GT-R Instead, let’s simply talk about what it’s like when you have an opportunity to live with one for entire three days. And let me tell, you what a memorable 72 hours. Before picking up the car, I failed to appreciate the magnitude of driving a GT-R. Every stoplight, every parking lot … everywhere I went, the red GT-R took center stage. People who are not big into cars and didn’t even know quite what the car was were impressed with the sound, style and lines of the car. It was a conversation-starter like no other. This thing has got plenty of power, great handling and incredible sound. I’d taken maybe six or seven people for a ride in it and they all agreed it was an amazing automobile. When you take into consideration that it’s only around $100,000, there is nothing in its category that could even come close to the performance you get out of the GT-R for the money. In Normal Mode, it drives like a sports coupe should, with plenty of power and just plain old fun. And there is Comfort Mode, to soften the suspension a little. There is a Save Mode, which helps with fuel economy (snicker). But who cares about all that? After all, R mode is just three independent switches away. Hold each one up for two seconds until the red light comes on … three red lights and the GT-R is armed and ready. 86 ModernLifestyles.tv WORDS JIM SHERMAN