I currently own evo X, but lately I started noticing that the stock engine is not producing enough horses for me. Thus I am contemplating whether or not I should invest 15-20k into some serious tuning or get a new ride altogether? My main choice is nissan GTR. As you all know it is also AWD, but has much more power (especially the latest models 2012). Now from a personal experience, which one of the two would be the best daily driver? I do not have kids, so a 2-door sedan is perfectly fine with me. My only concern is the driveability on the track and on the streets in any season. Winter especially, even though GTR is AWD, how does it handle compared to a rally car? As an evo owner, I can say that I feel glued to the road practically on any surface (with proper tires), but I never drove a GTR in snow.
Thanks.
It may be personal preference... but
I bought an MR so I can daily without having to worry about spending mucho dinero on maintenance program on GTR....and I have 2012 edition.
It is pretty bad idea to have GTR as daily and trust me on that. Unless you have boat load of cash around I would say just keep the Evo for DD.
It feels like a dejavu because I think I have answered someone's question just like this before.
And as for handling on daily driver form...you won't get a "big" upgrade from Evo at all. Rather, evo feels more connected at least in GSR form. Also ride is bit softer in GTR due to the suspension mode and the seat. I have both GSR and MR and ride on these babies are really bad for my back. GTR is surprisingly softer and can firm it up with touch of button.
Maintenance wise..be prepare to pay big money on tires. Although Evo's stock tire cost a lot, you do have option to put All season for pretty reasonable price. But with GTR you have to shall out tires on 20 inches.. and you won't find many makers. I haven't driven GTR out in snow with snow tires but many owners praised that it is very very good.
There are couple of owners who DD it and regret it every since. Most of them will argue that it will cost fortune to pay those bills. You also have to think about POS at 12k miles, 24k and 36k. It is basically free but after that miles you have to pay another 1k+ for each inspections. And at some point you may have to pay for the transmission fluid, and they cost about 500-800 depends on where you get it and who changes it.
For brakes, if you take it to the dealership it's about 10k..for rotors and pads. If you supply your own you will spend about $3k-5k for aftermarket parts for rotors and pads. Other than that there isn't "much" needed and tires about 2500-3000 for winter tires and summer tires about the same but it will last you 10k-12k miles if you baby it.
If there is a transmission problem DCT is about 20k....well Evo MR is about 10k it seems like...
But would I own for DD? Yes I would..but I don't want to spend that much money to just DD it. As for me, driving on weekend is fine for me. But I think EVO is absolute blast for DD.
Oh and you can't quite speed with GTR everyday because you will be cop's favorite target. And you won't be able to park anywhere because everyone will come out and take pictures of your car. You will feel really frustrated because bunch of teens will take pictures of your car while tailgating you... It is very peaceful driving Evo for me..except for kids wanting to race me. :dancebanana: