CRAZY FAST GT-R

Thanks to Edmunds.com's Inside Line, we now have acceleration times for the Nissan GT-R. Granted, 0-60mph isn't everything. Sometimes it's misleading; pointless; and impossible to replicate.


However..... the GT-R hit 60 in 3.3 seconds at a test track in Japan. As far as Edmunds.com's testing goes, that's faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, and Dodge Viper. Does 0-60 testing matter?

We're talking about some of the highest performing cars in the world. The GT-R races to 60 in a Ferrari 599 at a fraction of the price, but does so in style and with plenty of technology. It also does so with the Nissan version of launch control - the engine computer holding revs at 4,500rpm until the driver releases the brake - without which the GT-R needs 4.0 seconds to hit the magic number.

Again, does 0-60 testing matter? Does cupholder counting in a minivan make any difference? What about the ultimate fuel efficiency of subcompacts or the trailer-towing capability of pickup trucks? Everything needs context, and when the context is Z06, SRT10, GT-R, and 911..... yes, 0-60 testing is worth the bother.

By the way, the GT-R ran the quarter in 11.6 seconds at 120.9mph. Expect the American car mags (Car&Driver, MotorTrend) to have a chance at topping these Inside Line numbers.

CANADA'S ecoAUTO REBATE

The Government of Canada's initiative to put more people into fuel efficient vehicles by giving them money sees a rearranging of models for year 2008. The list, with the cashback value, is below.

$2000
Toyota Prius
Honda Civic Hybrid
smart fortwo (coupe and convertible)
Ford Escape Hybrid (front and all-wheel drive)
Saturn Vue Hybrid

$1500
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Nissan Altima Hybrid
Toyota Highlander Hybrid

$1000
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Yaris (hatch and sedan)
Mini Cooper (and Clubman)
Honda Civic (coupe and sedan)
Honda Fit
Lexus RX400h
Jeep Compass (2.0L w/CVT and 2.4L manual tranny)
Jeep Patriot (2.0L w/CVT and 2.4L manual-tranny)
Chevrolet HHR
Nissan Rogue

FLEX FUEL VEHICLES $1000
Chevrolet Impala
Dodge Avenger
Chrysler Sebring

RUSSIAN RENAULT

At one point will Lada just be a Russian Renault? Who knows.... but there is now a chance that AvtoVAZ's most infamous brand could be on the up-and-up. Renault just took hold of a 25% stake in the Russian group.

Why the interest from the French? Russia will be Europe's most lucrative market come next decade. Combine Renault with tag team partner Nissan and the new member of the family, and you've got 40% of the market share tied up. Nation-wide sales growth + 40% marketshare at present makes for plenty of money in the future.

Renault pumped out some other major news today in F1 circles, too. Oh, by the way, the brand of car I first drove? That'd be Lada. I was 3 years old, unable to reach the pedals. Steering was a bit lifeless and not terribly accurate, as I recall.

CDN COTY

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada has named their many cars of the year. AJAC doesn't like to herald the advent of one new vehicle more than another, it seems, and so the awards are split amongst mutliple - specific - categories. The category names do not remain stagnant. For more about the proceedings, visit this link. The various winners are below. Remember, The Good 12 debuts December 20th here at GoodCarBadCar.net and carries through until the end of 2007.

Saturn Astra, Honda Accord EX sedan, Mercedes-Benz C-class, Audi R8, Mini Cooper S, Audi S5, BMW 335i convertible, Hyundai Entourage, Chevrolet Silverado, Nissan Rogue, Saturn Vue, Buick Enclave.

SUPPLY & DEMAND

What does a high-value Japanese supercar have in common with a German city car and an American musclecar?

Well, apart from the fact that production of each car was originally signed off by European based personnel and the fact that all three have four wheels and prefer (or mandate) most of the power to transfer through the rear wheels - they also will be hard to find on dealer lots in 2008.

Dodge Challenger, smart fortwo, and Nissan GT-R. Dodge, at least as far as plans go, won't have enough cars to satisfy the buyers that are already confirmed. smart has way more orders than potential imports (frequently the case when smart enters a new market). Nissan is nearing the maximum order total; as they relate to their American-bound imports. In otherwords, wait times for the Challenger and GT-R could approach Ferrari levels, even as the lineup for fortwo's might grow longer in light of rising fuel prices.

CAR DESIGN PART I

So all the AutoCAD has got you down. Car styling ain't what it used to be. I remember when every new model year meant significant changes, say you. They didn't used to explain why it looked good, you just knew when you laid eyes on the car, say others.

Well, I wondered. And I wondered. And I wondered some more. And then I edited some pictures to (mainly) show the profile of a dozen or more vehicles. Plenty of people suggest that a typical midsize sedan, especially those built in Japan or America, or just carbon copies. The designer of the Nissan 350Z said, on that car's debut, that a car's design impact derives from a singular profile line.

I'm going to show you the profiles of multiple "family" cars, all priced under $30,000. Then you can look at the profiles of multiple mid-engined, high-dollar sports cars. Where has design evolved the most? Where has modernity struck heaviest? Who designs with cookie cutters? Which design group resides 'in the box'? Does anybody?

INEXPENSIVE FAMILY VEHICLES

MID-ENGINED SPORTS CARS

From the top: Citroen C5, Nissan Altima, Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, Saturn Astra, Koenigsegg CCX and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera.

GT-R - UK v Japan

With Nissan GT-R prices in Japan starting at the equivalent of about £34,000, Brits are wondering why on earth they'd buy an officially imported example from Nissan. The GT-R will likely cost over £60K in old Blighty, and after importing costs, a Japanese example wouldn't cost you much more than £45,000 or so.

Care for more Nissan GT-R articles?

What does Nissan UK have to say? Well, not only must Britons wait till 2009 for their first GT-R's to arrive; not only will they pay through the nose for the AWD, turbocharged V6 911-competitor, not only will they have but 300 to divide amongst themselves each year, but they must also wait for its high-dollar arrival because of the grey-import's poor radio reception.

Aha. We all knew that each and every buyer of Nissan's ultimate halo car was purchasing for one reason and one reason only: terrific AM/FM stability. Losing out on such a necessary feature (in a car that reaches 60mph in 3.5seconds and tops out on the exciting side of 190mph thanks to 473 horsepower) would be an incalculable loss.

ALTIMA/SENTRA RECALL

653,910 Nissan's, or thereabouts are under a recall relative to their sudden engine failure. Altima's and Sentra's with 2.5L four-cylinder powerplants from year's '02, '05, and '06 will need an ECU reprogramming. Nissan hopes to notify the affected by the 10th of next month.

9 MINUTES OF VIDEO OF THE NEW NISSAN 370Z

Nissan's 370Z replaces the 350Z that has been in place since 2003. It will  be quicker; it is better looking; and everyone has high expectations for the Z's handling.

Nissan has put together an extensive video for the new 370Z that you can watch below. For pictures and some recent Z talk, click here, or here, or here.

RUINED!

"Take a sad song and make it better", sang the Beatles. Ford decided to switch the lyrics to: "Take a pretty car and make it much worse".


I shan't be harsh. Ford's Verve sedan - the 4-door is a necessary body configuration to compete in China - has just debuted and it proves how adding a trunk can ruin a terrific body. Nevertheless, the Verve sedan is still a terrific looking automobile, just very awkwardly proportioned from some angles.

Chevy's latest Malibu is a much better car in every way when compared with its predecessor. Yet that car, the Malibu sedan, was taken to a new level of ugliness when stretched and fitted with a hatch. As if the front end hadn't been bad enough already, Chevrolet designers outdid themselves at the rear.


The story is much the same, but switched around, at Nissan. The Versa hatchback appears athletically honed and toned in the way a 6-foot tall, 120 pound 14 year-old boy deals with a basketball bouncing off his size 14 shoes. Then again, Nissan's late-coming Versa sedan appears athletic.... only in how it compares with a first time quarterback attempting to escape Michael Strahan.


Volkswagen's Golf/Rabbit/GTI doesn't stun you with its beauty or uniqueness. It does the job, however, and manages to offend few while cutting a clean line. Then again, the same car can be morphed into the Golf Plus Dune. Gross.


The Peugeot 206 was a very successful and cheeky French hatchback. The same French automaker managed to convert it into a dreadfully awful and dowdy 'saloon'.



Toyota imported the Echo sedan to North America and left every passerby with a bad taste in their mouth. How did such offensive bodywork escape the same design HQ as its companion, the Echo hatch?

CARS WE CARE ABOUT #3 - 27 PICTURES OF THE NISSAN 370Z

Every single angle of the new and improved Nissan Z has been improved, at least according to the glasses-wearing eyes of The Good Car Guy. Perhaps with some reservation, it should be pointed out that the rear end is still overly buxom, but that's not always a problem.

The blue and yellow paint colours used in most of the pictures you'll see below aren't favourites of GoodCarBadCar.net either. However, recently pointed out contrasts with Mazda's RX-8 show that paint colours aren't chief amongst the 370Z's worries. Three other cars worth caring about were fully gallerized today: here, and here, and here.

MOTOR TREND SAYS NISSAN GT-R IS CAR OF THE YEAR

Motor Trend's eligible participants list for its Car of the Year competition is long and welcoming. Gaining entry requires little but being: all-new or very seriously overhauled, on sale by the first day of next year in America, and 

Don't even attempt to find hidden meaning here. The Good Car Guy loves the Nissan GT-R, wants ten of them, and wants to drive them all hard. However, we knew the GT-R would be great and we knew that, for the price Nissan charges, it had better be great. Oh I know that the GT-R battles with cars significantly more expensive than we can imagine, but one can't argue with the fact that the average sale price of a new car in America is somewhere close to 2.5 times less than the GT-R's MSRP. Not only that; tens of millions of Americans won't be able to afford the purchase price of any new car this year. Moreover, Motor Trend gave its COTY title to the GT-R, the best car in the field and likely the most dominant of any of the seventeen competitors in their respective classes but also the most expensive car in the fleet. Surprise surprise, the GT-R is a great car. Thanks for letting out the secret Motor Trend.

So of course GoodCarBadCar.net won't put forth an argument suggesting that the GT-R shouldn't win COTY. Of course it should..... based on the criteria Motor Trend puts forth. It's the criteria that The Good Car Guy argues against. Take note of GoodCarBadCar's own The Good 12 where emphasis is placed on a fleet of vehicles that should be bought and enjoyed, a fleet of vehicles that are either remarkably affordable or within the reach of real people.

Contrary to the view John McCain held at the Saddleback Church forum, The Good Car Guy believes real people can't afford cars priced at $76,840 and even if they could, those people already know their cars rock and roll. They don't need Motor Trend to tell them that the Nissan GT-R is a more significant vehicle this year than the Hyundai Genesis, Dodge Challenger R/T, or Pontiac G8.

Other cars beaten by the GT-R included Acura's TL and TSX, the Audi A4, BMW 135i, Honda Fit, Jaguar XF, Lincoln MKS, Mazda 6, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac Vibe, Volkswagen Passat CC, and Toyota's duo of Corolla and Matrix.

Of the finalists, Motor Trend said the Acura TL had "an interesting personality on winding roads". Acura's TSX was summed up with "Polarizing design; tight rear-seat room; engine isn't big enough for everybody. For some, it maybe perfect." The bottom line for the Audi A4 was rather harsh for a finalist: "Still lacks the character of a 3 Series, the guts of a G37, and the value of a TL." MT said that the BMW 135i was "A legit player in the ultimate driving machine roster". The Honda Fit, said Motor Trend "Drives way better and packs far more than its minicar profile would suggest". 

The first genuine luxury car we see from Korea, Hyundai's Genesis "is at least as impressive today as the original Lexus LS 400 was when it was introduced". The lone British contestant in the final, the XF from Jaguar, was unsurprisingly summarized, "Oozes charm and character in a fresh-for-Jaguar package". Again unsurprisingly, the Mazda 6 was seen as  "A roomier four door midsizer that's more expressive than most". Finally the Volkswagen Passat CC was unfortunately compared with loftier vehicles: "Looks like a cut-rate Mercedes CLS, drives like a bargain Audi A4".

WHY DOESN'T MAZDA UPGRADE THE RX-8? NISSAN'S 370Z LOOKING MIGHTY

Horsepower isn't everything. It's just.... mostly everything. 

Steering feel, a Mazda RX-8 hallmark, along with incredible balance (another RX-8 trait) and spectacular shift quality - something Mazda always offers - helps make a sporting car great. Indeed, the Mazda RX-8 is a quick car with wonderful steering, incredible balance, and a near-perfect transmission. But the torqueless rotary is not only weak compared to the RX-8's most avid foe; it's also terribly inefficient.

In a year where Nissan is completely overhauling the 350Z and turning it into the 332-horsepower Nissan 370Z, a car that may be lighter and will definitely be faster with better-handling, Mazda tinkered with the RX-8. The horsepower differential stands at 100. Torque figures for the $31,930 RX-8 R3 are 13 lb-ft lower than that of the 370Z's little brother, the Sentra SE-R. No, not the Sentra SE-R Spec V, just the piddling SE-R. 

Despite a great degree of admiration for the RX-8 then, The Good Car Guy must speak out before the RX-8 becomes a quaint section of all the new car buyer's guides for the next four years. Something must be done. Horsepower isn't everything; but it's awfully vital. And while every RX-8 owner surely enjoys everything about their car (fuel efficiency excepted), potential RX-8 owners will surely be turned on by the 370Z's amazingly powerful V6 and two impressive transmission choices.

JAPAN TRIO vs GERMAN TRIO: Altima, Camry, Accord battle A4, 3-Series, C-Class

For Canadian consumers seeking luxury and speed in one roomy package, the ability to hit up mainstream Japanese manufacturer dealerships doesn't necessarily strike you as obvious. Isn't this German territory, or at least a place where premium Japanese brands contend?

The Honda Accord, a Good 12 winner, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima can likely offer you more features than you know what to do with. Moreoever, their high horsepower levels (Accord 271; Camry 268; Altima 270) produce quite a spark underfoot when pressed, preferrably without two booster seats in the rear and a trunk full of groceries. Is the Japanese trio a partnership of sport sedans? Not at all, but that's not to say they won't shock you with their dynamic capability.

From Germany come lesser-powered alternatives with less space for your people and smaller cargo areas for your stuff. But sport sedans? Oh yes. The 230-bhp BMW 328i with a six-speed manual will light your fire on the backroad commute. Audi's recently renewed A4, in turbocharged form with 211 horsepower, is a better steed than ever before, and the Mercedes-Benz C300 with 228-bhp is a new dynamic force. In fact, BMW and Mercedes-Benz could provide you with 200 and 201 horsepower, respectively, and save you plenty of money in the process. But saving money in this climate? Who needs it? The Japanese trio below is loaded to the gunnels with equipment and flies high into a price spectrum you won't believe.

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Nissan ALtima 3.5SE: $39,938 or (est.) $44,520 with tax

BMW 328i: $39,900 or (est.) $45,087 with tax

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI: $41,200 or (est.) $46,556 with tax

Mercedes-Benz C300: $41,200 or (est.) $46,556 with tax

Toyota Camry XLE V6: $42,629 or $49,849 with tax

Honda Accord: $47,368 or $55,265 with tax

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Imagine heading to the Audi, M-B, or BMW dealership to save money when Honda and Toyota wanted to charge too much. Let's be honest, though. For the Germans to meet the equipment makeup of the three Japanese sedans, their MSRPs would skyrocket. The Accord, with every possible accessory, a back-up camera and the best wheels possible, would drive by looking like.... an Accord. Meanwhile, its occupants would be basking in amazing luxury. Meanwhile, the 3-Series on its tiny (and ugly) 16" wheels looks impoverished and awkward, but does have a blue and white propeller. 

Oh, and if you want to actually enjoy driving the car rather than being driven in the car, you know only the Germans will do the trick.

NISSAN 370Z PRELIMINARY PHOTOS LOOK TERRIFIC

Nissan and Datsun's Z cars have proven popular over the course of four decades. The 240Z of 1969, the 260Z of 1974, the 280Z of 1975, the 280ZX of 1979, the 300ZXs of 1984 and 1990, and finally the 350Z of 2002 were all well-received. Some did not go on to incredible sales success in the way the most recent Z car has; but all will be fondly remembered.

With the 350Z exiting to a round of applause, the 370Z debuts with a fair degree of pressure. Enthusiasts want a renewed look, but its Z-esqueness must remain strong. Genuine sports car ability can't be sacrificed with the hopes of enlarging the probability of market capitalization. 

Here in pictures you saw the successful redesign. Not knowing the exact strength of the engine (probably 330+ horsepower) or the weight of the car (possibly lower) or the new MSRP (nearly identical), we're only able to judge its looks. The Nissan 370Z appears better from almost every angle. 

More dramatic headlights and taillights scream new. Emphasizing the body around the rear wheels speaks of power and its rear-wheel drive nature. Tinkering with the shoulderline - right where the window line meets the roofline - may not be to everyone's taste but is, at least, unique. Nissan's constant worry over the grille of the previous edition resulted in a good look: the new 370Z looks strong in that department, too. 

For comparison, check out the gallery of this '07 Nismo-tuned 350Z below.

HOW CONSUMER REPORTS RELIABILITY RANKINGS RELATE TO GCBC AWARDS

Late last year and in early 2008, The Good Car Guy handed out twenty awards. Well, let's be honest: eight of them were shameful awards. The Good 12 and The Bad 8  place significance on vehicles that can be purchased by people you and I know - no Ferraris, Lamborghinis, or Bentleys. Of the hundreds and hundreds of different models available to the North American consumer, The Good 12 tells you which you should buy if at all possible in 2008 and The Bad 8 makes very clear which cars you should not buy if at all avoidable.

Of course, those vehicles are in the running for 2009's Good 12 and Bad 8. If they're still the best, they ought to be recognized that way. But before that comes, it appears that Consumer Reports has released its reliability rankings, pieces of news in which many consumers (how ironic) place a great amount of trust.

So, how do those rankings compare with The Good 12 and The Bad 8? Have a look below.

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Small Cars: Consumer Reports says the Scion xD and Mini Cooper Clubman are at or near the top while the Nissan Versa sedan is the worst. The Good 12 holds fast on the regular Mini Cooper while the Versa sedan resides in The Bad 8.

Family Cars: Consumer Reports puts the Toyota Prius and Kia Optima at or near the top with the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger platform-mates at the bottom. GoodCarBadCar.net is silent on the topic.

Sporty, Coupes, & Convertibles: Consumer Reports places the Lexus SC430 and Volco C30 at the top with the Chrysler Sebring convertible and Saturn Sky at the bottom. The Bad 8 has both the Sebring and Lexus SC in its grasp.

Luxury Cars: Infiniti's M35 and Lexus IS250 are CR's most reliable; the V8-powered Cadillac STS and V8-powered Mercedes-Benz E-Class are at the bottom. GoodCarBadCar.net speaks neither well or ill of all four.

Minivans/Wagons: The Toyota Matrix and Scion xB are the best of the bunch in CR's rankings, the Chrysler twins (Town & Country, Grand Caravan) are the worst. GoodCarBadCar.net is silent.

In the SUV/truck arena, the Toyota Tundra; Honda Ridgeline; Toyota Sequoia; Honda Pilot; Lexus RX400h; Honda Element, and Toyota FJ Cruiser are all leaders of their respective packs. Conversely, the Ford F-250; Land Rover LR2; Saturn Vue in V6 all-wheel drive form; Land Rover Range Rover; Volkswagen Touareg; V8-powered and diesel-fired Mercedes-Benz GL-Class; and the Dodge Dakota 4x4 are all unreliable by Consumer Reports' standards.

One more thing: Consumer Reports also said the Honda Fit; smart fortwo; and Infiniti G35 are "also very reliable". Those cars are in The Good 12.

YOU NEED A CAR? WIN IT

You're a hybrid lover but acknowledge that the added expense in most cases won't be covered by your fuel savings. What to do, what to do? Wells Fargo is going to give somebody a Honda Civic Hybrid and an iPod so it might as well be you, so long as you're an American resident not living in Rhode Island, Florida, or New York. Follow the link.

It seems that a car isn't a grand enough prize in and of itself. Civic Hybrid + an iPod, GMC Acadia & a Garmin StreePilot navigation system. American Airlines must figure there's a fair number of 8-member families who can't afford flights, so AA's giving an Acadia (and directions) to somebody. It might as well be you. Follow the link, Americans.

Prefer a larger hybrid? Win a Toyota Highlander here. Enjoy your efficiency in more natural ways? A Mini Cooper S from Samsung would fit the bill.

Canadians outside of Quebec could win a Nissan Versa from Much Music. The Dairy Farmers of Canada are offering a free Toyota Yaris, and Dodge is going to give away a Ram.

ENDLESS NISSAN GT-R HYPE

Remember when Beckham came to America? Was he worth the hype? When Sidney Crosby began his rookie campaign - did he merit the attention? How about techy items like Windows Vista or Blue-ray DVD? Then there's Chrysler's PT Cruiser, or the Bugatti Veyron - deserving of years of attention?

There are examples from both sides of the spectrum that lead you to believe hype, the accelerated ballyhoo and inordinate buildup or disproportiante brouhaha; is unnecessary and disadvantageous or a terrific asset and of extreme value.

Hype is bonded with pressure, whether it likes it or not. Hype is also tied to sales, at least in the consumer world. Hype, my friends, goes hand-in-hand with great expectations. The Nissan GT-R, you might say, is Pip. We, the mainstream and online and otherworldly journalists, are the lady in the mansion, Miss Havisham.

You can (and should) read previous instances of hype generating at GoodCarBadCar in a GCBC Top 5, or during some Porsche Nurburgring talk, order-placing in Japan, or upon introduction of official GT-R photos.

Or, to continue the machine which churns and breathes out GT-R info and excitement, watch the clip.

THE GT-R - Real, live, camo-free GT-R

The story has been churning for years now. Seriously, years. Prototypes appeared at auto shows near and far. Prototypes appeared at proving grounds; yes, near and far. Speculation has run rampant; rumours, hopes, and dreams were unbridled.

It'll not be an Infiniti in North America nor will it be called the Skyline anymore. Generations R32, R33, and R34 are dead. The GT-R, my friends, is alive. GoodCarBadCar has GT-R stories relative to reselling restrictions, pent-up excitement, and crazy 911 Turbo-like speed. But, you really want the pics. Have at it.

MOTOR TREND NAMES SUBARU FORESTER ITS SUV OF THE YEAR

On its website, California-based Motor Trend has announced that the Subaru Forester is their SUV of the Year.

Other SUVOTY contenders included the BMW X6, Infiniti FX and EX35, Honda Pilot, Kia Borrego, Chevrolet Traverse, Dodge Journey, Volkswagen Tiguan, Ford Flex, Nissan Murano, Lexus LX570, and Toyota Sequoia. The Good Car Guy profiled the Forester in a 3 To Beat back in February where it performed admirably as well as in Part III of Dreams VS Reality with the Infiniti FX45 and Porsche Cayenne. Subaru's advertising for the Forester has garnered plenty of positive attention, as well.

Although there are dozens of different numbers that Motor Trend factored in when determining the SUVOTY, read below to see a list of the contenders in order of their fuel efficiency as tested by MT. In an era where fuel is expensive and families are struggling, the efficiency of family haulers is more important than ever. 

Subaru Forester (awd): 20.1 mpg

Volkswagen Tiguan (fwd): 17.3 mpg

Nissan Murano (fwd): 17.3 mpg

Subaru Forester (turbo awd) 16 mpg

Infiniti EX35 (awd): 15.8 mpg

Honda Pilot (awd): 14.9 mpg

Ford Flex (awd): 14.9 mpg

Dodge Journey (3.5L awd) 14.9 mpg

Kia Borrego (V8 4wd): 13.6 mpg

Lexus LX570 (4wd): 13.2 mpg

BMW X6 (I-6 awd): 13.2 mpg

Infiniti FX50 (awd): 12.9 mpg

Toyota Sequoia (4wd) 12.8 mpg

Chevrolet Traverse (awd): 12.1 mpg