2009 Nissan GT-R - Zero tolerance for asshattery

[Kent]

This begs the question, why would you spend the money on this car when you can't use it to it's full potential legally or even illegally? I mean would you really even want to bother taking it to a track if all Nissan is going to do is yell at you for it? I'd rather have something with less performance and not have big brother watching over me.

Agreed.
I'd much rather have something without the complex electronics and big brother systems of the GTR. Even cars like a normal corvette could be more fun down here in LA. where the laws are loose and the culture is rich with motorsports enthusiasm.

 

[Tornado]

However, the GPS sensor doesn't automatically remove the limiter by itself, it has to be manually changed by navigating through a series of menus on the GT-R's touch screen.

Series of menus upon menus to change one setting? Sounds like Polyphony Digital has given us another award winning menu system.

When has Ferrari ever done something like this?

*cough* *cough* F50 *cough* *cough*



Regardless, I'm sure all of this will be cracked within a month of the car being sold in America, and I'm sure they are already close to doing it in Japan.

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

Wow lame 👎:

Mines already has already the new ECU I'm sure thats something they would like to get rid of. Also nothing a good F-CON V-pro cant fix and probably unlock more power anyway.

*EDIT* I've confirmed that the MINES VX-ROM does remove the limiter...

Also who cares about it throwing codes with new rims? Just re fit the TPMS to the new rims like Z owners have been doing for a while now, no big deal.

And as far as "using it to its full potential" you can still do the 0-60 times and such, but anyway besides that how often do you even go over 100+ anyway?

 

[Joey D]

Mines already is set to release the new ECU I'm sure thats something they would like to get rid of. Also nothing a good F-CON V-pro cant fix and probably unlock more power anyway.

Also who cares about it throwing codes with new rims? Just re fit the TPMS to the new rims like Z owners have been doing for a while now, no big deal.

And as far as "using it to its full potential" you can still do the 0-60 times and such, but anyway besides that how often do you even go over 100+ anyway?

How much you want to bet as soon as you install the new ECU Nissan throws your warranty away for the entire car? If I'm spending over a $100k on a car which doesn't seem to be uncommon here in the states I would want at least a 3 year warranty for it because you know something that complex will have issues at some point.

And I've drive over a 100 several times and that was the flow of traffic. What I was saying is Nissan designed this car for the track and proved it was a track monster, but now you can't use it with out the company forcing you to pay all sorts of money. Not everyone is going to race their GT-R all the time but I'm guessing a nice track day once in a while wouldn't be bad.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

I mean would you really even want to bother taking it to a track if all Nissan is going to do is yell at you for it?

any manufactur will tell you to bugger off if you take a car to a track and break it and then take to be fixed under warranty.(considering the gps they will know youve been there)

personally $1000 is a small price to pay considering $x amount for a new engine if those turbos decide to see what the inside of an engine looks like.

also i hear pink is in this year

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

How much you want to bet as soon as you install the new ECU Nissan throws your warranty away for the entire car? If I'm spending over a $100k on a car which doesn't seem to be uncommon here in the states I would want at least a 3 year warranty for it because you know something that complex will have issues at some point.

And I've drive over a 100 several times and that was the flow of traffic. What I was saying is Nissan designed this car for the track and proved it was a track monster, but now you can't use it with out the company forcing you to pay all sorts of money. Not everyone is going to race their GT-R all the time but I'm guessing a nice track day once in a while wouldn't be bad.

Well I dunno about japan but seeing as how I live in the US none of that matters to me:

#1 I dont have the japanese limiter, my GPS doesnt tell nissan NA when I've been at the track because that program doesnt work in US SPEC GTR's. Theres no "track detection"

#2 I can put whatever ECU I damn well please into it and they cant void my warranty thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, in order for them to void my warranty it had to have been the ECU that fubared my car, which if i ever took in to service I'd swap for the old one anyway.

Not only that but since dealers are individually owned not all frown on after market modifications, some are cooler than others when it comes to this stuff.

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

found the article concerning the US spec GTR:

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/22/nissan-gt-r-recognizes-tracks-via-gps-removes-speed-limiter/

We know that the Nissan GT-R's ECU wizardry is impressive, but this little tidbit left us in awe. According to our friends over at the GTChannel, the GT-R's integrated computer limits the vehicle's speed in Japan to 111 mph (180 km/h), but once the GPS system detects that you've arrived at a domestic circuit, it removes the top speed limiter for all-out track assaults.

In the U.S., they've bumped up the electronically-limited top speed to 156 mph (250 km/h), but there's no integration with the GPS here in the States, meaning that anyone that wants to go faster on track has to have the ECU modifed.

156 is plenty fast enough for 99% of what you would do with it.

 

[McLaren]

any manufactur will tell you to bugger off if you take a car to a track and break it and then take to be fixed under warranty.(considering the gps they will know youve been there)

Except for the fact Nissan is specifically telling you your warranty will be voided if you go to certain tracks, even if you do or don't break your car.

At least with other manufacturers, you can take your car to any race way and still be covered under warranty if you don't break it.

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

Except for the fact Nissan is specifically telling you your warranty will be voided if you go to certain tracks, even if you do or don't break your car.

At least with other manufacturers, you can take your car to any race way and still be covered under warranty if you don't break it.

The point isn't if you don't break it, its if you DO break it. If nothing breaks then having a warrany or not doesn't matter much now does it? It seems to me that at least with this setup you'd technically be able to track your GTR and break it and since it was a nissan approved track still get some warranty, whereas with others you wouldn't get anything at all.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

Except for the fact Nissan is specifically telling you your warranty will be voided if you go to certain tracks, even if you do or don't break your car.

And whats wrong with that? At the end of the day it is a road car its not designed to go hammering round a track.

 

[Joey D]

And whats wrong with that? At the end of the day it is a road car its not designed to go hammering round a track.

I think the GT-R is designed for the track if the times are anything to go by.

 

[McLaren]

And whats wrong with that? At the end of the day it is a road car its not designed to go hammering round a track.

You're kidding right? Why would a road car suddenly have carbon ceramics and state of the art acceleration & suspension if it wasn't built so it could also go around a track?

The point isn't if you don't break it, its if you DO break it. If nothing breaks then having a warrany or not doesn't matter much now does it? It seems to me that at least with this setup you'd technically be able to track your GTR and break it and since it was a nissan approved track still get some warranty, whereas with others you wouldn't get anything at all.

No, having a warranty helps because if something breaks, it's covered. If something breaks at a track, there's a chance you can have it replaced under warranty. With the GT-R however, not possible. It's also completely idiotic to have your warranty suddenly voided if it even gets located near a track, a warranty that could have come in handy.

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

Another point is, for those who do modify cars who goes to the dealer for service anyway? This applies to all cars not just the GTR. How many people do you know who have more than basic mods that still get their car serviced at the dealer? now granted like I said some dealers are cooler than others with regards to servicing, but in general with any car, if you are going to modify it your warranty wont mean crap anyway. One thing however, is that i can swap the entire engine and if my power windows or whatever breaks they still have to fix it, because my mods couldn't have caused the failure.

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

No, having a warranty helps because if something breaks, it's covered. If something breaks at a track, there's a chance you can have it replaced under warranty. With the GT-R however, not possible. It's also completely idiotic to have your warranty suddenly voided if it even gets located near a track, a warranty that could have come in handy.

first of all if your car breaks across the street from the track your warranty won't have been voided because you didn't go through the menu to unlock it. Secondly, generally when something fails at a track its bad. Bad enough that they can tell it wasn't normal wear and tear. Thirdly they cant void your warranty for using a nissan approved track, or what would be the point of even having approved ones in the first place?

 

[Joey D]

Another point is, for those who do modify cars who goes to the dealer for service anyway? This applies to all cars not just the GTR. How many people do you know who have more than basic mods that still get their car serviced at the dealer?

Just about every single Mini owners has their car serviced at the dealership.

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

Just about every single Mini owners has their car serviced at the dealership.

Like i said some dealers are cooler than others. I know people with pretty well modified Z's that still get warranty service, but the vast majority of people I know anyway get their work done at an after market shop and dont care about their warranty.

 

[Joey D]

Like i said some dealers are cooler than others. I know people with pretty well modified Z's that still get warranty service, but the vast majority of people I know anyway get their work done at an after market shop and dont care about their warranty.

You asked who goes to the dealer with a modified car, all I was doing was responding.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

I think the GT-R is designed for the track if the times are anything to go by.

oh yeah forgot it came with cheater slicks.... i guess its designed for the track so noone is ever gonna see a GTR on the road then?

You're kidding right? Why would a road car suddenly have carbon ceramics and state of the art acceleration & suspension if it wasn't built so it could also go around a track?

if your talking about the GTR it doesnt have carbon ceramics and a smart car can go around a race track so i dont see your point there.

 

[McLaren]

first of all if your car breaks across the street from the track your warranty won't have been voided because you didn't go through the menu to unlock it.

I'm not talking about breaking down across the street from the racetrack. I'm talking about if you're pretty much on the grounds.

Secondly, generally when something fails at a track its bad. Bad enough that they can tell it wasn't normal wear and tear.

Yes, generally, but not always. There are times when folks can still manage to get something fixed under warranty.

Thirdly they cant void your warranty for using a nissan approved track, or what would be the point of even having approved ones in the first place?

From what I've been reading, it looks that way. But, it may have changed.

I still find it absolutely retarded Nissan trying to tell its buyers what they can & can't do. This whole "Nissan-approved" track deal is also stupid. What the hell was the point in building this car capable of amazing track capabilities, but only allowing the owners to test those capabilities at only certain tracks.

They do realize not all their GT-R owners will probably live near these "approved" tracks & still want to track their cars.

 

[McLaren]

if your talking about the GTR it doesnt have carbon ceramics and a smart car can go around a race track so i dont see your point there.

Fine, it doesn't have carbon ceramics.

The point is, it was designed to have superb track capabilities as well. Why put all that track equipment in there, and only owners on a certain track to use it, and why else would Nissan brag about the Nurburgring times?

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

The point is, it was designed to have superb track capabilities as well. Why put all that track equipment in there, and only owners on a certain track to use it, and why else would Nissan brag about the Nurburgring times?

only reason i can think of is maybe they are picking tracks which dont use the brakes,suspension etc as much as what other tracks might which gives the car less chance of breaking maybe?

 

[McLaren]

only reason i can think of is maybe they are picking tracks which dont use the brakes,suspension etc as much as what other tracks might which gives the car less chance of breaking maybe?

I don't see how that would make any difference. Any car can run flawlessly on a tough track, and break on an easy track since it's all going to come down to the skill of the owner.

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

I'm not talking about breaking down across the street from the racetrack. I'm talking about if you're pretty much on the grounds.

so dont use the unlock feature, its not automatic, you need to enable it. Plus this is a non issue in the US.

Yes, generally, but not always. There are times when folks can still manage to get something fixed under warranty.

like i said above, in the US it wont be an issue, since there is no track setting in your GPS, and even if it did, nothing unplugging the GPS antenna wont fix.

From what I've been reading, it looks that way. But, it may have changed.

I still find it absolutely retarded Nissan trying to tell its buyers what they can & can't do. This whole "Nissan-approved" track deal is also stupid. What the hell was the point in building this car capable of amazing track capabilities, but only allowing the owners to test those capabilities at only certain tracks.

They do realize not all their GT-R owners will probably live near these "approved" tracks & still want to track their cars.

I dunno japan is a strange place, what was the point of having a 300 hp limit? I think they are trying to appease two different crowds with a middle ground.

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

I don't see how that would make any difference. Any car can run flawlessly on a tough track, and break on an easy track since it's all going to come down to the skill of the owner.

I've seen some dodgy tracks, but in general I suppose that a vast majority of the large tracks will be approved, the only place you may have an issue would be smaller not well known tracks, in which case you wouldn't probably get that high of a speed anyway. remember all it limits is the top speed, not acceleration or anything else, so in some cases it may not even matter.

 

[McLaren]

so dont use the unlock feature, its not automatic, you need to enable it. Plus this is a non issue in the US.

Ok, so you don't press Accept. Now you can't go on the track which is why I would expect anyone to go.

I've seen some dodgy tracks, but in general I suppose that a vast majority of the large tracks will be approved, the only place you may have an issue would be smaller not well known tracks, in which case you wouldn't probably get that high of a speed anyway. remember all it limits is the top speed, not acceleration or anything else, so in some cases it may not even matter.

I doubt it. If even the mighty Suzuka will void your warranty, what other tracks then, won't void the warranty.

A Japanese journalist reportedly had the following experience when test driving a pre-release model of the GT-R. As he approached the main entry gate of Suzuka International Circuit, the car’s GPS-equipped computer warned him in a pleasant voice that once he entered the circuit, the car’s warranty would be voided.

According to this article, if the driver went on to Suzuka, his warranty is voided. See, that's retarded because the scenario could play out like this.

He goes onto the track. Nothing goes wrong, car's fine. Normally, any other car would still most likely be covered under warranty. But going on, he's driving down the road 2 weeks later. He gets in a wreck. He goes to Nissan. Oh sorry sir, we can't fix your car. 2 weeks ago, you agreed to void your warranty so you could take a few laps in your GT-R. We're sorry.

Now, I don't want to say this is why, but it seems to me Nissan does this to gain more money off these cars. Let me explain. If the car is still covered under warranty, Nissan can't charge the owner. But, Nissan knows a LOT of GT-Rs are tracked. So, Nissan makes it so they can watch these cars, and when the cars go to the track, they automatically void the warranty. This way, whether or not the car breaks, the next time it comes in, the owner has to pay for it because he no longer has a warranty.

Again, I'm not saying this is why they do it, nor do I want to believe it, but to me, it seems like a reason why. I just find the whole idea stupid that I can't drive my $70,000 car on a track without automatically getting rid of my warranty.

 

[YSSMAN]

Okay, lets rationalize for a moment:

- The GT-R may sticker as high as $130,000 in the US when it hits our shores
- The GT-R will only be available, and serivceable, at fewer than 700 dealerships
- The GT-R barely out-does the Z06, 911 Turbo, SRT-10 Coupe... and stops kicking ass at 156 MPH
- The GT-R won't take afermarket modifications, at all

Don't get me wrong, I still give the car a ton of credit, but I really wonder where the outstanding upside is for folks who aren't madly in love with the GT-R to begin with?

 

[McLaren]

Okay, lets rationalize for a moment:

- The GT-R may sticker as high as $130,000 in the US when it hits our shores
- The GT-R will only be available, and serivceable, at fewer than 700 dealerships
- The GT-R barely out-does the Z06, 911 Turbo, SRT-10 Coupe... and stops kicking ass at 156 MPH
- The GT-R won't take afermarket modifications, at all

Don't get me wrong, I still give the car a ton of credit, but I really wonder where the outstanding upside is for folks who aren't madly in love with the GT-R to begin with?

Well, this last part here is confusing. I've read in the past wheels & tires can be changed with no problems at all. However, now I'm reading that the ECU or whatever notices this, and a problem does arise.

To be truthfully honest, I don't know what to believe, but it just keeps appearing that there are a lot of contradicting articles about the new GT-R and what can or can't be done.

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

Ok, so you don't press Accept. Now you can't go on the track which is why I would expect anyone to go.

sure you can, you just dont have your full top speed, its not like the car shuts down, and unless on very long straights you wont be on the limiter much.

I doubt it. If even the mighty Suzuka will void your warranty, what other tracks then, won't void the warranty.

According to this article, if the driver went on to Suzuka, his warranty is voided. See, that's retarded because the scenario could play out like this.

He goes onto the track. Nothing goes wrong, car's fine. Normally, any other car would still most likely still be covered under warranty. But going on, he's driving down the road 2 weeks later. He gets in a wreck. He goes to Nissan. Oh sorry sir, we can't fix your car. 2 weeks ago, you agreed to void your warranty so you could take a few laps in your GT-R. We're sorry.

first of all it says reportedly, which is about the same thing as saying you heard it from the friend of a friend of a friend, I've seen nothing of the sort reported anywhere else from a reputable named source.

Secondly if you get in a wreck NO manufacturer warranty EVER covers your car, thats insurance coverage not warranty and one has nothing to do with the other, i think your getting confused.

Now, I don't want to say this is why, but it seems to me Nissan does this to gain more money off these cars. Let me explain. If the car is still covered under warranty, Nissan can't charge the owner. But, Nissan knows a LOT of GT-Rs are tracked. So, Nissan makes it so they can watch these cars, and when the cars go to the track, they automatically void the warranty. This way, whether or not the car breaks, the next time it comes in, the owner has to pay for it because he no longer has a warranty.

Again, I'm not saying this is why they do it, nor do I want to believe it, but to me, it seems like a reason why. I just find the whole idea stupid that I can't drive my $70,000 car on a track without automatically getting rid of my warranty.

ok so why do it to a car that most people cant afford anyway? Why not do it to say a 350Z or something more affordable so it affects more people? If they were in it to make money they certainly could do it in better ways. They cant just say hey were charging you for it, they have to let you know up front, in which case you can take it somewhere else anyway and they've made no money.

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

Well, this last part here is confusing. I've read in the past wheels & tires can be changed with no problems at all. However, now I'm reading that the ECU or whatever notices this, and a problem does arise.

To be truthfully honest, I don't know what to believe, but it just keeps appearing that there are a lot of contradicting articles about the new GT-R and what can or can't be done.

its a tire pressure monitor for petes sake, you can attach it to new wheels easily, and if not the worst thing that happends is you get an annoying low tire pressure light on your dash, big deal.

and for all this "the GTR will be had to tune" garbage, it sure is funny that the "hard to crack" ECU has already been cracked by mines....

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

Okay, lets rationalize for a moment:

- The GT-R may sticker as high as $130,000 in the US when it hits our shores

Supply and demand. All cars go through it, it will fade eventually. Also all deals are ran through nissan and they've already made it clear to dealers that they are against it, so its not nissan being the evil one here, they make no money at all from markup only the dealers do.

- The GT-R will only be available, and serivceable, at fewer than 700 dealerships

yes but only under warranty. How many shops with service a 911 under warranty? probably the same as or less than that of the GTR as I'm sure there are less Porsche dealers in the us...

- The GT-R barely out-does the Z06, 911 Turbo, SRT-10 Coupe... and stops kicking ass at 156 MPH

no one ever goes over that anyway, how many tracks have sections that let a car get up to that fast for even a little while? Do it anywhere else and your being stupid.

- The GT-R won't take aftermarket modifications, at all

Yet theres already ECU's and exhausts for a car that hasn't even been released here and just about every single major tuner has already made something for it. with a lot more in the works.