If you can afford it, get the GT-R... this is kind of a no-brainer.

Take it for a test drive and then decide if the trans is "boring"...

One thing you would have to consider heavily is not the price hands down, but rather the maintenance cost. Take for example a fluid change (engine, brake,diff, trans) at a dealership is averaging around $1700-2000+. Godzilla is no modest girl but rather a very, very high maintenance woman. If the budget allows I would go with the GTR but I would take the Z as well! Good luck with everything :tup:

-Scott

BTW, I went for a ride in a GT-R that my buddy is wokring on at his shop -- holy fvck! If you have the means, forget the Z.

gtr all day... one ride in it, you'll forget all about the 370z

whats a 370z??..haha

I think the GT-R is a great car, but tracking one extensively is likely an expensive proposition. From what I understand, tracking the GT-R is more expensive than its main competitor, the Porsche Turbo.

Besides the expensive trans/diff fluid service, replacing the brake rotors and pads is a $7500 hit at the dealer. It can probably be done cheaper with aftermarket rotors/pads, but if you're leasing, returning this special car to Nissan with non-OE parts may be a problem. I'm sure the fluid change can be done cheaper too, but it could cause a problem if warranty work is needed.

Personally, I would rather have the GT-R, but you gotta be prepared to pay-to-play.

^This, even with the automanual.

wow the OP's going from a 2.5 altima to a GTR? :icon14:

are you sure you're not looking for a used 350Z or a SE-R? :D

Unless something has drastically changed for 2011, Lamborghini offers a 6-speed manual on all but one of their cars - the Murcielago SV (coincidentally, the highest performance), which only comes in E-gear. Of course, you're across the Atlantic, so you may know closer hold info.

Now, I'd bet most people are buying the E-gear versions, though.

I think OP's consideration, however, should not be choice of transmission, but rather, he should figure out whether the maintenance costs are digestible.

And don't get me wrong - the GT-R's AWESOME. I'd take one in a heartbeat, and given the choice (with free maintenance, mind you!), between it and a 370Z (manual and all) - I'd probably opt for the GT-R, simply for it's awesomeness.

But there wouldn't be any equal for the awesomeness in my book, if I was offered a GT-R with a 6-speed manual. *ducks*

I'd take gtr all day if I had the money:tup:

Thanks guys! I'll keep you posted on my decision, it probably wont happen until Spring if it is the Z and Summer if it is the GT-R! There are tons of threads on the maintenence costs on nagtroc.com and it seems likes its expensive if you track, but at most I will probably put 5k/year!

Trust me, I can't wait to get out of the Altima. Before this car, I bought a new 2007 Z (touring) and before that it was many mutangs...my next car will be the one I keep "forever" in the garage so we'll see...thanks again!

Thanks for making my skin crawl.

^^^ No offense intended - mistype.

Update
 

Quick update: after speaking to my buddy who going go get me a deal on a GT-R, the mileage became an issue. If it was going to fall into my price range the mileage would be 15k+ and depending on the previous owner I would need new tires, trans fluid etc. So that, plus the transmission not being a true manual, I think I'll stick to my original plan of the Z...thanks for all the advice!

good decision. beside, i think the insurance rate for the GT-R also has got be higher.