GCF car of the year 2007: Discussion thread.

[Centurion]

Here is where we discuss everything regarding the car of the year. Everything from the Fiat 500 to the BMW X6 and Bentley Brooklands can be taken up for discussion.

Turn your fanboy mode on but don't forget to wear a flame suit.

Last years winner: Audi R8

Heavy contenders

Aston Martin
DBS

Audi
RS6
A5/S5
A4

Bentley
Brooklands

BMW
M3
X6
1er coupe/135i

Ferrari
F430 Scuderia

Lamborghini
Gallardo Superleggera

Mercedes-Benz
SLR roadster
CLK Black Series
C-Class/C63 AMG

Nissan
GTR

Porsche
Cayenne GTS
GT3 RS
GT2
Turbo Convertible

Rolls-Royce
Drophead Coupe

 

[DeDe]

1st Mercedes C63 AMG
2nd Porsche 997 GT2
3rd Lambo Gallardo SL

 

[Deleted member 25]

1st GTR: I believe this car is a magnificent performer that has absolutely no competition.
2nd BMW M3: It proved that it's undoubtly still the king of its category, a state of art engine, wonderful chassis and huge amount of fun, in two words: Magnificent machine.
3rd: X6, cause i am 100% sure that this car will destroy competition and defines new standards for sporty Suvs.

 

[Centurion]

I hold my vote a few days but as it looks now I'll be voting for these ones:

F430 Scuderia: 1250kg weight, 510hp from a 4.2L engine, gear box fast as the one in the Ferrari F1 car Shumi drove three years ago. Those numbers of very impressive and show BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Lamborghini how to properly develop a track orientated road car. So much passion behind the work of it.

RR Drophead: It might be a little cheezy of me to vote for an expensive car, especially a Rolls, but the Drophead is stunning. The design and style is everything you would want a luxury cruiser to be. It's a yatch with wheels on it, and the production is very limited too. Exclusivity at it's highest and I'm love with it.

GT-R: Don't really have to say much about it since we all know the amazing performance and design it offer for less than 100k. Offers incredible value.

Honorable mentions:

C63: Breathtaking exterior, amazing engine but the car isn't a 100% perfect. Performance wise it's great but don't ground breaking. Still haven't made my mind up because the C-class is one hell of a car and feels fantastic to drive.

GT2: Top performance but the GT3 which cost close to half as much is a better buy.

DBS: Probably the most beautiful cars on the market this year but is overpriced for the performance it offers. It's nothing more than a beauty queen.

 

[John]

1) Nissan GT-R: High tech performer; captivating design; awesome evolution of the R34
2) MB C63 AMG: Brilliant engine and stylng; raw power and poise
3) Lexus IS-F: Pleasant surprise; brilliant engine; a (true) contender

 

[rev]

1) Audi A5/S5: A muscular, very powerfull (S5) and very cool looking coupe with great quality and a gorgeous interior.

2) Porsche GT3 RS: Not much to say, except that maybe it's the most fun to drive high performance car in the world.

3) FIAT 500: A magnificent revival of a legend. FIAT perfectly managed to create a astonishingly good looking car based on the legendary 1957 FIAT 500.

 

[ree]

1. Aston Martin DBS
2. Audi A5/S5
3. Mercedes C 63 AMG

 

[Mr Robert]

Who will read the voting thread and remove votes for cars that were presented in 2006?

 

[PanterroR]

1st GTR: I believe this car is a magnificent performer that has absolutely no competition.
2nd BMW M3: It proved that it's undoubtly still the king of its category, a state of art engine, wonderful chassis and huge amount of fun, in two words: Magnificent machine.
3rd: X6, cause i am 100% sure that this car will destroy competition and defines new standards for sporty Suvs.

Bingo!

I'd only put CS instead of GT-R... But in any case i don't mind your pick at all... In fact i agree with it to a certain point...

I'm out, peace guys and happy New 2008 to everyone!!!!

 

[lambornima]

Gallardo Superleggera.

Lamborghini's first attempt at a "track" car with huge success. lap times posted DEMOLISHED anything from Porsche or Ferrari in anything close to its catagory. the car set the bar for the GT2 and F430S.

most complaints from magazines are of the brakes. they say its "nothing" then "rips your face off", but these same complaints came for the SLR, and both owners of the SLR and those who test drove the G SL have told me that the brakes are FANTASTIC and that you get used to them in about 2 minutes.

the egear is said to change gear unpredictably in automode. in manual mode they say its VERY fast (90 ms) and smooth in regular stop and go traffic. even diehard 6 speed manual fans who rejected the egear before are now considering it.

the car sounds and looks fantastic. one of the best cars recently, imo. the seats and CF in the interior is very nice (saw the car at Lamborghini of Toronto).

those who have tested the car have told me that it felt like more than 530 hp. and with a 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds and trapping 123 mph despite its awd, I wouldnt doubt the claim.



the GTR is good too, but...


ugly front

gorgeous rear though, and I am an ass-man, so....
the car is HUGELY underrated in power. I prefer the R8.
its hard to comment when only suspect magazines have had their hands on the car. ill wait for owners to comment.

 

[Mr Robert]

Gallardo Superleggera.

Lamborghini's first attempt at a "track" car with huge success. lap times posted DEMOLISHED anything from Porsche or Ferrari in anything close to its catagory. the car set the bar for the GT2 and F430S.

most complaints from magazines are of the brakes. they say its "nothing" then "rips your face off", but these same complaints came for the SLR, and both owners of the SLR and those who test drove the G SL have told me that the brakes are FANTASTIC and that you get used to them in about 2 minutes.

the egear is said to change gear unpredictably in automode. in manual mode they say its VERY fast (90 ms) and smooth in regular stop and go traffic. even diehard 6 speed manual fans who rejected the egear before are now considering it.

the car sounds and looks fantastic. one of the best cars recently, imo. the seats and CF in the interior is very nice (saw the car at Lamborghini of Toronto).

those who have tested the car have told me that it felt like more than 530 hp. and with a 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds and trapping 123 mph despite its awd, I wouldnt doubt the claim.



the GTR is good too, but...


ugly front

gorgeous rear though, and I am an ass-man, so....
the car is HUGELY underrated in power. I prefer the R8.
its hard to comment when only suspect magazines have had their hands on the car. ill wait for owners to comment.

What is wrong with Evo? They have had a go at both the Superleggera and the GT-R... we all know the result.

 

[Mr Robert]

What wil happen to votes not targeting a specific model?

 

[Matt]

1. M3
2. GT3 RS
3. Nissan GTR

 

[ateekt]

M3, Gt-R, Gt-3 & X6 are the most must considerations ...!

 

[Bruce]

1st: Nissan GT-R
2nd: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
3rd: BMW X6 SAC

GTR: The reason that I choose the GT-R as the car of the year is because it's gob-smackingly excellent in nearly all respects. On the styling front, I'm greatly impressed how they've managed to design something which not only looks technical and futuristic, but looks to be one of a kind. It's both interesting and bold, without being a carbon of anything else on the market. Additionally, I admire the fact that it's stylistic elements really do look 100% Japanese.

Tehcnoloigcally... I need not to tell anyone how amazing this car is. Simply put, I think that the GT-R is one of the most technogically-thrilling cars ever produced.

C63: Mercedes is "back", so to speak. New styling, new quality and an entirely new direction. Hardcore is the name of the game, and I love it.

X6: I had debated as to whether I should choose the X6, or the IS-F as my third choice...While the IS-F is indeed impressive and marks a new direction for Lexus, I can't say that I am overly surprised by the car's capabilities. Essentially what I'm trying to say is that It was always clear Lexus could have created a car like the IS-F, but merely choose not to. That said (and as good as the IS-F is), I choose the X6 because it's the first BMW (thanks to it's fantastic styling and superb engines) that has captured my enthusiasm for a long while.

 

[Centurion]

Gallardo Superleggera.

Lamborghini's first attempt at a "track" car with huge success. lap times posted DEMOLISHED anything from Porsche or Ferrari in anything close to its catagory. the car set the bar for the GT2 and F430S.

most complaints from magazines are of the brakes. they say its "nothing" then "rips your face off", but these same complaints came for the SLR, and both owners of the SLR and those who test drove the G SL have told me that the brakes are FANTASTIC and that you get used to them in about 2 minutes.

the egear is said to change gear unpredictably in automode. in manual mode they say its VERY fast (90 ms) and smooth in regular stop and go traffic. even diehard 6 speed manual fans who rejected the egear before are now considering it.

the car sounds and looks fantastic. one of the best cars recently, imo. the seats and CF in the interior is very nice (saw the car at Lamborghini of Toronto).

those who have tested the car have told me that it felt like more than 530 hp. and with a 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds and trapping 123 mph despite its awd, I wouldnt doubt the claim.



the GTR is good too, but...


ugly front

gorgeous rear though, and I am an ass-man, so....
the car is HUGELY underrated in power. I prefer the R8.
its hard to comment when only suspect magazines have had their hands on the car. ill wait for owners to comment.

Uhm from the reviews I have seen the Superleggera hasn't exactly made journalist tiggle of joy. The reception hasn't been that very good if you compare with the Scuderia and GT3 RS.

 

[coolraoul]

For me...hard choice...

1) Porsche GT3 RS
2) MB C63 AMG
3) BMW X6

1) The Porsche is an absolute masterpiece, and the best looking Porsche since ages. The only Porsche I prefer are the 2.7 RS, 930 and 930 Turbo. So this GT3 RS is for me one of the very best 911 ever made.

The F430 Scuderia made me doubt...But finally, I prefer the GT3, more...analogic, more mechanic, more old-school. Too much electronic in the Ferrari, and I don't like these gearboxes. For me a sport car is a manual, period.

I never like the Gallardo that much, even Supperleggera. Much prefers the Murciélago...

2) The MB is fabulous, I love the raw, brutal look and power of that car, its insane noise. This car is totally crazy, excessive. So much character... Maybe not perfect, not the fastest on track (but I want to see a test WITH the LSD), but it is insane. The M3 on the contrary does nothing for me. It looks and sound bland compared to the C63. Pure 80's AMG power.

I hesitated with the DBS, truly gorgeous looking. But there are others as beautiful Astons, soit is not the car of the year for me.

3) BMW X6... Well I never would buy it, I don't like SUVs. The only all-terrain really appealing to me is the G 55 AMG. But I reckon it is beautiful, the concept is very interesting and the design is really impressive.
I want to see it in person, of course, but from the pics it is the most beautiful SUV I've ever seen.

So, not a car for me, but undoubtedly a car that will be a huge hit and inspire many competitors. Therefore it deserves its place in my list.

The Nissan GTR looks awful to my eyes.
The IS-F is a joke, its design is so ridiculous that it looks like a bad manga-car.

 

[Monster]

1st Nissan GTR.
As far as I know, it is the only road car besides the 350z to use carbon fibre driveshafts. That is what really put it on top of my list. Not even Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini use it for their "light weight" specials.

2nd F430 Scuderia.
It might not match the GT3 or the GT2 for the most pure man to machine interaction, but every single element of this car is being fine tuned and its potential push to the limit with a significant amount of direct technical transfer from their F1 team.

3rd. BMW M3
The M3. Bigger and slighter heavier than the E46, however it is even more of a weapon on track and surprisingly it is also a brilliant car everywhere else it goes.

 

[ALI]

C63 is a winner to me

 

[lambornima]

Uhm from the reviews I have seen the Superleggera hasn't exactly made journalist tiggle of joy. The reception hasn't been that very good if you compare with the Scuderia and GT3 RS.

media bias. plain and simple. far more Ferrari fans than Lambo ones, which = more customers.

example:

JC on the F430S "they removed a whole 100 kg"

vs Tiff on the lambo:

"they removed only 100 kg, and the 0-60 time is cut by just 0.2 seconds"

the truth is that 100 kg is A LOT. and cutting 0.2 seconds is a significant difference in 0-60 times. yet the magazines (unless they do performance tests, in which case the G SL does 60 in 3.4-3.5 seconds and that shuts the reviewer up), will tell you that there is no significant gain in performance. BULLSHIT. the Gallardo trapped at about 117-118 mph in the 1/4, the Supeleggera now is does 122-123 mph. the difference is HUGE. what does Tiff want? to cut the 0-60 time to by a full second?

agian, in REAL WORLD reviews, with people who drive the Gallardos on a dialy basis (rather than driving one 2 years ago and trying to judge if the Superleggera is better or not), I have heard nothig BUT praise for the brakes, the power, the handling, the suspension setup and the egear.

again, with the magazines, 100 kg off a F430 is genious and the result is a "hardcore car", with the Gallardo (even though is just as fast, if not faster than an F430), the response is "whats the point".