MotherProof.com Car Seat Check Recap

The 2011 Kia Forte hatchback is capable of fitting five adults comfortably. When it comes to child-safety seats, the car can only fit two, as MotherProof.com found out in its Car Seat Check. Installing the two car seats in the Forte is somewhat of a chore, too. Continue reading about the Kia Forte and the other models MotherProof.com tested in its Car Seat Check series, with the links below:

2011 Mazda RX-8: Car Seat Check 
2011 Kia Forte Hatchback: Car Seat Check 
2012 Nissan GT-R: Car Seat Check

Cars.com Reviews the 2012 Nissan GT-R

The 2012 Nissan GT-R is the most expensive Nissan ever to go on sale in the U.S. Even so, the blistering fast speeds and nimble handling make the $89,950 base price a bargain value compared with the GT-R’s competitors, according to Cars.com senior editor David Thomas. But how does this speed demon hold up against the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911?

2012 Nissan GT-R Review

What Does This Button Do?

Below the 2012 Nissan GT-R’s climate controls sit three important toggle switches that unleash the 530-horsepower coupe’s full potential. From left to right, the second and third are easy enough to decipher: An image of a shock absorber sits above the suspension switch, and a spinning tire identifies the toggle for stability and traction systems, though that tire symbol isn't the standard ESC Off symbol, either.
 
The first switch is a little more cryptic. There’s a differential housing with tires and what looks like an electrical schematic protruding from the rear end. What’s more confusing is the toggle’s lower “Save” mode opposite the fun-looking “R” mode that all the toggles have.
 
First impressions may lead you to believe the button controls the power split of the front and rear differentials — a common feature on all-wheel-drive performance cars — but that would be incorrect.

2012 Nissan GT-R Video

For the 2012 model year, the Nissan GT-R received some exterior updates as well as performance updates, which allowed it to move past the 500-horsepower threshold. As if having a car that’s wickedly fast wasn’t enough, the GT-R also handles exquisitely and can be somewhat practical for day-to-day commuting, Cars.com senior editor David Thomas says.

2012 Nissan GT-R Gets Mild Tweaks

The globally revised 2012 Nissan GT-R will be unveiled at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 17, the automaker announced today.

The 2012 Nissan GT-R gets some exterior revisions and performance enhancements for its midcycle refresh. Exterior revisions include a redesigned front bumper with LED fog lights and a redesigned rear bumper. We’re not sure if the changes make the GT-R any better looking than it was before.

While Nissan was mum on more details, we’re fairly confident that the 2012 GT-R is the same model that’s now being sold in Japan as a 2011. In Japan, revisions included modifications to the powertrain that gives the GT-R more power, while spewing fewer emissions. Downforce and that car’s drag coefficient have increased as well, and the car is constructed out of more lightweight materials.

Nissan will release full details closer to the unveiling in L.A. For now, check out the exterior revisions below and tell us what you think in the comment section below.

Through Ian's Lens: 2009 Nissan GT-R

The 2009 Nissan GT-R was one of the most anticipated sports cars released in the U.S. this year. A couple of weeks ago, I finally got the chance to set foot inside one. In person, I was thoroughly impressed with the exterior metal, with its sleek lines and simple design folds. The rear spoiler is subtle and functional, while the round red taillights let you know what you’re looking at even from afar.

I like the way the GT-R looks while parked, but I absolutely love the way this car visually interacts with the road when it’s on the go. The tiny grille up front, coupled with an even tinier badge, makes the nose of this car look like it’s digging up the asphalt in front of it. Overall, it appears sleek but not skinny, with boxy, harsh lines that create distinct shapes in the outside panels. The exterior design bucks the conventional “supercar” forms, but it’s not without its own charm.

A full set of photos is below; tell me what you think in the comments section.

Nissan GT-R Supercar Has Strict Warranty

A story has spread on the Internet over the past week about a 2009 Nissan GT-R owner who couldn’t get his warranty to cover a blown transmission. The problem? He says he had turned off the stability control to use the car’s launch control feature. That mistake cost him $20,000 in repairs. 

We contacted Nissan about this problem — they seemed well aware of the Internet story — and were told that using the launch control feature or turning off the VDC by themselves would not void the warranty. However, if the two features are being abused and lead to damage than the warranty is void. We list the excerpted warranty below and it includes normal stipulations about modifications, racing and other changes that void warranties. 

Nissan wasn’t able to quantify how owners could use the car, meaning how many times it could be driven on a track or other hard uses. There are other GT-R owners who have complained about the transmission, but many on the original Internet forum thread attacked the original story’s author for not being a good enough driver. 

The result remains for GT-R owners: Don’t drive your 0-60-mph-in-3.5-second GT-R too hard if you’re not willing to pay for it. 

Related
Cars.com 2009 Nissan GT-R Review
Bad GT-R Transmission Thread (NAGTROC Forums)

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Nissan GT-R

Hold on to your hats … senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder calls the much-heralded 2009 Nissan GT-R not fun to drive! Can you believe it? The audacity. The sacrilege. The gall. 

Well, really he’s just talking about the daily driver’s meaning of fun. Those who live and die for track time, on the other hand, might have found the perfect vehicle for their right-footed flights of fancy. Check out his full review of every aspect of the GT-R, from track-day companion to comfortable real-world vehicle.

2009 Nissan GT-R Expert Review

Nissan Taking GT-R Pre-Orders

Nissan announced today that it's accepting pre-orders for its 480-hp, all-wheel-drive GT-R sports car.

The GT-R — priced from $69,850 base to $71,900 for the Premium trim — will be sold through 691 certified dealerships; destination and handling charges haven't been announced yet.

Nissan spokesman Darryll Harrison said Nissan expects to sell about 2,500 GT-Rs in the first year. Certified GT-R dealerships have gone through unique training in their sales and service departments to accommodate the specialty sports car.

Ready to buy your own GT-R? We're jealous, but you can find a list of certified GT-R dealerships at nissanusa.com. If you're lucky enough to reserve one, customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in June.

Related
Nissan Can't Stop GT-R Markups
Nissan GT-R News
Up Close With the Nissan GT-R

Nissan Can't Stop GT-R Markups

How long after the exotic 2009 Nissan GT-R arrives in showrooms next June will the first speculator put one up for sale on eBay in order to make a quick profit?

The guesstimate is seconds, or about the same time it will take some dealers to tack a premium on the car and sell it significantly above the sticker price in order to make a hefty profit.

Nissan says it can't stop either from happening with the GT-R, a $70,000-plus sports car powered by a 473-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 teamed with a six-speed automatic.