My Personal Face-Off Experiment
So last Tuesday, I finally dragged my buddy Mike and his mint R34 out to that big empty lot near the old warehouse – you know, the one with decent pavement? My own R35 was freshly washed, full tank, tires cold. We were gonna settle something real simple: for a regular guy right now, which one feels better to actually drive around?
First, I hopped into the R34. Thing is, it just feels different straight away. You turn that big key, and BAM – the whole car shudders. Loud exhaust rumbles right through your seat. Shifting the manual box felt chunky, mechanical. Steering wheel thick as a tree trunk in your hands. Driving it slow felt like wrestling a bear – heavy steering, stiff clutch, that laggy turbo boost hitting you hard after a weird pause. You gotta really work the gears, feel that weight throw around corners. Parked at the diner later, everyone stared. It’s loud, raw, smells like fuel. You feel like a rockstar.
Then I swapped to the R35. Press a button – it purrs to life. Quieter inside, comfy seat hugs you. Pulling away? Smooth as butter. That dual-clutch shifts faster than I can blink. Floor it, and it just shoots you forward without any fuss or lag. Corners feel glued down without that wrestling match feeling. Steering’s light, easy. Stopped at the same diner… barely anyone noticed. It’s fast, stupid fast, but honestly? Almost felt too… easy.
- R34 Takeaways: Old school roar, raw connection. Every drive feels like an event. Manual shifter makes you feel involved, but man, my left leg was tired in traffic. That turbo lag almost got me rear-ended once – scary fun.
- R35 Takeaways: Effortless missile speed. Smooth as glass. You can daily drive this without sweating. Feels sophisticated, but kinda… sterile? Like driving a crazy fast computer. Less screaming, more whispering deadly speed.
The Honest Bottom Line
After circling that lot for hours, switching back and forth? Here’s the raw truth I landed on:
If you crave that visceral kick, that feeling of wrestling pure mechanical muscle, and don’t mind some stiffness and noise? The R34 wins. It’s an experience, a piece of history you feel in your bones. But be ready for the aches later – it demands your attention and energy.
But if you just want brutal, easy speed, something comfy you can actually drive every day without needing a massage after? The R35 is it. It’s insanely capable, almost too good. Just know… sometimes easy feels a bit, well, boring once the shock wears off.
You gotta drive both. Honestly. The R34 makes your heart pound loud in your ears. The R35? It makes you shake your head at how easy it is to go stupid fast. Two different worlds, man. Right now? For pure, lazy daily speed – the R35. For that Saturday night grin? Nothing beats the dinosaur roar of that R34.
