Road & Track rips the G35

[FAST1]

After reading posts on this forum for a year and a half, one chronic complaint has been the manual tranny. Well you critics have been vindicated by R&T. In the February edition of R&T, they compare the new G35 sedan, the Acura TL, and the IS 350. Since the G was the newest I assumed it would finish first, but it came in last, and the reason was because of the tranny. Since I'm certain that the new coupe will share the same manual tranny as the current G35 sedan, I thought I would post R&T's criticism here as well as on teh sedan forum.

Actually R&T's ccomplaints are the same as have been written on this forum by many posters.
1. A high amount of vibration resonates throughout the 6 speed manual gearbox.
2. The take up point is like an on/off switch, making it impossible to leave the line smoothly.
3. The pedal engagement feel for the clutch is poor.

As a matter of fact R&T disliked the manual tranny so much that they actually recommend that G buyers get the auto, which is a radical recommendation for a magazine which always applauds manufacturers for offering manual trannies.

[JZ39]

Sad.......

The clutch is the only significant complaint I have about my G, ever since day 1--but unfortunately the difference between having an excellent clutch/pedal feel and what the G has is enormous.

My 1990 240SX had a better clutch and shifter feel hands down. That clutch caught right at the floor with a smooth transition making the car more responsive than its measly 140hp might predict.

Oh well, In some ways I'm glad to hear this since this won't push me in the direction of the new G coupe.

[watsgoodG]

ive had enough with my g...i should have gotten an automatic or a bmw 335

[runningonmt]

The new G sedan was voted one of the 10 best cars of the year by the editors of Car and Driver, and the capsule review that appeared in the January 2007 issue praised the shifting performance of the "snick-snick six-speed manual." After reading this I had hopes that Nissan had made some revisions to the 6MT tranny (and hopefully to the clutch as well) but the comparison test in Road & Track would seem to have thrown cold water on that pipe dream. Oh well...

[FAST1]

Although it's extremely doubtful, maybe Infiniti will make make tranny changes before the '08 G is released. That R&T review has to be poisinous to G sales since so many car enthusiasts read and respect R&T's reviews.

[JZ39]

I actually don't mind the shifter that much--it takes a little extra effort than the best, but it's not bad. It's the clutch and pedal engagement that is a major sore spot for me.

[06BLACKMT]

Repost

[gspotter]

R&T picked the POS Mazda RX-8 over the G Coupe in a comparison test back when the G Coupe came out. That sure didn't hurt G Coupe sales, which outsold the RX-8 by a significant margin.

[partyman66]

Originally Posted by JZ39

Sad.......

The clutch is the only significant complaint I have about my G, ever since day 1--but unfortunately the difference between having an excellent clutch/pedal feel and what the G has is enormous.

My 1990 240SX had a better clutch and shifter feel hands down. That clutch caught right at the floor with a smooth transition making the car more responsive than its measly 140hp might predict.

Oh well, In some ways I'm glad to hear this since this won't push me in the direction of the new G coupe.

Heh.. I came from a 1990 240SX 5-speed as well prior to hopping into my '04 G Coupe 6MT. My 240 also shifted awesome and was a joy to drive if you just imagined yourself accelerating faster than you actually were.

I bet Infiniti could clean up the shift notchyness feel if they put some sort of shock absorbing material into the shift lever. If I drive my G with a pair of thin leather gloves on, it feels much smoother just because the notchy feel is absorbed by the surface of the gloves.... much like how in a FWD car the shift cable/linkage absorbs any vibrations.

[Blotto]

Coming from a WRX, this tranny is not as bad as everyone makes it seem. The only complaints that i have with the G are all the rattles, my stiff lowered wrx had less rattles than this car.

[chilibowl]

Its not the tranny...but the clutch engagement. Its so high uptop, that it is infact like an "On/Off". I dont understand why they dont lower the engagement point midway like normal other manual trannies. This car compared to the RSX, is a nightmare to drive.

[jinubob81]

Originally Posted by watsgoodG

ive had enough with my g...i should have gotten an automatic or a bmw 335

buyers remorse, FTW!

[mwarsh1]

My Clutch Is Fine, Asn So Is My Tranny.

[htownboy]

Originally Posted by FAST1

After reading posts on this forum for a year and a half, one chronic complaint has been the manual tranny. Well you critics have been vindicated by R&T. In the February edition of R&T, they compare the new G35 sedan, the Acura TL, and the IS 350. Since the G was the newest I assumed it would finish first, but it came in last, and the reason was because of the tranny. Since I'm certain that the new coupe will share the same manual tranny as the current G35 sedan, I thought I would post R&T's criticism here as well as on teh sedan forum.

Actually R&T's ccomplaints are the same as have been written on this forum by many posters.
1. A high amount of vibration resonates throughout the 6 speed manual gearbox.
2. The take up point is like an on/off switch, making it impossible to leave the line smoothly.
3. The pedal engagement feel for the clutch is poor.

As a matter of fact R&T disliked the manual tranny so much that they actually recommend that G buyers get the auto, which is a radical recommendation for a magazine which always applauds manufacturers for offering manual trannies.

OMG, I can't believe you guys sometimes... Let me break it down for you and Road & Track:

1- The Acura TL, and the IS 350 are FWD cars, so the transmission is connected by linkage and cables etc. to the shifter so you cannot feel the engine... The G's stick is IN THE TRANSMISSION, which is bolted to the engine like a real machine should be, so you get to feel the machine!

2- This 6MT is designed for performance minded people and has a stiff clutch which also must last a long time and handle allot of torque, so it MUST BE STRONG in a way and there is no substitute for the feeling of a strong durable clutch. Try a corvette or a GTO if you want to see what a really strong clutch feels like! If mom wanted a manual I would ahve her drive the TL, LOL, not a G 6MT!!! Toughen up guys, this is no girlie car!

3- Go back and read number 2

4- I have 67,000 Miles on my 6MT and the clucth is still as strong as hell... I have never lost to a 5AT G35 or Mustang GT (yes, not even the new ones) that was not FI and have launched my car hard many times, it has a great clutch and transmission. I have been driving manuals since 1978 and this clutch\transmission combination is a good balance between feel and performance. I guess some people should just drive automatics.

I had a friend tell me my car rode rough after riding in his TL; I offered to stop at Walmart and buy him a pillow and a passifier! I then reached and turned off VDC and drifted around the upcoming left turn then asked if he needed to change his diaper... Try that in the TL or IS

[chilibowl]

Originally Posted by htownboy

OMG, I can't believe you guys sometimes... Let me break it down for you and Road & Track:

1- The Acura TL, and the IS 350 are FWD cars, so the transmission is connected by linkage and cables etc. to the shifter so you cannot feel the engine... The G's stick is IN THE TRANSMISSION, which is bolted to the engine like a real machine should be, so you get to feel the machine!

2- This 6MT is designed for performance minded people and has a stiff clutch which also must last a long time and handle allot of torque, so it MUST BE STRONG in a way and there is no substitute for the feeling of a strong durable clutch. Try a corvette or a GTO if you want to see what a really strong clutch feels like! If mom wanted a manual I would ahve her drive the TL, LOL, not a G 6MT!!! Toughen up guys, this is no girlie car!

3- Go back and read number 2

4- I have 67,000 Miles on my 6MT and the clucth is still as strong as hell... I have never lost to a 5AT G35 or Mustang GT (yes, not even the new ones) that was not FI and have launched my car hard many times, it has a great clutch and transmission. I have been driving manuals since 1978 and this clutch\transmission combination is a good balance between feel and performance. I guess some people should just drive automatics.

I had a friend tell me my car rode rough after riding in his TL; I offered to stop at Walmart and buy him a pillow and a passifier! I then reached and turned off VDC and drifted around the upcoming left turn then asked if he needed to change his diaper... Try that in the TL or IS

Sorry buddy, but the IS350 is RWD. Also, there is no 6MT offered on the IS, only auto, therefore, theres no possible way the shifter would vibrate on an IS.