Test Driving the G and Competition

[oab97]

Here’s hoping that the community doesn’t mind me sharing my thoughts after spending a Saturday test driving cars. For those wanting the short version; I’m looking forward to being a new G sedan owner in a few months and enjoying the company of this forum for the next few years.

Criteria for consideration:
Less than $40K, sporty, 4-doors, room enough for a child to sit behind a 6’1” driver, a manual transmission, and not FWD. I decided up front to exclude the racer-boy Evo & STi. I also excluded Audi (even though I love the cars) since the Houston dealers are both far away and notorious for treating customers poorly.

The cars:
Legacy GT manual: Very nice car and I loved my 03 WRX when I was living in the <$25K range so I have a soft spot for Subbies. Legacy had the best manual tranny I drove all day. The only one that didn't have me thinking about the gearbox or the clutch. It just worked. Otherwise the car handled great, was a bit slow, suffered minor turbo lag, had an awful sound system, and lacked some of the amenities of the other cars I drove.

BMW: Drove a 335 coupe since it was all they had with a manual. Clutch was good but the gearbox was stiff and notchy. Overall, it was a fantastic car but I need 4-doors and don't have 50 grand. Also drove a 328 sedan with an auto since, with the exception of the tranny, is what I'd consider buying. It was a great handler but a bit of a dog in the power dept. Mediocre sound system and the upgrade is $1200 on top of the $40K I'd already be spending to get it optioned the way I want it. At the risk of sounding like Car&Driver, the BMWs were the most solid feeling and best handling cars I drove.

Acura: I went to see if they had any additional skinny on the new TL (they didn't). Drove the new TSX manual. Nice car, seemed to handle well for FWD. IMO, FWD is okay up to about 200hp (ala the TSX) but above that you're asking too much to get the front wheels to turn and get the power down simultaneously. The TSX makes very good use of the power it does have. It feels as powerful as everything else I drove when driving normally, but when you reach down for something extra there's nothing there. The clutch was good but the gearbox felt sloppy/mushy. Sound system was pretty darn good, although overall the interior and gadget level weren't up to anything but the Subaru's standards. I guess that makes sense since they're the only two cars under $30K I drove. I'm very intrigued by the prospect of the new TL being AWD but I'm guessing it'll be a bit pricier than I'm looking for.

G37 coupe (since they didn't have a manual sedan and the 09's will have that engine anyway): All the features of the BMW and TL without the price. Definitely the quickest of everything I'd consider buying (meaning not the aforementioned 335 coupe). Sound system was comparable to the Acura in being pretty good. They're definitely the two best I drove but neither is quite as nice as the Dynaudio option pkg. in my current Volkswagen. Very nice gearbox but the clutch (as well documented around here) leaves a bit to be desired. That said, I don't think it's the awful horrendous thing some of the mags would have you believe and I never came close to stalling it. Didn't handle quite as tight as the BMWs but was comparable to the Subaru and certainly was up to my needs.

Decisions:
At the end of the day, if I was an average Joe buyer I'd probably be torn between the nice price of the TSX, the G in the middle, and the prospect of an AWD TL. But since my company is a business partner of Nissan I'm eligible for the Nissan/Infiniti VPP program which means I can buy an 09 G37 Sedan shortly after they come out for about $300 over invoice. With that in mind, it makes the G a no-brainer and I've already spoken to the GM of the local dealer about spec'ing out a car as I want it when they place their 2nd month of 09 orders in the beginning of August. I expect to be a new owner sometime in Oct.

[tekieru]

damn exciting. I wonder when Nissan/Infiniti will make a official statement regarding the G37 Sedans.

Questions: Will white on black be available on the 09 G37 Sedan?

[oab97]

That topic came up briefly and the GM said "he thought" it was an option but was only available with either the sport package or the M/T Sport (I can't remember which). I'd stress that it was a side-note discussion since it's not a combo I'm personally interested in.

[oab97]

Originally Posted by oab97

I’m looking forward to...enjoying the company of this forum for the next few years.

Actually, I'll amend that to "being primarily a lurker" for the next few years. This place is way to anal retentive in its disjointed and huge network of sub-forums for my blood. I can't figure how a post about driving and buying a G that also discusses other cars in its class gets moved to some sub-area of the general discussion forum.

[t1328]

I am actually wondering if any of the mods can explain - why are the threads comparing cars to the G moved to 'Off Topic'? Surely these are right on topic in the G forum?

Thanks
Tamir

[Skaterbasist]

Great quick reviews. Sounds like you had a blast test driving all these cars in one day. You can't go wrong with the new G35 Sedan.

[Virus]

I hope you don't plan on putting an infant seat behind you, because even the 4 door G is way too small. I have our child seat behind the passenger side and had to move the seat very far forward. I have a Chico seat which was one of the smallest as well. If it's a booster seat you will be fine. I'm not sure about toddler front facing seats as my kids are 6, 4 and 16 weeks. They fit in the Maxima just fine, but the Maxima had alot more room.

The TL may be the better car for you.

[t1328]

We got both our infant seat (Graco Safeseat), and our toddler convertible seat (Britax Marathon) in without a problem. We did have to move the passenger seat forward for the rear facing seat, but that was a problem in my previous BMW too and is in most sedans in this class.

Regards,
Tamir

[G35Now!]

Originally Posted by t1328

I am actually wondering if any of the mods can explain - why are the threads comparing cars to the G moved to 'Off Topic'? Surely these are right on topic in the G forum?

Thanks
Tamir

Other Cars: Discussion of all other cars and comparisons with the G35.

The threads involving the G and comparisons to other cars are being moved to the Other Cars sub-forum. Keeps all of the data in one place, making it easier to search for the info.

[illusion]

Good reviews overall. I have test driven the new G's and own a older 03 sedan and Evo. Both fit me well even though I'm much taller than 6'1.
Dont have a kid sitting in the backseat though..lol. Dont overlook the Evo based on a image of boy racer though..I look at it more of an enthusiast..although I'm probably younger than u....

What part of Houston are u from that the dealers are bad though??

BTW..of the cars listed the G is the best followed by the Subaru..

[oab97]

The only dealers I'm less than enthusiastic about are the Audi dealers and there're only two of them in the entire Houston area neither of which is particularly close to me. For what it's worth, I'm in SE Houston (Clear Lake area).

As far as the Evo or STi goes, I've just gotten to the point where I want to be able to have comfortable phone conversation instead of yelling over the road noise. I no longer need to know exactly how wide each expansion joint is to the millimeter based on the level of jarring I receive. They are both FANTASTIC cars for what they are, but I'd rather be able to get out of my car wearing a suit and not feel like an oxymoron. It's just part of getting a bit older I guess.

[oab97]

Originally Posted by illusion

BTW..of the cars listed the G is the best followed by the Subaru..

I tend to agree on a price/performance basis. The nice thing about the Legacy is the robust aftermarket that can easily put it into G37 hp territory for less than $1500.

[t1328]

Originally Posted by G35Now!

Other Cars: Discussion of all other cars and comparisons with the G35.

The threads involving the G and comparisons to other cars are being moved to the Other Cars sub-forum. Keeps all of the data in one place, making it easier to search for the info.

I guess if I was looking at the G and wanted to see what others had said about it in comparison to it's competitors, the last place I would think of looking is 'The Loung (Off topic)'. That usually to me indicates something completely off topic from the cars. I understand the need to be organized. I just think comparisons of different cars to ours should be in the section of the car being compared to - ie. the G in this case. Anyway, I appreciate all the work you guys put into the site - please don't take this as a criticism of that - just of this particular decision.

Thanks
Tamir

[IvoryPearl07G]

i recommend checking out the new maxima as well.
-it has nice room.
-Very close to the acceleration of the G(on rolling starts),
-but its FWD and CVT powered(which will have it running 3-5mpg better regularly though)

I helped launch it at the plant(within my workzone), and i have to admit, its nicer than my 07 G35S on the interior. I actually am considering it for the wifes car once this one goes into "show car only" mode. then i will drive her current 07 sentra as my daily.

[Sbeck]

You will be very happy with your new G.