Last week we gave up our 04 Ivory Pearl coupe for a Black Obsidian G37S 6mt. I'm pretty excited about it, because for the first time in 15 years, she has agreed that she'll learn to drive stick.

However, as I found when we picked up the car, the 15 years I spent driving sedans for work and my wifes G35 auto, I have got a lot of rust to shake off! lol.

I think the G37S vs G35 coupe review have been done to death on the forums, but I wanted to let everyone know that the car is great, and you don't really feel the extra weight BUT....

My real complaint, and it's a big one, and I urge everyone to take this under consideration: The G35 has far superior steering feel. The G37S steering is very muted and uncommunicative. Not like a Buick or Lexus, but definitely far from what I love with the G35. I think the suspension is a little softer as well, but I think it's more planted and not so twichy now. I haven't tracked it yet, but I think I'll be turning slower times. We'll see. But the week I've spent with the car tells me that if you're thinking about a performance vehicle, and you do track it, you should really test drive the G37S thoroughly first.

I didn't test drive it, I sort of assumed that it was extremely similar.

 

You bought a $50,000 car and YOU DIDN'T TEST DRIVE IT! JK


I'm sure you will get used to the steering feel and once you shake off the MT rust then the extra horses should provide a fun factor for you that will soon make your 04 Coupe no more than a fond memory. Congratulations on the new wheels!

 

Congrats, Link.....enjoy the new G.....

C.

 

Congrats on the new ride Link.... how about some pics

...re steering feel; some good perf tires can make a huge difference.
Are tire pressures OK?

 

Congrats link91. On the plus side I'm sure the car is much more refined to drive. you may be giving up a bit of the raw feel for that.

 

Thanks guys! The car is definitely more refined. I think she likes it way more than the previous G35. I would say it's a more superior car than the G35 as daily driver.

I'll have to get some sort of detailing package, as the black colour of the car is already showing so much dirt!

and yeah... I didn't test drive it. Reading the reviews online and I pretty much knew what I was getting a 'softer' car. I just was surprised with the steering feedback as I wasn't expecting that.

 

Don't forget Picus (Kevin) here at 'Driver to detail the new ride.
Many of us can vouch for his work but you will have to contact him for an appointment and he is busy, so don't delay.

http://gtaindetail.com/

Colin.

 

you know whats funny? C&D reviews of the G35 coupe whebn it first came out were criticizing that fact about it and then when it came time to review the g37 coupe... they said its downfall was that it didnt feel as raw as the g35... damn bimmer fan boys haha

 

I can attest to the muted steering feel in the G37S when test driving it earlier this week. I don't remember having this feeling in the 08 G35 sedan particularly in the initial turn in. But once at speed, it seems to be much better.

 

Wish me luck guys.

I'm going to an empty parking lot with my wife today (and no, not to go 'parking', although that would be fun. Haven't done that since I was a kid!), to try and teach her how to drive stick.

I've already explained to her how a clutch works, why you need it, the reason for different gear ratios, and how the shifter can change the gears in a transmission. She's seen video's, animations, and I think, understands the concept very well.

My next step is to find a flat surface, and just teach her how to find and feel the engagement point. and let her do that a million times before she touches the throttle.

I've also printed out the thread from way back about learning to drive manual properly for her future reference.

You guys have any other hints? A dealership suggested I called "Shifters" and save money on divorce costs. lol

 

Congrats.

Be sure and do what every other G37 coupe driver is doing and speed up to every G35coupe you see so they'll be sure to see you in your new G37 and speed past them in awesome ricer fly by style.

 

I have been looking at the new 37 as well I am going to test drive one this week and see what I think. Thanks for the review I hope your wife catches on to the manual quickly.

 

Folks, just keep in mind, Infiniti has increased the factory incentive from $1000 to $2000 starting this month.

 

+1 for Shifters (http://www.shifters.ca/). I used them to brush up my skills when I was thinking of getting an Elise. Their instructors were really patient, and they can work around your schedule (they can come to your workplace and do lunch sessions etc.). I would recommend them to anyone learning to drive manual for the first time or to brush up before you jump back into a manual.

 

Ya, BMW pays their salaries. They told me.