how is the manual transmission? How often do u have to replace the clutch and how much does it cost to replace the clutch? Would u reccomend it over auto?

 

It's fine I guess. Definately a more fun drive than an automatic (but thats in general for any car). It's a little notchy when cold, but it goes away after the tranny gets warmed up. It's all about getting use to the tranmission.

The clutch will depend on how you drive. You can get it to last over 100,000 miles if you're a coservative driver. But if you're like me, you're praying to get past 25,000 miles

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Transmission is notchy is hell. Worse manual transmission I had ever driven. Compared to my previous S2K.

Not only that, the clutch makes noise when you release it. Dealership says it's NORMAL.... The shifter can sometimes feel STUCK and you have to FORCE it into gear. But I still rather have the manual then an AUTO anyday. Especially for a sports car.

 

what about prices? I drive 300 miles a week so it can get expensive quick.

 

1st off, clutch chatter IS normal.
2nd, it's not a sports car.


In response to the OP, it's an alright MT. The shift feel is very positive, doesn't have vague shift gates like other cars I've driven. It could use a little work in the smoothness department, but you just learn how to drive better because of it. If you drive it properly, the transmission and clutch are pretty stout, and will last long time before replacing. Oh yea, WAY more fun than an auto, but same goes for any car on the road.

 

Get the stick, you'll love it

 

What extra things are there to worry about? I would hate to get the car then realize that I have to put alot of money into just upkeep.

 

Nothing, if you drive it correctly and conservatively. If you're a little harder on the clutch, that should be the only thing that needs replacing.

Remember, a manual transmission is mechanically simpler than an auto. The main difference in determining life of the parts is the human element. An auto will cost more to fix than a manual transmission, should it break, but given the human element, it's probably harder to break the auto.

 

Normally clutches are replaced after 50k miles...but it's depending on you drive. Clutches and flywheels go for about $750 and labor will be about $500 or so. Just make sure when you get your car that the clutch does not slip and the gears don't grind (assuming it's not under warranty).

 

I am actually very disappointed with the MT. I have a 04 coupe and brought to Tustin Infiniti when my 5th gear was giving me problems. Noise from the tranny began at 15k miles and the tranny noise made the car look cheap when I had guests. Its rediculous to replace clutch at 15k miles. but i did it anyways cuz it bothered so much. Overall, i think g35 tranny is the worse ive ever experienced compared to my brother's s2k, and any other MT ive driven in.

BTW: Does your car have an annoying jerking back and forth when you let go of the gas and in gear (like 1, 2, 3, and 4th)?

 

the newer trannies i think i better then the older ones, when 05 hit and the new motors (revup) were being made i think the tranny was better made then the previous models. thats is becuase i have an 2005 and i have driven the older ones and the older ones didnt fell as good at all. but in my opinion anything ascociated with a g35 is good. i think the mt is great go for it.

 

You talking about engine braking? A V-configuration engine will have a hell of a lot more engine braking than an inline engine, so if you've only driven Hondas, the G will feel harsh when chopping the throttle; this feeling is increased in the lower gears, as well as higher rpm's.

 

I've seen this alot lately, and I'm wondering what's the basis? I'm not disagreeing, I'm just wondering where it comes from.

The infiniti is an entry level luxury car, and based based very heavily off the Z. The Z by most peoples standards is very much a sports car (albeit not extremely hi-po) so what does the G coupe have or not have to differentiate from the Z? The only thing I can think of is an extra few hundred lbs.

 

it's a entry level LUXURY coupe. the key word is luxury so that is why many choose to get auto trannies

 

One requirement for a "sports car" is that it has 2 seats. All G35s, whether 2-door or 4-door, are "sport luxury cars" because they all have a back seat.

And to anyone comparing the G's manual tranny to a Honda S2000's... pfft... no comparison, the S2000's transmission is one of the best *ever* made, so please don't even go there. The G's manual is not smooth, but it's direct and gives you plenty of feedback, and the clutch pedal engagement is a little weird, it just takes a little getting used to (like 15 minutes). Unless you drive more than 20 miles to/from work in extreme stop and go traffic, I highly recommend the 6MT. If you do have to deal with a lot of traffic, you might want to think twice.

As far as maintenance, I currently have 49K on mine and no signs of clutch slippage or failure. Also, I put 60K on my last car ('99 Maxima 5MT) and didn't have any clutch problems. Just don't dump the clutch at 5000 RPM at every light, and don't rest your left foot on the pedal and yours should last quite a while.

Good luck.