Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
#16
03-01-2004 | 05:01 PM
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From: texas
Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
the g is not a mid 5 car 0-60.stop lieing to ppl. thats why ppl get disappointed when they test drive the car because of ppl like you making up imaginary numbers. its more of a high 5 car.some ppl even run low 6s.
if you are looking for speed, get an ugly wrx or evo..haha.
if you are looking for speed, get an ugly wrx or evo..haha.
#17
03-01-2004 | 05:30 PM
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From: San Diego, CA
Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>
The G is a mid-to-high 5 sec 0-60 car.
<hr></blockquote>
The statement was a "range" of speeds. I've seen plenty of different quoted speeds (Car and Driver quoted 5.6sec (Car & Driver)). I think that would qualify within the range...
It's people like you that can't read that are really the problem.
The G is a mid-to-high 5 sec 0-60 car.
<hr></blockquote>
The statement was a "range" of speeds. I've seen plenty of different quoted speeds (Car and Driver quoted 5.6sec (Car & Driver)). I think that would qualify within the range...
It's people like you that can't read that are really the problem.
#18
03-01-2004 | 06:12 PM
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
There's some truth to what he said about being disappointed with the Gcoupe. I have the G, my girlfriend has the SpecV. Funny, but the Spec is much more fun to drive in the city, stop and go traffic, a few burst or speed here and there but not redlining it every gear. It's got a lot of torque for its size so the seat of the pants feel in low rpms is much more felt in the Spec than in the G.
I know the G will eat the Spec, but I'm comparing low rpms city driving and not 0-60 and quartermile times. I'm still breaking in my G, under 1K miles still.
Peace.
2004 Coupe 6MT / Ivory Pearl / Black / Premium / Aero / 3pc Bodykit
I know the G will eat the Spec, but I'm comparing low rpms city driving and not 0-60 and quartermile times. I'm still breaking in my G, under 1K miles still.
Peace.
2004 Coupe 6MT / Ivory Pearl / Black / Premium / Aero / 3pc Bodykit
#20
03-01-2004 | 06:58 PM
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
How many people on this forum have testing equipment to obtain 0-60 times?
Use your head next time.
BTW, Car and Driver also published a 0-60 time of 5.5 for the coupe. That's the fastest I've seen. The slowest time I've seen is 6.0 for the coupe.
Use your head next time.
BTW, Car and Driver also published a 0-60 time of 5.5 for the coupe. That's the fastest I've seen. The slowest time I've seen is 6.0 for the coupe.
#21
03-01-2004 | 07:07 PM
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
Well, when I see a post like this I always wonder what the person has been driving or what else they were comparing the G35 to ??
I usually only will own cars with V-8's, like BMW 540's or old american muscle cars (althought I have had Porsche 911's also). I must say that I have no disappointment with the power of the G35 coupe (and I have an automatic)! I think this car does everything right in the performance dept. and looks great to boot!!
If you want straight line performance only for realitively cheap, get a Mustang Mach 1. If you can afford $50K+ get a Corvette Z06.
I usually only will own cars with V-8's, like BMW 540's or old american muscle cars (althought I have had Porsche 911's also). I must say that I have no disappointment with the power of the G35 coupe (and I have an automatic)! I think this car does everything right in the performance dept. and looks great to boot!!
If you want straight line performance only for realitively cheap, get a Mustang Mach 1. If you can afford $50K+ get a Corvette Z06.
#23
03-01-2004 | 08:32 PM
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From: Ottawa, On
Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
senspeed - This is what test drive are for, to make up your mind. If your first impression is that it's not as fast as you want it to be, then don't let anyone on here tell you otherwise. It's a lot of money, so just take your time and explore every options available to you.
#24
03-01-2004 | 09:15 PM
Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
The G requires a few thousand miles of break-in before it hits full power. Mid-13 quarter miles are unrealistic though, the 350Z doesn't do that and it's a couple notches faster. 14.6 is wrong too though, I hit 14.1s in an automatic with just an exhaust and very light torque-braking. It's a high 13s car, low 14s if you aren't really good.
Other people have commented that the G is not a head-snapper in the past. If you've driven very high performance cars in the past, I'd say that's fair. This incarnation of the VQ is tuned with broad, mid-ranged torque in mind. That means you have "bottomless" torque in a wide range of driving conditions. Peak torque is waaaay up at 4800 rpms, just before torque and horsepower intersect, and isn't exceptional at very low rpms. This means you don't get your head-snapped off the line, nor is there any abrupt transition in the mid-range, nor is it tuned to dramatically change its f/a timing at high rpms like the S2000 (it actually runs too rich at high rpms, a condition many G owners have cured with an aftermarket plenum). The end result is that you will always get a response whenever you stomp the pedal, but there's no one spot on the tach where it suddenly snaps your head back, and thus it drives very differently from a car with a very narrow power band like the S2000. The S2000 makes you work. The G35 is much easier, as is appropriate for a GT car rather than a true sports car. After all, if you were serious about maximum performance, why the hell would you lug around the two extra seats and fanny warmers?
-Jack
Obsidian '03 G35 Sports Coupe (for sale)
Other people have commented that the G is not a head-snapper in the past. If you've driven very high performance cars in the past, I'd say that's fair. This incarnation of the VQ is tuned with broad, mid-ranged torque in mind. That means you have "bottomless" torque in a wide range of driving conditions. Peak torque is waaaay up at 4800 rpms, just before torque and horsepower intersect, and isn't exceptional at very low rpms. This means you don't get your head-snapped off the line, nor is there any abrupt transition in the mid-range, nor is it tuned to dramatically change its f/a timing at high rpms like the S2000 (it actually runs too rich at high rpms, a condition many G owners have cured with an aftermarket plenum). The end result is that you will always get a response whenever you stomp the pedal, but there's no one spot on the tach where it suddenly snaps your head back, and thus it drives very differently from a car with a very narrow power band like the S2000. The S2000 makes you work. The G35 is much easier, as is appropriate for a GT car rather than a true sports car. After all, if you were serious about maximum performance, why the hell would you lug around the two extra seats and fanny warmers?
-Jack
Obsidian '03 G35 Sports Coupe (for sale)
#25
03-01-2004 | 09:48 PM
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#26
03-01-2004 | 09:54 PM
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
Anyone who can run 0-60 in 5.5 seconds in a stock G35 has my most sincere respect. I think for most people on this board it's more like 5.8 for the 6MT and 6.0 for the auto.
My car isn't stock anymore, but I have an expensive accelerometer that's pretty accurate for measuring stuff like this. I'm going to have a loaner sedan on Thursday and you can bet I'm going to time myself.
--Steve
My car isn't stock anymore, but I have an expensive accelerometer that's pretty accurate for measuring stuff like this. I'm going to have a loaner sedan on Thursday and you can bet I'm going to time myself.
--Steve
#27
03-01-2004 | 09:57 PM
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
Senspeed,
After reading your post i have a few questions for you.
1) Were you driving wiht the VDC on? IMHO, this makes a big difference in your acceleration and shifting. When i floor it in first gear( VDC off), the shift from 1st to second is amazing and i can definetly feel the power of the car. If the wheels didn't break loose you probably could have shifted better. If you were flooring it and at any point during your test drive you saw a yellow light flashing on the dashboard, that means the wheels broke traction and the VDC was on.
2) At any point during your test drive did you try launching the car? ie: from a stoplight. If not, i suggest you go back for another test drive and try it. Note: VDC should definetly be off when attempting this. And if you did try it, and the VDC was on and the wheels broke lose, it would have stopped you from accelerating quickly. If you decide to go back to the dealer and try it, remember that it is not easy, as you should not just be sidestepping the clutch and flooring it. There is serious skill and technique involved here. And getting a good launch will only come wiht practice.
3) How good are you at driving stick? If you can't shift well, or you didn't shift at redline in all the gears, you weren't getting the maximum power out of the engine.
Each person has their own opinions and views and everyone should recognize that when reading your opinion on test driving the G. I personally LOVE the G and would not trade it for anything in the world. I love the combination of its performance, its beautiful, elegant and unique styling, the luxurious interior, the fact that it is a coupe that actually has a usable backseat, and the overall reliability of Japanese cars. I look forward to hearing your responses to my questions and i wish you the best of luck with your decision.
NOTE: If you decide to buy a 3 series, keep it to yourself JK ! =0 )
After reading your post i have a few questions for you.
1) Were you driving wiht the VDC on? IMHO, this makes a big difference in your acceleration and shifting. When i floor it in first gear( VDC off), the shift from 1st to second is amazing and i can definetly feel the power of the car. If the wheels didn't break loose you probably could have shifted better. If you were flooring it and at any point during your test drive you saw a yellow light flashing on the dashboard, that means the wheels broke traction and the VDC was on.
2) At any point during your test drive did you try launching the car? ie: from a stoplight. If not, i suggest you go back for another test drive and try it. Note: VDC should definetly be off when attempting this. And if you did try it, and the VDC was on and the wheels broke lose, it would have stopped you from accelerating quickly. If you decide to go back to the dealer and try it, remember that it is not easy, as you should not just be sidestepping the clutch and flooring it. There is serious skill and technique involved here. And getting a good launch will only come wiht practice.
3) How good are you at driving stick? If you can't shift well, or you didn't shift at redline in all the gears, you weren't getting the maximum power out of the engine.
Each person has their own opinions and views and everyone should recognize that when reading your opinion on test driving the G. I personally LOVE the G and would not trade it for anything in the world. I love the combination of its performance, its beautiful, elegant and unique styling, the luxurious interior, the fact that it is a coupe that actually has a usable backseat, and the overall reliability of Japanese cars. I look forward to hearing your responses to my questions and i wish you the best of luck with your decision.
NOTE: If you decide to buy a 3 series, keep it to yourself JK ! =0 )
#28
03-01-2004 | 10:22 PM
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
I've just got to chime in here...
Senspeed, what exactly are you looking for in a car? Speed? Luxury? Both? While you can certainly buy a faster car for less, I challenge you to find a faster, more luxurious car than the G35 Coupe in it's class. Simply put...it's the "entire package".
Like many of the other members have already said, if you want pure speed (which really only leads to more speeding tickets anyway), get an STI. If you want more speed AND luxury, be prepared to pay more...way more. The bottom line is, you need to clearly define your interests, and then decide which vehical makes the most sense. Maybe the G isn't the fastest car out there, but if you want amenities and don't want to pay for an M3, it really is the perfect choice.
'04 6MT, Laser Red/Graphite, Prem, Navi, 4-Piece Aero, BSM
Senspeed, what exactly are you looking for in a car? Speed? Luxury? Both? While you can certainly buy a faster car for less, I challenge you to find a faster, more luxurious car than the G35 Coupe in it's class. Simply put...it's the "entire package".
Like many of the other members have already said, if you want pure speed (which really only leads to more speeding tickets anyway), get an STI. If you want more speed AND luxury, be prepared to pay more...way more. The bottom line is, you need to clearly define your interests, and then decide which vehical makes the most sense. Maybe the G isn't the fastest car out there, but if you want amenities and don't want to pay for an M3, it really is the perfect choice.
'04 6MT, Laser Red/Graphite, Prem, Navi, 4-Piece Aero, BSM
#29
03-01-2004 | 10:34 PM
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
Hey, I just read the first few posts, but none of the posts afterwards.
For the dude who test-drive the G35C 6MT and was unsatisfied (the starter of this thread), I don't blame you about kinda being disappointed. When I first got my G35C, after the break-in period, I liked to punch it a lot but I never really "felt" like I was going that fast. I was expecting the low-end-torque-response of BMW's, in which they provide that solid neck-snapping acceleration so I didn't feel like this car was that fast, but boy was I wrong.
The thing is, strong low-end torque is good because it is quicker for daily driving and it gives you that "feeling" of going fast as soon as you step on it. And maximum horsepower in cars is always at or near redline (basically at pretty high rpm's). So your average BMW has strong low-end torque for good acceleration down low, and a good amount of horsepower for good power up high when you're feeling "spirited". But in terms of true performance, the ideal setup is to have max torque at higher rpm's. As I said before, cars always produce their maximum horsepower at or near the engine's redline, but torque is a very important factor as well. Having high torque at the higher rpm's gives you the ability to take full advantage of gearing. This car provides you with maximum power and acceleration WITHOUT compromising torque or horsepower as long as you are in the high rpm's, which is really great because with this setup, you are encouraged to stay in the easier, lower, gear for as long as possible which helps acceleration even more. But when you punch it in 2nd gear from like 2,000rpm it won't feel that fast because maximum torque is all the way up at 4,400rpm.
To simplify what I said and what I'm trying to say, the trick with this car is to keep the enigne at high rpm's (which is what you do when you're racing, not so much on the road, unfortunately). But if you have the opportunity, try whipping this car around at high rpm's, you will see that the engine is a monster and this car turns from a luxury into a take-no-prisoners sports car.
I love my G.
MrElussive
03 G35C 6MT
For the dude who test-drive the G35C 6MT and was unsatisfied (the starter of this thread), I don't blame you about kinda being disappointed. When I first got my G35C, after the break-in period, I liked to punch it a lot but I never really "felt" like I was going that fast. I was expecting the low-end-torque-response of BMW's, in which they provide that solid neck-snapping acceleration so I didn't feel like this car was that fast, but boy was I wrong.
The thing is, strong low-end torque is good because it is quicker for daily driving and it gives you that "feeling" of going fast as soon as you step on it. And maximum horsepower in cars is always at or near redline (basically at pretty high rpm's). So your average BMW has strong low-end torque for good acceleration down low, and a good amount of horsepower for good power up high when you're feeling "spirited". But in terms of true performance, the ideal setup is to have max torque at higher rpm's. As I said before, cars always produce their maximum horsepower at or near the engine's redline, but torque is a very important factor as well. Having high torque at the higher rpm's gives you the ability to take full advantage of gearing. This car provides you with maximum power and acceleration WITHOUT compromising torque or horsepower as long as you are in the high rpm's, which is really great because with this setup, you are encouraged to stay in the easier, lower, gear for as long as possible which helps acceleration even more. But when you punch it in 2nd gear from like 2,000rpm it won't feel that fast because maximum torque is all the way up at 4,400rpm.
To simplify what I said and what I'm trying to say, the trick with this car is to keep the enigne at high rpm's (which is what you do when you're racing, not so much on the road, unfortunately). But if you have the opportunity, try whipping this car around at high rpm's, you will see that the engine is a monster and this car turns from a luxury into a take-no-prisoners sports car.
I love my G.
MrElussive
03 G35C 6MT
#30
03-01-2004 | 10:42 PM
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From: San Diego, CA
Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
The driver is irrelevant. The discussion was about the capabilities of the cars not the driver's on this forum.
My 90 year old grandmother could probably do 0-60 in about 15 seconds driving a G but what does that have to do with the car's capabilities?
Given better drivers you can usually get better results. There is a point at which you'll reach the limits for each car. For a stock G the best time I've seen in a magazine is 5.5 seconds. For the Evo, STi, M3, it's lower. That's how I know those cars are quicker than my car. Not because I have personal experience driving them but because I use the the best reputable numbers available for comparison. I don't care that somebody else could only get a 7.0 sec 0-60 in the Evo. I still know that the car has more capability than that.
My 90 year old grandmother could probably do 0-60 in about 15 seconds driving a G but what does that have to do with the car's capabilities?
Given better drivers you can usually get better results. There is a point at which you'll reach the limits for each car. For a stock G the best time I've seen in a magazine is 5.5 seconds. For the Evo, STi, M3, it's lower. That's how I know those cars are quicker than my car. Not because I have personal experience driving them but because I use the the best reputable numbers available for comparison. I don't care that somebody else could only get a 7.0 sec 0-60 in the Evo. I still know that the car has more capability than that.