Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
I cant help this topic.
Senspeed, I too felt very much like you did. In fact my first outing in the car was such a disappointment I found it noisy, sluggish and very heavy - I could not understand what the excitement was all about. - basically from a get up and go feeling my Jetta VR6 felt way quicker and much more alive.
Then I had a second outing a few weeks later again I tought the gears were heavy, the car felt powerful but not quick.
Then I thought thats it, enough find something else so went to the TSX (gutless high revving sewing machine - I hate that) and later a TL (torque steer spooked me), BMW (social connotations and everything is an option), SAAB (where did they put the engine?), Even Pontiac (GTP is quite quick, but...)
So back to Infiniti this time another dealership - and got to take the car on the freeway and some higher speed loops, now it was taking shape - smooth fluid power delivery.....
Finally bought it, still for the first 3000rpms nothing much happens and for a 3.5l it seems weak. Now however that it is run in and the gears feel good and the engine is ready to work, Im amazed at the power lurking under the hood and from 4k RPM and higher this thing really shifts. I have become something of a big fan - I love the way you can potter around in the traffic without any stress and from time to time press the gas and get a big grin - this thing is no slouch!!!
Stick with your feelings, go drive a few times more try a higher milleage car (perhaps the loaner), be your own judge, but I think you will find a ton of performance and a great ride just waiting for fun.
Senspeed, I too felt very much like you did. In fact my first outing in the car was such a disappointment I found it noisy, sluggish and very heavy - I could not understand what the excitement was all about. - basically from a get up and go feeling my Jetta VR6 felt way quicker and much more alive.
Then I had a second outing a few weeks later again I tought the gears were heavy, the car felt powerful but not quick.
Then I thought thats it, enough find something else so went to the TSX (gutless high revving sewing machine - I hate that) and later a TL (torque steer spooked me), BMW (social connotations and everything is an option), SAAB (where did they put the engine?), Even Pontiac (GTP is quite quick, but...)
So back to Infiniti this time another dealership - and got to take the car on the freeway and some higher speed loops, now it was taking shape - smooth fluid power delivery.....
Finally bought it, still for the first 3000rpms nothing much happens and for a 3.5l it seems weak. Now however that it is run in and the gears feel good and the engine is ready to work, Im amazed at the power lurking under the hood and from 4k RPM and higher this thing really shifts. I have become something of a big fan - I love the way you can potter around in the traffic without any stress and from time to time press the gas and get a big grin - this thing is no slouch!!!
Stick with your feelings, go drive a few times more try a higher milleage car (perhaps the loaner), be your own judge, but I think you will find a ton of performance and a great ride just waiting for fun.
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From: Bergen County, NJ
Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
Don't buy a G, there are enough of them on the road.
I love my G, whether it crawls or could take off into the sky at breakneck speeds. If I wanted crazy power I wouldn't even consider the G w/a 34k+ price tag.
I love my G, whether it crawls or could take off into the sky at breakneck speeds. If I wanted crazy power I wouldn't even consider the G w/a 34k+ price tag.
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>
This car has been on my mind since it was first debuted over a year ago. And the truth is this is my realistic dream machine. I was tembling with excitement as the salesperson handed me the keys. I started the car and the melodious exhaust roared to life.
<hr></blockquote>
Thats a lot of expectation. I'm not sure anything under 40k could have lived up to it.
This car has been on my mind since it was first debuted over a year ago. And the truth is this is my realistic dream machine. I was tembling with excitement as the salesperson handed me the keys. I started the car and the melodious exhaust roared to life.
<hr></blockquote>
Thats a lot of expectation. I'm not sure anything under 40k could have lived up to it.
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
To reply to Jersterevs questions, no I didnt launch the vehicle...I didnt want to feel bad for ruinning someone else future car. One of my favorite tests for cars is to run up 2nd gear from 20mph...to me its a pretty good way to gauge the cars performance. VDC was on...but Im pretty sure I wasnt close to breaking out the rear. my shifting skills really had nothing to do with the way I drove the car. ya I know right now the G35 is really in a class by its own. In our SUV lovin market, there isnt much choice. The BMW 330 and 4 series when it comes out, but its a bit more expensive.
I think after reading everyones post (some more spirited than others haha) my expectations were too high. As I have said before that picture I posted is what I have been staring at... me looking at the picture and imagining to myself ripping through the gears...haha. I'll probably still end up buying the car, but instead of rushing into it as I was prepared to...I'll probably wait for the 2005 model and wait for infiniti to work out some of those bugs I been hearing about on this forum and maybe there'll be some performance tweaks? heh who knows.
I think after reading everyones post (some more spirited than others haha) my expectations were too high. As I have said before that picture I posted is what I have been staring at... me looking at the picture and imagining to myself ripping through the gears...haha. I'll probably still end up buying the car, but instead of rushing into it as I was prepared to...I'll probably wait for the 2005 model and wait for infiniti to work out some of those bugs I been hearing about on this forum and maybe there'll be some performance tweaks? heh who knows.
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
"To reply to Jersterevs questions, no I didnt launch the vehicle"
A nice launch in a G makes a BIG difference imho. I was impressed when I got a really nice launch a few weeks ago. (I don't hammer my car or race it and hadn't felt the full potential of the car before that moment in time)
A nice launch in a G makes a BIG difference imho. I was impressed when I got a really nice launch a few weeks ago. (I don't hammer my car or race it and hadn't felt the full potential of the car before that moment in time)
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
What's really nice is to just punch it from 0mph to 60mph. I absolutely love doing this on the highway. I stop at EZPass, and EZPass gate opens, and I just punch it. I don't even launch, I just let 1st gear hook-up as I'm not racing anyone, and then I flat out punch it. 1st gear is a pickup gear so it is always pretty raw even from the start. Then rip it into 2nd and drop the clutch and I get some juicy wheelspin. And, since I shifted at redline, the engine is still at high rpm's, entering second at 35mph+, so maximum horsepower and torque are there for a vicious continuation of maximum acceleration, then I go into third (at 60mph) and continue until about 70-80mph until I back down. Even 3rd gear has seductively fast acceleration at 4K+ rpm. It's quite an exhilerating experience and it's very clear that the engine truly comes alive at higher rpm's.
If you want better low-end torque for that neck-snapping acceleration, get a BMW 330 or an Audi A4...they'll "feel" faster which will make you "feel" happier when accelerating hard. =)
But I can tell you that before I got my G, I also dreamed about it...just imagining myself driving the sh*t out of this car. Now after 6,000+ miles on my G, I can easily say that I am still ecstatic over my car and I probably will be for the next 30,000 miles.
MrElussive
03 G35C 6MT
If you want better low-end torque for that neck-snapping acceleration, get a BMW 330 or an Audi A4...they'll "feel" faster which will make you "feel" happier when accelerating hard. =)
But I can tell you that before I got my G, I also dreamed about it...just imagining myself driving the sh*t out of this car. Now after 6,000+ miles on my G, I can easily say that I am still ecstatic over my car and I probably will be for the next 30,000 miles.
MrElussive
03 G35C 6MT
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From: San Diego, CA
Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
The poster who started this thread was discussing the capabilities of the "car" and quoted stats from magazines as his reference. He didn't ask for the imaginary average for the driver's on this forum.
If he had, I would suspect that the "average" would be even higher than 5.8 since there are bound to be some inexperienced drivers, plenty of automatics, different environmental factors and only a few people here who actually practice their launches or have a timer in the first place so how do you determine the average? Factor in that some pro drivers for the magazines have only been able to coax a 5.9 out of the car and I think the stated "average" for the drivers here is useless...
If he had, I would suspect that the "average" would be even higher than 5.8 since there are bound to be some inexperienced drivers, plenty of automatics, different environmental factors and only a few people here who actually practice their launches or have a timer in the first place so how do you determine the average? Factor in that some pro drivers for the magazines have only been able to coax a 5.9 out of the car and I think the stated "average" for the drivers here is useless...
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
I have a few overall comments to make here that i've wanted to make for a while now.
First, whenever I read all these posts regarding the G's powerband I get confused? For the guy that started this post i offer you this...YOU'RE INSANE!
I drive my AT G35 coupe in MANUAL gears 90% of the time, and the car BLOWS me back into my seat almost as much as my custom 355 HP Iroc-Z Covertible. I have ZERO idea what you're talking about, same for all those saying the car starts off "sluggish"?...really?, please come race me for proof you're wrong.
Next, guys, FACTOID the 6MT is NO FASTER than the AT, not a smiggin. To date I have raced 5 6MT, beaten them all(driver most likely) however here is the secret IMHO...the manual feature is really something to take advantage of against 6-speeds BECAUSE I have no clutch to engage. The MT goes NO FASTER than the AT in manual gearing, this is a FACT, race enough and you'll be educated to that fact.
I have beaten so many cars with this G its silly. Sure I lost to a Porsche 911 Turbo...
also a Z06 Vette, and a few others...but this car will hang with most, and driving it to redline is the key in ANY winning race. Whatever you drove that day was NOT what is lurking inside the metal, learn your cars abilities by DRIVING,... articles and arguments are worthless on the streets...
First, whenever I read all these posts regarding the G's powerband I get confused? For the guy that started this post i offer you this...YOU'RE INSANE!
I drive my AT G35 coupe in MANUAL gears 90% of the time, and the car BLOWS me back into my seat almost as much as my custom 355 HP Iroc-Z Covertible. I have ZERO idea what you're talking about, same for all those saying the car starts off "sluggish"?...really?, please come race me for proof you're wrong.
Next, guys, FACTOID the 6MT is NO FASTER than the AT, not a smiggin. To date I have raced 5 6MT, beaten them all(driver most likely) however here is the secret IMHO...the manual feature is really something to take advantage of against 6-speeds BECAUSE I have no clutch to engage. The MT goes NO FASTER than the AT in manual gearing, this is a FACT, race enough and you'll be educated to that fact.
I have beaten so many cars with this G its silly. Sure I lost to a Porsche 911 Turbo...
also a Z06 Vette, and a few others...but this car will hang with most, and driving it to redline is the key in ANY winning race. Whatever you drove that day was NOT what is lurking inside the metal, learn your cars abilities by DRIVING,... articles and arguments are worthless on the streets...
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Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
lets all not forget just because your car doesnt feel fast doesnt mean it isnt. Our car is heavy and filled with a lot more shock asobring materials so the car doesnt feel cheap and wobbly in high speeds. I feel completely safe in my car and sometime i dont even notice im hitting 100mph.
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From: NC
Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
what niko14 said... and also what the other guy said about the break in... There have been times where my car didn't feel as fast because it was a hot and humid day, but it completely blew away another guy who tried to race me on that day.
2003.5 5AT
Premium Package
Tire/Wheel Package
K&N Filter, Z-Tube, EGK
2003.5 5AT
Premium Package
Tire/Wheel Package
K&N Filter, Z-Tube, EGK
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From: texas
Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
thats the point of an average isnt it?plus, he drove a 6spd not autos, so why are u even bringing up auto g35s?exactly, some pro drivers are only able to get 5.9s, so why would you want to tell him the average is mid 5s to high 5s when he is no pro?first, you tell him the average of the g35 0-60, now you say averages are irrelevant?
Re: Just test drove a 6mt coupe - disappointed
"After the drive I realized the car was not as fast as I had expected (this is not intended to be a flame)."
Ditto.
DaveO - 2003 G35 Sedan / DP / Willow / AT / Premium / Sport
350Z Engine Cover, T-Stat & Air Duct / Stillen CAI
GG 7-Wire H-G Kit / TS ECU / E-Fans
Street Edge TC / B&M Cooler / Stillen Exhaust
Ditto.
DaveO - 2003 G35 Sedan / DP / Willow / AT / Premium / Sport
350Z Engine Cover, T-Stat & Air Duct / Stillen CAI
GG 7-Wire H-G Kit / TS ECU / E-Fans
Street Edge TC / B&M Cooler / Stillen Exhaust
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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>
thats the point of an average isnt it?plus, he drove a 6spd not autos, so why are u even bringing up auto g35s?exactly, some pro drivers are only able to get 5.9s, so why would you want to tell him the average is mid 5s to high 5s when he is no pro?first, you tell him the average of the g35 0-60, now you say averages are irrelevant?
<hr></blockquote>
Show me where I stated that the average is mid-to-high 5s? I don't believe that's the average at all. The car mags quote those statistics and they're usually as close to optimal as possible for a specific car.
The quoted average of 5.8secs for drivers on the forum is irrelevant because it has no basis in fact plus it wasn't pertinent to the conversation which was concerning the capabilities of the car not the drivers.
thats the point of an average isnt it?plus, he drove a 6spd not autos, so why are u even bringing up auto g35s?exactly, some pro drivers are only able to get 5.9s, so why would you want to tell him the average is mid 5s to high 5s when he is no pro?first, you tell him the average of the g35 0-60, now you say averages are irrelevant?
<hr></blockquote>
Show me where I stated that the average is mid-to-high 5s? I don't believe that's the average at all. The car mags quote those statistics and they're usually as close to optimal as possible for a specific car.
The quoted average of 5.8secs for drivers on the forum is irrelevant because it has no basis in fact plus it wasn't pertinent to the conversation which was concerning the capabilities of the car not the drivers.