Frankly, I don't notice THAT much vibration in mine, and I usually have my hand on the shifter all the time, except in extended cruise mode. Sure there is some vibration, but I just can't imagine how it could hurt your hand. Even at high rpms or with full throttle acceleration the vibration is at a very high frequency.

I would be inclined to attribute the differing perceptions of vibration level to variances in manufacturing and assembly tolerances, but I've learned from many members of this forum that this is not an issue for Japanese manufacturers. Therefore, I'm forced to conclude that those who consider the vibrations excessive must have some inherent physical defect making them overly sensitive in this area. They should seek medical attention. :>)

Now, who's ready for a yummy philly cheese steak?!

2004.5 TB/Willow 6MT Coupe
Aluminum Pedals
BEL RX75 Pro Plus
K&N Hi-Flow

 

i don't get it....a manual transmission shifter that vibrates....ummm, don't they all vibrate? and especially with a car with a stronger engine, wouldn't it vibrate even more? i've driven manuals my whole life (until i purchased a 5at coupe) and the shifter always vibrates even in tiny, dinky honda civics.

and as far as the transmission shaking and trembling, are you referring to the shifter or the entire car? if the car, i think perhaps it could be your driving and your clutch-driving abilities. because i know that everybody needs to get accustomed to any manual auto despite their experience with a stick. am i correct?

 

My 6Mt just passed 10K....and I must be driving a totally different car than you!
I have owned both Porsches and BMW's and I think this car is a really easy manual to master. Sure the clutch is way too high from the factory.....just do a minor adjustment and it is great.
I guess that I am just extremely lucky........mine doesn't squeak.....vibrate....buzz.....rattle.....grind... ..slip....etc.
Best bang for the buck I have spent in years.
Sell it!...it dosen't like you and vice versa.

"Remember.....If you drink,don't park....accidents cause people!"

 

I recently traded my BMW 325Ci 5 speed manual for a Coupe 6MT. I like the tranny in the 6MT much better than the BMW. BMW had long throws and very "sloppy" and delayed clutch action. I have no problem sacrificing a bit of vibration for the excellent feel and precise engagement of the 6MT. My only complaint with the 6MT is occasional and very annoying clutch chatter since new. I will probably get it checked out at the dealer soon.

 

Z2G - what I meant is that for a $40k sports-car, the tranny is not smooth nor refined; I feel like I'm getting Parkinsons if I shift above 4500 RPM !!! The amount of vibration in the stick is considerable and I have driven cars that are much smoother at high RPMs, and cost half of our G.

Well, I'm happy that you don't have an issue with this .... Believe me, it's hard to detach from such an issue, especially when I drive it every day .... But, I haven't given up, I'm still trying to get used to it !

 

The shifter vibration is one of the flaws in this car IMO. There are others. The big picture is the only way to look at any car though. Overall I find the G35C/6MT to be outstanding. I tolerate the shifter vibration while I relish its super close, short throws and straight-into-the-gearbox feel.

As to the original poster's comment regarding the 6MT feeling "sluggish" in comparison to a 5AT or whatever, he should remember that with a manual tranny he, not the transmission, has the job of making gear choices. There is more torque available in the 6MT than the 5AT, but ONLY when the driver keeps the engine in the power band by choosing the right gear. The engine needs to be between 3.5K RPMs and redline to get the most out of it when you want power. The AT will do that for you automatically if you like, but you have to run the show in the 6MT. The reward, again, is more peak power to the wheels. I like that...

 

I have seen the transmission vibrations prior to 2005 models and that was the main reasin i did noy buy a G then but now i have the 2005 and there is no transmission vibration at all even shifting at higher rpms.

Is ur car < 2005. Otherwise take it to the dealer.

 

I agree with you, im thinking of selling MY G, i want a funner car to drive, sorry my fellow G owners you might lose one

 

i got automatic so i wouldnt know what ur talking about...
but when i had my s2000
the tranny was PERFECT and the gear box was PERFECT..........but yea when i drove manual G in the dealer... i had hardtime shifting the gears due to weird gear box location
well at least it is not as perfect as s2000 gear box

 

Be careful what you ask for. Nissan might just give it to you.

I've owned several Nissans/Infinitis over the years, all of them with manual transmissions of varying designs. As you may or may not know, there are three different types of manual transmission linkages:

* Cable
* Rod
* Direct-to-gearbox

Most Japanese FWD cars use a cable mechanism. It isolates the shifter from the transmission substantially, providing a quiet, vibration-free, non-moving stick in your hand. It also eliminates nearly all feedback, so the experience is one of disconnect and often sloppiness between gates. My Altima 3.5 SE had this type of shifter, and it was universally despised by both me and the automotive press for its numb, rubbery feel.

Rod mechanisms are less common in FWD cars. They're more expensive to design and produce, but provide a more tactile shifter that's as a general rule more precise. You'll get a good amount of feedback with this design; the shifter will vibrate in your hand, and you'll see it flop around under load/no-load conditions, particularly in top gear. My Sentra SE-R and my wife's G20 employed this design with great success IMO. Both cars had/have brilliant gearboxes and shifters that provide a good compromise between feedback, feel and NVH.

Direct-to-gearbox designs, like that in the G35 6MT, are only found in RWD (and possibly AWD) vehicles due to the location of the gearbox. There are no multiple-geometry rod or cable linkages with joints and bushings to isolate vibration and noise from intruding into the cabin. You'll pretty much get what the gearbox gives you in exchange for an inherently precise shift mechanism. As with all things mechanical, some are better than others in design, but the G35's includes an excellent short-throw shifter that's a bit lively IMO for a luxury sports-sedan. It's better suited to the 350Z from which it sprang, and I expect buyers of the new Xterra that includes this gearbox won't complain too loudly of its extroverted character either.

Personally, I'd rate my 6MT's gearbox a notch below my SE-R's/G20's transmission in every category except throw length. But it's not a bad design I don't think. I can see why its level of NVH would be bothersome to those accustomed to FWD Japanese cars like Hondas and Acuras, which pretty much all use cable mechanisms. As I alluded to earlier, there's an easy fix for this: Trade your G35 for an Altima 3.5 manual, which offers nearly identical straightline performance. You'll be rowing what may feel to be a dead fish in coagulated cod oil, but you'll get exactly zero feedback if that's your thing.

Of course, everything else in the cabin will roar, rattle, clink, vibrate and tinkle, and various bits may fall off from time to time. Six of one, half-dozen of the other.

 

AMEN!! brotha!

 

I also had an RSX-S and I can honestly say that the G35 is no where near as smooth, but what are you gonna do. It took a little getting used to. It's louder and it's not effortless like the rsx, but it's bearable, considering it's the only complaint I have about the car.

 

My wife's s2000 is flawless in the shifting category. My major criticism is also of the shifter and way it engages. There is nothing precise about it. Now is it horrible all the time, no. But I havent established a clear cut formula for pulling of clean good shifts everytime. Despite driving this car the same way.

I also agree about how fast the car is. Its not as fast as I had hoped. Now I did test drive it before I bought it. But in respects I didnt redline(a new low miles vehicle)either. Seems like the car should be faster.

Aside from those 2 top nit picks. The car overall is a blast to drive and its relatively quick despite (my?) less than stellar shifting.

 

I test drove two 6 MT at the dealer and was disappointed. Smooth Take off at normal traffic speed is impossible. That almost made me look for another car. I liked the G but its no fun( compare it to Rx7 or 911 MT).
Finally, I gave 5 At a test drive and bought it.
When you test drive, what you see is what you get. I thought 6 MT needed more R & D. I miss MT sometimes, but when i read about some owners problems with MT i feel 5 AT was not a bad choice.