Yea your right about the GT being a workout from the heavy clutch to poor handling. Those are probably the 2 main reasons I'm switching to a G. And ofcourse I feel like I need a more stylish, classy sports coupe look.

 

I had a 2003 GT before my G35x. I actually traded in my GT for my G35. 90K miles...not a single issue. Only money i put into my Mustang was gas and oil changes.


Sadly, i got better gas mileage with my GT running 87 octane. Used to get 26MPG highway pretty consistentely.

Granted, i have the AWD model G35 sedan, so my fuel economy is a little lower, but I have to try much harder to get 25-26MPG on the highway using premium. So it costs me a little more money to drive, but it's a different car which I enjoy. The main reason i traded it in was snow performance.

I also have a 5.0 Mustang.

 

+1, our cars ride as high as 4 wheelers stock, I hated it lol. And the plenum is a must for our cars as always. But for me, that is comin next, after intake and exhaust.

 

I'd love To get an 06 but the price difference between the 05 and 06 is just too much for me. But who knows maybe I'll find a cheap one.
I got until January 1st to get my G so im defiantly taking my time.

 

Did you end up taking out a G35 for a test drive yet?

 

I actually did on Saturday!
I was pretty impressed, I didnt think it would pull as hard as my stang but it pulled just as fast and maybe a little quicker too. It honestly felt just like my stang in the straight parts but a lot more comfortable. And I loved the turning in it, that was what impressed me the most. I was not use to it and was probably my favorite part. Oh and obviously the luxury that you feel when you driver it.
Just made me want sell my stang asap and buy that G even sooner. But I still gotta wait till the end of this year.

 

I'm glad you liked the G35! You should definitely test out some other cars while you're at it though, just so you have a good basis for comparison.

Keep in mind that G35's with a 6MT are geared pretty short. It can make it a bit deceptive when you're judging straight line acceleration. It might feel faster than it is because you're ripping through the gears pretty quick and red-line on an 05/06 G35 is about 1K higher than it is in your current Mustang GT. I almost always skip gears in typical around-town driving when I'm not getting on it that hard. Usually 1-3-6, or 1-3-5-6. I kinda wish they geared it a bit taller, especially 6th gear for highway cruising. G35's could use a nice tall super-overdrive gear like the Mustang GT's have and especially like Chevy uses in their Corvettes and LS1 Camaros 6-speeds.

 

i would say the only car that really beats the g35 coupe manual in its class and year would probably be the e46 m3 manual.

I would give that a test drive as well. THe m3 has similar attributes as a g35 but slightly more evolved in comparison to the g35. I decided to use evolved instead of refined since every journalists over uses that word when ever they compare the G to the 3 Series.

Only bad thing is you run into cost issues with the m3 when it comes to repairs and maintaince in comparison to the g35.

But i figure its only fair you treat yourself and test drive it anyways, so your aware of how the car fits in, in comparison.

 

Ahhh, the memories of the older Mustang. I came from a 97 Maxima 5sp and I remember beating that generation Mustang at Atco raceway and Englishtown consistently. I just saw many of those older 5.0 and 4.6 cars because they're so popular around here. It's anything LS1 powered I couldn't come close to! My Max ran consistently in the 14.0-14.2 range. I once ran 14.5 missing 2 gears lol. I've never ran my G35C on the track because I feel it's definitely a bit slower in response. The car is just to freakin heavy. I bet low 14 could be easy enough, but it makes 100 more hp over my old VQ30 Maxima. That's rediculous. I think the G of today copied the heavy weight of the older Mustang and Camaro.

It's interesting hearing from other people who drive different cars. Obviously we all want something else that we can't have. My max got awesome mileage 25mpg around town not even trying to baby it. My G barely makes 20.5 mpg and I'm driving like a grand pop lol. When I was driving my Max I wanted the sleek look and RWD handling the G35 had to offer, but this thing has absolutely no trunk space lol. I realized in 8 years of driving the Maxima I hardly used the trunk or I was the DD because I had a backseat lol.

Good luck. Overall, I believe you'll be pleased with the right G35. Once you get your hands on one I'd change every fluid on the car. There's a lot of DIY and technical support here and over at my350z. Aftermarket support is also very decent, but don't look to run mid or low 13s unless you plan on getting a newer generation VQ35HR powerplant with every bolt on dyno tuned or forced induction and a lot of money invested to break into 12s.

If you just drive it and maintain it, like I do, you'll be happy and the car will treat you right if you return the favor. I find nothing wrong with finding a good 2005 as that's the year I own. Just pull the dipstick and if it's black and more than halfway down you know you've got an oil burner. If it's new and full, I'd be wary and just keep checking lol.

 

Good luck with your search. No matter what year you end up with you'll fall in love with it.

 

ehhhh, i would put straight line performance neck and neck. i actually feel like the mustang coupe might be a hair quicker. suspension - the G probably wins. I actually like mustangs, great bang for buck especially new ones. I have news for ya too, the new mustang v-6 6 speed will pull on a g coupe stock for stock in a straight line track race so dont expect too much.


These cars are heavy (G). Anyone know what a fully loaded 6 speed coupe weighs anyway???

 

I think at least 3,500lbs + driver! It feels heavy in 1st gear lol.

 

While it's probably more reliable than that mustang, there are still plenty of minor issues that crop up on these cars. These forums are really helpful though as there are cheap fixes for almost all the issues that crop up.

 

good choice to switch from mustang to g35 much more classy car the new mustang look like barbie car or something

 

For real?? I know it's a matter of opinion, but I think the new Mustangs... at least the GT trim line and up look pretty badass. They have some real aggressive body and paint packages that make that thing look real mean.

The standard plain old Mustang does look bland though.