Hey guys,

I currently drive a Civic Type R (FN2) and up until now have only owned 'sporty' Honda's (Integra, CRX Del Sol, etc) however am looking at moving away from Honda's and buying a G35. I went to a dealership and test drove one for a solid 25 minutes or so, and was overall impressed with the interior, the engine and the car overall. I did however have one big issue with the car - it's body roll. It didn't roll excessively however on a windy road where I would normally have no issues swinging the Type R through the bends without any issues at all, the G35 seemed to roll it's weight back and forth through each bend.

I know the FN2 wasn't available in America (I'm sure it is quite similar to the K20 Si's you guys get) so it's hard for anyone to really compare the 2 cars. I also understand they are in completely different leagues and are also completely different cars - the Civic is a high revving, arguably under-powered (148kw) I would say it's fairly uncomfortable and lacks any composure whatsoever on anything other than a perfectly smooth road (something that doesn't really exist in Australia). The G35 however, I loved every moment in the car and found it (at lower speeds) a great balance between comfort and composure (stiff but comfortable). Unfortunately it was the higher speed cornering that got me.

Now, the G35 is an import only affair in Australia and I am looking for a Series 2 (late 2005 onwards). Because it was an import, they are all pre-loved and the example I drove had aftermarket 18" VOLK rims. I am unsure of the offset etc. I will test drive a few other examples over the next 2-3 weeks to see if it was only that particular example or if all G35's roll.

What I am after here is I am wondering if you guys think your cars have much body roll? Has anyone moved from a Civic Si to a G35 here and what do you guys think of your decision? I know the G35 is not a full blown sports car (neither is the Civic and that achieves minimal body roll by being ridiculously uncomfortable) but from all the amazing reviews I have read I may have expected too much.

If any of you guys have found that the body roll is somewhat excessive for a sporty yet somewhat luxury car, what have you guys done to combat this?

Thanks guys. Hoping I'm not coming off as a major Honda fanboy. I'm actually really keen on purchasing one however need to confirm if the handling characteristics I experienced was normal, and if not, what is a cost effective way to combat it (swaybars? Coilovers? Or is the car just too heavy and I should accept it?). It's time for a change and while I do love my Civic, it's time for a change.

Cheers guys!

 

One of the best bang for the buck mods you can do to the G is to get a quality set of aftermarket swaybars (Motordyne, Hotchkis for example). They completely change the handling/roll dynamics of the car and can be found here in America for around $300 F/R. Not sure how much shipping would be to AU but the mod makes a world of difference in our cars.

 

Its a heavy car, but as Blue Dream said, a set of swaybars will REALLY improve the handling characteristics the car.

Also, wider tires and some coilovers will make the car stick a lot better in the corners.

 

As the other two have said, its a heavy car. I owned a Honda up until about 9 months ago and the weight (lack there of) keeps most hondas pretty nimble around corners. Basically what I'm saying is that they're two completely different animals.

Now, when I first bought the G I was new to the higher end car world and thought it was the best handling car ever. While it did handle excellently, I soon started looking for ways to make it 'better'. My conclusion has been that its just a heavy car. You're not going to be able to get rid of the heavy feeling around turns unless you go thru some serious weight relief. However, with a few basic suspension upgrades you can really tame the beast to a point where I've done some serious driving (115mph around some twisties) with limited fear (although the rear started to feel a bit too floaty at one point).

So will it ever feel like a Honda? No
Can you make it better than a Honda with it still feeling too heavy? Hell yeah, man.

 

i like my hotchkis sways and megan coilovers but i definetly love the change in reaction and feel to the car whene i added a few poly bushings.to the control arm . i still need to get other bushings but they really help .

 

I switched from an audi a6 quattro to a 05 G35X. I really dont get alot of body roll.It handles corners under power as good if not better as the a6 which is a bigger and heavier car.I dont know if the orig owner did any upgrade to the suspension I bought her from a dealer.I just love the feel of it in the corners.She drove great on the Tail of the Dragon too! That was lots of fun!

 

As Blue Dream stated, a set of Hotchkis sway bars made the biggest improvement in handling by far. People always try to lower their car first for "better handling" but with these cars in particular, the best first step should be sway bars.

Also, the 06+ models with Sport package actually have a beefier front sway bar.

 

I had an Integra type R before my G. Your comparison of the two is pointless. Yes, the G can be tightened up and is a blast to drive. But it will always "need improvement" in YOUR mind. you are coming from a front wheel drive stripped down go-cart. The G is an excellent platform in its own right but it's not meant to set hot lap records and launch out of a corner in full stride. These cars are heavy rear wheel drive sex machines that will put a smile on your face everyday that you drive it. The interior is full of panty dropping goodness like leather heated seats, and an arguably decent Bose system. The sway is there in the turns because she's got more junk in the trunk and that's what the grown *** men of this forum like. I miss my Type R but I love my G.

 

Sway bars? Stillen, Motordyne will reduce body roll! Aftermarket adjustable endlinks like Power Grid will tighten up the suspension even more. Want to play in the canyons include coilovers like BCs to bring your coupe down. Only thing passing you will be two wheeled rice rockets...Gary

 

I like junk in the trunk.

 

Hmm..that makes me wonder.

I was goin about *** around a curve once on an empty road and the back felt a little "floaty". I just attributed it to the weight. Wasn't enough to make me back off, but it was enough for me to make a conscious effort to be extra careful with the wheel. Is there something I should look into as far as performance parts to tighten that up? The front is super tight, but the rear I just have eibachs, kybs and spc camber arms/toe bolts.

I only ask cuz you said you have no unpredictability in the rear and I felt it was a bit of an issue (albeit a small one)

 

Sway bars if you don't have them already. Polyurethane bushings will also help.

 

Go with stillen or hotchkis sway bars and it will be a night and day difference.

 

Sway bars are definitely next, and I have poly all over the front end, where should I be replacing them in the rear tho that will make a difference?

 

Sways and endlinks are my next mods.. I want my car to handle like its on rails to make me luv driving my car even more.. lol