hey man, i've had mine for 2 weeks, got 1300 miles now... I also have the 6spd

I felt the same way, that something was wrong, the transmission is just not as smooth as i'd liked it to be, after driving a '97 Z3 5spd then trying to adjust to this 6spd gearbox, there is a huge difference, but i guess it also has to do with break-in too... the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts will get smoother im sure!

As far as ride quality, i am extremely impressed that a car that handles this well has such a comfortable ride. The ride is smoother than my '98 corolla

As for the VDC, i only turn it off when i need the oversteer, such as a quick turn-around on a divided highway, or burn-outs in a parking lot [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I've heard that turning off VDC will make the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts smoother, i have only tested this a couple of times and have not yet observed this

<font color=green>-Ramb0</font color=green>

 

Hmmm.....no problems with my 6MT [knocks on wood]. The brakes are AWESOME - best I've ever had in a car, and the clutch action is fine.

The ride is firm, yet it absorbs the "harshness" of the bumps. I'm pretty sure this is standard for the car. Hey, there's a trade-off between 'plush' and 'performance' and it is a sports car after all.

If you think the G is firm, take a test ride in a Z, which has very firm ride. You can feel every nook and cranny in the road. That's a good thing for some people, but I'll stick with the G.

G35 6MT/DG/Fully Loaded

 

"on the other hand i think the clutch pedal is way too sensitive .. you almost can't leave your foot on it at all because the slightest tap engages the clutch."

You probably know what you are doing, but it is not a good idea to rest your foot on the clutch because you will quickly ruin the throw-out bearing and cause premature wear on the clutch.

As for the brakes, the only complaint I've heard is that they are too "grabby", but otherwise excellent.

 

All right, I'll bite.
Probepro, good call on riding the clutch- nuf said.
Brakes are (at least should be, nominally) a tad grabby, at lower speeds, because we are in the early days of technology known as brake assist (the Germans get slammed worse because their systems, especially Merc's, are really touchy). Brake actuation hasn't really incorporated this tech seamlessly yet (you can read an explanation of it's intent on the Infiniti website). Hauling the car down from real speed you should find the modulation very good.
If the dealer didn't PDI the car well, read properly, the shipping coat (to stop the rotors from corroding on the boat ride over) may have been left on. If this is the case, it could explain your concern, and although some pad glazing will then have occurred, you can clean the rotors easily with brake cleaner. Remember not to stand on the brakes too heavily during the first thousand miles or so- you want to "gently" (as best you can resist the urge, man) heat cycle your rotors to avoid the possibility of warping. Standing on it from 120 mph to zero NOT recommended ) Regardless of the magazine you read, this car has a rep for having some of the best brakes in the biz, but they may just require more pressure than you're used to, as well. You didn't say what you were driving before, but there are large differences in manufacturer's philosophy on brake application. Ever tried a Porsche from the mid 90's or before? First time I drove a 911, I thought I was going to need two feet and both arms to stop the thing. But man what graduated feel!
Ride shaky/ bumpy? New Pilot Sports have really tough squared tread blocks. But get your dealer to look at tier balance anyway- covered under warrantee- mine were all off from the factory, and the fix was fast and free. Masetodd- spot on, this is a performance vehicle, not a family sedan.
Cyclonus, don't confuse power with length of gears. The only reason you hafta shift early is because (I'm assuming) you now own a close ratio six speed. I had a Mustang GT that did 75 mph in 2nd gear (273 rear end), but there were gaps all over that 5 spd. It would initially lose speed in the shift between 4th (1:1) and 5th (bigtime overdrive intended to improve EPA highway mileage), and then after 15 secs or so, you'd be back where you started before the shift, and that's a lot of ground covered at 130 or so. The only lack of power the G has in 1st and 2nd is imposed when you've tromped the H... out of it and the VDC/TCS intervenes to save you, your tires and your dignity from a cloud of blue smoke and police-attracting-howling from the 245s in back. Properly executed, you should just enjoy your head snapping back onto the headrest ;o) and a bigass grin from ear to ear, normally accompanied by nervous giggling of your passenger. Adjustable shocks cost money. With a suspension this refined, I'm glad they put the money in all the right places and kept the price down. To quote one of the mags, "Infiniti has sent a real value message with the G35."
VDC selection will not affect the cleanliness of gear selection- this is at best an urban legend. As Rambo says, he hasn't observed this mythical improvement. 3000 miles on the tranny, and skill and familiarity with your driver controls, however, will. No insult here. I mean to say that the clutch delivery will take some acclimitization, as you've already noted. Leave the VDC on except for occasions such as Rambo has noted. If you've checked the replacement price for quality rubber, you may choose to opt for fun beyond first gear. I enjoy far more the stomping of a TT on some twisties, or a 540 on the freeway, to rocketing from stoplight to stoplight against some kid in his parent's WRX or neon-lit underbody boy-racer.
Cheers,
D

DB

 

Derek .... take that post ... or the link to this post and give it to car and driver or some other car editorial company and blamo.... your hired.

I'd hire ya.

good read,
good insight.
good advice,
good to see.

later G

 

Take it in..........at least then you will be able to sleep at night. Get the dealer to give it a once over....tire pressures, balances, alignment...whatever it takes to put your mind at ease. It probably is something small, so take it in and enjoy the ride.

 

Thank you, Dally. Just happy to help out.
Cyclonus, just to let you know, I'm soon due for my first sched maintenance, (having had the tires properly balanced, tire pressure 35 spec'd from the factory-seems high, but the tires are better- grippier and smoother, no visible increase in shoulder wear with 34 or even 34 front/ 33 back), and my Pilots have really settled down. Far less noise, better bite, better ride. They are awesome in the wet too if you haven't already discovered. Driving near 1.75 x highway legal, my buddy got a photo from behind showing the F1-like rooster tails (his description), and apparent to me, despite standing water, it felt like I was driving on dry pavement. Technology is awesome.

DB