Well after 10+ years of searching and researching. Going from looking at a ’69 Mach I (R-type, 427 shaker) to a ’96 Mustang GT (don’t ask) then a ’94 Supra TT (I've been stuck on this one for 7+ years), I picked up my ’03 DG 6MT coupe this past Saturday

Don’t worry, one day I will have my ’94 Supra TT 6-spd but after The Fast and the Furious made the prices jump 6K (grrrr) I’m going to wait.

But I digress…

My family took the train from Indy to Chicago (plus the Metra and a ride in a new QX56) to Infiniti of Lisle. First let me say that Edie at Infiniti of Lisle made everything as painless as possible, everything was setup and ready to go when we got there. This is the first used car we’ve ever bought (and only the second non-Toyota); the staff treated us no differently than someone buying new. I highly recommend them!

Oh, people are probably wondering why we took the train…the simple answer: 2 boys (10 and 8) that had never been on a train. Ok, now you're thinking 4 people and a 4.5 hour car ride in a coupe!!! The boys crashed 30 minutes into the trip and were out for all of it . To make the younger readers cringe: First CD listened to The Beatles, Revolver and then on to npr to listen to A Prairie Home Companion. I didn’t want to bring anything else for fear of finding myself doing 120 down the highway. A Prairie Home Companion = 65-75mph, Dead Kennedys = ????

Let me first get to the two things that I found a little disappointing in the car: The center console (I’m right that it’s plastic?) and the stereo…there's something. I’m not an audiophile so I can’t put my finger on it. It may just be the additional road noise and not the stereo.

To let you know, I’m coming from a Toyota Solara (one of the very few 5-speeds made), so the ride in the G35 is firmer and louder (not complaining just pointing it out). I’m not sure you can fully appreciate the G35 coupe until you’ve spent time driving a Camry or similar riding car. I’ve been driving the Solara and a 4 cylinder Camry before that for a total of 18 years. Wow, that’s longer than some of you have been alive…now I feel old.

Ok, now that’s out of the way, the likes:
-Wow!
-I love just starting the car! The sound is great (all stock).
-The seats…I’m not going anywhere on curves
-The transmission, I’ve heard that they’ve improved it in the ’05 but I see/feel nothing wrong with the ’03. It is very crisp. (I did have to get out the manual to figure out how to get into reverse )
-Very little body roll. It’s still winter in Indiana so nothing crazy. I can’t wait for spring.
-Being on the highway doing …well driving... in 6th gear and giving it a little gas and passing traffic with ease
-Hearing my sons talk about the car (my sons will be part of the small group to learn to drive on a stick)
-The looks

Now there is no mention of acceleration off the line. I’m still getting used to the car and it’s still winter, the car has summer tires on it. My baby is sleeping in my garage right now. The weather in Indy is crappy today and looks to be for the rest of the week so I’m driving the Solara.

One thing that freaked me out: I was driving yesterday in the rain and I took a corner very slowly (in a parking lot) when I felt something rubbing when I turned!!! I figured one of the tires was rubbing. But then I figured it out. I had the wipers on and my foot on the clutch. I could feel the wiper motor through the clutch petal!!

Oh something a little birdie told me: The GT-R is coming out in 2007 (late 2006) for $70k. I’d read about the year on the board before but I don't remember reading about the price.

Thanks for all the info I leeched off the board while I was trying to decide. Thanks for reading to the end of a long and rambling post!

Next: a clear bra

 

Congrats! Welcome to the board.

I still can't belive that happened. My friend sold his A.Edition(I think) TT Supra at that time (made plenty on it). The price still hasnt gone down

Glad to hear picking up the car was painless. And those backseats must be perfect for kids =) You must have killed them with the talk radio, lol

Yeah, it's plastic. The '05s come with an option to get a alum, or wood dash trim kit....and I think there might be some for the 03's+04's out there somewhere (ebay?)

My co-worked has a 5-spd Solara.....pretty quick car.

Weird....I guess you need to wear thicker shoes

Keep us up to date on your mods, and get some pics!

 

The wiper vibrations felt through the clutch is a common phenomenon. I've mentioned it before and I was surprised as to how many people had felt that too.

 

Thanks...I've been lurking for many months.

Before the movie I found a '94 TT auto for < $12K. I was too slow and it sold. Now you can't touch an automatic for less than $17K, 6-spds are going for $20k+.


I think that's what put them to sleep. But I must say I'm proud of my sons' taste in music. My oldest is the only 10 year old I know that goes to sleep listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Yeah, after having that car for a while and having the torque-oversteer almost pull me into another car...I decided no more sporty-ish front-wheel-drive cars for me. I was trying to get out of an intersection and I got on the gas and the car pulled me right at someone waiting at the light on the crossing street.

As you can guess I'm not a racecar driver

Does that mean that driving with my Chuck Taylors is out?

I wanted to get pictures but the weather is too bad...next week maybe.

 

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that. I was driving around for a half hour, radio off, trying to get the tires to rub.

 

congrats on the new car!

 

Thanks!

I'm watching the clock, waiting until I can get home...I can't drive it but I can at least start it.