I've recently cracked the 1200 mile mark. How did I celebrate...a rip to redline of course. Here are some impressions of the car now:

Engine -
All I have to say is wow. It had no issues with torque up to the 3k mark, but beyond that, the car just comes alive. It revs so smooth. I've never had a performance tuned V6, so I had no idea what to expect. Coming from a 4 cylinder turbo, I have to say, the seemless power and baratone growl was exhilerating. Still, I would rather have the raspy squeel of a 4.

Handling -
Up until this point, I wasn't really impressed. But what I've noticed, is that the car actually handles better at higher speeds, or perhaps, the suspension is tuned so well that it's not affected by the higher speed.

All in all, I've always been happy with the car. Now I'm ecstatic because up until now, I had no idea what potential and how potent this car truely is.

 

Still, I would rather have the raspy squeel of a 4.

Have a seat, let me get you an aspirin or something for that blow to the head you must have suffered... [img]/w3timages/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

just wait till 6000miles for the real break in

-moooooo

 

So what should I expect after 6k? Also, I noticed that my fuel mileage has gradually gotten better.
I've been checking my oil every week. No sign of oil burn yet.

 

I am amazed with the performance of this car more and more everyday. Just like you, I never had anything even close to this kind of performance. I have a 98 Maxima, which doesn't even come close to G. Every time I get out of the car, I remember the gs430 commercial, when the guy gets out of his car and is grasping for air. Sometimes, I feel like I will kill myself in it. The worst part is there is always traffic in NJ, so there isn't enough room to open it up. And most of the time I try to take the longer path home , but it's still not enough to enjoy my ride. On top of it, it's been raining, so it's been stuck in the garage for the most part. Sometimes, I feel sorry for driving it hard, but I hope it can handle it.

 

Just be careful if you decide to turn the VDC off. You may in fact kill yourself if your not used to how this car's power will kick the rear end out EASILY. I was taken by suprise and was lucky the first time. Only minor damage.

I think the thing that fooled me was, being used to American V6s where all of the power is down low and its pretty much over once your reach 4000, this car will act planted when you first tip into the throttle, but if your cornering and at WOT, around 4000 she can surprise you. Fun on a track, but potentially scary on a public road.

 

I've been driving with my VDC on at all times. Will I get a significantly better mileage if I turned it off, and turned it only if I needed it?

 

i keep mine off when its dry out. But as soon as it starts raining, i turn VDC back on.

VDC will kill your clutch, especially so when driving hard, assuming you have the 6MT of course.

When racing, ALWAYS turn off vdc

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c 6MT DG/Willow

 

to be completely honest. I have a 97 maxima right now with some minor mods (stillen intake, straight through exhaust), the G auto really does not feel that much faster. Probably it's because it's too refined and traction control was on...

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

Still, I would rather have the raspy squeel of a 4.

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Good God, man - why?!? Could you please explain how you like the sound of a 4-banger over a V-6? Especially the sound of the VQ V-6, which is among the best sounding V-6's around.

2003 G35C, 6MT, DG/G, Aero/Nav/Premium
2002 Corvette Z06, Electron Blue/Black

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

I think the thing that fooled me was, being used to American V6s where all of the power is down low and its pretty much over once your reach 4000

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You mean pushrod V-6's. Not all American V-6's are pushrods anymore. The Ford Contour I just traded in had a DOHC 24-valve V-6, just like the G35, except 1 liter smaller and without variable valve timing. It did have variable length intake runners which did help the low end torque quite a bit. Anyway, it was a rev-happy V-6 that made most of its power above 4,500 RPM's, so I'm familiar with the power curve of these kind of motors. Although I still have another 950 miles to go before I can open up the G35, and really find out what its got. I don't think I'll be disappointed.

2003 G35C, 6MT, DG/G, Aero/Nav/Premium
2002 Corvette Z06, Electron Blue/Black

 

i think the VQ35 sounds like a truck actually
the sr20det has a great sound to it. but i prefer the sound of a ferrari to anything.

-moooooo

 

A truck? I can't think of any truck that sounds like this. Motor Trend said if you could squint your ears, you'd swear it was a V-12, and I think that's a pretty good description of the exhaust sound. It does kind of have a V-12-like howl. What can I say? I like it.

2003 G35C, 6MT, DG/G, Aero/Nav/Premium
2002 Corvette Z06, Electron Blue/Black

 

VQ Engine = Ripping Silk

G35 6MT/DG/Fully Loaded

 

Ferrari?????

This engine with headers sounds better than ANYTHING i have ever heard before, V8, V6, I6, I4 Every now and then I hear a 350 that is fully worked that sounds better at redline, but not at idle

a full exhaust with an intake and it sounds like you are in a F1 car.

When the headers come out, get them. The sound alone is worth it. I had a full exhaust from manifold to tailpipe on my VQ altima, OMG the VQ is an awesome sounding engine!!!!

You think the coupe sounds good now??? Just wait, you won't want to drive under 3000 rpm again.

Better Life thru Chemistry