I currently own a 2003 S2000. I love it. My opinion is that the S2000 is a pure sports car. Yes it does lack torque. But that's about all it lacks.

Today I test-drove 2 G35Cs. The first was an auto. Then came the 6s. I was quite impressed with the power of the auto. When I stepped on it, from a slow roll going about 25MPH, it seemed like no time at all before I hit 60MPH. Ride was sporty, steering good and fairly tight. Next came the six-speed. I've never been a fan of automatics in the first place and was very exited to see how the manual would display its power. To my surprise, this car didn't seem as fast! The torque didn't seem significant. I was expecting blow-you-back-in-your-seat acceleration but didn't get it. Now I must say I loved both cars: Great styling and creature comforts. However, I thought, with all this talk about 280 HP an 270 FLBS, that after I jumped back in my low-torque Honda I was going to be disappointed with it. Not so. Especially since the six-speed G didn't seem to show its power until well into the RPM range.

So, my question to all you G owners out there is this. Could I have gotten a dud car to test drive? Where does the power and torque come on in the RPM range? Maybe I just wasn't driving it right? Let me know because, even though I’m not a G35C owner yet (I’m still considering it you see), I've been of the opinion that the G35 is one of the nicest, fastest cars you can get for the money! I’m I right about this?

 

i had almost the same thoughts on my first test drive. i was really expecting a lot more OOMPH from the G.

now, 6k miles later.... once you know how to drive this car, where its sweet spots are, yea, OOOOOOOMMMMMPH is more like it! it is most certainly not a "keep the wheel straight & floor it" car. i have the 6mt, didn't drive the auto. still, if you are looking for that head-snap feeling when you hit the gas, you should be looking at a mustang gt or a vette.

and before anyone rips me, i love my G and wouldn't trade it for any rattle trap vette or unable to take a corner GT!!!<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by jeffjcalweb on 08/15/03 12:57 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

I like the power in the "G" And I like posting this for non believers, I like speed period , but at these speeds it handles like a dream!![img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

And it got there very quickly!
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by tbusguru on 08/15/03 12:58 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

Ups!. forgot the picture!!



88018-DSC00366.JPG

 

Very impressive! Looking at that picture brings a question to mind. Is it true that the G35 Coupe has a "speed limiter" at 155 MPH?

 

My coupe is a five speed auto, and i believe that they limit the rpm,s to 5500 in top gear on both manual and automatic, because of the gear ratio on the manual six speed it is probably 152 MPH on the manual.
145 as you can see, was top end for mine, it got there and sat!!just like using the "resume" button on the cruise control.

 

Autos tend to have a slight amount more low-end oomph it seems, I would guess from the torque converter. In the manual, you have to get it up to around 4k RPMs to tap the power in this car - but once you hit 4k, it screams.

 

With all due respect to your driving ability, there are a couple other things that seem to pop out. First, I drove both a stick and auto for a test drive, too. The auto did seem to have more snap early on and I do believe mani is right--it's due to the torque converter multiplier. Plus, the stick transmission itself isn't really broken in for quite a few miles---I'd say mine started loosening up after 7K miles (by that I mean it became slicker with less noticeable detents between gears--overall, smoother to shift). Now that may not indicate oomph or overall power, but it does have some effect on perceptions especially if you're hitting certain rpms and getting hung up shifting.

Second, the car itself. jeffcalweb said it best, once you know the car, you kind of know where its sweet spots are. And, again, I have to say that the engine in this car seems to feel more responsive after a significant number of miles, not just the initial 1200 mile break in period. To me, at least after 4K or 5K miles. At least that's what I noticed.

Is it fast? Well, to me it is, and I have driven and owned those other cars like a Vette. Try one, you'll like it. I'm sure.

BONDg35c

 

THE FUNNY THING IS THAT I ALMOST CONSIDERED LEASING A 2003 S2000 FOR $299.00 PER MONTH WITH 2500 DOWN FOR 39 MONTHS, BUT NO THANK YOU. G-COUPE LOOKS LIKE A "SUPER CAR WITH THAT $80,000 EXOTIC CAR LOOK" IMO. ALSO, I CAN'T FIT IN THE DAMN CAR, I'M 6'2" 180 LBS. BOTTOM LINE S2000 IS A NICE CAR, NOT MUCH TO WRITE HOME ABOUT FOR $32,000 AND A 2 SEATER. G-COUPE ON THE OTHER HAND IS GOD DAMN EVERY THING THAT I WANTED IN A CAR WITH A REDICULUSLY LOW PRICE. AT $32,000 THEIR IS NO COMPETITION, PERIOD AND THATS THE BOTTOM LINE. SEE YOU ON THE STREETS.

VROOOOOM, VROOOOOOOOOM

 

Well after driving the S2k for a few years and then the G for a few months this is what I can tell you.

First off the S2k is a different car all together. 2 seater, Small, Loud, Fun as hell!

The G feels bigger and is a lot quieter. 4 seats for friends. Looks like a million bucks.

After ignoring the S in the garage few about 3 months straight I finally took it for a spin and this is what It fealt like. The car first of is too small for me (6'2'') I always fit in it but after having the G the S is way too small for me. The clutch doesn't feel as tight and smooth as the G does. (The S does have 40k miles on it so take that into effect). The car feels like my old prelude before 6000 rpm ( That just brings back bad memories). I get a better feeling driving the Infiniti as opposed to a Honda.

Now don't get me wrong the S2000 is a great car and an all out sports car. However now that I have the G I will never buy a 4 banger again, the low end torque is a godsend. The exhaust on the G is incredible. Trust me you wouldnt be disssapointed with the G

The S is a toy and that's about it but with the G you get options and plenty of them.

 

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

Today I test-drove 2 G35Cs. The first was an auto. Then came the 6s. I was quite impressed with the power of the auto. When I stepped on it, from a slow roll going about 25MPH, it seemed like no time at all before I hit 60MPH. Ride was sporty, steering good and fairly tight. Next came the six-speed. I've never been a fan of automatics in the first place and was very exited to see how the manual would display its power. To my surprise, this car didn't seem as fast! The torque didn't seem significant. I was expecting blow-you-back-in-your-seat acceleration but didn't get it. Now I must say I loved both cars: Great styling and creature comforts. However, I thought, with all this talk about 280 HP an 270 FLBS, that after I jumped back in my low-torque Honda I was going to be disappointed with it. Not so. Especially since the six-speed G didn't seem to show its power until well into the RPM range.

<hr></blockquote>

The G35's engine makes its best power above 3500 RPMs. Given that, an auto tranny does two things that can explain the difference in your impressions vs the 6MT:

First, the torque converter allows a considerable amout of what could be thought of as "slip", e.g. the engine can rev higher than the gearbox due to the torque converter's fluid coupling. This almost instantly raises the revs upon acceleration, tending to move the engine closer to its torque peak. Without downshifting, a manual tranny starts out at whatever torque level/RPMs the engine happens to be in at the time. If it's low enough, it will indeed feel relatively sluggish until revs climb up into the power band.

Second, modern automatics will shift very quickly into a higher powered (lower) gear upon hard throttle application, further acting to put the engine in its ideal power band. Just watch the tach on the auto version as you stomp the gas at almost any speed; it will get to, and stay in, the 3.5-6.5K RPM range VERY quickly.

With the 6MT, YOU need to put the gearbox into the right gear for power and torque yourself. This is one of the reasons why only a well-driven 6MT can beat an automatic (driven by almost anyone) in a drag race.

If you want to feel what the "push in the back" can be like from a G35 6MT, assuming you're already moving, shift the tranny into a gear that puts the engine at about 4K RPMs, THEN hit it. Believe me, you will not be disappointed, because that's where the 6MT will have MORE torque and back-pushing kick than the auto version does. In the absence of torque coverter-related power losses (fluid couplings necessarily absorb some power), and in its proper rev range, the 6MT will run like a scalded dog, and when expertly shifted, beat the auto version to any speed. Trust me...

 

Good post B2G. The variable valve timing really starts to breath right at 3500, and by 4 and a half grand, stuff is really starting to happen. Driving any manual with precision takes more acclimitization that most test drives permit. The car likes to be rung out, but that means 6.5K, rather than 9K for anyone familiar with the S2000. And unwanted negotiations with the rev limiter are not uncommon, since the engine gets there without complaint. Both cars are quick and fast. What should really be impressive to anyone steppin out of an S and into a G are the ultra-clean aeros, phenomenal hi-speed stability, superb handling balance, and refinement in the car as a whole. The fact that Automobile mag declared it winner over the BMW 330Ci, at $12K less, speaks to these notions.

Cheers,
D

DB