Hello,
I recently started a thread asking your group's feedback comparing the s2k to the G35 coupe. I had expected a near unanimous loyalty to the G35 being that I posted it on your forum. Instead, the responses I got impressed me with their candor, with a large majority pointing towards the s2k for pure fun, pure sports car ride.. I have a heightened respect for the majority of the contributors. They wanted to have an objective discussion, not a love fest to justify their formidable investment.

Today, I had the opportunity to drive both an 06 s2k and 06 g35 coupe back to back within 15 minutes of each other onthe same twisty backroad. My impressions as a 6' 210 lb middle aged driver. First I took out the s2k. Dealer took copy of my DL and threw me the keys. Car handled great, drop top was liberating, great feel.. but cramped. Noticed after a 20 minute drive my right foot was cramped from the angle of my ankle to drive the car. Overall though, a real thrill of a ride. Then walked 100 yards to the infiniti dealer.. hopped into the coupe to take it down the winding backroad.

I must admit, as the salesman drove up with the test car I got an uncontrollable smirk on my face. It looked great, really eye catching. We took off and for me, the driving experience was actually better in the g35 than the s2k. no matter what I did the car maintained a higher level of confidence and stability than the s2k gave me. I did find I liked the traction control off better.. added to the thrill of the turns. With the windows down, the sunroof open, the comfort and excitement of the G35 neutralized my yearn for a convertible. I was also impressed with the infinity salesman.. although young, he was knowledgeable, professional, and actually helpful. The honda dealership was prompt and willing to help, but not to the same caliber.

To cut to the chase, the G35 was the obvious choice for me. there was a minimal selection of 6mt's at the dealer, but Im confident I'll find my combo, my color and make a 20 year dream of owning a hot new sports car come true. Just wanted to share my excitement, say thanks to all who took time to add to the conversation, and close with an envious expectation that soon I can be part of this great community as an owner, and not just a visitor.

 

how do you think the striaghtline accel compares of the 2 cars? also, they toned down the newer s2000's, the older ones were faster, reved to 9000 and more agressive in general.

 

I really want to test drive an s2000 just for kicks, I wanna hear it's redline

 

that's not true. the 2.2L found in the 04+ S2000's is rated at the same 240hp as the 00-03 2.0L engines. What the 2.2L lacks in an 8000RPM rev limiter vs. the previous 9000RPM rev limiter it makes up for in slightly more low end torque. I owned an 04 S2K and belonged to an S2000-exclusive car club for a while. We did countless launches and test runs between an AP1 and AP2 model with various drivers and found no real difference in the end result. The AP2's would launch a bit quicker (a la slightly more torque) but the AP1's would make it up by staying in first a bit longer. Once you were shifting into 2nd gear, the cars were nearly identical in acceleration and speed.

just thought i would clear that up.

 

lol

Here we go again. If you think the G35 coupe is a sports car, you're buying the car for the wrong reason. I know we all like to own sports cars. But why don't people just ever realize the G35 coupe isn't in that category?

 

And before you mis-understand me, sorry, I didn't mean to crap on your thread. And I agree with most of what you said.I like your review and it reminds me of my first test-drive of the G35 coupe as well. I fell in love with the coupe the moment my salesman pulled up in front of me in the coupe, before I even got in the car.

 

I honestly don't understand these S2k vs G35 threads...they are completely different cars. I didn't think anyone crosshopped them.

 

I respectfully disagree. Isn't the "sports car" category, and what cars fit into it an individual perception? Where is the hard line differentiation between sports car and luxury car? Do you have to meet certain performance specs to fit in a category.

If we are not buying a vehicle to get from point a to b, then the car is an individual representation of what you want, and what you best connect with, and desire in your driving experience. For most of us, we will never compete wtih our g35's (or s2k's). To feel a need to have hard boundaries of car classification segragates many different type of drivers (along with their individual intentions for the car) into one bucket.

It's all relative to who we are as individuals. (you say hunday, I say hundai.. sorry, couldnt help myself) To me, the G35 is without a doubt a sports car.

 

Great Review!
We hope to see you as a new G35 owner and a G35driver.com member!

Hope to see you here soon bud!

-WoW

 

I'm just curious, have you driven any Vtec before? they are completely different than any engine because you must always stay on the higher RPM to take advantage of them. Anyways happy you made your choice.

 

Have had multiple NA1 MRs through the years. One great handling car that required constant high rpm to experience a state of fun. Was very impressed with the power of the s2k. No complaints. I also felt the G35 engine performance was every bit as good.

 

Thanks, hope to be a part of this.
Perhaps you all can be of assistance in making that happen. When I pull the trigger on the purchase, I want to walk away with every option, aspect and features that I want are all included. Heres what I was thinking..

Color: Not going there.. causes too much color preference chatter.
6MT.. of course.. in fact anyone that buys this with an automatic deserves to be paying full sticker, leaving room for us to get our 6MTs at dealer invoice. Now that would be fair.

NAV:Presently not going for it.. seems costly for the few times I need it, I'll use a portable plug in. anyone out there have this option how good is it? does it integrate speech commands? I can eat 180 lunches for what extra it costs.

Bluetooth: Yes

Aero: any help here? Other than the nice plastic wedge on the back, i barely notice the rest of whats included.. any performance considerations with this?

Anything else I'm forgetting?
thanks

 

I do agree with this.

And last time I checked there weren't many cars(of course there is some) under $50k that is faster then ours. -Simply based on my own research and experience, I'm not claiming to be a know all car guy.

Even view this:
http://www.ssmoparmuscle.com/speedco...&OORDERDIR=ASC

Based on that website, for example, the s2000 and G are within a tenth of a second(or a few tenths) of each other, I'd say they are putting out similar straight-line performance, so as my man said it all comes down to PERSONAL PREFERENCE and what you as an individual PERCEIVE to be "better".

chasman- Sir, enjoy your new "sports car", "sports coupe", or whatever YOU want to call it. Its a great car, for under $45-$50k its the best on the road in MY opinion. I'm glad to hear of YOUR choice and ENJOY IT! Welcome to the G family.

 

Color: Ya, just get what you like.
6MT: same here, personal choice.
Nav: Personally, I thought I wouldn't have paid/asked for it if I bought off the lot, but the ride i got had it. I did want it but had same concerns you have. But, honestly, I love it. I use it WAY more then i thought. Other then giving directions(and yes it has voice guidance), it calculates your gas mileage current and past comparisons, reminds you when you hit X amount of miles to do oil changes, and acts like "411"- it can give you address' and #s to many places.
The most I use it is when I'm out of town, I can punch in any company name/location and it will pull up their info and direct me there. very convenient, i haven't had to mapquest or call for directions since. I even forgot where my dentist was, i put in his NAME and it found his office for me.
I also like how it will show me mileage remaining to my destination on my trips.
PLUS, my thought now is why spend all that $ on this nice "luxury sports coupe" and not have that feature. Also, many of the other cars in its class do have nav.
Aero: Mostly looks, do you like it or not. But per infiniti: "Function and form strike a perfect balance with the optional Aero Package. It includes a functional rear spoiler and underbody diffusers that reduce the vehicle's overall lift to zero and drag coefficient to .28. It also provides a dramatic finish to the G35's silhouette. "
It is functional, but at high speeds, I doubt a daily driver can tell or know the difference.

 

I was in the same situation. I test drove a S2K and I loved it. All but one of my previous cars have been Hondas. The S2K's transmission was the best I've ever experienced. The short throws were so smooth and very precise.

The G coupe's shifting was not as good as the S2K, but what other car is. The styling is beautiful and the interior is more refined.

The only problem was that the S2K was not really practical for a daily driver, at least not for me. If I was going for strictly fun and pure exhileration, I would go with the S2K. But I can always experience the same thrill in my turbocharged 240SX. I went with the G because I wanted more room than what the S2K or the 350Z offered. I also liked the potential for mods and to be, more or less, under the radar when it comes to police attention.