Sedan is Motor Trend Car of The Year for 2006?
#1
12-01-2006 | 09:30 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,174
Likes: 77
From: Santa Clara, CA
Sedan is Motor Trend Car of The Year for 2006?
I pulled this article out of the latest issue of MotorTrend magazie (January 2007 Vol 59, No.1.)
I drove an 07 6spd sedan about 3 weeks ago and I did not notice any of the engine problems these guys are listing--and trust me, I notice everything!
"GO ON , START THE REVOLUTION WITHOUT ME
The original Infiniti G35 was a bit like that first CD from New York hipsters, the Strokes: a surprise hit right out of the box. In rock music terms, then, the G35 gen-two is the automotive equivalent of that difficult second album. You know, the one where the fans' expectations and the bands' delivery don't quite meet.
We're big fans of the original G35--we made it out 2003 COTY, after all--and it's fair to say we expected big things from the new one. For the most part, Infiniti's 3 Series figheter delivers. It's fast, for a start, easily capable of nailing 60mph in under 6.0 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.8. On the Hyundai/Kia Proving Ground, only the Jaguar XKR and Porche Cayman bested it at our speed checkpoints. It's entertaining on the handling track, too: Switch off the traction control, and it'll corner like a drift king, all opposite lock and the rear tires on fire. It's a helluva sport sedan for the money. And yet...
Nissan's 3.5 liter V6 might be punchy, but it's a gruff old lump, sending lots of vibrations back through the shift lever of our six-speed manual tester. Worse, the engine's tendancy to "hang" between shift (to help meet emissions) and the sudden bit of the clutch made the G35 difficult to drive smoothly at slow to middling speeds.
There's someting to be said about not messing with success, but in the case of the new G35's design, Nissan has taken it a bit too literally. Every exterior panel is new, with complex curves and carefully wrought surfaces, but at a glance it's hard to tell the new car from the old one, although there's been a noticeable attempt to make the interior richer and more upscale looking.
It's deliberately evolutionary, this new G35; a safetly play. But to win COTY this time, Nissan needed something more revolutionary."
I drove an 07 6spd sedan about 3 weeks ago and I did not notice any of the engine problems these guys are listing--and trust me, I notice everything!
"GO ON , START THE REVOLUTION WITHOUT ME
The original Infiniti G35 was a bit like that first CD from New York hipsters, the Strokes: a surprise hit right out of the box. In rock music terms, then, the G35 gen-two is the automotive equivalent of that difficult second album. You know, the one where the fans' expectations and the bands' delivery don't quite meet.
We're big fans of the original G35--we made it out 2003 COTY, after all--and it's fair to say we expected big things from the new one. For the most part, Infiniti's 3 Series figheter delivers. It's fast, for a start, easily capable of nailing 60mph in under 6.0 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.8. On the Hyundai/Kia Proving Ground, only the Jaguar XKR and Porche Cayman bested it at our speed checkpoints. It's entertaining on the handling track, too: Switch off the traction control, and it'll corner like a drift king, all opposite lock and the rear tires on fire. It's a helluva sport sedan for the money. And yet...
Nissan's 3.5 liter V6 might be punchy, but it's a gruff old lump, sending lots of vibrations back through the shift lever of our six-speed manual tester. Worse, the engine's tendancy to "hang" between shift (to help meet emissions) and the sudden bit of the clutch made the G35 difficult to drive smoothly at slow to middling speeds.
There's someting to be said about not messing with success, but in the case of the new G35's design, Nissan has taken it a bit too literally. Every exterior panel is new, with complex curves and carefully wrought surfaces, but at a glance it's hard to tell the new car from the old one, although there's been a noticeable attempt to make the interior richer and more upscale looking.
It's deliberately evolutionary, this new G35; a safetly play. But to win COTY this time, Nissan needed something more revolutionary."
#3
12-02-2006 | 01:11 AM
Originally Posted by bythabay
Nissan's 3.5 liter V6 might be punchy, but it's a gruff old lump, sending lots of vibrations back through the shift lever of our six-speed manual tester. Worse, the engine's tendancy to "hang" between shift (to help meet emissions) and the sudden bit of the clutch made the G35 difficult to drive smoothly at slow to middling speeds.
#4
12-02-2006 | 01:20 AM
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Posts: 681
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From: Chesapeake Bay, MD.
The Award went to the new Camry. And quite honestly, after test driving one last week for my wife's new car, I'm extremely impressed (please don't knock it until you drive one)....Here's a clip:
This year's field of contenders for Car of the Year included:
Chevrolet Aveo, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Caliber, Honda Fit, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Entourage, Infiniti G35, Jaguar XK, Jeep Compass, Kia Optima, Kia Rondo, Kia Sedona, Lexus ES 350, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes Benz S-Class, Nissan Altima, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Versa, Porsche Cayman, Saturn Aura, Saturn Sky Redline, Suzuki SX4, Toyota Camry, Toyota Yaris, Volvo C70 T5, Volkswagen EOS, and Volkswagen Rabbit
I'm very happy with my big, thumping V-8 purchase (Charger SRT8). It's in a whole different performance hemisphere than the G. But after owning a G35, I have to say that the new Camry SE (V6, of course), will give the G some real competition for way less money. Leather, touch screen nav, kick *** JBL 450 watt, bluetooth, keyless push button start, etc for about 28K if you know how to deal.....
To be fair, my G was an 05. Infiniti may have made lots of improvements since the 05. But make no mistake, the 07 Camry was worlds better in every respect.....
This year's field of contenders for Car of the Year included:
Chevrolet Aveo, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Caliber, Honda Fit, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Entourage, Infiniti G35, Jaguar XK, Jeep Compass, Kia Optima, Kia Rondo, Kia Sedona, Lexus ES 350, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes Benz S-Class, Nissan Altima, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Versa, Porsche Cayman, Saturn Aura, Saturn Sky Redline, Suzuki SX4, Toyota Camry, Toyota Yaris, Volvo C70 T5, Volkswagen EOS, and Volkswagen Rabbit
I'm very happy with my big, thumping V-8 purchase (Charger SRT8). It's in a whole different performance hemisphere than the G. But after owning a G35, I have to say that the new Camry SE (V6, of course), will give the G some real competition for way less money. Leather, touch screen nav, kick *** JBL 450 watt, bluetooth, keyless push button start, etc for about 28K if you know how to deal.....
To be fair, my G was an 05. Infiniti may have made lots of improvements since the 05. But make no mistake, the 07 Camry was worlds better in every respect.....
Last edited by DP03; 12-02-2006 at 01:47 AM.
#6
12-02-2006 | 11:37 AM
Originally Posted by DP03
To be fair, my G was an 05. Infiniti may have made lots of improvements since the 05. But make no mistake, the 07 Camry was worlds better in every respect.....
#7
12-02-2006 | 12:46 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,174
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From: Santa Clara, CA
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#8
12-02-2006 | 02:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 681
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From: Chesapeake Bay, MD.
Originally Posted by DaveB
I agree that the new Camry is a great car. It's quick, styled nicely, and has great fit/finish. I'm trying to convince my 65 y/o old dad to buy one to replace his Buick. However, to compare the new Camry to any gen G35 is apples to oranges. I wouldn't be caught dead driving FWD, especially a soul-less Toyota Camry. The Camry has the G35 beat in quality and a mushy ride, but in everything other category the G35 smokes it. The Camry SE v6 is a sporty family sedan. The G35 is a sports sedan. It is pure and focused and that is something the Camry is not. A similiar optioned Camry will cost you lower $30s. That's damn right expensive to a FWD family hauler.
I do completely agree with you on FWD. I much prefer RWD. However, the days of torque steer are gone (in most cars, anyway), and I really doubt if my wife could tell the difference.
As far as a comparison to the Maxima, the cars are in two different price ranges. Additionally, I have owned 4 VQ cars, including the "premium" Infinity line, and quite frankly, I'm looking for something closer to Lexus quality, which the Toyota is.
#9
12-02-2006 | 02:20 PM
Originally Posted by DP03
The Award went to the new Camry. And quite honestly, after test driving one last week for my wife's new car, I'm extremely impressed ....................
To be fair, my G was an 05. Infiniti may have made lots of improvements since the 05. But make no mistake, the 07 Camry was worlds better in every respect.
To be fair, my G was an 05. Infiniti may have made lots of improvements since the 05. But make no mistake, the 07 Camry was worlds better in every respect.
Yap, every respect....... except the manly ones.
#11
12-02-2006 | 02:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 681
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From: Chesapeake Bay, MD.
Guys, not looking for a fight here. Just saying I'm impressed (and agree) with MT's choice after driving one. As far as looks go, I think the new model is good looking, but certainly not as sleek as the G. Middle aged state worker?? Don't think so. Hell, along those lines I could say the G looks like a senior citizen transport vehicle (and performs like one too) next to my SRT8 Charger 
#13
12-02-2006 | 02:48 PM
Originally Posted by DP03
I haven't seen side by side tests yet, but with it's new 6 speed auto, I'd be very surprised if the Camry did not match or better the auto G. And the SE model should be in the same handling class as well. Just a guess....
268hp 07 Camry SE, non-nav, price as tested $29,700.
60-0 120'
Lateral Gs 0.80
600' Slalom 62.4mph (taken from Car & Driver since MT doesn't do slalom now)
1/4 14.6@97mph
Motor Trend COT test
"260hp" 2003 G35, non-Nav, Sport package only, $30,900 (Year 2002 dollars)
60-0 110'
Lateral Gs 0.85
600' Slalom 65.6mph
1/4 14.6@97mph
I still haven't seen any full test numbers for the new G35 5AT other than it's run 13.9-14.2@99-101mph in a coupe mags.
#14
12-02-2006 | 03:05 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 681
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From: Chesapeake Bay, MD.
Originally Posted by DaveB
November 2006 Motor Trend
268hp 07 Camry SE, non-nav, price as tested $29,700.
60-0 120'
Lateral Gs 0.80
600' Slalom 62.4mph (taken from Car & Driver since MT doesn't do slalom now)
1/4 14.6@97mph
Motor Trend COT test
"260hp" 2003 G35, non-Nav, Sport package only, $30,900 (Year 2002 dollars)
60-0 110'
Lateral Gs 0.85
600' Slalom 65.6mph
1/4 14.6@97mph
I still haven't seen any full test numbers for the new G35 5AT other than it's run 13.9-14.2@99-101mph in a coupe mags.
268hp 07 Camry SE, non-nav, price as tested $29,700.
60-0 120'
Lateral Gs 0.80
600' Slalom 62.4mph (taken from Car & Driver since MT doesn't do slalom now)
1/4 14.6@97mph
Motor Trend COT test
"260hp" 2003 G35, non-Nav, Sport package only, $30,900 (Year 2002 dollars)
60-0 110'
Lateral Gs 0.85
600' Slalom 65.6mph
1/4 14.6@97mph
I still haven't seen any full test numbers for the new G35 5AT other than it's run 13.9-14.2@99-101mph in a coupe mags.
