So I've owned my 03 for over 3.5 years and I just submitted my last loan payment. I have to say that I'm really pleased with this car. The car is an 03 with 64K miles with it's approaching it's 6 year birthday (sold in Sept 02). For a 6 y/o car, I really have no complaints. The prior owner didn't have any warranty claims and my only claims have been a rocking driver's seat and a noisy A/C pulley about 3 years ago.

With just a couple simple mods like an Aero bumper, 1" drop, blacked out chrome, wheels, and couple of other cheap mods, the car has an elegant, clean, and subtley aggressive style that constantly turns the heads of both 14 y/os and middle aged men in German makes.

The car has it's minor annoyances like a stiff OEM suspension (Sport with Z/coupe springs), occasional squeaky compression rods, a couple rattles on hard impacts, and a somewhat cheap dashboard, but the acceleration, handling, and braking capabilities easily wipe those annoyances away...for me at least. It also gets pretty good mpgs. In the city I see around 18-19 and on the highway 26-28mpg.

I've taken this car on long trips and the trunk has a great size. This is also one of the few mid size cars that I can sit comfortably in for long periods of time (3 to 16 hour. drives). I'm 6' 2" 185lbs and I always have problems getting comfortable in cars because the steering wheel, pedal, and seat layout never seems to ideal for me. Either I'm too close or too far away, or my knees are bumping the steering wheel, or my legs are splayed uncomfortably outwards.

The sound of the 05/06 middy with the 03 muffler is so perfect. It reminds of the sexy smooth sound of my modded 94 Z28. The coupe middy doesn't compare. I had it for a short period of time. There is a big difference betweem using it and the 05/06 midpipe.

I can't complain much about the 5AT either. Yes, it does have some lag on upshifts, but I know how to time the shift for the lag and very occasionally the tranny ECU will second guess my downshift intentions and that is annoying. Overall, it's a great tranny with superb gearing and a pretty decent stall torque converter. I wish the car could launch a little harder (only get mid 2.1 60 foots), but it suffices for the purpose of the car.

The car is faster than I ever gave it credit for. When I bought the car, I thought it was definitely a 14.7-14.8@95mph car, maybe a 14.6 car on a good day. My prior car, a modded 96 Maxima 5MT did 14.3s@99mph and it felt far quicker. With a Z-tube, on it's first pass the G did 14.6@97. On it's second pass it did 14.4@97. A little while later in cooler air it did a low 14.3@98mph. With an MD spacer in warm conditions it did 14.3s@99mph. So much for trusting butt dynos.

I just thought I'd share since we're constantly reading about people's problems and annoyances with these cars. For me, the car has become like a good pair of jeans. I will be holding on to this car for another 2 years or so unless I find a fun 3rd car like an 89-93 LX 5.0 notch or possibly an 01 Bullitt. If that happens, then the G will be staying with me for a long time.

 

that was a nice read.

i'll have to add to the above sentiment. i bought my 03 back in 8/02. it's played backseat to the fx35 for the last 3 years since the fx is more cubis space friendly for my kids. in about two months, i return the fx and wait to see what options we should consider for the next vehicle. i've got what i'd like to consider as tasteful mods, and hopefully when we do decide on our next vehicle, i'll finish out the suspension and throw on a cai and 5/16th in addition to my mrev2. i've gone back and forth between keeping and selling the G, but my heart always goes back to it. yes i barely drive the thing, but god damn it's a nice beater.

 

lets see some pics of her

 

Congrats!!

I am just over 3 years with my car and still love it too!

 

Dave, that's an excellent write-up on your thoughts and testimonials about your G experience. Although I have owned my sedan for close to 2 years, reading your write-up makes me totally understand where you're coming from, and in my opinion, modifying the car in any fashion (even if it's a simple debadge) makes the car ownership experience more fun and adventurous

 

I'm almost to 5 years now on my 04AT (Sept 03). Don't get quite the gas mileage the OP does, he must drive a little slower than me, or maybe a longer city commute. a 4 1/2 mile drive to work probably doesn't get the best mileage.

I've had the seat worked on twice, once under factory warranty, and once under extended warranty. Along with wear items like front brakes, battery, 4 new tires.

Other than a few wear spots (scratches on seat leather, dings in the paint, couple dings in glass), it still looks pretty good at 50500 miles.

 

Yep, personalizing the car is what it's all about for me. I could NEVER drive stock. I could afford a much more expensive car, but I wouldn't have anything left over to buy mods with. What's the fun in driving stock unless it's something fairly rare and unique?

 

Nothing really groundbraking here. Aero bumper, painted sills, tint, wheels, springs, JDM tails, Altima tips, black painted muffler, blacked out chrome, mostly debadged. All work done by me except for the tint.

 

I have had mine for almost 4 years and this being my first car, it has been very good to me. I abuse this car weekly basis and aside from regular maintenance and some suspension tightening it has been great to me as well. I have driven cars that are in 50-60k range and with my modded car it just doesn't feel the same. It helps when u can drive YOUR car 99% of its potential. I grew up with this car, learned to drive fast with this car and it even has served me as a cheap hotel once in a while.

I am close 65k.
Time to change the wheel bearings.