I had not driven the 6MT thus far or the sports suspension for that matter. After many glowing comments about both of these, I decided to take a spin in one while I had my car in for service. I was able to experience and appreciate the what some of you more experienced members have reported.

Some notes:
- the 6MT turn in was more eager
- the car felt more buttoned down
- the steering felt like it needed a little less effort, perhaps was a little less self centering (could be just my perception)
- the base car might understeer a little bit compared to the sports suspension which is very neutral
- the base sedan rolls significantly more


I was surprised though that having driven stick shifts all my life prior to the G (which I only got about a year ago), I did not feel like I needed the MT. I guess I use the manumatic on the auto all the time so perhaps I have adjusted to it by now.

I checked with the sales guy as to feasibility of a swap but I'd be down $5-6k but not worth it at this point.

Anyhow, all of you with 6 MT and/or suspension, you guys have a great car though base suspension is'nt too shabby either.

G35S AT / Ivory Pearl and Black/
[image]http://home.comcast.net/~rajanb/g35.png[/image]

 

Good word, rajanb! There's an AT vs. MT war brewing in the Off Topic forum, so it's refreshing to hear your unbiased opinion.

When I get my 6MT sedan serviced, I usually get a 5AT loaner, and yes, both transmissions are very very nice.


2003.5 Sedan 6MT Silver on Graphite
Premium | Aero | Sport | Tints

 

I drive a 6MT sedan, and I love it! Every car that I've owned so far has been a manual [two sedans and one small pick-up truck], and I just can't imagine me driving an automatic. Glad you liked your experience with the 6MT!

 

Before I bought my G35S 5AT, I had owned only one other AT car, a '00 I-35. Before that, I had always owned/driven cars with manual transmissions. All of those cars were very fun to drive, even in stock trim. And as you can imagine, shifting manual trannies for nearly 30 years makes you pretty darn good at it. That's part of the fun, too.

I bought my I-35 4AT as an attempt to blunt the frustration associated with Memphis rush hour traffic: bumper-to-bumper and stop-and-go entanglements morning, noon, and night. Good news: no more constant clutching. Bad news: My left leg withered away to nothing; I was soon unable to continue doing 2,000-lb. leg presses nor kick 110-yd. field goals!

I use my G35s manumatic mode all the time. I shift down to 1st gear at every stop. I hold 4th gear around town all the time. I only use 5th gear on the expressway. If I need to accelerate hard, I manually downshift. Get the picture?

Bottom line: I love my G35S 5AT, but I still miss my manual tranny cars. Now that I no longer need to drive across town through rush hour traffic to work (moved to new HQ location), I am considering getting a car with a manual transmission. Our 5AT trannies are very good, but there just might be a G35C 6mt in my future...

'03 G35s 5AT, Garnet Fire/Willow
Staggered 18" SSR GT1/Bridgestone PP S03
Eibach Springs/Sways, Stillen 2-pc BBK
Stillen Intake & SS Cat-Back Dual Exhaust

 

Ah, well, I must say... If the need to have one car an auto and another a manual means that you have enough of an excuse, err, reason, to get another G, then I'm all for that!