first i spent a few hours looking through the threads and have not found a definite answer.

this is my ?

performance wise, is there any benefits to a 05/06 sedan over a 03/04?
I know Nissan claims the made more power, but i have read some seem to think there is no difference.

I will look to mod with an intake spacer, DP back exhaust, 350 intake pipe, tune & 350 springs/struts. Will those mods even out any differences from the factory between the years? I would guess it is a tune/bolt on differences between them.

I am leaning towards the G because I want a performance sedan (2 kids) that actually has a good auto trans performance, and the G was one of the better ones I have read on. Obviously I really like the style too.

Even if ya have links, I am fine reading up. I can obviously find an 03-04 cheaper ($1-2k less w similar miles) and add a Nismo repro front bumper to fix the looks. Then again the interior is much improved in 05 right?

My main concern is getting it to perform. I was told by a fellow G owner (who has a 6spd coupe) that the mods listed above should make it a mid 13 second car with good driving. I am coming from a modded Grand Prix GTP, but lost my interest/loyalty in domestic motoring after the last couple GM cars.

thanks in advance, and I just might be a regular around here sooner than later!

-B

 

go with the 05-06 all the bugs r taken care of

 

I'd also recommend an 05-06 over the earlier models. Has a much better interior and better stock exterior (unless you got an 03-04 Nismo package)

I really don't think there's much of a performance difference between the 2 versions. You have a good list of potential mods, I'm not sure about mid 13 second quarter but I guess it's possible.

 

05-06.

1) Better interior and exterior as said
2) No chance at getting a very early doggy door that sucks for ecu mods
3) Later ones have a better auto shift logic
4) Fit and fnish got better.

 

Go with an 05/06 a lot of the bugs were worked out, it looks better both outside and in. And it apparently does have more power on paper. But I personally like the 05/06 because exterior they changed the bumper, grill, hood, and headlights. It looks sleeker to me then the a bit more bulky 03/04.

 

i like the bulkyness of the 03/04 but just didnt like the bugs

 

Go with the newest, with least miles in best condition you can afford

 

maybe he thought mid 13s assuming I would get a 6 spd sedan w the rev up? he has a rev up coupe and as far as i know he only has a Z tube and mid pipe and went 13.79. I think he comes around here some, he was a friend in the GTP crowd.

Either way, it looks like if I go G it will be an 05-06. thanks for the info.
I am down to a G35, CTS 3.6L or Saab 9-2x (Saabaru), but leaning towards the G. Drove a CTS and it didnt wow me, but it was only a 3.2L which is alot less hp/tq. Thing is the CTS is a dime a dozen around me, and you never see G's.

 

I shopped the CTS against the G. Once I drove both back to back, it was no contest...especially the 3.2 version. 3.6 is better, but it's still not nearly the car the G is, IMO.

 

thats wat i gathered as well.
I have never spoke to someone who didnt think the G was a blast to drive.

Friend mentioned above went from a LS1 camaro and said the G was much funner to drive.

Even beyond the power, the CTS didnt impress. the interior seemed iffy, and I cant decide if i like or love the exterior. I know I really like the exterior of the G though. Not to mention I can pretty much throw on Z parts and get a tune and be set. It would cost more to just lower the caddy than fully mod the G, lol.

 

Personally I went with an 04 6sp sedan. If you look it up, they were the lightest g's ever made. From 05 on they got heavier and they don't have any more torque. They may have a tad bit more hp than the earlier versions, but with mods I think it is totally possible to over come the slight power difference. The biggest difference is increased rev-limit and variable exhaust valve timing on the 05, where the 03-04 only has variable intake valve timing. Nonetheless it hasn't stopped me from loving the performance of my car

 

I went from a LS1 WS-6 to the G Sedan... they're both fun to drive, but in different ways. I can't really put one above the other.
The G is fun to corner with, and is better on long trips, but the TA had such ridiculous raw power available at any RPM, and was absolutely insane to get sideways...

Anyway, to address your first question:
Don't get an 03. You might end up with one with the original, difficult to tune ECU. If you're building for performance, you don't want that.
Now, deciding between the 04 and an 05/06 is going to require you to decide exactly what you're after.
The 04 is lighter and cheaper, which means you're likely to get more in terms of performance easier.
If you're really serious about performance, look for one with no sunroof and as few options as possible. (Base models even have a manual passenger seat)
.. Also, if you're going strictly for a 6MT, the 05/06's frequently have a problem with oil consumption.
Granted, if you get one new enough with few enough miles, that might net you a free engine under warranty.

Now... on the other hand
05/06's are built a lot nicer on the inside. The base exterior is much better looking (though the 03/04 looks are easily fixed with far more available options)
Also, if you're considering a AT, the shift logic is much improved... though it is possible to get an 04 with the 05/06 shift logic, provided it was a later "04.5" model.
05/06 also has nicer looking taillights, of course, that can be swapped over on an older one.
One of the big bugs on the 03/04 is the radio/ac unit (all controls are built onto one board, that fails)
That can be taken care of with a (somewhat expensive) double-din kit, but again, that's a little more money to spend.

BTW, on a completely side point...
One of my friends is a big Subaru fan, so I know well the "Saabaru" you mentioned... I would actually rock one of those, they're pretty sweet when built

 

sub

 

I was in the same position as you not when I bought mine, don't remember all of the differences but I remember it being a no brainer to spend the extra few bucks on the 05-06. Between 05-06 not much of a difference. Though I did not think much about it at the time, I really appreciate the Bluetooth in the 06

 

well, thanks to you guys I have committed to the 05+.
by the time you add a new front bumper, GFX paint, swap tails the price evens out. Not to mention the interior of the 05+.

Now I just have to decide between the G35, CTS and Legacy GT. I think I am looking at the Legacy over the Saabaru because the Legacy has a 5 speed which has alot better user reviews than the old 4 speed in the Saab 9-2x.

time to do some driving. Only problem is not many Gs around me....closest one for sale is 80 miles away, lol. Makes it tough to dive them back to back.