I went and looked at some G35s today because the dealerships were closed and I wouldn't get hassled. I looked at about 10 of them with about 6 of them being worthy and affordable assuming the dealership prices of ~$26900-27500 are negotiable. One really caught my eye at the Nissan dealership. It's an 2003.5 sedan, desert platnium, 6 speed, willow interior, reclining rear seats, sport package, and the Aero Package. The car has 16,000 miles and looks flawless and the original tires aren't showing any funny wear. With tint, a different grill, my lightweight 17s, and G coupe front springs, this car would be set. They're asking $26,988. The maximum I'm willing to spend $26,000 and I'd prefer $25,500. I'm just a little resistent to buying a 6 speed because the 6 speeds seem to have syncro problems with these trannies. Just how common are the 6 speed problems? It's my understanding that Nissan has had multiple updates to the 6 speed tranny.

 

My 03.5 6MT will clunk into 2nd if I'm not paying attention. As I've gotten more used to shifting it, it rarely happens, and doesn't take anything away from the driving experience. Also, the dealer should give you warranty on the transmission for either 30K or 50K miles. With 16K miles on the car, you'll notice if anything is wrong with the syncros during a test drive.

Now as far as getting a "clunk" fixed, it varies from dealer to dealer. I rode along with a mechanic and he said my tranny was fine, adding "These cars aren't easy to drive." I'll bother them again if it gets worse. Getting a stiffer suspension helps too, since you'll eliminate any nose dive on a hard 1-2 shift. I'd go with the 350z's springs over the coupe's.

-Drew

 

I did a big search last night and I think I'll have to pass. I was surprised at the issues. I'm sure it only really effect 10-15% of the Gs out there, but one thing that caught my attention was the noted excessive shifter vibration. I even dug up some old Motor Trend and Car & Driver mags I had laying around and the mags noted the same thing. The were quite surprised by all the vibration. My Maxima had vibration in the shifter also and I grew tired of it after 6 years. I don't think I can handle that for another 6 years. Oh well. At least the used autos are plentiful

 

Wait just one moment. Go drive the 6MT first before you rule it out based on a bunch of complaints. You shouldn't decide just based on problems reported here...it's not a representative sample. What about all the people (like me) who have 6MT's without a single hitch? You don't see those posts too much. The 6MT has a different ECU tune for more HP than the automatic cars, and you can't get the sport suspension on the AT cars. The difference in personality between the two cars is significant, even if you change the springs on an AT car. They have made updates to the transmission, so the late 2003 or 2004 6MTs (or those who get transmissions replaced) should have fewer problems.

 

The stick vibrates a little but it's not bad, if anything it's sporty feeling. I find it amazing that people complain about it, I never even noticed it. I have 12k on my car now Dave, and I have no tranny problems at all. It's notchier then say a S2000 but it's still a great feeling box; it's not anywhere as notchy and lame feeling as the Audi's are. I double-clutch downshift all of the time so maybe that's why my tranny is lasting. Even if you do have problems, the car is covered for 60k miles under warranty and the dealers aren't hassling people when it comes to swapping out trannies. The new ones they're installing are revised and better.

I wouldn't let that stop you, I think this car is perfect for you Dave.

 

This forum is not the only source for data on 6mt tranny problems, the 350Z uses the same exact tranny and their have been a lot of posts on my350Z.com. Freshalloy's G35 forum is another site that has seen 6mt problems reported.

Automatic equipped G35 sedans have always had the sport suspenson as a option and still do. I drove such a car before the 6mt hit the dealers to I could evaluate the suspension.

My 6mt tranny went out and was replaced under warranty at the 5.5K mark. First the 2nd gear syncro's started to not work so well, then 6th gear started to do the same. Now, starting at the 11K make and with 13K on the car now, 6th gear has started to act up, every single time I try to shift out of any other gear where the revs are anywhere past 3K rpms I get a horrable crunch. It is only a matter of time before tranny number two dies. I had hoped to keep this car long term, with repeated tranny failures, that dream is also crushed.

 

Ultimately it's your choice. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Used 6MT. The warranty is five years so surely if the tranny is going to grenade, it will do it by then on Infiniti's dime. then you will get an upgraded revised transmission

As for problems, I have had none except for interior rattles. I drive my car aggressively and at 19K my transmission is fine and so are my brakes. I think the people who have problems really beat on their cars. Any car driven within an inch of its life is going to have problems.

 

I've definitely noticed that the 2nd gear synchros are crap for stop and go driving. Sometimes grinds/clunks going into 2nd gear during low speed/low RPM shifts. Forceful/faster shifts at higher RPM's don't exhibit the problem as much for me. Existed since new (6K miles now), hopefully not a developing problem.

 

Yeah I don't have any brake wear problems either, but I use a lot of engine braking. I think the synchro problems can be spared by driving easy or double-clutching.

 

Sorry for the stupid statement....I don't know where my mind was.

 

I've had my 2003.5 6MT for 2 years now and no problems at all... The vibration is minor in my opinion.. I actually own a 2004 350ZR 6MT also and no problems with that tranny either. I think its a small percentage that has had the problem with the transmissions.. And Nissan has been pretty good about replacing the few that have gone bad... Up to you tho... But you get no gurantee with any car. I know few years back Honda was having all sorts of problems with there Automatic Transmissions.. mostly in the Accura TL and Prelude... In the end its luck of the draw if you get a good one that won't have any major problems.

Good Luck

 

Gsedan35-
When you release the accelerator then press the clutch, don't the rpm's immediately drop below 3K rpm?

 

You want a 6 speed...believe me! The tranny carries a 60K warranty that will come with your used purchase. All this coming from a guy that had his tranny replaced at 20K.....hassle free, loaner car and all. VERY happy with the 6 speed, would not even consider an AUTO! My.02

 

I have an '04 Coupe 6MT (July '04 build). It has only 2400 miles on it so far. I've just replaced the manual transmission fluid with Redline MT-90 because it is a new car and I wanted to get any metal shavings out. It shifts super slick and I've never grinded any gears yet. It's not notchy at all and the shifter barely vibrates at all. I've heard that there has been something like 6-7 updates to the transmission so far, and with a July build I suppose my transmission is probably one of the latest updates. I'm super-impressed with it thus far. It is beyond my expectations. Be sure to test drive the vehicle you are interested in, and if you purchase it, go ahead and change the transmission fluid if it never has been changed before. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

I'm not so sure this is a good idea. I have used Redline for years in cars with great results. But you really do not want to give Infiniti a chance to blame a transmission failure on using other than the official Infiniti fluid. I have heard horror stories like this, where it is used as an excuse to deny warantee coverage. I had my trans, and rear axle fluid changed at 25k, but I paid through the nose to have the dealer do it just to cover my a**. As soon as the warantee is up, I wouldn't hesitate to use Redline.