Hey guys,

I'll be purchasing a 2005 G35 in the next week or so, and I have some questions regarding the 6sp vs. the AT. First off, let me say that I do not want to turn this into a "battle of the transmitions." I've owned cars with both manual and AT, and I can make a case for either of them.

My scenario is that I'm a surgical sales rep who will be driving up to 18-20K miles per year. The good news is that my commute (which is 2 hours RT) doesn't involve a lot of heavy, stop and go traffic. In fact, my speed will average 50mph (min) on most days.

My questions surround the manual transmition. How "friendly" is it for daily driving? I mean, could you see it getting tiresome if you had to drive as much as I'll be driving? I'll give you an example. I've owned 2 consecutive Nissan Maxima's, and I loved them both. With that said, they were NOT a good option for manual transmition. The clutch was LONG, and the shifting just wasn't crisp. My Dad's Acura, on the otherhand, is a delight to shift. Probably the best in the business. You can easily execute "heel-toe" shifts without even thinking about it.

The automatic G35 I drove last night was awesome. Seriously. There was so much torque that I think I'll be very happy if I go that route. I'd love to have the extra HP with the manual trans., as I am a driving enthusiast, but I also have a job that requires driving to strange addresses, heavy rain, and some traffic.

Thanks in advance everyone!!

 

Your question is very subjective and everyone will have their own feelings about your scenario. My opinion is to choose the automatic for daily commutes. I personally find the clutch on 6spd equiped G35's to have an on/off feel that makes it somewhat more difficult to drive smoothly. Either way its a great car and excellent bang for the buck!

Good Luck!

 

I'm with your opinion of the Maxima tranny. I had a 5 speed 96 Maxima for 6 years and like you said, the clutch caught high plus the shifting was notchy and it was hard to be smooth driving the car when shifting the 1-2 and 2-3. Numerous magazines noted this same exact thing. Under race situations, the tranny totally transformed it's character and was quite good.

Unfortnately the 6 speed G35 I've drove had the same characteristics as my Maxima plus the G's shifter vibrated a lot, the clutch pulsated, and everyonce in a while you could here a faint rattle in the tranny case somewhere. I also found out that Nissan is on the 6th update of this tranny. After driving the auto G, I made up my mind that the auto was the car for me. I was tired of driving manuals (past 3 out of four cars were manuals) and the 5 speed auto's gearing and fairly high stall torque converter made the car quite quick. It actually "feels" faster than the 6 speed around town. Another thing is that the JATCO 5 speed is the same one used in the Q45/M45/Titan which means this tranny can easily hold the power and torque of the smaller 3.5 VQ.

My only real complaints about the auto is that it likes to upshift too quickly at part-throttle and I wish the shifts were as firm as my 94 Z28 at WOT. The shifts are great around town, but I like a big "POW" when ripping WOT shifts.

 

If you have to ask, get the automatic. To me even a bad stick (rubbery, no feel, can't find the gait) is still more fun than an automatic and the stick in the G shifts very nicely.

 

Agree wtih Corgidog ... if you have to ask, the auto is the way to go. I just purchased a 6MT on Friday, and although the shifter/clutch are definitely smoother than the 03/04 models, it's still a lot of shifting. For me, I absolutely love it, but I wouldn't if this were a "work" car. If you're a rep in the field, or do a lot of cell phone talking while you're driving, do yourself a favor and stick with the auto. But man, what a car ... I am really glad I waited for the 05 - even though all the updates are rather subtle, when combined they make a really nice difference

 

Thanks guys,

You all nailed it. It is a work car for me, therefore the auto is the way to go. If I were in a point in my life where I could afford two sweet cars, I'd probably buy a smooth running automatic sedan AND a slick little 6sp sports car. Since I'm not there yet, I'll get what I consider to be a great alternative. A slick, 280HP automatic that controls the best engine (by far) in it's class.

Thanks for the opinions.

 

If you are thinking of the A/T sedan, consider the X if you will be driving in rain and/or snow, for even better handling in that weather (I don't know your location). This might be especially important if you need the car to get to work. That is the reason I wanted the X and, although we haven't had much snow yet (some coming in a few hours!) I'm delighted with the car. The power is significant, and controllable. I've had several sticks (last an Audi A4 Quattro a few years ago) and they aren't always fun for commuting or going into city traffic.

Good luck, whatever your choice.

 

Thanks Andy,

While I live in Seattle, our weather is not extreme at all. Yes, it rains a lot here, but our rain is more gray and damp. We haven't had extended, measurable snow for nearly a decade. I don't think I'll do the x, but your point is valid. I'll most likely get the RWD version, with the intention of picking up a small AWD SUV for my wife in a few years.

Thanks for the input.

 

"a small AWD"

That's funny-our other car (not counting a 93 Taurus wagon that is "just resting" and "pining for the fjords" for you Monty Python fans) is a Subaru LL Bean Outback (wagon).

Have fun!

 

BobbyD. That 1/4 mile time you post. is that with stock street tires.? and where and when.? oh yea. the way i c it is.... if you're gonna buy a high performance car then get the most bang for your buck. get the 6speed. that way you can play with the power if you want or just cruise. there is nothing like actually feeling like you're driving your car. with the 6 speed mt, you'll feel it...

 

I have never heard a 6mt owner say, Gee i wish i would have bought the automatic" but I do hear the opposite all the time.

 

Actually, I've heard many 6sp owners say that. Especially other salespeople like me who drive 20K miles per year. I'm not saying that to blatantly disagree with you, as I get your point. Still, when you drive 130 miles per day, you need to consider how practical a manual transmission is.

When you consider how difficult it is to track down 6sp Infiniti's, Maxima's, and Acura's, it has to be related to demand. Most people want automatic transmission. I share your opinion for the most part, but when you drive the G35 auto, it's pretty damn nice. If nothing else, it's the most fun auto I've ever driven.

 

i'm in sales and do about 20k miles a year........i do lots of 10-20 minutes spurts here and there......you'll love the manual if you're an enthusiastic driver......they key word is driver......i love to row through the gears, hear the intake/exhaust note, traffic or no traffic. to me that's what driving is all about, but that's just me........my previous car was a 2k maxima se 5sp(modded of cousre)......awesome third gear pull from 80mph..............hey, whatever works for you......

 

my 03 6mt walked an auto just saturday. in maryland on 95 i believe nto a race just kind of an acceleration think moderate traffic so. we were just kinda driving together. the first time i really got the feel the suspension do its job it was awsome. anyway, back on topic. i drive my 03 6mt 60 miles aday to a from work plus what ever when im off. and everyother weekend i make a 300 mile round trip to centrial va. plus what i do when im there. and i love the 6mt. woudlnt trade it. as a matter of fact the dealer called me with an 04 auto in black the color i want. and i told them i would pass if it was a 6mt would have jumped on it. ohh and the brembos are the hottness.