Hello all...

A friend of mine bought a lease 6mt 350z last week and he needed some classes on MT. Anyway, I tested the Z today and here's my impression.

1) The short throw is really short. I never tested a G35 6mt but assuming it's probably similiar. Being that I've driven many 5 speeds before it was a little weird popping it into 6th gear which is like popping it into reverse. It ain't no silky smooth honda/toyota gears but it's better than I expected it.

2) Oh man...do I love the exhaust sound. Now my G35x sounds so mellow.

3) Handling is outstanding. Since it was a lease car, I had the luxury to give it some juice and my friend could care less if there was any abuse since it's getting return in 3 years. Before I know it, a few quick shifts I was like going 70mph in the local street. Scary!!!

4) I guess after driven my g35x already the Z has a much better exhaust throaty note but as for speed and pick up, my g35x wasn't far behind. The Z feels faster at the same speed because of the revving and the noise.

5) He didn't get any premium package so there wasn't even power seat. However, the interior definitely wasn't up to par with my G. But fun factor wise, I'll give it a 9 out of 10. Look from the front of the Z, the car looks so wide, makes my Gx look skinny.

Now onto my 2nd part hopefully it won't bore you guys. My g35x currently has 2750+ miles. Bought it 12/24/04. It has only sunroof, bought it for 100 over invoice, which is around 31500.

1) I am considering going back to M/T. If I trade it in for a g35 SEDAN rwd M/T. How much value do you think I'll lose?

2) I might want to consider starting a lease because I am not sure if I want to keep a SEDAN rwd M/T more than 3 yrs. 3 yr lease would be perfect so this way I can rev the car all I want and don't have to worry about it.

3) The g35 SEDAN 6M/T sports package comes with the double 5 spokes with what tires? All season?

4) How's the exhaust sound on the M/T sedan? Does M/T exhaust sound a little better than the auto?

 

If you still need a rear seat, get a regular g35 6mt. I have driven a couple of Z' and other than the exhaust note, I can't tell much difference in the acceleration between it and my 6MT sedan

 

Most of the 05 6MT's seem to be coming with Goodyear NCT-5's, a summer tire. Probably not going to be great in snow/ice, but its dry & wet grip is good, and it seems quiet so far (2000 miles).

 

3) The g35 6M/T sports package comes with the double 5 spokes with what tires? All season?


My 6MT came with Bridgestone Potenza's, nice summer tires. Will for sure need a good set of dedicated snows if you plans to drive on the slippery stuff.

Ray

 

I found the 350z extremely uncomfortable to drive.

Part of it was the suspension - but most of it, believe it or not, was the uncomfortable seats. They were so hard I had to take the wallet out of my back pocket because it was uncomfortable.

 

1. You'll definatley pay something to do what your thinking, I'd think it will depend on the dealer.

2. You can it does have a rev limiter, though I'd feel guilty for the poor fellow that pick's it up after the lease is over.

3. Dealer's have the option of both types of tires on 6mt's, will vary.

4. Same as the X as as the auto. In other words, mutted and it's doesn't have the same note as the coupe or Z. Doing a simple swap of your mid pipe with one off a G coupe will help deepen the sound from idle to 2800 rpm's or so. Installing a HKS rear muffler would help the most IMO. I've heard the HKS in person, I really liked it a lot.

A note on handling. The sedan's sport suspension, is not in the same vain as the Z's, wheelbase, undercar bracing and 200lbs nonwithstanding. Their is no reason why you can't buy a slightly used 2005 oem Z suspension. Though going with oem Z springs and Tokico D-spec shocks would be a even better choice.

 

If anyone of you remembered my old posts, it all started since my accord was getting on and I needed a new car. Requirements were AWD, perferrably STICK (wife perfers auto), POWER, LUXURY. That eliminated the evo and sti. I didn't like the audi 1.8T and my choices were down to 325xi, g35x, and tsx (not awd but silky smooth transmission). Then I eliminated the 325xi because the new model is coming out and bmw's 1st and 2nd year cars always have problem. I almost bought a 04 325i M/T w/sports but backout the last minute. I never though about lease at that time not until recently. Anyway, it was down to g35x or tsx. I waited till 2005 hoping they have g35x with stick but no luck. Between the power of G and Tsx it was a no brainer but to get the g35x. I love just about everything about my car except it's not a M/T, thus this is the reason I am thinking about selling it back to dealer and maybe starting a lease. If Infiniti has a G AWD M/T that would just about solve every problem of mines. I live in NY and I really need an AWD. If I do trade in for RWD, I am not sure I can deal with winter but that's another story. Oh wellie...Another thing that kinda pissed me off is I kinda bought the G35x so my wife is able to drive. After 5+ months she hasn't even touched it because she said it's my baby and it's too new so she doesn't want to get any scratches on it.

I have a 92 accord with 120k miles that I probably drive once every 3 weeks. The reason I still have it and are paying insurance for it is every few weeks I have the urge to drive a M/T and that's what the accord is there for...HAHA.

One last note and need to edit and put it in. I don't mean to offend the G crews here (especially the g35x). I don't want to seem like I complain about my g35x all the time. I love it to death. When I alarm it I usually turn around 3 to 5 times to make sure it's ok and I always park my car away from others, etc. You know stuff like that.

Thanks for all your replies though.

 

Well if you are considering the Z the AWD must not be all that important, and if you consider the Z interior as "LUXURY", I guess your definition is way different than mine.

I 100% agree with you that an AWD MT G35 coupe would be the perfect car... can anyone say Skyline?

 

NO NO...I hope I am not confusing people here. I am considering trading in for a G35 SEDAN rwd M/T, not the Z. I just mentioned the Z because I never tested the g35 M/T and assume they are similar and I like the handling of the Z. I would NOT trade in for the Z because I need the rear seats and another set of doors. Even if I do trade in for G35 rwd it's the SEDAN not the COUPE. Sorry if my post is confusing. Just went back to my post and added "SEDAN". Tried changing the subject but it doesn't reflect it off the thread.

Ultimately what I want is 4 door awd g35 w/ MT. Which is non-existent.

 

Can the admins please change my subject in the forum to

Drove a 350z today...man!...seriously considering trading in for a M/T rwd G35 SEDAN.

Thanks.