I am another new addition to the G35 Sedan family. I purchased a 2005 Lakeshore Slate with Stone 6MT with every option you can get WITHOUT a sunroof ( i.e. trunk mat, splash guards and Aero kit ). We ordered a car without a sunroof because I wanted the headroom much more than I wanted a sunroof. I am another one of those 6’ 5” guys that found the head and legroom very attractive. The 6MT was required because I find automatics somewhat boring, and because I have an understanding wife who accepts driving a manual transmission occasionally. I made sure that the taller of our sons still living at home could fit in the back seat, which meant that his younger brother had room to spare. This car was purchased as a “driver plus 2-passenger” vehicle, since I don’t think that either boy would care to sit behind me when I am driving. But one of the younger one’s friends sat back there without complaint, but he is much shorter. We have a full size van when we need to take everyone.

After reading about the power seat control pain issues that some people were having, I was concerned about this since I fit the profile of large thighs and heavier weight group that seemed to be having problems. My wife and I were prepared to have this fixed if necessary, but unless the padding recedes, I will probably live with it since the pressure that it produces has not resulted in pain after several hours of driving. I still think it is in a poor location.

I find the power acceptable, but I was ready to get away from major torque anyway. Actually, I am one of those strange people who like the power delivery of a turbo, and the 6MT G is a little like that with the high RPM power. When the power band is more limited, correct gear selection is more rewarding. With big torque, it doesn’t matter so much. I do have to agree with many of the people who found the first gear clutch engagement a little difficult, and the smooth second gear transition also a problem, certainly more than any of the 10 plus previous manual transmission vehicles I’ve owned. But it is getting better and once past the break in period, the power at the higher RPMs is rewarding.

I decided on a G35 sedan after sitting in the Garnet Red with Willow 6MT without sunroof at the 2003 Los Angeles auto show. The rest was just timing. I have read this and other forums and I always smile when someone wants an analysis of the G35 against some other car. I smile because the answer to these comparisons is the same for me since the other car almost always has the mandatory sunroof and therefore insufficient headroom, or is only available with an automatic. The thread that really got to me was the one that wanted the roofline lowered. There are so few manual transmission sedans with sufficient headroom, why take one away. At least that is how I see it.

 

Nice color and unusual option combination. The same car was sitting on my dealer's lot when I bought mine in March, sans aero kit. You're right about the headroom -- you gain an inch, maybe two in places, without the sunroof. And save a bundle in the process by avoiding the Premium Package, which really is only with the money when Infiniti throws in Intellikey on the 5AT sedans.

Put some pics up so we can see it. Congratulations. You referred to getting away from "major torque" in your post, so I assume you traded in a Gale Banks Six-Gun Ram 1500 Cummins Turbo Diesel for the G.

 

Congrats man. Great choice. Enjoy.

Welcome to 'Driver.

C.

 

Congrats on the new car. Sure you and your family will enjoy it. Welcome to the club.

 

Enjoy your new ride, and I am sure your sons are going to be gnawing on the bit to take the G for a spin .

 

Congrats, glad to here there is another "big guy" 6MT owner out there. How long until the mods start, only took me 2 weeks.

 

RuralOC G...

Congrats on your new purchase! And welcome to the "family"! ^-^

That is indeed a very unusually optioned unit you have there. Hehehe...mine is the exact opposite: only sunroof & nothing else! LOL

Anyways, I'm sure you'll enjoy it more & more as the miles accumulate. As for the clutch & shift thing...once you get used to it, shouldn't be too much of a problem. Its not that they'll go away, just that you'll get used to it.

See you on the road! Be sure to wave or honk if you see the rest of us...^-^

 

Congrats on the new G. Post up pics please.

 

Enjoy....I'm a sunroof only G owner like Gthree5. Actually I think the G has some very nice low end grunt. Reminds me of my old Mustang GT.

 

No, I didn't come from a Turbo-Diesel. For 8 years I drove a Trans Am with a 6 speed. So I went from 5.7 liters with 285 HP and 325 ft/lbs to the G35. I know, 13 more horse power, but 65 lb/ft less torque. Still I find the G35 fun and roomy. Especially since the purchaser of the Trans Am hasn't sold his truck yet and I still have to drive Trans Am occasionally. Except I took off the offset that moved the seat back 1.75 inches and I replaced the driver's side visor which took away .75 inches of view. And the throws on that 6spd now feel like I am driving one of those old trucks with the 3 foot gear shift. But I did get used to that gearing. In 6th gear, around 1500 RPM was 55 mph and 2000 RPM was 80 mph. Sometimes I think the G is geared a little to high, but I am getting used to it. As for modding, I am going to sound like an old man. It has been tinted with 40% Huper Optik and has a WeatherTech trunk liner. That will do it for the time being. I expected the intake/exhaust to be too quiet, but I find that I can hear it. It is good enough for now. As for the boys driving it, all of them have except the 16 year old who has not learned how to handle a clutch yet. Poor boy, the only automatic among the daily drivers is the full size van. And when Mom wants the van, he has no wheels even though there is a "spare" vehicle. As for pictures, I will have to clean it up and see what the kids did with the digital camera.

 

Welcome.

 

Congrats on the new G and on the informative post. Well thought out - good content.

JK - you can't get the HO turbo Cummins in a 1500 - the best you can do is the HEMI. You have to go to the 2500 or > to get the BIG IRON. I'll post a picture of what's in my driveway.. Mine's chipped, and the Banks exhaust will be installed when I get to Washington. She's a beast.