I am in the market for a sports sedan, but the cars available in my price range just don’t seem to have the raw power of my current ride. The upper end of my price range is about $37K. One of the cars I am clearly leaning towards is a ’06 G35 6MT Sedan, but I am concerned about being under whelmed by this car. I only purchase a new car every 5-7 years so I will be stuck with my decision for a while.

My Mustang GT has gobs of torque and sounds incredible. It actually handles quite well too due to the aftermarket world. Anyway, I am ready for a something more refined and practical, but not too practical. I still want some excitement even though I’ll have four doors. I have been lurking around on this board for over six months. I like to do a lot of research. Anyway, aside from a supercharger, it appears the G35 is pretty well tapped out on power. With the mustang, it’s super easy to add some more bang. I haven’t seen too many proven mods. that provide noticeable gains in the G35 world so unless I supercharge, I don’t see any more noticeable power to be had.

And before any goes there, yes, I know the new G35 is rated at 298 PEAK power and my mustang is rated at 260 PEAK power. However, my mustang is not stock. It runs 13.5’s in the ¼ mile. The 298 hp in the G35 is at the end of the rpm band and torque is not comparable to my mustang. My SAE corrected dyno numbers are 250 rwhp/292 rwtq. Using a 17% driveline loss figure for a manual tranny, those numbers equate to 300 hp. and 351 tq. measured at the crank. It also weighs about 3300 lbs.

My question is: “Has anyone gone from a Mustang GT to a G35 Sedan?” Please share your impressions.

Not sure how much gains you will get from a '05 without FI... It seems typical mods that provided notable gains on pre '05 aren’t doing as much for the new version. With that said, my '04 (AT sedan) was rated as 260 at the crank and my last dyno (dyapack) was 271 rwhp (depending on how much you add for drive line loss, etc, it’s between 300 - 325 @ crank)... TQ was only 250 though.

As time goes on, I'm sure there will be improvements on after market mods that the '05 will benefit from. Personally I bought the car bases on its stock appeal, the mod bug caught on later and I've been pleased. Since you plan to own the car for a while, I would suggest buying what you like stock - not what it will be like modded... then based on what you get, see what can be done to improve.

Just my .02

Have you taken the G for a ride? I didn't read that you'd gotten behind the wheel yet.

I don't own a GT, but have driven a few. Two were basically stock with only minor modifications, the third was brutally fast.

The biggest difference I see between the cars is the refinement and handling. You can adjust the handling of the Mustang through the aftermarket - very true. Same goes for the G, but it does pretty well right out of the box - especially with the sport package.

Of course the Mustang is going to be faster. Every Mustang I've driven has gone like "$hit through a goose" and had the NASCAR soundtrack to go with it. I prefer the more discreet performance that the G offers.

I'll sum it up by saying that driving the Mustang was good fun, but it wasn't a car I was willing to live with everyday. All were loud (carried a 'performance' rumble that was nice but got to be overly intrusive for my taste) and rough around the edges. For me it would have been a good Saturday toy, but not a daily driver.

Don't know if this offers anything you didn't already know.

Well, I trade my '00 Mustang GT convertible in on my '04 G35, and never missed the GT, and still don't regret it.

You might be underwhelmed in driving the G35 compared to your Mustang and your correct in saying that perfomance is about tapped out with out going FI. One thing to consider is that there are not very many sedans faster than the G for the money you want to spend. Now if you throw used into the equation you could probably pick up a late model used S4 or an E55 for about 37K.

Overall the G 6mt is a great package.

I traded in an 03 Mach 1 for my 05 6spd sedan and haven't looked back. Sure, the Mustang was about a second faster in the quarter, but the refinement of the G combined with the fluid acceleration make for a much more rewarding driving experience. You get much more road feedback through the steering wheel and the pedals in the G, and the fully independent suspension will be instantly appreciated (I have also had a 2000 cobra with IRS and it doesnt come close). You will have to make a choice, if you can live with giving up SOME brute acceleration for MUCH more luxury and refinement. If these factors are not important to you and you must have 4 doors, I would consider an STI.

First off, thanks for your feedback on staying on track. The G35 is fine car and I am in no way trying to bash it. It’s on the top of my list. Here are the cars I have considered:

WRX STi – I have thought hard about this, but it has pretty small back seat and ridiculous looking rear wing/hood scoop. I keeping wishing Subaru would get smart and offer a Legacy STi. In other words, use the current Legacy with a WRX STi engine and drive train. I also want other amenities not offered in the WRX like seat memory. The Legacy doesn’t even offer seat memory! My wife likes to drive the sporty car too. I know, I’m lazy, but I’ve really become used to seat memory. It’s like power windows, would you ever purchase another car without power windows?

BMW 330i ZHP – Another car on the top of my list, but I think power will be the same or less than a G35 and the back seat is way smaller than the G. It’s also about the same price used as a brand new G35. That hurts.

300C – I just don’t like the looks and despite the HEMI engine, it’s really not any faster than G. The SRT-8 version rocks, but gets 13 MPG and costs $43K. No thanks. Chrysler reliability also scares me.

Mazdaspeed 6 – Lost of power and a super broad torque curve, but 3600 lb curb weight zap up that power in a hurry. Road manners are also weak with the 3600 lbs and worst of all, the AWD is also severely FWD biased. That’s lame. Also, no seat memory.

Lexus IS350 – Based on reviews, lack of throaty exhaust, likely priced around $40K, and worst of all, the electronic nannies automatically turn back on after your reach 10 mph. In other words, you can never completely disable the electronic vehicle stability control. That’s a major disappointment. My mustang has a traction control that I turn off every time I get in the car. I only purchased that option because my wife wasn’t used to RWD and it’s super easy to induce over steer in the rain. Unless you know how to counter over steer, the mustang traction control can be your friend. I love over steer.

Acura TL – FWD = boring = end of story.

A used S4 isn’t a bad idea, but its going to have to be pretty old and with high mileage to fit under $37K. The back seat is also pretty small. The G35 really seems to be the best fit with what is available from the competition.

You're on the right track bro. I've had Mustang GT's too and I loved them like no other. Good handling, looks and gobs of torque, but the G is in another league: Far more refined, and altho not quite as quick, not bad for a 6!

Go test one out, you'll love it.
C.

Agreed. Not bad for a 6. I took a co-worker out to lunch one day, and I don't think I could ever have gotten a better compliment from him. He asked me if the G had an 8 cylinder under the hood! That comment just made my head so big that I could barely get my head out of the car when we got to the restaurant

I have always heard alot on FI. It is great I have a Kenne Bell S/C on my ram. But there is a company hear in Ft Ogelthorpe GA that has a 350z. It is all NA and has run at the Z car shootouts in the mid 11's at Commerece GA 1/4. Company's name is Maxium Velocity. So it is possible to be fast NA.

3rd'ed or 4th'ed or whatever we're up to...
I came from a '95 Mustang GT vert, and previously an '89 coupe (V8, modded), both 5 speeds. Wanted an 05 GT, but intend to be in a family way in the near future. So I told the wife it was going to cost her about $6k more, but I could get a 4 door instead. So, I've got about 6k miles on mine now...love it. My '89 was wickedly fast, but always felt dangerous when going fast. The rear end came around on me more than once. The G is nearly as fast, definitely faster than the vert, but much more entertaining and easy to drive in a rapid manner. The gearbox is such a pleasure compared to anything I've ever felt in a Mustang. The refinement is a plus, but on performance alone I don't think you'll be disappointed.

4doorfun, we sound a lot alike. I look for raw performance in a car with a nod to comfort. BMW's are expensive, STI's are too boy-racer, Acura's are just a pretty face, and Lexus comes close with the IS but not quite. I would be happy with an American rwd V-8 sedan even if they weren't as good as imports, but the only candidates come from Chrysler and Cadilac. Neither of their cars' looks or prices appeal to me. Used prices aren't exactly cheap either and it can be scary being a used performance vehicle.

What I want in a car is good power (250+hp), rwd, decent size (not too small or big), performance options (6 spd, suspension, etc.), basic comfort, classy design, and affordable price (at or below $30k). The G is the only car that fits the bill.

I recently bought a base 6mt which comes standard with performance suspension and 18" wheels for $29k. For the price and performance, nothing else comes close. To top it off, the 05 G35 looks awesome. Things like build quality and interior may not be as good as other imports but those cars have their own comprimises. I don't know if it is faster than say a Mustang GT, but it does not disappoint. I would just test drive a G35 and get a feel for how everything works. Figure out which options you want and use that as a base to compare to other vehicles.

4DOORFUN,

The 298hp 05+ 6MT isn't going to have the punch your GT does, however what it lacks in punch, it makes up for in "legs". Decently driven 03+ 6MTs sedans are getting low low 14s at 99-100mph STOCK with a couple getting 13.9s@100-101mph. While the ETs don't match your 13.5, the ending trapspeeds are matching your modded GTs. Unlike your 4.6 SOHC that struggles to breath after 5200rpms, the VQ35 peaks at 6200-6500rpms and holds that peak power straight to fuel cut. VQ35 behaves very much like the GM's LS1. It doesn't "feel" terribly fast, but for what it is, a 3.5 NA V6, it moves impressively. These motors don't feel terribly fast because the torque curve is very flat and lasts a long time, much like the LS1. Above 100mph, a stock 6MT G is probably going to walk your GT.

I'm certain 13.5-13.6@101mph are possible in a bonestock G sedan with a set of 16" ET streets and a realistic 1.8 60'. No one's done it because hardly anyone in here has a drag race focused mindset.

Like the others said, what your will probably like is all the creature comforts and refinement. The G interior is not Lexus grade, but I can tell you it's light years ahead of any year Mustang interior, even the 05+. I love have quality leather, fat and tiny steering wheel, auto/dual zone climate control, Homelink, HIDs, 6 disc indash, super stiff structure, a very balanced platform, killer brakes, killer suspension and IRS, etc.

I like my G35. Its a fine fine car and I'm getting spoiled by it.

But if I could go back in time, I'd give the STI a good hard long 2nd look.

gotta pay to play.....

Only way to go about it to test drive...