Well, I finally got around to test driving the G last night. They didn't have any coupes so I drove the '03 6MT sedan with all the options except aero. First impressions...braking is unbelieveable...just pressing the pedal like 1/4" or so and the car is slowing down fast! Acceleratiion feels good...lots of torque, although I must admit that I'm used to engines that rev up faster (smaller displacement motors). Car felt pretty stable through turns (as ppl have metioned, it could stand to lose some weight though). Nav system was "cool".
Only thing that didn't impress me too much was the interior. I wouldn't say it felt cheap, I'd say that it felt like I was getting into a mid-$20k car versus a $30-35k car. Not really a big deal for me since I'm more concerned with how the car drives, but I did have to mention it. I was a little disappointed that the rear seats didn't fold down, but the salesman told me that the coupe ones do (bench rear seat). Again, not a really big deal since I can transfer my Yakima rack over when they make the clips.

I asked about the AWD option and was told by the salesman that, indeed, a AUTO AWD sedan option will be offered for about an additional $1500. When I pressed him about a 6MT AWD sedan, he didn't know but asked the manager. The manager told him that Infiniti "may" be releasing the AWD option for 6MT sedans "possibly" by mid-year 2004. Depending on the demand for the Auto AWD sedan, they might also wait till the '05 model to offer it as an option.

So, this throws a wrench into things. I would really like the 6MT AWD coupe...but I don't think they'll ever offer it. I'd settle for a 6MT AWD sedan, but I don't really want to wait a year for it. They said they have no idea when they will find out for sure if the AWD option will be available for the 6MT sedan. So, I guess I'll just have to wait till the end of the year or thereabout. If there's no sign of the 6MT AWD sedan, I'll opt for the 6MT RWD coupe.

 

Just a footnote here. The rear seats in the sedan don't fold down, because with the premium package, they actually recline.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

[img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img] the rear seats in my sedan leather 6mt without premium don't fold down either, but

[img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img] I can get three hockey bags in the trunk with sticks in the pass-thru!

 

I heard somewhere that the AWD loses HP and torque numbers compared to the RWD models. Do more research before the long wait or else you'll be kicking yourself through out all that time.


It's still a G thang!!

 

"I heard somewhere that the AWD loses HP and torque numbers compared to the RWD models. Do more research before the long wait or else you'll be kicking yourself through out all that time."


that is exactly right. Just look at an Eclipse GSX vs. GST. It takes more power to get the extra wheels to start turning. GST's are known to be between .2 and .4 tenths faster than the GSX. But with the awd you get better traction and stuff in rain and snow.

Just thought i would add this

It all depends on what you will be buying the car for.

<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by Hookedup240 on 09/15/03 05:26 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

AWD adds weight too. If they go AWD with the 6MT I hope they put the coupe's 280 hp into the sedan.

 

I can put a Trek 2300 road bike in the back seat of my G35 sedan, with the front bike wheel removed, of course. If you put the bike in upside-down, the top tube rests on the drivetshaft 'hump' in the backseat, and the only thing that touches the rear seats are the handlebars/aerobars--a blanket underneath them works great (but there's nothing sharp on them anyway). The rear bike wheel and crank/chain are "suspended" in midair and rest nowhere near the seats. Works great, esp since road bikes are a lot lighter and cleaner than mtn bikes. I wouldn't recommend putting a mtn bike in the back seat, though (heavier, typically much dirtier).

2003.5 Black/Black 6MT, Sunroof

 

With most mag times having the coupe/sedan dead even or the sedan slightly faster do you guys ever wonder if Nissan is playing games with those hp numbers. It doesn't seem like the coupe really has 20 extra hp.

2003.5 5AT Sedan Black/Black Premium/Winter Packages