So my 07 is getting a new steering column installed (see post elsewhere on this forum that explains why). in the meantime i'm driving an 06 loaner. here are my thoughts:

-the 06 engine feels much weaker than the 07... almost like it's smaller. i can't believe nissan found that much mopre power from just tuning and opening up the intake and header. that's amazing.

-the 06 throttle is SOOOOO much nicer than the 07 DBW programming. i hate the dead zone on the 07 and then the sudden lurch. as a result of the smoother throttle on the 06, i'm more willing to drive it aggressively and frankly, it's more FUN even though it has less power.

-the 06 handling characteristics are more dynamic and the car feels much lighter. the damping rates are more "correct" for the springs and weight of the car. i really think some good shocks like the koni FSDs will significantly improve the lackluster handling of my 07. note that i am not saying "grip" which i was not able to test.

-the 06 interior SUCKS compared to the 07. i can't believe these are the same car! man, infiniti redeemed themselves with the new design. the outside of the car improved too but not nearly as much as the interior considering how BAD the interior on the prev generation really was! no offense to those that have the earlier car... i'm just being forthright (that's my nature).

cheers!

You're the only one I've ever heard who says they prefer the handling of the '06 to the '07. Interesting how opinions differ.

I agree with your comments about the throttle. I've had an 07 6MT for 4 weeks now and noticed the same thing compared to my previous 2003 6MT. The throttle response just doesn't seem as instantaneous on the 07.

I also think I understand what you are saying about the handling. The 1st generation (2003-2006) feels lighter and more agile in traffic, whereas the
2nd generation 2007 does feel like a heavier car but has more absolute cornering power. I'm still getting used to the 07 and forming my impressions of it - at about 1500 miles I still haven't had a chance to really get on it or do much hard cornering - there always seems to be something in the way.

I think some of the difference in handling feel has to do with the fact the 2007 is much stiffer and seems like a more solid car, more akin to a BMW 5-series. Riding in a friends 5-series always impressed me with its "solid" feel that I didn't think my 2003 had, but the 2007 does.

I am wondering if your 07 have the sports package I've had two 07 loaners now one was just base and the other had the 18" wheel package I definitely agree the throttle response was rather disappointing and shocking on both cars. The dampening also feels different the 07 handled flat and didn't have much body roll but it still felt rather isolated compared to my 05 and others I've driven. As far as the interior I am not impressed with the Chinese paper texture on the brush aluminum trim it feels like plastic at least on my 05 I know it's real brushed aluminum even if it's not as visually appealing or catchy like the theme of the 07. The seats in the 07 are impressive they support me very well which I can't say for my 05 seats. I prefer the location of the seat controls on the 1st Gen G I'm in the minority but with the controls being on the side I was more distracted Trying to find the right seat position. I guess to people that are use to seat controls being on the side they would find the seats in the 1st Gen annoying though. As far as engine power the 07 and 05/06 have different peak torque and horsepower levels I believe a race between both G's would be even and entertaining with the 1st Gen hustling up the revs a lot faster down low but the 07 ultimately winding up the power band with a lot less effort from the driver and a little disconnected due to the throttle. The 07 is an improvement over the 1st gen in the key areas of comfort, refinement and sophistication to the masses but it lost some edge in the all out sport category.

Not sure where the throttle response comments are coming from... mine jumps like a bat outta hell off the line.
I really think the ECU isn't fully discombobulated yet. LOL.
My wife drives our M45 and after about a day or 2 behind the wheel, I feel the difference in shifting and acceleration.

that's not necessarily a good thing. i prefer a throttle response that is more reasonable to modulate. modulating throttle mid-turn at the limit ain't fun or interesting with an on-off switch.

even after the ECU 'breaking in' to my driving habits, it's still nowhere near as smooth off the line as the prev gen (or other DBW cars for that matter... except for bimmers... they have this annoying feature too).

and before anyone rebuts: smooth does not necessarily mean slow. in fact, smooth usually means fastER.

odd, i had submitted a response to this but it didn't post i see...

well, i have a journey, not sport but i've driven both quite a bit. the sport has slightly better damping rate but not by much. the loaner 06 was a non-sport (not sure what this means from a suspension standpoint as i was never interested in that car). the lighter, older car is more agile. i did clearly say that i wasn't making any comments about "grip" which may well be better on the newer car. grip is not a dynamic response and that is what i am commenting on here.

dynamically, the older G is more fun and interesting drive. the new one feels more like a luxoboat.


PS, as for the "washi" aluminum trim, it's japanese not chinese. and second, i think it is in fact real metal, and not plastic. i don't think it's the best looking trim but it is growing on me. i like the subtlety of it.

I know what people mean when they say the 1s gen chassis is more lively and I think this is due to the fact that the rear end of the 1st gen is more ready to play. It's interesting that Infiniti probably retune the suspension so that the 2nd gen rear end is more stable because there has been a lot of complains about the 1st gen rear to prone to oversteer (though very progressive and easy to correct). I prefer the 07 handling characteristics over the 1st gen. The 07 model is more balanced at all four corners and more predictable. On the 1st gen, whenever I turn, I have to think about what the rear might do. The 07 also has more body control.

When I had a 07 loaner with base suspension but 18in. tire, my only complain was the steering which was light at low speed and turns heavy at high speed. At least for sport model, I wish Infiniti would just leave steering assist at one setting. It may be heavy at low speed but sport model drivers expect that.

i honestly think the handling is night and day between the 2. The 07 feels like so much more a solid car to me with MUCH better steering. As far as it being a close race between the 1st gen and this. I dont see that one bit. The newer engine has MUCHH better low end torque then the previous. On my 06 coupe if i made a turn down a sideblock in 3rd gear the car would bog until it gained enough speed to be in the 3rd gear, so i usually would just downshift to second for turns. In my 07 i make turns all day 3rd gear, with the better low end torque the engine just pulls smoothly with no problems what so ever. I also dont really feel that throttle delay like many people have stated. The only thing i really notice that if im first or second gear under 3k rpms and i hit the gas pretty hard the car seems to give like a jump back and then go. If the rpms are at 3k or over then i do not feel this one bit.