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Comments
Sounds like it might be a real winner. Far more substantive then G20, which is nice but lacks the right engine. Hope G35 comes with the CVT automatic that can also act like a 6-speed automatic.
Concerning the IS300, Toyota did design a new five speed (W55) even though they had the excellent W58 five speed used in the 82-92 Supra, the 83-86 Cressida and in the Lexus SC300 in the early 90's, and all these models had the 2.8-3.0 litre engines that are identical to the engine in the IS300. The real reason Toyota designed a new five-speed for the IS300 was size. The W58 was physically too large for the smaller IS300 body. That Lexus didn't go for a six-speed was a disappointment to many - there position was that it "wasn't necessary". I beg to differ. The W55 has almost no fifth overdrive - an .85 to 1, requiring the rear end ratio to be lower than the automatic to keep the cruising RPM lower for CAFE and NVH. The old W58 had a .71 to 1 fifth, bringing down the cruise rpm and allowing a deeper rear ratio. My Lincoln LS uses a Getrag fiver with no overdrive fifth. So at 75 mph, the engine is at 3000 rpm!!! To keep the rpms down to that, the rear ratio is 3.07 to one! The IS300 stick is like 3.8 to 1. So I need the Getrag six-speed that has an overdrive sixth gear.
The point here is that we have to hope that Infinity doesn't chicken out and put a five-speed manual in the G35. It's too much of a compromise. Lobby for the six-speed. So many cars have or are going to have six-speeds. This allows for a great overdrive ratio in sixth which enables a deep rear ratio for acceleration while getting great gas mileage as well. The best of all worlds.
The G35 not only has multi-link independent rear suspension, it will have multi-link ind. front suspension as well.
I'm glad that Nissan will once again be selling interesting cars in the US. They were once my favorite Japanese brand, but I didn't like any of their cars after the early 90's. Maybe they will even make a Maxima that isn't "butt-ugly" (pun intended).
A beauty. I'm hooked.
Does anyone know if the G35 is currently on sale in Japan or Europe? Both of these markets received the current G20 a couple years before the US did.
Anyone seen anything substantive in regard to sales date in USA, options & pricing? I may have to swing by an Infiniti dealer to see what they know. But they seem to be the last to know anything. Wanting to move current metal!
The review of the Altima says its suspension was "based on the zoomy Skyline model's running gear." Think that is where I thought the G35 was much more similar to Altima. Now I just wish I knew exactly how the RWD G35 and FWD Altima's suspensions and chassises differ. They sure look alike. Have similar size & shape. Both use 3.5L V-6.
New 3.5L V-6 Maxima uses 6-speed manual. New 3.5L V-6 Altima uses 5-speed manual. Car & Driver preview of G35 doesn't detail what manual is in it. Says there will be a 5-speed automatic. And that it will have both manual and automatic transmissions. Then mentions possible CVT that can function like a 6-speed. Anyone know for sure if G35 will use 6-speed or 5-speed? The reviews of the new Maxima 6-speed seem to be poor. Car & Driver says it is bad news, with poor shift feel and hard engagement. Too bad, if true.
I also missed the mention about a possible 2-door G35 in 2002. Anyone seen any pictures of it? Is it now on sale anywhere?
More I think about G35, more pumped I am. If price is around $30,000 and it has the same Infiniti build quality of its siblings, I'll give it serious look.
The Skyline platform will support the following vehicles to come in the future:
Skyline
G35
next GTR
Z Car
Satgea Wagon
???
Does anyone know when the 350Z with 6 speed will be available? That is the $64,000 question.
Just pray they carry over the six-speed to the G35 from the Z. But we are looking at 10 months or more. Anything could happen. The market will change in that time.
So Volvo went out and found the tranny out of a Buick Skylark. Not the best Buick tranny, just the one that fits. The first turbos grenaded the trannys.I would really worry about this car outside the warranty period. Many Volvo fanatics say that the last Volvo was made in 2/98 (V90/S90.
No manual available (I guess they can't find a Buick manual tranny). I have a 1996 960 Wagon - last of the big Volvo RWD wagons. Because Ford has Volvo, the LS will not be exported to Europe.
Now when do you think the G35 will be here? The 350Z?
Glad to see the Lincoln LS "fanatics" and "crazies" (their own words) haven't expelled you from their ranks for disloyalty. Thought it interesting that your defense of the LS hinged on a ton of "IFs" and on a longer time frame than the G35. Who knows if the DEW lite platform will even be developed or if so, when. Ford ain't in good financial shape. Need to spend their time ensuring market share in trucks, SUVs, and minivans. Thankfully, the G35 will be here soon. And the press reports even sooner. Not to mention car shows. Praying it will be all that the early reports say. 270/280 hp and 6-speed manual. She'll eat up LS and CTS V-6s.
I think the Z will come out with a six-speed - then available later in the G35. Just like the IS300. I bet the tranny is still on the drawing boards. Unless someone has internal connections into Nissan corporate, we will just have to wait.
I can't afford two lease payments, but in June 2003, I will be looking for that six-speed G35. I don't have to concentrate too much on it now - I can't act anyway. I like the size of the LS and I hope the G is bigger than the IS300. For that kind of money, I want a comfortable car. My 965 Volvo was the widest Volvo made. The LS is the widest sports sedan I can afford. Almost as wide as a Hummer. I am a LS enthusiast but I think sports, religious and even car fanatics are small minded. I'm into digital cameras, video, audio, and computers so cars are just another interest. My car gets dirty and I don't kiss it every night. Who's got time? I have a family, job and a household to maintain. And my brain has only a 10mb hard drive (it's old).
And the Range Rover still has it unless Ford or BMW changed it. By now it's an old pushrod engine.
Rover charges a lot for old technology. Rover buyers buy image. Although their SUV's are great off-road, who needs it? I'm in San Diego. It hardly even rains here. In fact, I can't even remember when it last rained here. So when I see a Range Rover, I know it's just Yuppie scum, not a car person.
The IS300 site here has a link to Automotive.com info on plans for Japanese manufacturers. Mentions IS300 getting supercharged engine next spring. Also discusses G35 as having standard 5-speed automatic with CVT to follow. Didn't specifically mention manual transmission. Has me a bit nervous. stanny1, you might be right. Forgot to look what it says about 350Z. You should check out the IS300 board from today.
This tranny is from the 240HP Buick Regal GS/Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. It is rated for 280 lbs*ft of torque, that's exactly how much the Volvo's engine is making.
That's also how much torque the Regal GS/Grand Prix GTP are making. These cars have been running fine for a few years now with this tranny. I used to have a GTP for 3 years and never had any problems with the tranny.
There is talk that the toroidal-roller CVT introduced on the Nissan Cedric/Gloria Japanese-market models about a year ago has will be one of two standard transmissions for the G35, the other being a six-speed manual. Either way, the G35 will definitely be a major blast to drive. :-)
With that much power, the G35 is probably a much better competitor against the BMW 3-series than even the Lexus IS300.
However, in considering upscale replacements for winter/spring purchase, I have extensively test driven everything out there. Although I have no doubt that the new G35 will be able to give BMW a run for the money in the power/acceleration category, I have not driven any sedans from any other manufacturer that compare to the tight feel and handling of a BMW 3 or 5 series. Hopefully, in going with the rear drive layout for the G35, Infinity will focus as much engineering at achieving leading edge steering and handling as they are at power.
Just a wish to make my future decision even more difficult!
P.S. It is interesting that the new crop of "near-luxury" level sedans are coming out with horsepower ratings equal to or over previous generation Acura NSX's, BMW M3/M5's and other enthusiast cars.
Site allows you to register for future information. I did and can't wait to see what Infiniti starts sending me. Hoping I'll get something nice in mail over next couple months. I'm excited!
I wouldn't think that kind of horsepower is out of the realm of possibility for a 3.5 litre blown engine. Has anyone heard of anticipated mods for the Z car, or is it still too soon?
It seems like Nissan always has the high horsepower number, but straight line performance of their models doesn't seem to be in line with their hp advantage. Don't know if they are giving up torque for hp. (The BMW 540 has something like 280hp, but over 300 lb/ft of torque).
As to the new Manual LS - we haven't seen a mag test yet. But my Manual with the Borla and new air box mod should cut low sevens. It's incredible how the mags ignore manual tranny cars like the LS when only two cars are in that class.
It's the old BMW mystique - make a small # of true hipo cars but most buyers buy the appliance models with slush boxes and think it's hot stuff. But what do you want with a country where only 8% know what a real car is like, and many of those are FWD econoboxes. 92% buy automatics. At least in Europe, 88% know how to drive and know what a standard transmission is. I think it's so cute how all these people complain how their automatic transmission shifts. It's like the thermostat at work - no one's happy with the temperature. At least I know that if I'm not happy with the 3-2 shift down, I can look in the mirror and know who's doing the shifting. I don't have to E-mail some poor engineer in Detroit and complain about my programming.
The G35 is going to be a driver's car. To get the most out of it, don't get the automatic. It's like a 25 hp handicap. If you want an appliance, buy the Maxima. The FWD will make you feel right at home. You'll have to use traction control or your front tires will be history, especially with the six-speed. Traction control will slow you down, so the answer to begin with is RWD. So even a 400 hp Altima has a fatal flaw.
We know the 2003 LS V-6 is getting a boost to around 250. That's when my lease expires. I can get an 03 or 04. Or I can get a G35. By then I can see if the hp claims are true on both cars (since Nissan is having hp credibility problems) and if the G35 does indeed get a six-speed,LSD,etc. Right now its all vaporware.
Try to drive a 2002 LS Manual. Dealers don't like to stock them. And they take alot of break-in. I went head to head with a 2001 IS300 a couple of months ago and he couldn't lose me. Next time I will take the lead. The strategy with the LS is to keep the engine wound out and use the clutch as a semi-throttle. It's all in keeping the engine at it's torque peak. The Borla helps keep the engine from dropping rpm on the shift. The LS has a known breathing restriction because the exhaust system was not customized for the car, especially the V-6 in general and the Manual in particular. The only change for 2002 to achieve 10 additional hp was less restrictive mufflers and larger air box inlet area. I've gone beyond that.
The LS is a large car compared with the 3 series and IS300. If size is not important, the IS300 has tons of mod potential. Have you seen the IS300 enthusiast sites?
If you need to cap it at 25k, the Altima is probably the best compromise. In the 30k range, the G35 is the one to beat. Cars are like stereo equipment - it's what's best at each price point.
In the summer of 2000, I chose the LS Manual because it was the best larger Manual 4 door RWD for the money. The IS300 was not even on the radar screen. It's probably too boy-racer for me anyway. I have to take clients in my car and the LS has more space.
If anyone wants to start a comparison between the G35 and one or more of these other vehicles, please freel free to go over to our Comparisons - Sedans vs. Sedans folder and get one started.
Meanwhile, let's get back to the G35.
Stanny1 - My message is not entirely directed at your latest post - you at least made an attempt to keep us on topic, and I appreciate that.
I just want everyone here to remember this is not a comparison topic, and we can certainly entertain one if folks are interested as long as it is placed appropriately.
Thanks.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
Thanks for the comment. You'd make a good attorney...focus,focus,focus.
Thanks for allowing me to rant.