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But let's face it, times have changed - the current generation Maxima lacks an active rear suspension. This is sort of sad when you've got cars like the Focus with its rear suspension (BMW's use Z-link, Focus uses quad-link, very similar). Then again, I honestly think this and this alone is what keeps the Maxima affordable.
I think Honda is the Starbucks of cars. It's popular, it's everywhere, but it's not the biggest. It has overwhelming popularity with people aged 25-45 and has a type of generic image.
Chevrolet is definitely the McDonald's of cars. Pontiac is the Carl's Jr, Buick is the Sizzler of cars, and Audi is the Haagen-Dazs of cars.
Who sells far more cars, Honda or Nissan? You think Honda is selling mostly Civic Sis and NSXs? Be realistic. The vast majority of Hondas sold are Civics (all varieties but the Si, which when it's rarely made comes in limited numbers), Accords, Odysseys (minivan Accords) and Integra LSs (and now the RSX base). The Prelude, S2000 and NSX are niche cars. Most Hondas sold are of the middle-class suburbia variety with no gumption. Honda doesn't even make a 25k sedan that can physically compete with either the 3.5SE of Maxima SE. Heck, you can't even buy a Honda Accord V6 with a manual tranny. Honda = appliance for the masses. Almost every aspect of the Honda lineup is aimed at making the cars inoffensive to people. You won't hear anyone exclaim that an Accord is ugly or the ride is too rough...of course not Honda focus groups make sure that every major Honda rolls off the assembly line with the soul of a Frigidaire.
Why put a manual or offensive taillights on a car that has the soul of a Big Mac? The buyer of the big mac only cares about basic sustenance, not relishing his purchase. His big mac is designed to appeal to the widest group possible. That's a great marketing perspective (Toyota does it even better) but from an enthusiasts point of view, Honda inspires nothing more than a shrug.
This has to be one of the most positive previews I have read thus far on the car:
-sums up my argument
What products other than the G35 and the new Z that offer "driving distinction"? Believe me, the g35's lineage is not from the Maxima. The G35 is what the Maxima should have been, heck, the Altima is what the maxima should have been. Face up to the fact that Nissans have been mediocre for the past decade. Now they are just starting to get good again.
no soul? what about the NSX, Prelude, Civic Si, integra Type R, S2000, Legend GS, CL/TL type S...Take the blinders off, please.
G35 article looks very promising, wish they would go more in depth with the driving aspects. Lets just hope the car gets noticed by the public. I can't wait for the mag's to really start the road tests. The article almost seemed like another preview article.
If you have a problem with no manual at the outset of the car's release, contact Infiniti directly instead of whining about it. The looks, price, HP, etc are enough to get me to buy this car. I don't have a problem actually discussing manual vs. auto, but jeez, probably more than 50% of this boards messages are concentrated on this...can we discuss something else, like is anyone getting below MSRP on their G35 orders?
Nissan may have taken a cheaper route with the Maxima for the last few years, but Nissan still trumps Honda when it comes to instilling a good driving experience in their production cars. Then again, maybe it's just an acquired taste for a more experienced driver.
I am personally no that crazy about AWD systems - heavy, complex, expensive to buy and then expensive to maintain. And they guzzle more gas. But then I live in Houston, so what do I know. LOL
Even the best AWD system will be useless if you do not use good snow tires to effectively apply that power to the ground.
As for not experienced, I have driven every nissan model from the 90's extensively since I worked for Nissan for 4 years. The '92 with the VQ was superior to the '95 in every way except engine, where the '95 VQ was extensively reworked. Yeah, I know the 810 and the maxi were rear drive until '88, but what's your point? You say Nissan instills a good driving experience, use an example other than the Maxima. You're going to come up short.
I'll agree that by the late-'90s, Nissan's only interesting car was the Maxima. But Nissan produced some great driver's cars in the early '90s.
It funny, but Nissan and Infinti are trying to be the way they were back in 1990 and 1991, when Nissan was actually interesting. The first Q and the G35 are so similar. Handsome understated stying, minimal wood in the interior, incredible performance...
Any thoughts?
The former at least is a fact-based, objective issue that is supposedly going to be remedied in future by Infiniti, 'cause they know they need one; however, the styling issue is purely and inherently subjective and can never have any resolution except to discuss personal preference endlessly and then start all over again when the car is re-styled.
Discussions about transmissions at least impact issues like acceleration, top speed, gearing, fuel economy, engine RPMs at speed, etc. Discussions about styling impact issues like ... personal aesthetic preference (and maybe drag co-efficient)? Average styling discussion usually goes something like this: Poster #1: I like it. Poster #2: I don't like it. #1: I'm right, you're wrong. #2: You're wrong, I'm right.
Did Miller Brewing ever decide that pressing issue of whether it tasted great or was less filling? What is the resolution of that eternal question: On Gilligan's Island, was Mary Ann or Ginger more desireable/attractive?
Do you think the manual vs auto issue will light up when the G35 finally comes out with one? I'm guessin' it will, both here and in automotive press.
And once, in her previous 1995 GS, she got stuck in a parking spot. Went in a store, came out, and the rear wheels just kept spinning. We needed two other guys besides myself to push the front of the car so the rear wheels would get traction.
It is true, these things only happen a few times each winter. And my parents love the car, so they deal with it. And I'm sure the car is better than RWD cars were 10 years ago.
But make no mistake, in snow FWD is better (and I'm sure AWD is better still).
I like the G35 rear just fine. In fact, upon finally seeing the real article at a car show this past weekend (stunning silver G35), I now LOVE it and am further convinced that I wouldn't change a thing. As always, that's IMHO.
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/1999/May/199905_feature_whatp.xml?keywords=snow
Don't like the rear end, then go get a car that does have a good rear end.
Don't like Nissan, or Honda, or Toyota, or whatever, go get a make that you do like and quit talking about cars sold 10 years ago.
And just in case it comes back, if you don't like a real estate agent, buy or sell your house on your own.
There - that should settle the matter for all these posts that go on forever.
So .... now what is left to discuss?
Here is one - you think Infiniti will bring the CVT to the U.S.? It is already on sale on the Skyline in Japan, and a British mag already previewed it - so presumably it will go to Europe as well. But what about the U.S.
But wait, you say, this topic has been discussed already. My point exactly - there is not much new info until magazines do a full, rigorous test and/or people begin to take deliveries and come back to post about their impressions.
Until then, back to Nissan vs. Honda, manual vs. auto. Its not like these topics are being discussed for the first time ever in automotive history. These topics are interesting, and I am learning some new stuff now-and-then, so please continue.
For the love of GOD, just don't bring back the debate on real estate agents.
My Saab 9000 couldn't get up a slight hill last winter because the front tires had shallow tread. (Of course it didn't help that one of my rear brake calipers would apply brake pressure in freezing weather.)
With a 52/48 front-to-rear weight ratio, the G35 should be okay in snow, especially if you put a sandbag or two in the trunk. And use snow tires!
Th biggest downside of RWD here is once in a while getting stuck a parking lot or being unable to get up my driveway when it snows. These are usually not problems with FWD and all-season tires.
We instead have to suffer through endless SUVs and trucks guzzling down dead dinosaurs as if they were the next big thing.
My case may be a bit extreme, but I have two friends with M3's that also live in the area and they won't leave their driveways in the snow even with snow tires. I'd love to get a RWD car like the G35, but must admit that it makes me a bit nervous and can already see myself bumming rides from the wife and her 4WD truck a few times each winter. Luckily, with cars like the G35, it may be worth the extra hassle.
DL
1st
3.540
2nd
2.264
3rd
1.471
4th
1.000
5th
0.834
Final drive ratio
3.357
Anyone noticed this? http://www.insidenissan.com/corp/index.htm - Vehicle Purchase Plan - 2 1/2% over dealer net cost, IF you're an employee of a Nissan vendor.
that no cars are to be driven until March 15th."
If this is true, this may not be a good sign. Is Infiniti trying to rack up as many pre-orders as possible before customers have a chance to drive the car? Are they concerned that the G35 may not live up to people's expectations and that people will cancel their pre-orders after they drive the car? Could they be trying to keep customers from posting actual driving experiences on Internet boards like this one so that people will continue to pre-order before anyone has a chance to say anything bad about the way the car drives? I don't know, I'm just speculating here but I think it's strange that they won't even let people who have already ordered the car drive one until Mar. 15th.
I don't see how this could be true. How could they keep you from test driving a car? Once cars are on the lot, if they're for sale, they'll do anything to sell it to you. Just go to another salesman, and pretend to be another interested shopper. Or have a friend go with you to look at buying it.
The only other possibility is that they want some kind of PR blow-out by releasing them all on the same day. Might turn into a PR blow-up.
Hopefully, you were "misinformed." Let us know.
Buying on preorder is like buying on opening day of a hot IPO - buy high and watch others get the bargain later.
Limited Slip Differential is of no real use compared to modern traction and stability control systems.
I think Nissan is on a significant revival plan: the new Altima [rave reviews], the 350Z [lots of excitement], and the G35! I don't think they are going to try and "dupe" anyone by not letting you test-drive a car on a dealer's lot.
I do wish they offered this car with the 6-speed from the get-go, however.
I also hope that they revise their options plan-- I'd hate to have to order stuff I don't want just to get a car a certain way. Interestingly, Edmunds lists all of the options separately, though they could just be late on getting the accurate info.
The final drive ratio you are quoting must be the rearend ratio, correct?
I usually multiply 5th gear by the rearend gear to get the final drive. If that is the case then it would be 2.799.
Correct me if I am wrong, or if you have already made the calculation.
We'll probably know sooner on the West Coast what they are going to do so I'll post what's going on as it comes up.