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Comments
Roll
Go Bucks!
Roll
(It's been crazy around here today, Friday.)
Gave some thought to aftermarket but decided I could only ruin what in my opinion is a very nicely designed front end.
After over a year of driving Coupes, (2005 and now 2006), I still have not tired of looking at the Coupes lines. Front, tail, side, doesn't matter, well designed all the way around.
Roll
Is there any way out of this? I just bought a 2007 coupe. Beautiful car. The salesman was great. Good price ($400 over invoice).
On the way home I got stuck in traffic. Took almost an hour for the trip. I began to realize what others have said on this board about the seat controls. They are uncomfortable as hell! Who was the idiot who thought to put them right under your right thigh?
I know Roll has said that he gets used to it, but I'm not that type of person. I'm very particular about comfort.
I know what you're thinking. Why didn't he notice this on the test drive? Well, for one thing, the test drive wasn't an hour. And I was so caught up with all the other stimulation from the car, and the salesmen's chatter, that I didn't notice the problematic seat controls.
This is really bumming me out. Today was supposed to be a happy day.
I'm fairly sure that this is not something I will get used to, even if I wanted to. I could actually feel the aftereffects of the pressure on my leg a half hour after arriving home. I want to take the car back, but I know I can't do that, even though it only has 45 miles on it. What should I do? Should I sell it on my own immediately, and wait for the 2008 coupe, which is virtually guaranteed to have the seat controls properly placed, as on the 2007 sedan? Should I take it to Carmax and see what they would give me for it? Another option is to take it to a Ford dealership and buy a Mustang. Mustangs aren't as nice, but at least the seats are comfortable. But how does it work when the car you're trading in is worth more than the new car?
I don't want to drive it until the 2008 coupes come out, because I'm thinking the fewer miles this thing has on it, the more valuable.
Any ideas?
Mark
Anyway, the dealership (Infiniti of Oakland) gave me all my money back. I just couldn't believe it. I'm going to buy a couple of bottles of expensive wine. One for the salesman, and one for the general manager. What a relief.
Yeah, the designers are idiots for that one.
That is also my one, single problem with this car (I bought an 05x). For many, the seat gets comfortable once it breaks in. For me, it never did. I didn't really notice the problem for 2 months -- not until I took it on a road trip. If you think an hour is bad, wait until you do eight.
This is the main reason I'll probably go over to the 07 soon. I really, really hate how financially stupid it is to dump a car less than two years old. But I'm tired of walking around with a sore hip. Like you, I can't believe that this design "feature" ever made it out the door.
Why don't you think you can take the car back? Try it. You might be surpirsed. And if the 08 coupe is anything like the jump up that the 07 sedan is (I expect it might even be more), you might even be glad for this rude discovery.
For some unknown reason, they rarely bother me in the morning on my way to work but seem to get in the way more, when I get in the car for the trip home. Don't know why. Perhaps I am taller and narrower in the morning and shorter and fatter after a day in the office.
Roll
Yeah. The salesman tried to persuade me that the seat needs breaking in. Right. As in, breaking the seat controls with a sledge hammer.
Not only do these cars make it "out the door" with these ridiculous seat controls, but Infiniti has been doing this for five years now! (on the coupe) Surely somebody had to complain about four and nine-tenths years ago. I wonder if the seats were designed by the son of the president of Nissan, and nobody dared speak the truth.
It truly amazes me, because in all other aspects (well, except for colors) the G 35 coupe is a beautiful car. I think it's the best looking car Japan has ever made.
I'm also angry at myself for not paying more attention to this issue before I bought. Consumer Reports said that the seat controls were annoyingly located inboard. I thought it meant annoying in the sense that they were difficult to reach.
So now I'm stuck waiting for the 2008 coupe. I sure hope they come out with some new colors. Incidentally, I was checking out the Infiniti website last night. I noticed that with the sedan, you can get a Lakeshore Slate exterior with a black interior, but not with the couple. What is the rationale behind that? I know. I know. The same rationale as with the seat controls.
LOL on the panic mode. That is an apt description of me on the way home from the dealership Saturday. It's good that the seats aren't an issue for you. I, however, look forward to taking long road trips with the car. That, or my rear end is bigger than yours. :surprise:
pics here:
http://www.velocityjournal.com/journal/2008/nissan/16600ml.html
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From Nissan's PR website:
2008 Altima Coupe
The all-new Altima Coupe, the first-ever two-door model in Altima history, fills a desire among target customers for a more personal expression of style, individuality and fashionable appearance. The Altima Coupe’s unique exterior design is intended to stand out in a crowd of sedan-based two-door models with magnetic, perfectly proportioned styling with a shorter wheelbase, shorter overall length and lower height than the Altima Sedan.
Though the new Altima Coupe shares much with the latest edition of the Altima Sedan, which went on sale in November 2006, the Coupe’s smaller dimensions, driver-oriented cockpit and unique styling give it an extensive amount of separation from the Altima Sedan.
Under the new Altima Coupe’s sophisticated exterior design, this latest addition to the Altima family shares the platform, powertrain and user-friendly features and innovations of the new fourth-generation Altima.
The new Altima Coupe is offered with a choice of two engines and two transmissions. The 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 is the “next generation” version of the 12-time Ward’s “10 Best Engines” award-winning VQ-series V6. For use in the Altima Coupe, it is rated at 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Also available with the new Altima Coupe is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve QR25 inline 4-cylinder, producing 175 horsepower (170 hp CAL) and 180 lb-ft of torque (175 lb-ft CAL). This engine has been refined from the previous version, with a larger, equal-length intake manifold, increased compression ratio and reduced friction characteristics.
Both the 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter 4-cylinder models are available with Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmissions.
258 lf of torque on a FWD platform isn't a real pleasure to push, not even in a Honda!
However, if one wants some of the styling without the price tag, it certainly will fill a market niche, I think.
RWD for me, thanks ever so!
Why is it the goal of every manufacturer to build every type car in every market. I about fell over when Porsche decided to build a truck. Ah the old days when Ford and Chevy meant affordable family transportation; Corvette meant sports car, (I’ll get mail on that one); Chrysler was a high line car and only royalty drove a MB. Porsche was less than a boutique car as I recall and any pickup truck was just a pickup truck.
Is it true I can now buy a MB’s (some model anyway) for less than a Ford Focus? Probably not but I bet they’re close. lol
This is an emotional post and so please no economic lessons. Just let me wallow for a bit.
Roll
And if you want stylish, why not copy the shape of one of the best looking coups ever made?
My 03 MT just passed 45000 miles and is getting nicely broken in - Brembos to be relined for the first time next week. I just want brighter guages and bigger rear view mirrors. Agree that friendlier seat controls would be good also. It's been a fun 45000 miles though.
Also, nice rant, Roll!
So, now have an F J Cruiser. I find it satisfying. I love the Coupe and drive it regularly to work, but now, every once in a while, I can take the F J and run over all the curbs, parking dividers, rocks, thrown truck tire treads and any manner of road debris I happen to find. Damn that thing will climb a wall. I also found out I can ford a stream as deep as 27.5 inches! LOL. Next thunderous downpour I’ll hurry down to a spot in town where the water floods a railroad overpass. (I see this in the paper two or three times a year; someone gets flooded out trying to drive through the water.)
I have a heavily wooded homestead and might just go out and mud the new thing up. I’ll climb fallen trees, swamp around and find other such things to do. Might take a mirror off on the tree, I read off roaders do that regularly. My neighbors are likely to get a hoot out of me doing that.
Oh, but wait.......geez then I'd have to wash it. Big job. And if I do, all that mud is going to run off on my concrete drive. Then I have to wash it off and into what little yard, (grass) I have. I might as well just take a wheelbarrow out, fill it with mud from the woods, roll it over a few branches on the way back and dump it on the grass. Would save a lot of hard work.
Maybe I'll just stick to the Coupe and suggest the wife drive the F J on bad days.
Roll
I confess to attraction to the FJ, even though it's not a vehicle type I need or want in the least. It recalls some of the cache of the original, and that's evocative for certain.
I think I'd really prefer a body-off full resto'd original. Wonder what that'd cost in flapjacks...
Hey, question here: whaddaya know about Fulda? I'm running GY F1 GS-D3s on the little mule (best wet tire I've ever owned, and ultra-grippy dry too), but Big O is pushing Fulda as a less expensive alternative. The GY's are running around $150, which seems quite reasonable to me, but a dollar saved is one more for the kids to ask for on a weekend, you know.
Any experience or anecdotal?
I'm usually the patient type, but I don't know if I can wait that long! All I ask for on the new coupe is 1) Seat controls in a sane location 2) an iPod jack and 3) at least two new colors. Is that too much to ask? :confuse:
I also like the red paint color, but I have read that there were many problems with the paint (seemed to be more with red) in earlier years. Have the newer models had the same problems? My local dealer has an '06 Red with auto, premium package and 18" wheels. Pretty much everything I want except the satellite radio which can be added. I wonder though if I will be driving it and wishing for the 6MT. I can get a used '06 6MT with 4500 miles in diamond graphite for $32,400. I can use VPP on a new car, so I'm not so sure that is a good deal. Either way it will be quite a change from my '98 Explorer XLT 4WD.
I'm thinking about going to the Detroit Auto Show in January. I wonder if the '08 coupe will be on display. It might be worth waiting for it if it is coming out in June.
Thanks for any comments.
The location of the front seat controls is a bigger problem. :P On the 05 and 06, they are on the right side of the seat, just under your right thigh. Veeeery annoying and for me, painful on a long trip :mad: . If they move the controls, wait for the 08, unless they are already moved on the 07.
My car is black, so I have not had any paint problems. Overall impression, I love this car.
RG
That being said, I still like the G35, and am patiently waiting for the 2008 coupe.
I don't have to buy immediately, so I do want to take the time to find out what other drivers think of their cars. I've driven a lot of cars recently (all different types)and my favorite so far is the G35 coupe. I have to admit that the Mazda RX8 is the smoothest shifting car I have ever driven and the turn radius beats just about anything. But I really think the G35 coupe is going to be my next car.
Thanks again.
Barbara
Funny, I thought the seats were identical but apparently not. The side mounted controls in my Coupe that bother me don't seem to bother me at all in the sedan.
Are the sedan seats wider?
Roll
Anyone else have this problem? When manually shifting, the 2nd to 3rd shift really bangs; all other shifts are fine, up or down.
Roll
I'm SO tempted to go buy a Mustang right now. They're much cheaper, faster, and drink regular gas. They even have navigation for 2007. However, it's the little things that turn me on. Laugh at me if you want, but I love the audio control on the G35's steering wheel, and I like how you can extend the sun shades when the sun is coming at you from the side. Also, I happen to prefer XM to Sirius. Infiniti offers a choice, but Ford doesn't.
Still, this waiting is driving me crazy! Any advice?
What does that mean; hooptie?
Roll
wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooptie
Roll
The valve body was replaced but didn't fix the problem. The problem being a harsh, jarring, upshift from second to third when shifting manually, (this is an automatic).
So I'm getting a new transmission. This was of concern since I didn't want a remanufactured transmission in a car with less than 11,000. However, apparently there are no remanufactured transmissions available yet for the 2006 models, so I will be getting a new one.
Probably the most interesting thing is that they had another car in the shop for the same reason. Exactly the same reason. The other car is an M45.
Infiniti has denied there is a "problem" although the Dealer seemed skeptical since they have two cars in at the same time with identical symptoms, (same circumstances, same gear change).
The two transmissions are not identical but share some components including valve bodies.
Roll
I've been taking a Dick Cheney damage control course in my off-time...
Unfortunately, there isn't a "roll-eyes" emoticon available here, but you'll catch my drift I'm sure. Obviously there is an hydraulic pressure gating issue som'ers inside, but where and why is their best guess.
Seems to me that getting a nod for replacement with new that fast speaks volumes either of your history of Infiniti experience, your relationship with the dealer, how well known the issue really is, or some combination of the three.
Given my probable next vehicle choice, I would greatly appreciate it if you would forego even looking at Audi S4s...
I think you're safe although I had been meaning to..... no...I won't stop by the Dealer, no room for another vehicle anyway, all four garages are full.
You know I picked up an FJ for hauling/towing/bad weather driving that my wife was to drive. She has two other cars but neither is very snow capable. Turns out the FJ, that I had only a passing interest in, is a great truck. I love driving it. In fact now I want to drive it every day but I can't pry my wife’s fingers off the steering wheel.
Before you go for an A4 take a look at the FJ (even if you don't see yourself climbing rocks or walls). It would make a great first car and even better second, (although then your first might not get much use).
So, I wonder what I'll find wrong with the FJ?
Roll
I saw your post on the FJ. Congrats. It really captures some of the essence of the originals which I love.
I like low to the ground and quick-footed far too much to drive a like vehicle myself, but I can definitely appreciate it for someone else. No, the S4 Avant still has me thinking, even though I've put it off until '09. I just don't need to replace the IS, I've found. I really enjoy this little wagon too much to part with it just yet.
If I have a windfall of epic proportion downstream and find I can afford to add another garage space and a coupe at the same time, I'm dertermined to latch on to an Audi R8. Snowfall in Hades is more likely as of today, though.
So, Audi stands are off limits for you, my troublesome friend. Don't even look as you drive by... :shades:
Roll
RG
anybody else wish the overdrive ratio in the automatic tranny was a tad taller? reason, i hate it that my car is running some 3200 rpms when i'm going 80 mph down the interstate. you'd think a slightly taller ratio would help with engine longevity and fuel economy...comments?
roll
I'll go along with you and assume it's because some of the non-enlightened, uninitiated, owner's-manual-shunning crowd don't realize that the defroster works much better when it's sucking moisture out of the air as well as blowing over glass, so they go all idiot-proof (idiot-resistant?) and do it for you. Perhaps that leads to reduced complaints about HVAC capabilities?
Dunno, but I do know I don't care much for it. One more reason I don't "set it and forget it" on my ACC. Well, that and my control-freak nature...
Unfortunately, some ACC systems turn on the compressor regardless of the task at hand...