Drove the new G37 (a review)

[frapjap]

If you own one, then cool. If not, then you can choose to read or not. This thread is going to be about my experience with the new G37S Coupe.

I was checking out the Volvo dealership for the new C30- a really neat Turbo I-5 hatchback, but I digress from this econo box with kick.

Next door was the Infiniti dealer and I thought, "Hell, for the cost of this Volvo, I'm very near G range and its far more car for the money. I wandered in and plopped down with a very attractive saleswoman. I told her I had an interest in leasing or a certified pre-owned. She replied telling me that the deals will get more attractive later, but if I wanted to take one for a spin right then and there, I was more than welcome. It was a little damp on the roads, but that also meant less congestion, so I complied.

My journey to refinement began on the outside- the Intelligent Key is a superb invention! If only it'd start the car from the outside too. I've always been entertained with the windows that slide down and up the slightest bit so as not to stress the structure, the paint was just decadent and the feel of the crispness of the door handle just..mmmmmmm. My eyes were also drawn to the rear tire width.

Entering the car I was impressed with how far the doors could open. I mean, my t/a doors open wide, but not almost 90degrees wide. After seating myself in some of the classiest seats I've ever had the pleasure of my *** touching I started to find myself asking all kinds of questions like a child who just learned to construct sentences. Back seat, resale, happy owners, and maintenance were all topics of education. When I finally stopped blabbing I started looking for the steering column controls. She informed me that they were controlled by a toggle switch. When I couldn't find it, she took my hand and led me there. Good start! Its smallness and inability to be even slightly obtrusive or inconvenient was amazing. With some minor flicks of my fingers I could honestly get my arms and legs in all of the right spots- a feat only matched when I was in a C5 Z06. Just when my seating position couldn’t get more perfect, the sales woman reached between her legs and showed me the sliding seat extender. Now I was living in luxury! I have always, always bitched about how I felt my thighs just kinda...hung off a car seat- no more! I haven't ever been that comfortable in a vehicle.

This whole time the door was still open. I it slammed shut with a satisfying “thwump” sound and I finally pressed the ignition button. Man, that was cool. I played with the wheel some more and absolutely loved that the gauges were PART of the column and that the wheel would NEVER interfere with them- ingenious engineering. After adjusting what I thought was everything, the saleswoman leaned across me and said, "did you try these out?" At this time I'm thinking of her breasts, but suddenly I'm being squeezed by the bolsters in my chair. Good God, if this car was a man, it'd be THE man. I just got bolstered in tightly with an adjustable stock seat!

I finally decided to move my hand across the silky smoothness of the shifter and played with its stitching, making it dance in my fingertips. At last, I was ready to go. I pushed the clutch while still in neutral- as to feel the engagement point- and came off ever so lightly, compensating with easy gas so as not to spin the tires on the damp roads before I even got out of the parking lot.

Ms. Sales lady directed me to the highway where I brought her up to speed with ease. It was here that I learned that I confirmed that the G wants to be driven, and not in a docile matter. I shifted into 6th at 65mph and after some cruising, put my foot down on the pedal. Even at the bottom of 6th gear the car would still accelerate respectably- amazing. My accomplice noticed what I was trying to do and told me, “stop pussyfooting around it and drop it into 5th,” to which I wasted no time rev-matching and zooming past so many others. This thing can really pass in some traffic! She suggested we pass the exit we were supposed to get off on and do a 4th gear pull from 50-80mph which I gladly took as advice. I honestly haven’t been so comfortable in a car that felt so amazingly stable at such hard acceleration. I told her I wanted to see how it took the bumps (aka potholes) of Rhode Island. We got off the interstate and went down a bumpy *** back road. The suspension just sucked up the ride providing me little to no discomfort, but yet still begged to be abused much harder than what I was throwing at it on turns. After chit chatting about my job (shes feeling me out for $$) I realized I had no idea where I was and neither did she. We turned around in a parking lot where I became intimate with the rear view camera.

Moving the shifting linkage into reverse, a screen popped up displaying everything behind me in real time. It was totally nuts and took getting used to, but I played with it for a good 12 minutes doing a figure 8 and a reverse S without ever looking backwards. When I pulled back onto the road and stopped at a stop light, I looked in the rear view and a cute girl was in the car behind me. I moved the shifter to reverse to get a better look and my company goes, “What are you doing? Ohhhhh, I see. I’ve never seen it used that way before.” I told her not to worry and if it were her behind me she’d still be wondering why my car was in reverse. I got a sly smile and a wink back. Sex sells.

On the way back I did a second gear pull to the legal speed limit and really got a feel for the G’s blistering speed. Back at the dealership she parked the car using the camera but got aggravated because it wasn’t straight. She asked if I would do it. One last beckoning to the car? Oh hell yes! After accomplishing a superb parking job that could make any woman happy, we went back in, discussed when she thought the leases would be best and I left with her car and mobile number. I’m thinking this might be my winter beater when the fall rolls around- providing that the Genesis isn’t all its cracked up to be.

However, I do have some shortcomings on the car. These are strictly person, so don’t go flaming me away:-Its quiet. To quiet. Even under hard acceleration I didn’t get that same awesome growl you hear from the exhaust as the drivers around you are getting. I need a little more engine noise or presence that lets me know when I’m cruising at 85mph on accident.-The suspension is so perfect in every way- forgiving, but tightening up right when its needed. It planted the rear on acceleration and offered up no wheel hop or lost traction- even with wet ground and bumpy roads. I’m not used to not having to wince and brace for bumps. Granted, the Trans Am has much different suspension (apples to zucchini), but the fluidness that the G has almost sucks away its ability to communicate and tell you how the car is going to behave. I’d honestly be a little scared of that driving it everyday.-This car WANTS and NEEDS to be driven briskly, even hard. Gearing, clutch feel and engagement, and engine responsiveness won’t allow it any other way. Not that it’s a huge problem when I’m alone, but when trying to drive smoothly to please a passenger(s), I’d be hard pressed to do so. It’s a very high torque engine.

Other than those person nitpicks, this is easily the best car in its class and a superbly manufactured automobile.

[Zydeco]

I vote for the c30. though the g is a nice ride. BTW this is a nice wright up. what ever you pick you wont go wrong with.

[DevilMB3017]

Wow.

Quite a review. 10/10 man.

Makes me want to take a trip to a car dealer...

[DJButton]

Very good review!

[Encryptshun]

I want your saleswoman's phone number.

[frapjap]

I want your saleswoman's phone number.

Its mine! All mine!

[SketchyRollin564]

Did you turn the traction controll off? if not, then thats why your noticing the lack of "feel" in the suspension.

not the same car, but my mom has the 2008 G35 and wowzers, i cant even imagine how fun the G37 is

honestly, id say go with the G37

you could always get new suspension and exhaust and that would solve your problems

[amolao]

Even though I love cars, I never been aroused by reading a review before....

subliminal message ????

[Sil40_Mayhem]

Even though I love cars, I never been aroused by reading a review before....

subliminal message ????

"I think it moved!"

[r34 gtr]

My Uncle bought one of the first C30 T-5's that were sold in the US. Its a quick, comfortable, and smooth car. It also handles pretty well. IPD probably has all manner of go fast bits for it because its using the tried and true I5. Definitely a hot hatch.

You can't really even compare it to a G37S. Its not fair. The G37 is waaay more car. Its also way cooler.

[99QX4]

-Its quiet. To quiet. Even under hard acceleration I didn’t get that same awesome growl you hear from the exhaust as the drivers around you are getting.

It planted the rear on acceleration and offered up no wheel hop or lost traction- even with wet ground and bumpy roads.

-This car WANTS and NEEDS to be driven briskly, even hard. Gearing, clutch feel and engagement, and engine responsiveness won’t allow it any other way. Not that it’s a huge problem when I’m alone, but when trying to drive smoothly to please a passenger(s)

So i completely agree with you that the car is wayy to quiet. It doesn't sound quite like my G, especially from the inside. But as Sketchy said...this is nothing an exhaust can't fix.

Second...you wanna drive my G?! I get SLIP blinking in my face quite a bit (especially in wet conditions, but even in the dry when getting out of first hard) and quite honestly it's annoying.

And i totally understand what you mean in regards to the driving alone vs. with passengers. I try to drive so nice and calm, nice shifts when i'm driving with somebody in the car.

But overall it was definitely a great write up. If i hadn't been on a test drive with one yet, i'd be on my way to do so right now!

And one last note...the G's are nothing short of amazing.

[SketchyRollin564]

youl get used to driving it civilly

4 people i know, including myself, were not used to the overly touchyness of the throttle on the new generation G (sedan for us though)

it seemed like you were always gunning it after every light, even when you werent trying to. After about a day or two, you get used to the responsiveness, and its all gravy (i hate gravy)

Also, your used to older cars, where the throttle and gas feel different from newer cars

i also find, when im driving my moms G, riding with my window down (even cracked), gets me over the whole "too quiet" issue, if that helps.

[yelnatsch517]

So i completely agree with you that the car is wayy to quiet. It doesn't sound quite like my G, especially from the inside. But as Sketchy said...this is nothing an exhaust can't fix.

Second...you wanna drive my G?! I get SLIP blinking in my face quite a bit (especially in wet conditions, but even in the dry when getting out of first hard) and quite honestly it's annoying.

And i totally understand what you mean in regards to the driving alone vs. with passengers. I try to drive so nice and calm, nice shifts when i'm driving with somebody in the car.

But overall it was definitely a great write up. If i hadn't been on a test drive with one yet, i'd be on my way to do so right now!

And one last note...the G's are nothing short of amazing.

Think about it this way. It's even better when it's too quiet. This way, you can get a stupid loud exhaust and it'll still be tolerable inside the cabin. My friend got a Fast Intentions exhaust for his manual 06 G35 and it sounds mean. It maintains the same stock tone except like 10 times louder.

[99QX4]

My friend got a Fast Intentions exhaust for his manual 06 G35 and it sounds mean. It maintains the same stock tone except like 10 times louder.

Yeah, i've heard about the Fast Intentions exhaust...you hear that Ray?? Go for the G and just upgrade the exhaust!!

[ADDirishboy]

wow. great write up dude. i really wanna go test one now.

[MiiLaNo]

thumbs up for the review!

it got me a lil too excited though!

[JHof]

Nice writeup.You caught the essence of the car well.

When I traded off my Z for my current car--an '05 G35 Coupe,in pewter--I had the opportunity to drive a new G37,and I was impressed with the improvements (particularly,30 MORE horsepower) that Nissan's engineers took the time to add to the car.

Unfortunately,the test drive was on one of Tampa's busiest streets at "rush hour" (Dale Mabry,by the Stadium,4 PM) so there was no way to touch the 37's performance possibilities,but I was taken by the subtle changes in the bodystyle,and I liked the hell out of the little translucent lip spoiler on the trunk.I tried to talk the dealer into letting me drive a MANUAL Coupe,but the only one they had in stick still had that white plastic shrinkwrap all over it,so the Manager said "No"...

[frapjap]

Nice writeup.You caught the essence of the car well.

When I traded off my Z for my current car--an '05 G35 Coupe,in pewter--I had the opportunity to drive a new G37,and I was impressed with the improvements (particularly,30 MORE horsepower) that Nissan's engineers took the time to add to the car.

Unfortunately,the test drive was on one of Tampa's busiest streets at "rush hour" (Dale Mabry,by the Stadium,4 PM) so there was no way to touch the 37's performance possibilities,but I was taken by the subtle changes in the bodystyle,and I liked the hell out of the little translucent lip spoiler on the trunk.I tried to talk the dealer into letting me drive a MANUAL Coupe,but the only one they had in stick still had that white plastic shrinkwrap all over it,so the Manager said "No"...

I know just the road you're talking about. When I was teaching, I wanted a G35 and took one out from that same dealership with a humongous and excessively tall salesman. It was a Sunday morning and he had no problems with me pushing that car (and I PUSHED it- way harder than the 37). I ultimately never bought it, but this 37 looks like it will be in the final running for my wintertime lease...so long as the Genesis Coupe doesn't impress me to much

[Sentientbydesign]

So i completely agree with you that the car is wayy to quiet. It doesn't sound quite like my G, especially from the inside. But as Sketchy said...this is nothing an exhaust can't fix.

Second...you wanna drive my G?! I get SLIP blinking in my face quite a bit (especially in wet conditions, but even in the dry when getting out of first hard) and quite honestly it's annoying.

And i totally understand what you mean in regards to the driving alone vs. with passengers. I try to drive so nice and calm, nice shifts when i'm driving with somebody in the car.

But overall it was definitely a great write up. If i hadn't been on a test drive with one yet, i'd be on my way to do so right now!

And one last note...the G's are nothing short of amazing.

I'm glad, I'm not the only one who has problems driving my G with passengers. I actually kind of hate having passengers because of it. I don't think I'll be able to drive it like I want to with my wife until I get 4 or 6 point seat belts

[Mr Ryte]

-Its quiet. To quiet. Even under hard acceleration I didn’t get that same awesome growl you hear from the exhaust as the drivers around you are getting. I need a little more engine noise or presence that lets me know when I’m cruising at 85mph on accident.-The suspension is so perfect in every way- forgiving, but tightening up right when its needed. It planted the rear on acceleration and offered up no wheel hop or lost traction- even with wet ground and bumpy roads. I’m not used to not having to wince and brace for bumps. Granted, the Trans Am has much different suspension (apples to zucchini), but the fluidness that the G has almost sucks away its ability to communicate and tell you how the car is going to behave. I’d honestly be a little scared of that driving it everyday.

I would consider those BIG pluses IMO. After all; it is supposed to be a luxury sports coupe.

[Otto.]

It sounds yummy! (the sales woman AND the car )

Yay! a fellow rhode islander! Wich dealer did you go to. Im guessing the auto mall in warwick? The one with the bentlys and minis and smarts. Great review too!

[frapjap]

^ Thats the place. Good people, but very persistent. I can only tell them I'm waiting for fall/winter so many times before I stop returning their calls.

[Otto.]

well at least they do good business.