09 G37 Owners - How's It Been So Far?

[consultant1027]

Thinking of picking up an 09 G37X. But also eyeballing an Acura RL. I want Japanese Luxury with AWD. It would be my first Infiniti and my 2nd Acura, 4th Honda. The G is more sporty and fast but I've already had my hay day with 330+ HP AWD Cars (Volvo S60R and Mitsu 3000GT VR4). I just want to cruise now in something comfortable and trouble free. (Eyeballing Lexus G350 AWD but a little more $ than I want to spend.)

I'd really like an XS, but 1) they are super rare, especially used in a G37 sedan, and 2) bumps the price up to maybe over my budget. I think if I wanted a sporty look, 19" wheels would look much better than 18" anyway and you can add the paddle shifters and the body facia isn't that much different looking (trying to talk myself out of spending/waiting for XS

The most important thing is being trouble free. With Acura/Honda I just went for oil changes. So I'm especially interested to hear from G37 owners, especially sedan owners, and especially that have 30K or more miles on their car. How many issues have you had to deal with and what were they?

I'm eyeballing an 09 G37X with 43K miles for $23K at a Honda Dealer. Pretty good deal I would think if clean title and good condition. I work from home so I only put about 8-9K miles on my car a year so the higher mileage is perfect for me.

[Kendahl]

I have a 2008 G37S coupe (which means 6-speed manual transmission). After 25k miles and nearly 3 years, the only problem has been a rattle in the instrument cluster that the dealer's technician fixed with some lubrication.

I have read that that the RL has been more troublesome than typical Acuras and Hondas. See what Consumer Reports says about its reliability. The car handles well because it uses the stability control system and all-wheel-drive to reduce understeer. I have always thought that it wasn't very fast for a $50k high performance luxury car.

[consultant1027]

The Infiniti is definitely the much much better value brand new. The RL was a dog as far as sales because there were cars with more potent engines in its class. (People who pay $50K expect a V8 or turbo 6).

But the economy has decimated resale values on most $50K+ cars. Even Lexus LS and GS has taken a beating. You can get an 06 or 07 RL with 40K miles for about $20K private party, a 09 G37X with 30K for about $24-$25K, an 07 Lexus GS350 AWD for about $26-$28K.

So far so good in that all my research is showing 07/08/09 Infinity to be on par with what you'd expect from Honda/Acura/Toyota/Lexus. I'm just a little nervous buying a brand I have no experience with. The Volvo S60R was an impulse buy with a trip to Sweden. A hardly seen car that is a blast to drive but lots of little (no major) issues here and there causing trips to the dealer every 3-5 months taking time out of my day which is bad since I'm self employed and bill by the hour.

It came down to extended warranty for the Volvo or switch back to Japanese. The extended warranty though doesn't prevent trips back and forth to the dealer. The goal is get the trouble free car in the first place so the warranty is rarely used!

The RL hasn't been as bad as some might have believed. The only two things I here about is that the active headlights can be problematic and they are SUPER expensive to replace. Also the keyless entry can be a little glitchy but that may be from low batteries on the remote.

The RL has a better Nav system and stereo (I've compared myself) and you don't need to stop the car to program the Nav. But with the G, I wouldn't miss the torque and power of my Volvo at all. With the RL, I'd have to get use to being more conservative.

[consultant1027]

Bump...

No very many G37 sedan owners here? Or is the silence a bad sign as people don't want to talk about their problems? Or a good sign that they have no problems to talk about?

[superchargemyride]

Wharever you buy, make sure you have a warranty. All the cars you are looking at are a small fortune to repair if something were to go wrong.

Bump...

No very many G37 sedan owners here? Or is the silence a bad sign as people don't want to talk about their problems? Or a good sign that they have no problems to talk about?

[consultant1027]

Huh? I'm a car guy. They are VERY comparable. Of course when you are asking for opinions in an Infiniti forum, there will always be a bias. RL is Acuras flasgship and M is Infinitis, so yes, they are not in the same tier. And if you are comparing brand new, then the comparison may be a little tough. And yes, RL is more luxury oriented and G is more performance oriented. But, as far as used, Japanese, AWD luxury sedan, they are VERY comparable. They are both normally aspirated V6 around 300HP. They are both torque sensing AWD. They both have luxury features and amenities. They are both similar sizes with similar legroom and cargo space. They both cost used about the same with comparable mileage. I'm happy with more luxury and I'm happy with more performance. That is why they are comparable TO ME. If I my most important criteria was 0-60, track times, stopping distance, skidpad G's, etc., then yes they are NOT very comparable. Well they are, but the winner is obvious if that is the major criteria. Everyone has their own importance for various criteria though.

[SVTCOBRA]

We have an 08 G35X and love it so far.....I know it's not a G37, but pretty close.
We purchased it used with about 34K on her. Now, has 41K.
No issues to date (knock knock).
The AWD out performs in the snow any 4x4 SUV I've ever owned and is MUCH more fun in the snow!!!

[consultant1027]

No, not comparable. You said it yourself, "they are not in the same tier". You should have stopped your paragraph there.

Tiers become blurry when you are buying used. I've driven both extensively and no the specs. Price and spec wise they are very comparable as used. Most G owners here are going to but much more performance oriented like myself. But when buying used you have to be more flexible. My main concern is Japanes/reliable, AWD, decent power, comfortable ride, good resale. They both fit the bill.

[consultant1027]

Typing from my phone, excuse my typos.

Now I see the misunderstanding. I'm not comparing an 09 to 09, yes 06 RL w/ 40-60k miles to 09 G37x with 25-40k miles would be the comparison. Similar in price and features. Acura has better Nav (and you dont have to stop to program it) and stereo (I've compared both). Infinity is lighter, has more powerful engine & stiffer suspension. Both have heated leather bla bla bla, similar size interior & back seat legroom, cargo with no fold down seats, similar warranties, similar reliability, and 17" alloys with balloon tires. lol. Did I overlook some major differentiator? Oh ya, Infiniti has speed sensing wipers I think. wooooh.

Of the two cars I like the G a little better just due to performance.

Why did you pick specifically an 06 RL? Theres not much different with that than the 09. Minor redesign.

[Tim30250]

OK, I won't compare my G37 to anything outside its segment so I don't get yelled at. I will say that in it's first 10 months of life it's been absolutely flawless. I bought new and was able to get a no-mileage leftover loaded for $32K. Hard to argue with that kind of value. From a driving perspective, the car delivers everything I would want in a lux/sport sedan. The ride is comfortable yet I feel connected to the road, and all aspects of performance I care about (acceleration, braking, handling, feel) are delivered in a way that provides an inspiring driving experience each day. Typically, I don't go for lots of amenities in a car, but I've been very happy with the nav and premium package. The controls were easy to learn and laid out in a logical arrangement.

The only quirks I'm not crazy about are 1) the awkward shifting of the 7AT, 2) the strange brake pedal feel, 3) the 1 second delay between pressing the throttle and the car actually responding to my input, 4) steering that is slightly light for my preference at low speeds. Overall, I couldn't be happier with this purchase. Personally, I considered the 335, A4, CTS, C350, and IS350 for my purchase last year. After driving all and comparing features, performance and value, the G37 won hands down for me.

[consultant1027]

Yes, the main complaint I've heard about the car (really the only one of significance) is the 7AT. But both that and the throttle response are all controlled by the software. Considering it is such a common complaint I'm surprised Infiniti hasn't updated the shift program? It is to be expected there is always some adjustments that need to be made on a first year model, transmission in this case.

[fossil0681]

I bought my '09 G37xS last November. Overall I am very happy with it. However, there are some things that you will have to get used to:
1. Awkward downshifting
2. Rattling noise

You cant beat the price with all the other cars in its class. I love my G.

[consultant1027]

I bought my '09 G37xS last November. Overall I am very happy with it. However, there are some things that you will have to get used to:
1. Awkward downshifting
2. Rattling noise

You cant beat the price with all the other cars in its class. I love my G.

Where is the rattling noise coming from and wouldn't the rattling noise be covered under warranty?

I've heard the awkward shifting can be mitigated by either putting it in DS mode (which may decrease mileage a little) or just use the paddle shifters when you want to have more control over the shifting?

[fossil0681]

The rattling noise that I hear comes from the rear dashboard. Sounds like something is loose. I had service people look at it last time and they didnt notice anything. Next time I go I will make sure they fix it.

[EdSac]

Consultant:

Regarding the 7 AT. I agree with your statement on mitigating the quirks of the seven-speed.

Please read my post on the convertible forum.




I've only had my G37 S convertible since November, but its been great. Other folks I've talked to have said their Infinitis have been trouble free.

[DAAN.]

09 X here

Press the pedal, it REVS a lot and then changes gear - don't like that. Sound system lacks highs. Uses too much fuel when not using CC.