But What About The Understeer?!

[C4L3]

So I took a 3.5 coupe MT with all packages out for a test drive over the weekend, and I must say, that is a FUN car! Tons of torque, more power than you really need to be perfectly honest...and the car is just plain nice. My only complain though is the under steer . I havent seen any threads addressing this though. I took a freeway on ramp and the under steer was a bit disappointing to tell you the truth. Can a new set of rubbers or suspension mods help reduce this? Anyone else notice it? Id like to start a general discussion about this...

[generic808]

Understeer is a bypoduct of a FWD drivetrain.

As a rough guide: to reduce understeer; increase weight transfer at rear by increasing rear roll stiffness, reduce weight transfer at front by reducing front roll stiffness, reduce toe-in, use wider front tires, increase front tire pressure.

[mcheddadi]

Ditch the uber lame OEM rubber. Those 17" Turanza EL400 on the 3.5SE have no grip. I just upgraded for this winter my tires with some Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 and the grip is amazing on dry, wet and snow!

Tires are the single greatest upgrade one can make to his car

[LongBeachCoupe]

Tires? I know im a moron... i cant get past paying for winter tires though... what about the wheeeeeels baby? Who cares if you got nice rubbers on those stockers... what about rubberbands on some dubs! lol..

In all seriousness, its almost snow time and im gonna have to take off the 20"s with nitto 555's and put on the 16" stocks... im planning on selling them soon, but i need to find a set of 18s with tires... all the 18" tires are expensive... so thats why im sitting here complaining...

[generic808]

In all seriousness, its almost snow time and im gonna have to take off the 20"s with nitto 555's and put on the 16" stocks... im planning on selling them soon, but i need to find a set of 18s with tires... all the 18" tires are expensive... so thats why im sitting here complaining...

Still complaining and still looking for them 18's, huh?

[SHIFT_2.5S]

FWD is defined as understeer. If you don't want understeer, you should be looking at RWD cars (oversteer likely) or AWD - both with limited slip diff.

[2008CodeRedCoupe]

Yeah once you put a significant amount of power to a front wheel drive car, understeer is inevitable

[SHIFT_2.5S]

Yeah once you put a significant amount of power to a front wheel drive car, understeer is inevitable

I guess the A/C wasn't made for racing after all. Which is why I don't particularly understand putting 270bhp in a FWD car...

[mcheddadi]

I guess the A/C wasn't made for racing after all. Which is why I don't particularly understand putting 270bhp in a FWD car...

A/C is pure racing FWD goodness. With my upgraded tires and my stiff 3.5SE sport tunned suspension it sticks to the road like glue and if I tilt the sunroof I get even more downforce. FWD for the ultimate winter twisties FTW!

hahaha

Seriously, FWD is made for Canada's winter + daily driving all year round.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

Seriously, FWD is made for Canada's winter + daily driving all year round.

I agree with you there. In this situation, you just can't have the best of both worlds. If you want a racing car, FWD is just not the way to go. No matter how much you believe it, the Altima coupe is not a racing car. I admit, the engine is perfection and it's a great car with a large amount of bhp, but its just not a race car when compared to similar RWD cars in its class. Then again, AWD gives you better traction control in the snow, but that's not available on the A/C as well.

mcheddadi, you said it best. The Altima Coupe fits your needs quite well, because it has sufficient power and is good in the snow (relative to RWD cars).

[MagicM]

So I took a 3.5 coupe MT with all packages out for a test drive over the weekend, and I must say, that is a FUN car! Tons of torque, more power than you really need to be perfectly honest...and the car is just plain nice. My only complain though is the under steer . I havent seen any threads addressing this though. I took a freeway on ramp and the under steer was a bit disappointing to tell you the truth. Can a new set of rubbers or suspension mods help reduce this? Anyone else notice it? Id like to start a general discussion about this...

easy solution, go buy a G35 with AWD/RWD has more power, and better interior luxury. Cost more than a altima coupe you say? go buy a nice used 06+ for same price as a new altima coupe.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

easy solution, go buy a G35 with AWD/RWD has more power, and better interior luxury. Cost more than a altima coupe you say? go buy a nice used 06+ for same price as a new altima coupe.

1. Not so easy solution.2. G35 is RWD, not AWD3. You probably cannot get an 06+ for the same price as a coupe.4. You can probably get an 03-04 for the same price with about 25k miles.

[C4L3]

1. Not so easy solution.2. G35 is RWD, not AWD3. You probably cannot get an 06+ for the same price as a coupe.4. You can probably get an 03-04 for the same price with about 25k miles.

You are both right, and make good points...however you're forgetting one major problem. Go and lurk on the G35 and 350Z forums and you'll see a major problem screaming in your face. The motors in the G35 coupes (all years) as well at the 350Z's tend to have a big oil burning problem . There are folks in those forums going on their second engine transplant from Nissan. I trust this Altima because not only do I love the look of it, the price is good and the motor should be flawless after all the problems they've been having with the VQ's in the G35/350Z.

Edit: I forgot to add this... Im not moaning about the under steer as much as it may sound. I was just surprised I guess as I have never driven a FWD car with this much power. I was simply curious to see what could be done to minimize it is all. Otherwise I love these cars

[Juiced06]

IMHO once you add the lowering springs, wider better quality tires and add 1+ pos camber if you chose, your A/C should rip through corners

Thats the way I'm going

The way the A/C sits now the front sits higher than the back.

When you add the springs it should be the opposite front being lower slightly, so with that and the addition of fat tires and camber the A/C will be fine with H&R or Eibach Sport line not pro kit though its rumored as a 1" drop where as the H&R 1.4 and 1.3 sportline 1.7 and 1.5 correct me if i'm wrong on the eibachs

[Cali 2 Balti G]

You are both right, and make good points...however you're forgetting one major problem. Go and lurk on the G35 and 350Z forums and you'll see a major problem screaming in your face. The motors in the G35 coupes (all years) as well at the 350Z's tend to have a big oil burning problem . There are folks in those forums going on their second engine transplant from Nissan. I trust this Altima because not only do I love the look of it, the price is good and the motor should be flawless after all the problems they've been having with the VQ's in the G35/350Z.

Not true. There are some owners with problems - but they are the exception and not the rule. If this engine was so problematic it would not be considered one of the best 6 cylinder engines ever made.

My 03 G35 (which I paid 24k for with 8k miles) does not burn oil at all - and that includes the 2600 miles I put on it driving coast to coast.

Generalizations and Misinformation run rampant.

[C4L3]

I realize that what I see is only a sample, and that people with problems are going to voice themselves louder than those with perfect cars...but Ive read about the problem on three forums now, and mostly its just http://g35driver.com/forums/sh...10973 That thread that really worries me. With my luck I would be one of the unlucky to have a vehicle that burns a ton of oil.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

The problem when it shows appears to affect the 6 speed manual transmission cars more than anything.

Good Luck.

[MagicM]

1. Not so easy solution.2. G35 is RWD, not AWD3. You probably cannot get an 06+ for the same price as a coupe.4. You can probably get an 03-04 for the same price with about 25k miles.

1. yes it's easy2 G35 Coupe alone yes is only RWD, but sedan variant comes in AWD, which would probably have similar performance than altima coupe.with an advantage in harsh weather.3. Go look at ebay there are plently used 06's in the 22-28 range which is what a brand new 3.5 altima Coupe/sedan will run you from dealer.4. 03-04 will run you only around 12-18 depending on mileage. Remember with the intro of the 07 with 306 hp and redesigned exterior and the g37 the 03-06 have dropped in price.

I got nothing against the altima , iam just saying if he is really worried about understeer, and willing to pay the dealer for a new 3.5 altima/coupe, he has other options in a slightly used 06 infiniti variant for same price that might suit his understeer needs better.


Modified by MagicM at 9:34 PM 11/27/2007