How Bad/Common Are These G37 Issues?

[consultant1027]

I'm looking at buying a used G37x Sedan. But frankly I'm on the fence between it and a 07/08 Acura TL Type-S or Acura RL. I'm not as obsessed with HP and 0-60 times anymore so the heavy RL is okay for me but I've been reading about interior rattles on both the TL and RL. Seems maybe 2005-08 years Acura wasn't putting the interiors together that well.

But then I'm also seeing in owner reviews multiple mentions of its own problems. I would really love if G37 owners (and G35 owners) could give me their honest opinion/experiences with their cars. I mainly want the 37 for the 7-speed, the extra HP is nice too but no biggie. I forget what else is different on the G37. Anyway...

7spd AT: I've heard multiple reports the 7-speed AT is not a very smooth shifter, something like it has trouble making up its mind a lot or something to the point it is irritating.

Poor mileage: I've heard in 50/50 city/highway you are lucky to get 17-18 MPG max.

Brake vibration: Heard that the breaks have a slight vibration a lot. I actually noticed this on a brand new one I test drove at the dealer today! To bad the X-S is so damn rare (used) as I think it has bigger brakes which I bet solve this issue?

NAV: I know this is the same on other cars but you can't choose a new destination on the Nav while driving. That would drive me nuts. But I'm used to only have an iPhone with Google Maps for my Nav, lol, so this would still be a step up.

Stereo: I'm an audiophile so I'm picky about stereos (only place I can listen to my music loud is in my car.) I took a CD with me and it was the model with the stereo upgrade option. I was undewhelmed. The Acura's ELS stereos sound better as does the one in my Volvo S60R. Someone mentioned something about the woofers being in the doors instead of a stand-alone subwoofer like most other cars. That's what it sounded like. Bass was not as deep and system distorted sooner than the other systems I compared. I suppose maybe a stereo shop could maybe improve things a little without having to replace all the speakers and amps.

I know you are all Infiniti people here so you'll have some bias but I'd love to hear your take/experience on these and/or other issues to be aware of. It is a big purchase. I want to be sure I'm making a good decision. Should I save money and just get a G35x with a 5-speed? Manual isn't an option. Had a 6-speed last 4 years, loved it, but missed my auto for in-city driving and being able to swap cars with the wife.

P.S. What I liked about the Infiniti over the Acuras: better suspension (TL Type-S is too stiff, RL too much body roll, G37 just right), seats a bit more comfortable but pale in comparison to the Volvo, added HP is fun (engine is pretty loud/rough sounding though), interior feels nicer than the TL, about on par with the RL, rear-biased AWD is a big plus.

[consultant1027]

I forgot one other thing for the list....

Leather seats - I've heard the leather shows cracks/stretch marks within the first few thousand miles on the drivers seat? On an 09 G37? Is this true? Anyway to prevent it or are there colors to avoid?

I'm also wondering if the transmission doesn't downshift so easily if you just drive like a grandma a few days?

[SVTCOBRA]

We recently traded our 05 G sedan for a 08 G35X.
It now has 39K and I don't feel any brake vibration.
So far, we love her!!! Lots of fun in the snow!!
So far, the graphite leather seats are holding up much better than the stone 05 seats did.
No cracks and no discolor.
Don't have the NAV, didn't want it. Have a Garmen.
You might want to check out the deals on some previously owned low mileage 08's.
Save you thousands!!
Good luck!

[joe603]

I had a 2005 G35 6MT coupe. Loved the car, but needed to get a 4-door for my growing family. So I traded the coupe and now have the 2009 G37S sedan. Lets see if I can't address some of your questions.

I have the 7-speed and I love it! The only issue I've noticed is that sometimes on the 2-3 shift, the RPMs go up suddenly before it shifts. I'll give it a few thousand miles before I take it to the dealer. Not really a big deal, just something that's not perfect. It changes to how you drive and I have not noticed that it shifts more than it should. I have the sport model, so I use the paddles occasionally. Other than that small issue, it's a normal auto trans....always trying to save you gas mileage (except in DS mode which has rev-matching on downshifts)

Brakes. So I have the sport...they are the best brakes I've ever owned! No issues at all, stops on a dime!

Mileage. I get around 21mpg in mixed driving. More local driving than highway...

NAV. Yes...it is annoying! You also cant use some of the music box features while moving like searching. Really bad design as you can play by artist and scroll through the tracks which will take your eyes off the road longer than just searching. In fact, my first mod was to install the NAV bypass module. No longer an issue
http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/2009-g ... s-mod.html
The unit works great, and I love the back-up camera!

Stereo. Yup, it's lacking. I have the Bose and it's typical Bose fare...lacking bass and rear fill isn't good. My 05 had the same issue, if not worse. The solution is to add a subwoofer amp/enclosure to the factory system. I will be doing this soon. As for the design of the system, yes it has 10" woofers in the front doors; but it also has a 10" sub in the rear deck with a separate amp. You'd think it would sound better...

The Infiniti is a great car! You're right about the suspension, on the sport it's fantastic! This thing handles better then most sports cars! Wish it had less wheel gap in the fenders though. The sport seats take some getting used too, but they do form to your body. The interior is 10x better then the 07-09 Acura's...haven't seen the new one yet.

I'd look for an 09 G37 with the options/color you want. You'll save some $$ vs. the 2010 which had only minor changes.

[370Z/28]

The leather on the left edge of my seat started showing cracks @ 15k or so miles. Probably my bad....I have never uses a leather conditioner on them. Other than that my seat is still perfect. Int color is black.

Only issues with my G is gas tank won't fill all the way up, even though I had it fixed under warrantee...it is doing it again. Windshield rattle, fixed under warrantee (dealer had my car 2 1/2 weeks but I had a loaner) Brake squeal...fixed under warrantee.

Paint is bad on these cars. If you look at it wrong it will chip. Black is horrible. I have more flaws on my '08 than my '95 Z28. If Infiniti doesn't improve their paint, I know I will never buy another. I am too much of a perfectionist to have a car with so many (to me) paint flaws.

Don't use my navi. I know Memphis better than it does and my car never leaves the city.

Other than that my car has been very enjoyable. I don't have the 7sp transmission, but my 5sp is a bit jerky at times. I really don't care...I'm a sports car enthusiast and that doesn't bother me at all.

[exit9]

7spd AT: I've heard multiple reports the 7-speed AT is not a very smooth shifter, something like it has trouble making up its mind a lot or something to the point it is irritating.

My 2010 transmission is not smooth at slow speeds. It gets jerky and sometimes bumps from 2nd to 1st gear. The constant rev matching and engine braking makes the car feel sluggish especially in stop and go driving.

Poor mileage: I've heard in 50/50 city/highway you are lucky to get 17-18 MPG max.

I get 21.1 combined for a 50/50 type driving. Doesn't matter if I'm lead foot with A/C running or being a grandma. It always averages around 21mpg.

Brake vibration: Heard that the breaks have a slight vibration a lot. I actually noticed this on a brand new one I test drove at the dealer today! To bad the X-S is so damn rare (used) as I think it has bigger brakes which I bet solve this issue?

Just it 3000 miles and the brakes behave the same since driving off the lot.

NAV: I know this is the same on other cars but you can't choose a new destination on the Nav while driving. That would drive me nuts. But I'm used to only have an iPhone with Google Maps for my Nav, lol, so this would still be a step up.

It can be a little nanny but you can use voice commands to select new destinations. The same applies when making a call.

[Kendahl]

My car is a G37S coupe (6-speed manual). Loaners from the dealer have been G35X sedans and G37 coupes and sedans with the 7-speed auto.

I haven't noticed anything odd about the 7-speed auto's shifting. It behaves like most autos. My only objection (beyond the lack of a clutch pedal) is that I wish it would shift more quickly, especially when I shift myself. However, it's not unreasonably slow, either.

Gas mileage depends strongly on the driving environment and your driving style. The lifetime average for my G37S is 23.4 mpg. About 85% of my driving is free flowing interstate with speeds in the low sixties. Best was 26.5 on a highway trip at 65 to 70 mph. Worst was 20.4. This was the average during the break in period which took from November to February because I don't drive the car during bad winter weather.

The brakes shouldn't vibrate. If they do, there is a problem. The seller needs to correct it, at his own expense, before you take delivery of the car.

The navigation system will not let you make major changes in motion. I bought it for the rear view camera which is part of the package. Without the camera, backing up in my coupe would have to be done by dead reckoning.

The interior of an automobile is such a lousy place for audio that I don't care about it. An FM radio with two speakers, no CD or tape, would be good enough. By those standards, the Bose system that comes with the premium package isn't bad. I'd rather listen to my high end system at home.