Need Trusted Opinions(that means all of you)

[Metroyed]

I've been driving my J30 for about 7 months now. By far the greatest car i've ever known, because of this car and this site i now concider myself an Infiniti for life driver. Lately i've found myself REALLY missing a stick shift though. As sporty and powerful as my car is(especially compared to my other cars) i find myself wanting do reach for the power of the stick.

Lately i've been paging through the newspaper and i almost slapped myself when i eyeballed an integra for way to long. Mostly i think i would be happier with a G20, but im not very knowledgable on the car. Im wondering if the G20 is indeed sportier, and if a five-speed would be as quick as i want it to be.

[AZhitman]

G20t has plenty of power and "feels" quick, as it has more low-end torque (not a freeway hauler like the J/Q).

Fun car to drive, but you'll miss the RWD and luxury of the J. The G was a gussied-up Sentra. Most have been abused, the ones that haven't command top dollar.

[QuickSilver]

Hitman,

In respects to driving enjoyment, which of the following 5spds would you rank highest, the G20t, the Integra, or the Civic Si. I ask because I'm considering get a 94 or 95 Integra as less expensive alternate to the Q. Didn't you own a Si before Quella?

[1qckser]

As the owner of a slightly moded G20T I have to say its been a EXCELLENT car we have put over a hundred thou of trouble free mileage on it, if you do the basic mods that I did and you do it to a 5 speed car you will have a nice handling very sporty 4 door pocket rocket, the best improvement comes from using the intake cam from a 91-93 SENTRA SE-R, I then used a Primera manifold with a custom 2 1/4 down pipe into a 2 1/4 exhaust with a stock muffler 17 deg timming advance, Place racing cold air intake, and NGK plugs, for suspension I did some ES bushings about a year ago with a set of KYB GR2 shocks, the car did have H&R springs but with the wife being pregnant she had a hard time getting in and out of the car, also using some EBC green pads, all in all I love the car and I know that if you get a 5 speed version you will really enjoy it, the car is eqiupped with the great SR20DE engine so a ton of aftermarket is available for the powerplant, get a T pakage and it will come with limited slip, check out G20.net for all the info you need, I also own an SE-R and hands down the G20T is the better handler of the 2, and also ride quality is a lot better. Good luck

[QuickSilver]

Your G sounds sweet! Just did a quick Kelly blue check, and a '94 with relatively low miles(100k) is about 4Gs. About the same as a Integra, but must be hard find like Hitman said.

In which situations do you find yourself driving each of your cars? Which car do you find yourself driving the most? Just sold a 5sp Max, and miss the stick.

[Metroyed]

YOUR G is the G i wanna own one day

thanks everyone i knew NICO was the place to ask.(duh, i am asking an infinti question). My current plans are to get through the winter with my J. I just bought new tires and the heated seats and comfort will be nice through cold mornings to work and school. My other reasons for looking at a G20 are maintenance, is it cheaper for a G20? The way a J is cheaper than a Q? I completely understand that luxory is expensive, but it seems to me that a G is a "simpler" car, with less expensive needs.

hmmm no more RWD? This is a definite concideration, i've fallen deeply in love with all aspects of my J, it'd be hard to give up something like RWD. Still, defenetly something im looking into, maybe by spring i'll be able to keep my beloved Infiniti logo, and still fuel my teenage need for a sporty five-speed

[elwesso]

Have you tried shifting with the gate shifter..... I find that satisfiying enough.....

Theres nothing like the sound of dropping it into 2nd at 60mph...... Not something you can get with a FWD G20..... Not to diss them or anything, but they're no J..... I think youd be happier with the J....

[AZhitman]

I loved my Civic Si, and the Integra GS is a solid car, but neither compare to the quality and amenities on a G.

There truly is no substitute for that extra displacement - Besides, the leather and Bose are great to have - May as well stick with the family!

[1qckser]

Thanks, I drive the G and the SE-R more than the Q, Its just somethin about a lil pocket rocket for every day driving, the car has been a complete blast, and it does run up too some good top end #s, Most of the Gs around my area have been owned by females so they arent too bad, mine came from a surgeon so it was seriously clean inside and out, as far as the Integra they are great cars its just that once you get up in age and you see a million lil ricers drivin your car you kinda feel like maybe sellin it, with the G being a 4 door and having the Infiniti emblem on the back it makes you feel a lil better than pushin an Integra, Hell it makes me feel like a kid when I drive m SE-R, but its such a great Nissan product I just cant part with it. I would think long and hard before I got rid of the J, maybe you are just getting tired of it, do some mods add some more power and I think your love for that great car will come back.

[1qckser]

Quote » Besides, the leather and Bose are great to have - May as well stick with the family! [/quote]

Amen too that my good friend, the leather and the system are very nice, I did a new headunit with the stock speakers still in place, sounds great.

[maxnix]

G20 is based on the P10 and P11 platforms. The latter is more refined, but heavier. Most performance seeking 5 speeds prefer the P10. 4 cylinders are always cheaper than 6 to maintain. Performance in a staright line won't decline too much.

[QuickSilver]

Thanks for your opinions guys. I'd like to stay in the family, as I've owned a J and Maxima before the Q. I even ended up selling the Max to Nissan enthusiast that owns a FX and 300z.

But I'm trying to justify my purchase of a pocket rocket based on cost and resale value. So if I get too self conscious of being looked at as ricer, or find myself just driving the Q more often, I can hopefully sell the 5sp close to my cost. With the used car market as soft as it has been lately, the G20 just might depreciate too quickly and my be difficult to find a buyer.

There is also the factor of weight. The G weighs about 600lbs more than an Intrega with about the same 140hp. If I'm going to drive a sports compact as a daily driver, I want it to be quick as possible to make up for the lost of refinement.

I will eventually need leather though. I've got a extra '91Q drivers seat, but if I'm nuts engough to install that in a Intrega, I'll lose that hp to weight advantage.

Any more feedback before I look at '94 Integra this morning?

[PalmerWMD]

The G20 is <NOT> based on a sentra but on the Primera.

Fred..

[maxnix]

The G20 is refined and is not a pocket rocket. If you want to take trips over 15 miles very often, get the G20. If you wnat to scoot stoplight to stoplight, get the integra.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[Jesda]

The slickest, snickiest, most precise shifters I've ever enjoyed are in Mazdas. I haven't tried a BMW or Porsche and I assume those are better. But in the affordable imports category, the Mazda 626, MX-6, and a couple others, mated to the 2L I4, are a hoot to drive around. I took a 95 626 across the country twice. Its nice flicking it into fourth for a little extra passing power.

-Jesda

[Phax]

... Besides, the leather and Bose are great to have

:pimp

[Phax]

The slickest, snickiest, most precise shifters I've ever enjoyed are in Mazdas.

:Werd

The first Madza stick I ever drove was a 1990 Miata. The throws are so freakin good, that I took so many other cars of the time (SE-R Sentra's, EX Civic's, etc), when I really shouldn't have.

[Metroyed]

Around springtime im going to start shopping for a G20. Anyone know good years i should look for? what to watch out for? ALso, is the "t" worth the extra money? ...oh, and how much should i have saved?

[dsigns]

The G20 will definately out-maneuver the J, thats the sportyness of it. It was rated top 10 handling cars of its time, get a 5-speed, advance the timing and you'll be happy. Of course the smaller engine wont put out the power of the J, but the SR20DE is made to mod. Can you say BOOST?

[cweberj30t]

I personally would go after a 300z before a G20. No offense, they are nice rides, but a 5 speed with fwd just doesn't do it for me.

[szh]

The slickest, snickiest, most precise shifters I've ever enjoyed are in Mazdas.

Yes, indeed. Both the 1980 Mazda RX-7 and my 1986 Mazda 626 GT that I used to have, were loads of fun for this reason alone!

My 1985 Nissan 300ZX Turbo came very close to these gear-boxes though.

Z

[Highway Q45]

My only comment on the Integra is try to get a warranty on a rebuilt 5-speed...the local rebuilders here won't touch them any more because so many younger drivers have thrashed them. I ended up having to do my son's because of this. That's not saying they aren't good cars, just be very careful who the previous owner was if it's a 5-speed. Stick with the J, they're sweet cars!

[dgoodno]

My first Infiniti was a J. I moved on to the Q, but as my profile indicates I've had others. I have driven a Q, a Qt and a Gt on the race track. None of these were stick, but you certainly can't tell as I'm shifting all the time. So unless you need the feel of your left foot moving, why aren't you shifting your J?

Save yourself some money and remorse later -- keep your J. To get more satisfaction cheaply, add an air intake. If you have a few more dollars change out the exhaust system. There a certain amount of satisfaction hearing the throaty sound of your engine.

:icesangel :icesangel :icesangel :icesangel :icesangel :icesangel

[Altiman94]

1st gen altima (U13) are capable of high 15's in manual transmission form stock. They are slightly refined cars, weigh in around 2800 lbs, and are fun to drive (had one). Look into those.

[dsigns]

I say before you write off the G20, go test drive one. Take it around some corners without letting your foot off the gas and then let us know what you think. Of course it's no 300zx as far as power goes, but it makes up for it in other areas. Just ask my 5 speeding tickets :-/