New G37, initial thoughts

[wynand32]

I just thought I'd check in with some initial thoughts on my 2009 G37 Sedan Journey + Premium, purchased on 12/4. I traded in my 2006 G35 Sedan with sport suspension for it, and the bottom line is that I'm quite happy I did.

1. Break-in: I'm at 700 miles, and as usual the break-in period is painful. I remain paranoid about the usual noises and smells, and of course I'm dying to let 'er rip. So far I've managed to keep things under 4000 RPM for the most part, except for a few times when I've switch to manual mode on the highway and downshifted--it's not immediately apparent that the transmission shifts to 5th from 7th when the shifter is switched to the left. It would be nice if in addition to showing "DS" the current gear was also displayed. Downshifting to 4th at 80 MPH doesn't seem too terrible for a new engine, though, since even then RPMs don't exceed 5000. Lots of room remaining before redline.

I've wondered, however, what "avoid fast starts" means in this context. The G37 accelerates pretty quickly even if one never exceeds 4000 RPM, effortlessly leaving traffic behind at a light. I know it's easy to become paranoid (there's that word again) with a new vehicle, but it seems like the admonition to keep the engine under 4000 might not be sufficient if "avoiding fast starts" has any other meaning. Perhaps the Infiniti engineers really meant "avoid fast starts _for a G37_"?

2. Initial driving impressions: My wife loves the car, which is to say, she and I can take it out for a spin without her becoming carsick. I couldn't say the same for my '06 G35, which is one of the things that prompted the trade. The G37 is simply smoother, both in terms of the suspension, which is obvious and expected, but also in terms of overall acceleration patterns. Whereas in the G35 I need to get on it pretty strongly to achieve any reasonable velocity--which prompted complaints from my wife for "jerkiness"--the G37 is incredibly smooth in quick (but not overly quick, during the break-in!) starts. We drove to Hollywood yesterday via Laural Canyon Road, and the G37 was completely predictable and responsive both up and down the hill.

Suffice it to say that my wife loves the G37 where she could barely stomach (literally) the G35, and so I can drive it more often. And let me say that driving a G37 is immeasurably more pleasant than being a passenger in a Toyota Sienna. But I'm just stating the obvious.

3. Accoutrements: The interior of the G37 is much more comfortable than the '06 G35, in both real terms and psychologically. If one pays over $30K for a vehicle and isn't wealthy (i.e., is like me), then one wants to feel like one got something for one's money. The G35 didn't, the G37 does. Hence, driving the latter is not only more fun on a visceral level but also much more so mentally. Infiniti did a good thing when they upgraded the interior in 2007. The better stereo and trip computer are also definite plusses.

4. Initial concerns: None, really, at least none that I can confirm at this point. My G37 was built 10/09, and so I'm guessing that the updates for downshifts and engine noise were applied at the factory. I'm not noticing any issues with downshifting, and indeed I'm finding the transmission to be entirely rational in that respect. And while I do hear alot of what sounds like valve noise (i.e., I can definitely hear the engine from the engine compartment as opposed to the exhaust), I don't hear the helicopter sound that the TSB was about.

Regarding the transmission, one oddity that I've not been able to easily replicate but that has happened on a few occasions is this: when I accelerate to, say, 60 MPH and then hold it, the transmission gets "stuck" in whatever gear it's currently in. It takes a bit of distance and some firmer pressure on the gas to get the transmission to shift in whichever direction is needed. Doesn't happen all the time, though, so I'm wondering if the transmission is still just young and inexperienced and so has some growing up to do.

Again, as I mentioned at the beginning, I'm happy I traded in my '06 G35 for this one. I got an incredible deal on it, in part because the used car manager and sales manager crossed wires during negotiations and so I got more on my trade-in than I should have while paying less for the G37. Had I not gotten such a good deal, I can't say that trading in the G35 would have been _necessary_; it's not as if the G37 is _that_ much better of a car. But it's enough better that I'm happy in all the right places, and so buyer's remorse is at a minimum. It turns out that a G is a G is a G, only better, and that's a good thing overall.

[LuckyLuke]

welcome!

[zozoka1212]

Welcome to Nico family and congrats on your G.

To avoid fast starts mean by launching your G like you stole it.

I'm with you on the interior being superb. Everything just feels in the right place. Only thing I can see hard to adjust is the power seats but I think with the memo seat don't really have to adjust it and still think it is at better place than the first generations. Everything feels ergonomically correct too.

I think the problem you have with shifting and low gear surging is from the ECU. As you know there is an update/ newr version of the ECU. When you get that it should fix that problem.

[wynand32]

Thanks!

I'm in SoCal, specifically outside of LA, and so there's not a great deal of snow for me to play in. :-) I could drive a few hours into the mountains, but then I'd be afraid of getting back out again.

Regarding the ECU update, I was hoping that having such a late model (again, built in 10/09) that all of the requisite updates had already been applied. Or, rather, that mine would have a completely up-to-date build, but I'll have the dealer check when I go in for my first oil change.

[TinsleyC]

Regarding the transmission, one oddity that I've not been able to easily replicate but that has happened on a few occasions is this: when I accelerate to, say, 60 MPH and then hold it, the transmission gets "stuck" in whatever gear it's currently in. It takes a bit of distance and some firmer pressure on the gas to get the transmission to shift in whichever direction is needed. Doesn't happen all the time, though, so I'm wondering if the transmission is still just young and inexperienced and so has some growing up to do.

My '09 G37 sedan bought 11/04/09 seems to do the same thing if I'm in DS mode. In D, it doesn't do that. That's okay, I'm in "D" most of the time anyway.

I'm not sure I like the speed matched RPM downshifts. I'm used to using a transmission for braking and that doesn't seem to be possible anymore, at least not with anything I can anticipate. Maybe I can get used to it.

For me it seems to wait too long to downshift - I can step on it and it won't downshift for a second or so. I don't have the transmission reprogramming applied yet though, so we'll see if that affects it.

[TinsleyC]

Thanks!

I'm in SoCal, specifically outside of LA, and so there's not a great deal of snow for me to play in. :-) I could drive a few hours into the mountains, but then I'd be afraid of getting back out again.

Regarding the ECU update, I was hoping that having such a late model (again, built in 10/09) that all of the requisite updates had already been applied. Or, rather, that mine would have a completely up-to-date build, but I'll have the dealer check when I go in for my first oil change.

If the ECU update is the transmission update, it's pretty easy to tell if you don't have it. Taking my foot off the gas and rolling to a stop, you can feel the 4th to 3rd downshift and it's about as apparent as hitting the brake at a moderate level. My wife asked me if the brakes were sticking!

[wynand32]

If the ECU update is the transmission update, it's pretty easy to tell if you don't have it. Taking my foot off the gas and rolling to a stop, you can feel the 4th to 3rd downshift and it's about as apparent as hitting the brake at a moderate level. My wife asked me if the brakes were sticking!

No, that's not what I'm experiencing, really. It's a bit difficult to describe, and so I'll take better note of it should it happen again so I can give a better description.

Re: downshifts specifically, mine's actually pretty darn good. I can coast pretty cleanly from, say, 40 MPH on down, with what I would imagine are "normal" downshifts. Very smooth, nothing abrupt. And furthermore, I was going down a hill last night at around 60 MPH and braked lightly, and was impressed at a downshift that was perfectly timed to allow the engine to help slow the vehicle. It was exactly what I would have done if I were shifting myself.

This transmission does hunt around at times, but I love the way it performs.