Potential G37 Buyer - Needs Help

[Ron68]

I am seriously looking for a good used G37. My target model year is 2008 or possibly 2009 to keep purchase costs low. I am finding G37S coupes (my preference) online in my price range. Mileage objective would be around 40k give or take a bit. Already own a 2004 Pathfinder SE 4WD, and the entire engine/driveline/brakes/suspension have been bulletproof. Impressive. I do 98% of the maintenance work on my cars and have done so for 50 years. Don't do A/C work (except simple recharges) for obvious reasons and can't mount and balance tires.

So my questions -
1. Any thoughts on the reliability/durability of the 6 speed and clutch?
2. Would the automatic be a better choice than the 6MT?
3. Should I go to the '09 to get the 6 speed automatic (that came in '09 right?)?
4. Any major stumbling blocks with the G37 series in this age range (08 to 09)?
5. Any 'must have' options you guys see as essential?

My story is that I wanted to find a good used BMW M3. Found out that the reliability of that model is pretty darn poor. Then went after the 335i coupe with the twin turbos. Same result - poor reliability with very expensive fixes required on or around 50k miles. Cannot afford nor do I want to get into that.

So I do thank you for any help and/or recommendations you guys can offer.

Best,
Ron C.

[joe603]

You're right on the Bimmers...found the same info when I was in the market for a sedan. Decided on the G37 for the value for money...plus the G37 had a larger interior.

Let me try and answer your questions:

1. Any thoughts on the reliability/durability of the 6 speed and clutch?
-Like any clutch, depends on the abuse. I've seen some last over 100k miles and still no slipping.

2. Would the automatic be a better choice than the 6MT?
-Do you drive in traffic? This is more of a personal preference. I loved the 7-speed AUTO on my G37.

3. Should I go to the '09 to get the (7) speed automatic (that came in '09 right?)?
-YES, I would recommend that you go 09+ if you want the 7-speed AUTO.

4. Any major stumbling blocks with the G37 series in this age range (08 to 09)?
-Not really, other than the design will be outdated in 2014.

5. Any 'must have' options you guys see as essential?
-Sport option is great...but the seats may be uncomfortable. The upgraded brakes are terrific!
NAV was also pretty good...but you'll need to do a by-pass to use some features while driving.

[Ron68]

Good input, Joe. Thanks. What happened to the G37 love? You have a Challenger now. Nice one. The lure of the hemi?

I have also done some looking at the latest Camaro. The V6 in that rig is a keen engine. The V8 is well beyond my needs. I would target maybe a used 2011. But the Camaro weighs in about 600 lbs. more than a G Coupe. Think of driving a G with three big friends on board. Plus the rear seats do not fold down for better luggage space. Why did Chevy forget that feature? Maybe a structural reason. But 300+ bhp in a G coupe would be a quick car . . . likely a good handler from all I've read.

Thanks again.

Best,
Ron

[telcoman]

1. Any thoughts on the reliability/durability of the 6 speed and clutch?
-Like any clutch, depends on the abuse. I've seen some last over 100k miles and still no slipping.

Had 171796 miles on my 06 G35 original clutch when I traded it in

Telcoman

[Ron68]

Telcoman - thanks for the input. And the six speed? All synchros, etc. still fine at those miles?

Ron

[370Z/28]

Having owned both, I would say a G37 and a Camaro aren't even in the same ball park. Everybody here knows how I loved my Camaro, but my G37 was such a well built, sexy rocket! No comparing the 2.

I don't know where you are, but around here Camaros are a dime a dozen and I'm sure GM will keep the same body style for 10 years. They almost always have on the F-body. (except 1st gen).

Get the G. You will love it. Mine was an '08.

[Ron68]

370Z, I am 95% in your court. One major problem with the current Camaros is the horribly ugly retro dash. Most of the time with a car you sit inside and drive it . . . and an ugly instrument layout is just not gonna hack it. The late Nissan Maximas have a great instrument panel but with this car one has to live with that dumb CVT. Our '04 Pathfinder has a beautifully simple instrument array. Well illuminated at night, orderly and just nice looking. Cannot say the G37 quite matches that but it's light years better than the Camaro.

[telcoman]

Telcoman - thanks for the input. And the six speed? All synchros, etc. still fine at those miles?

Ron

Car ran like new. Needed brakes, a leaking rear differential seal and a drivers side headlight ballast.
Decided I didn't want to start sinking $$$$ into it as a driving trip to Florida was planned.
Very happy with my 2012 G37

Telcoman

[joe603]

I looked at a new gen Camaro...there are a few issues. First and foremost, it is dangerous to drive because it's hard to see anything that isn't in front of you. Next, the V8 is not as fast as it should be...felt only a little faster than my G37. The ZL1 takes care of that, but you still cant see out of it.

The GT500 had my eye, until I sat in it...no backseat room. Having a 4-year old would make owning that car difficult. Manual only and a gas hog where other negatives...but that engine on the 2011 was a beast, and the 2013 is insane!

The SRT8 Challenger has a huge backseat, modern conveniences (touch screen NAV, Hard Disk music, rear AC, Heated seats/steering wheel...not on Camaro's!) Plus the engine is a BEAST!

[kmckis1029]

im over 80K miles on my 2010 g37x sedan, not one issue, and i do about 90% of all the maintence my self.

current model is the 2010+ only slight changes to the interior on the 2011 and 2012. basically they changed the aluminum trim from what i could see and minor Navi updates. everything thing else is the same from 2010-2013.

[djimakplon]

I was going down a very similar path, Ron, except I was looking at E60 M5's. Finding a true manual was difficult and didn't want an SMG with all the red COG horror stories. Through the process I rediscovered how much I enjoyed driving my car. Decided I wasn't ready for low teen gas mileage and outrageous maintenance bills, so I replaced my 08 with a 12, crazy as that sounds, there is more to the story though. Only issues I ever had with her were battery related. Went through 3 batteries and had several software upgrades, but all zero out of pocket for me per warranty.

[audtatious]

Telcoman - thanks for the input. And the six speed? All synchros, etc. still fine at those miles?

Ron

Ron, as with any vehicle there are some quirks you see here and there but for the most part the VQ is a great motor and the vehicle is built well. The 5AT in the '08 coupe is rock solid and the 7AT in the '09+ seems to have adjusted well...it's just weird driving a 7sp automatic (I have the 5AT in mine) and it seems to have some nanny-control built into it more than my 5AT.

As you do your own maintenance the only annoyances with the cars are access to replacing headlight bulbs as you have to access them through the inner-fender liner and you have to semi-drop the lower engine pan to get access to the oil filter. I suggest a tollboothwilly lower engine cover if you will be doing your oil changes. Suspension is easy to work on and if you get the Sport edition then changing brake pads on the Akebono brakes is simple.

i agree on the Camaro dash layout too. I was in a ZL1 the other weekend and I despised it. They tried too hard with the retro look while adding a cheesy-looking screen and knob system to the center tower which looks like a hold-back from a 80's Pontiac. UGH!!!

[Ron68]

Thanks for the TBW tip. If I find the right G37S Coupe I will purchase that item. I have an '04 Pathfnder (great SUV), and it also has a plastic pan beneath the front of the engine. From the get go I coated the pan fastener threads with anti-seize just to reduce the wear with all the ins and outs. So those little 10mm bolts have endured well. When my son was looking for a used PF, we discovered that most of 'em no longer had that pan. Amazing. Very likely an oil change shop just tossed that plastic part somewhere along the way. My heart bleeds for folks who have to trust their cars to those ham-fisted dolts.

The 'find a G37' process involves selling two other vehicles. Just sold my excellent but aging '99 Ford Contour SVT. The first guy to actually come and look paid my asking price. That was refreshing. Now the BMW motorcycle has to go. So once that is all settled I will range out there a bit more energetically.

I did get to drive a nice '09 (48k miles) with the 7-Spd automatic. I was not too thrilled with that transmission's fully auto mode downshifting behavior when I mashed the throttle. There was a noticeable sort of hollow delay, and then the engine revved up mightily with the lower gear engagement and the car leaped forward (as expected). Yesterday I drove a new Mustang V6 (305 bhp - nice) with their 6 Spd auto, and the fully auto downshifts were dazzlingly quick and crisp. That box can also be manually up and downshifted, and that worked very well also. I digress - so back to the G37 - I am leaning toward the 6MT (but they are a bit rare) and would like to drive one of those. The Mustang look was a 'what can I buy new for about the same price as an '09 low miles G' kind of exercise.

Thanks again for your input!

[audtatious]

The G's don't have 10mm bolts holding up the plastic engine covers but those plastic fasteners that simply don't last.

The transmissions in the G's can be slow at times and the only solutions are to install a valve body mod or to tweak the shift points via a tuner....or both. Level 10 has more updates but they can be costly. Regardless the automatics can be faster in the 1/4 than the 6mt's....7sp are supposed to be faster than the 5sp as well. Obviously a 6mt makes it moot.

[Ron68]

I may get time tomorrow (Saturday) to try a 6MT '08 C Coupe. Local dealer has one. Unfortunately I have read reviews on the 6MT clutch that have been a couple of mites less than complimentary. I drove a MazdaSpeed3 last fall and the clutch was a disaster. From nothing to fully engaged in about .090" of pedal travel. Like a light switch. How could a contemporary builder do such a thing in an otherwise (except for murderous torque steer) pretty neat car? Been driving things with clutches since my first '65 turbo Corvair Corsa. Plus two Vettes, three Alfas, one Datsun pickup and the Contour SVT. Never met a clutch like that Mazda.

[joe603]

having clutch engagement like that will make it last longer...less slippage=reduced wear. However you can always adjust the engagement point slightly.

[Ron68]

Well, guys, I bought a car. After much looking, test driving, soul searching and annoying my wife, I could not justify $28 to $30K for a low miles used G37 Coupe though I agree with you all that they are great cars. Too much money to buy into potentially costly risk issues. For less $$ I bought a new Mustang. V6, 3.7 L, direct injection, independently variable valve timing - inlet & exhaust, 305 bhp. 6 Spd manual. Slick shifting box for certain. Great clutch feel. Gobs of power (from my perspective). 18" x 8" alloy wheels with 50 aspect ratio rubber. Discovered that those 19" rims with 40 series tires have a future high cost of tire replacement. Yes, you get great summer traction, but my wallet cannot afford $1100 to $1200 for a set of tires every two years. Super comfortable leather seats - fit me and my bride very well. Great driving position.

I know y'all will think I am nuts, but this car handles exceptionally well. Yes, a solid rear axle, but a very well located one which does not show any abnormalities from my point of view in brisk cornering. And there are a ton of performance aftermarket goodies available. A ton. So I am a happy camper.

Thank you guys for all your help. Very much appreciated. Wish you all happy and blessed miles with your hot Infinitis.

[audtatious]

Congrats. Be careful in the V6 as there is already a video out of someone breaking a driveshaft at 130-ish mph.

[Ron68]

It is highly unlikely I will ever get to that stratospheric speed (for me) in this rig. But it would seem that torque would break a driveshaft, and that could happen at any speed. 130 mph? May have been a balance issue. Thanks.

[audtatious]

From what I understand the V6 driveshaft is weaker than the V8 one. Some are questioning why Ford didn't put a stronger one in when they increased power over 300hp.

Time will tell and I'm sure you will enjoy the ride.

[Ron68]

Haven't looked at the one in my car yet, but I understand that the OEM driveshaft has the sliding spline near the center of the shaft. This means that any looseness in this spline would allow the shaft to have some runout . . . death to shafts turning at high RPM. The aftermarket aluminum shaft puts the sliding spline at one end of the shaft integral with one of the yokes. This makes good sense to me, and for the life of me I cannot figure why Ford did it the other way. Some guys who have replaced this shaft say the after market shaft did away with some driveline vibrations they were feeling. This also makes sense to me. Also I read that Ford has electronically limited the top speed of this car to something like 125 mph to keep it out of the 'danger zone'. If true that is pretty bad because one buys a car like this for the performance not that we're gonna drive it that fast all the time, but to find out it is limited by the computer is not good at all. Never fear, I will get this sorted out even if it means buying an aftermarket aluminum shaft and taking a hammer to the ECM. :-)