Tech Package, Is it worth it?

[DC G-Man]

Hey Forum, After driving an Acura GSR for 14 years I finally found a car that can be as fun to drive as that one. I have liked the G35 for years, So when the G37 was FINALLY available it was time to sell and get a big boy toy!

Ive been looking at inventories and noticed that some have no Tech packages available with current stock in the color etc. I want. Does anyone out there have it and have any thoughts about whether it was worth getting or will I not miss it...like the 4 wheel steering.

Thanks for your info in advance!

[carman63]

I don't have the Tech pkg. It seems like the primary items in it were the auto-leveling/turning headlights and the active cruise.

I'd be concerned that if you were on a 2-lane road and came upon another car during a turn/sweep, that the active cruise might respond to the oncoming car and slow you down quickly. Not sure how that would work.

I had the adaptive headlights on my Audi. Nice feature, but not worth the extra $$ for the package.

My .02...

[Yimbie]

Greetings G Whiz. I personally like the tech package for my own reasons. The swiveling headlights are a very nice feature and you can definitely tell that they're working. I use the intelligent cruise control for the freeway when I go to my parent's business about 30 minutes away and it's very nice being able to control the speed and distance. I can go the whole way without touching the accel pedal. The other thing with the tech package is that it has pre-crash seat belts. I'm assuming that it functions the same way as the Lexus pre-crash seat belts and it's just another nice edition to safety that Infiniti has included.

- Yimbie

P.S. I get comments from people asking "What is that box thing in the front?" I reply that it's the intelligent radar cruise control system and they go "Wooooow". hehe

[DC G-Man]

Thanks for the Welcome Yimbie... and for the Tech Package insight. There are two cars pretty much loaded with what I want. One has the 4 WS and the other has a tech pac on.... I am going to try to leverage those packages for the Black one with Prem Nav and Tech pacs on.

I would like to see all of those features in action before I make a decision closer to the end of the month when they may be more willing to have one less car on the lot. Thanks again... looking forward to more advise and info from you all when its parked in the garage.

CU

[verycomplex]

I have the Tech and have grown to really like it. I live near NY and have to do my fair share of parrallel parking and with the reverse camera (which has a grid for distance away) I can easily determine how far I am from whatever is behind me. Getting perspective when looking out the rear window, particularly at night, is not the easiest when trying to park the G. The moving head lights are cool too. The intel cruise is very nice if you do a lot of highway driving, but I don't use it if the highways are crowded. Another bonus is that it's an option that people can see! I've had several passengers and when I throw it in reverse I always get ooos and ahhs.

Don't get me wrong, the 4WAS is a good feature as well. Although I have heard mixed reviews on it from the auto journals. I'll probably look for that feature when I get the latest G37 when my lease expires in 3 yrs. I figure by then 4WAS will be further refined and I can afford that and the tech!

Bottom line is you'll be happy with either I'm sure. Go with the best deal!

[likwidfuzion]

The rear camera is included in the Nav package, not the Tech package.

All the Tech package has are adaptive headlights, pre-crash seatbelts, and intelligent cruise control.

[verycomplex]

True... I'm getting my packages mixed up.

[DC G-Man]

Delema solved..... Got a great deal on My G37 6MT Loaded to the gills ( 'cept the 4WS) What an impulse buy ( cant pass up a dangling G37 in your face ).... but the Tech Package is really cool. No more adjusting CC in light hiway traffic. Just had it overnight and would love some tips on all the packages. You need an engineer degree to figure out all the freekin buttons. Have fun drivers!

[verycomplex]

You went the right route. One thing with the tech is that you'll use it much more often (either the adaptive head lights or the cruise). I still think the 4WS is cool, but I'm not planning to drive 80mph while taking corners every time I get behind the wheel - though I will from time to time .

If you use an ipod do make use of the interface. It's pretty cool. Also, if you do use the nav push the status button a few times and you'll still get the directions on the bottom half of the screen with you music details at the top half.

One other tip, if the nav voice is too loud or soft, then as she's talking turn the volume it will control her voice not your music as she is speaking and the voice will stay that level until you adjust it again.

Enjoy the ride! I can't get enough.

[carman63]

Just had it overnight and would love some tips on all the packages. You need an engineer degree to figure out all the freekin buttons. Have fun drivers!

Do what I did, and keep the manual next to the bed for a week or so I just (finally) put it back in the car this morning! LOL

[carman63]

You went the right route. One thing with the tech is that you'll use it much more often (either the adaptive head lights or the cruise). I still think the 4WS is cool, but I'm not planning to drive 80mph while taking corners every time I get behind the wheel - though I will from time to time .

If you use an ipod do make use of the interface. It's pretty cool. Also, if you do use the nav push the status button a few times and you'll still get the directions on the bottom half of the screen with you music details at the top half.

One other tip, if the nav voice is too loud or soft, then as she's talking turn the volume it will control her voice not your music as she is speaking and the voice will stay that level until you adjust it again.

Enjoy the ride! I can't get enough.

Nice tips! I use the 'status' trick a lot, it's nice to have the split view of radio/nav directions.

Re: the active CC, what I've heard of people doing with it is, they'll set the active CC speed for whatever the max speed is they're willing to pay for Then, the car will adjust your speed to keep you a safe distance from the next car. It's almost like a tractor beam!

What I'd like to know is, does the active CC increase/decrease your speed as agressively as the standard CC? I know if I hit 'resume' on my standard CC, even if I'm within 2-5 MPH of the set speed, the car will punch it to get me to the resumed speed ASAP.

[DC G-Man]

Tractor beam is right. I feel like Han Solo going warp speed when the slow guy in front sees the G coming up quick behind him and moves out of the way. Its a little hard getting use to.

Same with when you come up upon a car or one jumps in front of you. The speed drops like your stomping on the brake depending on how fast your set at. A little awkward and scary, but Otherwise pretty cool.

The ICC has probobly been the easiest thing to operate so far.... Is it me or do I feel I need a remedial class to work all the functions with the Prem/Nav Packages. It would be nice to have a DVD or something to supplement the novels that came in the pretty leather case called the owners maual. man its been two weeks and I am still on the first book of the triology....anyway....back to reading!

[verycomplex]

A DVD tutorial would be nice. I'm finding out how to use things by accident more than anything so far, but I'm too impatient to read the manuall fully to this point.

[Paradroid]

I'm getting a 20 minute crash course from my sales person tomorrow when I take my G in to get detailed. The day I bought it he was so busy that I was the last customer left at the dealership. Ended up driving out of there a full hour after they were closed and locked up - go figure. If you have the time and your sales person is knowledgeable, I recommend you have him show you at least the basics. There's nothing like hands-on experience vs. reading out of a manual. They should know the system inside and out since it's been on the sedan for a full year now and a major selling point for them. You paid for the "Infiniti Experience," now might as well go and milk them for it!

[carman63]

You might ask for the 1-hour course - 20 minutes won't scratch the surface

[hooper]

The adaptive cruise control makes the Tech package worth while.

[Kendahl]

The adaptive cruise control makes the Tech package worth while.

Each to his own.

I feel very uncomfortable about surrendering control of speed to the car. For example, my solution to a slower car ahead might be to accelerate while changing lanes. At that point, the last thing I would want is for my car to slow down on its own initiative. I suppose one could blast along and rely on the adaptive cruise to cope with slow traffic that failed to move out of the way, but that scares me too.

Therefore, if my car had the tech package, I would routinely disable the adaptive cruise (hold down the on button for more than 1.5 seconds). If that became too much of a nuisance, I would disable it permanently by taping over the sensor. The swiveling headlights are an interesting idea, but I don't know how much better they are in practice. The remaining features don't matter much either way. Overall, I think the adaptive cruise is a strong negative, the swiveling headlights are a questionable positive and the rest is neutral.

[DC G-Man]

Just got a call from my Dealer the other day and offered me the "Infiniti experience". They know how hard the directions are and are willing to take the time with me to go over all the functions. I feel like a "tard" but Im "gonna milk it" thats for sure. I gotta go there anyway to get my wheel locks they forgot to install. Should be at least a good half hour!

I too am getting frustrated reading the dang manuals. I got a DVD with my BMW and asked if they had one for the G... They think there was one for the Sedan and they searched my binder for one but none to be found. The remedial class will hopefully nip it. I too was rushed when I took delivery on my G. My dealer was willing to hang out and go over it but it was dark and I was beat at 11:00 PM. LOL

As far as the Tech pac goes. The accelerating with the pedal is helping with the erratic speeds when coming up to a vehicle. Thanks for the tip!

The adaptive headlights are pretty freaky to see, but have already caught a family of deer as I rounded a corner. I think I even saw there tongues hanging out saying "Man, wouldnt mind getting hit by one of those".

[torbach1]

Hey G:

I'm in Gaithersburg MD. Which dealer did you purchase from, Jim Coleman? I got my '07 G35x from Chantilly - have been very happy with them. Anyway, I test drove the G37s the other day. Wow - even nicer than the G35, and rock solid. I'm sure you're loving it.

CheersTamir

[DC G-Man]

Hey G:

I'm in Gaithersburg MD. Which dealer did you purchase from, Jim Coleman? I got my '07 G35x from Chantilly - have been very happy with them. Anyway, I test drove the G37s the other day. Wow - even nicer than the G35, and rock solid. I'm sure you're loving it.

CheersTamir

Hey Tamir

Nice to meet you, Im in G-town I did go look at it at Jim Coleman when it just arrived in their showroom but didnt have one to try out. It was great to sit in one but I wanted to see how it drove on the road. I did try the G35 coupe(2007) at JBA in Ellicott City a few months before intro. Was impressed but knew that the G37 was on its way.

Long story short....I never heard from Coleman after my visit and was told they would call when one was ready (still havent heard, oh well they lost a sale) and was in Columbia so swung by JBA just to drive one. They also had one on the lot I was interested in. Mine was still wrapped in plastic and another was ready to try out. Drove it and the dealer threw me a pretty good deal compared to what I was reading on here so I drove away with my OB/G 6MT that night.

Prior to that I contacted all 7 dealers in the area and asked what kind of deal can they give me. Everyone seemed to be at MSRP or more. Chantilly was toughting their Special service oil change etc. It was appealing but it was a good distance to get to them, and we have to cross the river into Virginia LOL Sorry Jim (carman63) Not that there is anything wrong with the other side!

How has your experience with them? (Chantilly) If it wasnt so far a distance from work ( Fredrick) and home, I would have gone there to check them out. I have some patients that use them and are very happy. But they live out near there ( on the otherside, ).

One of the guys "Cali 2 Balt" was looking into a car club or meet for the DC Balt area. Do you know of any? Have fun with your G35, maybe catch you on the road or something what color is yours? OB/G here soon to have tinted windows. If you see me zoom bye honk and wave will ya!

[torbach1]

Hi G:

I had excellent experiences with Chantilly - both on the sales and service side so far. I sometimes work in Reston, so figured I could take my car in there when the services are expensive since they would be covered. So far this has worked out well for me. My G35 is Pearl White and also has tinted windows (30% - shhh don't tell). I have a client in Frederick that I go to fairly often (Bechtel), so I do drive around your work neck of the woods sometimes.

As for a DC based club, I don't know of one. I know that a lot of folks with nice cars used to get together outside the Barnes and Noble in Rockville Pike, but I don't think that was specific to any particular manufacturer. I used to ride with this group that would go on organized Sunday drives once every few months into the countryside of Virginia - mostly sports cars. At the time I drove a BMW M3 convertible (2002). It was a lot of fun seeing Lambos, Ferarris, Corvettes, Vipers, etc. all in a row. There were 3 folks in Detomasso Panteras (sp?) that drove right after each other. They also overtook in unison, so all three would move left, pass the car and move back right. It was quiet something to see.

Unfortunately the club originators decided to shut down because of liability concerns, so that ended that.

CheersTamir