Test Drive the G-37 Manual and G-37 Automatic

[Jacko3]

I have test driven both cars. I have to say that the G-37 automatic version seems to deliver its power effortlessly than the G-37 manual transmission. What's up with that? If I had to buy a G-37, i would buy the automatic version or just go ahead and buy a 2008 G-35 Sedan. The 2007 and 2008 G-35 Sedan is a very attractive and mean looking sedan.

Overall, the G-37 interior is well appointed, though I wish the buttons for the seats wher at the top like in the G-35 than on the side for a G-37. If yo have large hands, getting to those buttons could be a real pain.

Another issue is the looks of the G-37. All I keep hearing is that it will grow on me. Well, the G-35 did not grow on me, I just loved it the very first time I saw it. I felt the same love with the 350Z. I would have bought the 350 Z but I wanted a back seat in case I had to haul some people to a grocery store or to just go on a ride. The G-37 looks needs to be improved dramatically before it can become appealing.

The DS mode of the G-37 is quite impressive. I love the stick pf the manual transmission G-37--it is smaller than that of the G-35 and appears to shift like a short shifter. And the shifting is very crisp and intuitive.

The problem I noticed with the manual transmission G-37 is that it felt like the transmission was way more powerful than the engine's capability. The 330 hp G-37 Manual transmision engine, needs to be bumed up a tleast 20 - 30 Hp to make it work effectively with its crisp and exciting transmission. Thus, i would advice any owner of a G-37 Manual transmission, upon buying the car, to quickly buy a new JWT Pop Charger for the intake, and remove the lousy intake the manufacturers have built into the car.

I feel the transmission of the G-37 manual is stronger than the transmission of the G-35 manual. The stronger transmision---weaker engine issue is the reverse of what has occured with the G-35 automatic which seemed to have the strong engine--weak transmission issues.

The suspension and cornering ability of the G-37 is better than that of the G-35. The exhaust note of the G-35 at lower RPMS is better than that of the G-37. At higher RPMS, I would take the G-37 exhaust note over the G-35 exhaust note.

Where the G-37 excels without any competition with the G-35 is the impressive brakes, and stopping power. I have never driven a luxury car of this size with the brakes of a true racing car--- it had zero fading or issues--one of the best brakes I have ever stepped on.

The G-35's brembo brakes were doscontinued and I think some 2005 and many 2006, and all 2007 models now have the brakes that seem to look like what you might find in the 350Z. The brakes will were out very fast partly becasue of the material used in making the brakes, and partly because of the weight of the G-35.

Anything I have said, is my opinion based on my assessment. I feel a moded out G-35 manual transmission can keep up with a stock G-37 manual transmission, very easily. But I cannot say the same for an automatic G-37---It is lightning fast like its sister, the 2008 G-35 Sedan.

I also test drove the IS-350, and i was impressed. Though the interior, while well appointed, felt cramped. Car has power but that power is boring. And they don't have the IS -350 in manual mode. If you want manual, you will have to get the IS-250. I would take an infiniti anyday for the driving excitement. And by the way, the throttle response of the 2008 G-35 Sedan is much more better than that of the IS-350, since both have a 306 Hp engine.

In fact, i find the throttle response of the 2007 and 2008 G-35 Sedan worrisome for a sedan because any person with a family now has a car that can perform as good as many mid range sports cars but cloaked in the body of a sedan. The throttle response of the 2007 and 2008 G-35 Sedan, IMHO seems better than that of the G-37 by a hair in the automatic and by a fair margin in the manual G-37.

So, the 2007 and 2008 G-35 sedan, is a car that should be handled with caution. It may perhaps be the most responsive car Infiniti has so far. I have never tried to race one, and I probably won't do so, for fear of being embarrassed.

I hope I get to drive the EVO and the WRX sti, to be sure thay are as good or better than infiniti.

[zozoka1212]

Well done.

Nice write up. I do agree the g35 coupe is a love at the first moment type of car. The uniqueness in the coupe is selling point. Too bad they did not go with the same body and new engine with new interior.

zozo

[rn79870]

I've read rumors that the 2009 Infiniti G sedan is going to be a G37. If that is true, that might help make up your mind.

[gwoods]

As the owner of a 2007 automatic sedan let me say I agree with you 100% there is no reason to buy the stick shift.

Oh and the 07 sedan has the power seat controls between the seat and the door panel just like the 08 G37... it is tight. I gave myself a leather/pleather burn bad enough to scar jamming my right hand between the drivers seat and the center consol to retreive a lost water bottle cap OUCH!