Somebody stole my car!!

MrElussive

MrElussive

2
#1
Messages
6,984
Likes
0
Location
New Jersey
#1
Somebody stole my car!! but left something better behind

...but they left something behind. [:D]











2006 G35 Coupe 6MT
Black/Black
Premium Package
DVD Navigation
Active Rear Steering Package
Sirius Satellite Radio


When I was doing this whole thing, I wasn't really looking that forward to it. Even though I knew that many of the features I did not like about my 03 were addressed for the 05 and 06 models, as well as more features added, I still thought it was essentially the same car.

But as soon as I got in and started driving, I immediately noticed that compared to my 03, this feels like a completely new machine. A much more composed luxury coupe that is easier to live with, as well being a faster, better-handling, more predictable (but less raw) sports car. I will get into the details tomorrow or something.
 
Last edited:
jrt67ss350

jrt67ss350

2
#4
Messages
1,831
Likes
0
Location
Winston Salem, NC
#4
hosagod said:
First mod: Take the Ramsey decal off...=P
Click to expand...
One thing I learned from my parents - refuse to take delivery of a new car until the dealer removes their decal. That way, if they screw up the paint somehow, it's their problem. If ordering a new car, tell them NOT to put their decal on it when the car arrives.
 
MrElussive

MrElussive

2
#9
Messages
6,984
Likes
0
Location
New Jersey
#9
Thanks everyone.

-Ramsey sticker will be removed when I take the car in for new programming of remote keys and stuff. They didn't have this stupid logo/sticker last time so I was pretty pissed off when I saw it.

-I also like the 18" wheels better, but the 19's are slowly growing on me?

-I'll get some interior pictures soon.


The interior of the car is pretty different. Everything looks and feels nicer and more durable. The DVD navigation is completely different from my 03 in terms of layout and features and stuff. The Bluetooth hands-free phone setup is cool and the car can store 40 voice-activated numbers per phone it is paired with (can be programmed for up to 5 different phones). Satellite radio is really great, and all the new luxury features are pretty chill. Seatbelts are more comfortable, it is easier to let passengers into and out of the back, and all the stupid cheap parts that broke on the interior of my 03 seem to have been taken away so my passengers can't do any damage anymore.

The seating position is much better, as Militant-Grunt said in the other thread. No idea how or why, but the seats are more comfortable and the driving position is so much better yet it looks exactly the same. The drive of the car has changed a whole lot, also. The clutch is ridiculously light now, which is kind of numb for me, but it makes it easier to drive in traffic and it has a more natural range of motion. The brake petal feel is much more natural for street use, also. The suspension is completely different...even though the car has the bigger 19" wheels, it rides more comfortably than my 03 and takes the bumps so much better, while still providing much more grip and much more confident handling. The suspension honestly gives the car a whole new feel. The engine is a lot quieter and lost some torque from 800 to 2,500rpm's (I can't start on hills at 800rpm the way I used to, and the engine seems to not have the same pull as before during this rpm range while driving on uphills). At 3,000rpm there is this differen growl coming from the exhaust....obviously the engine is more high-strung now as there is 18 more horsepower and like 10 foot pounds less torque.

The shift throws are a bit longer than before, but require so much less effort, and the vibrations from the shift knob are more controlled. Also, a combination of the easier shift knob, new suspension, and easier-to-operate clutch make smooth upshifts soooo easy. My 03 needed the touch of God to make smooth shifts, but this 06 is just so much more comfortable for normal driving! I have not taken the engine past 4,000rpm's yet but once it is broken in (or once I run out of patience), I cannot wait to see how it really feels. There is a programmable upshift light like on the 350Z which is pretty cool...gonna have to play around with that.

Finally, the active rear steering, I have no idea what the deal is. The steering ratio is quicker (and the G already had a tight ratio) and I cannot feel any real difference in the way the car steers...all I can say is that when maneuvering around in parking lots, the car feels much more predictable - it's like I am guessing less whether I will "clear this car" or not which would be great for Manhattan in hairy situations - and when going through turns at high speeds, it just feels a lot more natural to keep the car on track.
 
Last edited:
E

epj3

Senior Member
#11
Messages
7,370
Likes
0
Location
Lancaster, PA
#11
the reason for the power difference is because your engine originally had only variable intake valving. Now you also have variable intake and exhaust valves. aka same thing as dual vanos.
 
frolf

frolf

2
#14
Messages
4,412
Likes
5
Location
Wayzata, MN
#14
did your 03 have a dual-mass flywheel like the new one does? that could explain the ease of making a smooth shift. i hate my dual mass though, i hate it so so much.
 
MrElussive

MrElussive

2
#17
Messages
6,984
Likes
0
Location
New Jersey
#17
Thanks Lisha. Can't have it any other way. [:D]

frolf, I'm not sure if the 03 had the dual-mass flywheel like the 06 does. The shift throws on the 06 are longer, so I just thought the easier shifts came from that....it is REALLY easy to make shifts compraed to my 03, though.

MG, the 03 had the Brembo brakes, yeah. The Brembos seemed to stop the car with more authority but these brakes do have a more predictable and progressive feel to them...they seem to be working out better for me during normal street use. No modding will be done...just 15% tints all around...I'm even going to put my Passport 8500 X50 on eBay, I'm pretty sure.

The 19's look better in person than they do in the pics, but yeah, the 18's were way hotter. I like the 19's now because I can't see the wheels while I'm driving, and these bigger rims in combo with the sport suspension make for better straight-line stability and such better handling through the curves. And I have no idea how, but the ride quality is so much more comfortable.
 
D

deutsch100

2
#18
Messages
1,350
Likes
6
Location
San Fernando Valley, So. CA
#18
CONGRATULATIONS Emile! It is really, really beautiful! The colour combo is awesome (although my biggest maintenance nightmare :)

I've read many reviews and praises about the interior being completley overhauled and upgraded. All of the "inferior" plastics and nit picky items have been replaced with "high quality" plastics.

I have no idea what the 18" wheels look like, but I think the wheels you have are hot. I remember on my M3, I thought the 18" wheels looked better, but most liked my 19" better.

Drive her in good health, and yeah....get that damned Ramsey decal off the back asap. I don't know why other states do that? CA dealers wouldn't dream of doing that to us car obsessed Californians.
 
adrean8j

adrean8j

1000 Post Club
#19
Messages
1,046
Likes
0
Location
Fallujah, Iraq for now
#19
Sweeeeeet! Nissan is about the only Japanese manufacturer out there right now that is currently making cars that I actually give a damn about. The 350z is hot, the G35 sedan is hot, the G35 Coupe is hot, the upcoming Skyline GT-R is and will be hot.......good deal man...when I finally come back to the states to live I am looking at either leasing one of those or buying a used E36 M3....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Top