I'm looking at a 2010 G37 Convertible Special Edition locally. Fell in love with the car immediately.

I have raced NASCAR latemodels so a high horsepower, low slung, well handling car is clearly a turn-on.

The SE felt a LOT like the latemodel in that the steering was extremely responsive (a little too much so for my wife) and I could feel nearly every bump/crack in the road. A couple of times it was a little too much because I found myself having to work to keep it in the middle of the lane when I went over road patches. The car kept wanting to jump out from under me just enough that I had to correct. This is something the latemodel with 10" slicks would do so I chalked this up to the sport suspension.

However, I then drove a regular coupe "S" and it didn't handle nearly the same. It was still responsive and cornered excellent but didn't have the "I'm going to follow the grooves in the road, try to stop me" feel in the steering wheel. I didn't feel I had to work hardly at all.

I then drove a non-"S" and it was just like the "S" but softer.

I went back to the SE and noticed the tires look worn. Not "must replace immediately" worn but definitely a lot closer to replace than new.


My question for the masses: Could the tires make THAT much of a different in the handling? Or should I be concerned about something else going on? (toe-in/out, general alignment, shock/spring issue, etc)

 

sounds like tramlining and it certainly worse with certain tires.