Hey I'm looking into buying a new (to me) g37 coupe. I'm trying to decide between trading in my truck and getting a new 09 g37x with nav, prem or keeping my truck and getting a slightly used (<25k miles) 08 g37 with sport, nav, prem. A big part of my decision comes down to how much the dealer offers on my truck. If its fairly low I think I will just lean towards keeping it but then I dont really need AWD if I own a 4x4 truck and it would be more financially wise to get a used car.

My question is are the changes between an 09 and 08 significant enough I shouldn't think about an 08. I know the biggest difference is the 5at to 7at but I know I've heard complaints on the 7at so I dont know if that is worth the extra cost. Is there anything else that I should consider in deciding between the two years?

Thanks

 

The differences are very few. Here is a quote I found of the changes for the 2009...

2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe: For 2009, Infiniti offers a new G37x with advanced all-wheel-drive system and a new seven-speed automatic transmission to the G37 coupe lineup. Auto speed-sensing door locks have been added, and the seat heater switches have been replaced with dials.

Scratch Shield paint (a self-healing clearcoat paint finish) and one new exterior color, Moonlight White, complete the exterior changes.

 

08 to 09 changes were minimal besides the AT transmission change. I'd be more concerned about the rwd sport package vs awd base package if 5AT/7AT doesn't matter to you.

 

You should also note that the early 08’s have an expanded voice command list, and that the mirror compass is not included if you have the nav package on the ’09's.

 

^^

The compass is on the NAV screen for 09.

Other than what other people have mentioned, I'd mention there is a depreciation factor should you decide to sell you car at a later date.

 

The self healing paint and the 7 speed automatic is why we choose to go with the 08 and not the 09. I knew we would be painting parts of the car and that the self healing paint would only cause problems. We drove both the 5sp and 7sp back to back, the 5sp won hands down.

 

What made the 5sp better?

 

The 7sp felt more like an old laddy car. The 5sp felt more aggressive and racy. This is quoting the 30 year old female that drove both cars as well.

 

That's good to know. How was the 5 speed when cruising 70 or 80 mph? Im curious where the rpms are on both the 7 and 5 at.

 

I call the auto tranny a 6AT. I own a 6MT but when I test drove the 7AT I thought it was strange that 6th and 7th were only 100-200 RPM apart. Other than the slight MPG bump I think the fact that the car has 7 speeds is marketing hooey.

 

For 5AT ~73mph @ 3k RPM

 

I never drove the 5Speed i own the 7AT and it feels great to me. I bought the 7AT over the 6MT, in fact.

 

One of the reasons I bought the 09 vs an 08 is because of the 7AT. Unless there are reliability issues I'm not aware of, I'd go with more gears.

 

7 gears ftw! more chances to flick the paddle shifters and downshift to hear the rev match

 

Did you drive both back to back?