About a week ago I bought a used 6MT 2008 G37 coupe. I'm in love with it so far and have no complaints, but this is the first time I buy a used car and I'm starting to have some doubts about my purchase.

First of all the car has 38,000 miles on it and a beautiful Carfax service record (Oil changes and inspections every 3-4 months for the life of the car). Radio presets include NPR and Fox News so that hints to me that the previous owner probably wasn't someone who beats on his cars. I paid $26,788 which seemed to me like a good deal.

Anyway, on to what has me freaking out a little. I've been reading alot of threads on various forums about the clutch life on these cars and it's scary. One could get an impression that no one's clutch lasts longer than 20-60K miles at best. I've owned two manual Mustangs (1999 and 2006 GT). I got about 100K miles out of the clutch on the 99 and never had to think about the clutch on the 06 GT (106K miles when I traded it on current G37).

Are there any success stories out there? Like clutches lasting 100K+? Am I getting the wrong impression due to a selection bias (only people who have problems post in those threads). Also, the transmission is more finicky than my 06 Mustang. It's harder to drive smoothly and don't get me started on lauching from an incline with no room behind . But from what I've read that seems common as this is not a great MT.

Anyway, some reassurance would be nice. The car is gorgeous and fun as hell to drive. I just don't want my experience to be ruined by always expecting to have to drop $2K+ on the car at any moment.

 

I bought mine used with 27k on it. Read all the same posts you did and got a little freaked out too. I have put about 10k on the car since I purchased it last year and have not had a single problem. Clutch still feels great. I cant speak for others obviously, but im sure its just one of those things. You have the guys who have problems at 15k and you have the guys who have 100k and dont have a problem. You just dont hear the ones with 100k on here talking about it.

You will adapt to driving the G. It is much different than any other maunal I have ever driven and I still have my rough shift from time to time.

 

Welcome to the club!

I would think that you might get a biased perception of clutch life from the forums. Mainly because it seems reasonable to believe that people with abnormal problems will post them more than others will post that they are not having problems, but also because those on the forums might also be more spirited drivers, weekend enthusiasts, etc.

As for the clutch and gear box. I love it. I have been driving manual transmissions for 11 years and I can drive the car smooth as can be. Many here have used an easy modification to the clutch pedal that apparently makes the pedal slightly heavier, but the car much easier to drive. There is an assist spring on the pedal assembly that helps the driver depress the pedal, but it also dampens the feeling of when the clutch truly engages. By removing it, drivers are more in touch with the clutch. <- HAHA - Coining that! "In touch with the clutch!"

Good luck.

 

I might look into the assist spring removal. I'm guessing that a novice like myself wouldn't be able to do it himself. My left leg is accustomed to that heavy *** clutch on my 06 Mustang GT.

Looking forward to more success stories...

 

FWIW, I had my motor replaced at 20K miles (oil consumption) and thinking the same as you and that a new clutch was right aorund the corner I planned to take advantage of the free labor and put in a new clutch. The tech called me after inspecting it and told me not to because it was in great shape, near new. I drive the car pretty hard but I always rev match on downshifts and am trying really hard to get upshifts to feel like a normal gearbox (honda, etc) but as noted in mulitple threads it's near impossible to get a smooth shift on the G.

 

i've got a 2011 and it shifts pretty damn smooth. i've owned a mustang that was pretty smooth as well, although a bit heavier. the tranny on my bmw z3 was the best though. it was just right an absolute dream.

but that being said, the G isn't far behind. i was thinking about the spring mod... but being that my wife drives this car as well, it's perfect for her the way it is.

good luck with your car, man... but i wouldn't worry too much about it. clutches wear and will need to be replaced at one point or another...

then again, i had a volvo with 230k miles and only had it's clutch replaced once! that thing was a monster though... the turbo was still original when we got rid of it... no oil leaks... nothing!

 

It is NOT near impossible to shift smoothly, a little bit of adjusting from a previous MT, basic coordination and repeat until habit forms and you should be set. I do not have an issue shifting smoothly on this clutch but it is defintely different then all others I have driven. I am thinking about trying the clutch adjustments though cause I still do not like how high the engagement is and a heavier pedal seems as though it would still feel better. From what I understand, you should be able to DIY and there are some good instructions on the forum for it and you can always change it back.

I also think you may have an issue getting feedback to this as many many not be close to that high of a mile marker yet. Even the 2008s

 

shoulda got that bitch certified..Good price though if its premium

 

well said man

 

I wouldn't know. I have a AT.

Someone here posted recently about his issue-free 100k+ mile G37. People like to post about problems but never post when things are great. It's human nature.

 

^^^ agree with evyerthing thats been posted.

 

relax..... I'm pretty sure there arent many of us here with 100K in the odo. yet.

I've only seen/heard of a few ones with the tranny problems....out of a LOT.

 

I am pushing 70K on a 2008 I bought @ 48,000 miles.

So far, no clutch issues.

Sco1oter

 

Thanks for the responses guys. Just washed it for the first time and took in on a cruise to Radio Shack for an AUX cable. Got my Pandora working through the car, put my windows down and took the long way home. So much fun. The power is similar to my Mustang but oh so much smoother and more consistent through the gears. This thing just keeps pulling and I have to watch my speed, lol.

I do sorta miss the rumble of the Mustang, but the sound of this car is so refined. Both great but different.

 

I guess it's me you're talking about. I bought my car new, and I now have just over 100000 miles on it with no major problems to bitch about. It's a 6MT, shifts smooth as glass and the trans is quiet and nice, I agree there seems to be a lot of people here bitching about this and that, I wonder why they bought the car they have. I'm totally happy with my car and sooner or later I'm gonna trade it in on my 3rd G, probably whenever a new model comes along. I bought this one without ever seeing it, ordered it before they were out, and do hope the next new model is as big an improvement over this as this was over the 35. I wouldn't worry about your clutch, it's wear rate is controlled by you