Landshark

testing the waters for my next car, i took a 34k mile 2012 G37 Coupe Auto for a test drive ... and was left feeling completely "meh".

i really wanted to like it, but it just felt numb and lifeless.

now i'm coming from a mildly modified Evo X MR, and realized the G37 wasn't going to be a fire-breathing monster, but my wife's 168hp little SUV with a CVT transmission felt peppier. the G felt like it had 235hp instead of 335hp.

unfortunately, i didn't realize how to engage Sport mode until pretty much the end of my drive, but even then, didn't live up to expectations.

i guess my question is, were there any changes to the 2013 model over the 2012 as far as transmission software or ECU software to make it feel less sluggish, or is the 2013 pretty much the same car?

i will test drive another in case the one i drove was just a dog. thanks for any help.

JloG37s

There is not much of a difference between 12 & 13... but there are transmission & ECU updated done by Infiniti out there that could help a little bit.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

G shouldn't feel sluggish, even w/ my 20s it still runs hard. The AT does have a learning feature that takes driving habits into account so if it was driven to church on Sundays type of style then that may decrease the responsiveness somewhat. Try another G and use the manual shift w/ the AT and see how you like it.

Landshark

After doing some more reading, it seems like a common problem.

My concern is, I'm in city traffic on the way to work - TCU would "learn" that, then on my way home at midnight where I do more enthusiastic driving, it will be a slug.

I'd already be taking a downgrade in power, but if it's lethargic ...

Forgot to mention, looking for an AWD model. I would think that would help it off the line despite a little more weight.

Not ruling a G out yet, just a bit disappointed ....

Corvalis

That's shocking... I definitely think you may have gotten into a dud of a g. I've got the same car you drove and it has plenty of power, and I drive like a douchebag!

blueis300

iTrader: (1)

My 2013 seems like it having issues lately. It seems like its searching for a gear or like a pause/slow down before it gets going again. I just reset the ecu and see how it goes.

Landshark

I'm also shopping a 2016 WRX, but the CVT is described as "rubber-band-ey". Have not driven one yet. Weird, because my wife's Mitsubishi Outlander Sport w/CVT jumps off the line - the throttle needs a light touch, almost too sensitive.

I still really like the G and have to drive another one ...

I one I checked out was nice (especially the price), but what concerned me was the top of the shocks in the engine bay were rusted. !?!? My 2008 car looks brand new inside and out, and this 2012 G seems a bit more worn. A little concerning, considering it's only 3 years old.

slowbird

Take your time and look for a G in good shape. Don't settle.

I went from a Highly Modified Abarth to my current G. The G doesn't feel as fast as the Abarth but I think that's more of the large quiet car and well set suspension that maybe numbs the feeling. A quick look at the speedometer needle on the G sweeping past the numbers really puts things in perspective.

Unless there's something wrong with the G you test drove, yeah they should be pretty fast.

I have very little to complain about my 7AT. Sometimes it hesitates (not often) but I have quickly learned the situations it does it and can slap it into manual mode to alleviate any problems.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Landshark, when you get a new G to test, look for a nice open place and push the VDC off button, use the paddles (if equipped) or manual AT mode (slide the shifter to the left and down) and manually shift. Hopefully you'll have a better opinion this time. Just be sure to be in a safe place when you first use the VDC off, w/ the open differential it can push the car sideways pretty easy.

Landshark

wasnt really planning on anything new until spring. maybe a Q60 will pop up for $25-$30k.

im going to test drive another one when i can, and im still keeping my eyes peeled for a grey AWD Auto .... preferably with sport package.

guy from norcal

iTrader: (2)

Could be a flood car? I would steer clear of this one

Landshark

yeah, that was a red flag. seemed too rough (not bad, but more than should be expected for a 3 year old car with ~30k miles).

i will be checking out a black '13 AWD with sport package next week. excited to check out the sport package. i was initially looking for graphite gray, but the black with black grille looks nice. just remembering back to cleaning the 4 black cars i've owned previously gives me the shivers. those bazillion-spoke sport package wheels don't look like much fun to clean, either ....