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Been shopping for awhile for a car. My E39 was getting VERY long in the tooth, 280k miles (IMO one of the greatest cars ever built.)
Parameters were: 4 doors, MANUAL transmission. RWD, and a little power, somewhere in the 5sec 0-60 times. There really isn't anything else out there that fits. So was looking for 2011-2013 G37S, found very few in the high $12000 price range. Only about 4-5 for sale at any given time around the country. Saw a 09 with 105k miles, way up in NH, and decided to check it out. Was able to get it for basically half the price, because of a salvage title. Other than not being able to get collision insurance, salvage title not really a big deal, I'll drive it into the ground.
So initial impressions, I've really missed having a car with power! My last one with any decent power was a 93 twin turbo Rx-7. Suspension is surprisingly tight, for such a 10yo car. But mid corner, feels a little soft and unsure. Will have to look into suspension upgrades (could just be the crap tires the dealer put on.) The steering is a little overboosted for my taste, something I'll just have to get used to. But the go pedal is wonderful! Great torque. And just leaps when merging, though I wouldn't say no to a cheap supercharger kit. Motor sounds great. Definitely getting an exhaust. Shifting is a little notchy, I'll see what happens after I put in some Redline. Other than that, pretty happy. Oh and the mirrors, wtf? Already ordered the Camry passenger side mirror.
Really wanted a newer model (mostly because of the bells and whistles), but with the money saved, I can throw it into mods. heh heh. I'll be searching the site, suggestions appreciated of course. Edit: I don't know how I missed the dyno sheets thread, great resource!
About me? Car guy. Road raced cars since 98, stopped a few years ago cause kids. Do all the work on my vehicles. Means no labor costs and it's done right.
Last edited by Rooster Tail; Dec 23, 2019 at 01:30 PM.
Reason: as marked
Thanks. The dealer didn't clean the car at all. What a mess. The grey interior was beige. Since the weather was nice today, spent more than a few hours shampooing the carpet and ceiling. Yes the ceiling. Looked like coffee stains. Tomorrow will tackle the leather seats. Disgusting. Ordered the OMAC floormats, we'll see if the money savings was worth it. I don't wash my cars much, if ever, so it won't be happening again for awhile lol.. Nothing I own is a garage/trailer queen. IMO, the enjoyment is in driving them. After I get confident in the quality of the mechanicals, I'll head down to NJMP and see what she's like on the track.Track night in America cheap and easy way to get some track time in. I figure some race pads and I'll be good to go. I'm sure there's a few folk on here that head to the track.
Reads like a man who did his homework and knew what he wanted.
The 6MT Sedan is a unique car. Lots of really fantastic mods you can do to it, while remaining under the radar.
You'll probably laugh. The test drive was the first time I've ever sat in one. Hell yeah, unique. I think right now, there's maybe 6 or 7 in the country for sale on the web. Two of them over $20k. I'd much rather have a sleeper than something flashy. That Rx I had looked like any old base model, but damn did it move. I can't go too crazy, it'll be my daily driver.
Suspension is surprisingly tight, for such a 10yo car. But mid corner, feels a little soft and unsure. Will have to look into suspension upgrades (could just be the crap tires the dealer put on.) The steering is a little over-boosted for my taste, something I'll just have to get used to.
Steering ratio with the RWD Sport Package is noticeably tighter than the non-Sport. Drive them both side by side, and you'll come away liking yours better. Doesn't mean other cars don't have better steering, just saying... different ratio in your car compared to most G's.
One thing for sure is that the G reacts wonderfully to an aftermarket set of sway bars. Any brand, really. Given how you describe your automotive values here, it's a plug and play mod someone like you would love.
I 100% agree. I only test drove S versions, and was a little shell shocked when I tried to make a U-turn in my X.
Sweet car. I love the 09 Sedan appearance--simplistic and subtle.
Originally Posted by Rochester
Steering ratio with the RWD Sport Package is noticeably tighter than the non-Sport. Drive them both side by side, and you'll come away liking yours better. Doesn't mean other cars don't have better steering, just saying... different ratio in your car compared to most G's.
One thing for sure is that the G reacts wonderfully to an aftermarket set of sway bars. Any brand, really. Given how you describe your automotive values here, it's a plug and play mod someone like you would love.
I have to look in greater detail at the suspension specifics. Stock bar sizes, springs rates, shocks etc., and what's out there aftermarket. Much more research required on my end. And all for naught, until I get decent tires put on. And I'm a cheap ***, so probably not till the tires are worn out. Or springtime. haha
