I picked up my 2009 Platinum Graphite G37x with Premium and Nav 10 days ago. My previous car was a 2007 Altima 3.5 SL. The Altima was a pretty good car, but I regretted not getting the G two years ago and decided to do something about it.

The Altima is a nice car with similar features when loaded, but there are usually compromises. The G just does most of it better. Here are my initial thoughts:

Pros:
Very good acceleration (though you have to push the pedal a ways).
Great handling and surprisingly gentle on the bumps.
Seat comfort is perfect - bolsters hug even a tall/thin person like me.
Cabin tech is great and I love the iPod integration.
Looks are subjective, but I think it's really nice.
Hard drive nav is really fast and voice is much less annoying than Altima's.

Cons:
The car feels very heavy under gentle acceleration.
Downshifts too quickly/roughly when coasting.
Limited interior storage (and no coin slots that I can find).
Front leg room is just barely enough for me.
Music box is cumbersome and non-intuative.

I'm hoping that acceleration and shifting will smooth out after more break-in. As I said above, the car feels really heavy. If I'm at a stop sign on a residential street and give it a little bit of gas, it goes up to 2000-3000 RPMs, but I'm barely moving. Yes, I can push the pedal down harder, but then it jumps out of the gate. It doesn't seem to have that in-between speed. Also, I really don't want to keep hitting the gas when going down a hill, but when it's stuck in 2nd gear, you don't get enough momentum. Again, that makes the car feel really heavy. Once you get going though, this car is a thrill to drive.

 

I've had mine for less than a week and agree with your comments.

On the acceleration and heavy feel, it seems to be more of the way the basic shift program is defined to get good fuel economy. If you move it to DS mode or Manual Mode in M1 off the block, you get much stronger acceleration without much force, but it is a relatively heavy car at ~3800 pounds. I haven't noticed the downshifts being too rough but at times it is a bit jerky depending on what you're doing with the accelerator.

So far I love the gadgetry although I'm still learning all the features. I've set the Music Box to automatically record CDs and pop a new one in on each trip to/from work so I'm already up to about 8 albums. The Voice Recognition is a bit of a challenge in the sense that I turned on Alternate Command Mode to get more flexibility but it doesn't list some basic commands like Address Book when trying to set a course so I need to keep referring to the Nav Manual to learn the expanded command list.

I thought the center console had some coin space in the front ledge.

 

After 700 miles and a bit more aggressive driving, I feel that "bogginess" low end is compensated by me learning how to modulate the throttle tip in.

My wife's G35x '08 has GREAT throttle tip in -- to the point where they have a TSB to cut back on that -- i love it and so does she! Gets you outta of the hole fast!

The G37x is a hog (3800lbs as mentioned above) but it does move... I do believe also the throttle tip in is adjusted for fuel economy...

I was very worried about getting the 18" rims on this sedan as part of the S package... but i'm really glad I did .. i think they look better than the standard 17" rims and make the car stand out and the 18" inch rims don't feel that much different than our 17" rims on the G35x...

 

2200 miles and going...

Peter, I agree with you, but the downshifting is still bad. It's my major complaint with this car. My minor complaints are interior storage and the lacking of a USB connection instead of CF.

 

I'm already over 4100 on mine. Limited storage is a definite. Cupholders are too small in the front(can't put two large drinks side by side). Lack of power outlets. The one in the center console is all but worthless to me, which leaves only the one. I agree about the music box too. The controls are horrible. The only way I have found to get from one CD to the next so far is to skip through the songs on each CD to get to the one I want. Granted I need to read more of the manual, so there may be a better way.

With that said, I can easily say that I love this car. The more I drive it, the more I like it. DS mode really makes it a joy. I am using it more and more. When I come up behind someone on the highway that is in the left lane, I slip it into DS wait for an opening and zip right by them.

Honestly when I bought it I wasn't THAT fond of the styling, but that has grown on me too. Now I find myself checking the paint job all the time and wanting to keep it looking great, something I have never done with any other car.

 

I've had my car for two weeks now and I agree with all of the comments above.

I came from a Benz that had a 7-speed tranny and it was MUCH smoother than the one on the G. In fact, I find the G really hard to drive slow and cruise in because the tranny's shifting and choice of gears makes you want to stomp on it each time. Not a good thing.

 

Your right the car! The car needs to be redesigned around "The Big Gulp". No wonder they make fun of Americans on Top Gear. I have never, ever used a cup-holder. I'm usually too busy taking corners quickly.


Which brings me to a feature I hate. I hate the default setting that is set up for the steering wheel to lift out of the way and for the seats to slide backwards upon opening the door. I told my wife when I first got my G, as I was turning off this over weight challenge feature, I bet you this only appears on the USA cars, made specifically for our fat-*** society.

That's probably the same reason the back doors open so wide, but I like the back doors.

 

I'm 5'6" tall and weigh 150 lbs. I'm small. Do you have a problem with me also? All you've typed into this thread is worthless whining about overweight people. Please go back to grammar school and learn English. Your head needs to lose weight. Change the stupid setting already! It was designed to be turned off in case someone doesn't like it.

 

No because I'm 5'7' myself.
Sorry if my grammar offended you as I was typing quickly as I was trying to get out there door.

But let's be honest. I think I hit a sore spot. Yes I did. I can sense these things you know. So please don't deny it. It will only prolong the pain.
It's OK.

 

I always thought the easy entry/exit benefitted mainly shorter people who need to move the seat forward to drive, so getting in and out is easier - don't see the "fat" relationship.

 

I have no sore spot. I just think you are out of line for criticizing overweight people in society and how their existance encourages products for their benefit. What pain are you talking about? Your grammar did not offend me. You critcized overweight people so I criticized your lack of english in the Op. Now I'm dropping this because this is a car forum and you've just portrayed yourself as the person you are... a typical low self esteem loser who improves his self worth by attacking and criticizing others. One day you will be a better person. Its doubtful. Maybe? Now that I expressed my feelings by your post I need not attack you. I will accept you for the way you are.

Cheers!

 

I never thought it about from that point of view. I'm 5'7' and I hate it. But my wife is about 5'2" maybe she would appreciate it.

 

Some day I hope to live up to your expectations. What a glorious day that would be.

 

I have had my '09 G37S sedan for exactly one week. I agree about the roughness of the downshifting. It's annoying at times. I also think the lack of storage in the cabin is an issue, but it's not TOO bad. I've found a place for all the stuff I need to carry.

My biggest complaint is the audio system. It's HORRIBLE. Bose is SUCH an over-rated brand. The "Studio on Wheels" moniker is misleading. I traded in a 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX for the G. The system in the Passat was leaps and bounds better than the Bose system in the G. The system in the Passat was an 8 speaker Monsoon audio system and it was MUCH better. The bass was much tighter and I could adjust much more of the audio sound. The Bose system only lets you adjust Treble and Bass. The Monsoon system let you adjust Mids as well. The Monsoon was able to be much louder while maintaining the clarity of the audio. It has much crisper highs and clearer mids.

Bose is just a name and their products are NOT good at all. I wish Nissan/Infiniti would drop them for another company like Dynaudio, Mark Levinson or Lexicon. These are much better systems that are offered in vehicles that cost less than or just as much as the G.

Just my two cents. What do you all think?

 

you can turn that feature off if you find it bothersome.. Check your manual for details.