Modern engines that are relatively fun & reliable?
- Thread starter Quattro Pete
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ls1mike
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Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Infiniti G37? Would anyone consider this over a 550i/535i?
Mine's a coupe and an automatic mind you, but I'm very happy with it. As has already been mentioned, they may not be roomy enough for your tastes. I'm by myself and far from large, so a Vespa is plenty roomy.
Reliability is good. Maintenance is dead easy and the FSM is readily available online. There are no ridiculously expensive oil specifications, but under warranty, you're stuck with a short 3750 mile severe service OCI. The power is definitely there and a manual transmission is available. The fuel economy is reasonable, but it's no Focus. You'll be using premium, but that's par for the course with the German sedans anyhow. Since you're not out for an automatic, Infiniti's proprietary ATF won't bother you, although their coolant is proprietary, too. I'm sure you've had enough experience with Pentosin and Bilstein fluids and G12 that it wouldn't be a bother anyhow.
Infiniti (and I think this goes for a lot of the other luxury and luxury sport/brands) are, however, a step down in the fit and finish category from the German sedans you are used to. The features are there, but my old 1991 Audi 200 Turbo had better fit and finish, higher quality leather (not to mention real wood), less rattles and squeaks, and less road noise after 250,000 km than does a newish G. My old Town Car was good in that department, too, but the way the interiors were built in those things is another matter - they simply don't make noise.
I'm assuming German interior fit and finish and noise levels haven't gotten worse since 1991. The G is a good car and I very likely will buy another.
The rest of ARCO's list is worth considering, too.
Infiniti G37? Would anyone consider this over a 550i/535i?
Mine's a coupe and an automatic mind you, but I'm very happy with it. As has already been mentioned, they may not be roomy enough for your tastes. I'm by myself and far from large, so a Vespa is plenty roomy.
Reliability is good. Maintenance is dead easy and the FSM is readily available online. There are no ridiculously expensive oil specifications, but under warranty, you're stuck with a short 3750 mile severe service OCI. The power is definitely there and a manual transmission is available. The fuel economy is reasonable, but it's no Focus. You'll be using premium, but that's par for the course with the German sedans anyhow. Since you're not out for an automatic, Infiniti's proprietary ATF won't bother you, although their coolant is proprietary, too. I'm sure you've had enough experience with Pentosin and Bilstein fluids and G12 that it wouldn't be a bother anyhow.
Infiniti (and I think this goes for a lot of the other luxury and luxury sport/brands) are, however, a step down in the fit and finish category from the German sedans you are used to. The features are there, but my old 1991 Audi 200 Turbo had better fit and finish, higher quality leather (not to mention real wood), less rattles and squeaks, and less road noise after 250,000 km than does a newish G. My old Town Car was good in that department, too, but the way the interiors were built in those things is another matter - they simply don't make noise.
I'm assuming German interior fit and finish and noise levels haven't gotten worse since 1991. The G is a good car and I very likely will buy another.
The rest of ARCO's list is worth considering, too.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Infiniti G37? Would anyone consider this over a 550i/535i?
All Infinity's come only with auto gearboxes. I know, I checked all of them.
Except BMW, the only RWD sedans who have the options of MT are the Lexus IS250 (auto as soon as you move to 350) and the Mazda RX-8.
You may find the IS250 not filling your 6s 0-60 requirement, I don't know. Try to find a post-2009, as in 2007 and 2008, they could have problem with eating front tires and not able to do anything about it.
Let us know what you found.
Infiniti G37? Would anyone consider this over a 550i/535i?
All Infinity's come only with auto gearboxes. I know, I checked all of them.
Except BMW, the only RWD sedans who have the options of MT are the Lexus IS250 (auto as soon as you move to 350) and the Mazda RX-8.
You may find the IS250 not filling your 6s 0-60 requirement, I don't know. Try to find a post-2009, as in 2007 and 2008, they could have problem with eating front tires and not able to do anything about it.
Let us know what you found.
Yes, but those back doors make it ***** as sin.
It's a shame since it would be GREAT looking otherwise.
It's a shame since it would be GREAT looking otherwise.
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Originally Posted By: Pesca
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Infiniti G37? Would anyone consider this over a 550i/535i?
All Infinity's come only with auto gearboxes. I know, I checked all of them.
Check again. Both Gs are available with manuals.
Oh, you are right. Last year, when I checked, there were none in Canada.
Now, there is a Sport version which allow a 6 speed MT. Cool!!!!
Thanks for the head-up, Silverrat!
Originally Posted By: Pesca
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Infiniti G37? Would anyone consider this over a 550i/535i?
All Infinity's come only with auto gearboxes. I know, I checked all of them.
Check again. Both Gs are available with manuals.
Oh, you are right. Last year, when I checked, there were none in Canada.
Now, there is a Sport version which allow a 6 speed MT. Cool!!!!
Thanks for the head-up, Silverrat!
Originally Posted By: Pesca
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Originally Posted By: Pesca
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Infiniti G37? Would anyone consider this over a 550i/535i?
All Infinity's come only with auto gearboxes. I know, I checked all of them.
Check again. Both Gs are available with manuals.
Oh, you are right. Last year, when I checked, there were none in Canada.
Looking at autotrader.ca, there is a number of G37s listed with manual trans from 2008 and newer, so they must have been available there, similarly to the US.
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Originally Posted By: Pesca
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Infiniti G37? Would anyone consider this over a 550i/535i?
All Infinity's come only with auto gearboxes. I know, I checked all of them.
Check again. Both Gs are available with manuals.
Oh, you are right. Last year, when I checked, there were none in Canada.
Looking at autotrader.ca, there is a number of G37s listed with manual trans from 2008 and newer, so they must have been available there, similarly to the US.
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-G...=item2c653aac23
End.
How much was that thing new?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-G...=item2c653aac23
End.
How much was that thing new?
Originally Posted By: ET16
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-G...=item2c653aac23
End.
How much was that thing new?
I could have bought a brand new one for $34.5K cash, with auto and sunroof (one in the link doesn't look to have the sun and sound package and has mods that would reduce the value, to me, quite a bit) in the first week of June 2009, after they had announced Pontiac was DRT and the mother ship was in that scam bankruptcy.
I was looking for $32K ish and passed on it since I already had the G8 sedan and didn't need two, and bought the Solstice instead - figured it would be more fun for my wife.
I bought her the Torrent GXP about two months later in C4C when the deals were even better. I probably could have bought a G8 GXP for $32 ish by then. Those last few GXP anythings seem to be holding value pretty well. When I last looked at the Torrent, NADA had it about $175 less than what I paid for it three years ago.
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-G...=item2c653aac23
End.
How much was that thing new?
I could have bought a brand new one for $34.5K cash, with auto and sunroof (one in the link doesn't look to have the sun and sound package and has mods that would reduce the value, to me, quite a bit) in the first week of June 2009, after they had announced Pontiac was DRT and the mother ship was in that scam bankruptcy.
I was looking for $32K ish and passed on it since I already had the G8 sedan and didn't need two, and bought the Solstice instead - figured it would be more fun for my wife.
I bought her the Torrent GXP about two months later in C4C when the deals were even better. I probably could have bought a G8 GXP for $32 ish by then. Those last few GXP anythings seem to be holding value pretty well. When I last looked at the Torrent, NADA had it about $175 less than what I paid for it three years ago.
No offense to anyone who likes them but the G8 styling was so bland it reminded me of too many other Pontiacs.
Fantastic drivetrain, stick avalable, it's got it all for me except the looks.
Plus I don't want a brand that's out of business.
Fantastic drivetrain, stick avalable, it's got it all for me except the looks.
Plus I don't want a brand that's out of business.
Oh, and the last requirement on Pete's list was an upscale interior. Since he's already driving a BMW, few of the cars suggested have an interior in that class.
The Porsche, or CTS, maybe, haven't looked at one in a while. Don't know anything about Infinity. Certainly not the G8; my sedan has the leather package and no one will ever confuse it with being upscale.
You can get a decent to nice interior in $30-40K cars, but you don't get an upscale one until you get above $50 - 60K, at least imo.
The Porsche, or CTS, maybe, haven't looked at one in a while. Don't know anything about Infinity. Certainly not the G8; my sedan has the leather package and no one will ever confuse it with being upscale.
You can get a decent to nice interior in $30-40K cars, but you don't get an upscale one until you get above $50 - 60K, at least imo.
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
.... Plus I don't want a brand that's out of business.
What troubles me is the availability of G8 specific body / chassis parts from Australia; parts availability was never great in the GTO days, and got worse with the quick demise of Pontiac after the G8 came out. That figured somewhat in my decision not to get a G8 GXP even though it was a screaming deal - I didn't want two orphans hanging around.
To make things worse, Holden did a couple of runs of special edition Commodore's for their home market to use up the excess G8 body parts, that were basically right hand drive G8's without the darts.
.... Plus I don't want a brand that's out of business.
What troubles me is the availability of G8 specific body / chassis parts from Australia; parts availability was never great in the GTO days, and got worse with the quick demise of Pontiac after the G8 came out. That figured somewhat in my decision not to get a G8 GXP even though it was a screaming deal - I didn't want two orphans hanging around.
To make things worse, Holden did a couple of runs of special edition Commodore's for their home market to use up the excess G8 body parts, that were basically right hand drive G8's without the darts.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Infiniti G37? Would anyone consider this over a 550i/535i?
horrible fuel economy.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Requirements:
- engine/drivetrain is good for 150K+ miles without having to do any unusual maintenance such as DI valve deposit cleaning every 10K miles.
you pretty much eliminated most of the European Luxury cars out there (IMO). A Lexus IS350 may fit your other requirements and since it is dual injection (port and direct) it doesn't have the problem of most DI only engine, Infiniti tends to be pretty unreliable in the interior trims falling out and horrible fuel economy. Acura is not really good at handling or luxury but are relatively reliable (except maybe the transmission but TSX seems to be reliable). Buick and Lincoln seems to have horrible handling.
Does Caddy have stick?
Infiniti G37? Would anyone consider this over a 550i/535i?
horrible fuel economy.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Requirements:
- engine/drivetrain is good for 150K+ miles without having to do any unusual maintenance such as DI valve deposit cleaning every 10K miles.
you pretty much eliminated most of the European Luxury cars out there (IMO). A Lexus IS350 may fit your other requirements and since it is dual injection (port and direct) it doesn't have the problem of most DI only engine, Infiniti tends to be pretty unreliable in the interior trims falling out and horrible fuel economy. Acura is not really good at handling or luxury but are relatively reliable (except maybe the transmission but TSX seems to be reliable). Buick and Lincoln seems to have horrible handling.
Does Caddy have stick?
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Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Infiniti G37? Would anyone consider this over a 550i/535i?
horrible fuel economy.
It can't be worse than a 550i.
IS350 doesn't come with stick.
CTS/CTS-V come with sticks, but I'm just not that crazy about their looks. Even the looks of G37 are somewhat hard to swallow for me...
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Infiniti G37? Would anyone consider this over a 550i/535i?
horrible fuel economy.
It can't be worse than a 550i.
IS350 doesn't come with stick.
CTS/CTS-V come with sticks, but I'm just not that crazy about their looks. Even the looks of G37 are somewhat hard to swallow for me...
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Looking at autotrader.ca, there is a number of G37s listed with manual trans from 2008 and newer, so they must have been available there, similarly to the US.
They are. I've seen them myself, even before I bought my automatic G.
Looking at autotrader.ca, there is a number of G37s listed with manual trans from 2008 and newer, so they must have been available there, similarly to the US.
They are. I've seen them myself, even before I bought my automatic G.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
It can't be worse than a 550i.
My G can easily hit 30 miles per U.S. gallon on the highway. It's in the neighbourhood of the old Audi for mileage, but obviously has much more power.
It can't be worse than a 550i.
My G can easily hit 30 miles per U.S. gallon on the highway. It's in the neighbourhood of the old Audi for mileage, but obviously has much more power.
JHZR2
Staff member
My 135i returns 31-32 on the highway (28 EPA highway) so long as I stay off the boost. Since I make full torque at 1200 RPM, its fairly easy to drive with minimal boost and RPMs.
The 535i, as I understand it, has a few more tricks up its sleeve.
I was suprised to see that the latest 328i returns 36 MPG EPA highway.
The subaru legacy GT is a good pick, IMO. I nearly bought one when I got my saab 9-3, but the 34 MPG EPA on the 9-3 trumped any feel good performance thing that I thought I deserved for a car that sees a lot of highway duty.
The 535i, as I understand it, has a few more tricks up its sleeve.
I was suprised to see that the latest 328i returns 36 MPG EPA highway.
The subaru legacy GT is a good pick, IMO. I nearly bought one when I got my saab 9-3, but the 34 MPG EPA on the 9-3 trumped any feel good performance thing that I thought I deserved for a car that sees a lot of highway duty.
Originally Posted By: Win
Oh, and the last requirement on Pete's list was an upscale interior. Since he's already driving a BMW, few of the cars suggested have an interior in that class.
The Porsche, or CTS, maybe, haven't looked at one in a while. Don't know anything about Infinity. Certainly not the G8; my sedan has the leather package and no one will ever confuse it with being upscale.
You can get a decent to nice interior in $30-40K cars, but you don't get an upscale one until you get above $50 - 60K, at least imo.
I thought the G8 had a good interior IMO.
Oh, and the last requirement on Pete's list was an upscale interior. Since he's already driving a BMW, few of the cars suggested have an interior in that class.
The Porsche, or CTS, maybe, haven't looked at one in a while. Don't know anything about Infinity. Certainly not the G8; my sedan has the leather package and no one will ever confuse it with being upscale.
You can get a decent to nice interior in $30-40K cars, but you don't get an upscale one until you get above $50 - 60K, at least imo.
I thought the G8 had a good interior IMO.
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