I'm back...sorta
06-14-2016, 09:02 PM
#1
That's Mr. Detail to you
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Location: Arlington, TX
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I'm back...sorta
I bought an Accord after my 6MT 5.5 gen was totaled. Couldn't find another 6 speed at the time and just couldn't go back to the 4AT. The Accord has been a great car (2004 V6) but I use it for work in my detailing business and for road trips and in 4 1/2 years the mileage has gone from 74,900 to 219,400. And honestly, while I like the car, I'm tired of driving around all the time with a car full of detailing stuff.
Was considering another 6MT 5.5 gen or a 6MT 7th gen Accord sedan. But I've had two Maximas and already have a 7th gen Accord (5AT) and started looking at 1st gen G35s. I've always liked them, the newer generations; not so much. Too feminine IMO.
Originally wanted a coupe but if my Accord has something go wrong, the coupe is too small to work out of. Plus my kids are older and even though they don't live here I do go visit them and they visit me and the back seat of a G35 coupe would be too small. Then I noticed there were more than a few G35 6 speed sedans and they are pretty cheap. I mean like almost 5.5 gen Maxima cheap now. And they have a much nicer interior, better balanced car (weight distribution is 52/48 for the sedan) and the 6MT cars have the sport tuned suspension. Most important though, RWD.
Found this 2004 G35 sedan on craigslist. Original owner traded it in with 132,200 miles (low for a car in the Dallas area) and overall it was in excellent shape for a 12 year old car. Also came with all the service records. The car lot that ended up with it apparently didn't realize it was a 6 speed, he says they generally don't get them because they take too long to sell. So it was on the lot for $4998.
So even though it isn't a Maxima, still has the VQ35 and a 6 speed. Runs pretty good. Original owner already had a K&N filter in it and it appears at least the front anti-roll bar was upgraded because it is huge. Probably going to do the plenum spacers and Y-pipe, seem to be the two best bang for the buck mods.
Was considering another 6MT 5.5 gen or a 6MT 7th gen Accord sedan. But I've had two Maximas and already have a 7th gen Accord (5AT) and started looking at 1st gen G35s. I've always liked them, the newer generations; not so much. Too feminine IMO.
Originally wanted a coupe but if my Accord has something go wrong, the coupe is too small to work out of. Plus my kids are older and even though they don't live here I do go visit them and they visit me and the back seat of a G35 coupe would be too small. Then I noticed there were more than a few G35 6 speed sedans and they are pretty cheap. I mean like almost 5.5 gen Maxima cheap now. And they have a much nicer interior, better balanced car (weight distribution is 52/48 for the sedan) and the 6MT cars have the sport tuned suspension. Most important though, RWD.
Found this 2004 G35 sedan on craigslist. Original owner traded it in with 132,200 miles (low for a car in the Dallas area) and overall it was in excellent shape for a 12 year old car. Also came with all the service records. The car lot that ended up with it apparently didn't realize it was a 6 speed, he says they generally don't get them because they take too long to sell. So it was on the lot for $4998.
So even though it isn't a Maxima, still has the VQ35 and a 6 speed. Runs pretty good. Original owner already had a K&N filter in it and it appears at least the front anti-roll bar was upgraded because it is huge. Probably going to do the plenum spacers and Y-pipe, seem to be the two best bang for the buck mods.
06-14-2016, 09:35 PM
#3
Wow, nice. Glad you're quasi-back
Have you noticed all the build quality extras the Gs have?
The sport suspension works incredibly well. I'm impressed when I ride in one.
Have you noticed all the build quality extras the Gs have?
The sport suspension works incredibly well. I'm impressed when I ride in one.
Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; 06-14-2016 at 09:39 PM.
06-15-2016, 01:36 AM
#5
Hey Scott, welcome back... sorta. Congrats on your G35.
I don't have a Maxima any more, I crashed it back in January. When I was looking for a replacement, there wasn't anything available that was in decent shape. I didn't want to get a newer car with the cvt transmission so I ended up with a Lexus. But I still check in on Maxima.org to see what is happening.
I don't have a Maxima any more, I crashed it back in January. When I was looking for a replacement, there wasn't anything available that was in decent shape. I didn't want to get a newer car with the cvt transmission so I ended up with a Lexus. But I still check in on Maxima.org to see what is happening.
06-15-2016, 05:28 AM
#7
Beautiful car. I've driven a few of them over the years and always liked them. A Lot more options for mods too. I probably would have snatched it up my self.
I just sold a Skunk2 plenum spacer last night that would have been perfect for that car.
I just sold a Skunk2 plenum spacer last night that would have been perfect for that car.
I live in Arlington too!!!
06-15-2016, 01:04 PM
#10
06-15-2016, 03:36 PM
#12
That's Mr. Detail to you
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 4,014
Of course, as a welcome back to Nissan/Infiniti, I had to change a cam position sensor. The dealer had already changed it due to a hard starting issue (5 seconds cranking before starting) but the problem persisted. I figured their mechanic really didn't know what he was doing and I was familiar with the issues thanks to my Maximas.
Problem was obvious immediately-
After market sensor and two prongs were bent back and not making contact with the plug.
And damn was it tough to get to between the firewall and back of the motor. Glad it was the passenger side, can't even see the one on the driver's side. So much more room with the Maxima to get to.
Problem was obvious immediately-
After market sensor and two prongs were bent back and not making contact with the plug.
And damn was it tough to get to between the firewall and back of the motor. Glad it was the passenger side, can't even see the one on the driver's side. So much more room with the Maxima to get to.
06-16-2016, 04:38 PM
#17
At least a base model G is 1,000 times for luxurious than base maxima.
And what an awesome "mechanic". That guy needs to stick to eating mud pies.
Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; 08-06-2016 at 12:33 AM.
07-29-2016, 02:35 PM
#18
That's Mr. Detail to you
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Location: Arlington, TX
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Did a paint correction...
Then got tint, 20% rear window, 30% all side glass, 70% windshield. Had the Winco IR tint done, car is noticeably cooler inside.
Z-tube is on the way (350Z intake tube that is straight through, not a convoluted baffle like the G35 has. Probably going to do larger anti-roll bars, FSB, plenum spacer and Y-pipe.
Then got tint, 20% rear window, 30% all side glass, 70% windshield. Had the Winco IR tint done, car is noticeably cooler inside.
Z-tube is on the way (350Z intake tube that is straight through, not a convoluted baffle like the G35 has. Probably going to do larger anti-roll bars, FSB, plenum spacer and Y-pipe.
08-01-2016, 11:08 AM
#24
08-01-2016, 03:43 PM
#25
Nice to see you back Scott! I've since let my '89 turbo go and passed my '03 Maxima on to my son. I got back into a VQ, more a second cousin twice removed, but a VQ! LOL!!
Shot you a PM.
Shot you a PM.
08-03-2016, 07:04 PM
#30
That's Mr. Detail to you
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Location: Arlington, TX
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I used Optimum Hyper Compound (new version that came out about a year ago) with their foamed wool pad, cleaned after each section (very important!), then followed with Optimum Primer Polish, the equivalent you can get is Optimum Hyper Polish, same cut, just no coating activator-Primer is only available to Opti-Coat Pro installers. Used the Optimum orange foam waffle cutting pad. Both steps were done with an Optimum Zen Tool which is a 21 mm throw DA (most like the PC and Meguiars MT300 are 8 mm throw) which gives you a lot more power AND a better finish. Then I did a wipe down with Optimum No Rinse at wash strength (256:1) and applied Optimum Gloss Coat. Why not Opti-Coat Pro? Even for my own car a warranty kit is $150 and due to the paint being 12 years old I can't actually warranty it but still have to register it on Optimum's site.
08-07-2016, 07:14 AM
#33
That's Mr. Detail to you
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Your results may vary...even with identical cars paint can be different hardness and quality.
Doesn't appear to be much, less than half a quart in 2000 miles. Dipstick is a huge PITA in these cars.
On the plus side, the shift is 1000x better than the 6MT Maxima and turning radius is definitely tighter. And the rear end has limited slip.
Doesn't appear to be much, less than half a quart in 2000 miles. Dipstick is a huge PITA in these cars.
On the plus side, the shift is 1000x better than the 6MT Maxima and turning radius is definitely tighter. And the rear end has limited slip.
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7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
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05-19-2016 04:13 PM