Well, it's been short and sweet! I purchased my '06 SC430 in February and enjoyed it for the 7 months I had it. I made the mistake of stopping by Grubbs Infiniti yesterday and taking a 2nd test drive of the '08 G37. That was all it took.

I always had an affinity for the first gen SC300/400 but could never afford one when it was new. I have always been waiting for a sexy, luxurious, sport coupe to replace it. The first Infiniti G35 was close, but it was a little too rough around the edges for me. Infiniti has smoothed out all the rough edges with the G37 (literally and figuratively) and has moved it upmarket.

I won't try to make a comparison between the two cars since they are totally different. Suffice the say nothing comes close to the fit/finish of the SC430 (I will miss the smell of the Bader leather) and there is no feeling quite like driving top-down in it. Also, I've never heard another sound system like the ML system. Sometimes I would drive my SC just to de-stress.

With that said, the G37 is fast, refined, handles tight, and has gobs of technology. While I was test driving yesterday I popped in a CD. Later, when I took delivery of the car the tracks from the CD had been recorded onto the hard drive! The technology in this car is amazing. (BTW, the Bose Studio on Wheels system is pretty good although IMO there is no comparison with the ML system.)

Of course, today is the first decent day we've had in Dallas in months, so it would be a natural for top-down motoring. Anyway, I'll still be lurking, so don't flame me just because I'm an "Infiniti guy" now. CL is where I started!

 

Congratulations, that's a good choice Can't say I'm surprised you're switching cars again

I test drove a G37 coupe S-model a couple weeks ago, & it is more refined, rides better without losing handling & performance. The interior is a big improvement over my G35 coupe, but I still prefer the looks of my G35 coupe when I parked mine next to the G37.
Did you get the S-model ? I am disappointed though that the S-model comes with the ugly bumper, but I can't imagine myself ever getting the G37 without getting the S-model with a 6-speed manual transmission, so that will be a little bit of a dilemma for me if I am to consider this car in the future. But it will still be high on my shopping list for sure in the next couple years.

 

Yes, I got the S model. I know the bumper on the Sport is "controversial", but it doesn't bother me personally. Plus, I have to have a front license plate in TX, so... The 18" non-Sport wheels are also really sharp, but it's a trade-off. I'd much rather have the Sport seats and side sills that come with the S.

BTW, I also really like the look of the original G Coupe and always have. In fact I had a deposit on one back in '03 but just couldn't quite make the leap. When I first saw the G37 in person, I was disappointed and thought it had lost its "edge". Needless to say, the look has grown on me. It is definitely looking a little more "Lexus-like". When I parked my SC next to the G to move everything over I even commented to the salesman on how similar some of the exterior shapes were.

When I brought the G home, my g/f said, "Which car did you trade?" I told her the SC and she said "I thought you loved that car?". I said, "I did, but now I can run my I-pod through the radio and burn music on a hard drive and the G handles so great and...". That's when she stopped listening.

Anyway, thanks for the congrats! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the G37. Hard to go wrong with either Lexus or Infiniti!

 

the new g37 is a fantastic car! very very different from the sc430 and i think you are going to love it. congrats!

 

Infiniti / Nissan are upping their game especially on engine design.

The G37 Engine with VVEL is a technological masterpiece.

I would seriously consider it when it finally comes to the UK next year...

However the SC is still a great effortless refined chill out car... and Infiniti don't have a 2 door luxury convertible yet. Just wish Lexus would keep the technology of the SC more up to date, and should by now have had a 2nd facelift like the SL.

Decisions - Decisions...


Paul

 

I was cross-shopping the G37 with my SC-- it's a fantastic car. I couldn't personally get past the aluminum in the interior (instead of, oh, I don't know... some flawlessly polished bird's eye maple perhaps?) but I liked the handling and performance of the G37 a lot, as well as great gadget content. Nice ride.

There's wood available, but it doesn't look right to me, and it's REALLY hard to find (and my dealer said you couldn't get it with the sport package... and not getting the exceptional seats that come with the sport package was a deal-breaker.

 

You are going to regret it man..... that car is so fast you can't keep up with the speed ticketz...

 

yeah... japanese cars are really getting back into the sport arena big time, i had sneek peek at the skyline GTR couple weeks ago - in the flesh it looks MEAN and no need to speak about the engine! would have loved a look at the lexus ls-f

 

Yes, I remember your questions in the forum, but I didn't jump in because I figured you were the only one that could make that decision. Plus, I hadn't thoroughly test driven the G37 at the time. Bottom line... the two cars are totally different and it's hard to go wrong with either.

I'm very aware of the differences in the wood vs. aluminum because the '06 SC430 was my second (I also owned an '03). I didn't think I'd enjoy the "washi" aluminum either, but after driving for awhile I noticed it has a really interesting texture... plus, the one thing you don't see during a test drive is that at night a tiny blue-white light from overhead shines on it and makes it "glow". It is really cool. I, too, thought I'd rather go with the wood, but it's pretty weak, especially after the SC. Glad I didn't.

With that said, I can't think of another car in its price range (or much higher) that has an interior as beautiful as the SC430. I thought about picking up a used SL500 or 645i, but the Lexus spoiled me. Instead, I went totally the other way... for sport.

 

Don't need a G37 for that! I got a ticket in the SC430 for going 83mph in a 60mph zone the day I traded.

 

I too made the change , I have a new 08 Porsche 997 TT, It's carrera white with sea blue int / white stitch every where, total options were 17 K

The SC was so smooth

Later
Gee-Bee

 

Congrats and enjoy!

 

Nice choice, the new G is a fine car. Take care.