A want of mine for a while now, probably not the most sensible first car but I don't care. These are very nice cars.

"HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute" (hondoyota)
07/17/2019 at 10:29 • Filed to: Sort of necessary car shopping with Hondoyota

G37X with some OEM optional 18" rims like above would be perfect. I personally prefer the post-facelift ones but the pre-facelift ones are good too. The thing with late model G35s is that they're down about 30 horsepower and a few MPG from the G37 and have a 5 speed auto rather than the 7 speed. Plus, the used ones around me are all similarly priced so you might as well get the G37 anyways. In the comments I'll post a link to a clean title pre-facelift G37X I'm watching with 137k miles for only $5k.

DISCUSSION (57)

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:31

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/mySavedListings.action#listing=244544479

Discerning > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:34

The VQ37V HR is also less prone to oil consumption issues iirc. They had figured out most of the kinks by then.

It’s a good car despite some of the distasteful owners. The chassis is fine, the auto is fine, and it has enough power to get out of its own way.

MonkeePuzzle > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:35

G37 face is peak IMO

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:40

Those are nice cars. Not sure how they hold up over the miles, but they are nice to drive.

lone_liberal > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:40

They are very nice. The steering was my favorite thing about them.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > MonkeePuzzle
07/17/2019 at 10:41

G37 was peak Infiniti is more like it

Chariotoflove > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:43

I actually think it’s a pretty sensible choice for an enthusiast’s first car.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Chariotoflove
07/17/2019 at 10:45

Well yeah, and I sure as hell would love to get one, but I'm talking gas costs and insurance. Those would probably be high especially since it takes premium.

fintail > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:45

Just don’t mess with the exhaust please.

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
07/17/2019 at 10:46

Super reliable. I see examples with over 250k that still look new. They are not without some common issues, but a very sensible car. If you can get over the terrible fuel mileage.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:46

Kinja'd!!!

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
07/17/2019 at 10:46

There are many high mileage examples that look fine and I've seen them on the road a lot often so I'd assume they hold up well. Dtg11 here at Oppo got a 175k mile one so we'll see how his does, so far he's loving it.

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:47

That one has the sport wheels, nice. D efinately find a G37xS. Best of the bunch, with paddle shifters, no less ! you will never use them buy whatevs :)

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
07/17/2019 at 10:47

I am waiting for us to be not broke

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > fintail
07/17/2019 at 10:48

Definitely wouldn't.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > lone_liberal
07/17/2019 at 10:48

AWD handling+330hp FTW

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:50

Pros: driving dynamics, practicallity.

Cons: the VQ is a dumpster fire of coarseness and horrendous sound.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > GoodIdeaAtTheTime
07/17/2019 at 10:51

Those tend to be more expensive to buy around me, so a regular G37X will have to do but I’m not really complaining. Look in the comments for the link I posted, that is one hell of a deal and if I wasn’t so broke at the moment I’d be all over it. I’d probably change the rims to the sport ones like pictured and do the paint correction/touch-up it needs and detail it and seat covers and all the protective things and then I’d drive it until it can’t go anymore. If I actually got this car, I'd keep it and take care of it for as long as I can.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
07/17/2019 at 10:52

While true, I'd keep the stock exhaust. Plus, I think the driving dynamics and everything else about it would make up for that lol.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:53

Almost bought one in 2012 ! Not an X, with a manual, and dark gray.

That’s a hell of a car for the price.

Chariotoflove > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:53

I’m one of those rebels who puts regular in my tank and takes the power hit for my regular commute. But current gas prices at least make premium within reasonable reach these days.

The insurance I could see as a problem. I much prefer the coupe, but if you are one that also likes the sedan, that’s at least one way to lessen your tribute to the insurance gods.

lone_liberal > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:54

Not a ton of torque but still entertaining. Dead reliable too.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/17/2019 at 10:55

The manuals are extremely hard to come by in good condition here. Plus, the auto in this car is still a good transmission and I don’t really know how to drive stick yet so it’d be good too. Also, this car can pull off any color/shade it offers, it just looks so clean in all of them

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:57

As long as you stick to the stock exhaust you’re golden.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > lone_liberal
07/17/2019 at 10:57

“not a ton of torque” well, certainly more than the CR-V/Odyssey I currently drive. Those are my parents’ cars though and they want me to get my own car so they can have theirs. My parents dislike buying used no matter how clean the example so if I were to get this G and do the necessary touch-ups/cleaning/protective measures, I’m sure they’d be jealous lol

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 10:58

It really is a good design.

The one I was looking at was just like a year old at a Carmax.

Ended up buying an ‘08 M3 sedan instead. ¯\_()_/¯

Still driving it today! ~125k miles.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Chariotoflove
07/17/2019 at 10:58

Definitely would go sedan, most of the coupes by me are clapped out to hell and back. Plus, it has more room for bodies

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
07/17/2019 at 11:00

Honestly I don't think I'd do any actual mods to it, it's a lot more overall than what I'm used to (CR-V and Odyssey) and it works perfectly fine as it is. Literally the only thing I'd do is the OEM 18" rim swap and some seat/steering wheel covers and such and then drive it for as long as I can.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/17/2019 at 11:02

Can't go wrong with the M cars. Well, until they inevitably go wrong on your bank account, but that's not a worry at the moment lol

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 11:03

Haha! I love it. So many backroadtrips, track days & memories in the car - not sure if I’ll ever be able to part with it.

Still on original clutch, rod bearings, and throttle actuators! [knocks wood]

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/17/2019 at 11:05

It truly is a great car-- when it works lol. Either way glad you're enjoying it, an M3 is a car I'd love to own someday.

benn454 > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 11:06

Just don't be that guy that puts JDM Skyline badges on his Infiniti.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 11:12

I waited until I was 34 and could truly afford it to make the leap, and I’m glad I did. Drove an ‘05 Mazda 3s hatch for the 7 years prior. Almost bought an ‘01 S4 back then, but my older brother gave me some good advice.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 11:14

Big fan of OEM wheel swaps.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > benn454
07/17/2019 at 11:22

Too late

benn454 > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 11:23

I'm not not judging you.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
07/17/2019 at 11:23

Seriously. The VQ is a turd of an engine and it’s only saving g race is that it makes OK power and was put in the 350Z and 370Z platforms.

feather-throttle-not-hair > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 11:27

I know you have your reservations, but my recommendation is to wait around and find the correct M/T car and buy that one. If you’re totally uninterested in rowing your own, no judgement, just ignore my advice. But if there’s an itch in the back of your mind where you’re like “that would be cool” I’d highly suggest going for it. Manuals aren’t going to be around and mainstream for that much longer and it will teach you to be a better and less distracted driver at a time when you need to be making good driving habits.

I know there’s a lot of worry associated with learning, but realistically you’ll be fine by your second or third day owning the car (I bought a manual as my first car having never driven one before. ) The reward is always knowing how much power you’re going to get when you put your foot down, rather than guessing about what the transmission will do and then reacting to the car once it decides what s happening.

S etting transmission aside, i think that’s a good choice. I bought a 350Z brand new in 2006 and its still my daily. Its been very reliable, particularly the engine, and its fast enough to be fun, but not so fast you can never explore the limits (though please, please, please do so in a safe environment!)

E90M3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/17/2019 at 11:30

You’re supposed to buy your M3 at 24 not 34!

Joking aside, they’re much better cars to live with when you have the finical means to not worry about having to pay for it.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
07/17/2019 at 11:33

I mean, the G37 is on that platform too. However, yeah, junk motor.

E90M3 > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 11:33

I didn’t realize that those could be had for that cheap. Then again, it is a 10 year old car with 137k on it, so that’s probably in the ballpark. I’ve never really had an urge to get one of these, so I’ve never really shopped them.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > E90M3
07/17/2019 at 11:33

Haha - I wish! I was still finishing college and had a crappy job.

I definitely agree.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 11:36

That’s excellent news. And very affordable.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > E90M3
07/17/2019 at 11:44

These are pretty reliable though, as someone said there are 250k mile examples still going strong out there and I tend to see a lot here in Florida. For a G37X, $5k for one with 137k miles is a damn good deal, you search them around here and for that price they usually have closer to 200k+ miles and for that mileage would cost around 7-8 grand.

E90M3 > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 11:47

Depends, a friends dad had one that was a POS, although I think it was other issues not related to the engine that made it a POS. The price is a little suspect, almost like something is wrong because if you can get more, why not ask for more.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > E90M3
07/17/2019 at 11:49

The body was a bit dinged up with paint chips and whatnot mostly on the back bumper so maybe that’s what did it, I don’t really know. If I ever look at it in person I’m sure as hell getting it inspected.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
07/17/2019 at 11:53

Can confirm, it’s a very powerful garbage disposal

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 11:55

I’ve driven it 500 miles so far, loved every minute ( except when filling it up)

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 11:57

Overall looks pretty good, if a tad rough around the edges. The rubbery material around the steering wheel is disintegrating badly (common issue) and I notice lots of little bumps and scrapes around the car, but overall nothing of concern. Price does seem a little low, but that’s Florida for ya

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
07/17/2019 at 11:57

How has gas costs been? Do you think it would be a bad idea to get one as a first car down the line? Ever since you got yours I’ve been looking at them online and my best friend of 9 years, who I seem to have a strange mental link with, brought up that HE’s been looking at G37s too...it’s a sign

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 12:05

Gas makes me cry, especially since Illinois just raised it’s gas tax and the stations are doing their supply and demand BS so now gas is $0.50/gal more expensive even though the gas tax was $0.18/gal. As far as first car, I’m not sure. It’s definitely a good car, but knowing my previous (and occasionally current) stupidity, I think it has too much power. I sound like a parent, but if I had something this fast 4 years ago, there’s a much higher chance I’d be dead, in jail, or have my license revoked. Trust me, when I was 17 and got my Lexus, I did some crazy stuff with 225 HP (and more than a few had escaped) in a 3700lbs car.

I’m not saying you should buy mine or anything like that, but a TSX isn’t a bad choice. If you can find one with higher miles, a G25 wouldn’t be bad either.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
07/17/2019 at 12:09

Thats why I specified the platform instead of just saying 350/370Z.

Chariotoflove > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 12:10

Good thinking.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
07/17/2019 at 12:16

Lol if I had the money I would buy yours, sadly your TSX and this G37 are a pipe dream at the moment due to lack of funds. This is more of an idea for later down the line, probably next year or something. I was looking at G25s too, but those are more scarce and command a higher premium due to them all having a lot lower miles. I personally don’t think I would do anything stupid, even with the CR-V I tend to have a pretty light foot so there’s that, I guess. But you can never be too careful and I appreciate the concern.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 12:37

No problem. And just remember, unless you absolutely need a car, just take your time and wait for a good one

AestheticsInMotion > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 20:02

Ugh, yeah it sounds awful

(no it doesn't, don't listen to the haters!)

AestheticsInMotion > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
07/17/2019 at 20:04

Honestly this seems like a fantastic first car.

It’s fun, comfortable, safe, decent looking, reliability is at least no worse than average, same with parts prices ...