Rich96

iTrader: (2)

Well yet another Maxima is going to the graveyard for me. Hail damage caused my car to be totaled, so its time to move on.

I've been a Maxima loyalist for years, but this one has only been ok. Squeaks, rattles, and not quite as reliable as my 00. Decent car, but since they don't come in manuals any more I'm going to try something else.

I'm looking at the G35, IS250 and TL Type S. IS seems under powered, TL is FWD (not that the Maxima isn't) and I really like the G.

However I'm reading lots of things about a "grabby" clutch.

Curious as to whether anyone has driven both a G35 and six speed Maxima....and could comment on the clutch. I've never been real impressed with the Maxima's clutch as compared to my 00, but can live with it. If its similar....I think I'll be ok.

RAZ76

iTrader: (8)

I've driven a manual G35 and I own a 2006 Maxima 6 spd manual. The clutch tends to stick alot, specially when it's hot, like summer months. I fixed the issue somewhat by completely removing the old fluid and replacing it with Dot 4 fluid. Works little better but still sticks.

Rich96

iTrader: (2)

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "sticks"?

Would you compare the Maxima clutch to the G at all, or are they completely different?

I didn't realize how stiff our clutches are until I drove a C230 and a new Camaro today. Both are super soft compared to my car.

jasoneon

Just curious but do you have pictures of the hail damage? Must have been massive to total out an 04 maxima.

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

Your master or slave cylinder is bad. The pedal should never stick.

RAZ76

iTrader: (8)

No, it's not that, I had the dealer inspect it and found nothing wrong with Master or Slave cylinders.

RAZ76

iTrader: (8)

Yeah, the clutch get stuck to the floor and doesn't come back up. When that happens, I have 1/2 of an inch between the pedal and floor. If I roll the windows up, turn the ac on and wait 5 to 10 minutes. It goes back to normal. Like I said, it only does it when it's hot.

Rich96

iTrader: (2)

I don't, will try to take some if I get time.

It was pretty massive - I'm in Little Rock for work right now and it was during the tornadoes that passed through. Golf ball sized hail - I was in the car when it happened and it was super scary.

I drive a ton for work, so the car has 127K on it. Was 6600 in damage, and the car books at 10,600.

Sad to see her go, but its probably time anyway. Never did LOVE her the way I did my 00.

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

its either that or your clutch line is leaking. i have driven mulitple Gs and Zs none of them have sticking clutch pedals. Inspect the clutch lines for leaks. I have had a sticking pedal once it wasnt until the clutch lines and MC were changed that it started working normally.

RAZ76

iTrader: (8)

I a mechanic dude, nothing is wrong. There are plenty G35s and Maximas with sticky clutch pedals.

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

If your a mechanic then you should know something is wrong.

Mr. Brett

iTrader: (7)

No sticky clutch pedal here.

Just an annoying 3rd gear grind.

Not that I have to deal with it anymore.

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

It took a group of techs from nissan and a whole week to figure out my clutch problem was a leaking hard line from clutch MC.

twentyeggs

of the 3 cars you are deciding on, you will want the G. the acura will leave you disappointed. its gets worse mpg and not as fast. you will be downgrading from the maxima if you go to the TL. the IS 250 is not even in the same class as the maxima. you would want the IS 300 if you want it to be as quick as the maxima, a little quicker i think. the G 35 is wicked fun. you will have a blast in it. take one out for a test drive.

Mr. Brett

iTrader: (7)

IS300 is not faster than a Maxima. I used to own one for a short while. It was quick for a 3.0 2JZ, but nowhere near as quick as my Maxima.

If you want an IS that's faster than the Maxima, you need to shoot for either the IS-F or the IS350.

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

IS300>Maxima thou, just boost it and your all good.

merkage22

i have a six speed maxima and my clutch has only stuck once. it does grind everytime i put it in reverse, can anyone help me out and tell me why?

Machinist

Reverse is non-syncro, either keep the clutch depressed 20-30 seconds longer till the head gear stops turning, or [if you're in a rush] put the gearshift into any other forward gear [this will stop the head gear] then into reverse= no grind

Oolatec

iTrader: (5)

If you get the G35 MT, get a GTM supercharger kit too...

merkage22

Thanks a lot man, definately gonna try that

ieee1284

I own a 04 Max and 06 G35 coupe, both 6MT, both had the limp clutch pedal issue. I wouldn't call it "sticking". This would typically happen after idling for awhile. Letting the car cool off for awhile would "errect" the clutch pedal. As the 2nd poster commented, DOT4 synthetic replacement definitely resolved my issues, no question about it. I actually syringe out old fluid from the reservoir and put in new fluid every year. Been doing this for 3 years now. There is a very lengthy thread about this on g35driver.com.

The G35 clutch is more difficult. I read about so many people complaining that it actually scared me, much like yourself. The reality is, it's not a big deal. There isn't a lot of wiggle room to slip the clutch so you probably won't be as smooth. But I much prefer the G35 shifter/clutch over the maxima. Significantly shorter throws and just more enjoyable overall.

twentyeggs

so there you have it, NO on the IS250. it is incredibly slow. you will be easily taken by a civic, SMH

no on the TL, it has reliability issues with its transmission and drive train and scores a "red X" for "significant problems" from 05 and under. if your looking at an 06 and above its is good, but the acura is built more for relaxed luxury than sport. it does have some decent get up and go. but NOT like the maxima which is faster.

the G is built more for sport, and second luxury much like the Maxima. so if you are a die hard fan of the max, but are taking a break till nissan fixes its incredibly inappropriate transmission issues, the G is the way to go. I wont be buying another maxima until they go back to a normal transmission (CVT's are not made for handling significant increases in hp) and hopefully AWD with a 3.7L, that would get me drooling again.

twentyeggs

oh my god... if only..



except the side skirts.. those are stupid looking and impractical, just doesn't fit

shdwonthsun

iTrader: (1)

are you on drugs? the TL-S is wayy nicer than 6g maxima. and 286hp is nothing to laugh at. my 5th gen is the fastest generation maxima (according to the org) and a -S would pull on me guaranteed.

while i agree with you that the G is the best choice, lets work with facts here

RAZ76

iTrader: (8)

You're a funny guy. If there was something wrong, don't you think it would do it all the time???

Ruiz2728

I agree. The only sticking that should take place in a car should be in your right hand with the shifter and/or your girlfriends left hand with your...

Rich96

iTrader: (2)

Just sent ya an email....sounds like you are the guy I need to talk to!

OK current thoughts on the replacement:

IS 250 - very nice but damn its underpowered

TL - if I'm gonna get one, I'll spring for an 09 and have the newer body style.

G - little scared of the clutch and worried about MPGs being a little lower

I drive 5K a month for work, so this is a pretty damn important decision.

twentyeggs

crap, yeah your right i forgot they have a 286 hp version of the type S. after reading the specs i can see it is .1 seconds faster than the current gen max 0-60. but i would NOT go as far as to say your max being the fastest 5th gen on the forum would be walked by it. i've seen some turbo 5th gen maximas that would kill the type s like its a play toy.

the reason i called it slow is because i raced my friends moms 2006 acura type s (256) in my moderately modded 4th gen. max, and i was faster. it was auto to auto. so i assumed the 6th and 7th gen maxima would easily be faster forgetting they bumped it up in 2009 to close to 300 hp.

good lookin

twentyeggs

being corrected on the power of the acura, i'd go with that. The 09 is just a nice place to be. since your driving around the G with its sport tuned suspension would get kinda rough. the 250 hp acura was underpowered but in 09 they have 289 and kept the same weight. so i'd get the acura. don't know what it costs tho.

BronxSleeperMax187

hate to say this being A max owner but get the Acura tl type s ...best imo,love those stock rims it comes with too

aackshun

iTrader: (3)

Reverse in the 6mts have a synchro....

And I've encountered a few G's/Z's with the sticky clutch pedal.

Also check the pressure plate, IIRC there's a TSB out there about them, one of my friends had to get it replaced after like 30k, some others had poorly bled systems, the list goes on and on.

But a working Z/G (Even up to the 370 and G37) clutch will feel like a OEM 02-03 Maxima Pressure Plate, I moved both cars back to back, couldn't tell a difference.

Wil's95SE

iTrader: (3)

Went from a 5spd 95 Maxima to a 6spd 07 G35S. I haven't experienced the "sticky clutch" like others have but it does take a little getting used to the clutch on the G. The shifts are shorter and for 306HP, I'm not complaining. The clutch just has a different feel to it but once you adjust to it, you will be fine. Go and test drive it a few times until you feel ready to buy. I also considered a IS, a friend of mine has a 250 and now wishes he had gotten the 350 instead. More money though. The G sedan is still luxury and sporty all at the same time.

shdwonthsun

iTrader: (1)

not quite what i said

IIRC it's pretty well understood that 02-03 cars are the fastest maxima GENERATION to date.

that said, i think some of the the previous G's dabbled closer to the 300 hp mark, and im not sure if the TL picked up/lost speed in the 4th generation, but it does look like it gained weight

RKS

I went from a 02 Max 6MT to a 11 G37 6MT. I've never experienced a 'sticky' clutch. I thought the clutch engagement in the Max was horrible and the G37 is just a little better. I've found that Honda/Acura and VWs that have awesome manuals but the rest of car is lackluster (except for the NSX).

Rich96

iTrader: (2)

These things are damn near impossible to find in a manual locally. If I was to drive a coupe or 350Z, would the clutch experience be the same?

Rich96

iTrader: (2)

Ok, back with some findings and some questions.

I drove an 07 and 08 G coupe...didn't realize they went to the 37 a year earlier in the coupe.

I can see the issue with the clutch...engages very quickly on the 08...not at all on the 06. Is the G37 coupe the same transmission as the 08 G35 sedan?

Taking off from first was a little tough, and my shifts into second and third were a little jerky. Am I safe to assume you get better at modulating the clutch?

twentyeggs

without a doubt. i'd say you will have it mastered in a month. when i put a racing clutch in my ZX6R i felt like the bike was trying to run away on me every time i started off from 1-3 gear. but i tamed the beast in a week and was riding like nothing changed in no time.