Hey guys, I'm at a cross road in making my decision on what to purchase. I currently have a g37 journey and I was recently offered a lease renewal(upgrade) for the q50. My problem is that I am unsure if I should take the offer for the sport or keep the equivalent--q50--and just have the 19" rims put on the car. What do you guys think? is the exterior and options added seriously worth considering? My g37 is the first infiniti I bought--first car I bought on my own-- prior to my R/t charger and I probably will not change brands again. Having that been said for those who currently own a sport, obviously the q50 will be different from the g37 sport but can you guys/girls explain what changes? outside the exterior? Thank you in advance for the assistance.
Sport vs. Premium
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The major differences are in the suspension and brakes. The Sport models have a firmer suspension tune, which is not necessarily a good thing if you live outside of a country like Germany with pristine roads. Sports also have spiffy-looking Akebono fixed-caliper brakes with huge (~14") rotors -- four-piston in the front, two in the rear. They grab like he-double-hockey-sticks and are quite powerful, but the standard ceramic pads they pair them with are prone to quick (and dangerous) fading under hard use. They're not for the track unless you swap in the Infiniti performance pads, available at the dealership.
Sports since 2005 also include a viscous limited-slip rear differential (VLSD), which is to me the most valuable of all the performance improvements. Infiniti has not announced whether Q50 Sports will still have a VLSD. (I have made no secret here I think they are morons if they leave this out.) You'll also get magnesium paddle shifters. A few preproduction non-Sport Qs have had them as they rotated around the display at various auto shows, but the Q50 build site indicates they're only available on the Sports, and I think that will continue.
Sports also include front seats with more aggressive bolstering and more power adjustments for the driver's seat.
One man's opinion (mine) is that the G/Q is a sport sedan, and sport sedans should be sporty. So I sport mine up to maximum factory sportiness. I do not add wings or spoilers or 22" wheels or 3" drop kits, so the factory Sport tune is as sportified as my car will ever get. YMMV.
That being said, adding the 19" Sport wheels with all-season performance rubber to a non-Sport Q is a mighty tempting option for those of us getting a little older and thin of backside. I did not do that this time around when I settled on a Q50s, but I have a feeling that day is coming sooner rather than later.
Sports since 2005 also include a viscous limited-slip rear differential (VLSD), which is to me the most valuable of all the performance improvements. Infiniti has not announced whether Q50 Sports will still have a VLSD. (I have made no secret here I think they are morons if they leave this out.) You'll also get magnesium paddle shifters. A few preproduction non-Sport Qs have had them as they rotated around the display at various auto shows, but the Q50 build site indicates they're only available on the Sports, and I think that will continue.
Sports also include front seats with more aggressive bolstering and more power adjustments for the driver's seat.
One man's opinion (mine) is that the G/Q is a sport sedan, and sport sedans should be sporty. So I sport mine up to maximum factory sportiness. I do not add wings or spoilers or 22" wheels or 3" drop kits, so the factory Sport tune is as sportified as my car will ever get. YMMV.
That being said, adding the 19" Sport wheels with all-season performance rubber to a non-Sport Q is a mighty tempting option for those of us getting a little older and thin of backside. I did not do that this time around when I settled on a Q50s, but I have a feeling that day is coming sooner rather than later.
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IMO, if you can wait, I suggest test driving both trims yourself before making a decision.
JKWright, by your assessment, you can officially call the Q50 engineers/designers/product managers "morons." No VLSD on the Q50. I hadn't seen this anywhere, but heard it yesterday at a sales meeting.
Harbinger, have you tried sitting in a current S vs. regular G37? Seats are a notable difference. If you're like me and not skinny, you may prefer the non-sport seats.
Suspension difference is noticeable but not huge. Paddle shifters are nice if you like to downshift coming down a slippery hill, but IMO not otherwise a big difference. I don't notice a big difference in braking performance between the two, but the sport brakes definitely look nicer.
As for front bumper difference, I guess the question is whether you want your car to smile or frown.
Harbinger, have you tried sitting in a current S vs. regular G37? Seats are a notable difference. If you're like me and not skinny, you may prefer the non-sport seats.
Suspension difference is noticeable but not huge. Paddle shifters are nice if you like to downshift coming down a slippery hill, but IMO not otherwise a big difference. I don't notice a big difference in braking performance between the two, but the sport brakes definitely look nicer.
As for front bumper difference, I guess the question is whether you want your car to smile or frown.
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Even if this were true, isn't this now considered Pish Posh either way?
Conversely, I keep hearing that the control and overall performance in the Q50 is better than the G37 in every way. Maybe the VLSD is a thing of the past.
Okay. They are morons. I do not feel any better.
I had been holding out hope since the Q50 microsite came out and did not so much as utter a peep about the differential either way. Who knows what they have in mind. Did you drive the car on track day? Notice any inside wheelspin in tight corners?
I suppose I will find out soon enough. If it is brake-based, then it brake-based.
Being a complete non-automotive engineer who also happens to suck at math, I will defer to the overly intelligent Japanese engineers on how to best control wheelspin in a high-performance RWD sedan in 2014. But I'm still calling them morons because that's what know-it-alls like me do.
Not sure what pish posh is, but I have heard the same things w/ regard to the performance and handling of the Q50 vs. G37. But if you really want to smoke both tires at once, VLSD may be the only answer. If you want a car that's awesome to drive, get a Q50.
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I hope actually test driving the car will be the true determining factor.
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I'm really eager to find out how the Direct Adaptive Steering will work in creating a sportier ride on the Non-Sport models and AWD.
Personally I'm on the fence myself between getting a loaded Premium AWD or a loaded Sport RWD. I love all the colors, but for the non-Sport, I'm leaning towards Chestnut Bronze w/ Wheat and Liquid Platinum w/ Graphite for the Sport.
The biggest things I'd miss in the Sport package are the sport brakes and the paddle shifters. However, I tend to use the D/S shift mode to shift almost as much as the paddles, so it's not a huge thing, but I think I'd miss them. Also, the Sport brakes have saved my ass on more than one occasion too!
However, I do like the idea of a slightly softer suspension and a smoother ride without compromising on power. I might be moving to a colder area soon and so the AWD would definitely be a worthwhile investment too. I've driven a G37 without Sport Package before and the differences in braking power and handling weren't as dramatic as I thought they'd be.
So, I'll just have to wait and see.
Personally I'm on the fence myself between getting a loaded Premium AWD or a loaded Sport RWD. I love all the colors, but for the non-Sport, I'm leaning towards Chestnut Bronze w/ Wheat and Liquid Platinum w/ Graphite for the Sport.
The biggest things I'd miss in the Sport package are the sport brakes and the paddle shifters. However, I tend to use the D/S shift mode to shift almost as much as the paddles, so it's not a huge thing, but I think I'd miss them. Also, the Sport brakes have saved my ass on more than one occasion too!
However, I do like the idea of a slightly softer suspension and a smoother ride without compromising on power. I might be moving to a colder area soon and so the AWD would definitely be a worthwhile investment too. I've driven a G37 without Sport Package before and the differences in braking power and handling weren't as dramatic as I thought they'd be.
So, I'll just have to wait and see.
Doyle pretty much hit the nail on the head.
Only thing is, if you can sit in both, do so before ordering. I haven't seen the sport seats in the Q50 yet. Personally, in the G37 I prefer the non-sport seats. But that's because I'm bigger around the middle than I should be. I like the idea of paddle shifters for use when descending hills in the snow, otherwise don't care about them (so I'd just use the manual shift mode with the shifter knob). I also tend to prefer the non-sport suspension of the G to the sport model.
Only thing is, if you can sit in both, do so before ordering. I haven't seen the sport seats in the Q50 yet. Personally, in the G37 I prefer the non-sport seats. But that's because I'm bigger around the middle than I should be. I like the idea of paddle shifters for use when descending hills in the snow, otherwise don't care about them (so I'd just use the manual shift mode with the shifter knob). I also tend to prefer the non-sport suspension of the G to the sport model.
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I'm imaging someone probably already asked this question somewhere on the forum, but does any1 know exactly what the "Deluxe Technology Package" here means? Is it a combo pkg w/ the deluxe touring & technology packages? Or it is a condensed version of both? It would amt to a nice saving. I know it wasn't available as a pre-build pkg. Thanx.
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What sinecure said above.
The non-hybrid would get 2 packages - tech and touring.
The hybrid only gets deluxe tech but it includes just about everything from the 2 packages except the split fold down seats (hybrid battery takes up space and won't allow the fold downs).
Confused me for a while also!
The non-hybrid would get 2 packages - tech and touring.
The hybrid only gets deluxe tech but it includes just about everything from the 2 packages except the split fold down seats (hybrid battery takes up space and won't allow the fold downs).
Confused me for a while also!
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I really enjoy the added aggressiveness and the larger brakes on my current G37S. However, I could do with a slightly less stiff suspension and a bit more cushier seats.
For me, I'm still on the fence. I'll be sure to test drive both models extensively.
For me, I'm still on the fence. I'll be sure to test drive both models extensively.
i enjoy using the paddles because they're there. I enjoy the sport seats with the thigh extension. I like the 19" rims and harder ride and stronger brakes.
The thing thats pissing me off is that both sport and non sport have the same side sills....so basically all that changes when you get the Sport package is the front bumper...and even that is such a small difference.
i wish there was a little more difference in body work
The thing thats pissing me off is that both sport and non sport have the same side sills....so basically all that changes when you get the Sport package is the front bumper...and even that is such a small difference.
i wish there was a little more difference in body work
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