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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » My First Toy

Aug. 28, 2011 9:40 p.m. AsianFemaleDriver New Reader

Hi all Finally got a car for myself!!! It's a Infiniti G20T with a SR20DE and it's a 5-speed! My hubby's been teaching me to drive it and so far he says I'm improving quickly

It has a limited slip diff., 100k miles, no rust, very few cosmetic blemishes, black leather interior, moon roof, bose sound system, heated seats(yay), and it's VERY easy to drive for a beginner stick driver like me. The clutch catches right at the bottom of the pedal travel which makes it easier not to kill the engine by accident.

I'm excited to drive this car around and become good at stick shift! But because it is black on black and leather, I will "girlie" it up a bit. Mainly I want to change the shift knob because the leather is so worn that the numbers are faded. I would like the numbers clearly printed since I am just learning to drive a stick. However it is INCREDIBLY difficult to remove that knob - Nissan must've used voodoo on it...perhaps super glue - but it will go no matter what.

any suggestions for a good shift knob - that has numbers on the top?...and perhaps girly?
Aug. 28, 2011 9:49 p.m. L8APX New Reader

I think you should check ebay for a knob.

As for the car, good luck with it and back out those wheels.
Aug. 28, 2011 10:17 p.m. oldsaw SuperDork

Is there a set-screw threaded into the base of the shift knob? If not, you're just dealing with a very stubborn OR knob that requires a lot of leverage and elbow grease.

As for replacements, sounds like an opportunity to join the hubby on a run to local pull-a-part. If you choose to go with a new one, make sure you match the threading.

Nice car, BTW. Congrats!
Aug. 28, 2011 10:25 p.m. ckosacranoid Dork

nice ride and good luck playing with it.
Aug. 28, 2011 10:26 p.m. EvanB SuperDork

Awesome car, I've always liked those.

For the shift knob it should just screw off, if it hasn't been removed before it can be very tight. You could wrap a rag around it so it doesn't get scratched/marred and use a pipe wrench or vise grips for some leverage to get it off.
Aug. 28, 2011 10:50 p.m. Rufledt HalfDork

I looked for a set screw and there wasn't one. The g20.net people did mention how annoying the knob was to remove except in the summer-in Arizona. They suggest channel locks, which will ruin the leather but get the knob off. It doesn't look too bad I thought but it's not my car. Whatever makes her happy makes me extra happy. Anyone know any good pull-a-part around Quincy Mass? as for the thread i think it's 10x1.25" like most nissans so finding one shouldn't be too hard...

Anyone know of any free shop manuals for this car online? Also any common problems we should be aware of? we got a 30 day bumper to bumper warranty and I want to use it if have to before the 31st day...
Aug. 28, 2011 10:51 p.m. Rufledt HalfDork

ahh evan beat me to it! That's what I get for typing a post and then walking away for a while without posting...
Aug. 29, 2011 8:16 a.m. Duke SuperDork

Nice car - those are fun to drive. And count me as a vote for NOT blacking out the wheels. Black on black on black is really played out. Go for bronze, or a nice bright color, if you refinish them at all. Congratulations!
Aug. 29, 2011 8:59 a.m. AsianFemaleDriver New Reader

Yeah, I wasn't gonna refinish the wheels. I like the way they look, and they don't even have any curb rash. I might get an extra set of wheels with snow tires, though.
Aug. 29, 2011 9:18 a.m. pilotbraden HalfDork

Snow tires are good
Aug. 30, 2011 1:46 a.m. 4eyes HalfDork

Pick an accent color, red, purple, yellow etc. and pinstripe a line around the wheels. Do the windshield wipers, the numbers in the new shifter (if they are engraved not printed) maybe around the beltline. I agree black/black/black is to masculine for a ladies car, it needs a splash of accent color.

And thanks for learning how to drive a manual.

P.S. As my Asian BFF says, "Don't reinforce the stereotype."
Aug. 30, 2011 5:09 a.m. 4cylndrfury SuperDork

Great car, i own a 99. Sadly mine is saddled with a dog slow slushbox auto, so i am forced to make vroom vroom sounds in my head. If you join g20.net, they have an awesome for sale section when you get ready to hoon around a little under the hood. Good luck and congrats!
Aug. 30, 2011 6:45 p.m. Rufledt HalfDork

The Mrs. and I just did step 1 for used car ownership- a hand wash and wax. She said now she can see all of the paint imperfections and it made her sad! I said that's what happens when you wax a car... Joy that you protected the paint/made it shiney, followed by sadness that you now know every single nick and scratch. Step 2 is trying to keep from getting more of them! It's hopeless in a city like Boston where careless/incompetent parkers are swarming in such high numbers, but it was a cheaper used car so we didn't expect perfection anyway, or at least I didn't. I saw more severe damage on a used Hyundai that was 3 times the price. Wayyy more severe. And thanks to the inspection and warranty, it now has new brakes and a battery, too!

And yes, she picked up manual driving very quickly! I've always said if someone is so hopelessly talentless at driving that they can't possibly learn how to drive a stick adequitely, they should've be driving an automatic, either... The salesguy/mechanic said it has a new clutch, so if she wears it out then I'll know i was wrong! (or he lied)
Sept. 6, 2011 9:09 p.m. N Sperlo Dork

I notice Cosworth sells quite a few SR20DET parts. Could be handy for you.
Sept. 7, 2011 9:12 a.m. Rufledt HalfDork

Thankee kind sir for that bit of info! I never thought to check there

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