Help me decide. GTO or G35

[btrotter]

I own a home in Gastonia, although I am currently living in Windsor, England. I expect to be here for just a short while longer, and then it will be back to the US.
Is the Infiniti of Charlotte the one on Hwy 74 (Independence), or the one on South Blvd? I have looked at the G35 Sedans at the one on 74, and it was then that I decided I liked the Coupe so much more.
I will not have a trade-in as I sold my old cars before I moved to the UK, so I will have to get them to give me a good deal off the MSRP. I have considered the Carmax option as well. I am not opposed to buying new as long as the mileage is low, it has all the options I want, and I get a good deal on it. I usually get aftermarket extended warranties on cars (WarrantyGold), so I am not worried about getting one with a few miles on it. Hopefully the average G35 driver doesnt abuse his car like the average Mustang or Z28 driver does, and I would be safe buying used.

If I do decide to buy new, I will get the contact info from you, and make sure she knows it is a referral. I will tell her that she needs to send you a little "thank you" gift.

[btrotter]

avs007,
Your insights are definetely helpful. Especially since I think you probably have close to the same taste as I do. I am no huge fan of Pontiac, and I whole heartedly agree that their quality isnt where it should be.
The GTP was a good fit for me when I bought it though.
It was a 4-door car, nice and roomy, decent looking, and had ample power; especially once you start tweaking things.
I ended up with a nice comfortable car that was great for making long trips in, and had enough power and torque to squirt across the 1/4mile line in under 14 secs.
I sold that car when I moved to the UK, and as soon as I get back, I essentially want the same level of car without it having to be a 4-door.

What exactly is VPP?

Also, does anyone have any good videos of the G35? Inside videos while driving, outside, etc?

You guys are definetely doing a good job of swaying my opinion. I just wish they could have dropped a V8 in that thing, and made my decision so much easier.

Brian

[avs007]

VPP is vehicle purchase program. Basically if your company is a vendor of Nissan, you get to buy any qualified Nissan or Infiniti vehicle for a little over invoice. The G35 Coupe was added to the list of qualified cars a few months ago. I don't have the link on me, but if you do a google search for Nissan and VPP, you should come up with a pdf file that lists the companies. Its a few hundred long I think.

I think I have a video of bone stock G35 in a track with an S2000, RX8, RSX Type-S, and a few other cars. The G35 came in second, right behind the S2000. But only because it started in the back behind a bunch of slow pokes. The commentators were saying that if there were a few more laps, the G35 would've passed up the S2000. I'll see if I can find it. Someone posted a link to it on the G35 coupe board a month ago, so maybe you can find it before I do

[SkyLine350GTs]

the new gto is a joke.

High Point NC
04 G35 6MT Sedan, Diamond Graphite on Black.
Arrived on 10/20/03
Mods include.
20% tint
INJEN CAI, black
clear bra
clear corners

Rip 2002 Altima 2.5s blk/grey 5/30/02-10/7/03

[ABQ_G35]

http://www.grubbsinfiniti.com/en_US/f_MiscPage_20.chtml


Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan/5AT

[Z06ified]

I was thinking of waiting for the GTO to come out when I got my G35 Coupe in June last year. But now that the GTO is out, I'm glad I didn't wait for it. It's a great car, but the thing that disappoints me the most is the styling of it puts me to sleep. They could have done so much better with it. And I LOVE the old GTO's. Some day I will own a '67 GTO convertible [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

As you said, the biggest asset the GTO has is its engine, and its interior is nice.

As for your needs, here are my opinions:

In reply to:

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* I like the conservative, yet aggresive styling of the G35.

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I agree. In terms of styling, the G35 wins hands down, IMO.

In reply to:

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* I LOVE gadgetry in the cockpit. Satnav, sunroofs, power mirrors/seats, heated seats, adjustable steering, trac/stab control, gauges, etc.

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Interiors are probably a tie, IMO. Both are very good. The G35 has a few more options and gadgets available, such as navigation and satellite radio.

In reply to:

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* I need 4 functional seats that could comfortable sit 4 adults.

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This one I have to give the nod to the GTO. The rear seat of the G35 has headroom issues. If you're taller than 5'6" your head will probably hit the rear window in the backseat of a G35. I'm 5'9" and I don't even come close to clearing the rear window. The GTO doesn't have this issue.

In reply to:

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* I want an extremely comfortable car to drive, and will give me the most luxury for my $.

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I think this is also probably a tie between the GTO and G35.

In reply to:

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* I want a very good handling car that will also give me the most bang for my $.

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The G35 wins this contest, mostly because of its superior handling and better braking performance.

In reply to:

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* I want a car that everyone and their brother doesnt have (Mustang, Camaro, Camry, Accord... those type of cars)

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At least currently, the GTO wins this. But in a few years, maybe not. The GTO is just beginning to ship, while the G35 Coupe has been out for over a year. I've been seeing a LOT of G35 Coupes around. It's no Honda Accord, or even a BMW 3 series, in terms of being common, but its far from rare, either. Both cars will probably have similar production numbers. But for now, the GTO is more rare. But then again, its styling is so bland, not many people will notice it anyway.

In reply to:

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* I LOVE that feeling you get when you stomp down on the throttle and feel the g's pushing you back in your seat. All while listening to that pleasing roar of the engine. I love torque!

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GTO wins this one. While both cars are similar in acceleration, the GTO will definitely feel faster, with more low-end torque, and more torque period. You can't beat a healthy V-8 for the feel of power. IMO, the G35 doesn't feel as fast as it really is.

In reply to:

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Maybe I have just never grown up from my early days, but I just absolutely love the power and sound of a lusty V8.

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Yeah, the GTO definitely wins this. Although the G35's V-6, and in particular its exhaust note, do sound sweet. Its a little too quiet on the intake side, but its exhaust sounds real nice, and is surprisingly loud for a stock system. The V-8 roar of the GTO is better though.

One other thing to consider is the availability and effectiveness of power adding modifications. You may not be into modifying your car, but if you are, the GTO wins this category thanks to the HUGE availability of aftermarket parts for the LS-1 V-8, and rather large power potential of the engine. The VQ35 in the G35 is more limited in its modification potential.

Hope this helps.

2003 G35C, 6MT, DG/G, Aero/Nav/Premium
2002 Corvette Z06, Electron Blue/Black

[btrotter]

This is great feedback. By the end of your post, I was shaking my head, thinking, yep, thats exactly what I was thinking too. It it just great having someone verify my thoughts.
The one thing I didnt realize was the rear seat space issues in the G35. I have never sat in the rear seat of one, so I didnt know they were that tight. That might be an issue, but I am not sure yet.
I have a 2yr old son who rides around in his car seat in the back, and we are forever hauling family and friends around.
My wife said that she would get a family hauler if I wanted to get a 2-seater sporty car, so it might not be an issue.

By the way, how big is the trunk in the G35? The GTO suffers from a small trunk because they moved the fuel tank into it.

If we were to use the G35/GTO to travel, can the trunks reasonable hold a large suitcase and other smaller bags and such?

Thanks,
Brian

[GeoBau]

I'll be the annoying dork and suggest that if you want four functional seats, you should check out the sedan too. Only big difference is the styling. With the sports suspension and comparably trannies, etc. the performance differences are negligable. I've owned my fair share of sports cars, and chose the sedan for its practicality combined with performance. Sole major difference is styling-- some just plain don't like it. That's a valid reason to not get it if it means that much to you.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

[Z06ified]

In reply to:

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By the way, how big is the trunk in the G35? The GTO suffers from a small trunk because they moved the fuel tank into it.

If we were to use the G35/GTO to travel, can the trunks reasonable hold a large suitcase and other smaller bags and such?

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I forgot to mention the trunk too, although I have never seen the GTO's trunk to compare it with. The G35 Coupe's trunk is small. The rear seat can fold down, so that helps, but not if you're carrying 4 people with you, because its suddenly a 2 seater again. You can fit 2 bags of golf clubs in it, but BARELY. In fact, there's a whole page in the owners manual, and a sticker on the trunk entirely devoted to how to get 2 bags of golf clubs to fit in the trunk - LOL. The trunk in my Corvette is much bigger. [img]/w3timages/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

As the last poster mentioned, if rear seat comfort and accessibility, and trunk space are important to you, you would be much better served by the G35 sedan. The sedan's trunk is huge by comparison, and there are no headroom issues with the back seat, and ingress and egress are of course easier with 4 doors. You give up some styling and a little performance with the sedan. I don't have any children, but if I had to carry around a baby seat, I would want a 4 door for sure. A fast 4 door of course. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]


2003 G35C, 6MT, DG/G, Aero/Nav/Premium
2002 Corvette Z06, Electron Blue/Black

[avs007]

When I cross shopped the GTO and G35 Coupe, I noticed that the Coupe's trunk was actually bigger than the GTO by 1 cubic foot, according to the specs. (Suprising huh?) Other than back seat comfort, I found the G35 Coupe would provide me with more utility. To each his own tho, as I've never actually seen a GTO in person yet, (Oregon dealers don't have jack), so I can't say for sure which trunk is better. I'm guessing the GTO's trunk is deeper but shorter, and the G35's is longer and shallower. I'm not sure if the GTO's back seats fold down either.

[SkylineGT]

...

2004 G35C 5AT Blk/Blk, Pfm Pkg

[FastBlack]

Here's a new contender.

Ford GT

500 hP!
500 torque!

G35C OB/G

[Powercat]

If you really need 4 seats to comfortably fit adults, you better go with the Ponitac unless your adults are really short.

[4DSC]

My Grandma (RIP) would have loved the new GTO!
Need I say more...
Now if you were considering the 2005 Mustang GT...
we would have something to discuss!


4DSC still waiting for my...2004/G35sedan/6MT/silver/graphite/premium/aero/bodykit