I don't own a G35 yet, but im trying to decide if I should buy an 04 or an 05. I like the look of the cars pretty much the same. I know there were some slight changes between the years in looks, but the one change that really makes me want the 04 is the Brembo Brakes. I've always wanted Brembo brakes on my muscle cars but never had the cash to shell out that kind of money.

I know they changed to come kind of different suspension in 05, I wanted to get the experts opinions.
If you were wondering what I was planning on doing with the car, here we go...
Turbo system for sure, different wheels, full exhaust, and of course tuning for the computer. I've had bad experience in the past with modding the internals of engines, so I'm trying to stay away from that. I want this car to be a real nasty weekend driver that I can rip on without having to worry about breaking. Thus the reason for keeping the turbo system in a safe range for the motor.

I am very new to foreign cars, I do have a good deal of experience with muscle cars and turning wrenches. Any input would be great. Thanks.

lastly, the hp and tq between the two years don't matter to me at all. I will make up for the power.

 

I assume you're looking for a coupe, since you mention Brembos. I'd say go ahead and look for a good 04 coupe. They're still generally in good shape, and you'll save a little money over an 05.

 

Yeah it has to be a coupe. I've been leaning towards the 04 but I wanted to hear from people that have the 05 and who have the 04.

If anyone knows anymore about the differences between the two please post it up

 

I assume you're talking about a 6M/T since you've mentioned the Brembos. Brembos only came on 03-04 6M/Ts and were not available on 5A/Ts. The other major differences between 04 and 05 model year coupes (and only coupes, I'm not referring to the sedans here) are...

1. 05-07 6M/T Coupes received what is referred to as the "rev-up" version of the VQ35DE motor. The reason for the "rev-up" designation is the fact that they had a higher redline (7000 rpm vs. 6600 rpm) and made more power up top in the powerband (293 vs. 275 in the non rev-up versions) but gave up some low end torque (peak torque was down to 258 ft-lbs in the rev-up vs. 268 ft-lbs in the non rev-up) in return. Only 05-07s 6M/T received the rev-up motor. ALL 5A/Ts (03-07) received the non rev-up engine.

*Note* All non-rev up engines in the Coupe are rated at 275hp. The reason the earlier cars were rated at 280hp was because the SAE revised their hp measurement methods in the past few years which caused Nissan to revise the motors rating in accordance with these new more accurate measurement procedures. The same thing can be said about the rev-up motor. Before these new standards were instituted the rev-up was rated at 298hp. After Nissan revised their ratings, the number dropped to 293hp. Power output in both of these engines remained constant throughout the years but the number simply changed due to a change in the SAE's hp measurement procedures.

2. 05-07 Coupes received a much needed revamp in the inside the car. The gauges were now of the electroluminescent type, the aluminum trim on the center stack was of higher quality and some of the tacky looking switchgear was swapped out for better looking pieces. I'm pretty sure 05 was also the first year the CD players gained mp3 playback capability. The interior color options were also revamped. Wheat (beige) and Stone (gray) replaced Willow (tan). IIRC leather also became standard in 05 on ALL models. In 03 and 04 you could get cloth in base 5A/Ts. 6M/Ts always came with leather.

3. While 05-07 6M/Ts lost the Brembos, they gained Rays forged 19" wheels in place of the 03-04 6M/Ts cast 18"s. ALL 05-07 6M/Ts came with forged 19"s from the factory. The 18"s were still an option on 05-07 Coupes but only on non-Sport 5A/Ts.

4. New exterior colors in 05. Serengeti Sand (gold), Lakeshore Slate (turquoise) and Athens Blue (a very rich blue) were all brand new in 05. IIRC the colors they replaced were Desert Platinum (silvery gold) and Twilight Blue (dark blue) IIRC. There may have been one more but I forgot.

5. Again, I'm assuming you're looking at a 6M/T, but in case you're open to a 5A/T know that in 05 they gained DRM (downshift rev matching) where the transmission blips the throttle on downshifts for a smoother transition to lower gears. Basically it simulates a heel-and-toe downshifts.



That's all I can think of right now. There are also a handful of differences between 05 and 06s but I'll give someone else a chance to jump in here and contribute.

 

o4 FTW!!!

 

Couple questions

1. Does 03 04 Brembo bolt on 05+???
2. What's different between non-rev up and rev-up engines? I am not talking about the number, mechanically different?

 

[QUOTE=DragonStang]I know they changed to come kind of different suspension in 05, I wanted to get the experts opinions. [QUOTE]



If you really want the brembos, go for the 04. If you're going to do that much modding, you're going to mod out all the differences, including the suspension. I know that it wasn't on your list, but its something I would recommend you do.

I do admit I am jealous of the 05'+ interior. But thats about it.

 

I'd take an 05 over an 04 anytime of the week for obvious reasons.

bruddahmanmatt broke it down very well. Everytime I look at the 03-04 interiors, I can't stand but to think how plain it looks. Not that the 05's have an excellent interior compared to its competition during its time, but its definately much better than the 03-04 interiors.

You can get brembo's anytime... but you cannot get an upgraded interior

.

 

Excellent run down Bruddahmanmatt.

Since the poster is buying used of course, one other consideration is there is a slighter greater chance of having a motor that uses oil with the rev up engine.

The US 6mt model suspension was revised in the '05 with slightly stiffer shocks, stiffer rear springs and larger rear stabilizer bar IIRC.

You'll have to consider costs as well as your priorities to make your decision. The purchase cost of an '05 is greater and if you want to upgrade brakes that's a lot of money. On the other hand upgrading the interior is near impossible in the '04.

 

I beg to differ. For the price of real brembos plus installation i bet you can get some custom work on a center console. For way less than that you can get the JDM dash conversion and a EClipse nav/headunit. I'd take that over an '05 interior. A decent shop to fabricate something else that goes around the shifter, and you're set. Even though I know I can do this, I don't want it bad enough to spend the money on it.


1. Rev-up engine. Your compression ratio goes up slightly. He's going turbo, this difference will be almost completely modded out. He even says himself it doesn't matter because he'll make up the difference. Turbos like to have their compression ratio go down. I know its not much difference but...thats just it...its not much difference overall if he's gonna go boost.

2. Inside revamp-you win. Although the price for new brembos (albeit better brembos most likely) you can re do the interior. I admit I'd like to have the 05 interior, but I'd rather have my brembos. They're not the best, but they do what they need to do well.

3. Ray's forged stock wheels. He can stay on stock wheels if he wants but I'd want something that could take wider tires if he's gonna pull that much power out of it.

4. Colors- well, I like basic colors like black white and silver but color is always in the eye of the beholder. Toss up here

5. L2DRIVE (learn to drive)

I say go '04. You'll find it cheaper also.

 

depending on how much the price differences, but 2005 defintitely better as far as car built as a whole