Hey everyone, I've been lurking the forums for a while now just reading up.

Currently I drive a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP with some mods done to it. It's a mid-high 13 sec. car. But I'm done with GM's issues, and random things breaking, plus it's at 160K and on it's last leg.

So I'm looking to buy a G35 within the next month or two.

My spending limit is $20-25K(the lower the better).

Where I'm undecided is in which trim I want. I was set on the 2007 G35x, but after looking a little more into it, I'm now thinking about broadening my search.

This won't be done within the first few months probably(unless I get bit of course ), but I am now looking into after market parts. It seems most aftermarket is made for 03-06 Coupe. A little for 03-06 Sedan(incl. x), and not much at all for 07/08 sedan or sedan x.

Is this true? Also is there a list somewhere of Infiniti Aftermarket vendors?(I couldn't find it, tried searching)

Also, I didn't see any known issues specific to 07 Sedan x, but I may have missed something, so are there any known issues with this model?

I do know the 07's have the VQ35HR which is one reason I am interested in them, for the extra 20+ HP. But are there known issues with this engine as well?

I do want to get an Auto, no MT, and as for the AWD, I don't NEED it, but it would be nice. I live in Central(Brick), NJ. How is the RWD Coupe in the snow and rain?

The only reason I ask all this and would like more opinions is b/c I really like the look of the coupes(as you may notice since the only sedans I like are 07+), and the coupes are a lot easier to find and cheaper as well(as I am 21 and I know my insurance is going to go up).

So I'm trying to figure out if I should keep looking for the right 07 Sedan x, or start looking into 06+ Coupes? Or should I even look into 04/05's?(Weren't there some changes made in 06?)

Thanks in adv. and hope to get some good information for my hunt.

 

I just bought an 06 Sedan, coming from a 2002 Grand Prix GT Coupe.

You are young and the Coupe is hot. From everything I have seen, there are a lot more options for you to play with the coupe than the sedan. If you were older, I think the Sedan might need to be more of a consideration. I think you might have more fun....and turn more heads, in the coupe.

I think there were changes made to the engine in the 06 from the 05. Then the 07 or 08 had the next change.

Check out infinithelp.com you can check out the year and it will show you engine specs and stuff. You can compare years, engines, and such. I would also suggest going to check some out. I mean, it just seems like a rule of thumb that newer is better. I really liked some of the older models better myself. The 06 introduced bluetooth connectivity with the premium package. I took my car in for service and they gave me an 07 to drive while they looked at it. I was surprised that I really like my own interior better. I am much happier having my 06 than the 07. Some of it is just personal preference. Also, even though it does have more horsepower (now that I am saying it, I think I recall that 07 was another change), I thought there was no middleground to the acceleration (transmission). The 07 felt either sluggish getting out of first, or lurched. I really prefer the smoothness of my 06. Of course, it might also be familiarity.

I have read through the forums. While some people really love their X in the snow, I have read others say that the RWD with good snow tires does just as well. I am in Los Angeles. We barely get rain, let alone snow. But everyone agreed that nothing beats good snow tires.

Dave

 

Thanks for all the information Dave, I am checking out that infinitihelp.com website out now.

So coming from basically the same car as me, if you don't mind, how would(if possible :-p) you compare the Grand Prix to the G35?

I am going to start looking at some 06 G35's in the area to get some prixing ideas, as well as watching the forums :-D

 

Coming from a grand prix:

Acceleration: going to feel slow off the line. It's going to feel ball-less off the line until the rpms rise a bit. The engine won't feel as stout as the grand prix until you're up to speed, then it's nice and smooth. Once you're going though, it's quick and responsive all over. You'll notice a ****-ton more ***** up top, too.

Braking: Much better. After going back and forth between the two, I often felt unsafe in the grand prix, like the brakes failed. The better braking will give you tons more driving confidence and comfort. I've yet to find another car to match it.

Handling: Amazing. You'll never want to touch a Grand Prix again. The G coupe can be a little stiff, but the sedan is damn near perfect.

Transmission: Much better, though there may be a slight thump on the shifts, at least there were in all the ones I drove. No more feeling of stuck between gears, or the torque converter getting confused.

Downfalls: The fuel economy will suck on the highway, expect 22-23 compared to your grand prix's 28-29. That's just the gearing difference though, so it'll feel quicker and more responsive on the highway in return.

Other than that, I've had some wind noise from the rear windshield, and wind noise/licking noises from the sunroof and windows as well. The side windows will also slide down a bit on bumps if they're cracked a hair, so they may need adjustment. Also, you can't rotate the tires, and they have a tendency to feather and wear unevenly in the front. Other than that, my rear end clunked and needed replacement when I bought the car at 19k. I think these problems are all coupe specific.

Other than that, the interior pieces scratch easily, and there are a few rattles. Still better than the grand prix by far, though.

Oh, if you have a grand prix sedan now, think carefully about storage space. My coupe didn't fit crap, I was missing the extra doors shortly after. It fit long flat objects like my snowboard if I dropped the rear seat down, but that was about it. The sedan is much better if you need a daily driver, though they goofed that one by not having the rear seat fold down.

If I did it again, I'd go 07+ sedan. I've driven the coupe, old sedan, and new sedan for long periods of time, and the 07+ was the best by far. I traded my 05 coupe in for a Pontiac G8 GT, because I needed cargo space again, but the 07+ sedan was dead even in my running. It seriously fixed every little issue I didn't like about my coupe.