Im looking to get back into leasing a car. I had a WRX for a while and that was fun, then bought a beat 91 325IX AWD and have driven it for the last year and a half.

I had my eyes on a Mazda3 Grand Touring S with navigation, but even though its stickered at just $23,000, only one Mazda dealer out of about 20 has been able to break $400/mth on 0 down, for 39 months. Thats just terrible. I paid $380/mth for my WRX under same terms and that was $2000 more of a car.

So I looked at the G35s as an alternative and they seem much more aggressively priced. The local Infiniti dealer can likely get me into a G35 for under $400/mth, 0 down, 39 months. This is a $32,000 car.

I like the car a lot, and will take my first hard look at it tomorrow as I kick tires and take it for a spin. I do have a few important questions however.

1. With 07s arriving, are dealers intent on flushing out 06s at rock-bottom prices? Meaning, coupes and sedan price differences will blend for their sake?

2. Whats major differences in the 07 G35s and 06s? Id rather negotiate on an 06 if it saves me money.

3. From owner experience, how much fo the coupes and sedans differ. Are they apples and oranges or are they much more closely related in terms of feel and performance? I like the coupe, but gee, a back seat and 2 extra doors are nice too.

4. Any trouble spots on these cars? Headache areas?


My only real reservation on the car right now is I prefer a 6-spd manual and I dont think the AWD comes in a manual. With 18 inch tires I assume this car is going to suck big time in any inclement weather. I know my fathers GS430 is an absolute joke and its a very similar car.

I would also love to have navigation, but it appears it has to be packaged with a lot of other stuff. If the dealer had a specific car salting away with nav for a rock bottom price Id be interested.

The tough issue for me outside of inclement weather is if I was able to get the dealer to find me an equal priced AWD G35 with automatic, or a 6spd manual with nav.

I 6spd manual coupe with nav for under $400/mth would be the holy grail I think, but Im not sure thats gonna be doable. But jeez, with 07s rolling in, maybe they have a car thats been sitting a while they want to unload?

Looks like a lot of car for the money though, w/very favorable lease terms.

Uh yeah I assume they take premium unleaded . They dont get very good has mileage either, which is why I initially looked at the Mazda3. Im not really looking for a sporty car. I have two Porsche turbos, but Im thinking for the price, maybe its too hard to say no?

 

wait..you have two porsche turbos? Why not just drive around a civic then? Theres your gas mileage and low lease price. I will let someone else answer the rest of your questions, as they are much more qualified to do so. But as for the 06 and 07 difference..on the coupes at lease...its exactly the same except splashguards are standard and auto on off headlights are too. Keyfob stand on autos. Sedan will give you a lower lease price, esp with 07s having a brand new facelift. dont know how well you can argue for an 06 coupe as the new body style wont be out till 08. g/l

 

Actually looked into a Civic hybrid to save gas but Hondas are just a bit too sterile for me. The pricing Im getting on prospective leases from the local Infiniti dealer are just a lot better. (More car for not much more money).

I drove the G35 sedan 6MT today. Liked the car, loved the power. But the gearbox is a bit notchier than I would prefer for a car at this price. Clutch felt very good though. Over the course of the day I started leaning more toward the automatic. With two hellraiser cars already in the garage, a third manual tranny car is just overkill. I want something I can relax in.

Then I began looking at the G35x. Ive owned two AWD cars, a WRX and now a 91 325IX. I absolutely love AWD and Ohio winters can be very questionable. Price of the G35x is $2000 more however. But I think for what Im looking for (cushy bullet train to and from work in rain and snow) I will get more benefit from the AWD version than a sporty 6MT. Nevermind the AWDs come with 17 all seasons instead of 18" summers which should help. If the 6MT handles in the rain and snow anything like my fathers GS430, its completely unsafe from November to March.

Really liked the G car though overall -- but not the AWD projected EPA MPG but I convinced myself if I get the 6MT Id drive it more aggressively and get those same numbers.

Fit and finish is very good. Materials not quite Lexus or BMW level, but very good nonetheless. Not super crazy about the orange dash lighting. Bose audio sounded pretty good. And the reclining seats in the back are a nice touch. Lots of room in this car -- as much or more as the GS430. I rarely carry people in the back but its nice to know its there. Good looking car from the outside.

I may call dealer back on Monday.

 

I've had my 03 Sedan for a year now. We tend to have some pretty harsh winters here but last year wasn't that bad. It never did get very cold but we did get some snow. Anyways, I invested in a set of 4 Yokohama IceGuards (721's I think). With the winter tires, the car was just fine in town and on the highway. Only issue I had was in the deep snow and slush when trying to park or when try to get un-parked. Other than that it really wasn't that bad. We'll see how next winter goes...

 

Thanks.

Obsideon G35X arriving next week. Just couldnt go w/o AWD.

Should be interesting! Ill post impressions once I get it.

 

Congrats on the new car. You'll be happy with it.

I don't know for sure but I bet you're still going to need winter tires when winter comes though.

 

Not sure. I had 17" rain/summer tires on my WRX and never took em off in the winter. Plenty of grip everywhere. The X comes with all seasons.

I may get some 18s from tirerack though for summer. anyone have some good inexpensive black rims w/polished lip to recommend. Under $250/rim.

 

I've got kazera kz-a's on my sedan. They're black, with a polished lip, and a polished center. I personally like the look. They're 18x8.5's all around, and weigh close to stock(24.4 lbs).

ASA makes a set that are virtually identical, except their version doesn't have yellow lettering on the spokes.

kazeras:
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Displ...k+w%2FMach+Lip

asa's:
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Displ...k+w%2FMach+Lip

And here's a few pics of the kazeras on my car:
https://g35driver.com/forums/picture-share/76210-new-pics-05-ip-sedan-kazera-s.html

 

what did u end up putting down/monthly payment for the X? lease or buy?

 

Thanks for the wheel samples. I have those ASAs on my Bimmer. Just not in black. Ill use the stock rims/tires for winter, but havent decided on 18s or 19s for summer. 18s are so much cheaper (rubber at least). And Im not doing any suspension stuff. This is just a nice commuter car for me. Im thinking 19s may look out of place.

Paying $398/mth for 39 months on an 06 G35X. Only $850 down. Im paying first month, security deposit, and the entire taxes on the lease up front, along with the usual title, plates, and such.

I originally was looking at a loaded Mazda3 hatch, but the best lease deals were $400-450. Only one dealer out of 20 got under $400/mth. I figured for about same price, I could be driving a $38,000 car instead of a $23,000 car.

Residual after 39 months is a stout 55%. That made a big difference.

 

i was thinking the same thing when i went looking for cars...i am paying $300 a month + trade in ($3500) + $2k cash....do u know the buy out of your 06 in 09? and did you get the 12k mile a year or 15k?

 

Got 15K miles/yr. Buyout is $20,500.

if its still worth more than that, Ill pay cash for it, then sell it for the difference. Did this with my WRX and pocketed $2200 after the lease. Technically I just recovered money I overpaid in the lease compared to depreciation, but still, basically means I drove the car w/o the dealer making any margin.

 

that what i have in mind as well the buyout for mine was $18k