i was mostly interested in the EVO and STI but when i saw the G's styling i couldnt resist so i went with that. The interior of the EVO's and STI's were to simple too.

 

had two skylines in japan back in 1997-2000 (r32 gts, r33 gts-t).

i saw an article in a magazine back in 1999 (i was getting a haircut at camp courtney and the magazine was in the waiting area) mentioning the skyline is headed for u.s. shores (non-turbo model). found out it was the g35, and bought one.

 

My nickname is 'G' so it just kind worked its self out.

But I did test drive the 350Z (dealer was an ***) and RX-8 (not enough torque). I also considered other options, Mustang, GTO, Vette, other RWD cars. But I'd be lying if I said I decided because of performance, looks, cost, ect... I'm just glad the G is actually a reel nice car.

 

A close friend of mine bought the CB coupe on 2003. I sat in it and fell in love with the power and the handling. When i was shopping for cars in 2004 I looked at a 99 M3 (E36). Wanted that car more than the G but could not see myself getting a BMW without warranty. Then i went and test drove the 6 Speed sedan, since my friend had the coupe, I loved everything besides the seats and the softness. Well got the car and redid the whole suspension the coupe seats are coming up on the 30th of this month.

BTW my friend lemonned the car after 2 weeks i had the car. He is a member here (Rob_G35).

 

I just picked up an '06 G35C. I chose it over the G37 and IS350. I test drove all of them and found the G35 the most to my liking. The G37's interior was very nice, but it didn't feel any faster than the G35, and for some reason, didn't feel like it handled as well. It felt much more like a luxury car than a sports car. It was just as the sales rep described it - the G35 is much more "raw" compared to the G37, which I guess I liked. The IS350 felt like a fast Camry to me. Definitely felt more like a luxury car than a sports car. I also thought the exterior styling was pretty boring. I didn't even consider the german cars. Many of my friends have them (M3, C32, C55), and they all seem like maintenance nightmares. In the shop all the time for all sorts of random crap. I don't understand why those Germans can't make a car that costs $50K+ at least somewhat reliable...

 

Not to get any one's panties in a bunch, but there could be a multitude of reasons. Cultural, engineering expertise et al. For example, most of the problems with those cars (MB, BMW, Audi/VW) are electrical based. Their engines and trannies in general are great. So, in essence, the German mechanical engineering is strong. This isnt a suprise as Germany has a strong engine building background predating World War II and in fact invented the motor vehicle, via Mr. Benz.

But as the auto industry has changed into less fundamental mechanical "switch" engineering towards computer/electrical engineering the Germans strong mechanical engineering espertise turned out to be less noticeable as an overall integration of electrical/computer systems became integral to the modern automobile.

Look around and you can see the gigantic Japanese consumer electronics companies and their affiliates. Sony, Matsu****a, Hitachi, Denso etc etc. Germany just can't compete with that. There is a very strong electrical engineering braintrust in Japan. I know from experience working in a technical field, that cross industry pollination occurs and that strong electrical engineering prowess not only helps engineer a Playstation 3 or a TV but also a Nissan, Toyota etc.

The bottom line is the JDM companies (Nissan et al) have a stronger talent pool of personnel to make the systems work AND a multitude of experience in electronics systems, in general, in their homeland/market.

Also, and not to **** anyone off, culturally I would say that Japan and other Asian nations in general have a more disciplined approach to work and school etc than Western nations. Although Germany is quite disciplined and we(America) have a creative spirit and industrious which is unparallelled. The Asian nations have more of that "I am gonna read this book till my eyes bleed" mentality and that translates to the multitudes of scholastic achievements of these people in OUR American universities. The same translates to their work ethic in industry, especially Japan..they have a legendary work ethnic also somewhat related to their bushido culture. These nations are playing catchup to us (the WEST) in aspects to Western nations..but that work ethic will allow them to catch up to and eventually surpass the Western nations. Yes, there will be copying of technologies..yet that is the way of science. Most of the West's current technologies have their theoretical foundations in the scholars of the Middle East and Ancient China/India. It is a cycle.

Everything is related. Culture mixes with design. Design mixes expertise. Anyone who tells you otherwise is LYING and trying to be PC (politically correct).

Enough boring real world stuff.
Now lets switch to an Internet car forum mode AND talk about cars.

 

was in the market for a new car...was going to purchase an acura TL when my father, who just bought the G35 coupe told me I had to check out Infiniti...I wanted a sedan so I test drove it one weekend.. the rest was history. no contest as far am I an concerned

 

Since 2003 the coupe always caught my eye and that nice exhaust note. Loved the Z's since the 240/260/280/300 days and the rebirth of the 350Z. When it came time to get a new car in 2006, I looked at the 350Z but couldn't justify only a 2 seater with my current family situation, so looked at the G's. First the sedans (family thing), but really wanted a coupe and saw it had back seats...hmmm. Brought the whole family down and all sat in the coupe. Kids said they were fine and surprised how roomy and comfortable it was in back...cool...a coupe it is then...works for me, woot, woot.
Test drove a 5AT...nice, not bad at all. Then test drove a 6mt...oh hell yes!! this car was meant to be a 6mt and is the one I'm driving today.

 

260... that was funny... despite that 64000 were sold, it only had 139hp. i think we could've overlooked that year ('74).

 

The 260Z had 162 hp stock.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/260Z#260Z

In its time (only sold in the US for one year: 1974), it was no slouch. Consider that the Corvette at that time had only 165 hp (base ZQ3 engine), and the 911 had only 148 hp (base 2.7L non-S engine).

But I'll grant you your point about it being a year to forget, in terms of performance cars avaialble (or rather unavailable) in the market.

 

that was not in the u.s., because of emission restrictions, the u.s. version was restricted to 139hp, in every other country in the world, it was 162hp.

 

nevermind... i didn't notice you live in canada - i didn't read your sig earlier. i stand corrected - for you it was indeed 162, for us, it was 139.

 

i had a 2001 nissan xterra and my dad and i were looking to trade it in for a new car. I wanted to look at the g35 but my dad wanted to look at some lexus. Both which were at the same dealer. Luckily the day we went is the day the lexus was sold. So I told him we have to look at the g35. We took it out for a test drive and loved it. Went in a talked to the salesman and said we want $9,000 trade in on the xterra. the g35 was being sold for $28,500 with about 18,000 miles on it. As soon as we were told we can get $9,000 trade my dad instantly said write it up. We drove it home that day.

 

Agree...1974 and into the 80's were not good performance years for US. 74' was first year of unleaded and start of serious de-tuning due to stricter emissions.
I did back in the early 80's test drive a 280ZX turbo with T-tops, think it was an anniversary edition and possibility the 2+2. Almost signed the paper work on that one, but got cold feet b/c of monthly payments. And briefly on sad hp back in those days...1981 Bronco full-size 351M (5.8L) engine, 165hp, 8-10mpg!!...sad...lol
We've come a long way in performance, hp and mpg since those days...thank gawd.

Sorry for the thread jack OP. Back on topic now.

 

needed a car for wife (I drive family around on weekend too) and G was on sale. we already have a TL 6mt. Would've gotten 2 but poeple'd think I own Honda stock or something lol. G is a little too noisy to me but wife seem to like it. other than a few stupid designs such as memory seat function/location, oil check dipstick design, 16 screws on/off to change oil and tough to change air filter. etc., it's a decent car. i LLLLOOOOOVE the way it handles in snow and rain. however, i've only seen ~15MPG average.

I am worried very much about the VQ burning oil issue though to tell you the truth. i have been checking on my oil level a lot. I'd probably get rid of this car before the warranty runs out.