I'm looking into purchasing a used car and am looking pretty closely at a G35. My old car (2003 Acura 3.2CL Type-S 6spd) was totaled skidding on some ice at about 30mph so I need to find something else. I've done some research (including a couple test drives) on the G35 and, so far, it's on the top of my list. I just had some concerns that I figured I'd ask about here since you guys seem to know a thing or two about these cars.

1. Reliability is my major concern. The G35 gets great marks on Consumer Reports among others but I've read about a few specific problems. I am not a mechanic and don't want to have my car in the shop frequently. This is why I'm looking at Japanese brands in the first place and avoiding the Euro luxury brands specifically. Would you characterize the G35 as a reliable car (75-125k miles) that I could drive with few issues? Is the oil burning problem common enough that I should avoid the car? Is there a way to check a prospective used car before purchasing it to see if it has that particular issue?

2. Regarding acceleration, the stats posted online seem good but I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking at. Does anyone happen to know how the raw acceleration compares to the '03 3.2CL? Just test driving it, it seems pretty close. I'm essentially just looking for something that will match my old car's performance but a couple years newer.

3. Is the difference in acceleration between the 2006 first gen and 2007 second gen huge? The 2006s are significantly less expensive at this point. Unfortunately, the Infiniti dealer only had 2008s in stock so that's what I test drove. I've read the list of differences between the models but am not entirely how that translates into what I'd feel on the road vs. theoretical track times. I often enjoyed outrunning people at stop lights in the 3.2CL so, if I can match its performance in a first gen sedan, I'd obviously prefer to save $5-7k. If not, I might look into the additional expenditure.

4. How do the available transmissions for the G35 compare to one another? My fiance does not know how to drive a manual. The 3.2CL's 6spd was definitely not a transmission to attempt to learn on. I've heard the G35's 6MT is unforgiving and I don't have access to another vehicle to teach her with. Should I just stick to the automatic? How does it compare to the manual for straight line acceleration? Is the manual mode responsive enough for fun cornering?

Sorry if these questions have been answered many times; I've seen many posts addressing these questions but not direct answers. I find it helps to have a conversation rather than try to decipher the answers from myriad other posts which may or may not have been on point. This especially applies in areas in which I have precious little expertise. I want to make sure whatever I end up buying will a) be reliable, b) match the performance of the 3.2CL, c) have an automatic, and d) be a sedan in that order of importance.

Usually this is the part of the thread where one might notify less helpful or constructive posters that their services will not be necessary but I am well aware that never deters them. Therefore, I'll just say to go ahead and troll me at your leisure. To anyone that reads my wall of text, thanks for your time.

 

If you manage to find a well maintained car, you will have minimal problems. The most predominant problems are relatively inexpensive fixes and can be done yourself.

Just the fact that the car is RWD should be enough of a seller As far as I know, the G35 is a better performer than the CL

The 07 HR motor has a powerband that comes to life in the midrange at a more intense rate than the 03-06 DE motors. The 07 models are faster and more powerful but not enough to spend the extra cash IMHO

If I recall correctly, the 05-06 5AT is more responsive in MAN mode than the older models. And you heard correctly that the 6MT G35s are very hard cars to learn to drive with.



Good luck on your hunt!

 

Very difficult to get use to the clutch, but when you do it's SWEET!!!! love to howl of the exhaust, these cars are sexy, and if your picky like me, the 06-07 have project HID's which look awesome! good luck on the search you'll enjoy the car if/when you get it!

 

Would the DE motor with relatively cheap/easy mods (i.e., significantly less than just buying an 07 so $3k or below) match the power of an unmodified HR? My budget would allow a few modifications for an 06 but an unmodified 07 is slightly over the budget as it is. Again, I don't really know what I'm looking at but I am looking for the best bang for my buck without sacrificing too much in the area of reliability.

 

Theoretically waiting until the new model year comes out would also be an option if the price becomes right. I'm not sure how much the price on the 07 would drop but, from what I understand, it's one of the best times to buy.

 

I think EVERY bolt on and a tune might keep up with the HR lol

 

My 2006 G35 is for sale! Mint condition. Garaged. barely 10k miles. I'm in Socal. Everything is in it's original unmolested condition besides the tinted window and the JDM battery cover. Fully loaded, premium, navi, sports, aero, Rear Active Steer.

Looking to pick up a black or phoenix yellow NSX. Let me know if you're interested.

 

I dont understand why the 6MT is hard to learn.. its like any other manual car? lol
This is my 2nd car, and my 2nd manual car, and im doing just fine *shrugs*

 

It's an automatic? Judging from your other thread, I figured you didn't drive those...

 

While I haven't personally driven a 6MT G35 (I may have to just to check myself), I am sure that I wouldn't want do teach someone how to drive a manual in anything with a sporty clutch.

My first vehicle was an '89 Nissan truck with a manual. I learned to drive it before I learned to drive the automatic. I then had a 240sx with a manual followed by the '03 3.2CL-S with a manual. I would classify both the truck and the 240sx as easy to drive, easy to teach, and easy to learn on. The 3.2CL was a different story. I taught one person how to drive it and he was stalling up and down the road for ages before he finally got the right amount of gas.

My fiance...is not someone I'd call a "multi-tasker". If I'm going to teach her to drive a manual, I believe it should be with something that would feel like the truck or the 240sx, not the 3.2CL. I've heard that the G35's manual is harder to use than the average so the automatic is probably the best option.