Speaking of NAVs becoming like cell phones, the last time I went to Japan I couldn't believe how many people had NAVs. 2 years ago, the last time I had been to Japan no one had NAV, but this time like every single car had one, even the econo jobs and hoopties. I was very skeptical about them untill we took a road trip and really got to use one. It's amazing what those little things can do. I recommend.

 

Navi is usefull and all but here's another totallay sperate argument for it: The g35's interior isn't known for being the most attractive....in a way the cool looking navi helps compensate for that. At 2k it's not the cheapest visual upgrade but I've seen people spend more than that on rims and body kits (factoring in labor).
With that said it also offers a lot in terms of funcionality and resale value...

 

Don't have it. Don't miss not having one. Getting lost isn't so bad. If I get lost, I get to drive my G35 until I find my way. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

'04 G35 Coupe DG/G/5AT/Leather/Premium. Now if I can just stop staring at the darn thing and get on with my life!

 

The way I see it, if you can buy a $35k car, what's another $2k? Beyond that, the NAV is a very nice option to have, especially for directionally challenged people like me. [img]/w3timages/icons/tongue.gif[/img] If you can swing it, definitely get it.

2004 G35 Coupe Diamond Graphite/Graphite AT
Premium, Nav., 18" Wheels, Vanity Plate="HOTNESS"

 

The nav is an expensive luxury. Not a necessity.
You should get it if you really have the need & use for it Otherwise it is quite an expense, just to have it simply 'cuz it's cool looking!
I have no need for it so I definately didn't want to get stuck paying for it - I wanted to be sure to have the perf. wheel package though - not Nav.
Now, if you are leasing, it probably does not change the payment that much, so it makes it less expensive; if you are on the fence about it and leasing, probably just go ahead & get it.

 

I'm a borderline case (yes, even mentally) for Nav. Looks neat, but I just don't drive a lot due to my locale to my work (5 miles one way). Sure, I'll be driving more just for the hell of it, but for $2k (or $1800 for VPP) I can probably come up with a good list of mods to the engine/exhaust/toys:

1) Crawford $500 or Plastic Plenum $350 (still prototyping from what I read)
2) K&N Pop Charger- $120
3) Z Tube - $75
4) Grounding kit - $75?
5) Passport 8500 (~$300) or Valentine - $400
6) Clear corners
7) $1000 still for other things

I think for me it depends on whether you want to focus on performance upgrades or interior features....or there's always the cheap factor for those that just can't spring the $$$.

 

Definitely a luxury, but after you've had it for a while, you look at it as a necessity [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img] Don't forget to consider resale value. Used cars with navis tend to be a little harder to find, and when they (navs) become seen more as a must-have in the US media, it'll be a seller's market.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

It's just awesome. It takes the interior of the car to the next level. It's what all the passengers look at while you're driving them around. Seeing you move around the map, looking around at neighboring streets, people are transfixed at times, looking at the parks shown in green, rivers and lakes in blue, bridges, train tracks and RR crossings, it's awesome.

It does cost $2K, but it raises the look and feel of the inside by at least double that, especially now when interior Navi systems are still somewhat rare. Think of the in-car CD player. Ten years ago they were pretty rare except in luxury vehicles, and were first made standard by Nissan in 1995. People then made the same arguments; "I don't need a CD player in my car", "It was too expensive", "It's a luxury-only item". Today if you get in a car without a CD player you may as well be driving a Pinto. The same will be true for Navi systems in the near future.

Get it, don't regret it.


Black/Willow 03.5 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, SAT
350Z Nismo CAI

 

Congrats, Shader7-- you've created the new slogan for the Navi market. How Ron Popeil of you!

"Get it, don't regret it."

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

Quote:
"Definitely a luxury, but after you've had it for a while, you look at it as a necessity Don't forget to consider resale value. Used cars with navis tend to be a little harder to find, and when they (navs) become seen more as a must-have in the US media, it'll be a seller's market. "
____________________________________________
I respectfully disagree. I just did a KBB trade-in on a 2003 coupe, 15,000 miles with nav and without. The difference was only $600. Perhaps a car with nav will be worth a little more in the future, but right now, it won't help resale at all. You lose 2/3 of the value in 12 months.

 

I don't consider resale values in the near future... keeping a car for any time less than three to five years (depending on the car) isn't really a wise financial decision (we called it a "special" word in my accounting courses). I won't be getting rid of this car for a while, and I'm guessing that at that time, having the nav will help on resale a bit.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

The OEM nav really looks great, and the system is really cool to look at... BUT I had other plans for where the nav goes.. I was thinking of a battery meter, oil pressure, and/or tire pressure gauges. I really wanted a 350z and it had all that, so I wanted to put that in my Gcoupe without having to make it stick out like a ricer car. I planned to mount them in a manner that I could still close the lid.

Also, can the nav play DVD's? I was told it couldn't play them very well.

Black / Black 2004 GcoupeMT. Premium. Splash Guardz.

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

Quote:
"Definitely a luxury, but after you've had it for a while, you look at it as a necessity Don't forget to consider resale value. Used cars with navis tend to be a little harder to find, and when they (navs) become seen more as a must-have in the US media, it'll be a seller's market. "
____________________________________________
I respectfully disagree. I just did a KBB trade-in on a 2003 coupe, 15,000 miles with nav and without. The difference was only $600. Perhaps a car with nav will be worth a little more in the future, but right now, it won't help resale at all. You lose 2/3 of the value in 12 months.

<hr></blockquote>

Options invariably get hammered on resale value. If a base G35C costs about $30K new, and a loaded one about $38K, you can be sure that the base model will retain a much higher percentage of its value when resold. However, I do think (and it's only my opinion) that among other options, a nav system will do better than most where resale value is concerned.

 

Geo has it right. Just like my CD-player example, within five years, any vehicle (especially a luxury brand) without a stock navigation system will be old-hat. They are going to start showing up in Civics and Corollas soon for cripes sake. Additionally, KBB and Edmunds mean nothing unless you are trading in your vehicle, and we can all certainly all agree that trade-ins at the dealer on anything but the worst "fair" condition is the best way to get the lowest price for your car.

If you don't want or need the Navi then more power to you, but the data shows that stock technological improvements through time (power windows, CD players, dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, AWD, navigation systems, etc.) are undoubtedly the best way to boost and retain automobile value.


Black/Willow 03.5 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, SAT
350Z Nismo CAI

 

>>The nav is an expensive luxury. Not a necessity.<<

At one time, I used to think of cell phones and PCs that way too. I agree with others that people are beginning to recognize the NAV for what it is: An indispensable tool that pays dividends in time saved. The best part is that you don't need to pay for a monthly subscription like you would with satellite radio or On-Star.

RainMeister
'04 G35C 6MT, diamond graphite, premium, nav, aero