Well I researched for about 10 months and about 3 weeks ago ordered a G35 Coupe. After looking at pictures and spending some time at my350z.com, I am considering the switch. Is it practically the same car? Of course the looks are different, but performance wise which is a smoother ride? I don't know what the magic bullet question is to ask, but nevertheless I am considering the switch and don't know what to do :/

-Chris

 

The G35 Is:
A luxury sports car (a touring car if you will)
Has 4 seats
Comes with better warranty options

The 350z is
A sports car
Has 2 seats
Has a "better suspension" (but for some reason, the g35 out performed the z on the skid pad .92 compared to .88)

It comes down to personal preference and what you really need/want the car for. At 20 years old, most would figure me to be a more likely Z owner. However, I don't like the look, the interior, the fact it only has 2 seats, and the fact that I see them everywhere.

When I looked for a car I wanted a 2 door, with a nice amount of power, 4 seats preferably, and something I'm not going to get tired of. IMO the 350z desgin will fade out long before the G35's. The 350z has too many "You like it or you hate it" lines. Yes, the same can be said in the opposite argument, but as I said, IMO. The 350z carries with it that younger driver notation, another thing that pulled me more towards the G. I don't want to start a war here, but cops are more likely to pull over a kid speeding in a 350z than in a G35, atleast in my area. All you have to ask is do you want a flashy, 2 door, 2 seater sports car or a more refined, 2+2 coupe. Both have equal power (287/270 z, 280/270 g) however the G is weightier. To me, the Z interior felt cheaper, and despite all the complaints about the G's interior, Im in love and I wouldnt change a damn thing. The G can outperform the Z on the skid pad from the numbers I have seen, and over all ride quality in the G is much, much better than the 350. It all comes down to you, these cars are twins seperated at birth, and reunited now as polar opposites, if that makes sense.

2003.5 G Coupe premium. 6MT Black/black
Come join the G35Driver chat on EFnet. Channel name is #G35Driver. Catch me on aim (Xtreme03s10) if you need help setting up mIRC.

 

If you spend enough time on my350z.com, you'll eventually be convinced that there is some huge difference between the G35 Coupe and the Z. First, figure out which two trims you want to compare (ie. G35c 6MT vs. Z Touring 6MT)

Then ask yourself a few questions like the following:

How much performance do you need? The Z is faster by .2 secs in the quarter mile.

Which car is styled better in your opinion? This one is subjective...

What car is the better value? I think the G35c is the better value. However, it may come down to which dealer gives you a better deal.

How do the cars ride ? G35c is a little softer than the Z, but don't get worried here. It's all relative to what you're driving right now. The G35c is stiff enough for driving around town.

Do you want to take your car to the track ? The Z may have the advantage here. I personally have no intention to take my car to the track.

Are you looking to mod the car? The Z has more aftermarket stuff available.

Are you interested in the Infiniti warranty and service? In my particular neck of the woods, the Infiniti dealership is light years ahead of the local Nissan dealership... Kinda weird since their owned by the same guy.

Which interior fits you better? Another subjective question...

Do you need 4 seats? I have an extra car, but I still like having 4 seats available.

Can you get Twilight Blue on a Z ? Twilight Blue rocks !!

Do you need a sunroof? Up to you. It's unnecessay in my opinion.

Brembo Brakes with leather seats ? Standard on the Infiniti.

Have you checked your insurance rates ? The Infiniti was slightly cheaper.

Needless to say, I went with the G35 coupe 6mt with all the options. So, I may be a little biased...

Good luck with your choice !

Cheever

 

Hehe. I should be writing my essay but ... I was in you're exact position and I'll help you.

This is 350Z Track vs G35Coupe MT.

I was going to get a 350Z hands down, I wanted to pre-order even, but I couldn't drive back then. So summer 03 comes around, the 04 models are rolling out. I go to a Nissan dealer and sit in the Z for the first time.

I picked the Track options because Brembo brakes were a must. I wanted a two seater because I knew I won't be using the back seats anyway. I wanted to have the nice calipers on my car. First impression. Nice, sporty, young (yes, I'm 16 and I think its more of a car for kids) looking exterior. Nice rays lightwweight rims. On to interior. Whew. No leather seats available? No nicer trim? No Bose premium system (not that it sounds good but I want the 6CD indash which isn't available). Without NAV the big opening looks cheap. The gauges are horrid and look too ricey. No sunroof? Did I mention the doors were completely bare? The only thing I liked was the 3 gauge pod thats the trademark of Z's. I thought the rear strut bar was cool in pictures. In real life, it kind of obstructs the view in the trunk, and really obstructs putting anything back there.

Test drive took a while for my dad to convince the dealer to let me drive it. Had to sign a paper that said I would pay for damages to the car if I crashed or something. But I drove it. It really made up for the interior. Short wheelbase, really easy to get in and out of traffic; brakes were solid. Suspension was great. Left disappointed... BUT.

There was a neighbor Infiniti dealer, and I feasted my eyes on a G35 coupe. I saw the matching Brembo calipers and it lured my craving in. The interior was awesome looking. I felt the material was cheap, but it still looked great. It had the Bose package I wanted. More conservative looking tach and speedometer. Empty nav slot was good. I instantly fell inlove with the Infiniti logo'd seats, the way they hugged you. There was backseats, but it wasn't so noticable from the outside. LED brake lights. Drool. Styling was different from the Z, but in a way better looking. Wheelbase was way too long for me at the time, I wanted a small sports car. Wheels were even better looking. Ride was smoother, but I couldn't feel the sacrifice in suspension. Sunroof! I wanted oil pressure gauge, and tire pressure gauge, but I couldn't have it all... So .. I went with the Infiniti in the end. =) I'm happy.

I must admit I get a twinge of regret everytime I see a black 350Z track next to me, but I get on with it. My reasoning? The interior is the only part you see when you drive, and if you're not satisfied with that... The G35 styling is also more .. sophisticated? It doesn't look like another sports car. Plus to have Infiniti badging is all the difference, as I hate the look of the Nissan emblem. Infiniti service is also much better I hear. =)

Black / Black 2004 GcoupeMT. Premium. Splash Guardz.

 

DragonGcoupe,
Man you are well spoken for a 16 year old...


Anyway I think that DGC is right on target with his analysis. The Z was very similar in performance, but like he said, no sunroof? no T-tops, give me some kind of open roof! I didn't want a convertible I think the styling of the G is more sophisticated. The Z looks nice IMO but I think that the G is more of an eye-catcher.

2003.5 5AT
Premium Package
Tire/Wheel Package
K&N Filter, Z-Tube, EGK

 

I guess there was a reason why I posed this question to the g35 forum, rather than the Z forum. I think I'm at that phase where I'm tired of doing research, tired of dreaming of driving it, and tired of waiting. It's been a long road; hopefully driving on it in style will make up for the time spent driving my 12 year old taurus.

Thanks for a refresher in why I chose this car 10 months ago, instead of the Z.

-Chris

 

If possible, test drive both on the same day. If that's not an option, just get the G35c

 

this is the only place to get an unbiased opinion. I was just drooling over a Z last night at a friends house.....Its nice but not for me. I'm 23 (22 at buy time) and I love the G...its represents who I am. That may sound cheesy but its the truth. Don't rely completely on what other people say.....listen to yourself.

I test drove the Z when my boy went to pick up his 04 maxima but I didn't even test drive the G. to be completely honest I didn't even sit in the car till the day I picked her up. I still remember pulling out of the lot with the windows down.......
ok ill stop now




OG 03.5

 

I'm 26 and I chose the G35 6MT because by the time I pay it off, I'll be almost 30. Do I still wanna be cruising around town and pulling up to nice restaurants in a sports car or a luxury sports car.

You gotta ask yourself...are you a racer or a classy everyday driver?

 

I'm 25 now, 26 in August. And its class over racer. I'll probably end up driving the car like a grandma for a while anyways.

lol
-Chris

 

What's all the talk about age about?I'm 55 and bought a Z because it looks more radical than the Gc.I'm a car nut and buy what appeals to me and in the case of Z vs G it was no contest especially since I have a Gs.I drove both and the Z made me grin more.

2003.5 G35
2003 350Z
2004 Corvette Coupe