other than the interior, is it a big difference performance wise? Even with the interior (and exterior lights) isn't it theoretically cheaper to buy an 03 coupe and upgrade it with 06 lights and aftermarket electronics?

 

I'll be the first to say it. Search is your friend.

 

Search is a good thing, for sure, but your question is going to be responded by people with an opinion. Not many will have owned a 2003 and a 2006 and be able to tell you the differences.

We looked at 2004s and 2006s and I have researched and driven enough to form an opinion.

The Brembo thing seems to be the only response you get from 03-04 owners. Brembos are cool, but in all honesty, they aren't enough to separate the cars. Maybe if you were a track driver, you'd want Brembos, but even then, I bet that if you were a serious track day guy, you'd upgrade to different rotors and calipers so, it really means nothing.

I'd say that I felt that the price made the 03/04s look pretty damn good. The entry price is affordable for many younger drivers out there wanting a really great car. Plus, it looks rather similar to even the 2007 G35s running around and you'll look just as good.

Looks aside, we decided on a 2006 because the interior seemed more refined and less dated. The wheels were nicer, the suspension seemed nicer as we found a low mile 2006 vs what we could find in a 2004. Not saying the suspension sucked on the 2004s we drove, but the 06 with the sport suspension seemed better.

The Aero package is a matter of taste, I know, but again, to us, it looked more refined and fit better than even the 2005 and the rear wing.

I also can say the power feels better in the 2006. 18 hp difference in a car isn't the same as 18 hp difference in a motorcycle (what we race and live around) so, cars are fairly boring for me and our family. The cars that are less boring are pretty tough to afford and seeing we need a big truck, a car for me and work, and a car for my wife, cost is an issue...

I just felt the 2006 was more refined. Sure, it had more power even though it really isn't that big of a difference and for the money difference, as you stated, you could bring an 04 up to spec.

The 04 Brembos are certainly a bit better, but not enough to be the deal breaker. Even though 03/04 owners say it in a way that apparently it is the only reason, the pads are more and the difference isn't enough for daily driving - even spirited on road use. Track days? Maybe so. Probably so, actually, but I challenge you to find more than 5% of the owners out there that actually race their cars on a regular basis...

That said, either year is a great choice. The car is great. One of the best I have owned and even driven within the price range. Seeing that the value has dropped on the used ones and the used car market in general, they are GREAT choices. I mean, for $20K, what car can you buy with these types of features and one that drives and handles as well? 2006 is going to be more, but even then, it is a great choice. Look at what you get for $28k in a new car. An Altima? No thanks...

 

if i had a choice id go with the 06'.

 

Yes you are right on. I have own 2003 6mt with brembo blk on blk that was my dream car.I have wated 6 long mos for it . The first month my window stuck it will not roll up and it been going in and out to the dealer like it still belong there.But I love the car so much so i have to put up with it . Then again I get to drive a new car all the time. And one day it just die on the freeway so after 3 years i say to myself that it. So now i got 06 lp 5At for over a year now I don't have any problem at all.Yes I do miss the breambo because they do look good and stop a litter better and alway have a lot of car want to rece me but now nobody won't even give the look but i don't care.

 

How could the power "feel better" in a 2006??? It has 10 less ft-lbs of torque than the '03-'04 (260 vs. 270). Granted it has 18 more hp (298 vs 280), but the torque is something you "feel".

OP, I would not buy an '03 because it is the first year of production and has been known to have problems. A lot of those problems were ironed out in the 2004. Between '04 and '06 it really comes to personal taste regarding the interior. Anything on the exterior in an '04 can be changed to your liking (same goes for the '06).

 

03 6MT FTW!!! It has Brembos and like you said you can always upgrade the headlights to the 06's...that's what I'm doing.

 

Just put some brembos on an 06. It's not hard at all. It's much harder to swap interiors/dash cluster/bluetooth.

 

What problems? I bought my 03 brand new and after 92,000 miles the car still runs like a champ!!! It's just as strong as they day I bought it. Not one major problem in 5 years, just a few TSB repairs.

 

Seriously!~

 

Consider yourself lucky!

 

i also have an 03 6mt...ZERO major problems...only problem i've had is a seat squeek, but it's gone right now (hope it doesn't come back)...My car has never

burned a drop of oil unlike alot of the rev-up coupes...i've driven my friends 06 coupe 5AT and the interior difference didn't leave me saying wow this is so much

better...brembos are a plus imo, more rare, better emergency stopping. I did like the 06 sport bumper, projectors and rays 19's on the newer coupes...So I just

added those to my 03...Let me just say one more thing...Whether you get a 03 or 06 just make sure you get a 6mt or you'll regret it.

 

i went through the same trouble all year long trying to decide which one to buy. an '03-'04 were in my price range, but then the '05 and '06 were only a few grand more. I love the brembos, but really liked the stock wheels, rear spoiler, rear lights, front lights and the features on the '06. I was going to purchase an '03, change the spoiler and live with the rest... but when I went to test drive an '06, I just fell in love with it and bought it (3 weeks ago ).

agreed that the '03-'04 have 10 more torque, but honestly, the '06 felt completely different. I had test driven about 4 other g35s (1 x '04, 3 x '03) and the feeling of the '06 was quite unique.

03-04 do not have:
MP3 player
bi-xenon lights
If the car is equipped with the nav, the infiniti clock hides behind it (relocated in '05)
seat belt positioning a bit awkward
few other cosmetic differences...

whichever one you buy, just remember gas is expensive now and there is no way you're getting away thinking you'll get anything more than 19mpg, either with an '03 or an '06 (this was one fact I wasn't considering before purchasing mine..)

 

O6s, have the killer 19's, way nicer spoiler, projector headlights, drilled pedals are stock in the 6mts, and the upgraded brakes are not too shabby at all. The differences between both cars are numerous. The interior really set it off for me. I also have a 2K SE fully loaded Max and let me tell ya. I've lusted after G coupes since they came out and I rode in a friends 2K3 coupe. Not only was I unimpressed, coming from a Maxima, but disappointed. Keep in mind that you will be spending more time inside the car than outside when you're actually driving it. The 2K6 is way more expensive BUTT, nothing can touch it in it's price range. Just test drive one and as the saying goes, "Enjoy the ride".