Well, you don't need any friends to have that particular car to test drive one. I was test driving Ferraris back when I had a Saleen Mustang. Driving up in a G35 Coupe, I had no problem driving a Z06, an E46 M3 and the 40th Anniversary 911 all in the same day. All you have to do is ask.

If you only use magazines as your evaluation, then you are only getting someone elses opinion. Different testers have different opinions. Motor Trend, Car and Driver and Road and Track all do comparisons with subjective rankings. A seat that may fit one person poorly may fit another perfectly. It isn't uncommon to have a slower car with lower handling limits win these comparison due to subjective ratings. You are the only one who knows what is right for you. Maybe your idea of handling is a safe understeering car that will keep you out of trouble when you exceed the limits or maybe a car feels to handle well because you've never had anything comparable to compare it too. You have to decide this for yourself and what your individual criteria is.

I will never though comment about the engine in an E46 M3 not being better than the VQ35. It is more powerful. I am still shocked about the amount of noticeable torque after shifting up a gear. The engine was simply far more impressive driving it than the magazine numbers tell. It would have left a better impression if it didn't understeer so bad. I drove an E36 M3 several years ago and it was wonderfully neutral. For 05' there is a handling package that may fix this noticeable flaw.

It is the total experience I am personally looking for. I have driven 2 Z06's. One of the 2 pulled so hard it felt like it was going to rip the tires off the wheels all the way through 3rd. The other one was not that strong. Yes they have performance, but both were extremely noisy, rough, had annoying shakes and just didn't feel comfortable. I feel like I am getting half a car when I drive them.

I drove a regular 320 hp standard suspension 911 and it was a similar experience. Some of this was due to too controlled of a test drive by the salesman. I couldn't really push it like I wanted too. It did everything well, but felt like it could have improvement. The 40th Anniversary with the sport chassis and X51 345 hp engine was a gem. It was extremely tight with great turn-in, much tighter than the base car. It had almost no body roll with tremedous limits and still a smooth ride. The brakes were tight. The normal engine feels smooth and linera, but the X51 engine comes noticeably hard on cam above 4000 rpms and never felt slow down low. Last it was comfortable. The seat was comfortable to sit. The shifter and steering wheel had good positions and felt right when they moved, although the shifter was a little long. It was also quiet and tight. The 14-speaker Bose stereo and voice controlled Nav just seemed to compliment and finish the package. It had no weaknesses and this is what makes an impression on me.

After driving a dozen cars last year, I chose a G35 Coupe because it has no weaknesses too. It handles, brakes and accelerates well with good comfort and feel. It isn't necessarily the highest in every category, but it doesn't do anything wrong and did everything better than the 330Ci for less money. I raised my expectations higher with the M3 and found it only did 1 thing better. If they could improve on the other 2, I might become an M3 owner.

As a last note, the slightly used (under 2K miles) 40th Anniversary 911 I drove was $76K. If you think that is sticker shock, the car listed for $96K. I couldn't justify this amount for that car. But if it was $60K, it would have immediately taken my G35's place in the garage. The experience of driving it has still left such an impression on me that I am watching resales now that the 997 model is out. If the prices fall, don't expect the G35 to stay around...until then I am still happy with my compromise.

04' G35 Coupe 6-sp
Diamond Graphite/Willow w/Premium