Hey all, I've been doing a lot of research over the last few weeks on this car since I'm absolutely in love with it's style. I'm planning on getting one come next spring as motivation and a reward for a lot of hardwork I plan on putting in over the next few months. But I have a few questions for those of you.. I'm fully planning on getting the 6MT coupe, and since I'm getting it in late March/early April I won't have to worry about snow at the time. But I'm wondering how everyone thinks it handles in the snow? I've noticed a few of you are from LI, and as this will be my primary(only) car, I'm wondering how it handles year round? Especially since we don't get all that much snow up here. How's it handle in the rain? If I get it, would the aero package make a significant change in the way it handles in bad weather?

Also I tend to put 12-15k miles on my car per year, how do you guys think this thing will hold up?

Also, does anyone else think it's stupid that if you want to get the nav system, you have to get the premium package as well? Is there any real purpose to that?

Any and all input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

One more thing: How's the tire wear on this car? I'm currently driving a 2003 Honda Accord and so far the tire wear on this thing is terrific. I'm at 37,000 miles with plenty of treadleft and they're supposedly v rated tires. My previous 1996 Sebring needed new tires every year, and I don't wanna go back to buying new tires every damn year.

 

If you are going to get the 6mt, you are going to need to get another set of winter tires or rims/tires. The stock 18's (maybe 19's in your case) are not going to get you anywhere if it snows even a quarter of an inch due to the fact that they come with summer tires. I've experienced something like this with my previous car (IS300) and it just handled like $hit in the snow.

I've driven my car in the rain, and it performs good enough for me. I tried testing out the setup by hitting the accelerator a little on a sharp turn and I almost slid out right into the car next to me. Good thing I had my VDC on.. lol.

As for the aero package, I have no idea as I did not bother getting it. The coefficiency of drag was attractive, but the spoiler was not. I wouldn't count on the aero package to give you better handling in bad weather. That isn't the purpose of the package.

As for the tire wear, people are claiming they get 20,000 miles out of the stock tires. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!

Sometimes you have to give a little to get a little. Checks and balances baby.. checks and balances.

John

Picked up: 08/14/04
'04.5 DG Coupe 6mt (Premium Pkg. / Navi)
Front license plate adapter
Huper Optik (Ceramic 40) / Clearbra / Hardwired V1 / Phatbox

 

The G is much much more a performance car and HEAVIER than the 2 you have owned, as such expect tire and brake wear cost to be higher.

Obviously tires cost more the larger their wheel diameter.

 

Crucial. Few of us from the Island of Long? Check out the Northeast forum and www.NYGOC.com.

You <font color=red>CANNOT</font color=red> drive this car with Michelin Pilots in <font color=red>ANY</font color=red> amount of snow. If you plan on driving in the winter you will need a winter tire...such as the blizzak LM22 or similar.

If you use the search function on this forum you may be able to find some of the near death stories from last winter.

We dont get much snow here? Did you just move here? Last winter was the snowiest in a long time.


NY G SQUAD<font color=red>&lt;---Official Website

 

Nah, I've lived here all my life... I just remember there have been a few bad years. I live 20 minutes from my job, so I figured I'd ask if anyone knew what it's traction was like. I kinda knew I'd have to get snow tires for this beauty. I figure it's worth it since it snows from what, end of December to early March? The rest of the time it's usually not bad at all. I'm not really all that into madding the car as you guys seem to be though. Although I have to say, some of the things I've seen here are pretty hot.

 

As far as putting 12-15K miles on the car, that won't be a problem at all. After all, it is an Infiniti and can withstand a decent amount of miles.

As per the Nav, its hard to find a coupe even without the Premium package. If you're not interested in that, there are some good aftermarket Nav packages you may be interested in and that way you would not need the Premium package. I'd check out the Audio/Video forum here and see what you can find.

D. Graphite/Graphite | Premium | Splash | Clears | Pedals | 35% TINT | Z-Tube | 4080 Stealthbox - JL 10w3 | Escort 8500 | PIAA's

 

I have my snows on from Dec 1st to April 1st. 20 miles? it took me 3 hours to go 22 miles last winter before I had the snow tires on.


NY G SQUAD<font color=red>&lt;---Official Website

 

After toiling with the idea of getting snows, I've decided to park the G in the garage at the summer house for the winter (end of Nov - March) and buy a used Outback to get back and forth to the train station. Not worth risking even a scratch on my baby!

2004.5 Black on Black 6MT, Aero, Premium, Navi (every option offered)
"You can live in your car but you can't drive your house"

 

Yeah, unfortunately at the moment I don't think I can afford the used car for the winter. Otherwise I probably would just keep it in the garage. I guess that all depends on how much of a raise I get next year, lol.

As for the nav system, I'll have to check out that forum you guys have mentioned. I have to admit, I like how this nav system pops out of the console like that though. Do you guys that have the nav system think there's a better aftermarket one?

Another question for those of you with the aero package. My Sebring before had such a low nose it scraped and finally completley broke from hitting the ground when going up driveways and such all the time. Does the G35 have this problem? With or Without the aero packages and front lip?

 

Crucial,
Where are you located?. One of the G Squad members can meet with you and discuss the car in detail. The car is on the low side, but careful driving will maintain your cars bottom... Check the NE forum or www.NYGOC. for info on the next meet.


NY G SQUAD<font color=red>&lt;---Official Website

 

About stock tires: I had an Audi with the same Michelin Tires and was having to buy new tires almost every 6 months. The problem was mostly with the all wheel drive, but the stock tires had a very low treadwear something like 230 or 280, where as the tires i bought after that had a 400 and lasted a lot longer. Probably gunna be the same way with the G

'04.5 Diamond Graphite/Graphite
Premium, Aero, Tire Package
Corners, Windows up mod

 

and not to mention it really all depends on how you drive!

'04.5 Diamond Graphite/Graphite
Premium, Aero, Tire Package
Corners, Windows up mod

 

I live in East Meadow, straight down 106 from where you guys meet at the CVS, at least from what I've read. I'll probably come check out your next meet. I see there's one in October. I'll probably drop by and pelt you guys with questions. Not to mention check out the rides and see what I wanna order with mine.