I will hopefully be buying a G35 coupe soon. I want to know what the "best" year and model is as far as performance and reliabilty. Thanks, Ben.

 

'05 6mt with ALL the options... no-brainer dude!

 

2003 Is The Best Year The Inside Is The Last Thing People See When The Coupe First Came On The Sense In 2003 Anywhere You Drove Heads Were Turning Now There Is Three Generations And People Still Steer But Not Like In 2003.

 

2004 baby.. fixed a lot of the kinks of the 2003 and can't forget the brembo brakes!

 

I disagree- I think the 04' 6 MT is the best. The loss of the brembos really took a hit (to me), and the added horsies doesn't really make up the loss of torque. This is an opinionated question, so many may disagree.

 

exactly


"Horsepower sells motor cars, but torque wins motor races"

 

If its an auto, the 04 w/performance package is a great car. It actually comes with LSD and the pretty 18s that everyone likes. 19s are just way to much $$$.

 

Horsepower
Manual Transmission 298 @ 6,400 RPM
Auto Transmission 280 @ 6,200 RPM

Torque
Manual Transmission 260 lb-ft @ 4,800 RPM
Auto Transmission 270 lb-ft @ 4,800 RPM

^wow i didn't even realize this^

so which one would be faster 0-60??? even???

 

2005 baby...fixed a lot of the kinks of the 2004 and if you're getting a 5AT, then the brembos are a mute point, if you're getting a 6MT then get it with all the options and you'll love it.

Prolix

 

Not that it is that surprising, but it seems all anyone here focuses on is HP and speed.
When you track the car less than 1% of the time (if that) and most don't track it at all.

Brembos - cool - no doubt. But the 60 to zero on the 05' is 118 feet, I can't believe the brembos did much better.

6MT vs 5AT... hey in my younger days I would laugh at anyone driving an auto.
These days, I am not gonna hassle with a MT. The car moves like hell even with an AT.
Two different reviews on the '05 G35 sedan have 0 - 60 at 5.9 and 6.0 with the AWD Sedan at 6.3 and 6.4 respectively. That is in full auto mode. With the AT in Manual shift you can go another 400RPM before shift, so you hit the next gear at a higher RPM/power curve. I have to think info I saw from one guy claiming 0 -60 in 5.8 with the '05 AT coupe is very easy to believe.

The Sports tuned package on the '05 at $1900 is not cheap, but then again, the 19" and the 40 series vs the 18" and 45 series are nice, plus the rear 19" are 8.5" rather than 8" allowing more options at tire replacement time. Some folks don't want to go buy new wheels, tires, etc for their new car. I drove all three styles (stock 17", performance 18", and sorts tuned 19") I knew I wanted the 19"/sports, but was worried about how stiff the ride might be. Also after the VLSD issue I am sure glad I did.

Now, what else about the '05 ....

- each year they tend to improve the little crap, like rattles, noises, etc.
- the aluminum trim is real, rather than paint, so it is durable
- Now both seats have electric auto function to let passangers in
- seats now have not only postion memory, but tilt memory also
- the option (in premium) to have power tilt AND TELESCOPE on the steering is a god send (some folks say - hey i set it once and I forget it... I drive this thing everyday, to work, on trips, etc. when i am feeling lazy, or long trip... seat goes back, steering comes down and out, and cruise control goes on - I don't want to be jerking around with a manual release and adjust on the freeway)

I would also say this, though I am sure it true on the '04 and '03.
I just finished the first 3k, and switched to Mobile1 Synth Oil. I figured what the hell and did it myself. Though 25 years ago I made my living wrenching, I haven't had the desire to do it in the last 25 years. Anyway - the point. I popped off the plastic engine/aero plate and I was blown away by the ay that car is built !!! they were not cutting corners - it isn't perfect(but what is) but damn, it was impressive looking around under that car.

GRider35c - the extra torgue in the AT is easily used up by the AT's torque converter

So erskine21... here is my take.
MT or AT - hey that is a personal choice based on need and lifestyle.
Far as I am concerned, the '05 wins.
I originally was gonna get an '04, but there were a few things I didn't like at all, guess what - they took care of them in the '05....

God I love my baby

I just wish my wife would quit asking why I spend more time caressing and sweet talking the car than I do her. (I guess I shouldn't say "If you were that young and pretty - I would")

 

Well, i agree that the 05' AT is more desirable and "better" then the 04' AT. However, as far as the MT is concerened, i still feel as if the 04' beats the 05' in the 6MT department. Once again this is all opinionated.

Hockeyplay95

 

Couple of things:

1) Don't forget the 05 are heavier than 04s by a noticeable margin.

2) Brembo = 4 pot/ 2 pot brakes vs 05 2 pot / 1 pot brakes.

3) Painted plastic chip, real aluminum dent. (I've seen it on a 05 demo)

Overall though, I'd get a 05 and get Brembos aftermarket. You can't underestimate the changes that went into the VQ block on the 05. !!!

 

...what kinks in the 2004? I am a firm believer that this new tweeking of the motor for those "extra" hp will create a host of new problems making it like the 2003's all over again. I would venture to say that the last 04.5's currently sitting on dealer lots will be some of the most reliable runs.

 

I really tried to let this go, it is just one of my pet peeves.
Prolix - certainly not a slam on you, as it is a very common mistake, and I am
no one to judge, as I suck at both typing and spelling.... but

"then the brembos are a mute point"

The correct term/word is "moot" not "mute"
"mute" meaing silenced, "moot" meaning no longer important or voided importance to the issue

 

hahaha it took me several months in therapy to be able to let things like that go... I was thinking the same thing the whole time and had to bite my hand to keep from posting that.