My dealer can get me a good deal on a new 04 G35....I like the idea of saving some $$$ but as I'm coming out of an S2000 I really like the performance too. I haven't seen any mag reviews of the 05 G with its perf boosts yet so I was wondering what anyone who has driven both can comment on in that arena!!

Thx

 

If you're getting the 6MT, then you'll have the Brembo's on the 04 and you wont on the 05. I dont think there's been any side by side comparisons at least for these 2 years?

The interior is a little clearner in the 05 though with a slightly new dash and relocation of the clock. Also has a motorized Nav I believe as well.

 

if youre just keeping the car on the street and dont do aggressive driving i dont think id really consider the 04, unless you're already at the absolute limit of your budget and the 04 would fit the budget better.

 

That's the mystery of the year. We know it should have different performance "characteristics" will less low end power but more high end power. but we do not know what the final numbers are on the 05 MT's nor do we know what the powerband is like conpared to the previous models. As soon as someone finds that out and posts, that thread will probrably break a record for the number of views

 

You are speaking of a 6MT right? If so, here is my .02 IMO

04:
BREMBOS, BREMBOS, BREMBOS! that is a biggie in my book!
A lot cheaper to get 18hp than killer brakes
Probably great deals on 04's at the dealers if they have them, with what you save, you can mod in some HP, new shoes and some other cool ****!
I know the performance stats will not be extreme compared to the 05

05:
NO BREMBOS
Lighted steering wheel
Full power drivers seat
Like the new guages (not a deal breker however)
Still has the same rattles, if that was cured, I would be more interested?

 

imo dont discount 05 brakes they arent close to 04 stock brakes.

05 upgraded suspension parts besides the consmetic changes.

05 prob has the latest revision of MT, there have been problems with earlier (please check other msgs for further info)

performance difference from 04 and 05 id wager neglible any minute performance increase / decrease can be compensated by a better driver.

ppp

 

what rattles? nothing here *knock on wood*

 

When my car was in for service a few weeks ago, there were 2 '05's in for rattle problems.......................HOPE yours stays that way!

 

Performance difference? If you're asking what the magazines are saying you're talking about bragging rights only. If you're looking for a real-world difference between a 280 hp car and a 298 hp car the difference is somewhere in the range between [negligible - non-existent].

If you're intent on tracking the car it might give you that slight edge but as one poster said, it's going to be cheaper to add the hp...

 

it better... otherwise i'm taking a mallet to it! j/k

 

A couple of things:

When the new motor was tested in the 350z, Motor Trend commented that there was a loss of low end grunt and that the motor still died up top. You decide.

The problem with picking up an 04 new right now is that you will pay about 35+TTT for a fully loaded navi/6MT and the car immediately has one full year plus of depreciation on it--the upside is that you will have the lowest mileage one year old car on the planet.

My take on the 04/05 debate: I prefer the brembos and the 18" wheels which are a bit more cushy. I like the steering wheel and the pedals of the 05. I may, however, end up picking up a set of the 19s for summer use and make the 18s winter tires. As for the rest of the interior, it's a toss up for me--nothing major.

Honestly, if I were given the choice between the Brembos or a V8, I would have a hard time choosing the V8. Love those calipers!

 

This has nothing to do with an 04 vs. 05 debate, but why are people so hung up on these calipers? I understand they are brembos and that they are much more resistant to fade under track conditions, but there are other companies out there making better calipers and rotors. I can understand the brembo name and the fact that they are prettier than the stock 05's, but can you honestly say that you would take the brembos over "a v8" (not exactly sure what that even means)?

I'd rather take an 05 and with the difference in depreciation over an 04, buy some stop-techs or some other bbk.

Just my .02

 

In my opinion, the brembos are only nicely colored brakes...I mean it's been said before and I'll say it again...Infiniti would not put on less stopping power, especially after increasing the HP, doesn't make sense. Plus I looked at the stock stoppin distance of the '05 and its down there with M3 and so on...the Brembos are just too hyped and too expensive to add on yourself, and that's why I think it's really hyped.

 

no rattles here and I,m drop and rides great

 

You mean low end TQ and high end HP - I know what you meant.

You are losing 10 ft lbs of TQ and gaining 18 HP for the '05 6MT. This is great if you're on the track and running your engine hard where you benefit from the top end HP but for daily street driving, I'd opt for the low end TQ.

I'd rather get the '04 and get the mods to gain more top end HP.

HP is for bragging rights, TQ gets you going.

HP sells cars, TQ wins races.