(At posted over at GMInsideNews.com review section)

Well, after putting on 2000 miles on my 6-week anniversery of buying my first car (I had an Accord, but that was as a graduation present), that being a used 2003 Infiniti G35 sedan with Sports Package and loaded, I have to say, I'm very impressed.

Interior
The interior is quite nice, very sporty. (I'll get pictures up soon) It's got alot of plastic, however the plastic is higher quality than what is in many cars and does not feel or look cheap. Most of the dash - center stack aside - is a soft-touch material.

In my car, the interior is black, and while I almost ALWAYS hate all-black interiors, this one I actually quite like. And with the heated and power leather seats, it's quite comfortable as well.

Features
This car is LOADED. Power heated front seats, memory drivers seat, reclining rear seats, navigation, DVD, Tiptronic-style automatic, sunroof, auto up-and-down ALL windows, tinted, HID (non-projector) headlights, LED taillights, the list goes on. This car has SOOOO much stuff, I'm still learning! lol

Powertrain
Simply A-MAY-ZING! No wonder the VQ 3.5 is considered so great. The engine is smooth, refined, yet powerful and plenty torquey. Sure, it's not American V8, but for a OHC V6, it's got lots of down-low power, with good high-RPM power as well.

With the Stillen intake and exhaust, it only makes it that much more powerful, while serving up some outstanding soundtracks so good you'd think you'd be listening to your favorite band or singer very time you hit the gas pedal. It's so intoxicating... I will just take drives randomly JUST for the sound, as wel as the power, which is law-breaking-inducing.

Exterior
It's love-it-or-hate-it. I personally, until just a few months ago thought it was the ugliest car in its segment. However, since then I have become able to stand - and now LIKE - the exterior design. It's long-nose, short-deck design is a favorite, and the lines flow beautifully. The stock 17" alloys look nice, however I'm looking into getting larger 18" wheels with stickier summer tires at the end of this coming winter.

With the tinted windows on this silver car, add to that the alloy wheels, and I fall in love with it all over again ever time I look at it. That's something that some people, however, can't say, as it's a love-it-or-hate-it design.

Overall
Overall, I'm very impressed. I've had no problems aside from needing to replace the original battery (I don't know HOW they managed to keep it running since 2003 on the original battery).

It's very fun, plenty power, stylish, and lavish. The interior enhances the sportying feel, and the sound of the Stillen setup leaves nothing left to be desired from the drivers seat except to maybe turn off the Bose speaker system, which, I'd like to add, is decent but could and should be better.

With rubber-scortching power to spare, style that you either love or hate, equipment levels that boggle your mind - for 2003 at least, problems that are non-existant so far, and everything else, there's no doubt in my mind this car is worth a serious look, and it has proven to me why magazines such as Car and Driver put it over the 3-series since it came out - at least until the new, problem-filled 3-series arrived anyway. But that's for another time.

HIGHS: Powertrain, suspension, style, features, Stillen sound

LOWS: Style, to much plastic (albeit good quality plastic), Stillen drone (livable for me, however others can find it annoying), "OK" lawyer navigation message (Must click "OK" every time you turn on the car)

DON'T MISS! Reclining rear seats; power; and intoxicating, law-breaking-inducing Stillen sounds.

 

I've loved my 03 since purchasing it used back in January 05. The only problems I've had was squeaky A/C compressor (replaced under warranty) and the common rattles (repaired by me). Otherwise the car as been great. It's far quicker than I gave it credit for. It's consistently run 14.3-14.4@97-98mph at the track with the only mod being a Z-pipe.

As for looks, I've always like the G35. Sure, the front end is a bit ho-hum, but I've fixed that. I painted the grill black which mand a huge difference in the look of the car. I blacked out the door handles, added 350Z/coupe springs, and the standard ricer corner lamps. Next up is a set of 18s, painted side sills, and the Aero bumper.

As for the batteries, OEM Nissan batteries last forever. My 96 Maxima's battery lasted over 7 years. I expect my G's battery to do the same.

 

You don't need to convince me that the 03 Sedan is a great car!

 

Great review.

I know I love mine.

Speaking of the "law-breaking-inducing Stillen sounds" you should hear the stage 4 SC at full throttle!

 

lol, if only I had the $$ I'd have one on it already. But Stage II is even very expensive for what I can afford. And that's what I plan on gettin unless I come across a Stage II used that I can afford.

 

Stage 2 is a great place to start and see if that is enough. Some people like me always want more but it is a great kit either way.

Keep your eye out here and on my350z.com for a used one. They do come up from time to time and usually for a great price.

 

Doesn't the VQ35DE have DOHC?

 

Yes but I don't think he was saying it doesn't.

 

I think you're right, he just wrote OHC, if he had written SOHC, that would have been different IMO.

 

in 2002 i thought this car is the ugliest entry sedan when it was on the billboards, but now here i am driving one.
FYI aero(nismo) kit turns the car around as far as looks.

 

Soooooo true.

They got smart for the 05's and fixed that problem.

 

I personally think an 04 looks nicer than the 05.

The 2004 with aero > 2005 with aero

 

I am so with you there but I am biased.

 

What a honest guy.

 

Let's just not talk about the interior