First of all I will say the RX-8 was the most fun car I have owned so far and I am sad to give it back to Mazda after almost 3 months and 3500 miles (full money back from buyback offer). Unfortunately practicality and ride comfort for a 4 month old baby in the back in a rear-facing carseat was not as good as I'd hoped (larger kids would be fine though), and a recent financial hit made my monthly payments a little too high.

So on to the good news: over the weekend I got a 2004 G35 Sedan 6MT with Premium, Nav and Aero in DG with Graphite interior on an 18,000 mile per year lease over 39 months. Thanks go to Grubbs Infiniti for a smooth transaction and free delivery of this vehicle from Dallas to Houston - it only had 7 miles on the odometer when I got it. I am very impressed at the great price I got for this loaded G35 - much less per month than the RX-8 and yet it has an MSRP which is $3000 higher. In fact this was the exact same vehicle I custom ordered in June and then canceled when I got my RX-8 in August instead. I was very lucky that the car I had ordered was due to arrive at Grubbs from Japan a few weeks after I decided to replace the RX-8, and that it had not been sold already.

I have test driven a 6MT sedan many times before (as well as a 5AT) so I know how quick it can be, but currently I am in the anguish of the 1200 mile breakin period and am staying below 4000rpm and always on a light throttle and brakes. The car feels a little heavy and ponderous compared to the RX-8 as all the controls are very stiff, but I know things will loosen up with a few more miles and more revs/speed - at 3500rpm I can already feel the beast about to show itself. The space and comfort is exceptional for a sports sedan, and the Diamond Graphite colour is amazing. Best of all my baby and wife love the car too.

Only negatives so far: I have to squeeze into the seat position left by my 5' tall wife and turn the ignition to on before I can activate my memory seat position (Lexus lets you select memory position without key in ignition, and Acura (and even Chrysler/Jeep) sets the seat position when you use the 'individual' remotes to unlock the car). Also the Nav initially doesn't seem to be as good as the one in my RX-8, but I need to play with it a lot more - the NAV manual wasn't delivered with the car and is being mailed separately. Overall I am very happy with the G, and it can only get better from here.




125544-Pretty Rear Pic.jpg

 

Glad to hear that you like your G! I knew the memory seats are different for the 5AT and the 6MT, but I’m surprised to hear that pushing your seat position number won’t move it to your position before you get in. With the AT, you can select either seat position prior to sitting down. That’s kind of disappointing.

03.5 Sedan
<font color=black> Black on Black / Prem / Sport / Aero / Winter / Tint </font color=black>

 

I would love to try thr RX-8, but glad to hear you are a new G35Driver.


It's still a G thang!!

 

I think the 5AT with Premium has the entry assist where the drivers seat slides back when you open the door, and then you can override this by pressing the memory button. On the 6MT we don't get the entry assist for some reason, and the memory button doesn't work until the key is in the ignition and it is turned to on.

One thing I will try later without the key in the ignition:- I will start to move the seat back (reach over to the switch on the inner cushion) and then hit the memory button and see if that works. Perhaps once the seat is moving anyway the memory button will work too.

 

Sorry about the quality-- camera phone + dark garage.

Is this switch in the AUTO position? Mine automatically moves back after I turn off the car. If Auto is on, and any memory button is pressed, it will move back to entry assist. Then, when the key is inserted it will go back to driving position.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

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Yes the seat switch is on AUTO. It's just that the 6MT car doesn't have the entry assist like the 5AT (seat slides back when you open the door). I even checked the manual (that's how desperate I was!), which said that neither the auto nor manual transmission car's memory seats will work without the key in the ignition (obviously wrong for the 5AT, but sadly correct for the 6MT).

'04 G35 Sedan 6MT with Premium, Nav, Aero in Diamond Graphite with Graphite interior

 

I believe the lack of entry/exit assist in the 6MT is a "safety" feature. Something to do with the clutch and the seat forcing your foot off of it when the engine's still running.... [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I could be wrong.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

Hey, im looking into leasing a G with nearly identical packages to yours, so if you don't mind, what was your downpayment and your monthly payments? Also, whats the risdual?

 

Hey, you have my car. Give it back! Great choice on your config. Same as what I have on order. Post some more pics please. I haven't seen the Aero in DG. Enjoy.

On Order:
"04 G35S 6MT Diamond Graphite on Graphite, Full Aero, Navi, Sirius, Premium Coming Mid October (Hopefully)
Till then still driving: '01 AE Maxima SE 5sp

 

For some pics of my G35 check here.
Also here are some pics of my RX-8 that I am returning to Mazda this weekend.

'04 G35 Sedan 6MT with Premium, Nav, Aero in Diamond Graphite with Graphite interior

 

I have an unusual lease in that it is for 18,000 miles a year for 39 months (i.e. total miles is 58,500 - just below the warranty limit). However on a more standard 15k miles/39 month lease I could get a $533 per month payment with just the first month down (i.e. total of $533 at inception). This includes taxes and all other fees of course. The 2004 has higher residuals than the 2003.5, but I forget the numbers. It is usually best to put as little down as possible when leasing as you probably know.

'04 G35 Sedan 6MT with Premium, Nav, Aero in Diamond Graphite with Graphite interior

 

Yeah, definately trying to keep the down payment below 2k, but sounds like you worked out a great deal, but why are going for an 18000 mile lease?

 

Damn, hell with the car, LOL, that's a fantastic house!

Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan

 

Because I always exceeded my previous 12k and 15k mile a year leases and had to pay big penalties (at 15-20 cents per mile) when I turned my cars in. I drive a lot, and my salesguy persuaded me that I would be driving this car even more than normal because it's so enjoyable. That extra 3000 miles a year is costing me about $20 a month which is dirt cheap - go and see how much more BMW/Mercedes charges for an extra 3000 miles a year if you want a shock.

'04 G35 Sedan 6MT with Premium, Nav, Aero in Diamond Graphite with Graphite interior

 

That 'fantastic' house is costing me so much that, coupled with a new baby and a disasterous annual bonus/payrise in September, I will actually appreciate the difference in monthly payments between my old car and the new G. Of course those photos don't show the crummy back of the house...

'04 G35 Sedan 6MT with Premium, Nav, Aero in Diamond Graphite with Graphite interior

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