I'm buying a 2003 G35 sedan sight unseen based on a pre-purchase inspection. It's a deal I simply can't turn down regardless of what options it has. The seller ended up with it as part of a divorce settlement and doesn't know much about the car.

What I do know is it has nav, xenons and a sunroof and it's an auto. The rims were replaced with 20" rims so I can't tell based on the rims if it has the sports package. Is there anything I can ask this woman to look at that would tell me?

I also don't know if it has the premium package, though I know the sunroof is part of that, it's probably also available separately. Is there a giveaway there?

Also what's the difference between the 2003 and 2003.5 and again is there a way for her to tell?

Here's the only pic I have (and it doesn't look like those rims are 20s, so maybe they are the original ones? 5 spoke might indicate sports package)

Are all autos also tiptronic? Not thrilled it's an auto but again I couldn't turn it down at the price I got it for.

 

To tell if its sport, you need to look at the shocks. If red, then its sports. To tell if its a 2003 or 2003.5, you need to see the trunk. If it has a "doggy door" then its 2003. For premium package, ask if the car has a Bose stereo and if the rear seats can recline or not.

Divorce settlement eh? I'm guessing a woman is selling this car... poor guy(husband) who lost it.

 

Thanks very much for the info. I doubt she even knows where to look for shocks (yes, it's a woman) but I can have her verify the other items at least. Her ex-husband's loss is my gain. I'll go search on 2003 to 2003.5 differences. I assume there are some since I see people listing that info in their sig.

 

If it's an 03 or 03.5 auto I doubt it's the sports. There were not too many of them made. But like Diesel said the red struts are the give-away on the 03-04's.

 

Hmm, from what I can tell, it doesn't appear it really matters whether its a 2003 or 2003.5. The differences appear to be primarily cosmetic. Embroidered logos on the seat and the trunk badging/latch. I was afraid someone was going to say, oh no, you didn't get a 2003.5? You're missing out on the killer mumble-fratz 2000 feature!!!

 

I could be wrong but doesn't the Sport Package include the rear spoiler? I don't see one in the photo so that might be an important clue. Good luck on the purchase.

 

^thinking of aero package, sport package doesn't include the spoiler.

 

Ive got some oem sport Suspension 4 sale if anyone is intrested

 

For 03.5 & 04 at least:
- Aero package includes the sport package, so if you can find all the rear spoiler (+ deleted inside 3rd brake light), under-car diffuser, and 17" five spoke rims, then it is very likely that the car has an Aero package (however, mind you that all those parts above can be added after).

- Premium package can be seen by checking 1) If the car has a BOSE stereo 2) if the rear seats are reclinable

- Sports package, if you just look directly into the rear wheel brake disc with a flash light, the RED struts are pretty obvious there. Thus, if the car has the RED struts, it means that it very likely has the sports package.

I hope this can help

 

Afterall, if you are a car guy, sports package or not doesn't matter that much anyways (but you can use that to your own advantage for bargaining I guess)... since it is pretty easy to swap out the non-sport suspension (struts and springs) for the sports version (or sth even better like coilovers ).

But no offence... if it is a female driver, I would have a licensced independent mechanics to check all out the suspension and alignment related parts, since I see alot of female drivers just drive INTO the curb when they park on the side of the road

 

another thing to think about:

early 2003 models have a different ECU connector that won't allow you to plug a UTEC or Unichip into it!!!! it is important to some of us.

 

Here are all the differences I could find: http://www.g35nyc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10

I learned about the ECU the hard way... bought Unichip.. didn't fit.. sold Unichip. Sigh...

 

im trying to get a recommendation for a good independent place in scottsdale, az to have the car checked out, but i'm coming up empty. if i have nothing by tuesday AM, i'll just send her to the local infiniti dealership.

 

I have a few friends that work at Infiniti and they tell me that the 03.5 it the one with the "Doggy Door" I have heard both the car was listed as a 03.5 as well!

 

newp 03 definitely does not have the doggy door. take it from an 03er.

sports - red struts and 17" 5 spoke rims

premium - bose, reclining seats, dual zone climate control, and xenon/sunroof. xenon/sunroof wasn't a part of the premium, but it was hard to find a premium w/o these two options.