We've had our 03 G35 sedan for about a month now, and I've noticed that the steering is considerably harder to turn than the 06 and 07 G35 sedans I've driven and my 04 FX35. Turning the steering wheel to get into a parking space is like wrestling a bull by the horns. The newer models are much easier to turn the wheel. My wife has commented that the steering feels like a big truck, very hard to turn. Does anyone else have the same issue on their 03? And is there any solution to the problem? Power steering fluid is normal level, car only has 23K miles. Any ideas??

 

Power steering pump may be out or something like that. Mine with 245/35's on the front is as easy to turn as any of the 06 loaners I have had.

 

The 03s have firmer steering. I love it compared to the 05/06 loaners I've had.

 

I too notice that when I first got my '03.5 last year. My first instinct was to check the P/S fluid but that checked out fine. Then I thought to myself that this is a luxury sport sedan, thus having firmer steering control. This was a weird transition coming from a luxury cruiser (Lexus ES300) I had for my previous car, but I adapted fairly quickly. Never looking back

 

If you're coming from something with overboosted steering (read: domestic), you might think it's a big effort to wheel the G. I think the steering in my 03 is perfectly weighted. Do you have an unusual tire setup? Are you trying to turn while stopped?

 

I'm not coming from domestics. I have never owned an American car and never will as long as they keep building crap. As I originally posted, I have a 2004 FX35 and have driven several G35 sedans (2006, 2007) as loaners. My 2003 G35 has stock GY tires. My FX has 295/45-20's. The 2003 G35 is considerably harder to steer at low speeds (0-25 mph) than my FX or any of the other 06-07 G35s I have driven. Apparently, this is some sort of design (flaw) that Infinti only used on the first year of the G35. Personally, I like being able to turn a steering wheel without much effort while driving through parking lots. And since my wife drives the G35, it would be nicer if it wasn't so hard to turn. Oh well, sounds like there's nothing we can do about it except get a newer model....

 

The 2003 does not have the progressive power steering like some of the other cars. Progressive meaning when you are going real slow, the PS allows you to steer with your little finger and tighten up with speed. I kinda miss that feature, but the G gives great road feel thru the steering wheel.

 

You should see the muscles i've built from parallel parking.

 

I was especially interested because I'm in an 03 (not even 03.5) and this doesn't seem to be a problem with my car, and I *am* coming from a domestic (like you, probably never to return). I certainly don't have all the comparisons you have, either, so it's even more mysterious to me. If it were a design flaw, you'd think all 03's would have the same problem...?

Maybe Cato's answer is the right one.

 

The 03s have a variable power steerings, it's just not variable as the newer models. I'm sure people complained and Infiniti simply revised the valving slightly.

If you guys think the 03s are hard to steer at slow speed, try driving a car without power steering. My 90 Crx Si didn't have power steering nor did my wife's 88 Toyota 4X4 pickup. You couldn't steer either of these cars unless they were rolling and at speeds below 20mph, it was a two-handed effort. That Crx has by far the steering feel of any car I've driven. My G35 is a close second.

Anyone else notice that the 03 steering wheels also have fractionally fatter rims? I like that too.

 

I think the feel is just right.

 

I Actually Like The Way It Steers

Someone Asked Are You Turning The Sterring Wheel While Stopped ?



.. It Is A Sports Sedan ..

Thats What I Like About It ..

 

I Noticed As I Drove Off The Dealership Lot .. The Sterring Was A Lil Stiffer But I Always Figured It Was Because Its A Sports Sedan ..

Never Really Thought Bout It After That ...

 

Try a 70 Chev pickup, no PS, no PB, three on the tree. There's a reason they used to call it 'Armstrong' steering! But to the OP, I paid close attention as I was driving in and out of my parkade yesterday, and certainly was not an inordinate amount of effort; I can palm the wheel around with one hand no problem. I think your 03 might have an issue.

 

I'm sure all the complaints about interior cheapness and steering are why Infiniti is rumored to be modelling thier lineup after Lexus starting this year and no longer after BMW. Too bad. As little as the new G has changed in overall stance, it sure is a softer car and no longer quite as appealing to me.

Maybe BMW was on to something with thier bashing corporate parents of the luxo lineups embedded within Toyota, Honda and Nissan. All they do as compromise to the lowest common denominator, which means complaints translate into design configuration compromises. Ever wonder why BMW leads the market in $, units, road tests and whatever else you can come up with even if they cost more...whining