Hi, i'm new here

I am in the market to replace my MY02 S2K with a used G35 sedan.

I got a couple of questions:

(1)how's the the ride comfort of sports package vs. regular?

(2)does G35 sedan has LSD?

(3)what should I be looking for in a used G35?

(4)what mpg are people getting in real world?

(5)is the rear seat foldable? trunk passthrough?

(6)model year difference? MY03 vs. MY04?

anybody looking to trade their G35 for a S2K?

thanks a lot

 

Nooooooooo not your s2k! but the G35 is a good choice..

1. I think posts on this board confirm that they are pretty much similar.. you cant tell much difference

2. the 04 sedan MT has LSD if i remember correctly

3. looking for? as in packages? I have leather, sunroof, and sports pkg

4. I get around 18-19 MPG.. but i drive it hard

5. the trunk has a small passthru, but teh rear seats are not foldable

6. dont remember all the differences between the 03 and 04..but i think there are lots of posts reguarding them.

 

If it were me, I'd make sure to get the 6-speed 2004 sedan. You get sport suspension, LSD, heated seats standard.

--Steve

 

The S2K is almost my favourite achievable car in the world. I test drove it many times and had a deposit down on one before we found out we were expecting a baby. Sorry to hear about your loss...

Considering what you had before I will assume you will only get a 6MT Sedan (although the 5AT doesn't give up much to the 6MT in acceleration according to most people). Note the 5AT is available with cloth interior, but the 6MT is leather only.

1. I test drove a 2003.5 5AT car with and without sports suspension - almost no difference in comfort and noise, but noticably better handling. Definitely get sports suspension (standard on all 6MT cars). Also sports suspension gives you nicer looking 5 spoke wheels (with summer tires on the 6MT).

2. Only the 2004 G35 sedan with 6MT has an LSD - earlier MY 6MTs don't (biggest change for 2004), and of course no automatic has it at all.

3. No idea on what to look for in used cars - when I was younger every used car I got was a lemon and I spent thousands every year keeping them on the road. Perhaps go with certified pre-owned for safety? Note you can get brand new G35 Sedans with 6MT for invoice (or just over). I paid $3k below MSRP without any haggling on my custom ordered vehicle (ordered a 2004 MY car in July, car built in August and received car in October).

4. Over 4600 miles I have achieved 20.5mpg acording to the NAV computer. I have done spot checks and verified my computer reads about 0.5mpg too high, so 20mpg is the real result. I tend to accelerate to the 6500rpm redline in 1st (42mph), 2nd (62mph) and 3rd (82mph) whenever possible. But I also drive sedately in 6th above 40mph if there is no chance of speedy driving ahead. I live in Houston so mostly city and suburban driving plus highways.

5. The Premium package models have a trunk pass through. Not sure about base models. None have folding rear seats. Note the trunk is about 15cu ft (i.e. huge), and the interior at 98 cu ft is bigger than a 5-series BMW or MB E320.

6. MY 2003 to MY 2003.5 had a different look to the trunk (no longer a doggy-door rectangle with tiny INFINTI letters but a plain rear with big spread out INIFINTI letters. There might have been some other minor changes as well that I don't remember. Moving to MY 2004 the Winter package (heated seats and mirrors) became included in the Premium package, the CD-changer improved (faster and less drop outs?), the passenger seat got standard motorized adjustment and the 6MT model gained an LSD. Also the 2004 sedan got a stunning new colour - Diamond Graphite (this was the best selling colour for Coupe for MY 2003).


A couple of points not often mentioned - I love my 6MT but you lose two things compared to the 5AT (but obviously you gain driving control, more performance and better fuel economy). Firstly no more rear AC vents, and secondly the drivers seat doesn't automatically move backwards (entry assist) as you open the door which in turn means the memory seats (part of Premium package) won't work until you turn the ignition to ON. This is a real pain in the butt if your wife is much shorter than you as you now have to squeeze into the tiny seat space and put the key in the ignition before hitting your seat memory button. Of course as the S2000 has only 4-way manual seat adjustment (but magically somehow still fit me and my wife like a glove) this may not be a concern for you.

Personally I would recommend getting a brand new 2004 6MT Sedan - many bugs fixed and standard LSD. Invoice price for this is $27k and even with Premium package it is $30k so you should only pay a few hundred dollars above that. Add NAV and Aero for a total of $33k (plus tax etc) that I paid.

However whatever you get (even 2003 5AT) you might want to ensure it has leather and Premium package if you ever want to resell it easily.


Question : why are you giving up the S2000?


'04 G35 Sedan 6MT in Diamond Graphite/Graphite with Premium, Nav, Aero
'02 Acura MDX Touring in Redrock Pearl/Saddle with wood bits, cargo stuff

 

Many questions already answered, so I'll just add instead of repeating.

1) I don't notice much of a difference between my sport and the loaner regulars, if any, as far as ride comfort.

4) 14-18 city, depending on how I feel like driving for this tank. 24-28 highway, depending on average speed.. 24 for 85-90, 28 for 65.

5) As mentioned, they don't fold down. There is a passthrough, and with the premium package the rear seats recline. This is why they don't fold.

6) For '04, heated seats are standard. AWD is available in 5AT. LSD now comes with 6MT, but still no Brembos for the sedan. Return of Twilight Blue (was for '03, not '03.5) and intro of Diamond Graphite (formerly coupe-only) for colors, and they dropped Emerald Mist. Supposed to have a new, improved, faster-changing, less-likely-to-jam CD player.

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

 

thanks everyone for the replies. they are very helpful.

after reading all these, i really like the MY04 6MT. but most likely my budget will only allow me to get a used MY03 or so. i am also looking at used IS300 or TSX (?!), i am aware of their cons (old design and FWD respectively) but at the same time they are closer to what i want to pay/can afford.

i know i will hate myself for getting rid of the S2K but i find myself needing more than 2 seatbelts in more and more occations and also wanting a more comfortable ride. and my beater is getting old that i am using it for nothing but commute. i absolutely love my S2K and it's a thrill to drive. in a perfect world, i would keep the S2K and replace my beater to something more comfortable ...

 

I also was looking at the TSX and IS300. Even though the IS300 is RWD and has an inline-6, it seemed very much like the TSX, i decided the stretch to a G35 was well worth it price wise. I was in your exact same boat, the G35 was too much... But I'm glad i stretched it financially. I got a 03 6 speed, it was bought in 12/03, late in the year, so I got a decent deal, 35k out the door (tax kills), I wanted to wait for an 04 with the LSD, but figured it'd be too much and I didn't want to wait,

I love the car (except for the front seat, see other posts), but I'm considering selling it as I may need the money for a biz venture. I have it listed for $33k, it has 3000 miles on it...