I am really amazed by the number of negative comments I've read about the current G's interior. What amazes me is that after owning the car for a few months I hadn't really noticed. And it finally occurred to me why. I'm having so much fun driving this car that I really don't dwell on the interior details. For me, the G35 is all about the driving experience. I wonder if cars like the TL are compensating for a less than satisfying driving experience with interior details.

I also wonder if other G35 drivers feel the same way. I'm interested if you feel the G's interior is a real sore point for you (and I don't mean the driver's seat) or if you think that these critics just haven't spent enough time behind the wheel.




04 G35X

 

Could be a lot of things - not enough seat time, different priorities, spoiled (used to BMW), etc. However, even having come from a loaded 97 Maxima, the interior just isn't as nice in the G.

Then again, my old max didn't have reclining rear seats. But what really matters is the max didn't have 260 hp and torque or a 6MT, or RWD.

If I cared, I would have paid the 6-10k more for the 330ci. You can't have it all at this price. In my mind, you only start to care about the interior when you get bored with the driving experience. Since that hasn't happened yet, I guess I for one don't care.

2003.5 Sedan Black/Black w/ sport, premium, aero, and winter packages. See my profile for updated mods list and pics.

 

What's not to like about the interior? Seems really nice to me.... But you are right about one thing.

I really like driving my G!

2004 G35 6MT Blk/Blk Sedan Stillen Air, Stillen Exhaust

 

I agree to a certain point....
Things I'd do different...
Go from Buttons to **** control for A/C & fan
Different cover for the console/ Control panel...Brushed Aluminium.
Different shift **** for my AT
Different pedals- Aluminium
Add the Oh-Sh*t handle above divers side door.
Better head/CD changer....I didnt go premium...so I got the stock Clarion unit.
Make the Sunglasses holder deep enough to actually hold a standard pair of glasses.

Other then that the drivers seat for someone my size is comfortable (I'm 5'9" & 155lbs)

Tony B. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img][img]/w3timages/icons/tongue.gif[/img]
2003.5 G35 Caribbean Blue Sedan

 

Cale,

I have to totally agree with you. Even though I found some interior pieces to be sub-par, in my opinion, the driving experience completely made up for any shortcomings with the interior.

I drove a TL today and found that it was nowhere near as satisfying to drive as my G was. My G was recently totalled in an accident so I'm looking for a replacement. The TL was about to debut when I bought my G last August and I've always wondered if it would have been a better choice for me (I've always been a Honda man -- Accord, S2000). However, after driving the TL today, I know I made the right choice.

I felt too isolated from the road in the TL. The suspension is too softly sprung and there was too much body roll. Even though the TL is supposed to have more interior space, I felt like the car was closing in around me. That's probably because the doors seemed a bit taller (my wife said she felt like the car had a lower ride height). In my opinion, the TL would be a great car on a long interstate cruise. It's much quieter than the G with a smoother ride. However, when the road gets twisty or the pace quickens, I'd rather have the G.

As for the G's interior, my gripes are:

1) seat controls in an awkward location and the controls aren't intuitive
2) the gauges are difficult to read in direct sunlight and their backlighting should be independent from the headlight with their own photosensor
3) the silver strip that spans the width of the dashboard should only be comprised of two pieces -- one to the left of the instrument pod and one to the right
4) G35s with the premium package should have all window controls labeled "auto" and use the same type of button as the driver's window -- not a silkscreened "all auto" label
5) 6MT sedans should have drilled aluminum pedals

<font color=red>2003.5 Garnet Fire/Graphite G35 6MT Sedan</font color=red>
Premium Package • Navigation • Winter Package • Aero Package • 350Z intake duct • Stillen high-flow airbox

 

I totally agree cale!!


Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
Injen CAI
B+G Springs
ADR M-Classic 19's..

 

Yea thats a good point... What the hell was the interior designer thinking by replacing that handle with a damn CARD HOLDER?? does anyone actually use that card holder?!

 

At a recent Lexus Drive event I got to flog many cars from Lexus, BMW and Mercedes around the cone courses. There were cars with more power and cars with nicer interiors but I didn't find one there that drove better than mine.

The Tl's interior is nice but the driving experience, while good, pales in comparison to the G. It's cheaper to design and manufacture a front wheel drive car. Manufacturers only have so much money they can spend on a car so it can hit a price point while making a decent profit per unit. Acura sacrificed the driving experience and went with a FWD platform and spent the left over money on the interior. Honestly, I would never give up my G for a TL.

I like the G's business like interior. All the controls are easily laid out. You never have to hunt for them. No flashy disco blue lights on the dash to distract you from the road.

Things I like are the seat controls position. It allows me to recline my wife’s seat when she falls asleep. This scores me a smile and brownie points. Reclining rear seat are a hug bonus on long trips. The bird’s eye view on the Navigation Unit looks head above the display of other navigation systems I have seen. I also like how it pops out of the dash and you can put it away for a clean look when you’re not using it. The turn signal sound is pleasing.

Things that bug me are that the carpet looks cheap. The carpet in my Taurus SHO is way nicer. The rear speakers in my premium sound are terrible also. Subwoofer doesn’t seem to put out much sound at all. Again the JBL sound in my SHO blows this one away. Sun visors feel cheap and the mirrors don’t have dimmers


Jim
'03.5 Sedan
Brilliant Silver/Graphite
6MT/ Premium package
Sport tuned suspension
Aerodynamic Body Kit
Navigation and Satellite Radio

 

I do think the G's interior is not all it should/could be. And I'm just coming from owning a couple of new VWs. personally I just think the Germans know how to do it right. The G is a good attempt but it's just got too many little nuances, placements of ***** and controls, quirks of how they work etc to be top of the pops. It's nice... just not as nice as one would expect a 30k+ car to be.

I'm not one to complain, and I do love the HECK outta my car. Just figured I'd give my 2 cents. Go drive an audi or even a VW passat or something, you'll see what I mean. Everything's SO well thought out and in just-the-right spot.

Jase aka Doogie
04 G35S

 

Here's the latest rating from Road & Track "2004 Utlimate Comparisions" magazine for the near luxury class:

7. Jaguar X-type
6. Saab 9-3
5. Audi A4 3.0
4. Lexus IS300~~~~~>need more power
3. Acura TL~~~~~~>should be rear wheel drive
2. BMW 325i~~~~~~>more power would make it #1
1. Infiniti G35 ~~~~~~>best bang for the buck

 

The only problem I have with the G35 interior is the placement of the wiper switch, it's easy to bump and turn on, otherwise, I like it a lot!

Shodog, I don't know, I have never owned a Taurus, but have always had Fords, last being a Mustang GT, I like this carpet much better than the GT, that felt cheap to me!


Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Chrome Wheels '04 Sedan/5AT

 

I think they could have done a better job with the gauges and head unit. Also I noticed that the black interior has 2 colors in it. Black seats, dash and a tan top? WTF?

 

Nothing wrong with that, it looks good IMO, I hate it when the interior on a car is all monotone! And, to an earlier post about the "All Auto" for the windows, every door switch says "Auto" on it, so what's the big deal about that?


Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Chrome Wheels '04 Sedan/5AT

 

It's the details. You'd never see Lexus, even in the IS300, going the cheap route by simply silkscreening "All Auto" instead of using similar buttons for all windows.

<font color=red>2003.5 Garnet Fire/Graphite G35 6MT Sedan</font color=red> - R.I.P.
Premium Package • Navigation • Winter Package • Aero Package • 350Z intake duct • Stillen high-flow airbox