I did a search and did not come up with a thread dealing with this topic. So I hope it hasn't been discussed already. If it has, please provide me the link.

Okay, I've decided the G35x is the car I want to park in my driveway, drive the kids to soccer in, and have sex with my wife in the back seat. But just when I've eliminated BMW and Acura and made a clear decision to go with the G, Infiniti itself will make me make yet another brutal decision: get an 04 or get an 05!

So I'm asking for help from all of you experts again. Which would you get? I've been reading with much interest many of the threads dealing with the 05 and it seems like many of you are tempted to trade in your 04 for an 05 for various reasons. This fact alone makes me wonder if I should get the 05. But here are what I perceive to be the pros and cons.

Getting an 04
Pros: Save a ton of money! I've got two dealerships begging for my business. Right now they're both at $500.00 over invoice on any 04 G on the lot. With the extra saving I could get navigation. Not really a feature I need, but it's damn cool and it improves resale.

Cons: Interior isn't as nice as the 05 (IMHO). The 05 will have fixed (hopefully) the quality issues the 03 and 04 models had.

Getting an 05
Pros: Better looking interior. Hopefully better build quality over the 04. New features added to the 05. More horsepower, right?

Cons: Much, much, much more money. Have to lose the navigation and maybe some other features just to make buying a G possible.

So what would you guys and gals do? I hope I gave you enough information to work with.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by fotodad on 07/20/04 12:15 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

I'm in the same situation. I'm definately waiting for the 05. I'm looking for the 6MT, which won't be available until the end of the year.

The 05 sounds great, so I'd recommed waiting until it comes out and then decide. Once it comes out, decide on getting that or a left-over 04.

 

I decided to take the money savings on an 04.
I really don't think the changes on the 05 are that significant.

The horsepower is no biggie; many agree the 04 rating is underrated and is really closer to the coupe numbers.
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"The 05 will have fixed (hopefully) the quality issues the 03 and 04 models had."

I'm not sure what quality issues you are refering to.
IMO there are no sustantive design changes in 05, mainly minor cosmetic things.
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Besides I would have gone crazy, waiting months for the 05...[img]/w3timages/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

<font color=blue>04 Silverstone G35, 5AT, Prem, Aero
ES100 225/45-18 front 245/40-18 rear
Borla TD, Z-tube, Eibach, 35%Tints</font color=blue>

 

In addition to the interior, the exterior has changed also. You can look at it two ways

1. Wait for the '05 to come out. You will never have that lingering doubt that you should have waited

2. You ended up marrying your wife instead of waiting for the next girl to come along with the prettier hair and bigger breasts. Buy the '04 and enjoy the driving pleasure now. Revel in the fact that you will save probably save $4K by doing so.

BTW, if you plan to have sex in the back seat, then get the premium package with reclining seats. It will give you more room to try out those various Kama Sutra techniques.

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

 

I had to make the same decission. Yesterday I ordered the 05 and now I'm really glad. The only bad part is the wait. I was told that it would arrive in October but I would really like to see it at the end of Sept.

The 05 has a number of new features that I feel are worth waiting two months. On the top of my head, they are:
- larger disk bakes (less wear and more reliable)
- tilt and telescopic steering wheel
- much improved interior (dials rather than toggles, finish, new layout)
-new tail lights
-head lights the same but some sort of difference in the casing (a sportier look)
-new tail lights and I believe the rearend is revamped
-new front end look
- some sort of advance key system
-new wheels
-added hp
-new colors


The price diff between a 04 and 05 is only about $600 so is I don't consider this a factor. As soon as you purchase a 04 it is one year old and has depreicated more than a 05

Why purchase a year old car? Again the only problem with the 05 is the wait to get it.

Nothing wrong with the 04 but I can wait for the changes/improvements.

 

G35xAWD,

You bring up some points I hadn't thought about. And you mention some features I wasn't aware of. Thanks! You said the 05 is only $600.00 more than an 04. Is considering base MSRP? The reason the 04s will be dramatically cheaper is because dealerships will be looking to dump them at invoice or less; whereas the 05 models will be sold at MSRP with little or no discount. I think this will cause about a $4,000 to $5,000 swing. I guess I have to ask myself if the features you mentioned are worth paying that much more. I'm still waiting for more opinions. So far everyone has made excellent points, especially about always waiting for the next best thing means you'll never end up getting anything.

 

The $600 (approx) difference is between the 04 and 05 MSRP. With discounts you could get a much better deal on a 04. I had to promise the dealer that I would not disclose my price but I will say there are deals to be made on the 05. If the dealer does not have much 04 stock they seem to be very motivated to sell a 05. I was surprized.

It is true that waiting for the next best thing means thaty you'll never end up getting anything. If I had to wait much longer than 2-3 months, I would have went with the 04. For me the 05 is worth waiting for but eveyone will have their own reasons to wait or not.

What every you do, it will be a great car.

 

I just bought an '04 6MT and pick it up on Monday. I didn't want to wait til November when they start building the '05's. I too was worried that I'd be losing the depreciation battle buying so late in the model year. However, you've got to get in the game sometime. The problem with waiting on the '05 is that you are not likely to see cut rate financing when they are first introduced. Last month was 1.9% financing which I missed, and now is 2.9% financing. With interest rates on the rise, I didn't want to guess what they might offer in December (let alone that I might have had to wait for the '05s to be eligible for VPP pricing as well, or face a $600 price increase).

'98.5 Contour SVT, 131K miles and counting

 

Another thing to consider is that a lot of features will migrate from 05 to 04 as DIY by wrenchheads like most of the people on this forum, at the fraction of the cost. Especialy if people will be facing insurance covered repairs, such as stolen headlights, or fenderbenders etc.









***04 G35s 5AT/Sport***
***04 Volvo XC90 T6***

 

The 05 has a number of new features that I feel are worth waiting two months. On the top of my head, they are:
- larger disk bakes (less wear and more reliable)
If it cuts down on brake dust then this would be an important feature

- tilt and telescopic steering wheel
No big deal to me


- much improved interior (dials rather than toggles, finish, new layout)
Have to see it first, but it does sound nicer


-new tail lights
From what I've read these new lights are cool!

-head lights the same but some sort of difference in the casing (a sportier look)
Have to see it to comment

-I believe the rearend is revamped
Could be a good thing; could be a bad thing

-new front end look
Could be good, could be bad

- some sort of advance key system
Cool!

-new wheels
I don't like the look of the new wheels. The 04 wheels look much better

-added hp
Not a big deal, but it would be nice. Probably worst MPG.

-new colors
None of the new colors interest me.

It's hard for me to pay up to $5,000.00 more for an 05. It better look and perform $5K better!

 

get the 04 and get a kik *** deal on it...over here in so cali G35s are being sold at rediculous prices.....get one before its too late....the 04 looks nicer IMO....its a more clean look rather than the wierd bump on the 05s tailights....plus u can get the navi system with all the money saved on a 04....my 0.02

 

Get the '04. I picked my g35x up a little more than a month ago and couldn't be happier. IMO, from the pics I've seen on this website, the 04's interior and exterior look better anyway. You'll definitely enjoy the car either way you go.

2004 G35X
Diamond Graphite • Premium Package • Navigation

 

There are only a few people on this forum that do things like that. This forum doesn't seem to have that type of crowd.

2004 Infiniti G35S, 6MT, Premium, Sport, DP
Mods: JDM Clears, 20% tint, Z-tube, K&N Drop In
Track: 14.32 at 98.79 mph 2.2032 60ft
Dyno 07-07-04 - 234.2 hp & 233.8 tq
http://www.g35world.com

 

I'm trying to work a deal on an 04' in anticipation of the 05's arrival. However, so far the dealership is being far from flexible on the price, I mean honestly I negotiated the same deal on an 03' over a year ago but ended up getting something that could tow my boat. I have to say I am suprised about the inflexibility in dealing. I guess I have the advantage of I would like to buy the car, but I certainly don't need to buy it!

 

That stinks. The bargain you get defenitely depends on the dealership. I didn't have to haggle at all, and I was able to get mine for around $600 over dealer invoice. If he/she won't accept your offer on the car, don't be affraid to get up and leave. They'll call you....

2004 G35X
Diamond Graphite • Premium Package • Navigation