Hi All,

Recently, someone looking at G35's posted their interest on the forum and ended up concluding that the 05 G35X might be the car to go for because it would be faster to 60.

I'm pretty sure that as long as Infiniti makes both RWD and AWD variations of the G35, the AWD version is going to be slower to 60. And I've never been disappointed with the performance of my AWD Infiniti (I think it's a marvel in engineering) but I see his point. How can one live happily with the AWD car knowing that it is at least 3/4 second slower to 60 than its RWD brethren?

So my question is to the G35X owners out there. Do you think the AWD feature is worth the trade off of slower performance? (Not exactly where the "true enthusiasts" are going to put their money.)

My follow-up question is this. Would Infiniti be better off making only the G35X and scrapping the RWD version entirely? (Think of the possibilities... 6MT AWD's, FI AWD's, hell even TD Borla or Stillen AWD's.)

Cale

04 G35X

 

Interesting post? No RWD, AWD as standard..ther's a million combinations that could be had, but people who buy the X version buy it for a specific reason. 3/4 second slower? Who cares, if performance was what you wanted you could buy an STi for less money than the G and still have AWD. Too each his own....

 

Cale,

For me personally, I bought my X with driving through snow and slop in mind. For that I think that it is well worth it. As far as performance goes, hopefully the mods I've made make up for the extra 300 lbs. of curb weight and 3/4 sec.[img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img]


2K4 G35x/ etc...

 

The difference in 0-60 isn't .75 seconds, its like .3 If you look in motortrend, they clocked the g35x at 6.5 seconds and motorweek actually clocked it at 6.2 so the difference is so slight that you would have to be a stop light drag racer to feel the loss. As for the rwd 6mt vs the g35x, then theres probably .75 seconds difference in 0-60 but the handling seems just as good and some reviews have said the extra weight makes it feel even more sure footed than the rwd. Here is the url to see the motorweek review... http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2322a.shtml

 

I bought the X to be able to enjoy driving 12 months out of the year.

My previous car was a heavily modded RWD American V8 that was AMAZING on perfectly dry pavement.
If someone sneezed on the ground, however, it would just not hook up. Over 400 lb/ft of torque wouldn't do it in the snow either.
With the X, I can floor it in the rain and enjoy myself instead of feathering the throttle all of the time (or living in VDC land)

As far as slower goes, I ran 14.7 with only a K+N dropin. I would definitely go head-to-head with any 5a RWD sedan with the same mod. The race would all come down to reaction time.

You also get a greater level of consistency with the AWD on launch.

Add forced induction to the mix, and you have a car that is potentially FASTER than the RWD counterpart.
I do consider myself a 'true enthusiast' BTW.

'04 G35X Graphite/graphite, NAV, wood, premium

 

replacing the RWD with all AWD is a pretty bad idea.

unless u live in snow area, most of the average people would not need AWD. AWD will make infiniti's cost go up. u need to use more gas for the AWD, more parts (not that its not reliable)

 

I own a Sti and now a G35X for my girl, performance is not the main point for this car....it's more a good compromise of various points! I love the way the X feels, handles and just a damm pleasure to drive. In NY it pays off especially with the crazy weather we get.

"You need more power since I granny shifted instead of double pumping!"

 

I own a wrx wgn and my wife used to drive a wrx sdn......we traded in the sdn for the X. Unless I were to get an all out performance car.....i would get an AWD. It's just far superior in slippery conidtions. And with the winters we've been having in the tri-state area......it's a great option to have imo.

<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by wrxng35 on 09/06/04 06:28 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

Question for X Owners, is it only in slippery conditions that you think the X really outperforms the RWD? Is there someone who has driven both comment on the improvement you get in rain/snow??

I am sure a G35 is definitely in my future, but cannot decide if I should go "X" or not. Currently I am driving a Jeep Wrangler that I will still have, so on bad days my G35 will be safely at home. My guess is that a better deal will be found on a RWD 04, which for me might be the best option just because of the $$$ saved.