I would like to buy a used G35 sedan. I looked at one with 45k and a 6spd this weekend. What specific areas should I inspect to look for sign of abuse, neglect etc. I noticed there was a significant amount of underhood sand/dirt which I think is normal with the amount of highway driving that was done with this car. Are there any things that wear out quickly other than brake pads that any of you may be aware of. Any tips or input would be appreciated. I'm excited to get a G35.

Thanks

 

There aren't any real problem areas on a G. Look for the same signs of abuse or neglect you would check on any other preowned car, check:
- to see if regular maintenance was performed, are there records?
- look at the air filter, is it filthy, is it new? Both can indicate neglect.
- Pull off the oil cap and run your finger around the inside of the cap and inside the engine cover (obviously when cool) to see if there's any obvious sludge or varnish.
- check the surface of the paint at the rear for little pieces of embedded rust/carbon. When a car's exhaust "smokes" substantially, pieces of hot carbon (pin-points) gets stuck to the paint, just rub your hand along the surface.
- check for abnormal tire wear.
- test drive at differing speeds, especially highway speeds of 55-80mph, and brake aggressively to check for rotor warpage. Perform this both when the rotors are cold and when warm.
There are other things you can look for, especially to determine if it's been in an accident or not, but I'm clueless here, hopefully someone else can fill you in.

The G's a great, solid, well-put-together car (mostly) and should still be like new at 45K, it will serve you well unless abused.

Good luck.



<font color=red>chinee</font color=red>
03.5 G35s

 

Look under the car for any weld points, if there is welding under there, it means the car was in a bad accident and you definatly dont want it.

2003.5 G35 Sedan White/6MT
Nismo Type S Suspension / Nismo Sway Bars
19" OZ Rims / Stillen Front/Rear Camber Kit / Z Tube
Stillen Big-Airflow Intake / Stillen Catback Exhaust

 

Be aggressive while test driving the car when running it through the gears - speed shift even - these cars are notorious for problems with the 6 speed transmission, with many people having grinding and other problems, especially between 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd shifts.

Several people on this forum have had their 6 MT transmissions replaced under warranty, some as many as 3 times!! Infiniti is apparently on it's 5th or 6th "revision" of the the 6 MT transmission since the G35 Sedan started offering it in late '03 model year.

My own '04 with 6MT has performed flawlessly until just last week, when it ground HARD on me in two separate 1st to 2nd shifts in heavy traffic. I've got 10,000 miles now, and will be watching it like a hawk.

Also, check the car's history to see if the tranny (or any other major components) have been replaced, and that all TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) updates/retrofits/repairs have been done.

Good Luck !

Sport Sedan Fan - 2004 6MT Sedan
Sport/Navigation/Premium/Aero; "Invisiguard" Bra, Madico Onyx Tint
Obsidian Black/Graphite & "Titanium"
SHE'S SILVER & BLACK - GO RAIDERS!

 

Just remember that 45% of the easy cheap miles are gone [since design life is 100,000 miles] and you only have 15,000 miles to find the defects and get them fixed free [25k for power train]..

Don't pay too much just because it is a G since it has the miles of a 3 year old car and that should be almost half price!

Sedan with manual will be harder [take longer] for them to sell.

 

45k does sound a little high

Back in Black

 

WOW!!! 45K with a 6 speed, the Sedan with the 6 speed came out only in 2004, I thought. Thats alot of mile in such a short amount of time, IMO!!!

'04 G35 Sedan 6 MT DG/DG
'02 BMW M5 13.3 @ 107 (wifey)
'03 Cadillac Escalade
'04 Infiniti QX56 (YEAH!!!)

 

Get a carfax someone on the my350z site does them for free in the VIN check. This is a must for a used car. It will tell you alot about the car.

 

the 6mt became available with the 03.5 revision. 45K is a lot of miles. I have 16k on my car and I think I drive alot. 6MT cars get driven and not by little old ladies on Sundays. Unless this is a smokin deal, i would pass and find one with lower miles.

Jim
'03.5 Sedan
Brilliant Silver/Graphite
6MT/ Premium package
Sport tuned suspension
Nismo Body Kit
Navigation and Satellite Radio
Z-Tube/JDM battery cover

 

epinnc do you want to take over my lease?? $430 a month, buy out is 30k and 2 years left, 14,800 miles LOL =)


Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
0-60 5.4 - 1/4 Mile 14.16 *GTech* and on 19's!!

 

Q45tech,

What do you mean when you say the design life is 100K
miles? I have the first press of the 2003 G35 sedan. Are you
saying the engine won't last past 100K miles? My old 1993
Altima was totaled with 130K miles on her and our old Honda
Accord was traded in with 180K miles. I expect to get as
much or more from my G35. Of course I take good care of
her.

03 5AT Sedan, sunroof, splashguards, HKS muffler,
14 wire Grounding kit, Z Duct, Stillen HF/AB
Underbody rear diffusers, Drilled alum pedals,
Stillen sway bars H/H

 

Yeah, 100K is nothing for this powertrain. It doesnt even get its first tuneup until then. Plus, in the G, the VQ is mated to the same trans as the Q, so its very underworked. With proper care and good synthetic lubes in the motor, and diff, this is a 250K capable machine. Everything else will probably be falling off, but the motor and tranny will still be chuggin.

 

I will also have spent a fortune on brakes by then.
SIGH.........


03 5AT Sedan, sunroof, splashguards, HKS muffler,
14 wire Grounding kit, Z Duct, Stillen HF/AB
Underbody rear diffusers, Drilled alum pedals,
Stillen sway bars S/H. Sport Tuned Suspension

 

I totally agree. If you are serious about the car, Carfax is a must!!!

2004 G35X

 

I signed up for a 30 day unlimited carfax account. Email nyoneway@gcm.com if you want a VIN check for free.