Hi all,

Just put my 2003 5AT Sedan into the dealership's shop for an oil
change and to analyze my dash light problem. As I was waiting
on the advisor, I gazed upon the loners and noticed one with a
distinctly differnt front end grille. Steve said, "Your lucky today,
you get one with 12 miles on her, I think it's a 2005." It was!
Man, the drivers seat is sooo much more comfortable. The controls
seem to be located deeper within the seat so they don't
cut into your thigh. I love the dash also, like the way the incorporated
the analog clock into the center display. The shifter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love it, really crisp with an ultra short throw. It has 15 miles on it
now, and feels pretty slow compared to mine. But it sure is more
comfortable and quiet. Makes me think about trading.......NAH!

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

 

Nice! Did you beat on her, or "break her in"? [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

CoMiNg SoOn
2005 G35 Sedan 6MT
Diamond Graphite/Graphite
Premium, Navigation, Splash Guards, Trunk mat

 

Drive her over...let's play Switch-the-Taillights!!

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

"May you lead an interesting life..." -- Old Gypsy Curse

 

I thought maybe it was a one seater, being a loner, LOL! Sorry, couldn't resist! My dealer still has all '03's and a couple of i35's, doubt I'll see a new '05 loaner there, LOL!


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

 

3 days ago I left my car off for service and noticed that they had a fully loaded sport package Nismo body kitted loaner. I wonder how they got that past corporate

 

I test drove 2 2003 G35s before deciding to purchase something else, but I recently drove a 2005 5AT and was interested to see / feel several improvements.

Coming from driving a 2003 daily, I'd be very interested to hear (read) any additional comments about the differences. Power? Trans. behavior? Etc.

Thanks,
- Ray
Looking at a change sometime next year . . .

 

I can say for sure that If I was buying a new G35, I would pick
the 2005 model over the 2004! It is so much nicer inside. The dash is nicer,
wheels are nicer etc. But don't cars always get nicer with maturity?
My old 2003 pup doesn't seem so new anymoe sniff sniff

 

I got my first loaner yesterday. It was an 03 sedan with 27k. Man this thing was beat. It came complete with bondo, pinstriping and a dent on the fender. The trim around the rear window was hanging off. There was a 'no smoking' label on the ashtray and a pack of cigarettes in the console. Too bad I don't smoke newports anymore but I was tempted.

All in all it felt much faster than my 04 x. Maybe because I wasn't afraid to wind it out. Even though it was beat it was a fun ride back and forth. I put $4.28 worth of gas into it and returned it.

Nevertheless, I was happy to have a loaner but I think I'll just take the train next time.

 

Fine, just take the train then! Please don't expect a loaner to be up to the standards you keep your car in, that one is probably near the end of it's service run, and you have to remember, it has been driven by many, many different drivers, that is extremely hard on a vehicle, it's probably got like 75-80k worth of wear and tear on it. What trim was hanging off on the rear window?

 

I think you may have misunderstood the tone of my post. I was just providing a contrast to the nice new 05 loaner that the original poster was referring to. I said I was happy to have the loaner and I really did have some fun with it. I was able to merge fearlessly thru the NYC traffic. People noticed my dented front fender and knew I was not to be messed with.

I forgot to mention that it did smell pretty bad in there too. As far as the trim hanging off the back I didn't really examine what it was, I just noticed something hanging off the car in the side view mirror.

Maybe I'll get a nice new FX next time....(unless I'm on the train )

 

I definitely agree, the newer modifications to the interior certainly add some extra weight us peformance inclined fellows should shy away from. However, I do have to say I enjoy the new flexibility of the steering wheel controls as opposed to our '03 models

 

shouldn't the extra horsepower of the 05' models compensate for any weight increases?

 

Yes and no.
I test drove an 04 5AT Sport Package Sedan before I bought an 05 5AT Sport Package Sedan for my wife. The engine performance is VERY similar with both and I don't think that you can tell a difference with butt dynos :=) However, the 04 did feel slightly lighter and easier to toss around very tight corners. I chose the 05 because it was for my wife and I wanted the gentler brakes, plus 05 5AT can be ordered with VLSD.
For myself I would have gone with an 04 6MT or 04 X.
She wants me to drive the break-in miles and so far I'm happy with the car, however, I sure do miss a manual transmission. The auto manual mode feels like a retarded video game.