I agree, my problems are minor but I am concerned that this is going to be the start of more and more issues. If the car starts nickel and diming me, I am going to dump it for something new with a warranty, quick. I get that I'll be laying out a large sum of money for that new car smell, but is it financially irresponsible if I have the money? Thanks for the tip on the coupe seats, that thought ran through my mind.

Anyhow, thanks again for your thoughts and opinions all. Keep 'em coming. Here is a list of cars that I am considering; I know they are all over the map but go along with me...

Dodge Charger R/T Road and Track
Dodge Challenger R/T Classic
BMW 335d
M37S (more than I'd like to spend, prob)
Volvo S80 T6 (don't laugh, I already have a Volvo)
Volvo S60 R-Design (now with 325HP)
Mustang GT (Coupe or Convertible)
VW GTI (economical option)

I think the thing that will keep me from pulling the trigger more than anything else is that I hate the new car buying process! Oh and I do love the G

 

Well, right off the bat, drop the first three off your list for sure.
The dodges are crap and the BMW will likely be more trouble than it's worth.

Warranty or not, if it's at the shop, that's still down-time.

The thing about it is this, a G has to be a real lemon and just about everything break in order for it to cost more to maintain than what a new car payment would be.
I mean, basically something significant would have to go wrong every month or two, and judging from the history you've had with the car, my personal experience with my car, and what I see on this site... I HIGHLY doubt you're going to have problems like that.

If you want a new car and can afford it, then buy one... but don't blame it on a couple little problems with a car that will otherwise quite likely be just fine for another 100k

 

Have you shopped for a BMW?

I was shopping for a used 5 series when I bought the G35.
The 5 series look like **** after a few years. Either the owners treat them poorly or they are just made like ****.
The 3 series is just an over priced Civic.

Dodge makes crappy plastic cars. My last Dodge was a 99 Durango. in 2004 it had 60K miles and was failling a part when I traded it.
Do note that I am **** about maintaining my vehicles.
That truck leaked at every possible seal.
I had a '96 Dakota which I used arbatration. It was in the shop more than my wife drove it.
After the third transmission, we started complaining.
I will never buy another Dodge product.

My Volvo S60 was the best car I ever owned. I was aiming for 300K. I totaled it at 162K.
Not one single problem! Nothing!
That car was a base model and had just about every feature you could ever want and more.
Did I mention the seats? The most comfortable seats I have ever sat in.
I do miss that car.

S80 is a boat.

Have you driven the NEW Buick LaCrosse CXS, yet?
I just sold my 2010 LaCrosse CSX. The 3.6L is bad a$$.
Cooled seats in the summer.
I liked that car, but hated the payment. That was the only reason I sold it.
It is hard to justify a 500.00 payment for a car which will be worth nothing when I get done with it.

I am fortunate since I get .55 per mile.
It allows me to buy cars often. If I don't like them I can part with them and not take a loss.

Before the Lacrosse, I had a Acura TL ML6.
That car was OK but the torque steer was terrible and sitting in ATL traffic with a manual Transmission sucked.

 

Thanks for the post, Mike. That brings me to another point, another reason I am thinking of trading is because would like a car with some modern amenities like an AUX port and ventilated seats, etc.

 

Try the 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse CXS AWD...

The modern fetures are nice...
Once you have them it is hard to go back.
The first few weeks in the 2004 G35 was difficult.
I had to keep reminding myself... I don't have a payment. I don't have a payment.

Once the new radio was in place, that made life better.
Memory seat would be a nice touch and Home Link would be a bonus.

The G35 is easy to work on. I do like that I can service it quickly.

 

Your problems are EXTREMELY minor. My G has 144k miles, and I'm not planning on selling anytime soon. I guess it all depends on how you're doing financially. As for your headunit, I highly suggest the one I have. I don't know what model it is because it came with the car, but it looks super clean and basically OEM looking. Check it out:

 

I think he has the new car bug.

There are a lot of killer cars out there these days.
And none of them are bad. Most brands are much more dependable than they were thirty years ago...

 

Just an update, yesterday I traded my 2003 G35 with 120,462 miles on it. See my thread.

https://g35driver.com/forums/g35-sed...odbye-g35.html

 

I posted this thread last August. I took some time, drove and enjoyed my G a little longer but eventually the new car bug bit me, hard.

It was a tough decision because my G was good to me, never left me stranded, held itself together and more importantly held its value well for almost 8 years. I have so many memories, cruising with my older brother who has since passed (R.I.P.), driving it through the Holland Tunnel for the last time on my way to a new life in Texas with my wife, driving out to LI from Manhattan on Friday nights and feeling like I had it all.

In the end, I wanted to trade it while it was still worth something and the fact that life is too short to drive the same car for 10 years as much financial sense it makes. So, I went to my local Dodge dealer at the end of last month and got a great deal on this:





I want to thank everyone here that offered their support and assistance in the past. This is a great community and I would recommend a Nissan product to anybody that asks. I'll be lurking occasionally but till then I'll see y'all out on the street. Cheers!

 

Congrats on the new ride! looks sharp!

 

I kept the last car for 15 years. Literally drove it into the ground. It only had about 85K miles, but was kept outside all its life. The final straw was a blown brake line in the rear. Which in and of itself is not a big deal, but everything was so corroded back there. In the process of repairing the line, other lines would have likely been damaged. In addition, it leaked/consumed oil, needed an intake, valve cover and oil pan gaskets, rear main, new exhaust, full brakes all around, rear pinion seal, and a full tune up. It was the excuse I was looking for to get rid of it.

Some HS kid bought it for cheap. RIP '97 z28 6mt

 

How many of you guys have upgraded from a 1st generation G35 to a second or third generation model ?

If you did, what were your initial thoughts/concerns? Are you happy now that you moved into a newer model?

I'm in a position now to do this myself, but need some help being convinced because I am so incredibly comfortable/happy with the 1st gen model I have that is still essentially like a brand new car (90k miles).

I'm considering a low mileage used 2007-2009 Sport model sedan in the 25kish range.

 

Having driven the newer models as loaners over the years, I didn't really feel that much of a difference when I got my car back at the end of the day. Of course they were newer, felt quicker and the interior was updated but it wasn't enough to get me to trade up.

I did consider it on occasion, though.

 

GL with the Dodge. If you thought the minor issues you had with the G were bad, may as well have a buddy strap on and go at you with no lube once that thing gets a little higher in miles.

Fun cars though.

 

^
I was thinking it but didn't want to say anything