hey guys...totally new to this board as i am in the market for a 04 or 05 G35, problably AWD if i can afford it. i currently drive an 01 mustang gt vert and with a baby coming feel its time to upgrade to a sporty sedan. i am currently looking at the g35, acura TL and the bmw 325 or 330i. the question i have for you guys is what do you love and more importantly HATE about your g35's??...i know you all love them as much as i love my stang, but there has to be a few issues that really tick ya off. also, how do you feel the g35 stacks up against the other cars i have mentioned?...

thanks alot for your help..looking forward to reading many responses!

 

ok..25 views and NO replies?....i find it hard to believe that all 25 of you LOVE every aspect of the car...i can name 5 things i hate about my stang off the top of my head, not that i dont love it...please share your opinions.
thanks

 

I have an '04 sedan with 5000 miles on it. I love the way the car looks and drives. However, I'm not thrilled with the build quality. Within 1000 miles, numerous squeaks and rattles popped up.

The driver seat rocked and squeaked (known issue). After two visits to the dealership, they replaced the track and now its fine. Both front doors had a clicking noise (known issue). The driver side was fixed by the dealer, but after two visits the passenger side is no better. Recently, there is a buzzing noise coming from the dash and a squeaking noise coming from under the car when going over bumps. Need to take it back to the dealer again.

Had an '01 Maxima before the G35. It had 50,000 miles and was rock solid. I do know other G35 ownders who have not had such problems so perhaps this is uncommon. But honestly, If I could do it over again I wouldn't buy this car.

 

Absolutely love my G! I have almost 8k on my '04 AWD and I have not had an issue with noises and rattles that pop up, but it is a known problem. I too looked into the same 3 cars you did before my purchase, and it really came down to the TL and G. I thought the TL had a cleaner finish on the inside, more bells and whistles like blue tooth etc... plus the nav system was fully integrated with the radio and climate control, but the quality of the ride the G has far surpased the TL. After the test drive there was really no question for me.

 

Well Sabodish, looks like Scotalot gave you the strong opinion you were looking for. Here's another.

I have almost 13,000 miles on my '04 6MT sedan, and I'm lovin' it more every day.

Yes, the driver's seat has started to rock and make a noise now (as Scotalot said, a known issue), and the BOSE premium stereo is a little "muddy" and vague on the midrange. The driver's seat adjustment controls can be annoying at first and take some getting used to, pressing into the underside of your right thigh (again, a known issue and HUGE problem for a small percentage of owners), and the transmission is notchy and sometimes balky. I get an occasional grinding in the shift from 1st to 2nd, and also into 6th at any speed or from any gear. The clutch sounds like a cement mixer when engaging, and the throw is too long on it, too.The AC/heating system can be annoying, both in placement and operation of the control switches, as well as the system design (having to manually turn off the A/C every time you want to use the defroster or just obtain vented outside air, even in "economy" mode, etc). The paint is weak and prone to chipping and staining easily (get a clearbra installed, and wipe that bird crap off right away, or you'll be sorry - regardless of how well you've waxed it) - but I understand such paint problems are common in all cars now, with EPA regulations allowing only "weak" paint formulas.

Also, the brakes leave a lot of dust, especially on the front wheels (problem I've heard was corrected for '05 with different pad compound?), and a recently lamented lack of fold-down rear seat for better cargo capacity/carrying has been mentioned. It's also annoying to have to manually turn off the rearview mirror sensor (for auto darkening when headlights come from the rear) and to not be able to program the navigation system while rolling, and the cupholder use/placement for the 6MT was definitely an afterthought and not ergonomically friendly (I know, I know, the first MT's in '03 had no cupholders at all - why am I complaining?).

And, oh yeah, this car is also good looking, roomy, comfortable, exudes style, is extremely well balanced, brakes exceptionally well, corners as if on rails, inspires complete confidence in spirited driving, and is more fun than any 4 door I've ever driven. Also, when you take the "gloves" off (VDC), it runs like a scalded dawg !!! Don't know about others, but I love the rush this car gives me from 100 MPH on, pulling like a freight train right up to redline. I've been an indicated 145 MPH a couple of times now, and this car is smooth and stable at these (Autobahn type) speeds.

For $33,000, this car has met or exceeded all of my expectations (including the corners cut on interior trim and some other minor details - which I expected for only $33,000 !!). It's a little raw and rough around the edges when compared to some of it's European competitors, but then it's that raw, untamed feel that I relish and enjoy in the driving experience - a little "on the edge" performance that makes the drive an adventure, not a chore. More than 1/2 the fun of any trip for me is the getting there! I plan on keeping and driving my "G" for at least 5 years/100,000 miles, and have no regrets. After 8 months and 13,000 miles, I still can't wipe the grin off my face when travelling down a twisty canyon or waterfront road. I've also taken the car on trips of 700-1,000 miles each a couple of times, and it is an excellent high speed touring car. Buy what you want, enjoy what you buy - no regrets. Good luck on your decision and your purchase - I hope you get what you pay for.

My $0.02

 

I think the difference between the TL and the G is this: Do you want to ride, or do you want to drive? If you are a driver, the choice is obvious, get a G35 6MT. Between the G and the 330, I think it's mostly a matter of value. The 330 and 325 are both driver's cars, but the 325 is slow.

I love my G35. Yeah it has some flaws like a few minor interior rattles, chattering windshield wipers, and the big honking V-6 is frankly not as refined as BMW's sixes. But this car hauls butt, handles great, and rides great on the highway (compare the G's wheelbase to the others!). Plus, I mean, lookit, the G is absolutely gorgeous. The best looking sedan on the road today, imho.

 

There is nothing I HATE about the car, even after driving it for 14 1/2 months.

There are several nits.

Such as, with the auto headlights, at times around sundown it can be hard to read the instrument panel when the lights go on.

No MP3 in the 2004.

I would, in retrospect, like just a little more room.

Power to the outlets goes off when the car is off.

Maybe a true MM mode like several people on the forum talk about.

The little scratch in the paint near my right rear wheel.

A touchscreen for the navigation system.

A builtin input for the sound system so, at a minimum, I could play an Ipod through it, though a MP3 CD player would work.

 

I have had my car for about 8 months and put 10000 on my 04 AWD. I have not had one mechanical problem. It has be rock solid. I have been extremely pleased with it.

 

I think Dudefish said it best. The TL is a great ride. Gets better gas mileage, a little more lux, good speed. That said, I traded my 03 TL in for the G35X. I initially just wanted anything with AWD for the winter, and planned to trade my truck and keep the TL, but when I drove the G35X, that was it! It is indeed a driver`s car, and leaves you wanting more every time you drive it. I do not regret giving up the TL (which only had 11,000 miles) for the X. Drive one, you`ll see.

 

We have 2 FF car, the Matrix and A4 1.8T, and they are just sooo dull to drive. So, I won't suggest FF car, the TL, to anyone. the BMW 3 series might be a bit small to for your whole family, including the baby. You know, there is time that your wife needs to sit at the back seats with the baby.

We bought the 05 G35 for 32.7K, with premium and sport pack, which is truly a bargain compare to the TL, 325, and 330.

It has 500 miles on it now, except the 15~16mpg (100% local driving), I can't think of anything to complain with. I guess after the run-in period, the MPG will increase some how. Anyway, this is a 280hp 3.5 liter V6, and wights more than 3500+lbs, I can't really expect good mpg from it.

I have gadgets like Intelligent key, MP3 cd player, xeon, HIDs, 18" wheels, sport tuned suspension, decent passengers' space and driver space, decent interior quality, great safety features, heated seats, automatic anti-glare rear view mirror etc..... really, what can I complain with?!

But, it is also true that the TL, and 3 series still have better interior built quality. The G35 has very good resale value too.

 

my 04 x has less than 2k miles on it. No problems per se, just wish that the nav had a touch screen instead of the cumbersome joystick. I also have an 01 mdx and the nav on that is a beaut. other than that no problems. I must say the car is a beast, my wife refuses to drive it as she claims its like an untamed stallion. I just say more power, more love

 

I've got almost 48000 miles on my 5AT sedan. No issues whatsoever. For the $31000 I paid for it, this car is a steal. Still looks, drives, and smells like new. People cant believe its got almost 50000 miles on it.

 

Love: Looks, drive, power, comfort, room.

Hate: Squeek, creak, buzz interior. Bose audio system.

Even with the negatives I can't help but love my G. I even had engine failure (replaced by dealer) at 30k miles and I still love my G. The positives far outweigh the negatives.

 

thanks alot guys..theres a wealth of info in this thread...i appreciate any others who would like to chime in with opinions..good or bad.

i guess i just need to get my butt out to the dealers and start test driving these things, can anyone suggest a car that may be in this category that i should also be considering?

 

You should definitely test drive the G before you make any decisions. I gaurantee that if you love to drive like I (and the others on this forum) do you will fall in love with the G.

One other car in our class that you didn't mention is the Lexus IS300. I was very close to buying the Lexus when I saw a G35 on the road. Love at first site, literally.