Ok, so I just drove an '05 Sedan 5AT as a loaner for today while my car is at the dealer getting an alignment. Here are my thoughts in regards to a direct comparison with my '04.5 Sedan 5AT...

1. Although it doesn't feel faster (280HP vs. 260 HP stock) in reagrds to 0-60 speed, etc., I do feel the 10 more lb/ft. of torque. I'm not sure if this makes sense, but basically, the stock car doesn't feel faster but it does seem to have more "punch" and throws me back into my seat a bit more...funny, b/c it has 20 more ponies, but only 10 more lb./ft. torque. I guess having just a little more torque can really make a difference (at least in the "pull" of the car).

2. The seat is much more comfortable...hands down. Infiniti obviously responded to customer complaints about the driver's seat and made the new one for '05 much more supportive and more comfortable (although the leather is stiffer; not as supple). I was not one of the folks who typically ranted about all their back pain caused by their G35 Sedan's driver's seat, but now I can see a big difference in comfort with the new one...I wish I had these seats in my '04.5 G35 Sedan.

3. Although it's clear Infiniti made some improvements to the interior, it seems obvious that they also cut some corners as well in quality in certain areas. For example, although the real aluminum trim on the dash, center console, and door handles is nicer than the faux trim we have in our cars, some of the plastic pieces became cheaper like the front cupholder door that flips up...it's lighter, flimsier, and cheaper than mine. I also think the shiny chrome inside door handle/lock is cheap looking, like a GM car. BTW - my '05 loaner car didn't have aluminum pedals which I thought were supposed to std. for '05 (but that may be on the Premium or sports package which my loaner car didn't have).

4. The new driver's gauge cluster is definitely nicer...seems brighter than before and has a nice orange round trim around each gauge. Also, the larger, orange gauge in the upper middle showing the D or M mode (1M, 2M, 3M, 4M, 5M) is a nicer touch than the old, smaller LCD display.

5. For those of you who are wondering about the '05 Sedan's exhaust sound...it's pretty much the same to me, imo. Maybe, maybe a bit deeper exhuast note (but nowhere near the G35 Coupe or FX35/45), but not as deep as mine with just the Coupe midpipe. In additon, it still sounds like a stoock sedan in the upper rpm's...it's begging for the Z tube!

6. The brakes on the '05 are more squishy; they're not as touchy which personally, I've gotten used to on my '04.5, so the '05 Sedan's brakes didn't feel as confident as mine (although they may stop just as well), but other people may like this. Unlike many, I have never had any brake issues, so I have nothing but very positive words for my G35 Sedan's brakes.

7. The Goodyear RSA's the '05 loaner car had on it -- just plain suck! I've never seen my VDC "slip" light come on so much in 8 months (with GY GSD's) as it did in just 3 hours of driving the '05 loaner car today...the VDC "slip" light must have come on at least 5 times today without too aggressive driving. I came to the conclusion that it just be those crappy GY RSA tires.

8. Do I wish I had waited for an '05...NO. Do I wish I had anything in my car that the '05 has? Yes...the new seats and the Intelligent Key system (my loaner car didn't have it but we have it in our '03 FX35 and love it). Do I think the '05 is faster than my car? NO...especially with a few mods, he he.

9. If the new '05 G35 5AT Sedan really does have 280 HP, then I suppose with a few minor mods, it may be possible to be in the 300 HP club...it will be interesting when we begin to see some posts of people with '05 Sedans who add similar mods as some of us with the older cars. So, come on guys...what are you waiting for? Start modding!

I hope this clears up some of the mystery for some folks. Happy Holidays!!

 

Some interesting observations. I find it hard to believe your comments on the torque issue, but I have a 2003, one of the very early built ones (04/2002) and everytime I get a loaner which doesn't have the square on the trunk, they all seem to be a little slower but slightly smoother on acceleration.
Also, just a comment, there are no 2004.5 G sedan models! All are 2004.
Have a great day;
Babs

 

Babs -

Thank you for your comments, but I guess you didn't know that Infiniti made a few changes to the '04 model, specifically with the way the 5AT's MM mode operates (it now works the way it should like the other Infinitis -- the computer will always bring it down to 1st gear if you don't manually so it starts out from a stop in 1st gear in MM mode) and they changed the gear shifter **** to the new kind. Most people refer to the 5AT Sedans with these changes (and maybe a few more) built after a certain date (something like March or April, '04) an '04.5.

 

bsgoren is right;
It's something I missed when I got my '04
The revised '04s were in but I didn't know it at the time.

 

I believe the 2004.5 6MT had a change/upgrade too, via a redesigned console with a cupholder vs. the '04 6MT without cupholder ??

 

Huh? What cupholder are you talking about? My Oct. '03 build 2004 6MT Sedan has a dual cupholder in the center console under the armrest. In addition if you open the little compartment slide door next to the e-brake, you can hold two more drinks in there.

 

I added some more thoughts after dropping off the '05 loaner and getting my car back an hour ago. See above...

 

I think everyone can agree on the fact that the RSA's do suck! It seems to be the consensus, for anyone who has these tires on their car as OEM tires, that they are not very good. Yes, they may last a long time, yes they may be mannered and quiet, but as far as dry grip and wet traction, they just plain blow. Before I had my G with the oh so much better GSD's, I had an Eclipse GT with the stock RSA's. Here is an interesting test TireRack did on several high performance all season tires including the RSA's. Notice how the RSA's come in last in the majority of the tests.

Click Here

 

2003, 2003.5, 2004, 2004.5, 2005? Come on, they are all the same. Well not totally the same....but 99% the same. There might be 2005.5 and 2006.5 in the future. Infiniti changes this and that a little bit and you people think it is a big deal to distinguish them apart. If the car sells so well, there is a big chance the company would keep improving every short while.

 

Hi Everyone;
Yes, I noticed the different manual auto mode feature in the last loaner I had. Found out the hard way as normally I automatically, by habit, put the gear shift into 4M as that is how I drive my 03 all the time unless on prolonged highway trips. Can't say that I like the "new" manual auto mode! I agree with TwiBlueG35sedan that improvements are continuous in the automotive industry. They all depreciate at the same rate, so enjoy what you have and stop looking at the newer ones as there will always be something biigger,better, brighter,etc every year. It's a car not your wife or girl friend. Treat it accordingly.(I mean the car)
Have a great day everyone;
Babs

 

Hey, hey...no need to get bent out of shape. I just posted this b/c the '05's just came out and they do have some minor aesthetic and engine performance changes which many have been debating, questioning, and hypothesizing about. Until recently when the '05's began coming into our dealers' lots, we have not known too much (except what's on paper) about the little nuances of these changes, so since I drove an '05 today, I figured it would help if I posted my impressions about these changes..that's it. No need to read too deeply into it.

Yes, you are correct that it's 99% basically the same car as before, and Infiniti just as all other auto mfgr's will make changes and improvements throughout the years; no need to argue about that.

 

regardless of what TwiBlueG35sedan said, I found it very insightfull. Of nissan will continue to make improve every year to the car to keep up with the time. But little things like using real aluminum trim and cutting corner like cheaper plastic , harder leather ,and less led on the taillights, keeps the price about the same. These are the things that wont be in paper, we wont know about it unless people are willing to share their opinions.

Any way, Thanks for the update!!!

 

Thanks for the post. Very informative.

TwiBluG35sedan:

Stop complaining. I'm a member of many auto forums and many people who own VW's or other German cars (which are known for making changes in the middle of each model year, just like Infiniti is doing) list their car as a 2001.5 or a 2003.5, etc. I've never seen anyone get bent out of shape about it. It's simply a method for fellow enthusiasts to indetify the car you own and what features came with your vehicle.

 

That means they are not the same. So, I guess it worth to discuss, when you notice the 04 is selling under invoice, while 05 is above....

 

An interesting comment. Wish I could agree that my (06/02 build date) 03 G35 AT Sedan is 99% the same as the later cars. To date I've found many differences including the ECM, TCM, electronic & electric circuits and some mechanical components. Body wise, most parts appear interchangable. I wonder if the 05 bumper facia assemblys and center mud guards (rocker covers) will fit the 03s & 04s?