A colleague of mine recently bought a new '04 Maxima with navigation. While I expected his navigation to be pretty much the same as mine, I was unpleasantly surprised (and sad !) to notice that his navigation system is much better integrated with the car. For the navigation part, both systems are identical (at least I couldn't see any differences by looking through his manual); however, his menu has replaced the useless "Clock" (by knowing the car location the system should correctly keep the time) and "Language" (the system already makes you choose a language when it first comes up) options with two other options related to the car integration. I'm yet to consult his owner's manual as to what those interfaces are, but I'm lead to believe they refer to adjusting the lighting interval, locking/unlocking the door when you shut the engine off/open the driver's door, and so on. These are the things that I had thought would be programmable by us, the owners, rather than having to bring in the car to the dealership for those to be set, like I did for my G35 (and be told that it can't be done anyway !).

My '98 Grand Prix has a lot of useful things that I can program, although not through any screen interface, but still doable.

So, you buy a brand-new Infiniti G35 with Premium package, navigation and all that stuff, and yet the new Maxima has a better navigation system. And I thought that Infiniti was the luxury division of Nissan ?!!!!

 

And the Maxima also gets the better headlights too (HID projectors).

 

Well, it kind of make sense to me. Maxima is the flagship of Nissan so it should have all the perks. If you get a Q45 and it doesn't have all the features of a maxima, then I can understand your concern.

 

Sounds like they updated the Navi for the Max. which will eventually end up in the G's (maybe 2004) At the time ours came out it was the best- based on the Q's system.
BTW my clock in my Navi keeps time automatically. It doesn't need to be corrected. Only to 'Spring' ahead and 'Fall' back.
Having an interface to control and change the BCM would be nice tho.

<font color=green>GSM</font color=green>

 

Well dohmer is right you are getting the top of the line Nissan of course you are gonna get the the most for your money. The car comes with heated back seats I dont know of any cars other than the S class and 7series have the same feature. But with the G you are geting a "base" luxury car. So there is no real consern. If there is by the sounds of things every thing sound like a software thing so you can always get the software that they offer in the Maxima and put it in your car.

 

Of course, the Maxima costs less than the G35. But it is an '04 model.

Maybe they'll update the Nav system in the newer G35's. Maybe a map disk update can include additional features, as well.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

I'm playing with the idea of buying a 6MT Coupe for myself next year and a navigation system ranks very high (in my book) when making the final decision. Obviously, I'm not going to buy a Maxima instead of a G35 just for the navigation system alone, but my heart would cry daily if our navigation system would not, at least be as good as Maxima's. Not to talk about the new Honda's navigation system, which is voice activated and the new Accord coupe, MT looks very nice.

Thanks everybody for your comments.

 

I am defently sure that is all a software difference in navi. The Maxima probly just got and updated software. I bet if you put the Max's navi software in our car you would see the same thing.

 

I test drove the 2004 Maxima and let me tell you, the electronics and computer stuff are way more advanced than the G...If I had been making my decision based on cockpit toys, the Maxima wins hands down. Luckily for me I was making my decision based on a car that is F U N to drive and in this category, the G simply smokes the Max in every aspect. I got the Nav on the G which gives us a rather simple trip and fuel computer and I still think it's almost criminal that the G without the Nav has no computer at all. The base 20,000 Maxima still retains the computer.

 

Their is no base Maxima that cost 20,000, only some left over 03's GXE's that might be discounted to near their no 04's although. Yes they come loaded with more goodies than the G35 Base.

 

Ya the Maxima starts at about the same price as our car. With the Maxima you are getting the best Nissan sedan in America and with the G35 your getting a car close to the best Nissan in America. If you are worried about electronics you can always get the electronics on the Maxima and like install it in the G35.

 

Easier said than done ! While the software can be installed from a potentially new CD, the systems interface to the car ("info" button, etc) may not be fully compatible. For example, setting the lights on the Maxima is possible through the navigation system but may not be exposed in our G35 as an interface to our older navigation system.

Anyway, I'm dissapointed that the new Maxima is a step higher than our new G35 in terms of electronics and systems integration (not even talking about the hood-prop which is manual on our G35 - can you guys believe this ???!!!!).