anything in particular that one should look at? Maybe a member that's gone though this can chime in. Anything to listen / look for during the drive?

Any options that should be considered a "must have"?

I'd like to lower and swap wheels eventually so not having the sport package is not too high of a priority unless there's something else that comes with it that's desirable.

Engine performance to check? Check oil level for consumption? Color? mechanic should perform some specific tests like leakdown/compression/codes etc...?

Sorry if a repost

I would still recommend the Sports Package because of the "Titanium tinted trim"....Basically the plastic is painted silver.

hey jeff, popped over from the maxima board eh? I recognize your sig, I'm new to this board, been lurking for a bit. Just purchased a G myself and can lend some insight.

Since being at this board have not seen too much thats going wrong with the G's mechanically. Predominantly concerns over power window failures, creaks in the vehicle, and here's one for ya, brake dust from the earlier G's, this they fix with Stillen metallics. Otherwise I have seen complaints about crappy radios. Nothing serious that I am aware of. Have not seen any of the cancerous injector issues that Maxs were plagued with. Thats about what I have to offer. Gas mileage is going to be lower on these vehicles too.

Cheers to you, long running member of the max board. I am, rp95se

I thought it was opposite. I have a 2003.5 Sport Pkg, and I see 22-24 mpg and its all city driving. 36 miles every day for work with more stoplights than I can count, i dont touch a highway. Looking at some other posts, I saw some people with 05's that were getting 17-18 mpg city. I could be wrong though.

03 G35 sedan:

clutch driven fan - some think this saps a lot power (I think maybe 2-3whp)
typically more TSBs because it was the first model year
03.5+ doesn't have the "doggie door" rear truk lift and recess
no 6MT for the 03
03.5 6MT available
electric fans on the 6MTs and electric fans on all 04+ sedans
Creaks and rattles, but this has been a problem for all years, even 05
HIDs were NOT standard in 03. You want HIDs.


Options I absolutely love:

Homelink mirror
Auto out seat (moves back), not available on 6MT
Reclining rear seats because they have adjustable headrests, looks better
Auto-on headlights
Sport package because of the firmer struts and better looking wheels and tinted trim.

Unfortantely most of the options I listed only come with the $3,000 Premium Package.

rp what's up? Yeah looking to finally deep six the ol'e maxima hehe. Dave. hids were NOT standard on the 03? Damn! Good heads up on that. I guess I'll try to shoot for a 03.5.

See mine for sale on e-bay....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Infin...82284908QQrdZ1

Why are you selling and what are you getting?

The HIDs were standard on all the G35s in Canada, even the earliest '03s. I thought only the base models had halogen headlights in the US, but I guess I'm wrong.

I have one of the earliest G35s, and I still love mine. I don't mind the look, and I actually prefer the old 'doggy door' as well since you can open the trunk from the rear without the remote. Of course, I like the new keyless entry Gs for the same reason.

I think most US 03 G35s except for the "base" cloth model came with HIDs. According to the window sticker that came with my car, HIDs were a $500 standalone option. I think in 03.5 or 04 is when they came standard.

DaveB - I am selling IF I can get a certain price because the coming baby is going to be a priority financially with my wife taking time unpaid from work. I financed the whole thing and invested the equity in my last car, the lemoned Passat, so the payment is pretty high.

Since I drive now about 4-5 thousand miles a year, other than the miles I drive our leased Touareg to work in with my wife, it doesn't make sense to have the cost I can use elsewhere. If I was closer to the loan's end, it would make an ok long term car if I could stomach the brake repairs.

Looking at Mazda 3, a few year old accords and avalons. Quality boring stuff that can sit in the driveway without costing alot to own. The cost per mile to operate a car that you can sell in 3 years for 75% of what you paid for it is 40% of what it is to operate the G in my circumstances. The camcord never looked so good!

Leasetrader.com is a hell of a way to find a deal..so the options could get better if you found a car that someone leased and put a nice cap reduction on. You just take over payments so they lose the money and you win financially. Saw a 2005 matrix for 165/mo with 36 months and 35 thousand miles. Quite a savings that would have been. Having two lux cars is just a tad too much for us.

I also find my tranny makes a nice click/thud when putting it in gear and that my shocks squeak. Keeping the car perfect is getting hard and I'm obcessed. Having a beater I can forget about and worry about other stuff is ideal.

Thanks guys. Anyone else want to add?

hahah i am probably going to sell mine next year...

all modded out basically.....except engine mods.. don't wana touch that to ensure the life of the engine...

take a look:

http://teamtransport.org/gallery/G35lin

Ed lin

Lin you did some very cool stuff. The blue led's are nice. Also those headlight. Does it look like a 5 series now from a distance? Awesome work and I never like many exterior mods. The best I've seen here IMO.

Make sure you check for break wear. If you listen to your radio get the antenna cleaned. If you can find one fully loaded like mine you'll have rear reclinable seats, which I don't think they can be found on '04 and '05 models.