To help me make a decision as to whether the G35 sedan is the next car I purchase, please list the top 3 things you love about your G and the top 3 things you dislike about your G. Thanks so much. Like others on the site, I am fluxuating between BMW, Acura, and Infiniti for my next car purchase. Your valuable and experienced insights are appreciated.

 

Acura is definitely off the list
Well, I personally think that BMW is stronger than infiniti, I can tell the difference easily.However, if you seek power and style, go with the G, everybody can tell that ^_^
If you were thinking about the 3-series, make sure you compare the 330i with the performance package, other model than that won't match with G35.

 

pros - performance/$, perfect size, exterior styling
cons - cheap interior, wimpy wheels, stereo

330 is a great car but small if you plan on using the back seat. Expensive too, but if you have the cash I still would wait for the next generation 3 series.

 

Pro - Performance(power and handling), looks (interior/exterior), size (3 kids)
Cons - Brakes are too good (hard to go to another car without sailing thru a stop sign), Steering could use alittle more low speed boost, Trunk should pop open more to allow finger nailed women to get in without scratching paint (03.5 do not have the rear handle thing)

Would not try to pursuade you one way or another as a car is a personal extension of yourself. I like the G as it's style is subtle and simple sort of a sleeper as it will beat most cars on the road. Have an old J30t that has the auto tranny from a lighter 300Z so it is prone to failure. This car has the tranny from the Q45 which is a much heavier car so I fell this will help me get 150K+ out of the car. Did not drive any of the BMW or VOLVO or such as I had a n infintii and love it. Kept it for my daughter to drive in 1.5 years. First Nissan was a early 93 Altima SE 5 spd. Great car and problem free. Like nissan products as they push the edge more than my old favorite Honda.

Remember that everything is relative. Coming from a 60K luxo perfoprmo car to the G would be more difficult than coming to the G from a Civic. Opinions are just that and if you really want to do it right, tke you time and test drive all the cars you can multiple times if possible. When I went ot the dealer I tried the FX and G three times each. Had to be sure of my decision.

I feel I made the right one for me

All I can say is go with your heart and look in the rear view when done test driving to see how big of a smile you have, That's all that matters. I love taking the kids everywhere now as it is so much fun

Have a healthy day!
93 J30t, Black on Black
03.5 G35, Black on Black

 

Thanks for the valuable insight! I have to agree with everyone...the G35 coupe or sedan is simply a beautiful car. The G's exterior design is so much better looking than anything out there. I've heard so much about the BMWs (haven't driven one, yet) and their high quality of workmanship, but their exterior design is so flat, unappealing, and looks like so many cars already on the road. The G on the other hand has a unique, cutting edge appearance. But I'm worried about all the little things I've read that are going wrong with the G: rattles, brakes, CD player, etc. Like many of you, I can't stand rattles and squeeks. Do any of you think the 2004 models will eliminate these problems?

Also, please keep listing your top 3 loves and top 3 dislikes. Thanks!

 

Likes:

- Both the coupe and the sedan look extremely classy, the latter looking particularly so, IMO.

- I love the "firmness" of the ride--I can't describe what I mean, but my sedan (perhaps due to the sport suspension?) feels great. I love taking corners and winding roads.

- I think the wheels on the sport sedan and on the coupe tire package look great. I know lots of folks around here try to distinguish themselves by trading out the rims, but I'm very happy with mine.

Dislikes:

- The temperature sensor gives an outside temperature which doesn't seem to be accurate, but I'm assuming that the climate control system uses the inside temperature to determine how much air to pump and there's no gauge for that

- The stereo doesn't appear to have a mute button. I know that sounds like a major nit-pick, but I used that all the time on my last car.

- I like the sleek look of the trunk on the sedan, but as others have mentioned it doesn't pop open enough

Other observations

- Keeping the front tires clean is a pain and since I love the way they look when they're clean I end up washing my car at least once a week

- There is essentially no acceptable cup holder. The one provided is just asking for a spill, IMO. My car is still too new to eat in so this isn't an issue, but it's an oversight, imo.

- This is my first "expensive" car, so I'm not a good judge but I don't understand what people mean when they criticize the interior of the car. It looks fabulous to me--very classy, reasonably functional. My neighbors have $75K to $100K cars and they've let me take them for a spin--I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

 

You will get rattles on any car. There is a post on this form
with instructions on removing the door rattles. I followed
the instructions and my doors are COMPLETLY rattle
free. The car is super quiet, could not be happier. I have
heard BMW has rattle problems as well.

2003 Twilight Blue Sedan 5AT, sunroof, Graphite Leather,
splashguards, GG red 8 wire Hypergrounding kit, 350Z intake duct, K&N filter.

 

Yeah, the rattles, etc. shouldn't really be too much of an issue if you're looking at it. Simply put, you only hear the gripes on the forum, no one ever posts "my door doesn't rattle-- what do I do?", hehe. I've got a good friend with a 330xi and it's spent more time in the shop than on the road, but when it's running it is smooth as silk. The only 3-series I'd go after is the M, but I'm not about to drop another $20-30k on a car that close to mine.
I think you'll find the Acura a little tame in comparison. Just my opinion, but it didn't have that "punch" on the gas, but then again that may not be what you're looking for [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img] Make sure you drive them all on the SAME day- and many times.

I was choosing between the exact same three cars you were talking about, and I drove the Acura and Bimmer to the Infiniti Dealer (they welcomed it) and parked them and the G side-by-side-by-side. I went over every feature, gave them all some quick tests down their road course, and came back with my decision.

What do you want in your car? Perhaps if we know what you like/dislike, we can tell you if the G will meet your needs. The TL-S has more backseat legroom, the Bimmer can get a performance package, etc. What are you thinking at the moment?
G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint
Indianapolis, IN

 

Acura. Blech. I'd take a Volvo, Audi, or Cadillac before the Acura. It's really only between the BMW and Infiniti... until the Caddy gets the manual tranny with the new 3.6L engine next year.

Pros: Power, Balance/Handling, Size (rear seat & trunk space)

Cons: CD player keeps jamming, driver's seat is loose, service is lacking in handling the two previous items.

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

 

GeoBau,
I love that you took the Acura and BMW to the Infiniti dealership. Great idea! You ask a good question: "What do I want in a car?" Basically I'm looking for classy, sophisticated design, sporty performance, coupe or sedan, room for 2 adults and 2-3 kids, AWD, and high quality workmanship. I feel the G35 sedan meets all those requirements, but I question (due to the number of complaints by owners on this site) the workmanship quality. It seems when reading about Acura or BMW, even Lexus, autos they seem to always get glowing reviews from the critics in their high quality of workmanship. I don't hear that as often about Infiniti.

 

I gotcha, well put. The only reasons I would disagree with the reviewers' lauding of the quality of the other two is that a) Infiniti ranked #1 in customer service, and b) Infiniti ranked higher in quality/probs per 100 cars than the other two.

When I began looking at this purchase, Infiniti wasn't even a consideration... it was 330xi or TL-S for sure... then I saw about 10 magazine covers featuring this new "G35" thing, and the rest is history. They've done a bang-up job in turning their company around, so much so that I just got an FX...

I believe the G owner is not a prideful beast. Don't get me wrong, we LOVE our cars, but we realize they're no Enzo or AMG. I've yet to meet a Bimmer driver who didn't think their car was THE **** (myself included, years ago), so they're not likely to talk about faults, lest they be proven otherwise [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img] As for Acura, I think the only major problem is a tranny that's prone to total failure... when I read that, I really reconsidered.

This G engine has been around a loooong time, so you won't find any problems with the drivetrain, but you may get a rattle from your passanger side door. Nothing drives you more insane than hearing that rattle... agh! Oh well, at least my dealer fixed it and gave me a loaner in the meantime. That's where that customer service ranking becomes helpful [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

You're lucky- I'm guessing you're looking at the '04? AWD would be a nice option to throw on here, as Indiana's a glutton for snow! Whichever ride you choose, I hope you enjoy it- I'm sure you will, as a new car is one of life's great pleasures. Best of luck,
G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint
Indianapolis, IN

 

I've had other problems with my G35, but so far, the only rattle I've discovered is when I forget to put on my sunglasses and leave them in the glasses holder in the roof. They rattle a bit up there. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

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

 

I have had my car since October, not one problem yet, besides too much brake dust(expected). My roomate drives a 330i and his car has been in the shop more than he has drove it. Put it this way, he is not happy with his purchase, especially when we race.

 

GeoBau,

You and I are exactly on the same page! Thanks for your valuable insights and for sharing your pre-purchase experiences. Yes, I'm probably looking at getting the AWD sedan since Wisconsin seems to love the snow as much as Indianapolis! You hit the nail right on the head when you said, "...a new car is one of life's great pleasures." One quick question: Does the G sedan have room for two or three in the back? It would only have to seat my kids, so leg room isn't a big deal unless my wife and I get in the back (if ya know what I mean!) Wow! You've got the G and the FX...SWEET! Can I get a job where you work?

PS I've seen some discussion about Audi's S4 and A4 cars. Are these cars similar in price to the G? I hadn't considered them until I started reading this forum.

Thanks again!

 

fotodad-
Glad I can be of some help. So far the G has done pretty darn well in the rain, and I can only imagine the AWD '04 will be even better... time will tell! The G has more than enough leg room in the back for two kids- I carry around friends all the time, and so far no one has complained about lack of leg room. The only problem is that if I'm not in the seat with the key in the ignition, the seat is moved back (memory seats option) so it makes it a tight squeeze directly behind the driver's seat. I just make sure I get out after my friends [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I don't think you want a job where I work-- I don't. Not yet, anyway. I'm currently looking at two options with which I've been presented; managing a pediatric anesthesiology practice, or being a sales manager for a pharmaceutical company in Indy. Not bad for a 22 year-old, though I feel I'll need a little more direction before I can tackle them to the best of my ability...

The FX is a 60th b-day gift for my mom, so let's hope she likes it! It's been sitting in storage for a month now, it'll be a surprise for her birthday (one week from tomorrow).

The A4 and S4 are nice cars- but I can whoop an S4 in my G, so that tells you something about the spirited ride of the A. The price/performance ratio isn't so great with them, so I personally am not a fan, but to each his own. The nav system on Audis is pathetic, so if you're looking for that option, don't bother. Best of luck, let me know if there's anything I can help you with,
G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint
Indianapolis, IN