Does anyone know how much it would cost to buy the wood grain inserts separately at a later date and put them in myself? Obviously, it would be more than the $450 they charge for the upgrade... but how much more?

Actually, I am hoping an good aftermarket alternative comes out because I like wood grain in my cars but don't like how Infiniti's wood looks. I like alauminum too... but again, not a fan of what the stock aluminum looks like. The car I have now (VW Touareg) has done both very nicely... the aluminum surrounds the woodgrain. But, if all else failed and the aftermarket alternatives were just as bad (or too expensive), I would eventually just give in and go for Infiniti's version of the wood grain.

aftermarket there buddy they make factory match kits that go over the aluminum

NO WAY!!! you don't want that cheap looking "simulated wood stickers" garbage on your G, you want the replacements. I've seen one, which was really high quality walnut for like $2000 and they required that you return your aluminum to them. But I would guess that it will cost you around $1000 for the real thing as more come out. I wouldn't settle for anything less then that otherwise it cheapens up the car.

I prefer the washi aluminum over strait aluminum because of the ability to hide minor scratches, streaks, or dust... strait aluminum is harder then glass or a black car to keep clean.

There are a lot of people saying they are turned off by the matte finish to the G35's wood. I prefer the matte finish. but my recommendation to you would be simple.. Get the wood, it's only $400 and it's worth it. people with Sport packages would give you their aluminum and $600 to swap with you... you could make money off it, that is, if it doesn't grow on you.. I think you'll like the matte finish vs a high-gloss finish once you get use to it... and if you still prefer the gloss finish, just remove all the pieces and apply a coat thin coat of minwax water based clear polyurathane - and BAM! you have the real wood with gloss finish, just don't forget to sand it before applying the poly!

Completely agree! If I actualy did do something aftermarket it would be proper... not a make-shift fix.

Yes, that is an option... it's not just the matte finish - I'm also not a fan of the patters as well. But, the patters isn't all that bad... the matte finish is where the bulk if my dislike is. But true, I'm sure there is someone on this board who would buy it from me and give me their aluminum.

Never thought of that! Hmm - that just might be the way to go! I'd be very worried to mess it up but I'm somewhat handy and could probably get it looking good. Thanks for the thought!

wood's easy to work with, if you mess it up, just sand it and do it again. First I would recommend doing it on a few pieces of scrap wood to get comfortable with the process and brush strokes. Then, I would recommend starting with the smallest piece, like the one on the left side of the steering wheel, to make sure you even like it before doing all pieces and if you don't, then you only need to buy the small piece!

edit: I'll add that with Poly, you put it on quick and let it dry, when you apply it there will be brush strokes, but they will flatten out in a few minutes and the finish will be like glass. people have a tendency to try and keep brushing it thinking they can brush out the brush strokes??? and after a few minutes it gets tacky and it will never glass over.

If I were you. If you have the car already without woodgrain then I would leave it alone. If you still are in the works of purchasing the car I would add from the dealer. I agree adding cheap wood makes it look ugly.

No car yet... still 1-3 months away from purchasing. Just exploring my options.