Are you saying you can custom order a G with a different dash? Or are you going to build him a kit car from a fiero? I'm confused

 

+1

 

no not a different dash... it'll have no sunroof, no heated seats, heated mirrors, etc....

i think it'd be different if we can just order a motor and shell and no interior but infiniti doesn't want to build kit cars.... it'll take the fun out of it.

 

My wifes VW bug meets all these.

 

did it come w/ the flower in the cupholder too?

 

No darn it! We had to buy one.

 

I think you'd be surprised by how little weight you save by forgoing those items. Keep in mind that the 350Z weighs only 100-150 lbs. less than the G, and that's like removing the rear seats from the G and chopping up the whole rear cabin section. We're talking about the weight of a skinny person here.

 

I have a 1998 Neon that meets all of those too, it is considerably lighter than my G and if you just dropped in a VQ35HR and Tranny that thing would be unbeatable

 

lol i thnk we might have to start a separate thread called "the NEON 35"

 

Best of all the neon 35 has absolutely no luxury features

 

I get it Christian........you have the G as your daily driver and your Neon is your track car.

 

For the people saying "just get an E39 M5", note that the M5 is a 4000lb car. I'm coming from a 2000 M5 and the G35, while not as fast, feels more nimble. The M5 doesn't have as many electronic gadgets as the G35, but it's certainly not a stripped down sport sedan. With an interior nearly 100% wood and leather the M5 is more plush than the G35.

Since that "wants list" did not include 4-doors, it sounds like the new 350Z would be the better choice.

 

Ok I hear some of you guys but I while I didn't mention "4 doors" I did post in the 2007 G35 Sedan forum, so that was a given.

I now drive a 1998 Maxima. It has more or less the same dimensions as the new G35, with a shorter wheel base. The Maxima is actually 2 inches longer, 1.5 inches lower, the same width, and 500 pounds lighter. It is FWD sadly though.

In any case when I drive the new G35 I think it is fast and handles well, but it feels heavy. It doesn't feel as nimble as my Maxima. It is close and different but I am pretty sure I can notice the 17% weight increase. I am sure wheel base has something to do with to but the weight matters as well.

Still, I really like the simple interior of the Maxima. It really isn't much different than what cars had in the 70s - basic gauge cluster, radio, climate controls. I'd like to have that, but still have a RWD car.

I hate the TV screen in the middle of the dash! The Nav and all that other driver distracting equipment isn't the problem. It is the screen, and sadly even without the Nav you still get stuck with this hokey looking screen. If it isn't already, I really think in 5 years that will be pretty passée.

Are there any higher performing RWD cars with a simple interior under $40K?

As for the Evo and WRX, both cars weigh more than my Maxima albeit with a lot more HP, but they really aren't much lighter than the current G35. Oh, they are much smaller vehicles and they aren't Nissans as well.

The funny thing is it hasn't completely deterred me from considering the car as my choices are obviously limited by this country's thirst for luxury and gizmos to help them cope with the monotony of an attentive driving experience.

 

get a civic

 

lol without all of that stuff the G wont be a G, hello INFINITI stands for luxury line of Nissan, if you want something cheaper i think your best bet is a Subaru/Evo/Mazda3...they are pretty plain, light and just built for performance nothing more....