Just hit 20k miles today on my 07 G35 (Blk, journey with premium pkg.) My thoughts and driving impression.

the computer said I'm getting an average of 22 mpg. I drive 30/70 city/highway. The power is good, good pick up and I never felt like I need more, but the car doesn't feel like a 300 plus hp car either. Before the G, I drove a 01 BMW 740i with the sports pkg, and that car felt like it pulled harder but I know that the G is quicker. The G reminds me of my 2000 BMW 328i in terms of pick up.

The handling is good, not great, but I knew that I could have gotten better handling had I gone with the G35s instead of the journey. Given the number of miles I drive per week, I prefer the smoother ride of the journey so I know that I sacrificed handling. I'm hoping to get better roaf feel when I swap out the stock rims and tires with a staggered set up like the sport.

The quality of the overall vehicle is impressive and everything is holding up well. I can honestly say that the G is not the best car that I have owned but the best car for the money. I can't think of another car in the mid 30k range that delivers like the G has.

 

I was about to write almost the exact same post. I'm at 15,000 miles on my x right now.

Sure, I could have had the 331xi which I thought drove a bit better, but I would have also been out of pocket another $15,000. The X is great for my daily commute as well as a great weekend car.

I love the X and find it an exceptional value. I haven't had one thing go wrong with it except for the sunroof lining coming out - but that took 5 seconds to fix. To top it off the dealer my wife and I have is fantastic. Cant ask for more.

 

Good write up!

 

Just a note on the acceleration..... what you're "missing" is the low end torque of a v8. A car "feels" faster when you punch it at any rpm and it throws you back. At WOT and uppper rpms, the G35 screams, but low end..... not as fast.

An interesting comparo to the other car I "almost" bought. 06 Volvo S60R auto. With the 6 speed auto, the S60R makes full torque (295 lb/ft) at 2k rpms to all the way above 5k. That thing will throw you back at any rpm in any gear.

Overall acceleration..... it's slightly slower than the G35. But at low rpms and part throttle, S60R is waaaay faster.

I'm glad I got the G35, I just wish it had the low end of an S60R.

 

Good write up...the only thing I wish is that it was a 6AT. Might improve gas mileage a tad. Either way, I love the sound of the engine screaming at 5000+ rpm

 

Good point, and really, I'd rather have the torque at the mid-high end since loading all that torque low only feels faster. A car is only as fast as it's tires can grip... if the G can break loose now then having more torque won't help the situation.

I think infiniti did a great job on the torque curve, I agree at the lower RPM's the card doesn't seem REALLY fast, but when you get over 4000 RPM it's go the pep. afterall it is a HR engine and it is whey the tranny keeps you at 3K at 70mph.

 

Unlikely, IMO. The 6 MT doesn't do that much better in terms of gas mileage.

Frankly, I like the gear ratios in the G - I don't think a very tall OD gear would give me the same driving satisfaction.

 

I'm only at 6k but already love the fact that the IS350 is EVERYWHERE and ours still gets looks.

 

As for the G not feeling as fast as it is. . .as stated before its the torque curve. . .its builds up gradualy. . .try this. . . ds mode. . .or put the car in a lower gear and stomp. . .you'll get that head jolting punch you normally dont feel by letting the car run through the gears. . .thats obviouly while the car is already moving. . .

i guess the way i like to describe it is

stomping it on
low rmp torque engine= WHOA!!!!

high RPM torque= whhhhooooooooooaaaaaAAAAAAA!!!!!

 

true. . .actually i see the IS250 everywhere. . .id say I see 350's 1 out of 8 IS's

 

The sad part is that the IS 350 can't be distinguished from the 250 unless you can zoom in and see the 2" high digit on the trunk. I assume they are all IS 250's.

 

, I keep trying to see the front disc brake to see if it is a 250 or a 350, witch is kind of tuff

William

 

The other sad thing is that especially from the back they are hard to distinguish from a toyota.

 

yeah I dont know about all that the IS is a nice car. . .well the 350 is
i always check to see if its 250 or 350. . .in case the driver wants to go at it. . . 250 would be an easy kill. . .350 would pull ahead

but even then I'd take the G over a 350 any day

its not all about straight line