Hi all, first post here, and after doing a thorough search I couldn't find anything like the question(s) I have so here goes...

I'm in the market over the next 6 months for a V36 G Sedan. I've done tons of research already learning the ins and outs of each year model, trim/option levels etc. I was hoping that you all, the real world owners, would have some sound advice that could help me in my final decision.

Quick background: Have owned several sports cars in the past including an 03 Touring 350Z w/ various mods and loved the car, the brand etc which has helped sway me to the Infiniti naturally. Now I'm married and have a little one on the way so it's time for something with 4 doors. It was between a Lexus IS350 and the G Sedan. The G has won out.

Plans for the car: Aside from some lowering springs and some 20's, the car will remain stock (fingers crossed ). The wife will be driving it as well and it will be the family yet sporty 'ride', as I commute to work in a lowly Civic Hybrid for gas and HOV lane purposes (100 mi./day). I've still got a motorcycle for real fun when needed, man card in tow. I'll take the G to work occasionally and drive it as it was intended often. Budget is 20-26k. From my searching it looks like it will have to be an 07, 08 or 09. '10s are still in the upper 20s at best.

SO, help me out on a few questions pleeease:
1. The car will be auto. That said, is the 5AT or 7AT better as far as a) fun to drive and b) smoothness. I dont care if one is a trivial .2 seconds quicker to 60 etc. Do all year model V36 auto G's have the rev matching on downshift?
2. Aside from the 22 extra horses, is the 328hp motor worth the extra cash over the older 306hp motor? Reliability, performance, issues?
3. Definitely interested in a Sport model (auto though), but not a must. Have heard the ride can be too harsh for a luxury sport sedan. True? Better or worse with Eibachs/H&Rs?
4. What are year models to avoid if any? Why?

Any input or advice is welcome and appreciated! Look forward to joining the G owners club soon! Thanks in advance.

 

1) All year V36 models do have down shift rev match. I like the 5AT, but i always feel it needs a 6th gear. A lot of us would get better gas mileage if we did lol...I like the 7AT a lot, but the only thing I didn't like was that, I always found myself shifting through the gears a lot.

2) VQ motors are known for their reliability, so it's always nice to have a newer one . The 37 IMO is worth the extra cash...

3) The ride isn't harsh in my opinion. All depends though; stiff dampening can make it a rough ride, stiff springs can make it a rough bouncy ride and anything that will lower the car will generally make it rougher.

 

So I have had G35's since 2003. Had a 03' G35, 05' G35, NOW 07' G35. These cars are some machinery, if you take care of them they will take care of you. GUARANTEED!!! 03' had 144K when I sold it, my 05' had 124K, my 07 has 115K. I DRIVE A LOT!!! I've lowered mine with the Eibach Pro-kit along with a Stillen Gen 2 exhaust. Both are AMAZING! Ride difference has changed but, gosh does it turn heads...

As for the prices... I say go with the 07 G35 (FULLY LOADED) approx 50 thousand miles (+-). You should be able to get that nowadays for around $17,000 - $20,000. That way you can save some money for the mods and still have a good return investment in the long run. I also work at a dealership. These are the prices of the vehicles right now:

07' - $18,450 49K G35
08' - $22,025 34K G35
09' - $24,566 28K G37
10' - $28,876 20K G37

These are the most recent and realistic prices. Plus or Minus & not including TAX, dealer fees, and other payments too Uncle Sam...So I say you get a 07' fully loaded, you'll enjoy its features, save some money, still have over 305hp! Joint will look good regardless of what you put on... All of those models are more or less similar.

As for the Lexus IS350... It is very nice, but i think G35 has a better interior, and the stock exhaust... SexY! Rest is up too you, please do keep us informed. THANKS!

 

Excellent feedback guys, just what I'm looking for! Keep it comin. I know at a point it becomes about personal taste, driving habits etc but this is good.

ssh1786 - Are those prices certified pre owned or private party? Probably go with the former to get the extended warranty...even though I hate going through dealers.

 

Or you could - (shameless promotion) - buy mine!

I always go for the most loaded with the lowest miles for the best price. It's hard right now as dealers are offering such incentives _ $$ and interest rates, selling a used car is not as easy as it used to be.

So - I'm saying you have choices.

-s-

 

I wouldn't go with the 2009+ simply because I find the HR to be more reliable than the VHR.
5AT is preferred when it comes to performance, but the 7AT is better for cruising. You may be able to swap a 3.3 final drive in a 5AT which will lengthen the gears overall and help with cruising speed/rpm.

 

The prices that I have quoted are for pre-owned vehicles. Not Private. Those are the prices that you should be around considering the year and mileage of the vehicle. Anything more, the car better be in excellent shape.

 

Just to compare, I recently bought an '07 G35S fully loaded w/ 4WAS & 24K miles for $23k while mostly loaded G37S's (6mt) with about the same mileage were upper $20's and lower $30's. I have no advice on reliability of HR vs VHR but if you want to save some, well quite alot of cash, go for the '07/'08. Most performance figures put the 35/37 sedans spliting hairs close despite the on paper difference. I agree w/ Q8y_drifter that the 5AT is more geared toward performance while the 7AT dosen't seem as sporty (only very slightly) but should return better fuel MPG. Either way it won't give you the MPG of your civic and the 7AT (from my research on it before buying) really didn't return drastic increases in MPG.
One plus to the '09, if you are considering the Sport Pkg, is the larger OEM fixed caliper brakes...those would look better behind 20s. Stopping distance figures from tests put the '07-'08 sport breakes almost the same as the larger G37S's but the larger ones seem to be better overall (relaibility) in addition to looking much cooler. If you decide on the '07-'08 you can purchase the G37S Akebono brake F/R set for about $1000 though if you so choose.
It seems the interior pieces of the '09 up seem to hold up slightly better (comparied to some of the easily scrateched pieces in the V36 G35), but it may because they are still maily "newer" cars and not experiencing wear issues yet. Also beleive the interior trim changed in later cars, most seem to perfer the V36 G35 aluminm trim.

 

Thanks jessefrank. Was this purchase private party or CPO, or other? I am leaning towards the 07 G35S. For the cost savings over an 09, it makes sense. Really diggin the '10s revised front fascia though! Compromises have to made I suppose.

So the 07 Sports didn't get larger brakes than non Sport models? What about iPod integration on the 07 - if I recall correctly that was brought in on the 08s. So on the 07, is there at least an aux input?

Thanks again all!

 

^^ NO, NO, & NO! You do have component cables... Hook up your ipod/iphone/etc to that! Even watch movies...

 

Damn, I knew there was one q I forgot -

Paddle shifters on the 5 and 7AT (07-09). Are they on the Sport models only? Available as an option?

 

You can, if you're so inclined, retrofit the headlights and bumper.

07 Sport has larger 13" rotors and revised calipers over the Journey. The later years have the even larger 14" front rotor and 4/2 pot calipers. (i.e. Akebono BBK).

07 has composite inputs.


Only on Sport models but can be retrofitted.

 

Looking at all these prices makes me wonder if I it screwed. I checked with kbb and edmunds before I bought my car, but these prices u guys r putting out are definitely cheaper. I bought mine in nj, 08 g35x w/ premium package and wood trim... 23410 miles with new tires and brakes. Got it for sticker price of 28k. What states are u guys buying these cars from?

 

I forgot to add that my car was a cpo.



As for your car hunt, I recommend you check all the ac's... some g35 and g37 models come with abnormally loud compressors.... test it out by having the car on park, and give the car gas very slowly and bring ur rpm to around 1500. If u hear the compressor is really loud (sounds like a mechanical growl) don't buy it. Turn the ac off while ur foot is on the gas to see if it cuts out... if the sound is gone, that's a bad compressor.

 

whichever model you get, make sure it still has a warranty. I just bought my 2008 G35S fully loaded a few days ago and the navi/radio is starting to malfunction. So glad I'm still under warranty. Upgraded from an 2005 G35. I Love this car.