I just got a 2004 G35 coupe off of eBay. It has almost 100k miles, but the price was right.

I've been driving it for 10 days now. So far no tickets or accidents -- but the power is going to my head (and my lead foot). I really have to take it easy -- at least until the registration comes in the mail.

I was searching for the right fit in a car for two months. My criteria were as follows: First, my wife is pregnant with our first, so I need a little more space in the back than my Celica was able to offer. Really, even though I think the lines on coupes and two-doors are much nicer than sedans, I had to make four-door a criterion fairly early on after trying to put a baby seat in a two-door coupe. At first I was looking at the Saturn Red Line, which has the suicide doors, but when I test-drove one it was so utterly underwhelming that I had to move on with my search.

My next criterion was a manual transmission. Again, I considered going automatic, and I tested a Prius and a Jaguar S-type with an automatic transmission, but I realized that the stick is just too much a part of my driving style to want to give it up.

Price-wise, I was looking at a range of prices. My thoughts were that the sticker itself doesn't tell enough, and that one must consider the longer-term cash flow when buying a car. Okay, it's not rocket science -- but without this type of calculation, I would likely have ended up with a Jag. I'm so _very_ glad that when I test drove one, it smelled like burning garbage. Okay, cross that one off my list.

So, basically, I wanted as small of a 4-door as I could get away with, but I still wanted some style. Once I found out that the G35 is based on the Z chassis, I knew I was on the right track.

Three specific features that I was looking for: HIDs, sunroof, and leather seats.

Ultimately, I got everything I wanted & paid an almost embarrassingly low $8900 for my 2004 G35.

I would love to hear folks' advice on how to make up for the couple shortcomings of the G35. In particular, I need to do something about the radio. The AM reception is poor & the whole thing seems unreliable.

Hey, any wisdom y'all have to share about anything would be great.

Here's a few pics:

 

Well,
1st - Congrats on discovering the G. I was in close to the same situation, had an 00 Eclipse, a toddler and needed 4 doors. I psend 3 months checking everything from ins premiums, to recalls, to forums for problems/complaints/compliments from everything from the acura TL, to the BMW 3 series, to the Evo (too pricey and not luxurious enough) to Volvo and everything inbetween. My criteria was 4 doors, manual tranny, power, leather, sunroof in that order. The runner up was the Mazdaspeed6. Too many drive axel probs in the 06, not enough 07's on the market. So I discovered the G, that was it for me!

2nd - YOU ARE BRAVE!! Most of us won't even buy clear corners off EBay unless it is a very temp mod, let alone the car itself. Unheard of! I hope it is everything you have hoped it would be and more. This forum will lead you to the perfect mods for your G, if you choose to do that. Anything you want to know is in here somewhere, and someone can point you in the direction.

Congrats and enjoy!

Amanda

 

Really, I know sufficiently little about cars that I'm probably less likely to get taken on eBay, where sellers have a reputation to maintain, than in person. I had to Google both "clear corners" and "temp mod" (and Google shed little light on the latter). And of the four people that work in my office, my G35 is the sixth car to be procured off eBay.

One thing I don't like about the car so far is the climate control. It's hard to coax it not to kick on the heat when it's cold outside. The best I have been able to figure is that if you turn it to 60 degrees, it'll do A/C no matter what the external temp.

But all in all, I have been *delighted* with the car so far.

First thing that I need to change will be to install a double din. . .

 

Ah, I guess it's difficult for me *while being surrounded by guys who usually know so much nore than me, thanks to google I get up to speed too* to not get carried away with lingo.

The clear corners are a replacement for the *orange* turn signals on your fender in front of your front tires. The lens is clear instead of *orange*. However, you must beware as alot of clear lens replacements come with clear bulbs also, which is illegal. Therefore you must buy *orange* lights to put inside the clear lens. Gives it a very nice look.

A Mod is a modified version of the OEM part, OEM meaning *original equipment manufacturer*, or the stock part from infiniti. When you hear someone talking about *modding* their car, they are adding an *aftermarket* part in place of the OEM part. Therefore changing the performance (usually to enhance) or exterior or interior to their preference. So, a temp mod would be a temporary modification, or something to get them by until they get what they really want. Many ppl here have been burned with "quality part" from EBay which turn into POS instead.

I am happy to hear you are pleased with your car! Let me now if you need any direction or have any questions. Most on here are quite helpful. Even if I dont have the answer I can either find it or find someone who can.

Amanda

PS, have you turned the Climate control off? Completely off? Mine is a diff year than yours, and works a little different, but mostly the same. Mine used to come on everytime I turned the car on, until I told it to STAY OFF! lol.