So my old car is going to be sold tomorrow (heavily modified 2001 vw golf), and I am looking for a g35 coupe to replace it. Hopefully will be joining the club this weekend if all goes to plan. Looking for one with about 40-50k miles on it. I just had a few questions for you all.

What should I be looking for when buying a G?

What are some of the major issues I should be aware of? and how do i prevent them?

Besides some updated trim pieces, headlights, and taillights are their any major benefit to buying a 05+ g35 versus an older one?

What are some of the first mods I should do to both increase reliability as well as performance?

Any advice you would give to a potential/new G35 coupe owner?

Sorry for some of the newbie questions, im use to BMW/VW/Audi's and have grown up around European cars so this will be my first venture into foreign territory.

Thanks, I look forward to meeting some of you, modifying/playing with my new car, and coming to some meets soon! It looks like this is the biggest g35 forum for Washington is that right?


Some pictures of my old car just for fun.

This one got into eurotuner (ride of the month)... thought that was pretty cool

 

WELCOME!!!!

What should I be looking for when buying a G? - normal stuff like car fax. mileage condition, and what not.

What are some of the major issues I should be aware of? and how do i prevent them? some 03-05 have oil consumption issues, Stereo has issue of not turning on. you windows motor WILL go out in either generations

Besides some updated trim pieces, headlights, and taillights are their any major benefit to buying a 05+ g35 versus an older one? get an 06+ if possible(look above)

What are some of the first mods I should do to both increase reliability as well as performance? - Thats up to you and your budget

Any advice you would give to a potential/new G35 coupe owner? get ready for some fun times.

 

welcome mate yes this is a big group, also we share the heart (VQ Engine) with 350z so can join that forum also to really get in touch with alot of people

What should I be looking for when buying a G? As Drew said Milage, carfax if possible, also take it to Inf of kirkland if you can, they do a free point inspection on everything so you know what you getting, but you will wanna try schedule it if possible to make it quicker

What are some of the major issues I should be aware of? and how do i prevent them? 03-04 had some teething issues which is natural since it was the first iteration of the car, if you try and stay with an 05 or higher you avoid alot of issues (stereo for example) also a 6MT can have oil comsumption issues (consume to much) and/or leak into spark plug compartment, this is covered under warrenty though so try and keep up on oil maintenance and spark plugs and you fine, or just get an 05+ 5AT G and no issue and still just as fast lol

Besides some updated trim pieces, headlights, and taillights are their any major benefit to buying a 05+ g35 versus an older one? yes, it is a bit faster and the build is better and interior had a nice upgrade (inteli key, bluetooth etc) it might be a little heavier so it faster but even a simple exhaust upgrade gives you back them 20-30lbs of weight plus its better build since they really ironed out the kinks from 03 and 04

What are some of the first mods I should do to both increase reliability as well as performance? first mods pretty much all G owners will tell you are Plenum Spacer (HP gain) Osiris Tune (HP gain and reliability improvement) and Exhaust (sexy sounds ) the G is already pretty fast so not much bolt on will give you benefits unless you go FI, so alot of the G mods are cosmetic upgrades, but you can for sure add some HP with spacer, exhaust etc, just dont expect 300 HP at the Rear wheels with just bolt ons

Any advice you would give to a potential/new G35 coupe owner? make sure to get it inspected before buying first rule, these cars are designed to be driven on the edge, its what they are made for, bit of luxury with a lot of GGRRRRRR, so make sure you not getting one that has been beaten around, 2nd would be keep up on maintenance, take care of it and it takes care of you, some G's on the forum are 175k miles and still going strong and 3rd... come to meets we like to hang out also do the ECU reset when u get it so u start it over and u get it peppy again and it learns ur style of driving (especially if u got a heavy foot like me )


either way welcome always glad to see new people, enjoy the car because its amazing and enjoy modding it into your own creation

 

Just to chime in on what everybody else already said, the biggest one is the oil consumption, which affects mainly RevUp motors found in the 05+ 6MT. If you get an auto its not an issue.

'03 had a lot of issues, mainly the window motors constantly going out, 6MT transmission was defective in a bunch of them, axle clicking, etc.

The valve covers leaking oil into the spark plug tube affects all years, I had the beginning signs of it on my 06 at 25000 miles, I've also seen it on older models with considerably more miles.

Just make sure you get it checked out before you buy it...

 

Thanks for the quick responses, Im going to be getting an auto since I work in seattle and traffic and hills are a bitch with a stick. I will no question be doing a car fax and inspection (thanks for the hint about where to get a free one), and im trying to find a 1 owner car that was driven by a little old lady... well at least not some kid with daddys money who bought it and beats it up everywhere he goes. Im looking to spend around 13-17k so a 05+ may be hard to find for that price range and milage although i've found some other ones for that price and milage. I've heard about the oil leak and to check spark plug #6 for any pooling of oil, how common is that? Anyway thanks for the advice, keep it coming if you have anymore. Some insperation pictures never hurt either

 

not that common the oil in the plugs, really depends on how much its beaten on, i dont beat on it often and im at 96k miles and doing great as long as maintenance is kept up then its fine