Infiniti G35 Sedan 2006 and earlier

anoonan

sad that the G35 won't have an onboard computer to show avg mpg, avg mph, etc without getting the Nav... heck even Hyundai has this. Think it'll at least have an outside temp display?

That being said, I'll still probably get one. :-)

norcalmike2

Not only will it have an outside temperature display standard we get a digital compass on the dashboard read out also.

stanny1

The current trend is to replace LSD differentials with Traction Control systems. The problem is that TC is a poor substitute for an LSD unit. BMW realizes that and has LSD and defeatable TC. LSD is indispensible for Solo2/Slolom racing where side slip is intentional. It's faster to corner with intentional slide with a RWD and TC will only slow you down. The best LSD are probably the Torsen differentials. Let's hope the G35 is serious and offers LSD, especially with the Manual tranny.

hvan3

Contact: John Schilling, Infiniti Public Relations, 310/771-6057
Eric Booth, Infiniti Public Relations, 310/771-3014

Or contact the media line at 310/771-5631.

dervish

Nissan has again manage to mess up a great design. The rear end is just awful! It doens't match the rest of the car! I'm driving a G20 for the last 9 years and was looking closely at the G35 until now. Too bad, the front end is so beautiful. A design break through for Nissan after years of boring and ugly cars: Maxima, Infinity I30, Frontier, Sentra ...

By the way, my G20 has 140k miles and still running strong. Extremely reliable. I may as well keep it for a few more years. Hopefully Nissan will "correct" the rear end of the G35 by then.

jjy1

Got a call from infiniti last night. I wasn't home so just got a message on the phone about wanting to know my thoughts on the g35 and if my dealer had contacted me yet about an order. I'm going to call back today and let him know that I've changed my mind based on the ugly rear of the car.

If the car had even a half descent looking rear, I would have bought the car already. As it stands I'll just have to wait. In my opinion, 30k+ for a car with that ugly of a rear is way too expensive. It looks like the rear of my old 94 corolla. Certainly not what a luxury sports sedan should look like. Even the 2002 corolla has a better looking rear than the g35.

Is there a way for us perspective buyers to petition them to change the ugly rear? It's such a shame that a car with such a nice front has such an ugly back. Please listen to us infiniti, we only want to help you sell cars...

gandhim3

Here is an automotive writers Detroit Auto Show - Best of Show picks. The Infiniti G35 car discussion is at the bottom.

http://www.auto.com/2002show/show17_20020117.htm

I do not know why every one is so much against the rear end? Just about every other car maker is going for the "L" shaped tail lights - BMW (they MAY be the first), Mercedes, Jaguar. Sure, there are some minor variations, but ultimately it is the same basic shape.

Or is it that you do not like the number plate on the bumper, rather than the trunk lid? From the pictures, I really do not mind the rear end. Sure, it is not as distintive and nice to look at as the rest of the car, but I do not think it is ugly either. Unless what I see in real life up close is drastically different from the pictures, I am not going to let the rear end stop me from buying the car.

To each his own, I guess.

jjy1

The problem with the rear end is not the L shaped lights, I'm fine with that (in fact I like it). The problme is that the rear is so flat. The plates need to be on the trunk so that the flatness in the back is negated. A nice caved in look (like on the q45) for the plates will do nicely. Otherwise it does look like the rear of a 93 corolla. I also wouldn't mind if they slanted the trunk down a bit to give it a slight top curve to the shape (that'll also get rid of the flatness - the acura tl is a nice example of this). In my opinion, I would say the boxiness of the rear end is the worst part.

I can just imagine me gettin a g35 and having my buddies tell me how butt ugly the car is...

totalnet

The only sketch I have seen is on the Infiniti's site and that only shows the front of G35 coupe. It would be more practical with a hatchback than a regular trunk. But only once or twice did I wish that my current car was a hatchback.

Also my 95 200SX does have a different rear light cluster from the 95 Sentra. The 95 200SX was really a coupe of the Sentra anyway.

I hope Infiniti will do the same thing as Mercedes did with the C coupe, where they didn't use any body panels from the sedan. Acura's CL also didn't use any body panels from TL, but I hope Infiniti will make the G35 coupe more sporty looking than the way Acura made the CL so conservative looking.

ambull

To each his own. The author of the article referenced above said "Look closely, and you'll see a quietly handsome car with appealing cues, including an elegant rear end and taillamps."
My own take is it's okay by me, but then I haven't seen it in person yet. Like someone else said, everybody can't like it and if not too many people do, the sooner I can get one at less than MSRP!

stebu

Well, I guess if one can find such a similarity between the Avalon rear and the G35, then it would be fair to say that the G35 just as closely resembles the rear of a BMW 3-series. Honestly, I don't see what the problem is. The G35 tail doesn't look out of proprotion to the rest of the car like the new BMW 7-series rear end. It's just another slight variation of a common tail end treatment.

It reminds me of all the howling about the rear end on the latest Maxima. At least its rear is a break from the ho-hum norm. Going in a different direction can be dangerous, just ask Audi. They have been catching quite a bit of flack for redoing the previously understated A4 rear in the image of the far more controversial A6 tail. Still, many others rave about the change. IMHO, there hasn't been many truely distinctive derrieres since the late 50's/early 60's cars. Except for maybe a few whaletailed Porsches and J-Lo... lol.

In the meantime, I think I'll use those Infiniti PR numbers to congratulate them for finally bringing a version of the Skyline to North America. Nissan's vehicles have traditionally been drivers cars first and fashion statements second. The G35 looks like it upholds the former while shoring up the latter.

stanny1

Can you get us the E-mail addresses of these guys instead of phone #'s ?

hvan3

Product & Consumer Public Relations
Kurt von Zumwalt phone: 310/771-5238
Director, Product & Consumer PR
e-mail: kurt.vonzumwalt@nissan-usa.com

Bill Garlin phone: 310/771-5351
Corporate Manager, New Model, Design & Auto Show PR
e-mail: bill.garlin@nissan-usa.com

Fred Standish phone: 248/488-4227
Corporate Manager, R&D, Manufacturing & Environmental PR
e-mail: fred.standish@nissan-usa.com

Nissan Division
Tim Gallagher phone: 310/771-5606
Corporate Manager, Nissan Division Product PR
e-mail: tim.gallagher@nissan-usa.com

Dean Case phone: 310/771-5264
Manager, Nissan Division Product PR
e-mail: dean.case@nissan-usa.com


Infiniti Division
John Schilling phone: 310/771-6057
Manager, Infiniti Division Product PR
e-mail: john.schilling@nissan-usa.com

Eric Booth phone: 310/771-3014
Specialist, Infiniti Division Product PR
e-mail: eric.booth@nissan-usa.com

If you're writing to them, tell them to read the Edmunds Townhall for feedback on the improvement of the G35 rear trunk lid.

Now that Ford Premier Group moved into our neighborhood here in Irvine, I'm trying to rub elbows with the guys at happy hour.

hvan3

Nothing is more butt ugly than the Lexus GS300/400 rear end. They really screwed up the design of that vehicle.

As for the G35, I"m hoping that the G35 coupe will have a total different look (front and rear end). I like the L-shape light, but the trunk lid definitely needs further cosmetic improvement.

68bullitt

I actually like the rear end. I think it's pretty unique and doesn't look like every other sedan's rear on the road. I'm a minimalist by nature so to me less is more. So I like the clean, flat look of the trunk lid without a lot of adornments or cut-outs for the license plate, etc. I also like the huge Infiniti logo on the trunk lid. No one behind you will wonder whether or not it's an Infiniti. I saw the car at the auto show and I think it looks just as good in person. However, I've yet to see the LED tail and brake lights in operation. I don't know if any other car has these yet.

If you want to talk about an ugly rear end let's talk about the current Maxima's. Yuck!! Looks like somebody already rear-ended it when it rolls out of the factory.

68bullitt

I think this quote from the above mentioned article on Auto.com settles the confusion on whether or not the G35 and the Altima share the same platform. Also support that some of us like the rear end.

" The sleeper

The Infiniti G35 got little media and less attention at
the show. But this entry-level sports sedan could
give Infiniti a credible player in a take-no-prisoners
class that includes the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and
Cadillac CTS.

It's built on a new chassis that's the basis for a new
Nissan Skyline supercar to be sold in Japan and
likely the United States. And it gets Nissan's
award-winning 3.5-liter VQ engine, good for 260
horsepower.

The styling didn't bring anyone racing to the Infiniti
stand. Look closely, and you'll see a quietly
handsome car with appealing cues, including an
elegant rear end and taillamps. "

hvan3

I just wrote a letter to Mr Schilling. I told him how most of us feel about the rear end of the G35. I even provided a link to this website for him to read.

Ok guys! Go vent!

ateixeira

hvan: I so totally agree. The first GS was by Italdesign (Giorgio Giugiaro), but did update was done at the Calty studio, and they really spoiled it.

Maybe the G35 will look better in person. Or from behind the wheel. ;-)

The current Maxima looks droopy. So did the one before that. But the 4DSC Maxima was attractive.

I think Nissan is making a design comeback.

-juice

jjy1

It's great that so many of us are voicing our concerns to Infiniti, but I don't really think it'll make much difference. They've built this car already in Japan and the pin heads appearently decided that if it's good enough for the Japanese market, then it's good enough for the US market as well. Classic ignorance of market perception... Maybe if it doesn't sell well, they'll take our advice and make a few changes...

hvan3

For you motorheads (stanny and riez)

http://industryclick.com/microsites/index.asp?srid=10250&magazineid=1004&siteid=26

Scroll down and click on 10 Best Engines.

motokichi

up a few posts back, someone asked about the M30. Which was based on the Nissan Leopard, their answer to the Toyota Soarer (SC300/400). I believe M30 was developed from the pre-88 ZX platform.

The G35 shares so much with the 350Z, I hope that enough enthusiasts will knock on Infiniti's door that the Z's 6MT and LSD will find it's way over to Infiniti. The 5AT is the only choice of transmissions in the Nissan Skyline, and Nissan is not really known for excellent feel in their MT's, but I assume the Z's MT setup will be good enough for most of us.

I see many people complaining about the rear end of this car, but what about the even more bizzare front end? Yes, it's unique, but so is the Aztek...

jrct9454

...for this car, just not right at launch. I think the quote in one of the car magazines was "sometime in the next year".

And as for the styling, I find all aspects of the car just fine, thanks. If you really find the rear so offensive, I guess this car should be crossed off your list...it is very much on mine.

dbruland

Does anyone know what Nissan or Infiniti is planning as to adding satellite radio capability to their cars? I recently purchased an I35, and would like to add XMSR (or Sirius when it becomes available) ideally if it could be done without replacing the entire Bose unit.

Has anyone had any experience or have any expert opinions on this new technology?

Thanks in advance.

maybeg35

Dealer called to say they have one for 2 days only so I'm there tomorrow. I'm going with my digicam. One thing I'm going to really check is the leg room in the rear with the driver's seat in position since I had heard it was fairly cramped.

ligart

Better not be with that 112" wheelbase! That's more than a 5-Series, E-Class, A6, ES, etc...

ligart

I'm sure it will be different, else why would they show us a concept drawing? By the way, did you know the BMW 3-Series coupe shares no body panels with the sedan?

My current car is a hatch and I love it cause I can put big things in there that won't fit in a trunk or rear seat.

ligart

Here's the reason (I think) why people who don't like the rear don't like it:

First there's the downward slanting tailights. Then the down-and-inward slanting lines of the trunk lid. Finally, the low-mounted license plate, which is not just in the bumper but at the bottom of it with a downward-facing cutout.

All of this conspires to draw the eye down down DOWN! Add to that the high unbroken vertical expanse above the bumper, and you've got a "droopy butt".

bobbyknight

You guys are being really petty about the back of the G35. What would you rather have, a CTS!

bluetentacle

Cadillac DeVille does. I've trailed one on the street at light. The LEDs are exceptionally bright and turns on instantaneously, without traditional bulb's split second delay to achieve full brightness.

jster

Haven't seen one in person---but I don't know why everyone so down on the G35's rear end. I don't think it looks "droopy" at all.

Now the J30 on the other hand---that was one "droopy a__ed" car. Ugh.

What's up with the CTS. Sounds like an interesting car to me. Don't like the look of the taillights on it though.

stebu

"Here's the reason (I think) why people who don't like the rear don't like it:..."

And, IMHO, here are the reasons why people who do like the G35's tail end do like it.

High mounted tail lights that are in line with the cars front to back accent line give it a broad shouldered sporty look. The len's forward facing wedge shape enhances this same image. The L extensions of the lights coupled with the centerally located classy badging on the trunk lid breaks up and fills in that area without making it seem busy. The low bumper mounted placement of the license finally removes the unsightly plate from a position of prominence while serving as a visual break in what would typically be another broad and boring swath of plastic.

Not only is the rear look of the G35 not the least bit droopy, it has the overall impression of being beautifully balanced with an athletic appeal suggested by the natural V formation of the high and widely placed tail lamps extenting down to the narrow waist of the license holder. And that coupled with the short rear deck and upswing to the lower rear quarter panels gives the whole rear end a rather high and in your face look to those who will surely be following this car.

I think the auto.com article, quoted above, got it right on the money. The G35 truely does have "an elegant rear end and taillamps."

ateixeira

IMHO Edmunds was right when they called it "the automotive equivalent of a saggy butt".

But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and who cares what other people think as long as they can't keep up with you?

Mike: try to get pix of the driver's view to the rear. The C-pillar looks thick and I'm concerned about visibility.

-juice

lenscap

FYI -- The current Lexus GS was not designed by CALTY here in the US, but rather by the folks in Japan.

And having had both the last and current GS in my family I can say I like the look of the current one much better.

Of course, as you said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Regardless of its look, the G35 is a big step in the right direction for Infiniti.

jjy1

Well, I'm just sure that Infiniti could have sold a lot more cars had they worked on the rear a little more. I think all of us can agree - that is something that Infiniti really needs.

The fact that so many here at Edmunds and else where feel that way about the g35 rear should worry Infiniti. When you guys say that it shouldn't have to please everyone, I agree. But a car's rear should not generate as much negativity as this one seems to, only serves to give it a bad image that Infiniti does not need...

ateixeira

You prefer the newer GS? Wow. I thought the old one flowed better, looked more consistent throughout. It was truly a beautiful car, perhaps searching for a manual tranny or that V8.

The new one is OK, just nothing special.

-juice

storyteller

All this "saggy butt" negativity reminds me of the "cheap plasticky interior" negativity when the new Altima was coming out. Maybe Infiniti should worry about a butt-ectomy on the next revision of the G35, but if it does as well as the new Altima they probably won't mind! Edmunds posters are a tough crowd to please. :-)

steve

totalnet

Yes, I knew that 3-serie coupe didn't share any body panels with the sedan. Seems all of the coupes that came out one model year later than sedans have different body panels.

anoonan

hard to think that rear legroom will be cramped... on Infiniti's web site, the specs for the G35's back seat say 36.3 inches! That's plenty big, considering the A4 is 34.25 and most other competitors are less than 36 inches...

ateixeira

36" is good. 34" is tight. The A4 and 3 series are both a bit cozy. My knees hit the front seat when I sit back there.

-juice

totalnet

I am one of those people who said that the rear looks too much like the Avalon. Now it might look much better in person with the G35. Maybe that I drive my dad's 98 Avalon as a second car and the rear of the current Avalon doesn't fit the conservative image that I had of the Avalon. I do remember in one of the Edmund's forums listed the current Avalon's as one of the ugliest cars.

I should say that I would not buy a G35 sedan even if I like the rear. I am looking at the G35 coupe as a replacement of my current car. So I hope the G35 will be sporty looking, but not boy racer look like the IS300. I don't know how the IS300 selling in other part of the country, but there are too many of them around here in the San Francisco Bay Area even without the manual transmission.

I do hope G35 sells well for Infiniti. Because even models that sells well for Nissan/Infiniti, it never seems to match the quantity that Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura sell. But one thing I like about driving my current Nissan, I don't see lot of them on the road and the quality of the car is up there with cars made by other two manufacturers. The car was the first model year and the only recall it had was for the wiper arm ball join. Which I never went in to fix, because it didn't have any problem with my wipers.

The just introduced E-class also have LED brake light. I don't know why it took them so long to use LED for the lower left and right brake lights. They been using them on the spoiler brake light for years. My 200SX SE-R had a factory spoiler with LED lights back in 1995.

norcalmike2

All this talk about the rear end styling reminds me of the discussions about the headlights on the new ES300. Seems like both cars have a love it or hate it emotion in the styling department. I for one find the G35 styling, both front and rear, very appealing and unique. I was going to buy an ES300 but it just didn't stir any emotion with me (other than knowing the car would be very reliable). The more I look at and read about the G35, the more I like.

68bullitt

I think the simple solution for people who don't like the rear end styling of the G35 is this: Don't Buy The Car. I don't know about most people, but I tend to try and not buy things that I don't like. I don't like Lexuses nor MBs in general, so I don't buy them. Simple as that.

Now can we please move on to more meaningful discussions about the other attributes of the G35?

pbhatti

Here's the article from Auto Express (I would put the link up but you have join to read the article):

Nissan Skyline GT-8
Nissan is on the move! The company that's aiming to be the world's most technologically advanced car builder is set to stun drivers with its first eight-speed gearbox. Fitted to the all-new Skyline 350 GT-8, the system debuts in Japan next week - and Auto Express was first to try it out.
Powered by the same 280bhp 3.5-litre V6 as the upcoming 350Z coupe, the 350 GT-8 will be the new flagship in Nissan's BMW 3-Series-rivalling Skyline range. Its gearbox is a development of the revolutionary six-speed CVT on the new Primera driven in Issue 640.

While the Primera's CVT is incredibly smooth, the GT-8 takes the experience further, adding two gears, narrowing the ratios substantially and speeding up the car's throttle response. It takes only 0.2 seconds to switch between ratios, so gear selection happens as fast as you can click your fingers. The CVT is also perfectly matched to the V6, giving the 350 GT-8 loads of low to mid-range torque and superb acceleration across the power band, as well as an exhaust note that sounds more V8 than V6. Put simply, it's a driving enthusiast's delight.

As the miles pile on, you can't help wondering if eight gears are necessary, but Nissan has high hopes for the new system nevertheless - including secret plans to fit it to the new 350Z, driven by Auto Express in Issue 678. It is also being assessed for compatibility with the next GT-R, seen as a concept at last year's Tokyo Motor Show. This 4WD supercar is said to be scheduled for production in early 2004. An eight-speed box may be over-the-top for day-to-day use but, when fitted to a proper sports car, it would add a dimension of appeal and control not currently offered. We wait in hope that Nissan decides to bring the car and its technology here.

There's no doubt the Nissan 350 GT-8 is a fine driver's car. Its eight-speed CVT demonstrates the firm's hi-tech expertise and offers an exciting taste of things to come.

At a glance

* Skyline 350 GT-8 launched next week, with 280bhp 3.5-litre V6

* Boasts first ever eight-speed CVT on a road car and showcases future Nissan innovations

jdbtensai

What is an 8 speed CVT?
CVT stands for Continuos Variable Transmission, or something like that.
Continuous means that there is a continuum of gears, an infinite amount.
So what does the 8 mean?

dl7265

1. Torque steer
2. Horsepower
3. The Banging of the License plate everytime the trunk lid was closed. So ill be perfectly happy with the new design.

DL

afty

It's not a true 8-speed. It's a CVT that can emulate a traditional transmission by locking itself into 1 of 8 pre-defined gear ratios. Audi has this feature on their A4 CVT, but I think theirs uses only 5 ratios.

Sorta defeats the point of a CVT, but whatever floats your boat.

ateixeira

What if we want to buy a slightly improved version? Shouldn't we be providing feedback to Infiniti? I'm sure they'd like to know.

-juice

b_dogg

Hey guys,

I think the rear of the G35 looks great. It reminds me of the Accord coupe which I always thought was really slick looking.

One thing that has me kind of mixed up is that the G doesn't have a lot of wood-grain in the interior. Just the shift knob and the door panels. Plus, you can't get wood with sport suspension. Not sure why this is.

The I35 has tons of wood but it doesn't have the 'sportmatic' shifter or what's it called.

Hmm. They are both awesome. G looks sportier, but the interior on the I seems nicer to me.

Hmm. What would you guys do? They're both about the same price.

Thanks,

BJ

ateixeira

You gotta drive the G35. I'm sure that's where it'll show it's edge over the I.

-juice

kiiwii

There is no doubt about G's performance. What do you guys think about G's safety? Yes, G has all the "active" safety features. But, in a serious impact, frame structure is still the key in protecting passengers. Since G is sharing the same platform with future infiniti SUV, can I assume G has a much stiffer base to absorb impacts than average sedans?