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Comments
Most threads claim that a hole would have to be cut through the bumper fascia for any kind of hitch to work. I've checked out the back of my coupe, and it sure looks that way. One thread mentioned a similar dilemma on one model of Corvette that was solved by a flip-up license plate! Clever, if true.
On both cars, the majority of owners are having problem-free experiences, and are very happy with their cars. Reading these forums can be misleading, because they tend to be dominated by the people who have problems, (or by those people who think their car can do no wrong!) Statistically, it seems you are more likely to have fewer problems with an Infiniti (based on Consumer Reports and JD Powers). This seems to also be borne out by the anecdotal threads in the Passat and G35 forums.
You already seem to have a problem-free car, so you won the crap shoot once. (I assume that you don't have the 4 cylinder with the coil recall). There's always the chance that you'll jump to an Infiniti and have problems, but that seems to be a slim chance.
For what it's worth, there are a whole lot of G35 owners on the forums that have had problem-free experiences, many for more than a year. I've had my coupe for two weeks now, and the ONLY build-quality or reliablity problem that I have found is the drivers seatback doesn't automatically return to the correct angle after rear-seat access.
Here are some known "issues" with the G35 that you should be prepared to deal with. If they bother you, you might rethink:
** Brake life: Pads can wear out within 10,000 miles. You can switch to a long-life pad if this bothers you.
** Paint dings: the paint seems to be easily "dinged" by rock strikes. leaving a small mark in the paint. Other new car forums have also complained about this (particularly Acura and Mercedes), so it seems to be function of the new paint formulations rather than an Infiniti-only problem.
** A/C noise: some early sedans have noisy A/C compressors. There's a TSB fix for this under warranty. ITB02-056
** Rocking Drivers Seat: appears on some early sedans. TSB under warranty. ITB02-80
** Console scratching: The black console is more prone to smudge and scratch. Seems to be less of an issue (or non-issue) with the titanium or the willow.
** Driver's seat controls causing discomfort: not universal, but some people get pressure on the right side of their leg from the seat controls. There's a TSB fix for this that is just coming out, and it seems to help. ITB03-028.
Best of luck on your decision.
I would say if you are torn you prob dont need extra performance and you dont have the 190 hp unless you have updated model so stay with it man.
I love my G but was bummed the passat with some major refinement and great drivablity was so gone they bought it back. The problems VW has been having are a concern with coils and problems that many people are making public to the point the Wall street journal did a 2 page writeup last mo.
I would never drive either car especially a VW BMW past warranty. Passats all have issues after a certain point fairly soon after warranty. I was so adamant about getting mine repurchased mainly becasue each airbag issue was 500 bucks or more and I had the infamous 2/24 warranty. Too much exposure and the G was faster.
PS almost got another passat anwway - w8 wouldn't suck even though it's bottom of the class in that class and is overpriced at MSRP. only 10hp more than G and slower and heavier. AWD is a burden as well as AT in that car
Yes, brakes should stop a car, and well. No, they shouldn't wear prematurely or be un-warrantied. See if it's not an issue when you replace yours and spend a lot of extra money in a short period of time. Who said they're "superior"?
Did anybody have this problem? I never owned a Japanese car in my life, but though the quality was really good. My previous car was a Dodge, and I never had to take it to the dealer during the first 3 years of warranty period, that I bought it brand new.
Also, I was wondering if anybody is having problems with the shifter manual transmission. It seems like it rattles like crazy, I put my fingers on it while driving, and it is like having a rattle machine. My previous Dodge did not have the problem. I guess it is also part of the Japanese quality. I really doubt that I will buy a Japanese in the future. And with this seat problem, all of a sudden I say to myself I should have spent another 4K and bought the BMW 330.
If anybody is having the same problems or had the same problems with the MT shifter, and the seat, please let me know if it has been solved and how long it took for it to be resolved.
Don
Overall, I've been very pleased with my G and I have a great local dealer too.
You have exact the same car as I do minus the Nav. I have the normal brakes and rotors..not the Brembos. I bought the car with 6,600 miles on it. It needed new rotors (warping and rust) and the pads at 50% which sounds right if people are replacing at 12K. I made Infinity replace the rotors and I have to pay for long-life brake pads which are on order.
As my car is silver, the paint dings are difficult to see. Am detailing the car every three to four months to avoid future body rust.
The only way to really get a good paint job is to buy a Jaguar as they have a 12 layer paint process. Sad, but true.
My service advisor states there "may" be a recall soon regarding the brakes. Who knows? In any case, he is expecting a recall.
How do you like the Nav as I am considering adding this?
Mbednorz, thanks for posting the TSB's. They are very helpful!! It is nice to goto the dealer armed with exact information.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Help! I hope I'm just doing something wrong I don't know about.
You may be, but I'm not a happy camper...mainly because it is not warrantied.
I believe I have read on other forums that some owners were/are successful in getting this covered under warranty. Have you tried? Unfortunately sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the proverbial grease.
04/02, 22,000 miles and was told my front pads
had 35% left and rear pads are 50%. My dealer told
me that they have replaced at many different mileages
and that bottom line it depends on the
driver. I also was going to have them replace my
A/C Micron filter, since they said it should be
replaced every 15,000 miles or once a year. The
filter was out of stock, but my bill had price of
filter listed...$122.95...I'm glad it only needs
replacing once a year..
Frank
1)The back bumper seems to scratch very easily. Has anyone found a way to get the scratches out or make them less visible?
2) One of the motors in the seat, the back tilt adjustment is not moving in one direction. Has anyone had this problem?
Frank
How charming
Please Infiniti, buy this car back before I have an accident or my right leg becomes permenently numb!
My sedan has a small coat hook attached to the passenger hand strap in the ceiling of the back seat behind the driver. I note that a few of you say that you don't have a hook. Hope that helps.
The recall will be sent on June 30, 2003.
Also getting the brake pads which finally arrived replaced under warranty. Some on the edmunds.com boards list the dealer will not replace these under warranty. The dealer should replace the rear brake pads as there is a TSB to eliminate brake squeal. I love how Infinity "words" the TSB in order to save themselves from legal issues. The true problem is the pads themselves and the squeal is just a symptom of the pad problem. They must run the TSBs through legal before issuing them?
Swimminglady,
Thanks for posting the url for: www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
It is, indeed, VERY interesting. One can print all the Infinity TSB's and recalls in order to approach the dealer in a an educated manner. It certainly is helping me and I am very thankful for your post.
I will cross-post this on the general G35 board in hopes it helps someone else.
By the way, I just took delivery of my G35 Coupe yesterday: Brilliant silver with graphite leather interior, automatic, premium package, and trunk mat. I'm in the D.C. area. MSRP was $34,415 and I paid $33,898.54 plus tax and tags, no processing fees. I would not purchase again from this Infiniti dealer in Rockville, M.D. due to their lack of customer service and lack of concern for the customer, but it was the only one available in the area. I love the car more and more every time I look at it. Unfortunately, Due to a recent knee injury I wont be able to drive it for at least a month!
My only concern is paint chips and scratches. I've heard about the option of having a film installed over certain areas of the vehicle that may protect the paint from chips. Does anybody have any knowledge of this? Also, Upon delivery my salesman mentioned insurance for my tires/rims. He did not provide any further information, though. Anyone know anything about it?
Tom
Copied from posting #589 by Wallyg35: I just had service done on my "G" that I purchased
04/02, 22,000 miles and was told my front pads
had 35% left and rear pads are 50%. My dealer told
me that they have replaced at many different mileages
and that bottom line it depends on the
driver. I also was going to have them replace my
A/C Micron filter, since they said it should be
replaced every 15,000 miles or once a year. The
filter was out of stock, but my bill had price of
filter listed...$122.95...I'm glad it only needs
replacing once a year..
Let us know if this helps!