Infiniti G35 Sedan 2006 and earlier

1135136138140141182

Comments

  • uecker1uecker1 Member Posts: 6
    needashave,

    I test drove a G35 AT sedan up my snow covered (2-6 inches caused by drifting) driveway and made a right hand turn into the garage with no trouble. TCS was great. It had no more difficulty than my I30 (w/TCS) despite the I30 being FWD.

    How do I know how slick it really was? I had 30 minutes earlier tried the same thing with a Mercury Marauder and it took real attention and skill to keep it from smashing the fence along side (and the MM has LSD).

    I will be turning in my 2K I30 in March and will probably get the G35. I have driven it back to back with my I30 in rain, and actually felt more securely planted to the highway. Only thing that might change my mind is the FX35 (which I have not yet driven).
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Even my SUV has one. :)
  • neptungrllneptungrll Member Posts: 48
    I started laughing as I read your post as I so much relate to it! I am in a compact rental this week out of town, a chevy cavalier. I almost got in an accident this week as I was now accustomed to the fast response in my G35! (The cavalier just groaned!) In my G, I love being able to blast out of traffic jams and grab missed opportunities in passing. This was a benefit I did not even realize when I bought this beautiful car. I do have to get a radar detector as I now have two speeding tickets. The cops are really on to these cars now.
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Beautiful car with free speeding tickets!!! In my state that would about double your insurance and place you in the assigned high-risk pool for at least 3 years!
  • pengqirenpengqiren Member Posts: 6
    Not sure if my navigation system is acting up, or I'm being fussy. Seemed to work fine last summer when the car was brand new. Now, on cold sunny mornings - sometimes it's slow to boot, and sometimes the screen is so light - I can't read it at all. I should think the color screen should be legible in direct sunlight. Besides switching to night-mode - any thoughts?
  • bobp11bobp11 Member Posts: 24
    I bought my car a few weeks ago and noticed that when it is very cold out, the nav display is dim, but brightens up after a while. The nav manual makes reference to this and for now I believe it to be a normal condition because of the cold display.
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    I have a friend that is interested.

    He is worried about banging his head on the way in. He had this problem with the Volvo S60.
  • coolpop36coolpop36 Member Posts: 65
    I'm 6'1", 210 lbs. and I am perfectly comfortable. I also worried about whether there'd be enough room, but there is plenty. FYI, I have the sedan.

    I love this car.
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    I appologise about not specifying between the two cars.

    Thank you for the input though. I will tell him about the sedan.
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    where you can probably pick up more feedback, but fwiw I'm 6'2" and find it comfortable, though the sunroof came close the first time I sat in it and I had to experiment with the seats to get it set up so I had space .... it's there but you have to look for it above 6'1" At 6' there shouldn't be a problem I'd think.

    JW
  • folomypath02folomypath02 Member Posts: 13
    I noticed there are two separate packages - one called Aero Package and the other called Aerodynamic package (for the sedan). Can someone tell me the difference. Are the G35 sedans coming into the dealers with any of these packages or would I need to get the dealer to install either of the two? I appreciate the feedback.
  • ryokenryoken Member Posts: 291
    One is the Aero Package, and the other is the Aerodynamic Body Kit.

    The Aero Package ($550 MSRP) consists of a rear spoiler and some underbody diffusers. It reduces the Cd by 0.01, from 0.27 to 0.26, and gives you zero rear lift (zero front lift is standard).

    The Aerodynamic Body Kit ($2910 w/ spoiler, $2420 w/o spoiler) is body-matched moldings that cover the black sills on the bottom on the front, rear, and sides. The one without a spoiler is only availble in combination with the Aero Package.

    So, you have:
    Aero Package- $550 option with aerodynamic benefits
    Aerodynamic Body Kit- $2910 option, eye-candy only
    Both- $2970 ($550+$2420) for aerodynamic benefits and eye-candy
  • kfhmailkfhmail Member Posts: 199
    Personally I do not think the aerodynamic package is worth $2900. The local Huntsville Alabama dealer has two (black) on their lot. They are fully loaded, so they are over $38,000. You get a different front bumper, but I like the regular front bumper better. Depending on which color you get, the exterior color matching side sills (body-matched moldings) may look better than the black along the bottom. I "think" you can get the side sills as an added option from the dealer.
  • folomypath02folomypath02 Member Posts: 13
    Ryoken and kfhmail --- Thanks alot for your feedback. I am in the market for the G35 sedan but I am thinking about holding off until the 2004 max hits the showrooms. I currently have a 2000 nissan pathfinder and i come from a family of nissan "Satisfied customers"; so I want to give the 2004 max an opportunity. The G35 is really eye catching and am pretty serious about getting one. I passed by the infiniti dealer and saw a LOADED one including the Aerodynamic Package ($2900)and did notice the difference in front bumper and back with this package. It really makes the vehicle look "beefy". This car (silver with graphite) didn't have the Navigation package. MSRP was about $37,700. How much do you think the dealer may come down? I haven't seen too many G35's on the road yet. The dealer had about 25 sedans on the lot.
  • stanny1stanny1 Member Posts: 962
    The new Car and Driver tested the G Coupe. It had LSD from the factory.
    Maybe there's hope the new MTX G Sedan will have it also.
    If not, at least we know either the Z or the G Coupe's LSD unit will fit right in.
  • getgo2468getgo2468 Member Posts: 4
    I just picked up my G35 on Saturday Feb 1, while inspecting the car I noticed some scratches on the front grill where you would open the hood. I was not very happy picking up a $32,000 car with some scratches. I asked the salesman to change the grill and he said he was giving me the car at such a good lease price there was no money in the deal to make this change. I felt he would let me walk away before changing the grill. I went back in the show room to inspect another G35 on the floor and saw a couple of little scratches on that grill. Well anyway I took the car. Question is does anyone know of a product or something to minimize the scratches in the grill. It looks like over time everyone would get some of these with rocks and bugs against the grill. Need some help here...
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    If the scratches are noticeable I would make the dealer fix it. Only you know if you are being picky. But I would walk away from a car, in a second, where on a new delivery the dealer would allow a car off the showroom with obvious defects and not try to fix them.
  • dklaneckydklanecky Member Posts: 559
    What's the grill made of? Plastic, metal? 3-M makes a really nice line of polishes and cleaners designed for such.

    I just bought some plastic cleaner and polish (2 different products, 39017 and 39010) from a web site autogeek.net that is incredible stuff.

    Some of the newer plastic headlights get that kind of "fogged" look after a while. This stuff took it all out and made them look like new.

    The wife says I'm a danger now as I wander the house looking for hard plastic things I can clean and polish :-)

    Metal, different story, I have no personal experience to share.
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    When sales guys do that sort of stuff -- like he's doing you a favor to sell you a car -- it aggravates the #$@^& out of me.

    I hope you have it on your bill of sale that you took the car with damage to the grill.

    Either way, let them experiment with scratch remover and if they can't get it out, turn it in as a warranty problem. This is damage as much as a dent, minor perhaps, but damage nonetheless.

    If the general manager is as arrogant as the sales guy, you may have to push it up the ladder, which may be more trouble than it's worth to you ... depends on how you feel about it.

    JW
  • gabmangabman Member Posts: 284
    It is very simple. When you buy or lease a new car, the dealer is supposed to prepare a delivery report which both you and the dealer are supposed to sign. If on this delivery/ inspection report, you noted that the grill was scratched at time of delivery, then you should be able to get any dealer to effect the repair. Failing which you fax a copy directly to Infiniti and ask them who THEY will arrange with to fix the problem. Just because you got a good deal doe not mean that you have to accept a defective problem. If on the other hand you went into a dealer and picked a stock car with a deffect and the dealer lowered his price based on the defect, you would have to accept it. Did you sign a delivery inspection report and do you have a copy of it?
  • gbraingbrain Member Posts: 1
    After a year of monitoring this town hall site, and at an opportune time with the 6MT now in production, I wanted to thank everyone for there input and insight....it has provide me with a the info I needed to make my deal on the 6MT G35 sedan at, what I believe is a great price. I wanted to share with all of you the fact that on both the automatics and the manuals I received internet quotes from dealers that were far below MSRP....thanks again and hold out for your best deal...because they are dealing!!!
  • dane4dane4 Member Posts: 107
    Its been a while since I've been here :)

    From your post a while back, I think actually your take on the car choice vs. finances viewpoint is valid and is based on logic, but at the same time is consistently disproven in the real world for a variant of your view;

    That is: A person who would buy an Infiniti over a BMW does indeed put forth some information about their finances, but the person who would buy the BMW over the Infiniti is just as often attempting to portray a false pretense of their own finances.

    Just to be fair I thought I might present both sides, though I am in total agreement with you that the financial choices speak less to either cars technical prowess...

    have a good one!

    Faenor/Dane4
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Good to see you drop in and say hello! I've always enjoyed your point of view. Drop on in a bit more regularly :)

    Ken
  • folomypath02folomypath02 Member Posts: 13
    Is it possible to get the Aero Package without the Sport-Tuned Suspension package? I noticed the Sport-Tuned Suspension package includes the 17" summer - compound tires. My concern is driving these babies in the snow? Is traction control standard on this RWD? Will I have to deal with changing my tires during the winter? I do like the looks with the spoiler and underbody diffusers.

    Also, does the sedan come in a WHITE or is Ivory Pearl considered the G35's version of white?

    Thanks for your help!
  • ryokenryoken Member Posts: 291
    No, the Aero Package requires the Sport-tuned suspension. However, if you add the Winter Package as well, they'll convert you to all-season performance tires (Bridgestone Turanza's). If you don't get the Winter Package, you can probably get your dealer to swap the Goodyears for the Bridgestones anyway. Others have. Traction and stability control are standard on all G35's (Vehicle Dynamic Control - VDC). Depending on where you live, you might want to consider snow tires. I live in San Diego, so I could actually get by with summer tires all year (ironically, I do have the Winter Pkg). :) Ivory Pearl is as close as you get to white, and I think they've restricted Ivory Pearl to only one of the interior colors, though I can't remember which one.
  • stanny1stanny1 Member Posts: 962
    I also live in San Diego - in La Mesa. Did you go to the first meeting of G35 owners in Encinitas?
    I own a Lincoln LS Manual with the Tri-color Pearl. I am waiting to see a six-speed G35 Sedan when available.
    I really want just a plain white G35. The reason is touch-up on the paint. The Pearls are usually metallic and touch up is a minimum 3 step process. It's almost impossible not to scratch a bumper and even Bumper Medic has a rough time doing the Pearl metallic.
    My wife has a plain white 96 Volvo 960 wagon. I can't find spray touch up paint for a Volvo but Mazda had the exact match. Plain white is alot easier to live with.
    My lease is up in July. I'm hoping the G35 Sedans will settle down in price and option packages by then.
    I think that Nissan is making a big mistake by not offering a Track model in the Sedan with Brembos and LSD. It could be a poor man's M5.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,493
    the coupe has the LSD standard, so it is logical to assume it is a direct fit for the sedan also, since they use the same rear end.

    Any idea of how expensive the parts would be, and how involved the swap is? Do you need an entirely new differential (rear end), or can the LSD be inserted into the existing diff?

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • ryokenryoken Member Posts: 291
    stanny1: I became a G35 owner at the end of December. There haven't been any owner's meets down here since then, that I'm aware of.

    stickguy: While the coupe's LSD would probably bolt on, I'd be hesitant until I found out what kind of effect it would have on the sedan's VDC system. I think the coupe's VDC system is programmed to handle it, similar to being programmed to handle offset tire sizes. I'm guessing, though. It'd be a shame to install an LSD, only to have the VDC system fighting it all the time.
  • don725don725 Member Posts: 47
    Hi,

    I'm picking up my new G35 Black w/ graphite int. Premium, Nav, wood, SR and winter pkg. Saturday

    Are the dealers required to switch tires from the Goodyear to the others if you don't like them or are they doing it out of the kindness of their hearts? :} What's their motivation to do it? It seems that it would have to go through the Infiniti regional rep for approval because it would be paid for by the manufacturer not the dealer. I'm just trying to figure how I should ask for the swap if I get the Goodyear tires and do not like them.

    Thanks,
    Don
  • ryokenryoken Member Posts: 291
    I think they just swap them with another new car on the lot, and somebody else who doesn't know/care gets your Goodyears.
  • stanny1stanny1 Member Posts: 962
    I think the group met in the Summer. I got a terminal sunburn taking digital pictures in the parking lot of all the cars, some from L.A.
    If you E-mail your E-mail address, I will send you the pictures.
    As to the LSD pumpkin from the Coupe or Z, it should bolt right in. I don't think it would affect the VDC/TC system, as it responds to wheel slip. And with LSD, it's just going to respond less.
    Too bad you can't disable the VDC system entirely in the G35 like you can in the majority of cars. Racing likes LSD but not VDC.
    I have a feeling that G35's will be as popular in Solo 2 as the WRX is.
  • berman2921berman2921 Member Posts: 36
    I had 600 miles when dealer agreed to swap the tires. The cost was to give up 2 free oil changes. They just swapped the weels with a car on the parking lot.
    I didn't notice much difference between Goodyears and Bridgestones though.
  • ryokenryoken Member Posts: 291
    stanny1, I've seen pictures of the SoCal meets, thanks for the offer. Funny you mention Solo 2, I was thinking about trying that out this year, now that I have an appropriate vehicle for the task.
  • don725don725 Member Posts: 47
    Thanks, I see how they feel. I've bumped the delivery up from Saturday to Friday @ 3pm. I want to get a good look at the car and play w/ it before the weekend officially starts. The only thing holding me up is the weather. It might snow. I was hoping to get it home and dry to apply a coat of Zaino in the garage.
  • maxima4maxima4 Member Posts: 74
    Good luck to you on your new car! Enjoy the ride!!
  • stanny1stanny1 Member Posts: 962
    Go to www.sdr-scca.org for local Solo2 info. The hotline recording is 619-441-1333. The first race got delayed because of the Superbowl and is scheduled for March 29-30.
    I should see you there with the only Lincoln LS. There should be a bunch of G35's.
    Also go up to www.openroadracing.com and picture yourself in the 130mph class. What a hoot!
  • ryokenryoken Member Posts: 291
    Been to the local solo website already. Thanks. Haven't seen the open road racing site before.. that looks insane. Darn Superbowl.. interferring with the racing schedule. Maybe the Chargers will move out of town, and SCCA can take over the Q. (Qualcomm Stadium for the rest of you.) Racing every weekend! :)

    I was looking at the Solo 2 stock class document on the website, and it doesn't mention the G35. Do you have any idea which class it'd be in? Also, the schedule shows an SCCA National Tour event March 14-16. Is that something you'd avoid as a novice?
  • stanny1stanny1 Member Posts: 962
    I think the National Tour is more for the big boys with competition licenses.
    Although the chart doesn't show a class for the G, believe me, they will fit you in, probably with the V-6 Sedans. Last time I looked, the V-6 MTX Lincoln LS was not listed either but they can run.
    I think the Porsche Club already owns the stadium because they run more often and get the whole West end. SCCA gets the measley Southeast Corner. The Porsches run many on the "track" at one time which is a no-no in Solo 2 for safety reasons. Also, they have long straightaways and reach near 100 mph. No way in Solo 2.
    I ran at Fontana's Calif Speedway and they had the room for huge straights but the fastest would be about 65 mph. They like loops and wicked corners in SCCA. These make the Porches spin out too much, so they don't play in Solo 2 in any quantity.
    It's the most fun you can have sitting down!
  • tepperheimertepperheimer Member Posts: 6
    I live in a wintery zone in Kansas City. Can anyone tell me if the rear-wheel drive G35 will do ok in bad weather? I know it has traction control but will it be enough. this is important to our buying decision!
  • envoydrivesenvoydrives Member Posts: 19
    I currently drive a 4X4 Envoy and am considering a new Lexus ES300 or a G35 sedan. I prefer overall the G35 but am concerned about driving it in the winter months, i need to trek across the state sometimes on very snowy nights, could you guys compare the front wheel drive of the lexus vs. the g35's rear wheel drive setup as far as bad weather goes? Thanks
  • richard52richard52 Member Posts: 41
    I also am concerned about winter driving. Are traction and stability control enough to handle all that torque in snow?
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,493
    As always, common sense rules.

    Get dedicated winter tires and you should be fine in normal snow.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • markjennmarkjenn Member Posts: 1,142
    If you're driving an Envoy now, you're taking a big step down in what weather you can tackle with either an ES or G35. A big step down. Good snow tires, ABS, and traction control will help, but if I had to tackle night, long-distance, winter driving in Michigan, I'd get AWD. If you don't want to go the SUV route, there are lots of good choices: A4, BMW 325xi, Passat 4Motion, Subaru WRX, etc.

    If I could swing it, a BMW X5 3.0i or Volvo XC90 would be my choices for a great x-country snow car and is fun to drive.

    - Mark
  • ryokenryoken Member Posts: 291
    On that train of thought, don't discount the Audi Allroad (adjustable ride height) or Infiniti's AWD version of the FX35/45.
  • mjc440mjc440 Member Posts: 76
    The local Infiniti dealer told me that there would be an AWD version of the G35 Sedan (but not the Coupe) coming out in the fall (as a 2004 I presume). Has anyone else heard about this?
  • ryokenryoken Member Posts: 291
    I heard it was going to be an AWD Wagon. I haven't seen anything official from Infiniti yet.
  • vitdocvitdoc Member Posts: 1
    I have had my G35 for 10 months. I took it to the dealer for the 15k checkup and got an estimate of approx. $200.00. I got it back with a bill of $870. The brakes needed new pads front and back. But the cost was further increased by the need to replace the front rotors.

    I was very surprised but I found out that on virtually every G35 the rotors have had to been replaced at 15k. The company so far is not willing to deal with this as a warranty issue. IF I have to pay $870 every 15K miles I will not be very happy and I will get rid of the car. If any other owners have the same problem they should make their voices heard by infiniti customer service.

    This problem will kill the sales of this otherwise very nice car.
  • bigorange30bigorange30 Member Posts: 1,091
    I don't understand why they won't cover this under warranty. JGC's have this problem bigtime. The owners there say that it is no big deal, they just get some aftermarket rotors and get them installed and the problem goes away. For the life of me, I don't understand why this should be acceptable but it does eliminate the rotors having to be changed every 15K miles. If you go this route, I suggest some crossdrilled rotors as they can take the heat much better.
  • bobp11bobp11 Member Posts: 24
    I have searched extensively in the G35driver.com web sight for others with rotor problems. I have not read of any. The brake pad replacement issue appears to be common around 15K. It seems odd that if the rotors are shot, a resurfacing wouldn't at least be the first remedy. As in post #7129, I agree this may be a manufacturer, and probably more likely a dealer problem to address.
  • stanny1stanny1 Member Posts: 962
    Is generally greater with cars with automatic transmissions.
    My wife's Volvo wagon, 60,000 miles, has had 3 sets of pads and one set of rotors.
    My 83 Toyota Cressida 5 speed Manual had two sets of pads, both fronts, no rotors, no rear pads in 160,000 miles.
    My 2000 Lincoln LS Manual, with 38,000 miles and aggressive driving including a few sloloms, has over 50% left in the front.
    Also, FWD cars eat front brakes up a lot faster as there is excessive weight in the front.
    But 15k for rotors, especially on RWD Japanese cars that usually use semi-metallic pads and harder rotors, is way too low. That's too much like a European car, which have a history of high wear soft pads and rotors.
    Looks like the G will need aftermarket rotors and performance pads.
    Evidently, the manufacturers won't spend the money for the good stuff.
    They are trying to get good stopping distances at the expense of the hardware and ultimately the driver.
    Too bad the G35 Sedan is not available in a "Track" model with Brembos!
This discussion has been closed.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.