Infiniti G35 Sedan 2006 and earlier

froze

The current moonroof craze reminds me a lot of the fad in the 70s and 80s for vinyl tops. In my opinion they were (are) a high profit item for manufacturer and dealers and will soon go away. I, for one, don't need a hole in my roof for any logical reason that I can think of!

viche

Thanks for the tip envoy! I will certainly follow your advice. It sucks that you had to go through so much hell. Hope everything is ok now. I hope the dealer ended up covering all your costs! By the way, which dealer was it?

I checked all of my local dealers through www.bbb.org. Some of them weren't even listed, but most of them checked out ok (except for a couple that had unresolved issues). Guess I'd have to actually call the Chamber of Commerce to check with them.

Froze...LOL! Good way of looking at it.

Viche

pcoates

They may well be a fad but in my mind it is a stretch to compare them with the vinyl tops of the 70's. At least the moonroof performs a function whether a person thinks it's a valuable function or not is a different issue. I for one enjoy having it and like the additional light that it lets in. Here in the northwest we have a lot of gray days and the extra light is appreciated. As to noise, with the fabric lined shutter closed it is very quiet. With the fabric shutter open and the glass closed it is only slightly less quiet. And with the glass open I was pleasantly surprised at how quiet it is. Some will probably suggest that I have my ears checked but that's my take on the moonroof.

kdshapiro

During work hours I'm lucky enough to park my car in an area where I can leave the moonroof open. So during the dog days of summer I open the moonroof and crack the windows. It's a vastly different experience than getting into a car that's been shut tight for 8 hours and baking in the sun all day.

ryoken

These heatshield things for the front windshield work great. Puts the cardboard things to shame. On a hot day, it can make up to a 40F difference in the interior of your car. I don't work for them, I've just had one of these for my last three cars. They worked for me when I was in South Texas, and they work for me now in Southern California. Your local dealership might even stock them, that's how I initially discovered them. The closest thing to an actual picture of the heatshield is on the Production tab of the Take the Tour section. This combined with good window tinting makes a huge difference.

http://info.canvasworks.com/ahs1.html

jwilson1

All of these questions about winter tire choices and whether the std. tires on the G will work okay in snow can be answered in a single word: NO. Or 2 words: Probably Not.

The car is RWD. It is often sold with summer tires for performance.

The only choice, if you plan to be in cold weather and on ice or snow, is four good snow tires. Otherwise, you're trusting to luck.

And in case your luck runs out, I don't want you on the road with me.

JW

kdshapiro

Against the law to window tint the front windows using after-market tints in my state. Heat shield still not as effective as slightly cracking the windows and opening the moon roof in the tilt position and using a heat shield.

envoydrives

the dealer covered only costs relating to repairing the car to new condition. I am working to get the other costs (which can be a lot) back. Telling you which dealer might compromise my ability to seek relief against the dealer. I can say however, that if you lived in Michigan, and you compared the available dealers in the area, the answer would become painfully obvious. Happy motoring and i hope you find the car that fits you right. roof or no roof!

ryoken

Well, I ran Solo2 for the first time yesterday here in San Diego with my G35 auto sedan. It was a blast! There were only two Infiniti's there, my sedan and a G35 6MT coupe. Having an auto was not a disadvantage.. as the course was 2nd-gear-all-the-way twisty mess. Lots of fun! Definately some nice cars there.

Stanny1: Didn't see you or your Lincoln there, though I may not have been looking hard enough.

stanny1

Was putting in his 90 hour week in Real Estate as usual and currently does not have a life.
I almost want an increase in interest rates so I can take a much needed rest.
But I should show up at a Solo2 this Summer. Or they may bury me from a heart attack first.
Yes, it's the most fun you can have sitting down.

stsurbrook

Come on, tell us how you did... Also, what class did they put the G35 in (what were you driving against)?

Thanks.

Scott

stsurbrook

Just out of curiousity, does anyone here have these tires on their G35 Sedan? If so, what are your thoughts and how are they holding up? Also, what sizes are you going with? I've been thinking of 225/55-17 (on the cheap) or 245/45-18, if I can get my wife to spring for ~$1700...

As with any high performance tire, there would seem to be some tire wear issues.

If I remember correctly, sjred had 245/45-18's all around (front/rear) and they handled great (see message 6142), but I haven't been around for quite awhile and I did not see how they have been holding up.

Thanks.

Scott

ryoken

Well, it was my first time.. but I think I did okay. Being a Novice, I had an instructor ride along for my first two runs to help me out. My times were 77.648, 70.816, 69.068 for the ones that counted. Then fun runs were 69.868, 67.882, 67.303. The first run was slow, as I've never really pushed my car before and wasn't sure of it or the course. I didn't hit any cones (yippee!). Of course, I've got plenty of learning to do.. I need some practice on picking the right line to follow, and then some more practice on making the car stay on the line I pick. All this on the OEM Bridgestone Turanza EL42's.

The G35 Sedan runs in DS, the G35 Coupe runs in BS. I have no idea how I did against the competition, I didn't look on the boards at the event, and they haven't posted to the website yet.

ihaberman

RWD is an option in a state like Wisconsin, which is flat. However, my recommendation would be to wait for the AWD G35 coming out soon. Last I heard (from a dealer in NY last night), was June. But I've heard Fall as well.

stanny1

Just changed back to the original tires (Firestone Firehawks 235/50/17) after using up a set of the SO-3s on my Lincoln LS MTX.
Great tires if absolute dry traction is required. They are quiet and give a great ride. The drawback is short tire life and high cost (per mile). I had the 245/45/17 size.
Life was 8 months and 12,000 miles.
But the tire makes almost no sound when you spin them or when taking corners. Just great grip. The rear tires wear out first, and Car and Driver had the same luck with a long term test of an M3. I think they got 14,000 miles on their SO-3s.
My biggest regret is not doing a Solo2 in those 8 months. I bet they would do as well or better than a Kumho or Hoosier which are popular tires for racing.

webbnathan

Yes, it's sad but true. I went off on vacation this last week and when I returned back to the DFW area today my poor G-35 had dents from the back to the front. Reports said they were as big as baseball size at some points. Soooo, please tell me that the hail damage repair technology is good and that they can make my G look new again.

blinker

My wife's Jeep GC got caught in the hail. Took it to one of the paintless dent removal places and they did an unbelievable job, and I am picky. No way that you could see a mark after they were done. Not all that expensive either.

ihaberman

WebNathan- Can you share the name of the place you went to in Dallas to fix the hail damage?

bmwdoug

Edmunds lists 36.3 inches for rear seat leg room. But, the Infiniti web site lists 33.3. What is the leg room in the rear of the G35?

dmacneill

The Infiniti web site lists rear seat leg room for the sedan as 33.6". The brochure that I have lists the same thing. Edmunds has some strange measurements for rear leg room. They have 36.2" for the automatic transmission version and 31.4" for the manual transmission.

jrct9454

...the manual trans costs you 5" of legroom in the back. I continue to be mystified by some of what Edmunds' writes in their car tests...

alvon

I believe the 31.4 for manual transmission is a mis-print, it is for the coupe, and not the sedan. The automatic and manual shift should have the same amount of rear seat leg room, which is 33.6 in, according to Infiniti. The Edmunds site is incorrect because 36.2 was initially published by Infiniti for the G35 sedan, but that number was later "revised" to 33.6 in. Edmunds has the "old" number.

parker19

If you werent going to get a g35 sedan because you didnt' want to spend that much? What else would you buy?

robertr

What else is fun to drive and offers a manual transmission, is still practical, and presents a good business image?

Maxima SE-equipped,now about same price as G35.
Mazda6-nice driver from what I hear, but no comparison to G35, and business image questionable.
(Can't think of anything that isn't FWD.)
Maybe a VW Passat, but I don't think it would cost much less either if decently equipped.

For my criteria, there really wasn't anything at a lower price. It came down to a choice between the Max and the G35.

ryoken

It depends on what your criteria are. Figure that out first. The Acura 3.2TL Type S isn't a bad car, and comes fully loaded at about 32k, but it's FWD and automatic only -- not as much fun to drive, IMO. I hear Volvo is clearing out their current inventory of S60's at cut-rate prices to clear the way for the new model year. Beyond that, just use Edmund's tools to research new cars and figure out what you want. If you're willing to settle for a sporty sedan instead of a sports sedan, there's probably something from every make that will fit the bill (Accord, Altima, & Camry have some spunk this year, plus there are American choices such as the Grand Prix). For me, the G35 was the value choice, as I almost bought a 330i.

jwilson1

although Hyundai has been doing dramatically better of late.

JW

kdshapiro

Yep. The Tiburon is very nice for $16K.

ryoken

And very small for someone looking at a sedan.

bjvjs

Will Infiniti offer all wheel drive in their 2004 G35 sedan? Any rumors about when the 2004 will be released and the cost of AWD?

ihaberman

BJVJs- Yes, Infiniti will offer AWD in their '04 sedan. I actually started a separate board for the purposes of discussing it. According to a dealer in NY, the first shipments are expected in June...though I have heard fall and spring '04 as well. I'm banking on the spring '03 or fall '03 launch with hopefully some nice changes such as new colors, etc. Cost should be about $1500 extra...but well worth it if you live in a cold-weather state.

parker19

how concerned would you be to drive a rwd g35 sedan during the winter in a place like dc where it gets some snow but generally not a lot?

Kirstie_H

Join us tonight, 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for Town Hall Trivia Night and member-to-member chat – come test your knowledge and chat with fellow members!

http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

See you there!

dgraves1

parker - I wouldn't be at all. People have been driving rwd in the snow for 100 years. That used to be all there was, for the most part.

jwilson1

bezahar

I be less worried about my skills driving a RWD car in the snow then I'd be concered about driving my G35 with the other people driving thier cars/SUVs in the snow. You know the people I'm talking about they've driven a vehicle (any vehiocle) in the snow like once or twice before, have zero skills at driving in the snow, and decide to drive just as fast as normal... This next year I think I'll let my car in the garage when it's going to snow to any extent. (ps I'm about an hour south of DC and people here really can't drive in the snow.) Grew up in PA driving RWD actually had trouble the first time I drove FWD in the snow.

bgall

I contacted Infiniti Consumer Affairs and received an email informing me that "Infiniti is not coming out with any AWD sedans for the 2004 model year."

jwilson1

Don't worry about it, bgall. For some reason, ICA is often in the dark .... sometimes they'll have an early clue,but usually not. In fact, you can call back several times and get as many different answers. Sometimes even the dealers have had better information! ONe caller even got information different from what had been published in a news release.

It must be an awful job.

That said, there has been no news release announcing AWD on any of the cars. So no one knows for absolutely positive. FWIW, engineers have been "quoted," and it has been a feature in JDM.

JW

peeete

If this is too far off topic I apologize.

I want to sell my G, as the power seat controls are causing me so much pain that I have to drive with a foam cushion. Its a great car, just not for me.

Edmunds is not carrying used prices yet; is there anyone who is? Its a midnight blue car..should there be a premium or deduction since the color has been discontinued? It has black leather, with 4,100 miles. Purchased in the summer.

Any advice is appreciated!

bigorange30

Your seat controls are causing you pain? How does that happen? How does a cushion help it? I have never heard of anything like that.

froze

I too have a problem with the drivers seat being uncomfortable due to placement of the power seat controls. I have a 34 in. waiste so I suppose I'm somewhat larger than most G35 drivers. I sure wish I knew something to do about this problem as it certainly detracts from my driving pleasure, always squirming trying to get comfortable.

peeete

bigorange:

its really quite simple. If you examine the G35 seat and compare it to most other cars, it is much narrower due to the seat controls. Unless you are thin (which I certainly am not), your thigh will either hit the hard plastic box that holds the controls, or you will actually sit on top of it. After a time your leg will be in a lot of pain! The box hits right on a nerve unfortunately. A foam cushion helps, but you look like an idiot positioning it every time you get in!

I think this is a serious design flaw, that in my excitement in purchasing the car I discounted way too much. Thats my fault, but no other car has seat controls in this position (except for other Infinitis), and I think there is a reason that they dont. Most Japanese car seats are smaller than Amercian car seats (since most Americas are bigger and "wider," but I have no problem with any of them. Only the Infiniti.

Ive talked about this problem several months ago, and I had hoped it would go away, but alas not. THe Crown Vic still has the best located controls, on the door with arrows on the controls that can be easily accessed while driving.

bigorange30

and have never noticed that in the 3 G35 loaners I have gotten when taking in my QX4 for service.

cheerioboy26

Just an FYI - your car's color, Twilight Blue, is back in the sedan lineup as of this month. Dealers could order it in April, so it will be late May before we see more of them. I believe the green color, Emerald Mist, is now discontinued.

ncjudge

I too am looking at vehicles with manual transmission available, sporty but practical, with a good business image. I am considering the Mazda6 without the sport package, the G35, and also the Saab 9-3 Arc. There are substantial incentives available on the 9-3 right now, so I'm leaning that way.

jwilson1

The "twilight blue" you have is a very desirable color. No one is quite sure why they eliminated it and, as the post above states, they will be fixing the error next model year. In the meantime, I think your color may draw a premium if you can get to some of the people who are taking their second choice of color because they can't get the twilight blue. There are a lot of people who like the color on freshalloy, and they have a classified section. It may be worth your time to sell it yourself rather than take the big hit on a trade-in.

JW

dgraves1

What does the twilight blue look like? I test drove a G35 this weekend and really like it but I don't like any of the colors it comes in. I can't understand why they have two basically silver shades (brilliant silver and desert platinum) but nothing in the gray range. A nice blue would appeal to me also but I don't like the Carribean blue at all. This is the first time I have ever had a problem finding a color I liked in a car. Usually, I have a tough time deciding which color to choose.

robertr

I thought the color choice was poor, too. I have a strong preferance for dark metallic colors, and none are/were offered for the G35. The discontinued Twilight Blue was the closest. I got the Brilliant Silver as a compromise choice.

envoydrives

selling a car just because the seat controls hurt your thigh? Not just yet. I know for a fact that the controls mounted on the drivers seat are detachable from the seat itself. They are held on place with 2 fasteners. I would seriously consider contacting and consulting an aftermarket auto customizer. Im sure you would find one who would be more than happy to remove the seat mounted controls and place them elsewhere or install new controls fitted wherever you like. Im sure they could come up with a solution that would allow allow you to drive you car without discomfort but would also look neat and clean, even though not necessarily factory original. Heck, with all the people complaining about the problem, you could strike up a deal with the aftermarket shop to make a kit, you'd have no shortage of orders.

dmacneill

I have a G35 Sedan in Twilight Blue with Graphite Interior. It is a very rich, dark metallic blue. In my opinion it is the most elegant color the G35 had. Why they deleted it I'll never figure out. Like any dark color it looks great when it is clean, so be prepared to wash it often.

jwilson1

a metallic gray in the sedan? It's apopular color for the coupe. I like the Caribbean Blue for itself, but just as much because it's not another gray or white or black car .... they're everywhere.

JW