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Comments
The only real difference is when you hit the "snow" button on the dash. That puts the car into 50/50 AWD from a start and also greatly diminishes the throttle response, to help you avoid spinning the tires. Hitting that button makes the throttle feel like molassas, but that is exactly what it is supposed to do.
It's supposed to snow here tomorrow, so I'll tell you how it actually works out. I'm afraid the Goodyear Eagles that come standard aren't good snowy weather tires.
Personally I thought Edmunds road testers should have tested an automatic bimmer and a automatic Audi.
Then we would have been comparing apples to apples.
The TLS in my opinion would have retained its first place victory from the previous year.
Just my opinion.
Handling: Very similar. Both had the same feel accelerating out of a tight corner.
Ride: The G35X feels slightly harder riding at the front wheels. I assume it has heavier springs to deal with the added weight and unsprung weight. The difference is fairly minor, along the lines of adding 3 psi to the front tires. Nowhere near as harsh as the sport package.
Acceleration: Both cars feel powerful, of course. The G35X is missing a little spring in its step when pulling away from a stop - the RWD car shifts sooner at part throttle and feels more effortless. This is the biggest difference between the two cars.
The road conditions were: snow covered with a packed snow. The roads had not been plowed, but had been driven on over and over, so it was well packed down. It was still snowing. We went to pick up Chinese food. I found the AWD system very capable and the car pulled away from a stop with amazing grip. The "snow" button really helped for a smooth start. I did find that once going 30 mph, it still felt the slightest bit twitchy. I suspect that is because the system occassionally tried to revert to RWD and began to slip. I wish there was a way to turn it on full time. Pulling into an unpaved parking lot with 4" of powder snow and up a moderate hill was no trouble at all.
I also noticed that the VDC (or whatever the stability control is called) did not help much with understeer. I took a corner a little faster than normal just to see if I could kick it in, and the car just tried to plow ahead. On the other hand I also tried to throw it into a hard fishtail and VDC did a fantastic job of controling the car. It took a half second to kick in, but once it did, it would not let the car spin. Pushing the throttle hard brought in the traction control quickly with little drama. The ABS halted the car great.
In sum, I'd say the G35X is a great AWD car in desperate need of true snow tires. The standard Goodyear Eagles, in my opinion, are "adequate" to get you through the snow, but throw a set of Blizzacks on this puppy, and you've got a nearly unstoppable snow car.
We're supposed to get another 6-8" of snow through tomorrow, I'll try it again in deeper snow.
Steve
From what I've read, I wouldn't recommend going with the non-AWD G35 and Blizzacks if you live in a snowy area. Not that it won't go anywhere, but it won't be nearly as good as the X. If you can swing it, buy the G35X and get a set of Blizzacks, then you'll have a true snow capable car. Only ground clearance will stop you. That's what we're going to do. We'll get by this winter on the Goodyears, since they are brand new and have great tread. But next winter, we'll get a set of Blizzacks for Dec-Feb.
When I was driving home last Friday, there was about 2 inch of snow on the ground already. I drove in the 1st gear of manual mode and I had zero problem driving home. Of course, I drove slowly. Then last Sunday, I drove to supermarket without any problem neither.
From my personal experience, RWD G should be fine in snow, as long as you have at least all-season tires on and drive responsibly.
When I was driving home last Friday, there was about 2 inch of snow on the ground already. I drove in the 1st gear of manual mode and I had zero problem driving home. Of course, I drove slowly. Then last Sunday, I drove to supermarket without any problem neither.
From my personal experience, RWD G should be fine in snow, as long as you have at least all-season tires on and drive responsibly.
I feel like telling the dealer I want to test drive the car for a week but I know that won't happen.
When I drive my present car I notice that I angle my body slightly to the left and I'm barely even touching the right side seat bolster. So I THINK it wouldn't be a problem. But again that 1% keeps asking what if it is a problem that only rears its ugly head after I've written the $30K check...YIKES!!
It's either going to be G35 or the Acura TL but as much as the TLs interior woos me, I still like the G35 better. The TL looks like a lot of other cars. It looks like a Beamer from some angles, it looks like a Camry from some angles, and it even looks like a Dodge Stratus from some angles. On the road the TL can be mistaken for a number of cars.
On the other hand the G35 styling is quite unique and very distinct...I like it. But it's just those seat controls that have me wondering.
I already have two herniated disks in my back and every now and then I have shooting pain down the back of my right leg...all I need is a drivers seat that makes this pain chronic instead of periodic.
It would kill me if I bought another car or 2004 G35 and they corrected this in 2005. With all the complaints about this feature, it's hard to imagine they would keep it another year...I was hoping they would moved the controls for 2004 but that didn't happen.
I can deal with the brakes, I can deal with paint chips, but I don't know if I could deal with pain in my leg, which I get already from a bad back, from poorly designed and placed seat controls.
Isn't this a great idea? Wonder is anyone from Infiniti is taking notice.
It is a great idea and Infiniti does read these boards. In fact, Nissan/Infiniti pays Edmunds.com a fortune in advertising revenue. For now, I would just stuff the seats with foam. It really works and is far cheaper than ordering custom seats.
Errr, huh?? Why on earth would you say that? And even if it were true, what does that have to do with this conversation?
Are you saying that Edmunds.com is non-profit?
What about a long-term review for the G35 with all of its problems? Do you see that anywhere? Why did they rate the Jaguar X-Type so poorly when it is one of the most trouble-free and safest automobiles on the road? Lack of advertising revenue? You don't say!
Nissan/Infiniti monitors this board to ascertain public opinion more then they do other services. Edmunds.com is quickly becoming the forum of choice for many with good reason. Edmunds.com allows freedom of speech and does not monitor and negate opinion like other boards.
One of the employees at Infiniti Consumer Affairs said they read this board daily.
On the other hand, msiseng has great stories to tell about the reliability and tremendous service available from the Jaguar??????????
Take the comments for what they're worth and understand the point of view is apparently extremely biased as are most people on Edmunds (myself included).
Some folks have more experience over a larger amount of time and a larger number of vehicles, manufacturers brands and models. This, rather than a terrible experience with one particular vehicle or dealer that forever clouds their ability to step back and see the big picture.
There is no bigger picture when it comes to a horrible $35,000 spent that you are not happy with.
Msiseng, also please note that Kennedy was killed by a single gunman.
If you disagree with the article/review, by all means you have the ability to email our editors at editor@edmunds.com. See the list of letters that others have sent: http://www.edmunds.com/news/column/letters/#
What are peoples experiences with the performance vs the all season tires? I don't expect much snow, but rain could turn to ice here. How do the RWD cars do in the rain with the sport tires vs the all season?
Also, any input on if Satelite Radio is worth it? XM vs. Sirius?
Finally, Charles Barker in VA Beach vs. Infiniti Richmond. Are 2004 6MT's going for a premium on the East Coast like they are on the West Coast?
Thanks.
Summer/performance tires usually perform as well or better than all-seasons in the rain, since their low-drag designs help channel water. I've driven through pretty hard rain at brisk highway speeds and the car was steady as a rock. Ice is another story, however, and only dedicated winter tires make much difference there. Over icy patches last week, my 6MT was very nervous. ABS and VDC were battling the laws of physics with little success.
Satellite radio is, in my opinion, the best thing to happen to broadcast music...ever. I've had XM for nearly two years now, and every time I'm in a rental car I'm reminded how awesome the programming range, sonic quality, and lack of advertising are. Sirius is a couple bucks more a month, with zero advertising, but as a company XM is in far better financial shape. I'd recommend buying the receiver from your dealer and installing it yourself, since you can place the antenna on the front or rear shelf without spoiling the car's lines.
One thing I like about the Imp is it's roomy, and I'm 6'3", 300lbs.
The G35 is definately the best bang-for-your-buck performance-wise. If you're looking for a luxury-sport sedan, though, you might find it falling a little short of the mark. I guess it depends where you're coming from and what you want. I personally don't care about not having rain-sensing windshield wipers or driver-memory side mirrors, and I like the titanium center console that many people call cheap-looking.
Oh, and here's a shock.. people on the G35 forum say the G35 is best, people on the CTS forum say the CTS is best, and I bet if you look in the BMW 3-series forum they'll be tauting the superiority of the 330i. Who would have guessed?
BMW 5 Series
Infiniti G35
Cadillac STS or STS-V (due next year)
While Infiniti has an excellent car in the G, Cadillac does deserve some kudos and consideration in what they have been doing over there. The CTS-V expected to be a hot car. There is some video on the next of a CTS-V running almost 200 MPH at Bonneville. Only a few mods were done, but I can't remember what they were and some of them dealt with safety (roll cage, drag chute, etc).
The upcoming STS and STS-V are supposed to continue this trend Cadillac has going on. Regardless of which car I choose, it is DEFINITELY a good time to be a car enthusiast (much to my wife's chagrin!)
There are more and more quality RWD lux/sport sedans available all the time.
-Paul
My requirement is still a sporty car. I haven't read about the M35... maybe I'll check it out and confuse myself more.
-Paul
I have the sedan RWD and was doing 55-65 today around a cloverleaf off ramp circle with 2 open lanes and no one in sight. I was able to easily keep the car balanced and manage oversteer with the thottle while allowing the understeer to creep in at the sime time - finding the very traction edge for both axles, so to speak. THat report is BS if I ever heard it.
I have spoken with several dealers and I am planning to purchase the individual titanium trim parts which will cost me about $650.
In addition, the part for the shifter will not have a hole for the snow mode button. I will need to make this myself.
I think Infiniti should have made the titanium interior an option for the G35x.
In addition, I like the 5 spoke wheels which come with the sport package but this package is not availabe on the G35X. It costs too much to buy the wheels separately.
Does anyone else agree and share my pain?
Has anyone changed their center console with aftermarket products? I have seen some advertisements for aluminum stick-on stuff but I have reservations as to how it will look. Has anyone done this? Any pictures you can share?