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.
Comments
http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0307.htm
I pay around $1700 a year for my coupe, in MD, with a $1000 deductible, a multi-car, homeowners, and safe driver discount, with relatively high coverage levels (can't remember exactly off the top of my head).
Premium A:
Power glass sliding sunroof.
225-watt Bose® premium audio system with 8 speakers and AM/FM/cassette, in-dash, single-slot 6-disc CD autochanger.
Power tilt and telescoping steering wheel.
Dual-zone climate control.
Auto on/off headlights.
Electrochromic auto-dimming inside mirror.
HomeLink® Universal Transceiver.
Premium B:
Sunroof.
222-watt Bose® premium audio system with 7 speakers and Nd™ woofer.
Driver's seat memory with entry/exit assist.
Steering wheel memory.
Power tilt and telescoping steering wheel.
Reclining rear seatbacks with adjustable outboard head restraints.
Dual-zone climate control with microfiltration.
Auto on/off headlights.
Electrochromic auto-dimming inside mirror.
One-touch open/close rear windows.
HomeLink® Universal Transceiver.
Intelligent Key.
Rear air conditioning vents.
Premium C:
Same as B, except full size spare.
Hope this helps... -goof
In the meantime, just to confirm, there is no intelligent key for the 6MT model. Of course, for obvious tranny reasons.
I'm looking forward to the 6MT, as I've only heard good reviews. I was going to get the 300C but no MT and I got a better deal (VPP Pricing) - can't go wrong with that
I have never driven an AWD so I am not sure if I'll be compromising if I get a G35 rear wheel. I would love it if you can please share your experience and advice if I should be concerned driving rear wheel drive when it's wet and raining or when I am up in the Glacier National Park or Yellowstone or driving on Hwy 101 in the Summer. Will the car slip or skid when it rains?
I'm not sure if the extra $1650 investment in getting an AWD is worth it. Should I consider it for extra peace of mind or can I get away it.
Your response is very much appreciated.
PS: If you can share any other experiences you have with this car (+ve or -ve that will be great). I am planning to make my purchase in the next 2-3 days and the other cars I narrowed down to were Lexus and Acura. When I test drove the infiniti, my main concern was a) the audio system didn't sound that clear/great - I took 3 CDSsand one of them was blaring, b) the headlights did not project a lot of light on the road, c) fuel mileage - i have read it's not that high particularly if you drive in the city and most of my driving is on internal roads and not highway. Finally, do you like the navigation system. It took me forever to input my home address and then I just gave up. Should I be concerned about a,b,c points above or do you just get used to it??
If you don't have time to answer all these questions, please at least tell me about the AWD vs. non AWD.
Thanks a ton!!!!!!!!!!!
In case you haven't discovered it yet, let me mention that there is a very helpful "Search This Discussion" feature on the page bar. Using that for AWD should link you lots of previous posts on the subject. You can look for other keywords, of course, and you might just want to scan through some of the pages of messages already here. You can probably find lots of the kind of information you are looking for.
Meanwhile, I'm sure others will share with you what they can.
Good luck!
Stereo: Some love it, some don't. You can always invest in after-market options to suit the sound to your liking.
Lights: The G35 doesn't employ the projector beam headlights the Acura (TL) does, which has the effect of not seeming as bright. But I've found the lights more than adequate, and the lack of a sharp cutoff helps minimize annoyance to other drivers.
Fuel economy: I get around 15-18mpg in city driving, and around 24mpg on highways on my Coupe. AWD owners have reported some disappointing figures, so figure about 10-15% worse for that option.
Nav system: The Lexus and Acura systems are superb, but the Infiniti one isn't bad. Programming addresses takes a little while to get the hang of, but it rarely takes me that long. Frequent addresses, of course, can be memorized or recalled from the list of recent destinations. But the ability to find nearby restaurants and gas stations has been very useful at times, as has the regular and bird's eye view of the surrounding areas when trying to route around traffic or orient myself quickly.
Good luck
* I assume that the seats in the base model have the same spacing vs the front seats as the Premium model. In other words, the seats are mounted in the same place in both models.
* Does the trunk space move as the premium seats recline? Or is there a deadspace between the back of the seat and the front wall of the trunk?
Thanks
As reliability (based on past reputation and observed improvement) is very important to me this has reduced my choices down to the following manufacturers: Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura, Subaru, Hyundai, Infiniti.
Subaru and Hyundai are immediately excluded for the simple reason that I am looking for sedans that have GPS navigation options (I want seamless integration with the vehicle, as opposed to some after-market duct-tape solution). I am just barely excluding the Honda Accord because I just do not like the Honda styling. And while the same is true for Acura: I do happen to find the Acura TL marginally attractive, but it's recent issues with reliability has me concerned. This lives me with Toyota/Lexus and Infiniti. Yes, I was originally salivating over the new Lexus GS 300, but it's interior is just too crampt and a bit under-powered for its price-tag.
It wasn't long after that I discovered the 2005 Toyota Avalon, where the Limited trim has been of particular interest to me. In fact, for awhile, I thought that perhaps I have found the right car for me. It's got a load of cool techno-toys, slick styling, a spacious interior and a powerful engine. But, what also kept the Avalon under my radar was it's phenomenal 22/31 gas mileage.
Yet, after reading review after review: I have been getting this nagging impression that perhaps the Avalon might be a tad clumsy on it's feet. Seeing various postings talking of "transmission hesitation" didn't help matters. Furthermore, although I am pleased with its spacious interior It is difficult to knock the feeling that perhaps catering to the back-seat passengers more so than the driver and the passenger running "shot-gun" is a bit over-kill? Hence the result is a car a bit too large to be as agile as one with a 280 horsepower engine would suggest.
No doubt, I really do like the new Toyota Avalon. But, frankly, my interest in the Infiniti G35x has been growing. As I have seen more on the street, read many reviews and seen a number of photos: I am beginning to grow quite fond of it's styling and am beginning to see that a lot of what the Avalon has is either standard or available in the G35x. Furthermore, a number of reviews mention how the G35x's handling is good enough that it can even rival that of a BMW. I am considering the G35x, because I really like the idea of AWD, even though I may not require it on a day-to-day basis. And given it is only at a 1 MPG disadvantage, relative to the RWD version: it seems like the better choice. But wait -- compared to the Avalon's 22/31: the G35x rates at 17/24 ... has my consideration of the G35 pronounced my decent to the dark side?
Or is there a trade-off between performance and economy that must be considered? Does the G35x truly out-perform the Avalon enough to justify the extra cash that I would have to throw at the pumps? Is it possible that the averages work out such that the difference isn't quite as dramatic as it would appear?
And for the folks here that own the G35/G35x and have some knowledge of the Avalon 2005, I have a few other questions:
1.) How do the GPS navigation systems compare?
2.) Does the transmission exhibit any hesitation, such as what has been reported with the Avalon?
3.) Are there any thoughts regarding Infiniti's long term reliability? The fact that Infiniti's quality control appears to be improving is the reason why I haven't eliminated this manufacturer from consideration in the first place.
4.) How is the sound system? How about compared with the Avalon?
5.) How does the Intelligent Key system work? compared with the Avalon?
Granted I will probably keep one foot in the door of the Toyota Avalon, but, there is no doubt that my interest in the G35x is very real at this point. Aside from awaiting some guidance from folks in this forum: my final decision could very well come down to some test-drives (which I will carry-out near the time I am ready to make my move -- which would be towards the end of this year).
I think the Avalon and G35 are two completely different beasts. One is a luxo-cruiser with good power and perhaps decent handling (probably in the touring trim). The other is a sports sedan with great handling and power, decent ride but substantially smaller interior/exterior and worse gas mileage.
The G35' navigation is the worst. No touch screen, slow and does not look
as fine as the Acura's.
I also noticed these other things -
1. Interiors in the G35 dont look like they belong in a 30K+ car. They look
like the interiors of a $10/day rental car. The plastic is cheap.
2. The amber lights in the display didnt look good to me. I liked the blue lights
in the Acura/Honda better.
3. The finish in general is better in the Acura
In spite of all this, I am right now partial towards the G35 because of the way it handles.
If I were not single, I would have gone with the Accord because it has the best compromise between handling and being a family car.
You have to test drive all of them back to back. Let us know what you decide to go with and why.
P.S. I would like to point to out that dealing with the Internet managers at both Acura (101 west), Inifinit (Thousand oaks) and Honda was a pleasant experience. I would advice you to go with the Internet managers no matter where you are. They always seem to be nicer and helpful people!
I would advice you to go with the Internet managers no matter where you are. They always seem to be nicer and helpful people!
How do I go about going through an "internet manager"? I think within a month or two I can actually begin more serious shopping (including test drives). As far as the Accord vs. G35 comparison: I honestly wish I could consider the Accord highly. It's a very economical car, and seems to have a decent trade-off between performance and fuel efficiency. It's just so bland! If I am going to spend thousands of dollars on a car ... I want it to be exciting.
Good luck - let us know how it goes.
Hmm, I do like Subaru. I'm not sure about their styling, but their sedans definitely have some serious muscle. Does anyone know when they will be coming out? If it is released by this fall, I might consider it.
True, but since Audi and BMW both fall below the line of what I consider acceptable reliability: I'll have to pass on these manufacturers. It's a shame given how these works of art actually peform so well.
if you are going in for it tow.ards the end of this year, you would have some new additions to consider, like the Lexus IS
good point. I look forward to taking a peek at the new IS. My only potential concern is that it's interior will be crampt. One big plus about the G35, as well as the Avalon, is that it is rather roomy.
Normally Subaru brings their new MY's by September/October.
like to see them fix the navigation and the interiors.
To have an extended test drive, I rented a G35 earlier today.
Really, really like the car. Interior, radio controls on wheel, etc. The short length and narrow width make it easier to park. The slightly taller body makes it possible to ride a little higher.
One thing. After spending time doing errands this afternoon, I was irritated and got a headache because the engine and the exhaust are very noisy.
What was fun in the test drives is irritating in actual real-life use.
Can this be fixed with tuning or is this designed into the car to appeal to people who like the "vroom vroom" noise?
Thanks
But, the car is bigger, roomier, and cheaper than a new 3 series so I went with it due to growing family needs.
However, I still keep my eye on the new 3 series thinking that maybe one will end up in my garage again within the next 4 to 5 years.