Infiniti G35 Sedan 2006 and earlier

riez

Happened to run across some comments by Lincoln's design director (a middle-age Englishman). Talks about their "new design philosophy uses the company's heritage to enhance modern designs." And mentions that the past can sometimes be "the liveliest instigator of the present and the best springboard into the future." Holds up the famous '61-'69 Continental as having the sort of heritage building classic mystique.

Would be nice if Infiniti started aggressively developing a clear general market focus for all of its platforms and then used some subtle, but effective, styling cues inside and out to link all their platforms. Not sure the center dash clock does it enough, but progression along those and other lines. And made sure the platforms do live up to the intended focus. Is Infiniti purely luxury? Modern luxury? Affordable luxury? Sport luxury? Luxury sport? Techno?

Kind of like answering the following questions: "When I think of Infiniti, I think of...? When I think of the (name specific platform, e.g., Q45, I35, G35), I think of...? I don't have a clear answer or picture to these questions. Hoping I do by MY 2005.

jimmyj1945

You stated in part "did you know cars direct.com is asking 500.00 over sticker. listen folks we have suffered long enough,as a luxcar dealer we have watched bmw,lexus,benz,jag.audi do there thing. hondas s2000 sold for thousands over sticker even the lowly pt crusier commanded over sticker.every doG/35 has his day. monday march 11,2002 in the good old usa will be our day."

My question is: What about us loyal consumers who have purchased Nissan/Infiniti products for years? We have been begging for this type vehicle for years. Now it comes and we must pay a premium-even over MSRP? I'm here to tell you, this is one consumer that has purchased no less than four (4) Nissan/Infiniti vehicles in the last 6-years and if you are waiting for me to pay MSRP, I will soon take my business to someone else! This is my opinion and my actions will speak louder than words. I am (was) seriously considering the G-35 or the new M-35(?) for my next vehicle. We shall see.

What does anyone else think?

Jim J.

gabman

You are to much. You had better not plan on buying that retirement home just yet. I forgot to tell everyone that I did get $900.00 off MSRP. The G35 is an amazing car and for the select few that must be the first on the block to show off their new toys, dealers will make a few extra bucks. Then everyone will come back down to earth and it will be back to business as usual wherein the consumer will do their homework and buy the vehicle which suits them the best at the price they want to pay give or take a few dollars.
As soon as you dealers see that the market is relaxing a bit you will all go back to your evil ways of not only taking advantage of the consumer, but also fighting amongst yourselves and back stabbing each other over pricing. That is the time when it is the most fun for us consumers to extract payback from you dealers. It will be interesting to see how Toyoto and Saturns policy of no haggle pricing works out. In the meantime have a happy feeding frenzy and don't quit your day job because soon there will be a new flavour of the week out and you will have to go back to living with us consumers that come in kick the tires and ask "CAN YOU DO ANY BETTER",be good bye

uheardme

It's going to take more than the G35 to get Infiniti of par with Lexus and Mercedes - it will not happen over night. Drooling over getting MSRP from us does not come across too well to me -don't count those chickens until they hatch!!!

stooge2000

Infini 1 - You said "listen folks we have suffered long enough,as a luxcar dealer we have watched bmw,lexus,benz,jag.audi do there thing."

Infiniti, you ain't Lexus or BMW or Benz!!! Infiniti deserves to suffer because it does not know its idendity, and has not built an attractive car since the original Q.

Reiz of #2255 hits the nail on the head. "When I think of Infiniti I think of...what?" So far I think of a confused BMW wannabe. Even if G35 becomes a roaring success, one good car is not enough to change the wannabe image. You need many more follow up hits before you could ask for MSRP.

gabman

Re-Read your syndicated report on the G35, have to say that I appreciated reading it more this time as I can relate to everything you are saying.
Have to say that if I had to pick one thing that I enjoy the most about my G (and One thing is very hard, as there are so many things) it would have to be "Passing", not just from the responsiveness of the gas peddle, but more so from the steering wheel and the way the car feels.
I swear this car has a mind of it's own and when I want it to perform it responds with " yes boss comming right up" . You were bang on Baron, enjoyed your work (even if it is pleasure to you, I can tell that you are pretty passionate about your work). Thanks again for all the additional info.

P.S. Think you may be a bit to young for that I35,remember G come before I. bye....

maybeg35

the Altima faster than the G in 0-60? Not sure about passing power. I'm not talking about looks or handling, just straight line.

Baron, you drove both right? RWD over FWD anyday but just curious. I passed over the Altima mainly because of no nav option.

drod2045

with a manual, yes it is.

blueguydotcom

Uh...no. The Altima 3.5 SE with an automatic is slower in straightline acceleration (somewhere in the 7's). There is no manual G35 yet, so you can't compared the Altima 3.5 SE manual times to the G35 automatic times. That's inconsistent.

maybeg35

http://www.nissan.co.jp/EVENT/PAPERCRAFT/PDF/skyline_n.gif

sherm1024

i have a few questions for everyone out there.
1. i see the sport tuned suspension package will get you extra titanium trim. does anyone know where this trim will be?
2. has anyone seen a blue one yet? does it look as pretty as it seems on infiniti website?
3. has anyone used the naviagation system yet?

maybeg35

Might be close in comparison if it had the new 6 speed like the G will have.

baron58tc

with average passing times of 2.54 on the level and 3.25 going up a six percent grade. I had two runs at 6.06 and 6.09 electronically times. It's real hard to get aperfect hook up with that kind of power to the front wheels and the weight transfer to the rear. It just wants to smoke the tires. Even the I with a four speed auto which average 6.64 to 60 had trouble with the hook up as it just wanted to smoke the tires like a good cuban cigar. That VQ engine is a monster. The Altima with a four banger (175 hp) and automatic averaged 8.27 to with a best of 8.07. passing times were 4.32 and 6.14 seconds. None of these numbers have been published but will be soon. I did do some preliminary tests with the Altima Auto on some pre production cars which averaged somewhere in the low to mid sixes. It is very fast and probably the fastest sedan for the money. But alas, it is still FWD and that is where the G shines.

baron58tc

Gabman, your right about the I35, it's too old for me, although it is a very nice ride, maybe when I need a walker or a wheelchair I'll be ready for an I35, but it is fast on the pass (50-70), with times of 3.01 and a 4.02 up a grade. That is faster than my initial times with the G but it is a factor of gearing. The I uses only second when making that run where the G shifts into third at about 60 which puts it is a higher gear than the I. With hp requirements increaseing with the square of the speed, it is understandable that gearing makes a difference in this case. If both cars were to run from 70-90, the G would run away from the I so fast that the guy in the I would keep checking his emergency brake or else the vacuum created might be so severe that it could suck the coolant out of the I's radiator.

68bullitt

Maybeg,

Talk about a car website that allows you to "build your own". LOL

magnetophone

The Altima 2.5 seems like enough car to me with those kind of numbers.

Do you think the G35 will ever have larger engined or smaller engined variants?

gandhim3

1. i see the sport tuned suspension package will get you extra titanium trim. does anyone know where this trim will be?

2. has anyone seen a blue one yet? does it look as pretty as it seems on infiniti website?

3. has anyone used the naviagation system yet?

1 - The titanium trim is on the center console

2 - I have put up about three pics on the G35 in blue on Yahoo groups - you will have to join the group to view the pics

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/infinitig35/

3 - I have not tried the navi, nor am I interested in it. Looks nice, and I might think about getting it if it were less then $500, but $2000 is too rich for me. A $5 paper map will do just fine. Besides, the system takes up valuable interior space about the glove box.

drod2045

there is not a nav on the market that is cheaper than 2k. if there is, it certainly isnt under 1k.

fedlawman

They have the same engine and the Altima weighs less, so even though the Altima is rated at 240 hp, straight line acceleration will naturally be close.

Of course, the Altima accelerates and corners like the FWD car that it is. It is also loud and rough riding, and the steering is overboosted.

The Altima's interior materials aren't up to near-luxury standards.

An entry level Altima 3.5 is a great performance bargain. However, an Altima the way I would equip it (auto, leather, sunroof, ABS/airbag, traction control) has an MSRP of $27,000. An identically equipped G35 costs almost exactly $3000 more.

With the G35, you get a lot more comfort, style, quality, and performance for only $3000. Why would anyone buy a loaded Altima (or Maxima) when the G35 is available for such a fair price?

norcalmike2

How is the G on straight roads? Does it hold a straight line or do you have to constantly correct left and right to keep it true? (which is about my only pet peeve with my Solara) Tell you what, my Solara is a Canadian built gold medal winner!

hvan3

Today I visited MacPherson Infiniti in Tustin, CA to inquire about the G35. There was no G35 on the lot. They are expecting 23 units to arrive tomorrow.

The cocky SOB salesman was complaining about bunch of kids coming in with "big pipes in the rear end" (Honda boys) wanting to test drive the G35. Man, he was rude! I told him what do you expect? The G35 being so affordable, that's basically Infiniti's target segment.

He's demanding a "credit check" before offering any test drive. What a jerk! I told him it's useless to demand credit check especially since the parents are the ones that will be buying the G35 for their kids. He even asked me what car I'm driving now (like that really matters whether I can afford a G35 or not. duh)

With that attitude, it's going to turn off bunch of rich kids who wants to test drive before buying the G35. Infiniti corporate better start training these cocky, conceited, stuck up salemen on how to deal with the X generation kids. I guess Infiniti is not used to having bunch of kids arriving to their dealership. LOL.

Anyway, he told me to come back on Tuesday if I wanted a test drive. I'm sure he's going to ask me to fill out a credit application before he'll let me drive the G35. Man, what a drag! More paperwork just so I can enjoy 5 minutes of this long anticipated G35 test drive. He's going to be very suprise with my credit rating since I have basically A+.

bigorange30

I am appalled at this Infiniti salesman that wants to make more than MSRP on a car. Isn't that against the law? That's like going into a store and having the clerk ask for more money than is stamped on the item. Now I know the response to that statement is going to be that a car dealership is nothing like a store in many other ways but going up in price from what is advertised (or marked on the product) is never an acceptable practice or shouldn't be anyway. That's just the kind of additude that gives car salesmen their reputation. I just bought a QX4 and stayed away from the Acura MDX because you had to order them and pay sticker price without getting a choice of color or options.

Shame on you Infin1

birdman579

The MSRP is just the "Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price", so the dealer can charge whatever they want, unless its Saturn. I was at a Honda dealer a year ago when my roommate's Civic was getting a new engine after 60K miles (Honda's are junk, but that's another discussion). Anyway, the dealer had Civics marked up $1000 OVER MSRP. The EX was over $20K. That's insane when a better car, aka the Protege, can be had for $15K. The S2000s were marked up $10K. The sticker said, "adjusted market value." If dealers are going to pull the same stunt with the G35, I'll take my business right over to my local Audi or Acura dealer thank you. I completely disregard the MSRP when shopping for a car, you need to look at out the door price. MSRP means nothing, but I certainly don't want to pay more than it.

birdman579

Why don't more dealers do what Saturn and CarMax do with the no-haggle pricing? You go and look at the sticker to see how much the car costs. There's no dealing and having to say no to worthless things like undercoating or mudflaps. CarMax always charges lower than MSRP and normally offers a very competitive price. I realize its somewhat fun to shop around and get the dealers going back and forth, but it takes so much more time to buy a car.

babylou

The CarMax and Saturn method of no haggle pricing was attempted by many other dealers but unfortunately they failed. The main reason they cited was that most buyers actually preferred to bargain even if they could not get a lower price. You know how it goes. I have never met a person that did not feel they made a great deal when they bought a car. I also have never met a car salesman that felt they got the short end of the stick.

baron58tc

which is something I probably failed to mention in my road test piece. It almost requires no correction even when the road crown changes. But that gives me an excuse to order one up for a week or two for a full test, and then of course I'll have to test the six speed and then there is the G coupe. I was at the TO dealership last Wednesday and they expect cars tomorrow or Tuesday. Remember leather with a sport pac and any color will look great. They all shine like a million. When you drive it, no when you sit in it, you will want to send the Solara to the recycler.

fedlawman

Nobody is holding a gun to your head. If you don't feel MSRP is a good deal, don't pay it.

By the way, if you feel Honda's are junk, why would you take your business over to your local Acura dealer?

dl7265

A friend in the DFW area looked at a Honda Coupe when they came out the sticker said adjust to market value ADD $1400. After politely telling the dealer what they could Adjust lol, they offered to take the $1400 off, and be at even sticker.

Its too bad that the dealership cant be yanked for such deplorable acts, At least BMW USA does not put up with any nonsense from its dealers.

ok rant over
DL

dl7265

I thought it would be interesting how Crest in Plano is a Infiniti/Caddy dealer and the 2 cars will be sold a few feet from each other, my money says the G35 outsells 2-1.

DL

maybeg35

MSRP for an M3 at first, matter of fact they still ask more if they can get it. No different than most dealers when they think they have something they can gouge us for.

blueguydotcom

But I have ZERO problem with dealerships pre-qualifying would-be buyers. Many, many makes do this, especially if you're looking to drive a fancy model. Even the Ford Lightning, as far as I've heard, requires a pre-qual. I'd prefer if Infinti dealers try to dissuade mod-kids from testing a G without credit approval. If mom and dad won't come down for a pre-qual, tough. :P

maybeg35

jdbtensai

it is a "suggested" price. dealers can TRY to get whatever they can try to get. and consumers should TRY to get whatever they can get.
dealers should not be mad when people ask for a lower price. and consumers should not be mad when dealers ask for a higher price.
if the demand is high enough the dealers will get a high price, maybe even over MSRP. if you don't like that then do NOT pay it.
when demand sinks low cars can even be had for under invoice.
if you want to be sure not to pay over MSRP you could get a less popular car.
if you want to get under invoice go buy a car that other consumers hate. maybe an aztek. didn't check, but i'm thinking that could be had for a pretty good deal.

infin1

enough with all the talk. sales people are not crooks. just guys like your selfs trying to make a living. all we are asking is a fair price for our product and services.if we were like saturn or carmax would it really make you happy. most carmax stores sell only used cars and please who wants a saturn.i think msrp for a new 03 g35 is more than fair,auto sales is not a non-for- profit buisness. THE DEALERS WILL -NOT- ASK OVER STICKER.when the car arrives at the dealers come over take a test drive if you like it sit down with a sales person and work out a price, you will either purchase or say no to the price.you are the one who makes that decison. as posted prior know ones holding a gun to your head.infiniti demands we treat our customers with respect.i trust you will have a great purchasing experience at most infiniti stores. please try to understand the market for the all new G35 will not be a buyers market. sales people have managers who has the final call on what we can sell a car for, we really want to make you happy, but also must put food on my table jusy like you.could be you wont like the car or the price or the sales person.see you monday or tuesday. lets get to know each other maybe even become friends, please lets not let a little thing like money come between us. hey baron, gabman say hello when you get the chance. god bless america

mbarto

Did anyone read the latest Edmund's review on the G35? Here is the link:

http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/48583/page027.html

Sounds very objective till we get to the last couple paragraphs, then it sounds bias, IMO. Where did Edmund's find this reviewer? It's hard for someone to be objective with a perceived "BMW is always best" attitude before writing the review. Christian Wardlaw, the reviewer, quoted, "Let's say you dislike BMWs, for whatever reason (maybe you should drive one, eh?). Sounds to me like Christian should have driven a G-35 before he wrote this review. I seriously doubt he did.

How about it Edmund's - "gabman" may be available for hire if you want an objective reviewer. At least he provided a lot more of input from someone who actually did drive this vehicle.

gabman

Ok, see you are coming back to earth , welcome back.MSRP I can live with (seing that car is underpriced anyways). Hope you have fun dealing with the throngs of people that will be converging on your dealership, at least now you will understand what it is to work. All in jest, my good man, you have a winner there, enjoy it I know it has been a long time coming. Hope you will post some of your experiences with the masses, at least the funny ones, and don't forget to let me know how many of them do in fact kick the tires. I hope you sell enough that you can buy one yourself, unless of course the boss will bless you with a demo to drive. Awaiting your report.
Gabman

gabman

I see my good friend Baron beat me to a reply but here is a small tidbit that even he could not tell you about. (due to that perpetual Tan one gets living in California).

We had some freak weather here yesterday, weather on Saturday was sunny in the 60's, yesterday was another story, (it's an eastern thing) Winds in excess of 70 mph and then a freak snow squall left a couple of inches on the ground , temperature plummetted to around 20 degrees.
Had plans to take the family out for dinner. No way I wanted to to take my G out so I said we will go in my wifes pathfinder, except my teenage son was to lazy to move his sentra out of the driveway, anyways after after a few choice words from me (I am the sucker making the payments) he relented and off we went in the pathfinder. Wouldn't you know it I stop at a stopsign and this young girl plows into us. Good thing there was no damage, If I had my G I think I would have wrung her neck.

This morning I took my G to work and side streets were still slippery, was surprised that the 17" wheels did a pretty good job, however there were two times that the stability control kicked in, I was ready to feel the back spin out, you always know when it is about to happen , and to my surprise the car stayed straight as an arrow.
Have no plans to keep the 17" on in the winter, will put on 16" winter tires and steel wheels, but this winter is just about over so will do it for next year.

i006129

Don't be so quick to long for the sales approach of Saturn. Saturn maintains the highest margins per car in the industry (something like 13%). They do a good job of making you feel good about what you paid, but in reality you just got the stick.

i006129

My guess is that most Infiniti dealers are so used to discounting that it won't be long before they are eating each others lunch with below MSRP pricing. We've got 4-5 dealers here in Atlanta and I'll be working every one of them to get the best deal I can.
While I am ready to buy (lease) right now, I'll probably wait 2-3 weeks to begin the search. We all should have a good idea of what deals are available by then.

i006129

What's the deal on trunk space? One of the reviews says the trunk is sizeable but can't handle large items because of the shelf. Also, do the back doors really open "almost 90 degrees"?
Thanks

gabman

Sorry for getting back to you so late, I guess I missed reading your post. I think you may have taken my remarks out of context. The point that I was making in regards to an earlier post by someone is that.... Living in Canada and earning my income in Canada, $42,000.00 is just that $42,000.00 (which is alot of Dollars).Sure if I was trading currencies on the opened market or spending all my money in the USA my $42,000.00 would not match up to your US $42,000.00 , there is no questions about it because in the USA my $42,000.00 would only buy me $26,500.00 of your greenbacks.

The point of my remark was concerning someones post as to why the G35 is so much cheaper in Canada. I was replying that in our dollars the G35 is not cheap at all.It is in fact $42,000.00.

Keep in mind my remarks were in the context of someone saying that there was a conspiracy going on which was being perpetraded by Infinity wherin they were selling the car for much cheaper in canada than the USA. There is only so much a market can bear and the G35 had to be priced in canada similar to the competition. I.E. Acura 3.2Type S etc...

Hope this is clear , if not drop me a post.

Gabman

gabman

The truck is very deep and there is a big lid, that is why some large bulky items may have trouble fitting in it. It is very roomy but I wouldnt try to fit a bicycle in it.

Yes the doors do open 90 degrees, and I love it.
I am very considerate of passengers in my cars that is why I pay so much attention to the room in the back seat. I have been in so many cars where there is ample room in the back seat, however it is so hard for passengers to enter and exit due to small openings of the back doors.

If I remember correctly the Volvo S40 and S60 are like that, I had to throw both feet out the door and turn my body to get out.

Only thing qwith the G is it may difficult for a person with big feet to get them out of the back. There is a lip at the bottom of the door and you really have to lift ones foot up to get over it, but at least there is plenty of room with he doors opening 90 degrees.

When you have a son that wears size 17 shoes , you pay attention to these things

implicit

Today I have seen the G35 for the first time in my life and I saw 20 or more of them at once

It was a 2 truck fulls of Infinti G35's.

what a beautiful Machine.

dafreak

just talked to my dealer...he is expecting some cars today but couldnt tell me if mine was one of them...i just hope they get in early enough this morning so they can PDI one so i can test drive it this evening...dam im excited...i got one with navi so my wife and i are going to throw a dart on a map and go on a road trip...should be fun...originally had planned to buy one in canada and drive it back...still wish this was the case but infiniti has me hook, line and sinker...

i006129

Thanks. I've got 3 sons heading toward size 17 shoes so I guess I should care.

i006129

Just got a call from Nalley Infiniti here in Atl. They have two on the lot with more coming. By the way, no problem with a test drive this afternoon.

gandhim3

Came across an interesting article on forbes, that is related to the whole debate on dealerships and car purchase prices.

http://biz.yahoo.com/fo/020311/0311flint_1.html

gabman

however I can relate. Would someone let me know how the blue looks, as I am real curious.

gabman

If I would have known I would have gone into the shoe business, at least in the USA you guys can find shoes, not so easy here, especially when they want brand names like nike etc...

I really want to to get impressions about your test drive. Make sure that you take it on a long ride and especially on the highway. A word of advice don't let the sales rep turn on the radio, this car needs to be heard, you will have plenty of time when you get back to the dealer to listen to the radio. Be firm on the peddle, the car likes that and expects it.

It has been very frustratiing being the only one on this site that has driven one, except for Baron.

I need to to talk to you guys that have driven it.

Good luck to all , and enjoy the moment. I know I did.

One last thing if your salesmen start telling you it is just like a BMW tell them all to shut up, it is enough of that already.

maybeg35

as the matter of fact I was told to my face that Infiniti has this "fair market" (or something like that) pricing and they only make 6-7% profit by selling at MSRP and I really felt that was fair
so I had no problem paying it. Now, come to find out is more like 12-14%, and I believe it's strictly a gouge by an inflated MSRP. Still a deal? Maybe, but not the deal is should be.