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Comments
also a dealer in the chicago area just told me that their first car with the sport package isnt due until april 2 and that they are only geting one with the rest (12 or so) arriving april 15...whats up with that...one of the main reasons im getting the sport package is so i get the different interior...what is infiniti thinking...???...he has 27 cars on his lot right now and there isnt one that i want....
This exact issue just drove me nuts when test driving the G35. I was told they were going to use the tranny from the Q45 which is very refined. Instead, it felt like the tranny from the I35 with an extra gear and sport shift. Hopefully the 6 speed manual will come out soon so we can all really see what the engine can do...
Does it say "low rent", "cheaper" or "nice alternative"?
It seems people on the forum bounce back and forth when trying to compare the G35 to a BMW. Some say it goes against the 5 series because of the interior size. Some say the 3 series b/c of price. Who knows. But a loaded 330i vs a loaded G35 in my opinion is a no brainer. A used 540i or 530i to a new G35 is probably a no brainer as well. I will drive the G35 very soon but if a manual 330 can produce 6.4 sec 0-60 and have that much less HP and torque than a G35 and not cost much more than I know where my money would go. Also should say something about engineering.
Corkfish made reference to a $28k 540i for an '00 not me. End of 2002 maybe $35k-38k for a 540i
Fun to Drive: Subaru Impreza WRX
Family Sedan or Wagon: Volkswagen Passat
Small Car: Honda Civic EX
Driving Green: Toyota Prius
Upscale Sports Sedan: BMW 330i
Small SUV: Toyota RAV4
Midsized SUV: Toyota Highlander
Pickup Truck: Toyota Tundra
Minivan: Honda Odyssey
Hate to say it but I agree with CR :-)
Jim J.
And the comparision to the 5er is unfair. Infiniti has explicitly stated that the competition is the 3er. Compare apples to apples.
Jim J.
Not one industry review (and not even Infiniti) compares it to the 5er. They ALL state that its competition is the 3er, A4, TL-S, and the like. The only comparison to the 5er that I have ever seen is the overall length. That alone does not make apples to apples.
I dare say that those who are seriously shopping for a new 5er will not even look at a G35. Maybe the GS430 or Q45, maybe not. But, a buyer who is prepared to spend $45 - 55K for a car has reasons for being in that market, and buying a lower cost Infiniti (or anything else) is not part of the equation.
Jim J.
Exterior/Styling B+ :
The side view is nice, a bit like the Mercedes C class but only better. Rear quarter view is the best; distinct, almost unique. The tail is somewhat busy but likable and distinctive looking. As for the front view, well, it is just like what you see in the printed ads, slippery but bland. No surprises there.
BTW, the dark blue is very pretty indeed.
Interior B+ :
I must admit that I am slightly disappointed by the willow leather interior. The center console is too plastic. The perforated leather does not feel rich enough. This particular dealer also sells Audi and Porsche. Side by side, the Audi interior is far superior. Overall, I would rate the interior above the Acura TL but below the Audi and Bimmer. However, this is a less expensive car than its Teutonic counterparts, so I am comparing orange against apple here
Ride and Performance A :
The drive is superb. Acceleration is smooth and effortless. Like gabman described in one of his many posts, you simply get pushed against your seat with a wide grin in your face. Gear change is so smooth it is undetectable. Engine exhaust note is throaty, but may become intrusive in long trips. It is a rainy day today. I turned too sharply at one corner, I could tell that the skid control had kicked in only because of the sudden change in tire noise over the wet surface; the car simply plowed on with nary a hesitation. We then drove on to a back road with expansion boards; the car absorbed the bumps without notable vibration in the cockpit.
Conclusion: I doubt that this car would generate the same degree of owner pride or secret owner envy as does a Mercedes or a BMW. However, it offers a great combination of value, performance, and utility that's unmatched in this segment.
All some of us are saying is compare apples to apples, and a G35 vs. BMW 5er is not that any more than a Miata is a Boxster.
Jim J.
Nobody compares the Miata to the Boxster as apples to apples (nor should they). But the $25K Miata owner is having just as much fun as the Boxster owner. And in Dallas, you see a lot of Boxsters, but not one utilizing its capabilities on the street (nor would I want to).
Scotth501...price info. My dealer said, "I can probably get you in for $1200 over invoice". This would be my 4th Infiniti, and she knows I will only pay 1-2% over invoice before incentives and rebates. Her $1200 is about 4% above invoice, so I'm betting on getting it for 2% over. Then again, she probably saw me drooling during the test drive. :-) I'm going to try the, "I'd really like to buy now, but the 6 speed (all my cars are manuals) will be out in the fall", and see where that gets me.
I'm as baffled by the trunk comparisons as the MPG debates. Who cares? If it can hold my softball bag and golf clubs...I'm good to go!
GABMAN...congrats! Sounds like your having a blast. Just one favor...next time someone mentions something about the exchange rate....please politely ignore them! :-)
I don't get it. So far I have heard of one person's coworker buying but that's it.
Unfortunately the G35 tranny feels like the I35 tranny with one extra gear and sport shift. This is not a good thing since the I35 (and G35) lunges each time it shifts gears. No question the G35 is an excellent automobile and will most likely be more reliable than the 330i, but get real on the comparison. Don't just look at the published HP and Torque numbers on the brochure to determine whether or not a car outperforms another. There is a LARGE amount of other things to consider my friend...
As I stated before, the G35 is a great car and Infiniti should have a winner with it. The interior is very nice. The G35 leather feels nicer than the 330i and the stereo is much better in the G35 as well. The G35 provides more room as well so that would be something to consider if you require it.
What's your take on the prior Infiniti's over the long term? I'd suspect it's like my '96 300ZX, given that car was closer to $40k new. I'm really hesitant to part ways with the Z, I think the interior is more luxurious than the G35 -- but the Z just isn't very practical anymore. I've had my fun with it, and I think the G35 sounds like a good sporty replacement. It doesn't hurt that it has additional seating. And cup holders, that'd be nice too. Or even tilt steering would be an upgrade.
I had actually started looking for AWD, probably an Audi A6 2.7T, but it sounds like they're going through all sorts of upgrades to aluminum engines in the 3.0 instead of the old iron 2.8/2.7T. Mainly because I have to drive the Z like a granny if it's wet out -- or at least it starts to wiggle its butt around. I think the G35 with the VDC will take care of that just fine though. But I need to go back and look with the dimensions how they all really compare. I checked the interior dimensions on the final G35 compared to what Edmunds and everyone has from when I printed it out on the future vehicles section. Straight from Infiniti in the last 30 days: front row lost 2 inches headroom (40.5 to 38.7 [with sunroof]), 2 inches hiproom (54.3 to 52.2). In the back row, lost 2.5 inches headroom (40 to 37.4 [with sunroof]), lost 2.5 inches legroom (36.2 to 33.6). But we did gain some hip room in the back (53.0 to 54.1). Overall effect in volume was from 112.8 cubic feet (without sunroof) to 98 cubic feet (unknown sunroof).
BTW - The G35 DOES compete with the 3 series. Both are great and have their pro's and con's. Provide a G35 with 6 speed manual, sport suspension with wider tires and this car may very well outperform the 330i 5 speed manual currently available.
Thanks.
Calm down, calm down. Everything will be okay!
I placed a deposit on a loaded sport-tuned suspension model back in January. Yes, I will be buying, but my particular car will not be in until April. I sure as hell will not settle for the cars currently on the floor-I am particular about what I want so I will wait. There are posts here and on freshalloy regarding delivery of STS models. The dealers don't seem to have any clue as to when they will arrive.
I did take a two hour test drive yesterday. WOW! This car is incredible! I am coming from a 4-cyl Honda Accord, so I was quite impressed. I also have an Accord V-6 and the G is substantially faster than it. I am getting ivory pearl with graphite interior - the willow does nothing for me. All I can say is that for those out there reading and wondering about this car, go drive it! I think that for the price, there ain't nuttin' out there that compares.
1. Price
2. No 6-speed yet.
Probably 2. is more important to me overall, but I figure by the time the 6-speed is here, the price issue will take care of itself.
My dealer also didn't have any in blue for me to look at. I don't really want to wait until fall to get my G, so I can be convinced if the correct stars align.
It's a nice car, but just not what I want.
It's about that undefinable experience called the BMW driving experience. You either like BMWs or not, but to say BMWs are overpriced/underpowered and I can't wait to eat 'em for lunch in my G35 is ridiculous. Might as well wait until the Neon turbo comes out or buy the Subaru Imprezia turbo (sp) for a lot less money.
The G35 with equal options is less money than the 330i and ought to be evaluated on its' own merits and not in the shadow of another car, or the 0-60 times, which aren't the fastest in it's price range anyway. You can get a 525i for a little more than the 330i. I didn't want it, but the car was in a totally different class in terms of luxury and I was drooling over it. I can't see that comparison either, the 525i is a true luxury sedan. However less power.
May I ask, how did you reach that conclusion? What are the comparative lateral acceleration g, slalom speed, brake distance etc? Did you use any instrument at your test? I hope you did not make the statement based on seat-of-pants feeling alone. That's called subjective and unsubstantiated statement.
When I went to the dealer around 1 p.m. today, there were quite a few people there checking the car out. The blue one I like already had a "sold" sign on its window.
I did end up driving it alone - my sales person was tied up with delivery of one G35 and negotiations on another during the hour or so that I was available. (No, I did not abuse the car.)
One caveat - this test drive was between 6 - 7PM in the area north of Atlanta - thus traffic (and safe driving amongst it) was a concern. There will be at least one more test drive before I make any purchase decision.
The rpm at 60 was approx. 2200, at 70 approx. 2500. Although I drove it a bit faster than that, I was too busy to take mental notes.
The throttle 'tip in' and the trans. 'kick down' are much more aggressive than any other car I have ever driven. Not necessarily a criticism. I wonder if, give the 'drive by wire' feature, either of these effects could be adjustable or reprogrammed?
The brakes are also immediately responsive - touchy? I expect that I could adapt.
Wind and tire noise (Bridgestones on the car I drove - Goodyear Eagle RS-As on a couple of others I saw) was virtually un-noticeable. I drove the entire time with the moonroof tilted up fully - as that is how I typically drive my cars. No annoying noise from that source up to over 85.
I found the engine noise to be quite prominent. Very smooth, but quite noticeable much of the time. Again, not necessarily a criticism. And The engine is quite smooth. But then I did have the OEM mufflers ripped off my current '00 Lincoln LS8 Sport within a month of purchase - to enjoy the exhaust and drown out the engine . . .
The ride was excellent - but I did not really have an opportunity to 'stress' the handling. Next time.
The outside mirrors do seem quite small - the field of view is a lot smaller than I am used to.
Has anyone driven one with the NAV - I displayed the MPG on the screen on a NAV equipped car on the showroom - but I am curious if anyone has had an opportunity to observe the indicated steady cruise mpg at highway speeds?
Also - is there an alternative to the "bird's eye" view on the map display? Like a traditional 'flat' map?
Fit, finish, panel gaps, etc. were uniformly excellent on the 3 cars I looked over closely.
Very interesting, all in all - and an impressive effort by the manufacturer.
Cheers,
- Ray
With the G35 still high on the proverbial 'short list' . . .
1) The 330i auto "seemed" faster off the line than the G35.
2) The 330i (with sport package) did "seem" to handle the same on/off ramps to the freeway substantially better than the G35 (without the sport package). The tires on the 330i were 245/40 while the G35 had 215/55's which may be the reason.
3) The transmission in the G35 "was" definitely not as smooth as the 330i tranny and "did" feel more like the I35 with an extra gear and sport shift than the Q45 tranny.
On the positive for the G35:
1) I felt the interior of the G35 was much nicer and more comfortable.
2) The G35 has more space inside and within the trunk than the 330i which is always a bonus.
3) The G35 will most likely be rock solid reliable just like all Infiniti's are. (BTW, I would never own a BMW outside the warranty)
4) It accelerates, brakes and handles great and is very fun to drive.
Of course these are my subjective opinions just like everyone elses on this topic to date. One thing I think we can all agree once you have driven both cars, neither car "crushes" (pearsond) or "blows" (pearsond) by the other. They are both great cars and will provide their owners with much joy.
Both me and my buddy "did" have more fun driving the 330i auto than the G35. I would recommend driving both unless one has something against BMW. The net end result for total cost of ownership should only come down to $1,000 difference after 3-4 years (see my post from yesterday) due to Infiniti's historical poor resale values.
Believe me, I really want to make the G35 work and it still might for me. I am looking for a manual tranny and may wait until the G35 offers it to see how it will compare to the 330i manual.
When you drive to work in the morning, which do you do? Do you only drive a slalom course? Do you only drive a 1/4 mile? Do you take a lot of measurements with instruments?
Or do you just go by the "seat-of-your-pants" and accelerate, brake and steer as required by real-world conditions?
I find that my tastes fit me better than completely objective observations. But that's me. And that's the point, isn't it?
Scott
I am planning to go back and do the same test again to see how I feel the second time around. This time I will drive the 330i first to see if that makes a difference.
Reviewers always report on steering "feel", a highly-important facet, but I don't think they use any instruments other than their sweaty palms. Sometimes subjective is all ya got?