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Comments
I have sent it to most of the people who asked for it, but a few are using hotmail or some other mail service that limits the size of e-mail attachments. As long as you can receive a 1.1 MB file, and want the pictures, e-mail me at rparkins@infotel-systems.com.
The trip computer, and vehicle maintenance information, really makes the nav package a serious consideration to order.
Manual mode issues only.
(Those waiting for a 6 speed - and those happy with the G35 fully automatic mode will not care.)
This issue is probably more important to me than to all but a few on this board, but my situation is such that the operation of the trans. in what Infiniti is calling 'Manual shift mode' is a significant factor in how much enjoyment I can derive from (ahem) brisk driving.
I have driven a G35 briefly. And I stopped by my dealer very briefly today - My salesperson was kind enough to copy the appropriate pages from a G35 owners manual for me today.
Fascinating reading - but potentially disappointing.
Under the heading 'Manual shift mode', the wording sounds strongly to me like the behavior is designed more to be what one finds in a trans. with selector positions like:
D5, D4, 3, 2 (and sometimes 1). More than the manual mode of cars like my Lincoln and some others.
By that I mean: The manual refers in several places to the Manual mode gear selections as 'Shift ranges'.
This appears to mean that the trans. can and will automatically up and downshift under various conditions - just not to a gear higher than the number of the 'range'
It specifically states that:
"The transmission will automatically shift the gears between the 1st and the selected range. (For example, if you select the 3rd range, the transmission will shift up or down between the 1st and the 3rd gears.)"
This, for instance, is the behavior of my current vehicle's trans. when I place the selector in D4. And this is the behavior of Lincoln LS non-Sport models - those without a Manual mode. - they can select 3 or 2 or even 1.
The specific scenarios that I will be trying when I next have an opportunity to test a G35 is: Select Manual mode. Select M1. Accelerate at or near WOT. Select M2 well before redline.
My 1st questions is: Will it shift to 2nd - or will it stay in 1st to or close to redline before shifting? And to 3rd if I select 3M - will it upshift before redline again?
Also, will the trans. allow a 2nd - or 3rd gear start? In other words, if it automatically downshifts as you approach a full stop, can you select 2nd or 3rd manually? Or must you start in 1st? Also, at what speed does it seem to downshift to 1st?
Anyone that has test drive (or owner drive) experience and can answer these questions, I would greatly appreciate it - time wise, my next few weeks, with end of our fiscal year upon my company, will not likely allow luxuries like an extended test drive . . . (TIA)
While it is clearly a good idea to restrict manual mode downshifts to situations that would not result in engine rpm above redline, I see no technical / mechanical reason not to allow manual upshifts at any rpm. Thus I don't understand why Infiniti would not design a manual mode to allow such upshifts.
Just my $.03 worth.
(Adjusted upward to compensate for years of inflation . . .)
Cheers,
- Ray
Who often (daily) upshifts manually at well before redline - even when accelerating at or near WOT . . .
Scott
When the topic of "importing" G35 to the US was the hot discussion, it was ironic that Infiniti quickly sent out press releases to Infiniti dealerships in Canada banning sales to US buyers. The timing was suspicious.
Anyway, I think Infiniti should do a better job of "promoting" Infiniti.com. This way they can have their own TownHall forum on their website. They can use us for feedbacks, problems, concerns, and overall impression about our Infiniti vehicles. It's the best way to "listen" to what we, the consumers, are saying.
Just my opinion.
Lease? Any off MSRP yet?
Just kidding. But for you Infiniti managers reading this, I have this message -
Since you have been so responsive about all the Canadian purchase discussion and thereby scuttled any prospects for such a purchase, be responsive another way for us - include a Limited Slip Differential with the manual.
And don't give any BS about how traction contral and stability prgrams replace a true LSD. If the next Z car has it, we know that the G35 chassis can accept a LSD - INCLUDE ONE IN THE MANUAL VERSION!!!
hvan3 - Your comment is too much like right. Imagine fine tuning your product based on customer feedback... in a timely fashion. Seems like the best that can happen is for a car mag to write something similar. THEN something might get done.
Most of the time I get ANY response from companies is when they send a trinket saying, "Gee, we hope this will make you happy," when what I want is for the product to be changed/fixed.
Of course, this Infiniti will be a first for me. Maybe they are different.
Someone else had noted the cheap cost of computer controls these days. I'm sure it wouldn't cost more than $100 to add all of the bells and whistles on the wish lists made here (eg. mirror memory, remote seat/mirror memory, mirror drop in reverse, etc.). I'm sure that there isn't anyone here who wouldn't pay the $100 if it at least gave them the opportunity to have them, especially if they could be turned on/off (as applicable).
Personally, I find it a major and very irritating oversight to not have included the mirrors in the memory setting. I'm sure that a signficant portion of those people driving the G35 are in two driver situations and having to adjust the mirrors all the time is a pain.
Oh, well, maybe in another 5-10 years. Sorry about the rampage, will get off the soapbox now.
Scott
I have read several posts in this forum complaining about BMW salesmen being aloof. In contrast, I found them, as well as Infiniti and Lexus dealers to be courteous and helpful without being pushy.
Oh, the CTS. The frontal view is strange but eh, unique, and the interior is not too bad. However, the rear end is just hideous.
vnk42, thanks for price input. Maybe I don't have to wait far too long before I go get my own G35 now. BTW, did they din you on the trade-in?
http://www.cartogra.com/home/viewmyalbum.asp?coll_id=1461707
What an awesome car! My 3+ hour drive home was great - such a smooth ride. The only bad part was running over a cat less than 5 miles from my house. No damage to the car though. (Yes, I was more worried about my car than I was about the cat. I'm a dog man myself...)
Anyway, I don't need to rehash what I've already said in previous posts, but I do have a few more observations, especially after my first night drive:
I have Goodyear Eagle RS-As - not the Bridgestone tires.
Someone was asking about a medical kit before. If you look at the rear armrest, there is a flap on the right side. If you lift the flap, you'll see a compartment inside the armrest, and there is a medical kit in there.
I've seen posts from the Canadians mentioning they don't have CD cases and such. It actually didn't come with my car either, but the salesman pulled it out of another car and gave it to me. Apparently Infiniti forgot to include it with quite a few cars...
The clock is WORTHLESS at night. I can't read it - not enough light.
The instrument lighting definitely reflects back onto the top quarter of the windshield at night. I did not notice it at first, but as I was driving home, I recalled a post about it. Then, WAMMO - there it was, and it annoyed the heck out of me. Looks like the instrument hood does not extend out far enough, or the panel should be set further back. There are a couple of ways to deal with this. One, dim the panel lights or two, put your sun visor down. I chose to put the sun visor down (it's kind of comical). Someone will make some money if they come up with some kind of after market instrument panel hood extender...
When you're driving down the road at 85 mph, Bose cranked up, and you come up on one of those double trailer trucks doing 60 mph and a Pinto trying to pass him doing 60.00001 mph... Well.... That really sucks...
Oh yeah, you can't hear your cell phone ring either...
I forgot one more thing. I stopped at a 7-11 on the way home. As I'm paying for my drink, I watch a guy in a BMW 740 drive up. He gets out of his car, walks past the store entrance without even looking at it, and walks straight over to the G. I'm walking out about this time and he turns to me and says
"Sweet car! What is it?"
I'm sure that won't be the last reaction like that...
P.S. That wasn't a Klingon Battlecruiser you passed, it was the dude in the new 745i ;-)
The wood in the Black/Black looks great in my opinion. One thing to watch for is on the center console, cup holder lid, have noticed a few small scrathes, might be from my jacket zipper, The material of the center console, feels like black metal is pretty pourous (did I spell that right), anyways I urge caution as it looks like it can scratch easily.
P.S. got alot of wierd looks in Vermont, Had to turn around in some exotic used car dealers lot , you should have seen the three salesmen jump up from their desks and run to the window and stare, they had lots of cool cars there , a lotuus, a few Ferarries etc.. and here they were looking at my G35. Have to be honest, $900.00 off MSRP which I paid is well worth the attention I am getting. Kind of cool.
Looks too conservative. Nissan needs more aggressive styling to take on the bmw and audi.
Yes, I'll get the windows tinted next week. I didn't want to have them done in Shreveport in case I had a problem with them. I really don't want to drive 3 hours to get window tinting fixed.
You asked about the wood on graphite interior, so I took a couple more photos. I also took shots of the "hump", g-string holder, bra holder, safty kit and a few other things...
http://www.cartogra.com/home/ViewMyAlbum.asp?coll_id=1462922
Scott
bz2yx9 - where is the G35? That looks like a Bimmer to me.
It makes a late model BMW look old and tired. (One was sitting very close by.) They had it in Silver, White and a Bright maroon. All had Black leather.All were in the $31,000 range and one was just $30,650.
If the car will run and and handle with a 3 series, and perhaps 5 series, it certainly has the style and price to do it's job. The interior looked super compared to any 3 or 5 series in my opinion.
I also want to say this about the styling. It is very very new looking, but in addition, it's styling has a trend setting overall appearance that could easily carry forward and look fresh, (with minor freshening) for many years. The front is most impressive. The BMW that was no more than 20 feet way, did indeed look old and tired compared to the G35.
I have seen the 7 series BMW and it looks strong all the way; The Q45 also looks strong, all the way! I plan on driving the G car some day this week, and look forward to that.
Mrsbjrich also thouhgt the car was beautiful......I doubt if I can convince her to get rid of her Acura right now.
Bob
(GO TERPS!)
Check out the BMW board. Few complaints and it mostly centers on summer/winter tires not why does the manumatic read 4m when I shift it over.
You are right there is NO PERFECT VEHICLE but for $36k(fully loaded) this is not a perfect vehicle. 6.8 for the auto with 260 HP and 260 lbs of torque. 330i with 225HP and 214 lbs of torque does 7 seconds. Not much difference here. Testing a new car(as some want to justify in their buying decision but certainly not accurate with 0 miles to say it was not broken in is justification for why the time is 6.8 and not lower.) Come on. Does that mean every other car was not tested new or was it just the G.
Negatives: BMW remotes work the seat and mirrors when you push the button. 2 separate key fobs for a family. I never use my wifes so no big deal. Passenger rear view mirrors tilts when backng up. Parking brake not on the floor. Lighted steering wheel controls. Telescoping steering wheel. Shifting into Manumatic at a stop light-tranmission is in 2nd. Can downshift to 1st if want. Slip it over at highway speeds and gives you the current gear you are in in automatic. No automatic upshift. Can redline in every gear. Wider tires. Forward tilt headrests. Fog lights. Heated outside mirrors. Oil changes every 15k miles. Child tether achors in the rear.
I only bring these up b/c some want to overlook the minor deficiencies b/c they hate the competition and not just LOVE the G35. In my book these add up and that is why a BMW costs $4-5K more.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bz2yx9
Click on G35 and you'll see 2 photo albums. Select one and then go to slideshow...
I hope to take it for a test drive soon!
You will not find a perfect car for $360,000 either. Certainly not one that pleases everyone.
I don't take anything away from the G35, but as far as the coupe with the 6 speed 280 hp and in general automotive competition. BMW as well as other auto manufactures aren't standing still either. The rumors about the new 3 series Valvetronic engines if they are in fact "true rumors" are very exciting. I think when BMW releases it's new models over the coming model year or so, BMW will do what it does best. Luxury, performance and safe driving set to a new standard. And while they're doing that the other auto manufactures will be trying to play catch up once again.
bz2yx9 - Thanks for the pics they were the best I've seen of the interior.
cecilit - you forgot to mention the rechargeable flashlight, ski bags, 20 minute timer on the radio, lock car and auto close all windows/sunroof, motion and tilt sensor alarm, etc
Actually, the part that upset me the most is the front. If anything, it's because the hood is too long in proportion to the rest of the car. I know it's probably because they needed room to fit the engine, but the car looks like its hood stretches too far out in front of it.
Anyone have pictures on the M45?
I am hoping the M45 has some kind of distinctive design, as the Q45 looks a lot like the G35 and from a distance i had to look twice to see which was which.
Stripped vehicles is not what a sport/luxury buyer wants(95% of the time). By the time you option a vehicle out whether it is Infiniti or BMW you need to add those options. If you want a cloth non-luxury type car save the bucks get a convertible 2 door mustang GT. I've had 2 since '91 and they were fast as all with more torque than you could imagine. Would kill the G and 330i off the line.
http://www.nissan.co.jp/GLORIA
Not terribly impressive, IMO. We will know for sure as the New York auto show gets underway.
I am happy for those who have managed to get some discount, and it seems to vary widely between cities. I am sure the number of dealers in an area has an influence. Also some dealers are just naturally aggressive. The bottom line is that this is a new car, and is selling as fast as the dealers can get them in. My dealer has 2 Q45s he would gladly discount by several thousands to get rid of them, because with Nav & rear camera, they are not competitive. If you (I am addressing all those who insist on a discount) owned a dealership, and had hot cars along with some dogs which you had to discount, would you not want to maximize your return on the hot properties? Dealerships cost money, and they have to make it, in order to be there when you want service.
Another factor in Canadian pricing at least is that Infiniti priced it to $5000 less than its nearest competitor, and feel the car is already discounted. I created an Excel spreadsheet comparing many aspects of the G35 and 8 competitors to help me decide. The only cars that were close, or a bit less were the Passat, Chrysler 300M, and the Acura TL 3.5 S 3.2. None of these have the Navigation option, and they have all been around for awhile, suggesting replacement models soon.
So ensy, if you have managed $500 off, and they should for a repeat customer, then grab it, as I suspect if the car is successful as it appears to be, next years model will be $2-5k Cdn. more. If you want the spreadsheet, e-mail me at: rparkins@infotel-systems.com.
I've always thought Japanese styling left a lot to be desired, but the G35 is by far one of the best looking of its class. If it has reliability like its siblings, it's a winner. If you don't keep a car past warranty or buy the extended warranty and don't mind trips for service, the choice is large.
I just don't think Nissan would bring over a car that obviously couldn't compete. Maybe they're thinking the next generation Gloria? This Gloria's been around for a while, AFAIK.