Once the G-coupe and the Z-car come out, you know that the G35-sedan owners are going to run to their friendly neighborhood mod shops to bump up the horsepower on their sedans to match these two coupes.
The new G35 coupe is simply stunning. It appears to be everything I had hoped for... i.e a cross between the G35 sedan and the Nissan 350Z. It's a great time to be an empty nester... oh yes indeed.;-)
I've been in moderate confusion of the several reviews of the G where they claim that there is little to no wind noise at all... They do cite reference to the tire/road noise on concrete and very little on smooth asphalt and I have definitely witnessed that, but the absence of wind noise assessment is a bit troubling to me.
What I have noticed is that at anything under 90mph wind noise is generated by the largish windshield wipers. There is not enough of a fairing effect on the rear of the hood to deflect the airflow up and over the aerodynamic "dirtiness" of the wiper arms and you can actually hear the noise at a moderate level and very distinctly as passenger if you move your head close to the windshield...
Also, if you turn the wipers on while at speed you you can hear the alternating "whoosh" and "silence" as the wipers move thru their arc.
It is just a guess but I am thinking that the reason that the noise diminishes greatly at 90+ is that the pressure area around the bottom of the windshield increases and causes the airflow to lift above the wiper arms...
Try it sometime on the freeway, not the 90+ thing! *laughing*, but the turning on the wipers and listening for the change in sound...
I'd only seen the sketches before today, when pictures were finally made available. All I can say is: My Lord! That is one fine-looking automobile!
The coupe just looks amazing. I've been interested in the G35 for awhile and tried convincing myself that the sedan was what I wanted...and it's nice, don't get me wrong, but it's not as exhilarating as that coupe!
The best photo source for Nissan/Infiniti vehicles is simply www.nissannews.com. This is Nissan's official press release site and it includes a huge library of press photos of all Nissan/Infiniti models. Each picture comes in web-resolution and gigantic print resolution.
I'm hearing on the freshalloy site that people have already begun putting deposits at dealers on the G35 Coupe. My question is: How do you know how much you'll pay for the car? What if when the car comes in the dealer slaps a $5,000 mark-up on the car? (Any Infiniti dealers reading this - don't you DARE think of doing that!).
If you balk and go to another dealer, you'll be at the back of the line at the 2nd dealer, right? I wonder how many Coupes Nissan is thinking of shipping over here per year?
But do you think it is wise to have the 350Z and the G35 coupe so close together in price? I love the rear end...it looks so much better than the sedan.
The M45 on the other hand looks like it was born with gray hair, bad eyes, and dusty farts.
I left work before noon and drove the 62 miles to my "local" Infiniti dealer today. I got to drive the car and the salesman gave me some informaiton I haven't heard.
Apologies if I'm repeating, but there's no way I can keepup with all of the posts on this board and keep my job! An interesting feature at the Infiniti dealerhsip that I haven't heard: a specific salesman is named to specialize in one model of the car and it's his job to know "everything." This is Sal Hansford at Inskip and he really does know the ins & outs.
How come no one makes a fuss over the washers? Mounted on the blades, they will be more effective, especially at speed, than any design I've seen.
My estimate: the comparison to the BMW is deserved. In spite of all the boyish chest beating that has gone on here, the car is very fine. The comparison to the Altima is also well-deserved. Now, why the Nissan designers allowed this to happen is beyond me -- certainly being a different platform made it so they were free of the constraints they found with the Altima. Fortunately, both cars are beautiful, and the G has enough differences that you're not going to get confused in a parking lot, or at least not like you can if you own a TL and it parks near and Accord.
The emerald mist is stunning in the sun, not so hot in the shade. FYI, the blue is the same as is available on the Q45, for those who have struggled to find it (according to Sal). The rest of the colors are sort of dull. In size, the car (by feel, not dimensions) is between the 330i and the 530i, with a trunk only a bit larger than that of the 3 series.
Inside, I had no problem with the things people complain about: couldn't even find a "bump," and I found the black interior clean, intuitive, and high quality consistent for its price. (If you want more, you'll have to pay more, like always.) I really liked the airiness and brightness of the cabin.
My guess is that people who claim that it will "blow away" the 330 or the 530 and maybe even approach the 540 most likely are coming from a car that was cheaper, or a loaded version of a cheaper design, maybe a Volks or a Maxima, all fine cars but not in the same class as the G is aspiring to at all. That, combined with a lack of significant experience with a BMW, could be very misleading. Certainly the G can outaccelearate the smaller engines, the 325, 328 ... and the ride is very similar.
Steering: precise and moderately heavy, similar to 530. Steering feel: good, but not so good as the 530/330. Suspension: well-planted, but maybe a little too easy to "surprise." (More time needed:-) I would have no need for the sport suspension as this was "just right," like the BMW. Transimission: shift points are perfect for auto driving; doesn't drop a gear unless you really mean it. Auto/manual gate is on the wrong side, away from the driver, imo. But it has a nice touch. Engine: eager, powerful. Similar to the 3.0 series in the BMW again, but not so smooth. (I've never found a V that was a smooth as an inline.) Brakes: Exceptional! Firm and steady ... I used them a lot, and in one 'emergency' that would have been if the brakes hadn't 'seen' the truck deciding to turn in front. Absolutely lovely. Exhaust noise: Good volume under power, but a little 'metallic' and artificial(?), I thought. Seating: Shoulder room and bolsters were very good, except in my thighs, especially on the right. Not a problem, but I could have been more comfortable.
I would truly like to try a 6M, so I asked Sal about the coupe. He said that his GM has just come back from a meeting of some sort and they are trying very hard to get the date moved up as they want to ride on the popularity and interest they have now. I don't know what to make of this. He wasn't trying to sell me and I believe that he believes it will happen, but .... and maybe they'll have better colors for that one.
I asked him about the M45 and the rumor I'd heard here that it would compete with the 5 series of BMW with its V8. He said that was not correct. This one he said would sell mid-40s and ride more like the Q.
Anyway: I had a great time and conclude that this car is a terrific bargain. (Doh.)
No posts from gabman for over 3 days!!! Holy cow!! I was interested in his gas mileage situation. I have discovered the G35 does not get very good mileage if you vary the speeds on the highway. I passed 800 miles yesterday and decided to set the cruise and let it go. The indicated mileage (miles driven vs gauge movement) seemed to improve significantly. I drove the final 100 miles on a 300 mile tank using the cruise and got a combined tank of 22mpg for mostly highway cruising (70-75) with about 10-15% in-town driving. This is an improvement on the just under 20mpg I got on the first tank. That tank was the one the dealer gave me (I got it three days late because it was raining when I picked up the car and I did not bring it back for 3 days - they then filled it up) so I do not know how they topped the tank off. I have right at 900 miles and hopefully this tank will get me up to 24-25 average for the tank. I guess I have to keep me foot out of it if I want that kind of mileage. Not sure I can...
I have been lurking for a few weeks in this forum. Thanks to all the reviews and advice from everyone, I finally took the plunge tonite.
I have been lusting after this car for the last 6 months and now it is in my driveway
It's a beautiful car. You have to see in person, the picture does not do it justice. The ride and handling is superb. BMW is still the standard for all sport sedan in my view, however this G is pretty darn close in handling even with the non-Sport suspension. I will give the G an edge for over all performance dued to 260 Hp and 260 ft/lb torque.
I actually test drove the G twice and each time the salesman was cool, he let me push the car pretty hard. Even without sport suspension, there were hardly any body roll through this back road, twisty course. I can imagine how tight it would be with the sport package. I was able to see the VDC (vehicle dynamic control) at work, I did fast circles in this tiny island, and I was actually glued/pin to my seat. The VDC assisted the braking whenever I oversteer or understeer (very impressive).
I got brilliant silver on graphite interior. I love the design on interior, clean and ergo looking. The titanium looks good on black also. I opted not to go for premium or sport package, if I wanted luxury I would have gone the Lexus es, I35 or Merc C320. I got what I wanted; bose, roof and leather. I really wanted xenon also, however most local dealers ordered xenon with premium package. So I will have to get my after market HID xenon elsewhere.
I'm really excited about this purchase. btw. I did test drive the BMW 330 also to make sure I won't have buyer remorse. The G wins for overall value. The G is about the closest you can get to a BMW without the extra 7k. Anyway, too many dam BMW's in this area (DC metro), I don't want a car that everyone has
I paid 500 us dollar off the MSRP, for anyone who is interested. This is one hot car! it will stay near MSRP for a while. Get it while it's hot.
To give credit to the BMW fans that lurk around here, I decided to try the 330i again. However, this time, I drove the sport model. (The standard 330i only has 205/55-17's on it and the sport has 225/45-18 on front and 255/45-18 on back, at least this one did for BEST handling.)
I found the 330 a nice ride, as I had before. However, it fell short of the G35 in performance in many areas. The handling was slightly worse than the base G35 (see my previous message about my lack of respect for the sport package). Considering that this 330 had MUCH wider, lower profile, and higher quality tires than the G35 does, it REALLY doesn't speak well for its handling vs the G35.
The braking was about the same. Very similar with the ABS being noticable, but not in your face. I had the same problem with getting a smooth stop with the 330 that I (and others) have had with the G35.
The accelleration was definitely, resoundingly a step below (the recently quoted Car and Driver test supports this). The extra 35HP and additional 46ft-lb of torque of the G35 sure make a difference.
Hey, one thing I have to admit that BMW has ALL OVER the G35 is the drivers seat. The $1200 sport package comes with a pair of the best front seats that I have EVER sat in. They HUG you in place and it is a great feeling. I'd be WELL willing to spend $1200 on an equivalent sport package for the G35. Heck the seats are almost worth that much. (You really need to sit in them to see what I mean.)
So, the bottom line? Are the seats worth a full $7000 more in the BMW? No way! The G35 blows the 330i away in the value category. In addition to the superior performance, you get much more interior room (especially in the back seat) and a much larger trunk.
dafreak - According to the quote about the new Inifiniti watchamacallit system, they said EVERY "2003 Q45, M45, and G35 sedan and coupe" will be getting it. I assume this means that it will be available as a retrofit for those of use who already have one (or will soon).
blueguydotcom - The quote about HP for the G35 coupe said "275-PLUS" HP. How do you figure that means less than 275HP? Or was "will not" supposed to be "will" be more than 275HP?
Also, where did you get the information about Nissan offering aftermarket performance parts for the G35's with warranties? Would LOVE to take a look!
ateixeira - I heard that the "Z" will be putting out ~300 HP from my Inifiniti dealer (or at least that what he said he'd heard).
montmax - Only .84G's?!? Heck, the Acura 3.2TL Type S did .83G's. I thought the G35 would have performed MUCH better than an Acura. Hmmm, maybe they were testing the Sport package. One good piece of news is that the 0-60 and 1/4 mile put the G35 solidly ahead of the 330i in speed.
68bullitt - I like your enthusiasm for the G35, but I can't see ANY way that a manual could cut 1.2 seconds off a 0-60 time (or 1/4 mile either). .2 to .4 seconds? Yes. >.5 seconds? I don't think so. (I WISH!
gandhim - For extra HP I wonder if we will be able to plug in the Coupe or "Z" computer chips and get some extra HP? (I hope!
neo_gtrw - My bet is it was the base model in the test. The Sport package isn't very good. I found the handling to actually be WORSE! I wish I had a "G" meter to do my own testing...
jwilson1 - In your description of "smooth" in relation to the 330i's engine, could you describe what you mean? I drove one today and did not find it any better or "smoother", just less powerful.
Also, where did you get the information about Nissan offering aftermarket performance parts for the G35's with warranties? - sturbrook
All the body kits that Infiniti is offering right now on the G35 are actually Nismo kits. Presumably sometime down the line as the G models get a bit more established, more goodies will be sent our way from Japan.
i called infiniti and from what they told me the additinoal options would be factory installed options...sooooo, there would not be a retrofit...i find that hard to believe but who knows....i decided i didnt need the options that would be coming out with the fall cars (although id like the XM radio) and purchased my car this evening....i couldnt be more happier...i love it...the black on black with the sport wheels is simply breathtaking...i dont think i would have liked the blue more....and if your like me and like the "luxury" items as well, opt for the premium and the NAV...they add so much to the car...its hard to explain but they made the car seem complete to me and my wife...for 35.5K we got a BMW killer and saved 7K for a comprably equipped 330....the gas mileage is going to be an issue but i knew that...who cares...also, the salesman told me there is no break in period with this car and to drive it like i would normally...as you know the car "learns" your driving style and adjusts to it...as he told me you could pull up to a G35 and your car could be faster then the G35 next to you...all depends on how you "teach it" to react...i looked at the dealer with an open mouth and then looked at my wife and smiled...she thinks i am crazy....bottom line=i have no regrets and never will...we love this car...
I can't wait till mine breaks in. I got mine w/ 10 miles on it. Still virgin (no test drive), so I'm trying to be gentle w/ it, but it is so hard. It seems to want to be pushed harder.
Good grief, the Coupe won't have 275 hp, it'll have 275+ HP. Is that confusing? The only way I can figure this is causing so much consternation is that you guys assume by me saying the G won't have 275 that you think I'm negating all numbers above it. I'm saying the coupe will, as Infiniti claims have more than 275 HP. I wouldn't say the G35 Sedan has 245 HP, because it doesn't. It has 260. Technically, it does have 245 but who cites a car's horsepower by mentioning a lower number than its max? That's like saying, "I love my Modena, it's got 200 hp."
Back when Nissan announced Nismo and R-Spec this was included. You'd have to go through the nissannews.com site to find that. Nissan's doing exactly what Toyota, MB and BMW have done with TRD, M and AMG. They're finally encouraging tuning. Honda's about to jump into the fray too.
I was referring to the G35 Coupe with manual versus the G35 sedan with auto. I believe the coupe should be significantly faster in 0-60 due to four factors not just manual vs. auto. 1. Manuals are usually faster by at least 0.5 sec vs. most automatics. 2. Extra 15-20 HP probably good for another 0.3 sec. 3. The wider rear performance tires (235s vs. 215s) will provide superior grip upon acceleration from a standstill good for probably another 0.2 sec. 4. The likely lighter weight due to the coupe being a shorter and smaller car with two less doors probably good for another 0.2 sec.
Thus, add this all up and I wouldn't be surprised if the coupe with manual is 1.2 sec faster than the sedan with auto in 0-60 mph.
Earlier I mentioned that I had seen Acura 3.2TL Type S skid pad results at .83G, however, please correct that to .81. The G35 at .84G has significantly better handling... DOH!
Just when I was ready to pull the trigger on my purchase they announce the Infiniti Communicator Telematics System. Any ideas on what this system will be? What is Wingcast and how would the system adapt to personal preferences? I figured they would come out with XM radio soon but the rest of this stuff would be so cool since I am in my car all day long (sales rep). There are two red G35's at a local dealer loaded just the way I want but now it looks like its back to reading posts and maybe waiting a little longer.
I hope the inclusion of telematics does not involve some sort of mast antenna being added to the sedan or coupe. That would be a negative in my opinion
According to Jack Collins (Nissan's North American VP of Product Planning) in his introduction of the G35 coupe at the NY Auto Show, the Cd (coefficient of drag) of the coupe is .29 (.28 w/spoiler). I found this somewhat surprising since the G35 sedan numbers are listed as .27 (.26 w/spoiler). I would have thought the coupe, from appearance alone, would have the lower Cd.
The G35 coupe is wider (2.6 inches). But, it's also lower (3 inches) and shorter (4 inches). I guess I just find it rather amazing that Infiniti managed to make the bigger G35 sedan body more aerodynamic then the smaller and sleeker looking G35 coupe.
I have been following the forum for some time and I have not yet been able to drive one yet. I wanted to know if the Titanium interior only came with the sports suspension? And which interior to people like best base,titanium, or wood? Any pictures would be great
the titanium only comes with the sport tuned suspension package...i picked mine up last night and love it...black on graphite....i would have been just as happy with the regular interior...i dont like the wood personally....go to freshalloy.com, there are pictures all over in the G35 forum...
of course i head to work this morning and its raining....a whole 12 hours with my dry, waxed beautiful G and now its all dirty...im going to take it back to the dealer this weekend and ill ask them if they can make it look new again...
This might be the best note on availability for the sedan - looks like early '03.....
"Unlike the sedan that went on sale in March, the coupe will be launched in November with the Z car's 6-speed manual transmission. The sedan will get the same stick a few months later. Infiniti estimates as few as 5 percent of buyers would opt for the manual, but the option is critical to sport-sedan credibility among enthusiasts and media."
Last night, I had an opportunity to check out the NY Auto Show for special preview. I drive an A4 now and I wanted to check out G35 sedan/coupe. I first saw the sedan but didn't care much about the exterior. After checking out so many new and future cars, the G35 sedan just looked little outdated already. Then I checked out G35 coupe. It was much nicer than the sedan. There wasn't much resemblance to the sedan except for the lights. The interior layout was very nice and material on the front console was good. However, the center console and material around the gear and between the seats were too plasticky. It had a nice pop up DVD display which I loved. The seats were combination of suede and leather, a nice touch but I think it can get hot in summer time. The color of interior was too grey, I hoped it was little darker. Also, I noticed I couldn't read the speedometer with bright light shining outside. (Do they come up if the ignition is on?) My main concern is the rear seat. I know coupes don't have much space in the rear but that's not my concern. My concern is that it was very difficult to move the front seats forward to get into the rear. (I found this process very simple in a BMW coupe.) Also, I was able to stand half way between the G35 and 350Z and look at them together. They looked very similar. The big difference was the roofline on Z sloped down more than the G. My overall impression on the coupe is positive and if the price is right should sell well. Also the RX-8 looked awesome but I couldn't see the interior.
i test drove both cars and prefered the car with the sport suspension...i took 5 test drives....i love the sport suspension....my wife commented that the general ride seemed rough to her but when you go over rail road tracks or "larger" bumps i feel it does a nice job...better then our 2001 Passat....if you like road feel then i would recommend the sport...long highway trips should not be adversely affected....tire noise has not been bad at all but i will report more once i drive it a little longer....one thing i did notice was a rattle in the dash somewhere, so i hope to get it to the dealer this weekend to have it fixed.... my wife lives with the rattles but they drive me nuts and on this car they should not be there...the sport is a sport ride...if you dont like that id recommend you dont get it, but for the $400 or whatever it is you get the sport suspension, the upgraded wheels and the titanium trim....very nice...!!!!
has the updated info on the coupe and M45...coupe comes with brembo brake and limited slip options..now we all know infiniti is doing it right for us...i bet the sedan will upgrade to these options in the future as well...great job, carlos
Comments
-juice
I've been in moderate confusion of the several reviews of the G where they claim that there is little to no wind noise at all... They do cite reference to the tire/road noise on concrete and very little on smooth asphalt and I have definitely witnessed that, but the absence of wind noise assessment is a bit troubling to me.
What I have noticed is that at anything under 90mph wind noise is generated by the largish windshield wipers. There is not enough of a fairing effect on the rear of the hood to deflect the airflow up and over the aerodynamic "dirtiness" of the wiper arms and you can actually hear the noise at a moderate level and very distinctly as passenger if you move your head close to the windshield...
Also, if you turn the wipers on while at speed you you can hear the alternating "whoosh" and "silence" as the wipers move thru their arc.
It is just a guess but I am thinking that the reason that the noise diminishes greatly at 90+ is that the pressure area around the bottom of the windshield increases and causes the airflow to lift above the wiper arms...
Try it sometime on the freeway, not the 90+ thing! *laughing*, but the turning on the wipers and listening for the change in sound...
I could just as easily be full of it!
Faenor/Dane4
The coupe just looks amazing. I've been interested in the G35 for awhile and tried convincing myself that the sedan was what I wanted...and it's nice, don't get me wrong, but it's not as exhilarating as that coupe!
Can't wait for November!
The first photo makes a perfect wallpaper on your desktop pc.
If you balk and go to another dealer, you'll be at the back of the line at the 2nd dealer, right? I wonder how many Coupes Nissan is thinking of shipping over here per year?
The M45 on the other hand looks like it was born with gray hair, bad eyes, and dusty farts.
Apologies if I'm repeating, but there's no way I can keepup with all of the posts on this board and keep my job! An interesting feature at the Infiniti dealerhsip that I haven't heard: a specific salesman is named to specialize in one model of the car and it's his job to know "everything." This is Sal Hansford at Inskip and he really does know the ins & outs.
How come no one makes a fuss over the washers? Mounted on the blades, they will be more effective, especially at speed, than any design I've seen.
My estimate: the comparison to the BMW is deserved. In spite of all the boyish chest beating that has gone on here, the car is very fine. The comparison to the Altima is also well-deserved. Now, why the Nissan designers allowed this to happen is beyond me -- certainly being a different platform made it so they were free of the constraints they found with the Altima. Fortunately, both cars are beautiful, and the G has enough differences that you're not going to get confused in a parking lot, or at least not like you can if you own a TL and it parks near and Accord.
The emerald mist is stunning in the sun, not so hot in the shade. FYI, the blue is the same as is available on the Q45, for those who have struggled to find it (according to Sal). The rest of the colors are sort of dull. In size, the car (by feel, not dimensions) is between the 330i and the 530i, with a trunk only a bit larger than that of the 3 series.
Inside, I had no problem with the things people complain about: couldn't even find a "bump," and I found the black interior clean, intuitive, and high quality consistent for its price. (If you want more, you'll have to pay more, like always.) I really liked the airiness and brightness of the cabin.
My guess is that people who claim that it will "blow away" the 330 or the 530 and maybe even approach the 540 most likely are coming from a car that was cheaper, or a loaded version of a cheaper design, maybe a Volks or a Maxima, all fine cars but not in the same class as the G is aspiring to at all. That, combined with a lack of significant experience with a BMW, could be very misleading. Certainly the G can outaccelearate the smaller engines, the 325, 328 ... and the ride is very similar.
Steering: precise and moderately heavy, similar to 530.
Steering feel: good, but not so good as the 530/330.
Suspension: well-planted, but maybe a little too easy to "surprise." (More time needed:-) I would have no need for the sport suspension as this was "just right," like the BMW.
Transimission: shift points are perfect for auto driving; doesn't drop a gear unless you really mean it. Auto/manual gate is on the wrong side, away from the driver, imo. But it has a nice touch.
Engine: eager, powerful. Similar to the 3.0 series in the BMW again, but not so smooth. (I've never found a V that was a smooth as an inline.)
Brakes: Exceptional! Firm and steady ... I used them a lot, and in one 'emergency' that would have been if the brakes hadn't 'seen' the truck deciding to turn in front. Absolutely lovely.
Exhaust noise: Good volume under power, but a little 'metallic' and artificial(?), I thought.
Seating: Shoulder room and bolsters were very good, except in my thighs, especially on the right. Not a problem, but I could have been more comfortable.
I would truly like to try a 6M, so I asked Sal about the coupe. He said that his GM has just come back from a meeting of some sort and they are trying very hard to get the date moved up as they want to ride on the popularity and interest they have now. I don't know what to make of this. He wasn't trying to sell me and I believe that he believes it will happen, but .... and maybe they'll have better colors for that one.
I asked him about the M45 and the rumor I'd heard here that it would compete with the 5 series of BMW with its V8. He said that was not correct. This one he said would sell mid-40s and ride more like the Q.
Anyway: I had a great time and conclude that this car is a terrific bargain. (Doh.)
Take care.
Joe W.
-Infiniti is the only automaker that I know of that offers 20 different shades of grey.
I had washers in the wiper arms on my Pontiac Grand Prix GTP and they were OK. I did not think that it was a particularly special feature.
I prefer the washers in my Chrysler 300M that shoot three streams each from nozzles on the hood.
Thanks to all the reviews and advice from everyone, I finally took the plunge tonite.
I have been lusting after this car for the last 6 months and now it is in my driveway
It's a beautiful car. You have to see in person, the picture does not do it justice. The ride and handling is superb. BMW is still the standard for all sport sedan in my view, however this G is pretty darn close in handling even with the non-Sport suspension. I will give the G an edge for over all performance dued to 260 Hp and 260 ft/lb torque.
I actually test drove the G twice and each time the salesman was cool, he let me push the car pretty hard. Even without sport suspension, there were hardly any body roll through this back road, twisty course. I can imagine how tight it would be with the sport package. I was able to see the VDC (vehicle dynamic control) at work, I did fast circles in this tiny island, and I was actually glued/pin to my seat. The VDC assisted the braking whenever I oversteer or understeer (very impressive).
I got brilliant silver on graphite interior. I love the design on interior, clean and ergo looking. The titanium looks good on black also. I opted not to go for premium or sport package, if I wanted luxury I would have gone the Lexus es, I35 or Merc C320. I got what I wanted; bose, roof and leather. I really wanted xenon also, however most local dealers ordered xenon with premium package. So I will have to get my after market HID xenon elsewhere.
I'm really excited about this purchase. btw. I did test drive the BMW 330 also to make sure I won't have buyer remorse. The G wins for overall value. The G is about the closest you can get to a BMW without the extra 7k. Anyway, too many dam BMW's in this area (DC metro), I don't want a car that everyone has
I paid 500 us dollar off the MSRP, for anyone who is interested. This is one hot car! it will stay near MSRP for a while. Get it while it's hot.
Regards,
Tony,
I found the 330 a nice ride, as I had before. However, it fell short of the G35 in performance in many areas. The handling was slightly worse than the base G35 (see my previous message about my lack of respect for the sport package). Considering that this 330 had MUCH wider, lower profile, and higher quality tires than the G35 does, it REALLY doesn't speak well for its handling vs the G35.
The braking was about the same. Very similar with the ABS being noticable, but not in your face. I had the same problem with getting a smooth stop with the 330 that I (and others) have had with the G35.
The accelleration was definitely, resoundingly a step below (the recently quoted Car and Driver test supports this). The extra 35HP and additional 46ft-lb of torque of the G35 sure make a difference.
Hey, one thing I have to admit that BMW has ALL OVER the G35 is the drivers seat. The $1200 sport package comes with a pair of the best front seats that I have EVER sat in. They HUG you in place and it is a great feeling. I'd be WELL willing to spend $1200 on an equivalent sport package for the G35. Heck the seats are almost worth that much. (You really need to sit in them to see what I mean.)
So, the bottom line? Are the seats worth a full $7000 more in the BMW? No way! The G35 blows the 330i away in the value category. In addition to the superior performance, you get much more interior room (especially in the back seat) and a much larger trunk.
Thanks Infiniti for a real winner!
Scott
blueguydotcom - The quote about HP for the G35 coupe said "275-PLUS" HP. How do you figure that means less than 275HP? Or was "will not" supposed to be "will" be more than 275HP?
Also, where did you get the information about Nissan offering aftermarket performance parts for the G35's with warranties? Would LOVE to take a look!
ateixeira - I heard that the "Z" will be putting out ~300 HP from my Inifiniti dealer (or at least that what he said he'd heard).
montmax - Only .84G's?!? Heck, the Acura 3.2TL Type S did .83G's. I thought the G35 would have performed MUCH better than an Acura. Hmmm, maybe they were testing the Sport package. One good piece of news is that the 0-60 and 1/4 mile put the G35 solidly ahead of the 330i in speed.
68bullitt - I like your enthusiasm for the G35, but I can't see ANY way that a manual could cut 1.2 seconds off a 0-60 time (or 1/4 mile either). .2 to .4 seconds? Yes. >.5 seconds? I don't think so. (I WISH!
gandhim - For extra HP I wonder if we will be able to plug in the Coupe or "Z" computer chips and get some extra HP? (I hope!
neo_gtrw - My bet is it was the base model in the test. The Sport package isn't very good. I found the handling to actually be WORSE! I wish I had a "G" meter to do my own testing...
jwilson1 - In your description of "smooth" in relation to the 330i's engine, could you describe what you mean? I drove one today and did not find it any better or "smoother", just less powerful.
Scott
Scott
All the body kits that Infiniti is offering right now on the G35 are actually Nismo kits. Presumably sometime down the line as the G models get a bit more established, more goodies will be sent our way from Japan.
Enjoy your G,
Tony,
Back when Nissan announced Nismo and R-Spec this was included. You'd have to go through the nissannews.com site to find that. Nissan's doing exactly what Toyota, MB and BMW have done with TRD, M and AMG. They're finally encouraging tuning. Honda's about to jump into the fray too.
Scott
1. Manuals are usually faster by at least 0.5 sec vs. most automatics.
2. Extra 15-20 HP probably good for another 0.3 sec.
3. The wider rear performance tires (235s vs. 215s) will provide superior grip upon acceleration from a standstill good for probably another 0.2 sec.
4. The likely lighter weight due to the coupe being a shorter and smaller car with two less doors probably good for another 0.2 sec.
Thus, add this all up and I wouldn't be surprised if the coupe with manual is 1.2 sec faster than the sedan with auto in 0-60 mph.
I'm betting on 7 horsepower. Total. It'll be a really fancy Model T. Hopefully the crank won't be too visible on the front.
Scott
Scott
http://www.wingcast.com/products/index.htm
This G35 and the upcoming coupe model in November keeps amazing me!
http://www.auto.com/industry/infini29_20020329.htm
The G35 coupe is wider (2.6 inches). But, it's also lower (3 inches) and shorter (4 inches). I guess I just find it rather amazing that Infiniti managed to make the bigger G35 sedan body more aerodynamic then the smaller and sleeker looking G35 coupe.
I wanted to know if the Titanium interior only came with the sports suspension?
And which interior to people like best base,titanium, or wood?
Any pictures would be great
This may also explain why the sedan has narrow tires - compared to all the other sports sedan competitors.
"Unlike the sedan that went on sale in March, the coupe will be launched in November with the Z car's 6-speed manual transmission. The sedan will get the same stick a few months later. Infiniti estimates as few as 5 percent of buyers would opt for the manual, but the option is critical to sport-sedan credibility among enthusiasts and media."
The main thing I am worried about is a sports suspension so harsh that it knocks my fillings loose...