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Comments
What do you mean by out of state DMV don't report traffic ticket data back to you local DMV? I'm interest to know, because I got a out of state ticket. Since this is not a G comment, please reply back via email to ed.kwok@navy.mil. Thanks.
I have AIG and they are typically low in price compared to other insurance company's
They quoted me $1570 per year for the G35 and about $1270 for the 350Z or 325Ci.
Just wanted to know if it is the same with other insurance company's.
Steve
But I was in the Honda dealership recently with my S2000 for an oil change and they asked me if I would like to drive anything while I waited. I replied an Accord Coupe 6-speed. No can do. Only 1 such vehicle is to be allocated to each dealership for the entire 2003 model year. They haven't received theirs yet. That would work out to roughly 1/2 of 1% of the 200+ coupes Sheehy Honda sells per year. What's up with that?
Infiniti seems to be confused about committing to sport minded drivers. The M45 should have a six speed option to better compete with a 540i, but doesn't. The G35 should to compete with the 330i, but didn't for the first year+. The former I30t lost it's manual transmission a few years ago. I want to give Infiniti credit for a more exciting drive than Lexus, but they aren't helping their own case.
I think Infiniti do that for a reason, that is to bump up the demand. Think about it, a 6 speed will be available for the G35 Sedan in early 03. All three car will be stock with the same manual trans.
Otherwise, Infiniti is doing a bad job with supply and demand.
The real question here is.... Will the Coupe have a little more room to nego. after the new year? I know one don't have to put out MSRP to own a sedan now. The sedan price should drop a little more once the coupe hit the market.
I am a cash buyer and waiting for the coupe to be release next week, and then will evaluate the situation. Keeping in mind, the convertiable Z is do to be release early part of 03.
Is it true that registration is very expensive in CA, but overall auto insurance is much less compared to other parts of the country?
Anyway, I will know a lot more about the G35 Coupe next week after a brief test drive. I explained to my salesman to deliver the car in March when the weather starts to cooperate. Who knows? It can snow in MArch and April!
When was the last time it snowed in San Diego, California?
I like Discover Infiniti usually, but every now and then a salesguy will say something like this...just nod and walk away. Infiniti did their homework on the G35...they have BMW as the entry level sport lux coupe paradigm. Do only 2% of the 3 ci buyers opt for the manual? Can't imagine Infiniti would be that shortsighted.
BTW, I read a piece from a current G35s owner who went to a focus group at the invite of Infiniti. He and other owners mentioned their likes and dislikes about the cars, took out modified versions of the G and gave quite a bit of feedback. Fast forward a bit and the 2003.5s arrive with some new touches. Infiniti is listening and I think they desperately want to be a contender for the first time on over 10 years.
Lived in SD for 11 years so far, no snow. Though we get frost every once in awhile.
FO&D.
HiC
Um, a car financed through Nissan's credit company is worth far more to the dealership than cash. Cash is pretty worthless when compared to a the same amount, plus a cut of the financing. People with really bad credit can sometimes get a dealership 2 or 3% of say a 9% finance rate. That's huge.
The car just came out, it is hot and supply is low since production is not fully ramped up.
In a matter of months, production will increase and the initial novelty of the car will wear off.
It remains to be seen if it will be just a few months or many months.
Today, you can forget about $1000 over invoice.
Two six speeds (both pre-ordered & pre-sold, not available for test drives) and the rest automatics with varying levels of equipment.
I took a leather w/sport package for a test drive. I'm very impressed with the car. Even with the 18" tires the ride was fine over rough surfaces (railroad tracks I could hear but couldn't feel through the seat.) Seat bolsters very nice (although I wonder about how snug things will be once winter weather and clothing arrives) and seats very comfortable. That back seat however is another issue. Thank God I'm never going to ride back there! Anyone over 5'10 isn't going to be happy.
Straight line acceleration was very nice, not neck snapping by any means but very smooth and powerfull. The cornering was very impressive up to and through 80 mph (that's as fast as I wanted to go in a relatively congested area). Brakes almost scary how fast they bring the car down from speed with no extra effort. Zero to 80mph to Zero was absolutely without any effort and very quick. Interior appointments are OK, nothing great, and not a detriment either IMHO.
I was able to drive a culdesac (in a kind of skid pad manuevuer) but couldn't get the tail of the car to start to let loose at all. Something (the limited slip differential?) kept me from getting the car "loose".
They are selling them at MSRP and have a couple available yet. One Red / Black interior in the show room loaded with every option including Nav was about $37.4. It's looks great in the red and the Black and the dark silver. I didn't care for the light silver.
Then I drove 65 miles home to Milwaukee and visited the Infiniti dealer there last night. One coupe for test drives, none for sale, and no one had any clue about the car, features, etc. What a difference 65 miles makes. Also makes me reconsider actually buying one based on the local dealer experience.
carnut86
I did drive a coupe, by the way, but not the one I bought. It's just a totally different experience than the sedan. Turned out it was too late to actually take delivery of the coupe this evening, so they're going to drive it up Monday and drive back my trade-in--a '99 VW Passat GLX, which has been a great car but nothing like the G35, that's for sure. Will write again when I've had more experience driving the coupe.
Anyhoo, onto my test drive....
Again, I really, really loved the look of this car, and was excited to get a chance to drive it at Grubbs here in Dallas, TX region. First thing I did was pop the trunk...I frowned. How the heck was I gonna fit my driver in this one?? And all my other junk to go with it!?!? Next thing I got in the car, my head found some room....in the sunroof. I tried to fiddle with the power seats, (which make no sense which direction they are going), and then couldn't figure out how to lean back the seat so that I would fit. So the salesman says, "you gotta use the plastic lever to the left of ya." (Hank Hill voice). Yeah, I didn't get why there was a plastic thingie, with the electric thingie too...
The interior looked as good as my current Honda Civic, 1999. (love that car, as i bought it while i was in school...it has sentimental value...but i digress) I was not very impressed with the interior. I always thought that you guys were exaggerating about the interior, but nope...y'all right on the dot.
The acceleration was great, but I echo the comments by djasonw, it sure doesn't feel like a 280hp, and the transmission wasn't as smooth as I would have liked it. This car was a G35 Premium, no Aero with Navi..so I assumed it had 18" wheels..man...what a bumpy ride....LOUD AND BUMPY! The engine was also noisy, and the wifey (who was making faces to me in the rearview mirror) told me later there was a "whiney" sound coming from the back, and she described the "turn signal" (yeah, some of us here in Texas use them...of course, we're Canadian), as manic...click-click-click 10 millions clicks a minute. (she's in a doctoral program for psychology).
Sorry to write an essay, but to summarize, very disappointed...I really wanted to like this car cuz it would've saved me about $10k over the CLK. Teaches me a lesson (and to all of you too) that never make a decision on a car unless you test drive it first. The G35C is a great lookin' car...if it was your buddy's.
I returned to my car after shopping at the local supermarket to see a pearl white new G35 sport coupe parked next to me.
The design really does not have a bad angle. It looks elegant to my eye from the back, front or side and more expensive than it is.
The owner returned to the coupe while I was admiring it and informed me that the car has won the Motor Trend Car of the year. Nissan is doing a great job putting the passion back in its cars.
Now I have to test drive the Z and the G35 Coupe to decide if I want to buy. I did test drive the G35 sedan and agree with previous posters that the engine did not feel like the rated horsepower of 260.
Cheers
Nissan is on an entirely different mission here. You're looking for a luxury car.
Good luck on your search.
Joe W.
Yes, it's true I am looking for a luxury sport coupe. I imagined that the Infiniti version of the Nissan 350Z would be a highly refined version. I guess I expected too much. If I have to spend 38k on a vehicle, it better have an interior that is better than a Nissan Sentra. There is more to a car than a pretty shape.
On the performance side: The car stops very well and with good manners. I personally didn't find the ride that stiff. The exhaust tone is a bit loud under 3/4-WOT to me for a "luxury" coupe. Car shifts very smooth (auto trans). Acceleration has me kind of miffed, the car has 280hp and 270lbs of torque but doesn't feel like it. In magazine tests that I have seen it turns decent numbers in 0-60 and 1/4 mile, but the car doesn't feel like it is putting out that much power. Leaves me wondering what the rear gear ratio is
Price is the other factor. To get the car with what I want on it, leather, sunroof, auto trans, etc., the trim level I would need to get is the leather version with the premium package. This would put the car at almost $35k and for that much there are many other cars I would have to very seriously consider buying over this one (new or used).
Ppower
djasonw, Nissan/Infiniti didn't miss the mark. Their cars are attracting plenty of young enthusiasts to their camp. G35 coupe is a pure sports car, not a luxury coupe. Infiniti isn't interested in attracting the aging MB and Lexus clients, and they should receive a medal for that.
There are? Maybe a used 330ci, but that's about it.
Shucks neo, I'm 59. I don't really think it's just a matter of age. I think it's attractive to some people BECAUSE it's a Nissan, or rather, it's NOT a BMW, Lexus, MB, or other vehicle with its assorted image "issues." Now, I don't think of myself as a snob, but I'd really rather not be seen in one of those cars.
Now, I agree with you when it comes time to buy the car -- then you can't be looking for a soft cushion. Nissan's designers carefully and wisely designed out the "cruise" quotient both in the Z and the Gc.
There will be lots of people who will still come in to look because there are lots of cars on the market that look sporting but, inside, are the same old slushmobile.
Now, I haven't driven one yet, but I have had a seat in one. And as a veteran of Civics, Ramblers and Pintos when I was young, this is far from "cheap." The word 'Spartan' would be more accurate, especially when compared with the Lexus, Audi, or Q ... a quality I actually admire, even in my sunset years.
TAke care. lol.
Joe W.
This was explained to me some years ago in a different Edmunds board as I posted regarding why I'd never own a BMW, owing to the "Yuppie Scum" image. I've since reconsidered and may well be driving a BMW in the next decade if the car I own now doesn't evolve appropriately for me in the next few years. I want 250+ hp, good handling and a manual transmission, which goes a long way towards explaining why I follow this board. Anyway, the poster was articulate and polite, and was able to appreciate the point of my posts, as I am yours.
Where I post regularly (not here), it's been recommended that if I'm not supportive of (fill in the blank), then I should have bought a WRX, since it's cheap and really quick. They're probably right, but it wasn't available at the time, besides which, there are other "issues."
It's interesting to watch people get all edgy and weird when they're called on their choices, relative to whether they bought their vehicle because of its capability or its image.
It often gets ugly. Welcome aboard!
First, I'm 6', and even with the seat down all the way, it seemed that I grazed the roof now and then. I didn't fool with the seat all that much so maybe this could be corrected. Otherwise the seat felt pretty good.
The test drive was short but I can say there is a noticeable difference in power compared to the sedan. Effortless acceleration is how I would best describe it, and I was probably following break-in guidelines and not abusing it. Very impressed.
Took it into a couple cul de sacs that I had driven the sedan in, and found I was able to go faster without the VDC(?) engaging. It felt solid.
Took it out on the highway briefly and made very short work of the onramp while leaving all oncoming traffic behind. Plenty of power going from 65-80. Face hurt from grinning.
The surprising thing to me was the availability. Salesman showed me what they had coming in and there was a nice mix of autos, and about 3 6 speeds coming in as soon as this week. Contrast that with the Z around here where you can't get a test drive and preorder demand won't be satisfied for a couple months yet.
All in all, I think I have found my next car. I am holding out for a 6 speed, but after driving the auto, I may not bother with it. This is coming from someone who was looking to get an A4 V6 6speed, love that car, but it just feels gutless after driving the Gs. Just my .02 .
If I want a Nissan interior looks, I would purchase a Nissan not a Infiniti.
Will be interested to hear your thoughts on the IS300. I test drove one about a year ago, great handling, solid feel, and at the time I felt had a good engine. Though driving the Gs has raised the bar for engine performance.
Am wishing Infiniti would put the same engine in the sedan and coupe a la BMW - the more powerful one of course.
I am a long-time fan of German cars, my past two were BMW3 and Audi A4. I never really paid much attention to any of the Japanese offerings until I saw some pre-release info on the G35C. The fact that the G35 is bringing in folks who never considered a Japanese car before is a promising sign, I think.
I've taken a test drive and have no qualms whatsoever about the performance or handling, its the sportiest thing I've driven to date. But compared to my previous cars, its hard to take the step down in interior creature comforts. Others have mentioned the plastic center console (BIG problem, hate the color & feel of it), I also don't care for the seat controls being on the top of the seat like they are, and I found the radio 'rocker' switches on the wheel to feel a bit loose and cheap. The ergonomics on the dual-zone climate control are a bit wacky as well.
On the plus side, its got a better stock stereo setup than any of the German offerings, and a better Nav system than most too (I'm a sucker for gadgets). Love the pop-up screen. Could live without the clock.
Every time I go for a visit, I am >THIS< close to putting down some coin and placing an order for one of these, but I always walk out empty handed because I can't get over these (admittedly nit-picky) issues. I love the performance and styling, but I know that performance is something I "use" 10% of the time, but the cockpit ergonomics I have to deal with 100% of the time.
Its like the opposite of the problem I have with the somewhat-competing 2003 CLK - That car has a great interior and good-to-great exterior, but the performance is really not there.
Regarding the IS, I tried one on a short drive, and found that it just didn't "feel" right to me. I think the center console was crowding my right leg a bit too much, and I wasn't able to find a suitable seating position. The basic problem is that the car didn't stand out in any one area, but was pretty good in several. But since I never got comfortable in the pilot's seat, I didn't walk away with a favorable impression. I didn't mind the instrumentation at all (like some) and the performance felt OK, but it definitely wasn't the neck-snapper the G35 is. I'm still torn between G35/CLK/330Ci, so I feel some sense of progress in eliminating the IS, at least for now..
I'm not inviting flames here but has anyone checked out the interior of the Accord V6 6 speed? That's an interior. From the steering wheel to the perforated leather seats to the dual zone climate. I'm so confused.
(Is there a 12-step program for new car addiction?)
So, I did some searching. It's entirely possible to come up with a brand new interior -- perforated leather, piping, mixed colors, whatever; door panels to match; carpet; headliner; dash kits with real wood/metal/carbon fiber; the audio is easy.
If such a custom upgrade would satisfy you, it won't be that hard to arrange and would even give a unique ride.
Meanwhile people like me can enjoy the performance and the very functional design of the interior without all of (what my grandmother would have called) the "fiddle faddle."
I even found a place you can change the color of the dashboard!
JW.