Infiniti G35 Coupe

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Comments

  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
  • dklaneckydklanecky Member Posts: 559
    Don't you think a portion of the sales difference could be attributable to the:

    Number of Caddy dealers vs. Infiniti dealers? In my area there are 6 Caddy dealers and one poor Infiniti dealer. This is still a retail business and the number of stores matters significantly to total sales.

    GM has been throwing lots of marketing money at the CTS to help move them out with cash back incentives and no interest financing for 60 months.

    I think that the G35 sales approaching the CTS at all is quite and accomplishment and far from a problem!

    Wait till the CTS gets the V8 engine for 2004. Then the sales results will be real interesting to compare.
  • gpwatfrdgpwatfrd Member Posts: 76
    I went from a MB CLK430 to a G35coupe and feel that I upgraded when taking into account many factors. I would be surprised if the coupe was not more expensive in 04.
  • snagielsnagiel Member Posts: 750
    Am I the only one who enjoys this model's relative exclusivity? BMW's and MB's are everywhere, but my G35C generates almost as many head turns as a red Ferrari. It's kind of nice not seeing a dozen other G35's on the road every time I go out.
  • robmarchrobmarch Member Posts: 482
    It's the best looking car in my parking lot at work, excepting the 996 C4s and 993 Turbo S, of course. Add AWD, a V8 and some softer touch plastics, and the car would be perfect. as is, it's still a very solid package, for a 2 door buyer.
  • alphamalealphamale Member Posts: 15
    Sounds good, but can't give you that one.
       Lexus outsells ALL luxury marques from less than 200 stores nationwide! If the interest is there, the cars will be bought, from 200 stores or 2000 stores.
       I personally am very impressed with the G35 (coupe). The sedan looks too much like a Nissan to me. They shoulda made the Altima design the G35 sedan.
  • gpwatfrdgpwatfrd Member Posts: 76
    That was something I also considered. Where I live a 3 series is a dime a dozen. So are the ML320/RX300 now that I think about. Since I already purchased the vehicle I hope they increase the price and limit the production for 04. The less I see the better, as far as I am concerned.

    BTW how many miles do you all think is good for the initial break in period? How is 500?
  • clpurnellclpurnell Member Posts: 1,083
    buy an fx45 :-)
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    "Where I live a 3 series is a dime a dozen"

    Now let's be fair here. 3-series is a dime a dozen, so is 5 series, and so is the 7 series. Can't turn a corner without seeing another 7 series. Same with Porsches - Boxters or 911s. But then so are Maximas, Hondas, I30s, QX4s, Jeeps. Don't see a lot of Yugos though. Maybe they raised the price and limited production. :)
  • gpwatfrdgpwatfrd Member Posts: 76
    I would agree with you on the 5 series. As far as maximas,hondas,and jeeps go, well they are less expensive automobiles and are mass produced so it would be no surprise to see more of them on the road than a car costing 30,000 to 50,000. I see a decent amount of porsches but not even close to the amount of 3 series. I almost see as many 3 series as I do hondas ( BTW I am sure that is not the case everywhere). The QX4? I see 3 ML320/RX300's for every QX4. Just my opinion...
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    A fully equipped Maxima or Honda is just shy of the MSRP for the basic G35. All of the above are mass-produced cars including the 3-series, but not the Z8. Which BTW I saw on the dealers floor today. As well as some ZHP and an M3 in IMOLA red. Drool! (No I didn't have a problem, I was right next to the dealer and my son wanted to look at the new Bimmers!)
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    Yeah, I've used that line before, too, when my wife is complaining about the amount of time it takes for a haircut, or an oil change, or whatever .... blame it on the kid!!! LOL.

    kdshapiro, I've been agreeing with you lately, but this time we'll have to disagree a little. The point the others are making, (I think) is that when one buys a luxury or a status brand -- and certainly BMW sets standards for the concept while Infiniti is just now setting an honest claim to the terms "desirable" or "luxury" -- when one buys a luxury brand we feel like we ought to gain a bit of status, or prestige, or image .... and a little exclusivity along with it.

    The problem these folk have with the 3-series is that its popularity robs its owners of the exclusivity the word luxury implies. It could happen to the G also. We hope not.

    I understand what they mean. My favorite BMW is the M-coupe, for that reason as much as for its attitude.

    BTW, wouldn't your son like to test drive that Imola M3? I think you owe it to him, for developmental reasons of course;-)

    JW
  • sphinx99sphinx99 Member Posts: 776
    "I understand what they mean. My favorite BMW is the M-coupe, for that reason as much as for its attitude."

    I agree 100%. Every time I see one (which is what, twice a year?) I can't help but think, "now there's a driver who understands the 'Ultimate Driving Machine'" and am impressed/envious. Whereas in some of the upscale suburbs in my part of the country, the M3 coupe is the upscale coupe of choice for the Soccer Moms.
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    jw - I don't buy into this exclusivity thing one iota. I do buy into upscale luxury brands however. In my mind S500 and anything south is not exclusive. There are so many $80,000 S500s I can't even count the number in my neck of the woods, gpwatfrd knows. None of these vehicles are exlusive by any stretch of the imagination. Certainly not the 3 series, certainly not the G35.

    To me exclusive is what you get when you ride along Navasink River Road in Rumson and you look at Bon Jovi's estate on the water. That's my defintion of exclusive. Not a G35 coupe or a 330i.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    I'm with you on the S-class. They sell those things like Civics. I've never seen so many of an expensive car riding around in my life. But then again when Chevy has a $40,000 Silverado SS on the lot is a $35,000 Bimmer still exclusive?
  • robmarchrobmarch Member Posts: 482
    put it all in the G35 sedan body, and give it the brembos, sport suspension, and the manual, and you've got a deal! ;)

    Actually, it would be nice for that car to hit the market, but it would be a little out of my league. I'll have to make do with the STi:)
  • snagielsnagiel Member Posts: 750
    I'm not claiming the G35 coupe is exclusive based on its price, but rather on its relative rarity. You simply don't see as many of them as you do most $35k cars.
  • gpwatfrdgpwatfrd Member Posts: 76
    snagiel is right on with his observation. I took a 10 minute drive from my home to a local store today and saw 3 Lexus sc430's.

     kdshapiro,
    I would agree with you on the Mer S430/500. I would even go as far to say that I see more MER 500SL's( New Model)than I do G35 coupes
    The S-class has been out for a while but not the redesign version of the 500SL.
  • hunter001hunter001 Member Posts: 851
    I'm not claiming the G35 coupe is exclusive based on its price, but rather on its relative rarity. You simply don't see as many of them as you do most $35k cars.


    "Rarity" lasts only as long as the time before the supply pipeline catches up. Infiniti is producing as many G35s as it can and given enough time (should happen pretty soon), G35s would be as common as sparrows. The low price at which these are sold, will guarantee that !

    Later...AH
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    You're lost I think! Are you speaking of the sedan?

    The coupe is still limited .... once to 12000 for the year (US) now to 15000 or thereabouts I believe.

    But your point may still be valid -- if not for the moment -- because one of the things keeping the coupe output down is a shortage of 18" wheels, needed for the auto w/wheel pkg and the 6M.

    My own thought is that it will remain relatively rare (relative to the 3-series, the topic of this thread .... (again) just because there are more BMW dealers, BMW has a history of prestige and offers more status, and a new 3-series is in the works. The coupe is a tremendous car, but it won't be the Hot New Thing next year ... look for sales to remain steady or increase some, if Infiniti can get enough of those durn wheels.

    JW
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    "...BMW has a history of prestige and offers more status"

    So a $35,000 coupe has less status than a $27,000 stripped 325i? I find that very hard to believe. :-<
  • hunter001hunter001 Member Posts: 851
    You're lost I think! Are you speaking of the sedan?

    Yes, I was speaking of the G35 in a generic sort of way, clubbing the Sedan and the Coupe together. But yes, if they purposely keep the production numbers of the coupe down, then it would be relatively rare.

    But then again, this is the one model (G35-coupe/sedan) in the Infiniti line-up that is HOT. So my feeling is that they will pull all stops to ramp up production (of the G35s) to meet all this latent demand. "Rarity" will only last that long !

    Infiniti is out to make a buck and they will increase production, if the cars sell - specifically since the other cars like the M45/Q45 etc. are not selling according to even their modest expectations.

    Later...AH
  • greddygtrgreddygtr Member Posts: 54
    I would argue that prestige has more to do with the badge on the hood than the price on the window sticker. I'm willing to bet that if you put a Mercedes C240 next to an Infiniti M45 and asked random people which car they thought was more expensive >90% would choose the Mercedes. So in terms of public opinion, yes a stripped 325i would carry more prestige than a $35k G35C to most people.
  • habitat1habitat1 Member Posts: 4,282
    I'm on record as stating an opinion that the G35 coupe is probably the best offering to come out of Japan that can compete with the BMW 3-series.

    However, I get a kick out of it's "exclusivity" being quoted as an attribute. This is not a limited production car like a BMW "M", Mercedes "AMG" or even the Honda S2000 for that matter. The reason past Infiniti models such as the J30 and Q45 were/are relatively rare was that they were market failures. There is no "prestige" in that. Given that Infiniti really doesn't have another product that is a roaring success (FX = jury still out), I'm sure that the G35 will need to be carrying the load when it comes to Infiniti profitabliity.

    So my advice is for anyone considering the G35 coupe would be to buy it (or not) based upon it's "real" attributes. Same with a 330ci. That way, you'll be satisfied with your purchase regardless of what the other guy is driving.
  • gpwatfrdgpwatfrd Member Posts: 76
    "I'm willing to bet that if you put a Mercedes C240 next to an Infiniti M45 and asked random people which car they thought was more expensive >90%"

    Itis sad but true......
  • msisengmsiseng Member Posts: 369
    Agreed. I just got a used G35, Premium, Winter Package, 6,600 miles. Also have the Jag X-Type which sells in the mid-30s range. People think it is a 60,000+ car. Go figure? Little do they know the 194 hp 6 banger can barely make it onto the highway without a very heavy foot.

    There is no prestige to driving the G35...just fun! Is this thing quick or what?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    "Prestige" is one of those things that makes the human race a bit silly at times. You take a naked 60 year old man in a locker room and you want to mostly avert your eyes, but put him in a nice suit and medals and an admiral's cap and every salutes him.
  • ezshift5ezshift5 Member Posts: 858
    ....I avert my eyes when I see ANY naked man in a locker room............
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    hahaha...let's not go there!!

    You know what I mean---the badge has a lot of power because that's what we give to it.
  • jeffmust2jeffmust2 Member Posts: 811
    imagery a while longer before moving on...

    After all, behind every subconsious dream is usually a bit of reality, right?

    Too many hours in front of a PC I'd say.
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,621
    Shiftright has been a breath of fresh air over the years on Edmunds. It's pleasant that he's the one presiding over the very successful G35 phenomenon -- both boards (sedan and coupe) have been informative, interesting and (mostly) civil.

    It's possible to do much worse.

    That is all.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Ahhh yes. Mr. Shiftright is an interesting fellow, but let's not forget Pat hosts the sedans board.
  • topcuttopcut Member Posts: 54
    I was a 16 year Nissan dealer,,,,way back when they first introduced the first 280Z....I must say the body construction was not good...developed rattles and squeaks immediately...However the engines were bullet-proof ...I just came from the Problems page and I noticed there were a host of problems that I personally think should not exist with a car of the supposed quality.....I love the looks the G-35 coupe but am now wondering about the quality of the car....I have traded at about 14K miles in the last few years...Pontiac (terrible car) for a Solora (Great car) for a Acura CL couple Type S(nice car, but a few annoyances).Traded the Acura for a 2002 Chrysler 300M...and I must say this has turned out to be one of the best cars I have ever owned bar none...Just rolled 14K..Problem free..not even brake dust...Body is absolutely rattle and squek free...Strong, rides and handles right for a sport sedan...I am over 140 mile from and Infiniti dealer...just wondering if anyone has any experience to draw from in this situation, short of driving a 140 miles to drive one....:):)
  • robmarchrobmarch Member Posts: 482
    The 300M is a sport sedan? I would think the G35 will pleasantly surprise you on the sport end, if that's your current comparison. You might not get the ride quality you're used to in the 300M, though, as a penalty for the increased sport. I'd sample a non-sport package sedan before you make any decisions.
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    If it were me, I would think twice, three and four times about getting a car from a dealer that was 140 miles away. That is unless they would guarantee door to door pickup service in event of an issue and a free loaner for the life of the car.
  • bocatripbocatrip Member Posts: 194
    I have recently ordered a 2004 Coupe. I love the cars performance and hope it is as reliable as most Asian cars are. However, I am uncomfortable with the seatbelt tugging down on my shoulder. It has no adjustment. The passenger seat should definitely have a height adjustment for a car in this price range. Also, the console looks very cheap and seems very easy to scratch. I'm getting the aftermarket wood to give it a more luxurious appearance. Any feedback on these items? Does anyone know of any changes on the 2004 model?
  • bigorange30bigorange30 Member Posts: 1,091
    http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-05-29-interiors_x.htm

    Anyone have it on their short list considering or already bought a G35? If so, what did you think?
  • topcuttopcut Member Posts: 54
    Yes,,,the 300M is classified as such....I was not drawing any comparison to the the G-35 coupe..I am sure the 35 handles more like a sports car...But the 300 handles flat and corners well....and has great road feel.....Guess I will just have to drive the G-35 won't I :):)???..Would opt for the 350Z,but prefer the rear seat and at least a little luggage area..:)..Thanks for your replies
  • robmarchrobmarch Member Posts: 482
    no offense with the prior comment, I've never driven a 300M, so I speak from a place of ignorance :) I'm not questioning your choice of vehicle, or its performance. I just am surprised to see it classified in the same category as the G35 sedan (and BMW 3 series?).

    Have a good one.
  • bigorange30bigorange30 Member Posts: 1,091
    Has anyone bought or sold a used coupe? If so what options did it have and what price did you buy/sell it for?
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    Just my observation, but there doesn't seem to be much to notice at the retail end, just because of the demand at this point. AutoTrader.com has listed coupes with hundreds to around 8000 miles with asking prices ranging from about a $1500 deduction to even a mark-up on MSRP, though the markups are gradually disappearing. Of course I don't know what they actually get for the car.

    Trade-in damage is reported by owners on freshalloy as in the failry normal range of around $4 or $5000 for cars with 'normal' mileage. I'd suspect you'll see increased depreciation with the arrival of a new model year, or maybe even after the announcement of 'upgrades' if Infiniti offers any.

    This is still a very desirable car, hard to get in desirable configurations. There seem to be loads of automatics, many of them gray. Other combinations, especially with the manual or the 18" wheel pkg., are still in very short supply.

    JW
  • mitchfloridamitchflorida Member Posts: 420
    as a rule, cars lose 25% of their value in the first year . .and another 25% over the next three years. .
  • bigorange30bigorange30 Member Posts: 1,091
    OK now, even $1500 discount is just crazy. If you can go buy a new one for less than the used, who would be stupid enough to buy the used one? That's not even a relevant data point. I am thinking more along the lines of Mitch. This car is not the only desireable car out there (as defined by the market) and every other car depreciates. Has Infiniti redefined automobile economics? I don't really think so even though I really like this car.
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    Sure, B/O, and I even agree with Mitch's "typical" numbers. But assuming my observation is right this is a small victory for Econ 101. As long as the supply is lower than the demand the price will reflect it.

    But do your own search. Maybe you'll find someone selling who's willing to price it as a "typical" used car.

    JW
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,192
    I happened to see a used G35 Coupe at a local Volvo dealer this Sunday. Bright red w/6 speed, Brembos at Nav (at least). It is at Gwinnett Volvo (NorthEast of Atlanta - used to be Dyer & Dyer)) so - if anyone wants to see what they can negotiate for a deal - that would provide one point on the depreciation curve. . .
    Cheers,
    - Ray
    Tempted, but . . .
    2022 X3 M40i
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    What do they want for it?

    JW
  • merc1merc1 Member Posts: 6,081
    Does anyone here know of any definite changes to be made to the 2004 Coupe?

    M
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    Twilight blue (dark) added. If there was anything more, I forget.

    JW
  • msisengmsiseng Member Posts: 369
    Could someone please tell me the differences between the '03 coupe and the '03 sedan engines? I own a sedan and want to know if modifications are easy and cost-effective. Due to the fact that I have a family, the coupe was not an option the wife would live with (-:

    Thank you.
  • markjennmarkjenn Member Posts: 1,142
    I don't know for certain, but the magazines say the engine differences are minor and involve engine tuning things like a slightly less restrictive exhaust system.

    Be aware that many road tests are showing that the sedan has about the same performance as the coupe. Many think that the engine outputs are probably about the same, but that Nissan simply inflates the numbers for the coupe to make it the sportier car.

    There might be a few things you can do to boost up the engine with less restrictive exhaust, intakes, and engine chips, but trying to swap parts from the sedan probably wouldn't be cost effective and might not do anything.

    Do you have the manual or automatic? If you have the auto, the most cost effective thing you could do is trade for a manual car.

    - Mark
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