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Comments
To be honest, I think you will be disappointed with both 330ci and G35coupe since your S2000's handling is better than both.
The 330ci every single time. There is no choice if price is the same. The Bimmer's got a great warranty, included service, is the sexiest car on the road and the interior's near sublime. Of course this is all just my opinion, but in my opinion if the price is the same the BMW is 10 times the car - equal performance, better warranty and the best exterior/interior around.
Joe W.
I'm sorry by best warranty I meant the free scheduled maintenance - wrong terminology to use. I'm a little sad that Infiniti does not offer this like BMW and Audi.
Pretty certain the G35's VQ requires oil changes every 3750 miles too. Not sure what they're doing wrong in Japan but that's an awful short interval compared to the German makes.
Infiniti recommends oil change every 7500 miles. Read the owner's manual when you get a chance. I don't care what those German car companies tell me, but I'm not changing the oil every 15,000 miles even if I had a BMW. So for scheduled maintenance you get 4 oil changes, not a big deal.
If I had to choose, unfortunately, I go with the BMW (Since I owned an M3 once, I can tell you, they are the Ultimate Driving Machine). I own an 02 Maxima SE and love it, but I miss my Bimmer!
Now, back on subject. I won't say anything else about BMW from now!
Obi
Don't put words into my mouth. The propellor has ZIP to do with it. Performance, style and substance...screw panache.
Infiniti recommends oil change every 7500 miles. Read the owner's manual when you get a chance.
Not according to my coworker who owns a G35. I asked him before typing and he said 3750. Dunno why he'd lie.
I don't care what those German car companies tell me, but I'm not changing the oil every 15,000 miles even if I had a BMW. So for scheduled maintenance you get 4 oil changes, not a big deal.
I'm thinking vis a vis the G35 which requires quite a few maintenance trips over the course of 50k miles if one follows the suggestions of the owner's manual.
BTW, Neo, of that group you mentioned only one gets my eyebrows to raise..9-1-1. The rest can go to the trash heap for all I care.
Sorry Joe W. - No more BMW or ED from me.
As for the G35 sedan, I have not been impressed with the exterior or interior looks. I'm curious as to what the coupe will look like in person. It seems that there are more slab sided bodies with disconnected chrome parts rather than good flowing lines coming out of Japan lately. Other than, of course, my unbiased appreciation of the S2000's good looks.
Hmm..... 360 Modena, NSX and GT-R are trash? Are you an enthusiast or a poseur?
c.
He reiterated 3750 when I pushed again. Weird. Of course he doesn't believe in doing less than 90 unless a cop is present and each stoplight gives him an excuse to row through the manu-matic's gears.
Hmm..... 360 Modena, NSX and GT-R are trash? Are you an enthusiast or a poseur?
Pardon me for disliking Ferrari's uninspired interior/exterior design, the NSX's 10+ year old design and technology and the GT-R's bland appearance and AWD.
I'm an ethusiast of the choosiest order...I like things just so and if they're not, I'm not interested. I'm the same with pretty much everything (food, friends, homes, movies, etc.).
My two daughters (4 & 7) are into the game of yelling "Punch Buggy don't punch back" whenever they see a VW Beetle on the road. So you want to guess how often they accidently jump the gun on a 911 or Audi TT. Wouldn't happen with a Ferrari 360, that's for sure.
Talk to some Porsche fans and they will tell you the current generation of 911 is most uninspiring compared to the last generation. It looks too much like the Boxster and is nothing special appearance wise.
A while back, my wife was trying to get into her Civic one evening at the local mall parking deck. She could not figure out why the key fob did not work... until she realized she was trying to open the door of a 330i which was of similar color. Twas quite humorous. So much for style
For now.
One review I read regarding a comparo of a 330 and a G35 sedan said as much. They called the G35 a head turner and the BMW was looking "pedestrian" and wasn't turning any heads. Well, duh. It has been the best entry-luxury sports sedan and coupe in the market for a long time now...the benchmark, the car that other manufacturers wish they could make.
We do see BMWs everyday, and I suspect that as the word about the G35 gets around, we will start seeing them as well. In three years, I wonder if people will still be gushing about the looks.
I still think the BMWs are sexy, sexy cars, with cat eyes and perfect lines. The new G35 sedan has a good look, but not on the same level as the 3-series IMO. In fact, the design of the G35 reminds me of the polarizing 745 redesign. I just start to get my blood boiling and then I run into bangle - the front headlight assembly on the G35 is strange and looks too futuristic for my tastes, as does the hard-drive imbedded into the trunk release and the light-brite tail lights. I do like the overall shape, and think it has a very strong measure of newness in design, which is impressive...then we get to the coupe.
What I don't like in the sedan seems to melt away in the coupe. Few cars have that appeal to me. It looks sexy, svelte and tres riche. The bangle factor is lower than in the sedan, and I like the look much better than the Lexus or Audi offerings (sorry Audi, it may be just me, but the TT is just a rounder Beetle, and I think the new Beetle is ugly.)
The 3-series coupe is not much different looking than the sedan. When I see them on the road, only the absence of two doors gives me any clues. The G35 coupe, OTOH, is thankfully a completely different monster. It is the comprimise between the sports car mission of the Z and the Sports-sedan mission of the G35 Sedan. Personally, in the $30k market, I think it is a strong player.
Interior needs work. I don't like the orange guages, nor the "break in two month" switchgear. It looks clean, but destined to break and wear. Have you ever been in a 10-year old Maxima with 200k miles, you know what I mean? Too many places for road dust and dirt and grime to work its way into the electronics. I don't cherish weekends with toothbrushes and turkey basters to clean out my steering wheel controls.
Still, the G35 is a welcome addition to the $30k club. Too bad that isn't my price range, cause if it was...I would have some serious soul searching to do to make a buying choice in this market, and isn't that the point?
I say, congrats Infiniti - and welcome to the club, finally. This car may help us forget about that pointless G20.
Have long considered EU of a Volvo or BMW as an entry into the car I want. I just need to get my current car payed off.
I think the Japanese Luxo-manufacturers (Infiniti, Lexus, Acura) should look into a Japanese delivery package. I would love to travel to Japan and tool around in my new G35 coupe in Osaka or Tokyo.
On the carconnection.com, the Power satisfaction survey in Germany put the Japanese makes on top. Among the luxury cars, the Maxima was tops. Imagine how the G35 would do!
But it does bring up a question that I voiced above: why on earth is Nissan even thinking of marketing a California-only car in the snow belt? Or, if so, why oh why are they offering the image cars of their line -- like the G35c -- without all seasons (for starters) and without easily avialable snow combinations for this area?
Personally -- since everyone insists this is the new G35 vs BMW board -- I'm no fan of BMW -- the cars are nice but I just can't handle the poseur image -- but: does BMW have all season/snow treads available? doh.
Yeah, I know this is a problem that will self-correct eventually, but it's also evidence of a major ivory tower brain cramp on Nissan's part. And I'm sure not going to be interested in looking at the car before I'm sure it can be driven further than the body shop.
Take care.
Joe W.
I live in Oregon and was going to buy a G35 in Oregon but I have had very negative experiences with them so far. Lied to me about several things and the cars are packed to the hilt. (There's only one dealership in Oregon, and one in Washington state, so they have a take it or leave it attitude.) Anyway, I had thought about buying the car in California (I went there to look at cars and there was a very substantial price difference), but a California friend warned me about potential problems which might be involved if a special model is manufactured for California.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
You can buy a G35 in Ca but you're gonna eat over 3k in taxes on it. Is it worth 3k to avoid buying through the Portland/Beaverton Infiniti dealership?
Just let the hype die down and then go buy it below MSRP from your local dealer.
Actually, my main concern wasn't whether the car would be legal in Oregon if bought in California, but instead my concern was that if there was a car especially made for California, that any differences in the car (for example, differences in the emission control system or the car's computer system) might make the car different than what the Oregon Infiniti mechanics are accustomed to working on, and hence it might be harder to get the car properly repaired in Oregon. I should have made that clearer.
Incidentally, re the sales taxes, I'm told by various California dealers that if I have the car trucked out of California by an auto transport company (cost - $400), that there's no California sales tax applicable, in which case it seems worth spending $400 to save $3500. I'm in the process of checking with the Calif. tax authorities about this. If you have any contrary info, re whether California sales taxes would be assessed even if the car is trucked out of state, I would certainly be interested in that info.
Sorry to be so longwinded!
It is interesting to note that Infiniti with its frequent oil changes consistantly has much higher reliability than the less frequently maintained German vehicles,
All G35 coupes with 17" tires come with 225/50-17(front) and 235/50-17(rear) ALL SEASON V-rated tires.
Pirelli makes an 18" snow tire that will fit on the rear wheels.
I am sure with a week or two the Tire rack will have 16 or 17 inch snow tire packages for the G35.
All G-35's are 50 state legal.
As for the car itself. I saw one and rode in one last week. It is sex on wheels. It just is not fair. Infiniti goes and makes a car like this now what is every one else going to do. The car is just that good.
2 options are available if you get the 6 speed manual or the performance tire package:
First, is spend $1000 and put them on yourself after you bought the car.
Second, before your negotiate, ask the dealer to swap the summer tires with the all season ones as part of the deal.
Until Infiniti offers it as an option it's all you can do.
One small detail, if you get the all Season tires, they don't come in the same size as the summer ones. You may have to get 225/40R-18 front and 245/40R-18 rear. They difference is they are about 10mm lower in profile.
By the way on the 330Ci if you get the sport package you also get summer tires (continental ContiSport contact).
As for the tax thing...wow if that is legal, sweet. Go for it.
Here in the DC area it is extremely common to buy "out of state". Especially since there are almost no dealers located in DC itself. I have bought all my cars in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. It's not where you buy that determines where you pay tax, it's where you permanantly register the new car. (All my cars had temporary tags from the state I purchased in; all were registered in DC, and I paid DC sales tax). Too bad, or I would have happily driven 100 miles and bought in Delaware where there is no sales tax!
If Infiniti is planning to market in the snow belt, and they clearly are, they surely should not expect buyers to deal with Tire Rack and 10mm differences. They may well get to it later, but from a marketing point of view, in many ways they will have missed a good number (possibly) of sales opportunities. BMW would never make that sort of corporate screw-up. Infiniti, otoh, has made a career of mis-judging the NA buying public.
Most recently, witness the M. Ugly. But there's an interesting marketing scheme to sell it as an "intelligent" "muscle car." But not a word about options for fender skirts, fuzzy dice, flashy colors, loud exhausts, burnout events, or anything remotely suggesting muscle car. Poor. Even if you don't like my stereotype examples.
Apparently, however, they really have it right with the G and Z. We'll see. Figure they have to hit the target sometimes!
TAke care.
Joe W.
I bought my car in New Jersey but live in New York. Since NY will only register a new vehicle if you paid NY sales tax, I had to sign the exemption form in Jersey along with the salesman, and we then had to submit proof that I am paying the sales tax in my home state. The only other exemptions I am aware of are for charities, diplomats, and wholesale purchasers.
So irregardless, you have to pay sales tax somewhere, either in California, or in Oregon if that is where the car is going to be registered. Depending on the variance in tax, it might be worth the trip to buy in CA and pay Oregon tax.
Exterior: very nice lines - not as choppy and overdesigned as the 350Z; more like the new $55k Lexus to be honest. The hood and grille look a little simplified (which is my general complaint with the design of all infinitis) but on a car with this small scale, they get away with it. Headlights look better than on the sedan and, overall, its lower, wider and more aggressive looking than the sedan, as expected. The spoiler is better in person than on the web but I'm still undecided. I'd like to see a model without it to make a final decision. The silver definitely looked nice and I would imagine the Desert Platinum and possibly the Diamond Graphite would also look real nice. Rear taillights are much improved over the sedan's. They still use LEDs but the small light bulbs themselves are in a sporty circular pattern, instead of that weird parallelogram thing on the sedan.
Interior: materials were better than expected. The seats are bolstered more than the sedan for aggressive driving. Very comfortable and lots of legroom without a rear passenger. Because of the bolstering, though, the hiproom is snug. The rear seat has enough legroom and hiproom for a 2+2 but the headroom is very limited. I'm 5'10" and my hair was just touching the glass. Better for kids. However, the rear-seat ingress/egress is excellent - much like a Mercedes: from the backseat OR from the passenger front seat, you can pull a lever and the seat goes up and forward by motor (not mechanical) and there's enough room to get a car seat in and out. I did not like the little plastic piece between the two backseats - seemed cheap and unneeded unless your passengers feel the need to put their acoutrement there while they ride. It does house two cupholders, but I think they could've put those where the backseat ashtray is and eliminated the center plastic piece altogether or made it an armrest. The trunk is more spacious than I thought but definitely shallow. There's a 16-inch spare under the carpet. The rear seat folds down from a lever in the trunk. With the seat up I was actually able to get two golfbags (cart type, not carry bags) in the trunk. There's also a small escape lever inside the trunk in case someone car jacks you and throws you in there. 220-watt Bose stereo sounds good, though not excellent. Could have a little wider high frequency range and truer bass, but some new speakers could solve that. The engine doesn't sound as throaty as I thought it would. Its 60 more hp and 56 more lb-ft torque than the BMW 3-series but doesnt sound as deep at low rpm. Lastly, the one advantage of the automatic/manumatic is that you get a padded armrest for your right forearm. A nice thing to have if you're accustomed to driving with one hand.
Overall, I was very impressed. The interior is more modern, refined and feature-packed than a BMW 3-series (though not as nice as an Audi); the exterior is more eye-catching than all but maybe the new Lexus convertible and the performance (from driving the sedan and reading the car rags) is on par or better than the 3-series and a lot better than the Audi A4 (which has no low-end torque but otherwise would get my vote). Really, the G35 Coupe is the best of all worlds if you can live with a 2+2. And I can get golfclubs in the trunk, a babyseat in the back and still dust the German cars for about $6k less, fully loaded. Sign me up!
Regardless...argh...anyway, Oregon doesn't have sales tax and thus that's the huge advantage of getting a tax exemption from the CA taxes.
Yeah right! I think he sold your car to the highest bidder. LOL
HiC
I live in NJ, which has one of the worst rates in the country. I have a clean driving record and I'm in my 30's.
Has anyone priced out insurance for this car?
Has anyone compared it to other vehicles in it's class?
Does anyone have insurance ratings for Infiniti's?
Could they be worse than BMW's?
Steve
I'm in New York (Queens), and I feel your pain with respect to the high rates. I got my G35 at the beginning of my 6 month renewal at the end of September. Our other car is a 2002 Saturn SL1, and only my wife and I are on the policy. My wife has two speeding tickets on her record, both in July/August of 2001, and I have one speeding ticket on my record from May of this year (I just got another one a few weeks ago but it was out of state and the DMV doesn't report it so I dodged a bullet). Also, we've each had one no fault accident within the past two years. I'm 25, she's 24.
Given all of the above stats, our current insurance rates are as follows:
For the Saturn, we pay $1480 every 6 months, with the basic 50/150 coverage and $500 deductible.
For the G35, we pay $1963 every 6 months, with higher 100/300 coverage, $500 deductible, plus full glass with 0 deductible.
We'll be taking a defensive driver course next week, because our insurance (Geico) has offered us a 10% discount if we take the course, which ends up being a sizable savings for 6 hours of class time and $40 each.
Even though my coverage is higher on the G35, the liability portions of the rate are still significantly lower than the Saturn. However, the Collission and Comprehensive rates for the G35 are about double what we pay for the Saturn, which accounts for higher bottom line in terms of the allocation of premiums. Also, I believe if we had gone with the bare minimum of liability coverage on the G35, it would have been about $170 cheaper for the 6 month premium.
Hope that the info helps.
Well I guess being old and lucky has its advantages. I thought $1,150 per year ($575 per 6 moths) for my S2000 was high here in DC. Geico rates it as a "high performance" vehicle. Only the M3 I was considering would have been higher. The C32, 330ci and 530i were similar or lower. It is a third vehicle on top of our Maxima and Trooper, so a multi-car discount helps. But if I lived in Virginia, I'd only be paying about $700 per year.
A friend of mine who lived in DC moved out to Fairfax and reported a huge drop in his premium for his 330i.
In big metro areas, especially in NY, it is impossible to avoid accidents sometimes. People drive so aggressively here it's comical. That's why we have the highest rates in the nation.
My lead foot doesn't help matters either. But, I can afford it and I love driving the car, so no real complaints. I'd rather live in New York City and pay ridiculously high rates than save money on insurance and be living somewhere else.
Also, I should point out that i have the Sedan. Since this is the Coupe board, I apologize for being off topic. Should this thread continue, we can move it to the regular G board.