It is of course entirely a personal matter, but I too like the classy look of the furniture-quality matte finish on the wood trim. To me, it looks and feels better than a plastic-like poly gloss finish. But different people, well, differ. I have the '05 G35x with the wood trim. I assume the finish is similar in the '07.
I am glad others have this problem. I had an issue with my sunroof, (the side weather strips kept popping out), the good news was enought people had the same issue and infiniti came up with a solution. For the door weather strips... it usually starts from the topright corner (of the drivers door)... once it pops out.. it is super easy for the rest to slide out. I undertsand that the grooves should hold it in place, but they don't. Infiniti told my friend they were going to wait till I brought my car in once the other part came in to do anything... but if YOU have this problem, by all means, let them know, and let's fix this problem!
I personally really like the rosewood in the Infiniti. It's one reason I purchased the Infiniti (among many) over some others. I find that it add a warmth to the interior that shiny wood/plastic does not.
That’s about right if you drive within local area all the time (stop light every ½ mile and speed no more than 40MPH.
I have the G35x ’07 and I get about 18.5MPG for a mixed driving from north philly to south NJ. I don’t drive on a real highway here. I used to get about 19.5MPG on my ’05 G coupe.
Have not had the weather stripping issue but right off the lot my rear driver window was making a vibrating noise above 60 mph, turns out the seal was bad and they replaced it. Only issue I've had in 2 months and I'm still in love with the car. Good luck with your problem.
I have an appointment to testdrive and check out the G on Feb 16, but I dont wanna wait that long to ask...
Are the Steering Wheel Controls on the 07 G illuminated?
Also, anyone have any input on the front windshield defroster? Does it cover the windshield from end to end?
I had a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the defroster only hit the center 12", leaving icing issues in the bad winter weather while driving. I swore to never buy a car with that issue again. :sick:
Can't answer for sure regarding the windshield defroster - I think there is just an opening for air that runs across the dash , but controls on steering wheel as well as on all four doors are illuminated.
I have an 06 Acura MDX and my biggest beef with it is the lack of illuminated controls on the wheel. It bugs me, so it's nice to know that they're there on the G. Can't wait for my test drive
Still can't decide on color. :confuse: Hopefully, seeing them in person will help.
hi , yes they are lite up and the deforster works well. i have a g35x , If i was u i would pass on the car. it is small inside,forget it if you put adults in the back seat. the radio sounds great however the function suck, u cant random play the songs that are stored on the hard drive or the mp3 cd's, the cd chager takes up the whole left side of the trunk. Navagation stinks and doesnt work well. It takes for ever to downlaod your cd's to the internal hard drive, and then you can only pay one album. The drivers side wiper blade when on, blocks your view. i hat to say it but i should have bought the lexus es350 for the 2000.00 more.
"The drivers side wiper blade when on, blocks your view. "
What do you mean?
It seems I don't notice this issue.
NAV.? I cannot comment on that cuz mine did not come w/ that.
Size? I think it's fine for me. It's a little smaller than Altima and Camry. I never test drice the ES cuz I don't like the design. IS350 is o.k but the price is way too high than I want to spend.
I hope that's not the dealer that's telling you an appointment 2 weeks out. why the wait just for a testdrive?
Nah... I have the 16th off from work.
The dealer is a whopping 60 miles from my house, so I can't really do it at night, and my weekends are way too hectic to include any time for myself.
As for the other's concerns... I'll make my decision after driving the car for myself. I'll make my own decision regarding size and blind spots, and as for navigation... my other car is an 06 Acura MDX Touring. There's always a few people out there to complain about something, and some complain about Acura's Navi as well.
I find it to be phenomenal, and wouldn't think twice about getting the option again. It's proven itself very valuable to me, and it's so easy to use.
I'll test drive it and make my own educated decision, but thanks for the warning.
Right On, make your own decision. Ultimately it's your rear end that's seated in the car for the next xx years. Also re Nav, we have an older Garmin that sits on the dash with a beanbag mount. We move it from car to car. It's fabulous. The newer ones are even better. Usually 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of a factory installed unit. Other brands are great too. Then you are not losing your investment when it's time to sell the car. Just a thought.
You can random play the songs on the hard drive, MP3 CDs, a CF card, or anything else by using the "SCAN/RPT" button to toggle through until it's on mix. Maybe you should take the time to read the manual before you're quick to criticize. How does the driver's side wiper blade block your view when it's on? Doesn't it move?
Hi...to respond to you faulty impression of the G. I have no idea of which car you speak, but it can not be the G that you make reference. Every thing you said in your comment that you claim can not be done, I have achieved with "my" G. Please read your manual and you will find that you can do everything you claimed that you can't. You almost make it sounds as if the car was designed in a idiotic manner. The driveability is ausome, the breaking is next to none, the power is "WOW", need I say more. My 07 G35x has almost 600 mls. and is problem free. I am not antisipating any problems....very good car. I came out of a 03 G and had no problems and was very happy for 4 yrs. until this gem of a 07 G came out. Good luck to all who have one, you all have made a wise choice. For all the whiners, give the car a chance.
Wow, somebody woke on the wrong side of the dealership! If the ES suits you, so be it. I found it less spirited in both looks and performance.
After reviewing Lexus site comparison between the the 2007 ES350 and G35, you may want to reconsider your statement about roominess. The numbers are pretty much a wash between the two, but the G better suits the taller driver. If you need more room, the Lexus GS won't suit you either, you'd have to move to the LS to get there and that's significantly more than a $2K price delta. "> See for yourself thru Lexus-tinted glasses: http://lexus.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/lexus/VehicleComparison?basestyleid=100705024&- styleid=100822709&maxvehicles=3&refid=&op=3&tab=measurements
60 miles what if you need service. i would think about it and buy a car that is local. that is the problem with infiniti very few dealers close together, just like the lexus dealers.
Agreed, fewer infiniti dealerships than Acura or Lexus, but...
Most Infiniti dealers (like Lexus and Acura) provide pickup and delivery services for a nominal fee and/or a loaner for warranty work. Also, you can get standard maintenance (oil, checkups, etc.) done at Nissan dealers, just not repairs.
My nearest infiniti dealer is 25 mi / 1hr away. Haven't needed service yet (1600 mi) but I plan to use their pickup/delivery service for $30 - which is way less than the cost of my time to ferry the car there and back. In a pinch, there's a Nissan dealer 15 minutes away.
"60 miles what if you need service. i would think about it and buy a car that is local. that is the problem with infiniti very few dealers close together, just like the lexus dealers."
Believe me, it's a concern. Just recently, we have the post where the keyless ignition wouldn't connect and the car wouldn't come to life. His dealer is 240 miles away!
When I think of trouble-free reliability, Infiniti is not at the top of my list, but I don't expect major issues either. I'm still on the TL Type-S fence, as they are local and always friendly. I'm also starting to consider a very slightly used 06 Lexus GS300 AWD. Fully loaded, around 12,000 miles, it's about the same price.
I just have a problem with used cars. Was it babied? Was it broken in correctly?
I've worked hard to earn this opportunity I have today. I have around $40,000 and I wanna buy a new car - Cash. I'd rather a new car, and not a used.
Infiniti has assured me that if I ever need warranty service, they have no problem with excessive miles on their loaners. They also told me that for a small cost, I can buy some program where they come and get my car and drop off a loaner anytime I need service - for the life of the car.
I just don't want anybody driving my $40,000 G35 60 miles to the dealer and back... beatin on it the whole way!
that is why they have chocolate and vanilla. And if the manual was clear enough I would have found that out. However Thank you . p.s. I even asked 5 people at the dealer ship no one new. The problem with wiper blade is it is a thick winter blade. I have dodge Durango and the wiper blade on this big truck is very thin and unnoticeable. Can you help? Do you know how to delete previous addresses that I went to.. Not the stored address. Thank you again. jerome
Do you have a 07 with nav? i posted this question last week can you help?
Does anyone know how to delete selected address from the previous destinations; I don’t want to delete all, just a few. It looks like I have to do a reset and clear them all. I cant figure out how to delete one or two..
Hi. I'm considering a 2007 G35 AWD and had a quick question for owners who may know. If you have the Navigation system, can you also "voice dial" from your phone book? The manual implies, but does not specifically say, that voice dialing is for non-nav systems only.
For instance "call home", once programmed, would dial home. Thank you in advance for the help.
I haven't used it yet, but you can add voicetags for all of your address book numbers so you can voice dial. I'd be shocked if I was wrong since you can use voice commands for just about everything else...it's a very cool feature IMO. Still getting used to all the bells and whistles. Oh yeah...my car does has Nav.
Thanks to both of you for the speedy reply. I'm going to take my second test drive tonight and possibly make a deal.
Strangely, I've checked with 5 different dealers within about 200 miles of my home (Indianapolis), and the G35x with Prem and Nav is very hard to find. On the other hand, knocking $1,500 off of MSRP is immediately offered by all those that have one in stock.
I'm paying about 1950.00 per year for my 2007 G35s and it only went up about 70 bucks per year from my 2003 G35. This is for full coverage at higher limits and 500.00 deductible in California (which is notoriously high)
There's so many factors in insurance, you really just need to call your agent and get a quote. My 07 G35S is a bit over $900 a year (yes a year)on very high coverage and all the extras like rental car and accident forgiveness and I have a $300 deductible.
Here in Philly...$674/year here on the G35x '07 about $20 more than my G35 coupe '05 (traded for the '07) and $75 more than the Altima '05...but like a someone mentioned it depends on individual driving record, accidence, and credit score.
About $850 a year in NC. Location, coverage, etc. will impact your quote. Also, "equivalent vechicle of other brand" is a little non-specific. Horsepower, speed, and perceived sport factor (e.g. rear wheel drive, demographics of who owns one, etc.) make a big impression on the insurance companies, so comparing the 306hp G sedan to a 260hp Acura TL or even a 270hp Toyota Camry isn't really fair.
I'd guess that if you put it up against the Lexus IS 350, BMW 335IS, or maybe even a 268hp Acura TL Type S it would fare better.
1) I have perfect driving record and been driving 13-14yrs. 2) I have 2 cars + G35 6MT. 3) I am in CA, pretty good neighborhood. 4) I did compare with the TL-S. TS-S is $200 dollars cheaper. 5) According to the $1950/yr that someone posted, I have way better deal then. I have $1200/yr. $500 deductable, full coverage, 300K/300K.
Damn....I was starting to think that I was actually getting a decent deal for mine, but all you other guys are less than half of mine. California sucks. I have a perfectly clean record for over 10 years and fantastic credit and I'm still getting shafted....lol. I need to move to a different state.
NOT AT ALL!!! I live in Pittsburgh, PA, the city of hills, and have had an amazing experience recently in the snow w/ my 2007 G35X...The car is better than my SUV, 2006 Acura MDX, and my previous car, 2000 Audi A6 2.7T. I was going straight up hills w/o turnig on the snow mode! Once on, i could go anywhere...This is the best car I've ever driven in the snow...plus this car is super fast!
I was wondering if anyone out there could help me with my current issue. I am considering purchasing within the next few months and am looking at the following four sedans: BMW 335i / Infiniti G35 Sport / Lexus IS 350 / Volvo S60 R. With all but the IS350 I would equip the car with a manual transmission. My issue is that I have looked at all four somewhat extensively on paper and will test drive them shortly. Is there anyone out there who has driven all four of these cars, or at least three of them, and could provide input for me as to their performance differences, however minor they may be? I would really like a car with a little bit of performance, I don't know anyone I could ask for help with this, and the people on these forums seem to know their stuff. Thanks a ton.
Hi, welcome to CarSpace. We do have a lot of knowledgeable folks around here indeed. You might be interested in this discussion: Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans.
I'll give you my run-down. I was in the same position except I substituted the Volvo for the Acura TL Type-S, I know it's not in the same performance league (although others will argue it is) But I couldn't resist validating that it may be good enough when it comes to performance and it's at a solid price point. And I also had Audi on my list because I am a big fan of Audi.
I'll preface this with a little about me so you better understand my position. I shopped only Auto tranny's, I wish I could do the MT but not with the current family situation. I was looking for a performance vehicle 1st, Technology Second, Luxury Third. I have never kept a car for more then 5 years, although I have the best intentions of keeping this car for 10 and always buy cars assuming 10 years. I Finance not lease. And lastly this is all in my opinion so I'm not going to stick in IMO at the end of every sentence for those that try to argue my decision tree.
I test drove the Auto's for all cars except the Volvo (which I didn't drive at all) First thing about the Volvo before moving on... I've driven plenty of current model Volvo's and I hate them. IMO --- The company doesn't know about performance and their interiors are the coldest and hardest in the industry.. very uninviting and boring, even the S80 completely lacks warmth or inspiration. (sorry if I offend anyone, but it is my opinion) Not sure if you drive one but nothing feels luxury about them at all. joke time: Besides I didn't want to be classified as one of the worst drivers in the nation; Volvo drivers are so safety conscience that they leave a wake of accidents behind them.
BMW 335i Positives: Power, Handling, Fit and finish, A Performance legacy (they know what they are doing), A car that's refined and uses previous models lessons learned so the car progressively gets better with each year. (unlike American vehicles that think starting from scratch every 5 years is the way to go), Technology, exterior design (I love the Bengle look!) and everyone knows what a BMW is and it commands a certain level of respect. Sense of car being one with the driver.
BMW 335i Negatives: Price, asking way too much $10K plus more then their competition while giving very little in tangible value. Reliability of electronics and little failures, Interior design... Bengle keeps the outside fresh while the interior is from the late 70's. Cost of service, after 5years is extreme. BMW doesn't want you buying their cars, they want you to lease them making it unattractable (financially) to buy because leases make them more money. Turbo Engine is a fairly big negative. BMW's in the position to be able to piss off it's customers and not care, regardless whether they do or don't do this.
2007 G35 Positives: Power, Handling, Technology, Interior Design, Sense of car being extension of the driver, Fit and Finish, Service Cost and willingness to go that extra step, Reliability and Warranty to back it, A n underdog company gunning to take on BMW's bread and butter head on, they have the passion and drive to do great things and have a very clear goal in mind. Dethrone BMW, even if sales can never reach BMW's level. Price, getting a lot for the Money!, Normally Aspirated engine, and lastly Exterior Design is on par with the 335i, I love it equally. Company not in the position to piss off a customer, they need every sale. Technology as far as MusicBox and CF slot, Nave etc... are all excellent and above the rest. The Auto tranny and paddle shifters are top notch!
2007 G35 Negatives: Company not in the position to piss off a customer, they need every sale, it's a negative too! companies overall position as a struggling division. Needs 1 more round of refinement to really be a BMW beater, but they are heading in the right direction and I think they can do it. Build, there are certain aspects of the car that are still at the Nissan level, i.e. thinness of sheet metal, paint quality. missing the "tank" feel, although it is fairly solid, if you know Audi's you know what I'm talking about... something about the car seems like it drives through brickwalls without scratches. MT I hear has a little excesive vibration and is subject to rough starts by even experienced drivers. Wood not an option on G35 Sport model, still the aluminum is really nice.
Lexus IS350: The car wins out on the luxury/confort/warmth/inviting/ and even has a bit of stress reduction quality to it, you can sense that after leaving work on a rough day, by the time your commute ends you can walk through the door feeling calm, I guess that's the best way to describe it. It's not on par when it comes to performance, the engine has the power but it's handling and ride are compromised for luxury, it's size is just WAY TOO SMALL in the rear. Interior design is excellent, exterior design leaves something to be desired, hard to place exactly what but it's missing something and seems a little too plain on the road. it's not a head turner like the G and 335i. And for you MT is not an option.
Acura TL Type-S: Just doesn't compete performance wise with FWD and Engine is no where near as powerful, Car has an engine note of a 3cyl with 110 HP. Honda's could-care-less about performance or competing attitude. The interior is warmer then Volvo, BMW & G, but colder then IS350. The wheels are hideous. Exterior design is solid, but not a head turner, Fit and finish is solid. Overall a fantastic "sedan" that adds a little extra power but has no business being in sports sedan conversations. (flame on!)
Audi A4 - A6: without dragging this out, I love Audi's and everything about them, this was my go-in-another-direction car, it's no longer in the performance catagory when factoring price since the S series is too expensive, but I seriously debated getting an Audi, or even a used A8L which is one of the most amazing cars on the road today.
So I boiled them down like this:
Volvo: Never contended. Acura: Fell short on too many levels (back to original ranking). Audi : Decided to stick with new and in original direction. IS350: Loved the interior feel, but backseats just don't cut it, exterior didn't make me feel like I had a head-turner and didn't stack up against the G or 335i.
So I'm left with 335i & G35: Originally I was leaning toward BMW but after taking a few more testdrives in G35 and then having a moment or realization that I'm in the car more then I'm looking at it from the outside, Interior moved up on the list which pushed BMW down yet not enough to revisit the IS350. And when it came down to the price, I couldn't see $10K in benefit and I couldn't justify to the wife why it's worth the extra money and serious concerns about service costs from 5-10 years. and on the G side, accepting the companies position, the bit of Nissan feel that comes through every now and then. And in thinking about it $10K is 120K miles in Gas... Which by the way MPG was never a factor, I don't understand how pe
Comments
The interior pics show a wood trim with a slight shine. This looks more like furniture quality wood which is clean and treated.
Other cars have a wood trim which appears to be almost plastic with a high shine.
Personally, I like what I see in the Infiniti pics and hope it looks as good in person.
I don't like the high shine.
The Lexus IS uses real wood but there is such a thick coating on it, that it feels like plastic.
If I opt for wood, I want it to look and feel like wood, not plastic.
That’s about right if you drive within local area all the time (stop light every ½ mile and speed no more than 40MPH.
I have the G35x ’07 and I get about 18.5MPG for a mixed driving from north philly to south NJ. I don’t drive on a real highway here. I used to get about 19.5MPG on my ’05 G coupe.
Are the Steering Wheel Controls on the 07 G illuminated?
Also, anyone have any input on the front windshield defroster?
Does it cover the windshield from end to end?
I had a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the defroster only hit the center 12", leaving icing issues in the bad winter weather while driving.
I swore to never buy a car with that issue again. :sick:
I have an 06 Acura MDX and my biggest beef with it is the lack of illuminated controls on the wheel.
It bugs me, so it's nice to know that they're there on the G.
Can't wait for my test drive
Still can't decide on color. :confuse:
Hopefully, seeing them in person will help.
i have a g35x , If i was u i would pass on the car. it is small inside,forget it if you put adults in the back seat. the radio sounds great however the function suck, u cant random play the songs that are stored on the hard drive or the mp3 cd's, the cd chager takes up the whole left side of the trunk. Navagation stinks and doesnt work well. It takes for ever to downlaod your cd's to the internal hard drive, and then you can only pay one album. The drivers side wiper blade when on, blocks your view. i hat to say it but i should have bought the lexus es350 for the 2000.00 more.
What do you mean?
It seems I don't notice this issue.
NAV.? I cannot comment on that cuz mine did not come w/ that.
Size? I think it's fine for me. It's a little smaller than Altima and Camry. I never test drice the ES cuz I don't like the design. IS350 is o.k but the price is way too high than I want to spend.
Nah... I have the 16th off from work.
The dealer is a whopping 60 miles from my house, so I can't really do it at night, and my weekends are way too hectic to include any time for myself.
As for the other's concerns... I'll make my decision after driving the car for myself.
I'll make my own decision regarding size and blind spots, and as for navigation... my other car is an 06 Acura MDX Touring.
There's always a few people out there to complain about something, and some complain about Acura's Navi as well.
I find it to be phenomenal, and wouldn't think twice about getting the option again.
It's proven itself very valuable to me, and it's so easy to use.
I'll test drive it and make my own educated decision, but thanks for the warning.
After reviewing Lexus site comparison between the the 2007 ES350 and G35, you may want to reconsider your statement about roominess. The numbers are pretty much a wash between the two, but the G better suits the taller driver. If you need more room, the Lexus GS won't suit you either, you'd have to move to the LS to get there and that's significantly more than a $2K price delta.
">
See for yourself thru Lexus-tinted glasses:
http://lexus.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/lexus/VehicleComparison?basestyleid=100705024&- styleid=100822709&maxvehicles=3&refid=&op=3&tab=measurements
Most Infiniti dealers (like Lexus and Acura) provide pickup and delivery services for a nominal fee and/or a loaner for warranty work. Also, you can get standard maintenance (oil, checkups, etc.) done at Nissan dealers, just not repairs.
My nearest infiniti dealer is 25 mi / 1hr away. Haven't needed service yet (1600 mi) but I plan to use their pickup/delivery service for $30 - which is way less than the cost of my time to ferry the car there and back. In a pinch, there's a Nissan dealer 15 minutes away.
Cheers.
Believe me, it's a concern.
Just recently, we have the post where the keyless ignition wouldn't connect and the car wouldn't come to life.
His dealer is 240 miles away!
When I think of trouble-free reliability, Infiniti is not at the top of my list, but I don't expect major issues either.
I'm still on the TL Type-S fence, as they are local and always friendly.
I'm also starting to consider a very slightly used 06 Lexus GS300 AWD. Fully loaded, around 12,000 miles, it's about the same price.
I just have a problem with used cars.
Was it babied? Was it broken in correctly?
I've worked hard to earn this opportunity I have today.
I have around $40,000 and I wanna buy a new car - Cash.
I'd rather a new car, and not a used.
Infiniti has assured me that if I ever need warranty service, they have no problem with excessive miles on their loaners. They also told me that for a small cost, I can buy some program where they come and get my car and drop off a loaner anytime I need service - for the life of the car.
I just don't want anybody driving my $40,000 G35 60 miles to the dealer and back... beatin on it the whole way!
p.s. I even asked 5 people at the dealer ship no one new. The problem with wiper blade is it is a thick winter blade. I have dodge Durango and the wiper blade on this big truck is very thin and unnoticeable.
Can you help? Do you know how to delete previous addresses that I went to.. Not the stored address. Thank you again.
jerome
What are the chances of 5 of "them" together in the same dealership?
Does anyone know how to delete selected address from the previous destinations; I don’t want to delete all, just a few. It looks like I have to do a reset and clear them all. I cant figure out how to delete one or two..
For instance "call home", once programmed, would dial home. Thank you in advance for the help.
Strangely, I've checked with 5 different dealers within about 200 miles of my home (Indianapolis), and the G35x with Prem and Nav is very hard to find. On the other hand, knocking $1,500 off of MSRP is immediately offered by all those that have one in stock.
basio
:confuse:
I'd guess that if you put it up against the Lexus IS 350, BMW 335IS, or maybe even a 268hp Acura TL Type S it would fare better.
1) I have perfect driving record and been driving 13-14yrs.
2) I have 2 cars + G35 6MT.
3) I am in CA, pretty good neighborhood.
4) I did compare with the TL-S. TS-S is $200 dollars cheaper.
5) According to the $1950/yr that someone posted, I have way better deal then. I have $1200/yr. $500 deductable, full coverage, 300K/300K.
I'll preface this with a little about me so you better understand my position. I shopped only Auto tranny's, I wish I could do the MT but not with the current family situation. I was looking for a performance vehicle 1st, Technology Second, Luxury Third. I have never kept a car for more then 5 years, although I have the best intentions of keeping this car for 10 and always buy cars assuming 10 years. I Finance not lease. And lastly this is all in my opinion so I'm not going to stick in IMO at the end of every sentence for those that try to argue my decision tree.
I test drove the Auto's for all cars except the Volvo (which I didn't drive at all) First thing about the Volvo before moving on... I've driven plenty of current model Volvo's and I hate them. IMO --- The company doesn't know about performance and their interiors are the coldest and hardest in the industry.. very uninviting and boring, even the S80 completely lacks warmth or inspiration. (sorry if I offend anyone, but it is my opinion) Not sure if you drive one but nothing feels luxury about them at all. joke time: Besides I didn't want to be classified as one of the worst drivers in the nation; Volvo drivers are so safety conscience that they leave a wake of accidents behind them.
BMW 335i Positives: Power, Handling, Fit and finish, A Performance legacy (they know what they are doing), A car that's refined and uses previous models lessons learned so the car progressively gets better with each year. (unlike American vehicles that think starting from scratch every 5 years is the way to go), Technology, exterior design (I love the Bengle look!) and everyone knows what a BMW is and it commands a certain level of respect. Sense of car being one with the driver.
BMW 335i Negatives: Price, asking way too much $10K plus more then their competition while giving very little in tangible value. Reliability of electronics and little failures, Interior design... Bengle keeps the outside fresh while the interior is from the late 70's. Cost of service, after 5years is extreme. BMW doesn't want you buying their cars, they want you to lease them making it unattractable (financially) to buy because leases make them more money. Turbo Engine is a fairly big negative. BMW's in the position to be able to piss off it's customers and not care, regardless whether they do or don't do this.
2007 G35 Positives: Power, Handling, Technology, Interior Design, Sense of car being extension of the driver, Fit and Finish, Service Cost and willingness to go that extra step, Reliability and Warranty to back it, A n underdog company gunning to take on BMW's bread and butter head on, they have the passion and drive to do great things and have a very clear goal in mind. Dethrone BMW, even if sales can never reach BMW's level. Price, getting a lot for the Money!, Normally Aspirated engine, and lastly Exterior Design is on par with the 335i, I love it equally. Company not in the position to piss off a customer, they need every sale. Technology as far as MusicBox and CF slot, Nave etc... are all excellent and above the rest. The Auto tranny and paddle shifters are top notch!
2007 G35 Negatives: Company not in the position to piss off a customer, they need every sale, it's a negative too! companies overall position as a struggling division. Needs 1 more round of refinement to really be a BMW beater, but they are heading in the right direction and I think they can do it. Build, there are certain aspects of the car that are still at the Nissan level, i.e. thinness of sheet metal, paint quality. missing the "tank" feel, although it is fairly solid, if you know Audi's you know what I'm talking about... something about the car seems like it drives through brickwalls without scratches. MT I hear has a little excesive vibration and is subject to rough starts by even experienced drivers. Wood not an option on G35 Sport model, still the aluminum is really nice.
Lexus IS350: The car wins out on the luxury/confort/warmth/inviting/ and even has a bit of stress reduction quality to it, you can sense that after leaving work on a rough day, by the time your commute ends you can walk through the door feeling calm, I guess that's the best way to describe it. It's not on par when it comes to performance, the engine has the power but it's handling and ride are compromised for luxury, it's size is just WAY TOO SMALL in the rear. Interior design is excellent, exterior design leaves something to be desired, hard to place exactly what but it's missing something and seems a little too plain on the road. it's not a head turner like the G and 335i. And for you MT is not an option.
Acura TL Type-S: Just doesn't compete performance wise with FWD and Engine is no where near as powerful, Car has an engine note of a 3cyl with 110 HP. Honda's could-care-less about performance or competing attitude. The interior is warmer then Volvo, BMW & G, but colder then IS350. The wheels are hideous. Exterior design is solid, but not a head turner, Fit and finish is solid. Overall a fantastic "sedan" that adds a little extra power but has no business being in sports sedan conversations. (flame on!)
Audi A4 - A6: without dragging this out, I love Audi's and everything about them, this was my go-in-another-direction car, it's no longer in the performance catagory when factoring price since the S series is too expensive, but I seriously debated getting an Audi, or even a used A8L which is one of the most amazing cars on the road today.
So I boiled them down like this:
Volvo: Never contended.
Acura: Fell short on too many levels (back to original ranking).
Audi : Decided to stick with new and in original direction.
IS350: Loved the interior feel, but backseats just don't cut it, exterior didn't make me feel like I had a head-turner and didn't stack up against the G or 335i.
So I'm left with 335i & G35: Originally I was leaning toward BMW but after taking a few more testdrives in G35 and then having a moment or realization that I'm in the car more then I'm looking at it from the outside, Interior moved up on the list which pushed BMW down yet not enough to revisit the IS350. And when it came down to the price, I couldn't see $10K in benefit and I couldn't justify to the wife why it's worth the extra money and serious concerns about service costs from 5-10 years. and on the G side, accepting the companies position, the bit of Nissan feel that comes through every now and then. And in thinking about it $10K is 120K miles in Gas... Which by the way MPG was never a factor, I don't understand how pe
Thanks.
You also may be interested in the discussion I linked for stacyowen.