Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
As for the front/rear bumper color, on my car the color is near spot-on exact. As far as I can tell, there is no color difference on the front or rear bumper pieces. Even the colored splash-guards are a good match. I am fairly fanatical (not as much as Scottm
The red gets dusty too, but like you said, Zaino and Z6 take care of that
kc
The worst, by far, is the White Acura TL.
If I ran that show, there's no way in heck I'd let those leave the factory like that.
Acura should be embarrassed.
1. Adaptive cruise control sucks. It slows down way before you want it to, even when set at the closest distance. It's especially annoying when you go to pass someone. I usually wait until I'm 3 car lengths behind the car before I get into the left lane, well, the adaptive cruise won't let you get that close. It starts slowing down, then you pull into the left lane (hopefully before someone comes up behind your suddenly slowing car) and then speeds up (eventually, it's no instant by any means). I guess my point is, the headlights that move are somewhat useful, but not worth the price of the technology package. I would recommend skipping it.
2. I will never love an automatic transmission, even a good one like this. Nothing will even be as good as a manual transmission. I don't think I need to say anymore.
3. This is a car that gets better the faster you drive it. Speed is potentially addictive, buyer beware.
4. Front end grip is incredible. 60 mph on a 30 mph on ramp and there was still more grip available (dry, clean roads, mind you). I won't be finding the limits of this car.
Since we're discussing colors, I went with the blue slate. It does look gray most of the time, and it does get dusty pretty easily. Still, coming from a black car, I'm not complaining.
If you're tearing down the highway, swerving around slower traffic, you have no business using it to begin with.
It's designed for "cruising" and with this system, you no longer need to continuously hit the brake or cancel button every time a slower car comes up.
Yes, it slows down with slower traffic, but that's what it's designed to do.
It doesn't slow "way down" unless you're going "way faster" than the traffic in front of you.
If you're not "cruising", don't use it.
As for the distance settings, the closest setting is as close as you should be while doing 65 mph behind another car. Anything closer is dangerous, as people's reaction time is often not quick enough, especially while is Cruise mode.
The other settings with longer distances come in handy for higher speeds or less than perfect road conditions.
Also note that if you slightly touch the gas pedal with your right foot, it disables the system enough so that it does not slow as you approach cars ahead.
Use it for what it's intended and it's 100% worth it's price, IMO.
I hate regular cruise control and never use it due to traffic.
This is a set it and forget system and it works perfectly.
Ill be looking for that option again when I lose the M and get a G next year.
Max
It's not perfect, however. There is a tendency toward a "rubber-band" effect in traffic, where the car slows down more than it probably has to, then speeds up more than it should when the car in front of you pulls away. Then repeat. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty good, and it's more a testament to the fact that people cannot seem to drive a steady speed than the to ICC, but you would think they could calibrate it to slow down and speed up more gradually. Somehow smooth out the acceleration and deceleration. The potential long term issue associated with this is the fact that the car applies the brakes at times when using the engine drag to slow down (starting from a longer distance away from the car in front of you) would be just as effective. Unnecessary brake wear is the result.
Still, it basically drives itself, aside from steering. Just takes some getting used to.
I still snap my neck from time to time.
Seeing the ICC also do it makes me feel a little less moronic... even the computer can't handle the car's power. :P
If you feel surging while in cruise and going downhill, there is now a TSB on this and the dealer will be addressing it if mentioned by the customer.
It requires a replacement of the laser unit, from what I've seen.
Details are scarce as this is brand new, but I'll post when I get more details.
It's nice to know it's being addressed though.
Do i have any options at all here. If i have something wrong with my car then i have to drive a LONG ways and unless i want to talk off of work i have to go there on a saturday that most dealerships won't do anything but simple maintenance like oil changes. I can't believe the closest one is that far. My town isn't huge but its about 250,000. We have a very nice BMW/Mercedes/Porche/Ferrari/ect... dealership. If i wanted to buy a lexus i would have a little bit of a drive (45) miles but 95..come on. What are my options here?
thanks,
ncage
Z
I was on the TL Type-S vs G35 fence and although Acura is right in town, I opted for the Infiniti.
I was really leaning toward the Acura until I test drove the G, and then there was no looking back.
I drive 85 minutes when I need to go to my dealer.
My dealer is in a different state!
I'll use the local brand new Nissan dealership for little things, like oil changes and stuff, but I make the trek to the dealership if warranty work needs to be done.
It's no so bad though.
I get little things, like the sunroof TSB fixed while getting an oil change.
It gets me out of the house and allows me a nice long drive in the G by myself, I get to walk around the lot and look at all the toys or drink their free lattees, or just sit back with free wi-fi until my car is done.
Even with my ridiculous schedule, it's not that bad.
You really won't need to be going there that often anyway.
I thought the Hard Drive was a great idea. Maybe borrow a CD, transfer it to my music Box and return the CD's owner. Anyone else have input on the music box?
When you put a new CD in, you'll see a record icon and it will tell you which track it is on.
While recording, you cannot change tracks, but you can do other things, like listen to XM or the cd changer.
It needs to read the entire cd to record it, but it can record 4 times faster than playback speed, and does so, even while listening to the cd while it records.
When I put a cd in, it's done recording before I get to the 4th track.
I also borrow cds and rip them in, takes about 15 minutes.
Try the auto record, should help.
My G has a delivery date of the week of 11/2 (Today!), so hopefully I will be able to find out for myself within the next few days. The wait is killing me!
kc
Grats on your new G!
kc
And my dealer had a special suprise. There are now finance and lease specials available. I just double-checked, they are on infiniti.com.
I was able to secure financing at 3.9%. Just something else to add to your decision making process.
Thanks on the financing tip. I'm surprised they even need to offer an incentive on the G. Probably related to recent credit market and stock market hiccups hurting new car purchases across the board.
And I'm not complaining!
The wait is horrible, but the car is SOOooooo worth it!
I'm having difficulty though finding the documentation on how to set the music box to automatically record a CD. Can you either point me to where I might find this or provide the steps to take?
When listening to the MusicBox and have the MusicBox screen up, select the menu option on the screen.
This will bring you into the Settings section for the MusicBox.
From there, just set "Automatic Recording" to "On".
Congrats on your decision - keep us posted!
Any help would be appreciated.
kc
For the last tank, when the warning light came on at 36 miles to empty, I didn't notice it going below that number as usual, this time it went to 35 and then ****. Somewhat disturbing, but the indicator itself was in the middle of the second to last and last point on the scale. I won't be letting it get quite as low in the very cold winter weather though.
When I fill up the gauge is just above the "F" level.
From my observation, the 2008 system includes a standard and advanced mode. The standard mode reduces the command set and provides lots of prompting - I suppose to increase voice recognition success and help novice users. The advanced mode supposedly exposes all the features, but the commands available seem significantly reduced for the audio, climate, etc. compared to 2007. For instance, it appears for 2008 you can only voice these systems on and off. In the 2007 model, you can do a lot more specific things such as specify climate temperature, specify radio station, specify music type from the music box, etc.
Can anyone confirm this change or did I just not see a setting on the 2008 model?
But, you have the ipod integration, so I want to hear NO complaining!!! :P
Honestly, I bet a lot of user surveys complained about the list of commands being so long that they couldn't remember them.
Infiniti was probably trying to do you a favor.
That's where the command assiatance came from as well.
I keep a cheat cheet in the car just to remind myself sometimes, but I really don't use most of them
Thankfully, the ones I do use are available to me... sounds like the 08 is missing those.
Scott - why don't you download the '08 list and tell us what's different
kc
It looks like you were lucky enough to get an '08 that was built before they made the navi changes. Mine was built in September, so I wasn't so lucky.
Below is a text version of the service bulletin released by Nissan in regards to the Infiniti Navi changes:
Classification: EL07-039
Reference: ITB07-042
Date: November 9, 2007
2008 G35, G37, QX56; INFINITI VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM UPDATE
APPLIED VEHICLES:
2008 G35 Sedan (V36) with Navigation System
2008 G37 Coupe (CV36) with Navigation System
2008 QX56 (JA60) with Navigation System
SERVICE INFORMATION
The Applied Vehicles listed above had a running change to the Infiniti Voice Recognition System.
The newer system has a simplified “Standard Mode” (which is the default mode) and an “Alternate Command Mode” for the more advanced user.
Many of the same features of the early system are available on the newer system, although some commands related to the following functions are deleted from the newer system.
System Commands related to the following are deleted in the newer system:
Navigation Specific POI names
Specific map zoom (scale values)
Phone Numbers spoken as groupings (i.e. 17 stated as “seventeen")
Audio Direct satellite radio stations
Radio presets
Direct tuning frequencies
Direct CD track numbers
Climate Control Direct temperature settings (60 – 90 degrees)
Any vehicle built after the following VINs and Dates has the newer system:
Model: G35 Sedan 2WD
VIN: JNKBV61E(*)8M 201809
Date: August 30, 2007
Model: G35 Sedan AWD
VIN: JNKBV61F(*)8M 251895
Date: August 30, 2007
Model: G37 Coupe
VIN: JNKCV64E(*)8M 106576
Date: August 30, 2007
Model: QX56
VIN: 5N3AA08(**)8N 904804
Date: September 28, 2007
NOTE: Some vehicles built prior to the above VINs and Dates may have had the newer system installed at the Port. To confirm that the vehicle has the newer system, select the “Settings” Button, then on the screen select “Others > Voice Recognition” and see if the option for “Alternate Command Mode” is present.
For details on the operation of the Infiniti Voice Recognition System in the vehicle you are working on, refer to:
• For the early system – the appropriate Owner’s Manual.
• For the newer system – 2008 Voice Recognition supplement located on the Infiniti website.
I was used to those commands in my 04 Accord. I would actually use them. I purposefully waited for the '08s to arrive, and it never even crossed my mind that they would be taking something AWAY from the vehicle. I just contacted Infiniti Consumer Affairs to lodge a complaint. If you would like to see those commands come back, please do the same.
Of course, now that I think about it even more and reading the "supplemental" voice recognition PDF, maybe my car doesn't accept the climate control temperature. I can't recall using it lately, but my recollection was from the test drive... I will double-verify and get back
If that is the case I will be really mad at the port clowns ...
kc
Car will be used for personal/buisness travel an dpssoibly for the wife to lap Watkins Glen. ( Our '86 911 is a bit to nasty for her - I love it)
The G35 look like a pretty good value vs the BMW so It will gwet a hard look.
From what I've read, the sport package is a little harsh, I'll want it for fun but I'm afraid it will be tough for travelling the roads in the Northeast.
Opinions/first hand experience appreciated.
I wonder if we can get our systems reprogrammed back to the old version? - my dealer says she doesn't think so. Anyone else heard?
What are they installing at the port that changes the voice command list?
Sounds like a simple software update, most likely doen through the Compact Flash slot.
If it's a simple update, you should be able to have the dealer revert you back to the 07 list... no? :confuse:
I compare with BMW, i was looking at $49K for BMW, but Infiniti was much better deal. many of my frinds and family said "never know this car was soo good" and every one said, it is not the best looking car, but, (all of them) told me it drives better than any other car they ever driven.
I didn't get enough time to look at the GPS yet, but tracking the route, it seems i can't get rid off it. to me once i start using it i will master it. its not as complicated as S550
I do have climate commands in my '08, and as such, I was able to say "temperature 72" and it turned on the climate control and set it to 72F. I was also able to say "Track 5" and have it start playing track 5 on the current CD. Both of those commands are missing in the '08 voice update which means I apparently do not have the voice recognition system update. I could have sworn the settings >> other >> voice recognition menu had an "Alternate Command Mode" setting, but it turns out it just says "Minimize Voice Feedback". My '08 was built about 600 units prior to the switchover and I just thought they had done the update at the port.
From the supplemental guide it seems like the standard mode was added to increase the accuracy of the voice recognition system, as it states the advanced mode "may not be as accurate due to the increased number of available commands" (paraphrased). Makes you wonder why they would take commands out though, especially in advanced mode.
Guess I got "lucky" on the voice commands. I should put my car for sale on eBay as a "Limited Edition" model
kc
My car would love a twin!
If you pulse the washer fluid, the wipers will not turn on.
I have noticed this too, but have gotten used to it.
Actually, I prefer it.
The windshield and wipers whould be wet before the wipers move... as this will prolong the life of the blades.