It seems like no one here talks about them much, but they are about the same price as an e46 BMW and at least seem like they should be fun. Are there any major problem areas or reasons not to get them? Or does everyone avoid them just because they are mostly automatics and look kinda funny.
I had a 2006 sedan. Sport package, 6mt. Actually a really nice car. Not as refined as the BMW. The engine and trans are a bit coarse, but I really liked it. The VQ35 is very strong. Mine was really tight and composed feeling. I think the coupes are quite attractive actually. I'm not sure why they are generally unloved in this community. The coupe is really a 350z with a back seat and a longer wheelbase.
They are known to be very well built and reliable, although some of the 2005-2006 models with the "rev-up" (296 hp) motor had oil consumption issues. Mine did not.
They're good drivers, with great seats (at least the S model coupes), bulletproof engines, strong transmissions, RWD, and actually look pretty good. I don't have any track experience on them, but my thought when driving them is that they are a bit chunky for track work. Remember, it's basically a 350z with a bunch of extra weight.
I think they don't get talked about much on here because there's nothing all that exciting about them. They're good-performing luxury sedan/coupes with some sportiness to them (depending on which model/trim you get). I personally think a G35S Sedan compares well with a e46 330i in most categories (and with arguably better interior to me). Then again, the non-M e46s that I've driven have been pretty unexciting as well, in my opinion.
G35 coupe trunk is a joke, I will warn you. Early ones actually had a diagram on the inner trunklid showing you how you could "theoretically" get 2 golf bags into the trunk. We tried it with full sets, and it didn't work, lol...
Foggy headlights.
JamesMcD wrote: Foggy headlights.
that describes about 99% of Nissans built between 2000 and 2006, lol.
irish44j wrote:JamesMcD wrote: Foggy headlights.that describes about 99% of Nissans built between 2000 and 2006, lol.
I think it describes almost all newer cars with stupid plastic headlights. The glass ones in my old Maxima were the bomb!
i used to an own an '04 sedan and loved it. fantastic engine decent chassis, very nice interior. there's not much not to like. it's not as bloated as you might think it terms of driving appeal. since i also to own a bmw, i think the g35 would be my choice between the two. as long as you are not comparing it with the m, it's faster, more comfortable, and far, far cheaper to own.
the early cars also have a tire wear issue, but it's easily solved by updating the lca bushings.
They can fit 315 Hoosiers on the stock wheels. They were a very fast DS car when they were allowed.
We had an '04 G35x. Even with the extra weight of the AWD system, it was still a great car. Handling was fantastic, it has a great chassis. Very comfortable driver. Ride was a bit stiff, but that's expected. It went through brakes like candy, but that's the tradeoff for having incredible braking ablility. The thing would strain your seatbelt when you mashed the brakes. Fuel mileage sucked.
I've always preferred the look of the G35 to the 350.
We had an 07 Sedan Blk/Blk with all options for a little over a year in 2012. We loved it. One of the best/easiest navigations I've used. Dwarfs the I-Drive, etc. Great transmission, and great handling.
Sold it because we were expecting a baby. Bought the SUV of our dreams.
We always talk about that car, and the engine sound. Previous owner had modded the stock exhaust.
When I decide to garage the M Coupe for a Sedan, the G will be a top contender.
Awesome cars. My favorite modern sedan. RWD goodness, manual trans, Japanese reliability and good looks.
Was looking for a new car in late '03. Drove a G35 6 speed and a 330i ZHP. My wife, who thinks cars are appliances and drove both, asked what was wrong with the Infinity. It was loud, didn't feel solid, had paint that was already fading, and the interior was nowhere near as nice. We got the 330i. Drove it for years with no issues. The sport seats are some of the most comfortable I've ever sat in. Passed it on to my son, who drove it until 2012. At 120,000 it would have needed suspension bushings, but was still a really nice car to drive on the highway. I'm sure that G35 is in a salvage yard in Miami...
I bought an 06 coupe mt new and loved it. Decent power, great, comfortable cruiser, good looking car. A bit more weight than I typically like. Sold it with 45k on it.
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