Question

"Somethingwittyer likes noisy" (Somethingwittyer) 10/05/2013 at 19:16 • Filed to: Infiniti, Ask Oppo

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What do you guys think about the G35?

As I've posted before, I've been looking at cars because I'm getting my license soon, and the parents are willing to spend more then I was expecting. However, they want something more modern and safe then all the RWD coupes from the 90's I've suggested. I first I was pissed because I really want something RWD and manual (I know, I should be thankful I'm even getting the opportunity to get a car), but then I remembered the early 2000s have a bunch of great sport sedans.

I turned to the E42 3 series, but quickly I realized it was way to unreliable for a first car. I then thought the first gen IS would be great, but I have that pesky manual requirement and almost none were sold with one. The few I found had way to many miles on them and seemed to be beat to hell.

All hope seemed lost and my thoughts where turning to SRT-4s, Civics, SS's and GTIs. But then, I remembered the G35. Based on the FX platform and powered by the beloved Nissan's VQ engine (before it became the punchline of the 370Z), the G35 was pretty much a nicer 350Z that in some cases had 4 doors. That good, because like the first gen SC300, it avoided it's sportier cousin's fate of having all examples modded to hell. Anyway, I did a quick search on cars.com and what do you know?! There are a million of these things on the market that have manuals and (unlike the 350z) are in decent shape!

As you can tell I'm quite excited, because even thought I've only casualty mentioned it to my parents, there is hope for me getting a RWD manual car. But anyway, back to the main question. Does anybody have an ownership experience with the G35? Problems? Thoughts? How the overall car is? It beat the E42 in a C&D comparo test back in o3 (I think), so that's something.

Blondude > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/05/2013 at 19:19

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*Disclaimer: I have never driven/owned a G35*

Tom McParland > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/05/2013 at 19:21

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My dad has had 3 G-coupes, 1 35 and 2 37s, all 6-speeds (He leased them as company cars). He has never complained about any issues other than they suck in the winter. I kept telling him to get all-season-tires but he didn't listen. I have driven them on occasion and while they are very nice cars, I did not like the shift action I found it to be notchy and rough, and this was on cars with less than 30k miles. Being that this will be your first car, I would check the insurance quotes on these puppies, a new driver with a RWD sports-coupe with 300hp means really high rates.

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > Tom McParland 10/05/2013 at 19:24

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Yeah, insurance is a bitch. Have no idea how that's going to play out.

Sn210 > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/05/2013 at 19:24

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I've never owned or driven one, but I like them a lot better than the g37. I like their look and their sound too.

Lets Just Drive > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/05/2013 at 19:28

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They're pretty cool cars that, much like the Mustang, are let down by the typical owner more than anything else. Bro's, Bruh's and Bra's tend to stick to a few cars and the G35 was most assuredly one.

They're pretty good cars though, from my experience (which is limited).

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > Sn210 10/05/2013 at 19:30

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The front fascia is a little weird looking, but overall their pretty good looking. The G37 on the other hand looks seriously bloated, worse then the F10 5 series.

SonorousSpeedJoe > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/05/2013 at 19:31

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I've always liked the G35 sedan/coupe because it was basically a lux 2+2 350Z with an attractive look all its own. The prices seem to line up with those of the 350Z's in my area.

I don't have any specific advice on the G35 other than that insurance rates would probably be similar to the 350Z - which is, to say, high. I do know that there are some issues/model years of the 350Z that some people recommend against because of changes made to the engines, though I think I remember hearing that the G35 mostly avoided those.

As far as the 350Z is concerned, here 's a basic look at the different model years.

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > Lets Just Drive 10/05/2013 at 19:32

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Yeah, I've seen tons of dude bros driving around in them. Doesn't bother me thought.

Tom McParland > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/05/2013 at 19:35

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In NJ it is especially a bitch. Here is a little story in case you missed it.

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Somethingwittyer likes noisy > Tom McParland 10/05/2013 at 19:36

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6750 a year!? Fuck insurance companies.

Tom McParland > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/05/2013 at 19:37

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It get's much cheaper as you get older. I'm 32 and pay about $1650 for full coverage on two cars.

Tom McParland > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/05/2013 at 19:38

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The coverage on the Prelude was about $3400 when I was 20.

psyzan > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/05/2013 at 19:40

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My friend's mom had a G35 four door. I thought it was plain looking, but it was a very comfortable ride. The back seats reclined, so that was cool. We used to take it to Chicago every once in a while, when we felt like giving the racecars a break.

I'd imagine the sports coupes are nice. They look pretty good, but I've never driven one.

Do you have winter to deal with? That's something you might want to look into. RWD cars in the winter are drivable, but just from experience, I would prefer to drive FWD or something else.

Lets Just Drive > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/05/2013 at 20:13

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Nope. Me neither.

I drive my S197 happily.

Everyday Driver isn't the best, but they're good. Hope it helps.

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/05/2013 at 22:26

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G35? Great car. However, if said parents are willing to invest $10 - $15k on your vehicle, I have an alternate suggestion. If you are mechanically inclined, get a project track car and a beater daily driver. If you are just getting your license, I'm guessing you are dying to hoon. Do an engine swap on a project car, and take your hooning to the track. It's more fun. you won't kill yourself, you will learn an incredible amount about cars, and establish confidence in being able to fix anything. Your parents will certainly get their moneys worth, and with research and desperation you might be able to keep your cost of the two vehicles under $15k. Despite your generations reputation as a bunch of video game junkies, there are an incredible number of 16-25 year olds doing engine swaps for their cars, while maintaining a video game junkie lifestyle. But you will spend a lot of time off the coach and in the garage working, and learning about ECU's, MAF's, gaskets, fluid leaks, and vacuum lines.

candyfobreakfast > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/06/2013 at 05:18

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I own a 2005 G35 Sedan 6MT and all around it is fantastic. Here are some things I think you should know:

1. It has short ratio gears combined with 300hp, the acceleration is fantastic. Even though I've had the car for a while after I take a quick run through first and second gear I still think to myself "damn this car is fast".

2. Near 50/50 weight distribution + fairly low curb weight + same suspension setup as a 350z = good cornering while being predictable and tame. It's a very forgiving car.

3. Gas mileage is what you want it to be. If you stay out of the throttle it is actually really good, get into the throttle and it gets terrible in an instant.

4. Only 2005-2006 models with 6MT had 300hp. The engine included in them is called the VQ35DE Rev Up. Some of these motors have issues with oil burning, be on the watch for that.

5. The manual in it is harder to work with than most manuals, especially when you're trying to drive slowly/smoothly. It is not really meant to be driven slowly/smoothly, the clutch has maybe 8in of travel and the shifter has short throws.

6. The coupe and the sedan have different axleback exhausts that cannot be swapped between each other. This is a problem if you want a sedan but love that classic "VQ hum" that the coupe has.

7. It is a sleeper, especially in sedan form. No one except for hardcore car enthusiasts know what it is. Floor the car behind someone on a sidewalk and watch them be scared by the intake growl, and then be dumb founded when a normal looking sedan passes them.

8. Going off #7, this car sounds great in coupe or sedan form. It is very quiet at low RPM's but after 4k it makes an incredible howl. Best sounding V6 I've ever heard.

9. It's a fairly nice car on the inside and is nice to cruise in, especially with friends. Road noise isn't the best if you have summer tires though.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > candyfobreakfast 10/06/2013 at 19:10

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Any major mechanical problems?

candyfobreakfast > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 10/07/2013 at 00:28

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None. There are some minor things that were fixed after 04 though, like squeaks in the interior, axle clicking, etc. Like I said the Rev Up motor can burn oil, but it's generally thought of as not a big of a deal because it doesn't affect the reliability of the engine (unless you run out of oil).