"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
11/20/2014 at 14:07 • Filed to: review, infiniti, G35
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"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
11/20/2014 at 14:07 • Filed to: review, infiniti, G35 | 3
| 3 |
I owned a 2006 G35 coupe for 5 years. What would make me do such a thing? Read on to find out...
( Full Disclosure : Infiniti wanted me to drive a G35 so badly they sold one to a dude who traded it in to a Toyota dealership who sold it to me after some bait and switch shenanigans.)
What do you get if you stretch a 350Z, add a back seat, a bunch of leather and an analog clock? The G35. A rock solid, rear wheel drive coupe that could keep up with just about anything offered in 2006. It's luxurious enough, but retains just enough of the rough edges from its Z-roots to stay fun.
Exterior 8/10
Looks are subjective obviously, but I got tons of unsolicited compliments on this car. Thankfully mine had the more tasteful spoiler that only extended to the edge of the trunk rather than the awful park bench that most G35's came with. I think the car looks great and has aged well. It has simpler lines than the G37 refresh without the busy-ness that so many Japanese car designs have today. Some points off however, because there are some angles that don't work and the whole thing looks a bit chunkier than it should.
Interior 7/10
I don't have any pictures of my car's interior, so this picture of the ugly beige interior will have to do. I had the light gray interior which looked nice with all the brushed aluminum and black accents. Again, simplicity wins out. All the buttons and controls are easy to find and use. Overall, it's a nice place to be. Even the back seat fits adults as long as you can put up with a bit of whining.
Acceleration 8/10
In its 3.5L form, the VQ engine puts out 280 HP and 270 ft/lbs of torque. There's a reason Nissan put the VQ in all of their cars. Tons of low-end torque, and a love it or hate it sound that is distinctive if nothing else. I had the automatic, but it was programmed to let you have some fun. Switch to manual shifting mode and you can slide the tail out all day long.
Braking 8/10
They stop the car. Great pedal feel and they do the job in the freeway driving behind idiots or on an autocross course being driven by an idiot. Best brakes I've ever used, but I'm not an autojournalist, so who knows?
Ride 5/10
Seriously rough ride. It's fine on the freeway, but loud. To me, it was worth it, but the harshness got a little old sometimes.
Handling 8/10
You can feel how heavy the car is, but the handling manages to impress anyway. The steering wheel is nicely weighted with good feedback. The car is well balanced which combined with POWAH and RWD makes it super fun to slide the tail out everywhere. Like, always. Seriously, this car loves going sideways. Don't get me wrong, it's grippy as hell and will get you around corners, but if you break the rear tires free you're going to have a good time.
Gearbox 7/10
Yes, it's an automatic, and yes that's why I ultimately sold the car. No, it's not because the gearbox was bad, I just wanted to get something with a manual.
Gear shifts are aggressive and fast if you put your foot down and manual mode works well enough. Too much of a delay before downshifts when trying to pass on 2 lane roads, though. Way way better than the auto box in the 6-cyl Mustangs I've rented.
Audio 8/10
Great sound system, but it comes from the era between cassette decks and auxiliary inputs, so connecting with the phone for music isn't going to happen. Still, the speakers are fantastic and the exhaust sound is one of my favorites. I don't care if a Nissan Murano sounds the same, it's a good sound and I like it.
Toys 7/10
Thankfully this car came from a time before all of the driver aids that plague the latest Infiniti Q-something. It has a DVD based navigation system with no voice control or touch screen. Instead, you get to use the world's most infuriating tiny joystick to pick letters and you push on the center of the joystick to make selections. I'm not kidding, it's the worst input device ever invented.
Value 9/10
New, this car was over $40k, but I got it for $26k. As a used car, the G35 is an amazing value. I didn't have a single mechanical problem not caused by me running over/into things. Infiniti has to be one of the "safest" used performance car purchases you can make.
Total: 75/100
Engine: 3.5L V6
Power: 280 HP / 270 LB-FT
Transmission: 5-speed auto
0-60 Time: 6 seconds
Top Speed: Infinity
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Curb Weight: 3505 lbs
Seating: 4 people
MPG: 17 city/ 23 highway
RightFootDown
> Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
11/20/2014 at 15:01 |
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Nice write-up. As an ex-G35 Coupe 6-speed w/Brembos owner, not so sure I would agree with your acceleration, braking or value score.
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Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
> RightFootDown
11/20/2014 at 15:31 |
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I wouldn't read too much into the scores. I've never driven a Ferrari, so I'm not going to dock points against how I imagine other cars drive, I can only compare it to cars I've driven.
My '95 Corolla, for example, gets a 3 for acceleration, a 6 for braking, and a 0 for value because you'll have to spend more on cars the rest of your life compensating for that one time you owned a '95 Corolla.
heliochrome85
> Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
11/20/2014 at 18:13 |
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I had a 2006 Athens Blue/Slate G35 Sport Coupe. Thanks for bringing me back. I miss the shit out of that car.