CD Article: Infiniti G35, 2003-2006

[CD_Editor]

Used Vehicle Review:

It's tough to get fast, reliable and cheap all in one car, but you can get two out of three in the 2003-2006 Infiniti G35, says Chris Chase. There are some cheaper used cars out there, but the G35 offers luxury features, powerful engines and a good reputation for reliability, he says.  
   
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[2latecrew]

If I wasn't about to be able to acquire my Father's 99 Maxima for a song the G35 would be my first choice for a used car.

The only thing that bothers me is the rarity of the 6 speed manual tranny. I had the pleasure of spending 3 days with a G35x and loved the engine and  handling. yes the interior is a bit haphazard but I could easily live with it to drive a sweet handling RWD 260-289 hp sports sedan for a reasonable price.

[SeaG35]

We bought our new G35 in April 2003, and I agree with most of what was said in your review.

In four years the only work required other than routine maintenance were the recalls, a couple of TSBs and front brakes replaced under warranty. The brake issue is offset by their exceptional performance. All in all it has been pretty reliable, but not as good as our 1997 Maxima or 2000 I30.

The only gripes with the car are a few minor squeaks and leather that is wearing poorly.

Despite what you have read, the stereo is great. Maybe the base models sold in the US in 2003 didn't have the 200 watt Bose - which all Canadian models came with.

Dealer service has been great here in Victoria.

I've been a car fanatic for many years, and the G35 is the most fun to drive of all of my cars (except maybe my 1970 Z-28).

SeaG

[Snowman]

Great car, there are not enough MT RWD Sedans in the $35k-$40k range with this power level.

[safristi]

Sub_bose he's right......................this once.... ..I like Infiniti & beyond & bath NIGHT wif "Crystal!!!! )

[Demosthenes X]

Love these cars...  with the used prices getting more reasonable, the coupe (and its Nissan counterpart) are quickly becoming extremely popular in the tuner crowd.  Every time I look there are several G35s and 350Zs for sale.

Fortunately, most of the buyers of these cars are sensible and/or have already gotten the Big Wing Bug out of their system, so most of the examples I've seen are unmodified or tastefully done.  Or have twin turbo kits under the hood...  but I digress. 

[jww]

Ample vrrooom for the $$ imo.

I always have liked the G35.

[stickshift]

Despite what you have read, the stereo is great. Maybe the base models sold in the US in 2003 didn't have the 200 watt Bose - which all Canadian models came with.

Thanks for your comments, SeaG35. I did indeed get the crummy stereo comment from a U.S.-based forum. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Mitlov]

Fortunately, most of the buyers of these cars are sensible and/or have already gotten the Big Wing Bug out of their system, so most of the examples I've seen are unmodified or tastefully done.  Or have twin turbo kits under the hood...  but I digress. 

Twin turbos are tasteful.  Or at least tasty    The thought of a twin-turbo G35 makes me 

[Demosthenes X]

A shop in Victoria just finished an install of a Greddy TT kit on a VQ car...  don't recall if it was the 350 or the G.  At any rate, be prepared to pay a pretty penny.  MSRP on the kit alone is $11 000 CDN.

[carjoe]

I love these cars but in reference to the article, wouldn't the G35 have replaced the I35? I think they sold both for a short while but can't remember when they stopped making the I series.

[Mattesa]

That's a pretty good summary.  Pretty much nailed the quirks.

The Bose stereo really does indeed suck.  I'm no audiophile, so I can't really adequately describe why, but the system just sounds "muffled".  The sound lacks depth, and lacks "body".  We also had to have the unit replaced undert warranty because it had trouble playing some burned CDs.

---

My personal dislikes:

- Mushy non-linear brake feel.

- I'm really not a fan of the auto-tranny.  It feels slushy, and does a good impression of a CVT in some situations.

- Feels heavy.  The ride is brittle, yet the suspension is still a bit too soft.

---

My personal likes:

- Nice large brakes that can't fit inside a 16" wheel.

- The boomy exhaust note.  It makes lots of nice bassy roar sounds on acceleration, but absolutely quiets down when cruising.

- The Bauhaus styling.  No seriously, it's Bauhaus!

- Poking around the engine, the suspension, underneath the car, the overall shape, it all looks and feels purposeful and well engineered.

- Quad afternurner tailights carry on the Skyline theme.

[JSCC]

A 4 year life cycle is kind of short for a luxury car.
Did they come to Canada in early 2002?

[99 Silver]

I got one of the first ones in Canada in late January 2002.  It's serial number ended with 847!  We drove this car for three years and 90,000km with only a couple of minor recalls (I recall something about headlight adjusters) and a set of front brakes and rotors.  My biggest complaint with the car was excessive brake dust.

We traded that one in and got an 05 G35x in January 2005.  The interior was much improved.  The biggest improvement in my opinion is that the brake dust issue is minimized, partially by the design of the wheels which keeps the dust on the inside of the rim away from view.  We have 80,000km now and only have had routine maintenance and a set of front pads and rotors at 75,000km.  We run winter tires on these cars and I probably wouldn't get AWD again as it isn't necessary where I live (Kitchener) and the rear wheel drive car (with winter tires) is better in snow than a FWD car with all seasons anyway.  I find the AWD a little slower and heavier feeling and it is geared slightly higher which increases highway cruising RPM.  I must admit it is fun to turn off the TC and really put your foot into it on wet pavement at an intersection.  The acceleration is amazing compared to RWD in that situation.

These cars seem well put together and engineered.  They even have full size spares on alloy wheels!

We are looking at an new car this year and will consider the new G and M as they are both very satisfying cars to drive.  My other car is a Mazdaspeed Miata and I hate it when I go out of town and get a rental car which has ordinary handling.

[Mattesa]

A 4 year life cycle is kind of short for a luxury car.
Did they come to Canada in early 2002?

I believe the car has been around in JDM form since 2001.  Even so, that's only 5 years, and still kinda short.    It looks to have been a huge hit for Infiniti though.  There are a lot of 05-06 G sedans running around the city, but it seems just about 99.9% of them are AWD models.  Looking at the license plates, it looks like a lot of 03-04 models have found their second owners.

Infiniti did a great job with the G35.  It's a thoroughly genuine competitor to the 3-Series (alloy full spare, like 99Silver mentioned, and it's great in case you ding a wheel).

It's also Infiniti's second real entry-level luxury vehicle.  The J30 was the first, but the G20s, I30s, I35s don't count.

[gta_driver]

I drove one when they first came out. Mine was a service loaner when my Infiniti was getting some dealer work done. I distinctly remember being appalled by the interior. The exterior was nice. but the interior was sin 'un-infiniti' like (at least the Infiniti I was used to).