2005 G35x - maybe it'll be mine

[SunnyGL]

Hi y'all,

I've been contemplating a vehicle upgrade for a while and a few weeks ago I had an epiphany - why not a G35x. So I've been spending much time searching the net for info and what's going for sale in my area. Today I took a test drive of above mentioned 2005, sage, with black interior, the wood trim and premium package, 45k miles - pretty much what i wanted - a few less miles would have been good, but this car retails for less than $19k and there are very few '05's around my part of the world for under 20k.

This is the first one I actually liked enough to drive and I've left a deposit - have 'til Tuesday to back out. It seemed to drive very well apart from an occasional clunk from the right rear - more noticeable over bumps and at lower speeds. So you experts, is this a shock absorber or something else? The dealer has said it will be taken care of in the detailing and inspection.

It looks like it has new brake rotors all round and the tires are Goodyear Eagle RSA I think - would these be original - they looked like they had about half the tread left and the same tire type was on the spare wheel too. I saw another dealer putting new rotors on an '05 with only 16k miles on it. Do G35xs eat rotors?

Anything else I should b e aware of? I've searched most of the posts here related to G35x and haven't seen much. Also have lurked on the G35driver spot. The car has a clean carfax BTW.

Thankscheers

[SVTCOBRA]

Welcome to Nico!!!

The RS-a's lasted about 20K on my wife's 05 Sedan.....Have no idea what the clunking is, but would be curious as to what it is.

I purchased my second 05 Sedan with 40K miles and my 04 Coupe with 44K miles, so I wouldn't be too concerned with the mileage.

Maybey another X owner will chime in about the clunking.

[zozoka1212]

Welcome to Nico,

I would put it in writing to make sure they fix the rear end and they back it up with warranty. All on paper. If it is possible testdrive it after they fix it for you and py for it.If I were you I would not pay before. THere is nothing really bad with the 05+. They are great cars. I think the tires been replace at least once. THey probably been replaced wth the same type of tires or maybe the owner had a set of winter tire.

zozo

[Sentientbydesign]

Welcome to NICO.

The clunking my be a lose weld on the rear frame. I think there's a technical service bulletin (TSB) on it. The dealer just needs to have it rewelded if that's it.

As for the tires, they are guaranteed to be the 2nd or 3rd set. The softer compound tires that are usually found on Gs doesn't last but 20k or so. Different depending on driving habits and road conditions.

My advice is that you find another same year G35X and test drive it for comparison. It helped me a lot when I bought mine.

The factory brakes great at stopping you fast, but not so great on longevity. A switch to an aftermarket brake can extended the longevity and reduce the replacement cost.

Good luck on your purchase!!!

[SunnyGL]

Hi Guys,Thanks for your quick replies. Yes, I hope I can find another '05 to drive today as a comparison although a lot of outfits are closed on Sundays.What surprises me is that these cars are turning over very quickly at used car dealers. My guess is that there are now plenty of off lease 04 and 05 models becoming available and they're attractively priced on the used car market. One place that had about 6 G35x's in mid June had sold the entire lot when I checked back 2 weeks later and had another 6 with several already sold. I thought the economy was down and no-one can get credit! So not much bargaining power.This one, however, spent its life in upstate NY so I am a bit puzzled why it went through auction and ended up here. I would have thought a quality car like the G35 would be good for a dealer to hang on to.

Hey Sentientbydesign is there a link to the TSB regarding the weld issue?

Thanks again

[telcoman]

Hi y'all,

I've been contemplating a vehicle upgrade for a while and a few weeks ago I had an epiphany - why not a G35x. So I've been spending much time searching the net for info and what's going for sale in my area. Today I took a test drive of above mentioned 2005, sage, with black interior, the wood trim and premium package, 45k miles - pretty much what i wanted - a few less miles would have been good, but this car retails for less than $19k and there are very few '05's around my part of the world for under 20k.

This is the first one I actually liked enough to drive and I've left a deposit - have 'til Tuesday to back out. It seemed to drive very well apart from an occasional clunk from the right rear - more noticeable over bumps and at lower speeds. So you experts, is this a shock absorber or something else? The dealer has said it will be taken care of in the detailing and inspection.

It looks like it has new brake rotors all round and the tires are Goodyear Eagle RSA I think - would these be original - they looked like they had about half the tread left and the same tire type was on the spare wheel too. I saw another dealer putting new rotors on an '05 with only 16k miles on it. Do G35xs eat rotors?

Anything else I should b e aware of? I've searched most of the posts here related to G35x and haven't seen much. Also have lurked on the G35driver spot. The car has a clean carfax BTW.

Thankscheers

SunnyGL

Welcome to NICO

The G35 is a fantastic automobile for its features and price.

However you need to keep in mind that the G35X gets lower MPG and eats brakes quicker than the 6 speed manual.My 06 came with Bridgestone Turanza 235.45.18 and I replaced them with the same tires at 47k miles. I recently looked at a new 08 in the parking lot and they had Dunlap tires.I believe the reason the car went to auction is perhaps the demand now is for more fuel efficient vehicles? My mileage is updated each time I fillup.

Good luck with your purchase

Telcoman

[SunnyGL]

Hi Telcoman,

I was reasonably aware of the G35 before i began to look in earnest and so have spent much time in the last month reading up whatever i can find. Obviously most magazine articles are about the newer 306hp model - harder to find much about the earlier editions except in forums like these.

The car I've got a deposit on has new rotors all round and, presumably, at least new pads on the front. I'll check. This will be my daily driver for a 18-19 mile commute about 2/3 on highway with 2-3 miles between lights at 45-50mph and then more built up as I get into town - the fabulous route 9 in metrowest Boston for any from the NE. I think the awd will give me a bit more confidence in the inclement weather of a NE winter so am prepared to accept a little lower mpg.

I'm not so sure about the lower mpg sending it to auction - a local used car dealer nearby, one who tends to specialize in the upmarket off lease cars and who has competitive pricing has been turning over '04s like hotcakes. Most of these 04s have premium package and go for $16-19k with 30-45k miles on them. I was hoping to find an 05 for about $18k and this one is just above that, from another one of these places that deals in upmarket, mostly 3-4 year vehicles This one is pretty immaculate - the best i've seen from the outside and just a bit dusty on the inside.

Today I went down to Infiniti of Norwood to check out an 05 PP & nav that the wanted $26k for. It was quite beat up on the outside with a huge scuff/scrap on the left rear wheel arch, multiple scratches all around. I can't understand why the showed a car in that condition - fix the darn thing before putting it on the lot. Are there suckers out there who would drop big money on a car that was presented like that? I was far from impressed with the dealership. The sales guy was pretty rude when I pointed out others on the net with similar specs for much much lower money. Wanted me to make an offer and agree to buy it there and then. I think it has reassured me that the one I've got is a better deal although one can never be sure with a used car.

I enjoyed the test drive in "my" one had it out for about an hour and got a chance to floor it once or twice which brought up a big grin as my current little 4 banger doesn't have much get up and go.

cheers

SunnyGL

[telcoman]

I know what car fever is like but take a deep breath and relax.Do some research on the web for new car prices on cars.com, Edmunds.com, etc. Request quotes and visit a few dealers in your area. Test drive both the G35X and the 6 speed. Drag this out till December and you may find a good deal on a brand new 2008?Although these vehicles are well made, any problems requiring parts not under warranty can be pricey to repair. I think you are much better off purchasing from an Infiniti dealer with a factory warranty.With 62.3k miles on my 06, the only problems so far have been two tire pressure monitor sensors and one driver side air bag control module all replaced under warranty.BTW, I purchased mine 12/31/05. Christmas and New Years eve are the two best days of the year to purchase a vehicle in my opinion. I bought my last four vehicles in the month of December and got very good deals.

Good luck

Telcoman

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Welcome to the Family

about the 6MT

Im DJ and Can't wait to see your new G ride!

DJ

[audtatious]

Welcome to NICO. Sounds like the G35x you test drove is a decent deal as long as you make sure they fix the clunk. The G35 has the best resale value out there which is why the secondary market still has these cars priced so high. The 2005 model has a 4yr/60,000 mile warranty and I would make sure that you get credit for it. After purchasing the vehicle I would take it into an Infiniti dealership to fix anything you note needs fixing and to have them validate any recalls and such have been performed on the vehicle. You should still be able to use the remaining 15k miles on the factory B-B warranty and the engine still has a 6yr/70,000 warranty with it. As far as the engine goes you should really have no issues with it. The VQ-series has been rated one of the 10-best engines for 14+ years in a row by Wards and is the primary motor in most Nissan/Infiniti vehicles (G35, M35, FX35, Maxima, Murano, Altima, 350z, etc...etc...etc...). These motors are good for way over 200k miles as long as they are properly maintained.