2007 G35 - Styling Commentary - My Review

[james t kirk]

I currently own a 2005 G35x. The styling was a big reason that I purchased the car since whenever I saw a G35 pass me on the road I always loved the look of the car.

Based on this, I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of the redesigned G35.

The following is strictly my comments on the new design, both pro and con.

PRO

The first thing that I like about the new design is the side profile. The new car has a nicer line to it than my 2005. I very much like the roof line and the lines along the rear of the car as viewed from the side.

The next thing that is very much an improvement is that the sides of the car are much more curved than they were with the previous design. My car has what I woud describe as a slab design from the side.

The new car actually reminds me of the Lexus IS in that it is far more curvey than its predessor.

The rear end - love the look of the dual exhausts, the redesigned tail lights, etc. Its curved sides are also more evident from the rear.

The Interior.

A home run. The new interior is light years away from the interior on the old design. The look of the dash, the elimination of those gawd awful orange gages, etc. Very much like the new consol layout, especially the repositioning of the snow switch to a place where it is easily accessable (not down at your ankles - what were they thinking)

The one thing I don't like about the interior however, is the radio. I guess I am a bit of a ludite in that I like knobs. Nothing beats a straight forward knob. In looking at the new radio, it's one of "those" kinds where it's like you are programming a microwave oven. Sigh....

Cons

Ok, now this is probably going to cause some disagreement from the peanut gallery.

1. The Chrome

Too much farking chrome on that car. It's like they dug up Harley Earl and sent him out golfing with Lee Iacocca and were trying to each outdo the other in where they could add more chrome to the car. What's next? Fins?

That chrome strip along the top of the trunk is PAINFUL to look at for me. If I bought one, I'd send the trunk lid to the body shop to have them pry off that rediculous strip and bondo it into a smooth line. Gawd, I hope they loose that chrome piece by 2008.

I never liked the chrome around the doors of my G35 and the new G35 is actually worse.

2. The head lights. The new head lights look like the M35/45. I love the looks of my head lights on my 2005. The remind me of the D type Jaguars and Renaults you would see from the 60s at Lemans. Totally cool design. The new head lights are boring and conservative and really look like crap to me.

3. The grill - ugh, too much chrome again. Those flat surfaces remind me of a Ford Fusion with its flat chrome grill. The old grill was a vastly superior design.

4. The hood. The line of the hood has been castrated. The old hood had a great set of curves to it, but the new hood is flatter, more conservative, more "old man".

All in all, the new design could be fixed, but I don't know if they would or not.

The car could look a lot meaner if they eliminated all chrome accent pieces that the car really doens't need.

The new G35 to me in a lot of ways is a clone of the M.

It's got its improvements, however, the IMHO, they dropped the ball when they made the car too conservative looking.

The new design could be out of the park, but it's just not there yet. It needs more sexieness and less old man to its styling.

Eliminate the chrome, bring back the old head lights, and make it look different than the M.

Again, just my humble opinion.

Would I buy one?

I can't say for sure. I really lusted after my 2005. I mean I thought about it constantly, I talked about with my friends till they were sick of listening to me, I would cruise the dealers. It was my dream car that I could actually afford.

The new one?

Well, sadly none of the above excitement is there.

I'm more taken with the Lexus IS350 right now. And I heard that Lexus is going to be coming out with a 400 HP IS variant. Now, that has my attention.

If Infiniti could fix up some of their obvious mistakes, I might be lusting after the G like I used to. I do believe that Infiniti is better bang for your buck, that's for sure.

[zozoka1212]

There is always an option to costumize to your need. Like this.

http://www.japanparts.com/imag...10082

Looks much slicker. I am thinking to change the grille to this. For the same reason I don't like the chrome too much.

Zozoka

[zozoka1212]

Before you decide to go with the Lexus visit their forum. Check out the transi problem they have. Whatever decision you have good luck with that.

Zozoka

here is a thread for youhttp://www.clublexus.com/forum...92106

The guy doesn't even let his wife drive the car because it is unsafe!

Are you sure you want to buy a Lexus. I mean the little hassles we had so far with the redisigned g35. That is nothing according to Lexus or BMW.

[james t kirk]

I'm not saying I'd go with a Lexus. My G35 won't be paid off for another 1.7 years anyway and then I'd love a bit of a break in car payments.

The thing I LOVE about the G35 is it is available in AWD with a 3.5 litre motor. The IS is only available with AWD in its 2.5 litre variant and by all accounts Toyota's AWD system is sadly lacking. It can't cope with the power of the larger motors.

I'm quite happy with my G35x and have no immediate plans to replace.

I just wish the new G35 didn't look like M35 jr.

I realized that the designers have to make changes, but I just wish that they hadn't made the car look so conservative. I don't particularly like the look of the M. It's nice and all, but it doesn't reach me.

[zozoka1212]

In the next year and half the cars going to change a lot. I hope they'll introduce the internet in the cars also. I'd read an article about it. That'd awesome. You don't need to buy anything. Like gps phone etc. It can do all. You can use VOIP phone thru your car computer for example. No signal hassle.

zozoka

[ugaexploder]

I definitely do not agree with you on the headlights. The new headlights are out of the park, and I believe the previous generation, especially on the sedans look horrible. The coupe's headlights look decent, but the g35 sedan looked like a altima.

[SVTCOBRA]

I dont care for the chrome on the trunk either. Not sure if that would keep me from buying one. I really like the dual exhaust. The changes didn't have me running out to trade.Really happy with the G's we have!!!!!