Advice for a new G35 near buyer

[minhong]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and about to buy a 06 G35 sedan. It's between the G35 ($27.5k) and a Camry SE ($24), both base models.

Anyway, I have a few questions.

First off, which car should I get? I realize since all of you guys are G35 owners, it's a bit biased but objectively as you can, what should I get?

I think the manual and also Edmunds says that the G35 uses regular unleaded fuel, but in almost all forums I've read, almost everyone uses premium. Does using regular mess up the car or hinder its performance? Does any other G35 owner actually use regular?

Also, does using the shiftronic rather then the automatic increase gas mileage or performance at all?

Lastly, does anyone know what would be a good after market navigation system? For any other car, I would pay the extra 2k for a nav, but for the G35, I don't feel the need to get the premium package for 3000 just for the opportunity to pay another 2000 for the nav.

Modified by minhong at 12:42 AM 6/26/2006
Modified by minhong at 12:42 AM 6/26/2006

[yzarcur]

I have owned a 2000 Camry XLE V6 and will say it was a very dependable car, no problems at all. I have owned a 2004 G35 Coupe since Feb of 04. There is a big difference between a coupe and sedan, even between the G35. But when I have driven the sedan while my car has been in for oil changes, services and such I noticed a big difference between that car and my 00 Camry. It does have more power and just drives differently mostly because it is rear wheel drive, not frount wheel.

I think you will not have a problem with either of the vehicles as far as dependability but you will have more fun in the G.

I always use premium gas, I think my owners manual actually says to. But I just feel it is going to burn better and cleaner which is what a high performance engine needs.

Yes if you use the manual shift you will most likely use more gas as you will tend to shift at a higher rpm than the car will based on computer programing.

[gjohnson66]

I haven't owned a Camery before, but I would think that the G is a far superior car - both in performance and workmanship fit/finish. I think you'll be fine with either choice.

As for premium gas, that's all I use in my G. As was stated before, that's what the manual says to use. I have heard that the lower grades of fuel don't burn as well in the VQ and that your mileage will suffer greatly. Unfortunately I'm not an engineer so I can't verify that any of this is true.

[AZhitman]

Welcome aboard, min!

All good advice so far.

There's a big difference between the way the two cars handle - RWD vs FWD, and the G is quite a bit faster.

The G also stops WAY shorter than the Camry, so if safety is a consideration, there ya go.

Lastly, there's the issue of service. When you take the G in for service, you get a free loaner (G35 Sedan) and get treated with Infiniti's award-winning "Total Ownership Experience". Buy the Camry and you get to sit in the waiting room with Corolla and Scion owners and you take the shuttle to work.

Biased? Yep. But with good reason.

Let us know as soon as you pick up your new G!

[minhong]

Thanks for all the great replies. I even got an email welcoming me to the forum.

I think when I break it down, the G35 wins in almost all categories except obviously total price, acceleration (tie), gas mileage, and dashboard materials (a lot of plastic on the G).

But it was a much better handling car, slightly better features (6 cd changer, climate control, duel power seats, seat memory), and of course, the cooler car. And AZ was right about the service. I had a Toyota before, and their service is well below adequate.

I think I'll probably try to haggle down closer to $27,000, or get the sunroof thrown in for free, which will make it a no brainer for me then.