Final Comparison (possibly...) Used G35 vs New Altima Coupe

[generic808]

Realistically, a European car with 50-60K miles is way too much to buy if reliability is an issue. Euro cars aren't really known to regularly exceed 100,000K without any major issues. How many times have you heard "my Bimmer has 110,000k miles and is still running like a champ?" Nissan's, Toyota's and Honda's are all known to go well over 100K with proper care and maintenance.

But like I've said before, it's all up to you. I personally wouldn't buy a Euro car used if it had more than 40K on the odometer.

[coupenthusiast25]

Does anyone have any other comments/criticism on the two cars that I was looking at (the most recent post)?

[rjdmmfl1]

A couple things... perhaps you should come up with a checklist of what you value most.. looks, performance, total cost, fuel costs, maintenance etc. Only you know these things! After you rank features in order of importance, you may have a better idea of exactly what you are looking for.

I def wouldn't worry about what other people say about your car, whatever you decide on. It's not about keeping up with the Jones', but rather getting what makes you happy. Some folks might make smart a$$ comments about the Altima being the poor man's G35, but the funny thing is, most of those jerks bought USED G35's and spent less money than you would on a new A/C. So don't buy into that comment. The A/C is what it is, a new FWD mid size coupe, whose competitors are the Honda Accord, Pontiac G6, and Camry Solara... NOT the G35!! The fact of the matter is, the A/C is the hottest car on the road right now, and while the G35 is a BEAUTIFUL car in its own right, I think G35 owners are a bit disturbed over all of the buzz the A/C is getting. (Maybe this is why some of them buy used G35's and then hang out on A/C forums)

In any case, after you rank what you value most in your next car, your decision may be a little easier. I love my Altima coupe and while I know and trust my driving habits, I don't know and trust other folks habits enough to EVER buy a used car again. There are so many reasons why someone would sell a 2-3 year old car... perhaps they just got tired of it, or perhaps they know they ran the car into the ground and jacked up the transmission for the next man!

[Cali 2 Balti G]

I find it amazing that SOME Altima coupe owners think that the term "poor man's G35" is a negative comment. This term has been used in magazine articles as well.

It is actually a compliment - meaning that you get a lot of the G35's performance, amenities, styling etc at the more affordable Altima Coupe price - when comparing the prices of the 2 cars new. The comparison makes sense since there is only one coupe in the world that shares the same basic 6 cylinder engine as the Altima Coupe.

It's also amazing that some Altima Coupe owners refer to this as the Atlima Coupe forum - when clearly this forum is meant for sedan owners as well. I've even seen some sedan owners discouraged from posting here because some Coupe owner incorrectly assumed....

Finally

RJD - there is no reason to resort to personal insults.
Modified by Cali 2 Balti G at 4:41 AM 10/7/2007

[jdshift]

I am sure you already know which would fit your lifestyle better.

[generic808]

I find it amazing that SOME Altima coupe owners think that the term "poor man's G35" is a negative comment. This term has been used in magazine articles as well.

It is actually a compliment - meaning that you get a lot of the G35's performance, amenities, styling etc at the more affordable Altima Coupe price - when comparing the prices of the 2 cars new. The comparison makes sense since there is only one coupe in the world that shares the same basic 6 cylinder engine as the Altima Coupe.

Hey Cali, I have to agree with you on this one. Although I own a sedan, I know what you mean when you say it's a compliment. The G35, or BMW killer, which it has been referred to in the past, is an amazing vehicle. I was fortunate enough to have driven one of the first in Hawaii years back, because I dated the daughter of one of the top dog's at Infiniti Hawaii. I fell in love with everything about that car. I was so set on buying one until the new Altima sedan came out. I figured, hey, I get a new sedan which carries 5 adults comfortably, with almost the performance of the G, at a fraction of the cost. So I jumped at the chance and I have no regrets. The G35, and now it's successor, the G37, are amazing cars. And for one to say that the Altima is a "poor man's G35" IS a compliment.

AC owners shouldn't get offended by that remark. Many magazine writers and others in the auto industry have used that term many, many times before, and they'll keep using it. Why? Like you said, "you get a lot of the G35's performance, amenities, styling etc at the more affordable Altima Coupe price".

[leif927]

I call my AC my "baby G." ^_^

[acousticdank]

About the A/C being a "poor man's G35." I don't think it's necessarily an insult, but I'd hardly call it a compliment. Poor has a bad connotation. Would you call the G35, a rich man's Altima Coupe? (I realize the A/C came out afterwards so nobody would ever refer to it as that, but I'm using that as an example.)

If you get a 3.5 with similar options to a G35 (as close as you can), what is the actual cost differential? A few thousand bucks? Last I checked, spending a few thousand bucks less doesn't make you poor. I think it's a poor choice of words, but I can't think of any better way to say it. Maybe, you could call it an affordable G35. You get the same point across without "offending" people.

Personally, I'm not offended by it, just wanted to bring up a counterpoint.

I find it amazing that SOME Altima coupe owners think that the term "poor man's G35" is a negative comment. This term has been used in magazine articles as well.

It is actually a compliment - meaning that you get a lot of the G35's performance, amenities, styling etc at the more affordable Altima Coupe price - when comparing the prices of the 2 cars new. The comparison makes sense since there is only one coupe in the world that shares the same basic 6 cylinder engine as the Altima Coupe.

It's also amazing that some Altima Coupe owners refer to this as the Atlima Coupe forum - when clearly this forum is meant for sedan owners as well. I've even seen some sedan owners discouraged from posting here because some Coupe owner incorrectly assumed....

Finally

RJD - there is no reason to resort to personal insults.

Modified by Cali 2 Balti G at 4:41 AM 10/7/2007

[AltiCoupeDriver]

I dont think its a compliment at all. I had a G35 and for a few months and traded it in for an Altima Coupe. To me its not at all 'the poor man's G35' because if any of us here wanted a G35 we could've gotten one for thousands of dollars less than what we paid for our Altimas. It doesn't even makes sense. I think G35 owners have an inferiority complex of something. They're just scared that someone is going to call the care they possibly spent 35k on an Altima. If I still had my G and someone said 'hey nice Altima' I wouldn't care. But thats just me.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

I dont think its a compliment at all. I had a G35 and for a few months and traded it in for an Altima Coupe. To me its not at all 'the poor man's G35' because if any of us here wanted a G35 we could've gotten one for thousands of dollars less than what we paid for our Altimas. It doesn't even makes sense. I think G35 owners have an inferiority complex of something. They're just scared that someone is going to call the care they possibly spent 35k on an Altima. If I still had my G and someone said 'hey nice Altima' I wouldn't care. But thats just me.

Offensive term - come on - this is a term being used by several auto journalists and consumers as was stated earlier in the thread.I don't think would be biased - one way or the other.

I didn't come up with the term - so I wont bother to say what has already been said earlier in the thread. It is a figure of speach which usually means the words used are not strictly literal translations. Obviously if you can afford to buy a 25-30k + car whether it be a Nissan or an Infiniti you are not poor.

Think of it this way - in Japan the Infiniti G35 is known as the Nissan Skyline 350 GT - the skyline is a legendary car with a cult following whose history far precedes Infiniti as a company. Many G35 owners change their emblems to Nissan, Skyline, 350gt or some combination of those.

Here is a shot of one sporting all but the Nissan Emblem.

So let's assume the Nissan Altima or it's equivalent is sold in Japan. The Altima would obviously be positioned below the Nissan Skyline correct? at least in the us market the two cars share Nissan basic 6cylinder car platform utilizing variations of the same 3.5 liter engine. This same platform is used for the Maxima, 350Z, G35, FX35, M35, and so on. The Infinitis and higher line Nissan Cars like the 350z and Maxima will cost more but will provide either more room, power, amenities etc.

By opting for the Altima you are buying into the lower (don't get offended by the word lower) end of the same common platform.

We could use Leif's statement that he calls his altima the baby G but you might get offended by the use of the word baby.

Don't get caught up in the semantics.

Good Luck!!


Modified by Cali 2 Balti G at 6:13 PM 10/10/2007

[rjdmmfl1]

I would think that a USEd G35 is a poor man's G35..... but that's just me!!

[generic808]

Wow, I own an Altima and I wouldn't see how anyone would actually get offended by what Cali has been saying in this thread. Nissan/Infiniti, it's all the same. Same company, similar products, different label. We're all car enthusiasts here and we should just share thoughts, tips and opinions with each other, not argue over what is considered by many mags and journalists "THE POOR MAN'S G35". Who cares!

[rjdmmfl1]

generic...let's just agree to disagree!

[Cali 2 Balti G]

Do a search for "poor man's g35" and see what you get.

You will also get comments calling the G35 the "poor man's BMW". Again that is a compliment because we all know that the BMW 3 series is the benchmark in this segment.

Good Luck!!

[Cali 2 Balti G]

I would think that a USEd G35 is a poor man's G35..... but that's just me!!

Since you are referring to me and my car - get it right

My car is a "CHEAP Man's G35" - I love nice things, but even better I love nice things on the cheap.

But really we are really digressing talking about a term I didn't create. Be offended or not offended - it is what it is. Blame Nissan.

[Mr_Coupe]

Why are You comparing a G35 which is a 3.5 v6 and has 290 hp to a 2.5 S altima coupe thats insane you should be comparing it to a 3.5 v6 coupe just beacuse it at least has 270 hp...... 2.5 s is as fast as a scion TC

[Cali 2 Balti G]

The four cylinder would be a hell of a lot cheaper its my second year of driving and im paying about 3500 a year for insurance on the 3.5 coupe.

Ouch - you are getting raped - you must be under 25 and or had bad driving record.

I pay $960 a year for full comprehensive and Liability on my G35. Again I think part of this is because the replacement value the used G should be lower than the new Altima.

I'm in my 30's with a good driving record and multiple cars on this policy - this obviously helps as well.