G35 Reliability

[Patches]

Hey all. I'm looking to get a 2003 G35 sedan (coupe is unfortunately too pricey). Anyways, I've test driven several different G35s and absolutely love them. Good stock stereo, nice pick up and sound, classy interior, fairly roomy backseats, etc. Consumer reports, edmunds, and JD power all have good things to say about the car as well.

The main thing holding me back right now is the reliability. I've searched the site a bit and other than the reliability rating website that you have to have a car to sign up for (my Volvo was totaled), I haven't found much on the topic so I'm sorry if this has been answered recently. Anyways, Consumer Reports has rated them as "above average" in reliability but I am curious to see if that actually holds up in real life. What have you guys experienced? How are maintenance costs? I was kinda looking into BMWs and Audis but I've read both (esp Audi) have issues with reliability and then when things go wrong, it's pricey to fix. I'm particularly interested in hearing how G35s with >80K miles fare, considering that's probably the best I'm going to be able to find on my college student budget. Thanks in advance for any info.

-Jordan

[smockers83]

The thing with the 03s and 04s is that all the bugs were worked out during those 2 years. If you can, go 05 and newer. Some things to look for are Brembo packages (lots of brake dust, short pad life), CD players have been known to stop working, and a couple of other things that I can't recall off the top of my head. But overall, I would agree that they are better than average; its a fine machine.

Welcome to NICO!

[zozoka1212]

Jordan,

Welcome to Nico.

To answer your question. The g35 is one of the most reliable car. However the 03 was the first edition of it. No really big issue only few small. Like the head unit or door window motor.

Another thing you should consider. If you are out of warranty then it could be pricey to repair the g35. Nothing worst then buy a car and end up leaving it in the garage/driveway due to the cost of the repair. Maybe a little extended warranty would help.

zozo

[SVTCOBRA]

Welcome to Nico!

^ both are right. 05 if you can save up a few more coins.But, I've heard more problems with the 03 coupe than sedan.Extended warranty is a good thing to consider.

I recently purchased an 04 coupe with 44K miles and picked up a Nissan backed 36M/36K warranty at my local Nissan dealer for $1,167

Good luck!

[thahman]

Mine has been great to me, considering my erratic driving habits. I do A LOT of driving, and I've put almost 18k this year alone. I just reached 100k a few weeks ago and she's still going strong. No problems with the head unit/ac/power window as of yet. Best car I've ever owned! We have an 06 coupe that of course has been revised and retuned, but I can still kick its butt! :-P
Modified by thahman at 7:06 PM 7/18/2008

[Jacko3]

Patches:

I can't even begin to tell you the level of unbelievable punishment the car can take. You will notice that i have replaced a few things under warranty, but don't let that scare you as the parts i am replacing are more a function of how the car was put together at the factory than the car itself. None of the parts I have replaced have caused any starting or driveability issues---i replaced them because i want to use the warranty. If i had more money, i would actually buy a second coupe and keep for posterity. Most of all, the fun factor of driving the car cannot be expressed in words.

Make sure you have some money for tires, gas, and brakes because when you buy the car, you will go crazy with it, and that automatically means a faster wearing of your tires and brakes, and gas. I don't know of anyone who hasn't gone crazy with their G-35. Nissan really built a toy into the car. No car should be this exciting to drive.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Welcome to the family

Jacko speaks the truth.... No car should be this much fun... I would get a 6mt if you can find one... A lot more fun in all years!

DJ

[all G'd up]

I think the G will be a good choice, by far more reliable than the german cars (audi, bmw...) and much cheaper to fix... The 6MT w/brembo brakes is where it's at!

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

if you get a BMW or AUDI I vote we from NICO

[all G'd up]

+1

[Sentientbydesign]

Welcome Patches!

I spent 4-6 months searching and shopping for my coupe. After exhaustive research, I told myself it was 05+ or bust.

Too many issues with the 03/04 and the warranties are almost guaranteed to be gone (almost). I think the worst thing about the 03/04 automatic sedans is that stupid mechanical cooling fan. The manual transmission and both versions of the coupe had electric fans.

Stereo problems and premature brake wear were the two biggies. 05+ had oil consumption issues on the manual transmissions, but are warrantied if the problem is bad enough.

Reliability has been pretty awesome. I have a lot of confidence in Nissan/Infiniti. My family has owned them since before I was born and most of them have gone over 200k without any severe problems. My I30 was at 280k when I sold it. My dad has an older Frotier with over 300k on the clock.

But no worries. If the G you buy has problems, we'll be happy to help you figure out how to fix it and spend any residual on making it FASTER!!!

Enjoy!

[Mark Linkous]

Welcome to the family

Jacko speaks the truth.... No car should be this much fun... I would get a 6mt if you can find one... A lot more fun in all years!

DJ

Hello,DJ, your car is looking better and better. The tint really adds a great deal. You have the exact same year G35 Sedan 6MT that I almost purchased. When I purchased my M, the dealer offered me either the 2004 CPO M45 or a brand new 2006 G35 Sedan 6MT. My family had purchased many cars from the dealer so they let me drive both by myself for hours and hours. The G out handles the Y34 (1st gen) M by a decent margin. The one I could have gotten was Serengeti Sand (only one left), which was actually the deal breaker. That being said, there is not a day that I do not question whether or not I made the right decision. Also, the G was as base model as base model could be. Actually, it did have a moonroof. The M was utterly loaded with every single option available. I do love the V8 though. But, gosh does the 6MT sedan drive amazing. Such a better platform (FM) than the Y34. Nice car. Oh, and there are zero mods for the VK45 V8 unlike the VQ35.Cheers,ML

[Kenrik]

You want Brembos...

the pad wear thing is a myth.. they last 20k > and brake dust is not bad as long as you don't have the factory pads.

I would go with a 04 if I were you..

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Hello,DJ, your car is looking better and better. The tint really adds a great deal. You have the exact same year G35 Sedan 6MT that I almost purchased. When I purchased my M, the dealer offered me either the 2004 CPO M45 or a brand new 2006 G35 Sedan 6MT. My family had purchased many cars from the dealer so they let me drive both by myself for hours and hours. The G out handles the Y34 (1st gen) M by a decent margin. The one I could have gotten was Serengeti Sand (only one left), which was actually the deal breaker. That being said, there is not a day that I do not question whether or not I made the right decision. Also, the G was as base model as base model could be. Actually, it did have a moonroof. The M was utterly loaded with every single option available. I do love the V8 though. But, gosh does the 6MT sedan drive amazing. Such a better platform (FM) than the Y34. Nice car. Oh, and there are zero mods for the VK45 V8 unlike the VQ35.Cheers,ML

Thanks Mark,

I really try to keep the Classy look that the G sedan brings. Well I would have picked a fully loade M45 over a base G35 lol. But I love the Pep that the 6mt has! Never have I driven a more fun car! It just begs to be driven hard.

Like if im driving normally aound town.. Shifting at 2.5 to 3k rpm the shifts are a little jerky, stiff. But if i shift above 4k all the way to redline.. man they are smoth!

DJ

[Sentientbydesign]

It's such a myth that Infiniti extended a 3 year 36k mile warranty on the 03/04 on the brakes. Free replacements!

[tollboothwilley]

I've got almost 128K miles on my car now, and I've have very very few problems .

The Car has been very reliable.

Just makes sure you do all the proper maintenance.

When you buy it, you'll want to change all the fluids since you don't know how long it has been since they were changed.

[TeflonG35]

You put on some ceramic pads you will be fine.

Anyway I have a 03 sedan and i love it. Also everyone that rides in it or looks at it love it. Great machine, Fun to drive, and can be modded. Granted the 03 sedan has much less aftermarket support then the coupe. But alot of the important parts can be interchanged between the two models.

The lack of an electric fan issue is annoying but can be overcome for as cheap as $80. And of course go up from there depending on how intricate you want to get.

[Sentientbydesign]

Thread Jack/

Teflon,

That quote in your signature is funny, but NISMO stands for Nissan Motorsports, not Nissan Motors. I don't think h0m0 exists

[TeflonG35]

I know, But it's still funny.

[Patches]

Thank you for all the great advice. I'm a member of several messageboards and this is by far the most hopeful so props for that.

I've checked into 05 prices and they're definitely outta my price range. But, from what I've read from the 03/04 owners, the older models seem just fine.

I've got a little more lookin around to do, but hopefully I'll be able to post my own G here in the near future.