G35 vs Maxima vs Altima

[dparson]

I'm looking to purchase a used vehicle that im hoping will last as long as my 02 accord. I purchased it used and have had it for 7 years. My options are a 08 Infiniti G35 Journey with 77k miles for 16,900 or an 08 Maxima 3.5 SL with 68K miles for $14,900, or an 09 Altima SL with 38k miles for $16,900. Which vehicle would be the best overall value and why? Again I would like the vehicle to be low maintenance for atleast the next 5 years and I drive on average 12k miles a year. I'm leaning toward the G35 but the 77K mileage scares me a little because im worried about repair bills as the mielage increases. Thanks in advance for your help.

[gwoods]

Get the G!!!

Great year for the G35, 2008 still has the 5sp auto vs the shift happy 7 spd. It has the 2nd year for the 306 hp VQ35HR motor that doesn't cut fuel until 8000 rpm.

I put 127,000 miles on a 2007 G35 Journey and had zero real issues. The car was fantstic at the track on the street and could return decent mileage. At 77k miles your due for plugs (I did mine at 69k and 118k) which you can easily do yourself. The transmission fluid and serpentine belt need to be changed every 30k miles. The transmission service at the dealer is $160 and you get a G37 loaner to drive if you ask nice. The belt you can do your self for $35.

I tracked mine a few times a year on the twisty tracks and about once a month at the drag strip. The parts that wore out were brakes, and the front wheel bearings. Neither wheel bearing failed they just started making noise so I replaced em, they are about $180 including new bolts and you can do it yourself.

Things to watch out for, the rear suspension bushings fail. It doesn't effect much you hear a little knock on initial acceleration and then again at 1-2 shift. $160 and a Sunday fixes it forever. If they are worn you might use it to knock some $ off the asking price. http://intensepower.com/whpotrcorecr.html

The Y pipe is the lowest part of the car I destroyed the factory Y pipe and a Topspeed Pro 1 Y pipe in 127k miles bottoming out. When I sold the car it had the Megan Racing Y pipe on it. They are cheap too about $200 new on Ebay sometimes you find em used for $100. Look under the car right about where the front door starts and there will be some mesh material coming off the exhaust manifold if its shredded you need a Y pipe. Might help knock some off the asking price.

Fantastic Car plus its rear wheel drive the other two your looking at are not. Infiniti is a luxury brand Nissan is not.

I sold my 2007 G35 for $12,000 cash on Craigslist with 127,000 miles on it to the 3rd guy that looked at it in less then 2 weeks. The G is going to hold its value better then the Maxima or Altima.

This is what a damaged Y pipe looks like



What you can enjoy doing with your G







Plugs at 69k vs a new plug they are Iridium

[Bubba1]

The mileage on the Infiniti is not that much given its age. I would suggest having a mechanic look it over. It should not surprise if any of th three will soon need tires/brakes. Most folks, including me, will recommend the G over the other two sight unseen, because the G is more luxurious, no cvt transmission, better looking, considerably more fun to drive, loses less in depreciation, and has a better overall predictd reliability rating than the other two. But as far which one will require the least repairs over the next 7 years, much depends on how well the previous owner(s) treated/maintained them.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Welcome to NICO!

Need/want pictures.
how-to-post-pictures-using-photobucket-t521110.html

[MinisterofDOOM]

Maximas were CVT-only after 2006, which basically ruined the car. But so were Altimas.

I feel like $15k is a LOT of money for an '08 Maxima and $17k is a WHOLE LOT of money for an '09 Altima.

If you don't care about CVT, though:

The Maxima is SIGNIFICANTLY BIGGER than the other two. By a gigantic amount. Much more legroom front and rear (enough for tall adults to ride comfortably for extended periods). It's also much wider inside, meaning the rear seat is less cramped. The trunk is enormous (WAY bigger than my Lincoln's). SE Maximas from that era ride a little harsh, but I imagine an SL will not have that problem.

I would argue that the G is no more luxurious than an SL Maxima...in fact it might be a little less so. But it is a step above the Altima.

Basically, if you don't need the bigger car, get the G. If you need a bigger car and don't mind a CVT (that is halfway through its extended warranty), get the Maxima. Don't even bother with the Altima--it's a lot less car than the other two but the pricetag sure doesn't reflect it.

[gwoods]

MOD you might go to cars.com and compare the Maxima to the G35.

Front legroom same 43.9"
Rear legroom Maxima 36.5" G 34.7" less then 2"
Front headroom G 40.5" Max 40.1"
Rear headroom G 37.7" Max 37.3"
Front hiproom G 55.1" Max 53.5"
Rear hiproom Max 54.8" G 53.7"
Front shoulder Max 55.6" G 54.8"
Rear shoulder Max 56.5" G 55.2"
Luggage Max 15.5 cu ft G 13.5 cu ft Max is front drive most of the extra volume is vertical both cars are about the same length. The G is slightly longer at 112.2" vs mx 111.2"
Passenger volume 99 cu ft G 104 cu ft Max 5 cubic feet bigger and most of it is rear leg room.

[dparson]

Thanks for all of the info. It has been a big help. I guess my biggest concern was cost of parts for an infiniti vs nissan. Infiniti is a luxury car so I figure replacement parts and service would be more. I can do basic repairs but I am far from being a mechanic. The Infiniti has 40k more miles than the altima so I figure frequent maintenance will be occuring sooner. However I have heard many negatives about the CVT transmission with the Altima so it may cost more in the long run. Also the Altima is a 2010 instead of 09.

[gwoods]

The 2007-2009 G35 with the Vq35HR motor are very reliable. Parts are not any more then the Maxima. Go on autozone website and price out a few parts that you expect you would replace during the life of the car.

[Bubba1]

However I have heard many negatives about the CVT transmission with the Altima so it may cost more in the long run. Also the Altima is a 2010 instead of 09.

Perhaps. As a result of the many complaints Nissan has had with long term CVT reliability with costly repairs, I believe they extended their CVT warranty to 10 yrs, 120K miles. If my warranty figures are accurate, based on the estimated annual mileage you drive and the mileage already on those CVT cars, you'd hit 120K in the Alti just over 5 years. You'd hit it in the Maxima in 3.5 yrs. So theoretically, catastrophic CVT repairs should be a non-issue for the first 5 years you'd own that Alti, and 3.5 yrs for the Max. After that, your risk goes up, though it's not a guarantee it will fail.

[dparson]

So do you guys think $16,900 is a fair price for a G35 Journey with all the options and 77k miles or is there room to negotiate? The dealer claims this is what he has in it and he can't go any lower. Ive browsed the web and this seems like a pretty fair price.

[gwoods]

What kind of dealer is it? If they sell new cars and its a trade and he might be close to telling the truth. If its a used car lot only BS, they bought it at auction and are still making at least $1000 on the deal. There are no car dealerships that don't make money on a sale no matter what they tell you period.

Why are you going to a dealer for a 2008? Financing? If it were me I would go private party be patient and find a one owner 2007-2008 that has been babied and has all the service records. It may take a few months to find the right car but you will avoid sales tax. If its exactly what you want check Edmunds.com see what value they suggest bring it in with you. If the dealer will let you take it on an extended test drive alone take it to a CarMax let them appraise it. Take their appraisal with you as a starting point in negotiating with them.

[WDRacing]

Price often goes by your local area. If other similar models are a comparable price then you know where you stand.

For the options already mentioned, I'd go with the G.

[Bubba1]

So do you guys think $16,900 is a fair price for a G35 Journey with all the options and 77k miles or is there room to negotiate? The dealer claims this is what he has in it and he can't go any lower. Ive browsed the web and this seems like a pretty fair price.

According to Edmunds.com, $16,900 is the retail asking price, and yes, there should be some negotiating room. Edmunds also shows the trade-in value is about $13,500. So it seems rather unlikely the dealer gave the previous owner $3,500 over the trade-in value for that car or paid full retail at auction and then offer it to you with a zero markup. Sounds like the salesman established a profitability target and won't come off of it unless you're a serious buyer.

[WDRacing]

It never hurts to have that sort of info printed out and in hand when negotiating. Establish that and then talk about discrepancies with the car itself that help your case. Assuming you find some.

[gwoods]

Look at the Y pipe and rear sub frame bushings. Tell them it needs both to the tune of $2500 take $1500 off their asking price get a fair deal.