G35X Sport Package - what do you get

[Jeffl]

Took our first Infiniti ride last weekend when testing 6 similar cars and we really liked it and we are going to order one. We like the sport package that you can now order this week.

What type of hand brake do you get with the package? The wood inside trim is eliminated so I was wondering it there was a center mount brake?

Also, we need to try out the sport seats. My wife, and this will be her car, does not like tight fitting sport seats. How snug are these (I realize this si realtive to waist/hip size)?

We would get it loaded with all of the packages, maybe not the rear spoiler.

We had a blast during the test drive and the car has a lot of features for the price point.

[coop23us]

Took delivery today of a Liquid Platinum G35xS with premium and nav. No hand brake in the center console - my TL had one that I reached for often that wasn't there in the G. Heck, not even sure where it is? Why would you care about the hand brake location? Anyway, the sport seats are really supportive (though admittedly narrow) and I thought the thigh support was a gimmick till I tried it. But these aren't disimilar to the seats in my father-in-laws Targa, which I enjoy and are designed more for touring than most people think. I think the electronics (Nav, radio, bluetooth, iPod, voice) are a lot more intuitive than the '05 TL. I believe the TL's DVD based sound system has a bit better sound quality, but not by much. And, the G's interface is a lot easier to deal with, especially for the iPod. As a side note, I've found that turning off the "Driver Experience" mode on the sound system has a better overall quality and I do hear parts of the music that I've not heard before.

So far, I'm loving the overall experience. More to come on the driving experience when I get the odometer over 1500 miles...

[Jeffl]

I've just got use to having the hand brake in the center. My wife really like the wood finish so I'm not sure why you can't get it with all the other upgrades. I realize most of the sport packages wouldn't have wood but I go back to the Nardi wheels and I too like touch of wood.

Sounds like a great car. We are certainly interested in one but I guess we had better check the seats.

The coupes have nice detailed front rotors. Does this come on the Sedan sport package since the front rotors are larger?

[gwoods]

Hey JEFF!

G35x...

One of the fastest cars on the road.

0-60 in 5-5.2 seconds1/4 mile in 13.8-14.0 at 100-103 mphgas milage I average 20 mpg in town 24 on the hwy running 85-90 mph

Ipod interface in the center console

The cars are awesome!

My only change would be to add about 50 lb of torque.... the motor makes 268 lb should make 300+ but thats hard to do with only 6 cylinders.

BTW My bro and sis in law live in Bowling Green. Nice town nice people.

Jeff

[Jeffl]

You guys are putting me over the edge.

Initially we didn't even consider Infiniti (rare). No friends had any, not to much advertising. It was on the same road as the Lexus, VW, Acura, Jag, Cadillac road.

We are looking for a 4 passenger car moving down from the spacious VW Eurovan. Kids are teens and we need some room (not sure where the standard poodle will sit yet).

Cars compared were all AWD - Passat V6, Cadillac STS, Lexus GS350, Acura RL, X-type, and the G35X. The G35X was the best buy. The front seats are a little low where they sit on the rear passenger toes, I would take the carpet strip off. The rear also is very tight for a 6.0ft person but all in all it had great passenger room. The trunk is a little goofed up with the CD player taking away from the opening (not a good desingn). But those are small items compared to all of the other plusses.

Certainly looks like the best value for the size and options. We were looking for quality and reliability too and from owner first quality they score high. I'm going to stop in Nashville on my way back from Memphis tomorrow and see what they have on the lot.

[Rivalry]

Sorry to see ya leave town.

Wish I could help you decide, but I don't even own one myself... yet. Hope you find everything you're lookin' for!

[gwoods]

I was originally looking at 2002 Porsche 911's and 2003-2004 Mercedes E500's. The G was in the same price group and faster then either with lower repair cost ect

[torbach1]

I got the wood trim in my 07 G35x, and I like it a lot. I also got all the other options. This is a really nice car to drive and to own, and it's a huge amount of car for the money. Just for kicks, I recently priced out a 335xi with the same options at $52k, and a 135i with the same options came to $45k. My sticker was $40700, and I got the car for $38400. Hard to beat that kind of value.

It is a bit unfortunate that they don't offer it with the sports package. I don't think that there is any reason for this other than packaging options that they want to send to the US. Regarding the sports seats, I would check the G35S because I imagine the seats are the same in that as the ones in the G35X with the sports package. I drove one, and found the seats very nice, if a little more confining than the regular seats (in a good way).

Regarding the other cars that you are considering, a couple of points:

1. VW Passat V6 AWD - Very nice, very luxurious car, but definitely no where near as sporty to drive as the Infiniti. Also, VW is stone last in reliability on Consumer Reports' surveys right now, right after Mercedes Benz.

2. Cadilac STS - I like this one a lot too. Not much negative to say about it other than the price is going to be significantly higher. I've never driven one.

3. Lexus GS350 - Beautiful car inside and out - excellent build quality and reliability, and the best service department around. Very soft on the steering though - doesn't feel sporty at all. Also, will be significantly more expensive than the G35.

4. Acura RL - This is actually one I considered too (my wife drives an MDX, and it's a great car/SUV). I ended up liking the RL a lot, but just found it a little too slow and boring to drive compared to the G. It doesn't feel like it has 300hp - not sure why. The nav and overall interface is also not as easy to use as the Infiniti's. I was lucky enough that the dealer I went to had a 2nd had RL on his lot so I could test drive the M35x, the G35x, and the Acura RL back to back.

Good luck with your decision.Tamir

[briandlau]

I picked up my G35XS in Ivory Pearl last Saturday and I'm loving it so far. Unfortunately, I've been staying at the gf's place this week and have only been able to drive it during the 1 min commute to the park&ride.

I believe the S for G35X includes the larger wheels, front fascia, side sills, sport seats, and paddle shifters.

[torbach1]

I would actually get it for the sport shifters alone. I really wish I had those on mine....

[Jeffl]

I got the wood trim in my 07 G35x, and I like it a lot. I also got all the other options. This is a really nice car to drive and to own, and it's a huge amount of car for the money. Just for kicks, I recently priced out a 335xi with the same options at $52k, and a 135i with the same options came to $45k. My sticker was $40700, and I got the car for $38400. Hard to beat that kind of value.

It is a bit unfortunate that they don't offer it with the sports package. I don't think that there is any reason for this other than packaging options that they want to send to the US. Regarding the sports seats, I would check the G35S because I imagine the seats are the same in that as the ones in the G35X with the sports package. I drove one, and found the seats very nice, if a little more confining than the regular seats (in a good way).

Regarding the other cars that you are considering, a couple of points:

1. VW Passat V6 AWD - Very nice, very luxurious car, but definitely no where near as sporty to drive as the Infiniti. Also, VW is stone last in reliability on Consumer Reports' surveys right now, right after Mercedes Benz.

2. Cadilac STS - I like this one a lot too. Not much negative to say about it other than the price is going to be significantly higher. I've never driven one.

3. Lexus GS350 - Beautiful car inside and out - excellent build quality and reliability, and the best service department around. Very soft on the steering though - doesn't feel sporty at all. Also, will be significantly more expensive than the G35.

4. Acura RL - This is actually one I considered too (my wife drives an MDX, and it's a great car/SUV). I ended up liking the RL a lot, but just found it a little too slow and boring to drive compared to the G. It doesn't feel like it has 300hp - not sure why. The nav and overall interface is also not as easy to use as the Infiniti's. I was lucky enough that the dealer I went to had a 2nd had RL on his lot so I could test drive the M35x, the G35x, and the Acura RL back to back.

Good luck with your decision.Tamir

I agree with your comments, I started on the Passat site and have an almost similar listing to what you put down. I was looking at a 2006 STS V8 at the dealership with 200 miles, loaded. That was the real reason I was looking at the STS.

I stopped by the Nashville dealer today. The sport seats are a little narrow but not bad. The paddle shifter are certainly worth the package, maybe I can buy an extra seat for my wife and swap it out!

Still the front seats sit a little low for the back passenger feet to fit under (kind of like my Cooper S). My kids aren't as big as me yet. I think I'd tear that small carpet panel off since it takes away a little room (we would do it very nicely).

The dealership had lots of cars on the lot.

[coop23us]

Jeff, isn't a KY boy from Bowling Green supposed to be looking at Vettes? My dealer has a "wood trim" package they can install in my G35xS for $695(?); I guess Infiniti just didn't felt it didn't belonged in a Sport Package. I too like the wood trim, but think the Washi aluminum is a nice alternative. It has a high quality look to it. You a HillTopper? I'm from the 'Ville but root for Big Blue.

[telcoman]

You guys are putting me over the edge.

Initially we didn't even consider Infiniti (rare). No friends had any, not to much advertising. It was on the same road as the Lexus, VW, Acura, Jag, Cadillac road.

We are looking for a 4 passenger car moving down from the spacious VW Eurovan. Kids are teens and we need some room (not sure where the standard poodle will sit yet).

Cars compared were all AWD - Passat V6, Cadillac STS, Lexus GS350, Acura RL, X-type, and the G35X. The G35X was the best buy. The front seats are a little low where they sit on the rear passenger toes, I would take the carpet strip off. The rear also is very tight for a 6.0ft person but all in all it had great passenger room. The trunk is a little goofed up with the CD player taking away from the opening (not a good desingn). But those are small items compared to all of the other plusses.

Certainly looks like the best value for the size and options. We were looking for quality and reliability too and from owner first quality they score high. I'm going to stop in Nashville on my way back from Memphis tomorrow and see what they have on the lot.

Welcome to NICO

Don't buy until you've tried the 6 speed manual

just my $.02.

BTW say hi to Elvis while in Nashville

Telcoman

[igorbunov]

I just had these installed and they work GREAT!

here's the link to another forum:

http://g35driver.com/forums/sh...93619

(hopefully I'm not breaking any rules - this is a helpful info)

Enjoy!

[torbach1]

Hi Igor:

Thank you so much for posting that. I am going to get these as soon as possible. This was the one regret I had about getting the X instead of the S, but I really need the X for where I live, and it works great in the snow. So you've made my day.

CheersTamir

[Jeffl]

I just live two miles down from the vette factory. Great cars but I need a 4 seater. My neighbor is an engineer at the plant so I get to see new models often.

Good to know about the trim. Thanks

I'm originally from above Pittsburgh so I don't cheer for either team. Thanks for asking.

Moving to Cleveland in the summer hence the reason to look at the AWD.

Bummer that this will be my wife's car as I like it so much. I got so use to playing around in my Cooper S that I wanted a sedan with good handling too. This car seems to have it!

Looks like a great site. Thanks everyone.

[ChemicaLew]

Any idea if the 6 speed is available on the 35x with the sport package? The Infiniti website is not really clear, but it seems like it could be an option.

I'm considering a 35x vs. a TL-S if the 6 speed is available.