hi-mileage maintenance trends/problems

[sundaydriver]

I'm looking at a 2003 G35 sedan with 93,000 miles. Well maintained but many miles. I want to know if any of you have piled on the miles and if some maintenance trends are appearing with the G35s. I've spoken to my local Infiniti dealer and his answer was there isn't enough G35s rolling in with hi-mileage to give me any help. I'm a little gun shy spending $15,000 on a car that might be due for some big ticket items. Any help would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

[87ninefiveone]

I'd look elsewhere if your worried about reliability. You can pick up a lot of other nice cars for $15,000 that will be reliable and won't have high mileage. Either that, or look for a slightly older car with less miles.

That said, the VQ seems pretty darn reliable from what I've read, and most of the interiors I've seen have held up pretty well on G35's. I'm not certain about possible transmission or rear end issues however on higher mileage cars.

[sundaydriver]

I hear what you're saying but after driving the G35 I've really fallen in love with it. I know other Infiniti's/Nissan's have great longevity.

[joe603]

Since 03 was the first production year, I share your concern about high mileage. But, 15k isn't the best price IMO. You should be able to find a better deal than that. I'd shop around a bit, and get an 04 or even an 05 for 3-5k more.

[twineteer]

I bought an 03 G35 Sedan in December 2006. I have just over 93k mi on it and it runs great. I just changed the diff fluid and oil/filter myself and put synthetic in. The interior is really great and only the driver's seat has some wear in it (but not much). Plus the 3.5L Engine should run for about 200k mi with proper maintenance. I do have to take it to the dealership for a transmission flush which is about $260, but money well spent. I also really take care of my cars so hopefully this will last. I have also had to spend some money on getting new rubber trim for the bottom of the door seals and clips for the Aero cover underneath the car (Pretty minor stuff). Also my crappy Radio is broken, but I am going to install an Ipod adapter and use that. Hope this helps. And Welcome to Nico!

[G_whizz]

Welcome to NICO!

Because mine is an 05' I have had no problems whatsoever, you can always look here http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/

for pretty up todate info.

[sundaydriver]

Thanks for the welcomes! The guy is listing the G35 at $14,700 he seems pretty reasonable. Has all the service records, has had all the little ticks and rattles taken care of as evidenced by the service printouts. I'm leaning towards buying it. I hope to talk him down in price some.

twineteer; care to share what you paid for the car? you could pm me if you don't want it posted.

[BigWill]

Since 03 was the first production year, I share your concern about high mileage. But, 15k isn't the best price IMO. You should be able to find a better deal than that. I'd shop around a bit, and get an 04 or even an 05 for 3-5k more.

Wow, Joe... are prices really that different between GA and So Cal?? I got my '04 last year with 38k miles for right at 30k, out the door. Can you really find an '05 going for 20-21k out there??

[joe603]

Sedans cost a lot less than coupes...I do remember seeing a few 04s with less miles for around the same price. I even found an 03 coupe for under 16k with 47k mi.

The deals are out there if your patient, and take the time to look!

[BigWill]

Sedans cost a lot less than coupes...I do remember seeing a few 04s with less miles for around the same price. I even found an 03 coupe for under 16k with 47k mi.

The deals are out there if your patient, and take the time to look!

I am sure that you are right... and just to be fair, I did make my purchase from a dealer, rather than a private party, which is generally cheaper. I didn't know that the sedans were so much less, but then, I didn't even consider a sedan. I was actually looking at 911's first, but chose the G because I was getting a much newer car for the money, as well as comparable performance... not to mention that the G has more room, and more storage. I'm 6'4". Space is very important to me!

[sullymon]

I just bought an 03 G35 with 81K on the odo for $14,500 and I couldn't find a cheaper one anywhere - including eBay. For the most part, mine looks and drives like it just rolled out of the showroom. It's way too early for me to be giving any reliability advice but I can't imagine it would be any worse than the BMW 5-series that I just got rid of.

[snavematt]

I jsut picked up an 03 Sedan in imaculate condition from an Infiniti dealer with 38k miles for under $19kCheck around

[G_whizz]

Welcome to NICO snavematt!

Let's see some pics!

[snavematt]

working on it, just washed the salt and road grime off from our little snow storm on Sunday. I hope to have a pic by this weekend
Modified by snavematt at 7:28 AM 1/29/2007

[hn308]

I bought an 2003 sedan with automatic for 15K from a private party 2 weeks back. The car has 37K and powertrain is still under warranty but the full warranty has expired due to the number of months its been in service.

I passed on a 2003 325i with premium package also with 37K which finally my friend bought for 17K. Condition wise its a bit better than my car but I selected G for the engine which is 85 BHP more than 325i and the rear leg room. Also maintaining jap cars is always easier (on pocket) than European cars especially once they are more than 5 years old and this was also a major factor in deciding on G.

HN.

[snavematt]

agree with you on that. I got an extended warranty until 105k on mine. also agree on the japanese car, my old civic had 215k on it, I was just tired of driving stick

[infiniti635issues]

Hope you did not buy the car yet. When my car 104,000 my transmission broke and I needed a new one. Cost for a used transmission was $3,400. Then my windshield wiper motor broke. Over $200 to fix. Now my brakes are acting up and actually have failed a few times almost causing an accident. The dealership cannot find anything wrong. I am ready to get rid of this car asap. My recommendation is DO NOT BUY.

[G_whizz]

What year and make is it your car??

03' coupe or sedan??

That sounds terrible!!

[infiniti635issues]

My car is an Infiniti G35 2003 Sedan. Once I hit 100,000 miles everything started to break. I am just scared what will break on me next! I had no problems up until that mileage point. Everything was fine except for the dash (a/c radio) went out twice and it was covered by warranty. I am actually waiting on the dealer to call me back to tell me what is wrong with the brakes . They couldn't find anything yet and I told them to look more. I am sad because I love this car, but I cannot keep putting $ into it so I may have to get rid of it soon.

[sal7506]

soory to hear of your problems....mine has been great...it is an 03 sedan with a 6spd ...i bought it last feb for 21,600 out the door with a full warranty until 08 but due to milage it won't make it it had 32k on the od now 43k....most of the repairs have been very minor...trim bits drivers seat track,brakes,seat cushion,and the most major is the sunroof weatherstrip surround...which requires a whole new glass panel as the rubber is not avail. seperately...warranty...

[Q45tech]

Once you get over 100,000 miles things start failing. transmission , AC, misc moving items.

Why you count on $3,000 per year in maintenace and repairs.

To me a 100,000 miles car is worth no more than 25% of new MSRP because you will be spending $5,000 soon.

[BigWill]

To me a 100,000 miles car is worth no more than 25% of new MSRP because you will be spending $5,000 soon.

Excellent rationale, Dennis. For me, constant and regular PM is key... especially as the car gets higher in mileage.