Looking at a G35/37

[esanger]

Hello all,
I just recently sold my Garage Queen, which was an 06 Saleen 281SC which put out about 480 to the rear tires, and I currently drive an 08 Nissan Altima as my DD and I am looking to step up to a more luxury car with a little go. I have been debating whether to go with a G35/37 or a 3/5 Series BMW. Based on all my research, the Infiniti seems to be the better bet with an excellent balance between luxury, power and ammenities as well as much less than either of the BMW platforms. I have not driven the car yet, I hate going to dealerships and am not quite ready to enter that stage, but would like to get some feedback and get some questions answered if you guys don't mind.
One thing that puzzles me is the rear seat, it seems (based on what I have read) that it does not fold down, so opening up the trunk to store anything between the back seat and trunk is a no go. Is this the case?
I am looking at an 08 or 09 either 35 or 37, other than the engine, are there any major differences between the 2?
What about fuel, I read alot the the G's do not get the greatest gas mileage but do they need to run premium to get optimum performance or can you get away with regular?
How about the paint? I have read the G's are very prone to chipping, is this true? Has anyone installed any type of clear cover on the front of your vehicle to comabt this?
Extended warranty, think it's necessary? Costs?

Appreciate any help you can provide..I would like to own one car that can please my needs for both comfort and luxury and still give me some power that I miss since getting rid of my Saleen.

[370Z/28]

I might be a dummy...but I don't see where you specified if you were looking for a sedan or coupe. My coupe's seat does fold down. Trunk is shallow though and the wheel well clearance isn't very wide. You can't get anything too big in there.

Paint does chip like a merf! That is a big negative for me.

All in all I would still buy my G instead of the BMW. I'll let the fellas school you more on the performance differences, but to me BMW just has an image that I don't want to be a part of. I know that is silly, but I do feel that way.

Good luck on your decision.

[esanger]

I am sorry. I am looking at a sedan. I still need to be able to cart the wife and kids around like I do in the Altima but want a little more luxury and performance that I don't get in my 4-cyl altima. Don't get me wrong, the Altima is an awesome car for what it is and the purpose I bought it for, but since I got rid of my 500hp monster driving to work is just not the same!

[kmckis1029]

cant go wrong with a G sedan.. it performs the exact same as the coupe (mathmaticly faster than the coupe cause it wieghs less). the sedan has a pass though in the back seat but the seats don't fold down. the new G37s with the 7 speed transmission get gas milage in the high 20s highway and high teens street, thats not bad for 330hp. I thought about getting a BMW/benz/lexus/acura but the Infiniti has the best blend of luxury/sport/price/features/looks in my opinion. To get the same amount of car with the bmw/benz you will have to pay 8-10k more money. Then add in the high cost of maintence for the bmw/benz and those were out the question for me. then lexus styling doesnt do it for me. Acura TL adds tons of simular/same features as the g37 at the same price point, but then it comes down to drivetrain prefferance. FWD vs RWD.

i'm on my second G so that should say it all... went from 2005 G35x to 2010 G37x.

[esanger]

Dumb Question: Can someone explain what is meant by the rear seat "pass through"? My Altima (and even my Saleen) the rear seats at least folded down so I could carry a 6' piece of lumber if I needed to (or whatever), but I have never heard of a pass through so I am having a tough time visualizing it.. Thanks!

[kmckis1029]

instead of the seat folding down... the center arm rest in the back seat has a lockable door to the trunk... were you can literally reach inside the trunk from the back seat or "pass through" something from the trunk to the back seat.

[370Z/28]

It is so you can reach back and get a beer out of your cooler.



Sorry...couldn't help myself.

[esanger]

Seems like a huge miss on Infiniti's part..Never seen a Sedan that didn't have the ability to fold down the rear seats..that kinda sucks..

[SVTCOBRA]

G35 SEDAN, yes you can run Regular gas based on the user manual.
G35 COUPE & G37 COUPE & SEDAN, no you can not run Regular gas unless it is only just to get you to a station that has Premium.

I run Premium in all of my cars....except for my son's Focus.
I run Premium in my John Deere too!

Oh, and yes, you can post pics of your Saleen!

[sniper27]

Seems like a huge miss on Infiniti's part..Never seen a Sedan that didn't have the ability to fold down the rear seats..that kinda sucks..

bmw 3 series does not have fold down rear seats. i'm assuming none of their models does either, unless you get the wagon or SUV models.

[esanger]

G35 SEDAN, yes you can run Regular gas based on the user manual.
G35 COUPE & G37 COUPE & SEDAN, no you can not run Regular gas unless it is only just to get you to a station that has Premium.

I run Premium in all of my cars....except for my son's Focus.
I run Premium in my John Deere too!

Oh, and yes, you can post pics of your Saleen!

Would be happy to, but can't figure out how....

[joe603]

Only run premium if your vehicle or lawn mower calls for it. It can impact performance to run too high of an octane in an engine that's not designed for it. I had a bike that HATED premium! Got 10 more MPG with regular...wouldn't have believed it if it didn't happen to me...I'm sure the same goes for small engines.

[esanger]

Only run premium if your vehicle or lawn mower calls for it. It can impact performance to run too high of an octane in an engine that's not designed for it. I had a bike that HATED premium! Got 10 more MPG with regular...wouldn't have believed it if it didn't happen to me...I'm sure the same goes for small engines.

Does the G37 call for it specifically? I don't really care and it isn't an issue, just curious..

I am thinking that I would like to get an 09 with low miles (like 15-20k) and hopefully without Nav. While Nav is nice to have it's not a requirement..

One thing that is bothering me is I have owned black cars (and when a black car is clean, there is nothing nicer), my Altima is white but I would really like to have black interior.. What colors are fairly common with black intrerior? Any White G's that I have seen always have the tan interior..

[SVTCOBRA]

Does the G37 call for it specifically? I don't really care and it isn't an issue, just curious..

Yes, it does. You can google and find G37 Sedan owner's manuals online.
But, I suggest test driving one and looking in the hard copy!
My 08 G35 Sedan owner's manual states that the G37 engine should be run on premium unless in an emergency.

[esanger]

Does the G37 call for it specifically? I don't really care and it isn't an issue, just curious..

Yes, it does. You can google and find G37 Sedan owner's manuals online.
But, I suggest test driving one and looking in the hard copy!
My 08 G35 Sedan owner's manual states that the G37 engine should be run on premium unless in an emergency.

I guess it's time to bite the bullet and test drive one.. I am hoping that the seats are comfortable for me..I'm a big dude and if I am going to be taking this car on trips it needs to be comfortable. My Saleen had beautiful leather seats but were not the most comfortable for those of us that are not 160lbs...too narrow..

[370Z/28]

I don't really see the big deal about putting premium gas in your car. (price wise). How much gas do you usually put in? I usually put in about 15 gallons a week, so you are talking about $1.50. When you are driving a $40k+ car, can that really be an issue?

[esanger]

I don't really see the big deal about putting premium gas in your car. (price wise). How much gas do you usually put in? I usually put in about 15 gallons a week, so you are talking about $1.50. When you are driving a $40k+ car, can that really be an issue?

As I said, it's not a big deal, I was just curious...One thing I did notice in the manual is they say to not use E85, which in my area is pretty prevalent..

[SVTCOBRA]

One thing to note is that the SPORT seats do sit very different that the non SPORT seats.
Some like them, I didn't.
I'm 6 foot 215 pounds of ....mainly muscle, but some beer & wing residue too!

[370Z/28]

I test drove a sport with a manual transmission and the sides of the seat made it hard for me to hit 2nd and 4th because my arm would hit the sides of the seat. (hard to explain) That was a real turn off to me, and I drive with the seat back pretty far. Definitely test drive both.

[esanger]

I test drove a sport with a manual transmission and the sides of the seat made it hard for me to hit 2nd and 4th because my arm would hit the sides of the seat. (hard to explain) That was a real turn off to me, and I drive with the seat back pretty far. Definitely test drive both.

I'm thinking the sport might not be comfortable for me given I am the size of an NFL linebacker in my upper body and shoulders..

I think I will have to drive a 2010 since there are no 2009 Sedans at my local dealer...the 09 came with the 7-speed trannyh right? Any other major diffs between 09 and 10?

[joe603]

I'm a big guy (6' 230) and don't have a problem with the sport seats. They are more firm on the upper legs compared to the normal seats...but the sport option really makes up for it!

[esanger]

Well, we are close to the same size then. Man, I really hate dealing with auto dealers..I always feel like I need a shower after!

I plan on going on Friday, I will let you guys know what I find out. I appreciate all of your comments and suggestions!

[370Z/28]

Good luck! Don't even think of telling us you bought something without posting some pics!

[esanger]

Good luck! Don't even think of telling us you bought something without posting some pics!

Ohh, I'm not ready to buy anything yet. I am having an internal struggle on color.. Given the soft paint on these cars my original choice of either Black or White is causing me to have second thoughts..but there really are no other colors that Infiniti has that I really like.. I just wish they had a blue like my Saleen has (and that BMW currently has)..I think finding the car I want with the interior color I want (black) is going to be very difficult as well..

Can my local dealer help in locating a used 09 G37 and obtaining it from another dealer in the country?

[370Z/28]

I would think that would be no problem at all. Have you thought about CarMax?

The color would really depend on how anal you are. I should have never gotten black. I'm much too anal and I told my hubby not to EVER let me get a black car again. I feel the way you do about the black interior. I love it. So rich looking. You don't like any of the greys or silvers? I think Infiniti has some great greys. I wish that is what I had gotten.

[esanger]

I do sort of like the Graphite Shadow, just not sure if it was offered in 09 or not..With the 11's rolling out, I wonder if I could get a good deal on a 10 versus searching for an 09..

I hear ya on black. I had a Black Durango and when it was clean it was awesome but it showed every little scratch, swirl and nick HORRIBLE. My white Altima looks good when it is clean, but when I get a nick, it shows the black underneath which is horrible as well..Never been a fan of gray cars...

[SVTCOBRA]

Haven't ever been a huge fan of blue, but love my dark blue coupe and REALLY liking the Blue Slate sedans more and more. I think if I were to be in the market for a new sedan I would be getting the blue slate with black interior.

And where are those pics of the monster Saleen???
Saleens are by far my favorite after market mustang!!
(Most folks use a photo hosting site like Photobucket.)

[esanger]

Here is a link to the For Sale ad for my ex-garage queen. This is the blue that I like. BMW seems to have a similar color now.. I wish the G would come in this color..

http://saleenforums.soec.org/showthread.php?t=7787

Found out a little while ago that the Graphite Shadow I like is only available on 2010 models

[370Z/28]

WOW! That is a sharp car...and that is hard for a Camaro girl to say.

[esanger]

WOW! That is a sharp car...and that is hard for a Camaro girl to say.

It was a hot car, and unbelievable fast too. Crazy power, but I outgrew the whole "mustang" thing and am ready to move on to something better and more comfortable..