Maintenance-wise.. manual or auto

[Smartidiot]

Hi Guys..

I am the same guy who posted a question couple of days ago about what a newbie should be aware of when purchasing a used G35..

after a few days of searching and diggin.. I've found two g35 with the following specs:

2004 Black G35 Coupe with 87K, Auto, factory GPS system, CAD $29,900

2004 Silverstone G35 Coupe with 91K, M6, no GPS, CAD $28,900

I understand all the pros and cons between a manual and an auto.. and i am not gonna be a fast and furious guy after i get my baby..

so my question here is..

which car would have higher maintenance cost down the road??

i'd prefer one that is more reliable and less problems....

Also. is the price reasonable on these two vehicles??? Is there any rooms for bargaining?..i will be buying her from a local used car dealer..

any inputs are greatly appreciated..

[Rooster Cogburn]

yikes, those prices seem really high for that amount of miles. For 5k more u could get a brand new one.

[Smartidiot]

um... .. these prices are in Canadian dollars (since I live in Canada...)

so CAD $28,900 = USD $ 25,611 + 14% tax

..... if this is a bit pricey.. what'd be a more reasonable price i can ask for??

[ColoG35x]

Is the odometer reading in kilometers or miles?

As an orange to tangelo comparison, I purchased my 2004 g35x for $23,500 USD ($26,500 CAD) with 40K Miles (64K KM).

Your choices sound too high to me, but my comparators are not the same, I think this question is best answered by our Canadian brothers in or around your Province.

[telcoman]

Hi smartidiot-

I believe the manual shift will have lower maintenance costs mainly because your brake pads will last so much longer. Down shifting & using the engine to brqke saves a lot of wear on the brakes. If you use the clutch properly, don't ride or slip it you should see well over 100k miles.Auto transmissions also require fluid & filter changes not required with a manual.As far as used, INMO opinion, I would go for new. You don't want someone else's perhaps abused vehicle? Yes its a few thousand more but then you get to pick colors, options, etc.I don't know how many Infiniti dealers you have within 50 or 100 km in Canada but I would visit them all. Start in the internet, build your vehicle, and get prices. Then visit the dealers first when its not busy during the day for test rides. If you are married, tell them you'll be back with your wife. If not, return with a female friend & test drive & debate the auto vs manual transmission issue. Again leave & tell the salesperson you are not sure?When you are ready to purchase, return just before closing time taking more test drives between automatics and 6sp manuals. Do this a few times and when you are ready to buy return the last week of the month. If you start now and time your purchase to late December the final dealer that you choose will be so happy to get rid of you, you will get a great deal.While you are doing this, save as much money as you can & get the Infiniti of your dreams.I am probably the oldest on this site & have been driving manuals over 40 years. I also purchased my last four vehicles in the month of December & have always gotten great deals.Good luck.

Telcoman2006 sedan 6sp manual 25k milesEast Brunswick, NJ

[Smartidiot]

hi telcoman, your opinion is appreciated..

the odometers read in kilometers...

so 2004 Black G35 coupe has 87000km (54000 miles) and 2004 Silverstone G35 coupe has 91000km (56,500 miles)

And the prices were in Canadian dollars..

I too want a brand new 07 G35... but it'd cost at least CAD$20,000 more and i don't think i'd be able to afford that in the foreseeable future.

i am a 25 years old guy who just got out of school, single, no wife no kids, .. so i think now is probably the only time that I can get a car i really want.....

so anybody here from Canada who can give me some valuable inputs..?

[Rooster Cogburn]

Hi smartidiot-

I believe the manual shift will have lower maintenance costs mainly because your brake pads will last so much longer. Down shifting & using the engine to brqke saves a lot of wear on the brakes. If you use the clutch properly, don't ride or slip it you should see well over 100k miles.Auto transmissions also require fluid & filter changes not required with a manual.

But doesn't that wear down your engine/transmission faster. Replaced brakes is alot cheaper than replacing a transmission.

[G_whizz]

I am in Canada!! Woohoo...yet another crazy canuck joins NICO

We are slowly taking over

Couple things...if you are going the used car route no matter what... try Leasebusters (they ALWAYS offer incentives) i also agree 100% with Telco and his advice.

You can always try South London Infiniti/Nissan to see what they have on their lot (I will forever deal with them) I drove from Toronto to London because the C.S. and $$$ was sooo much better then everywhere else. Ask for Mark McCarville who is a big cheese there and tell him Sean McConachie referred you. I'm pretty sure the number is 1-800-696-1666.

I will also do a lil digging for you and see what I can come up with price wise. Have you checked Autotrader online and compared prices??

Hope that helps!

[zozoka1212]

Yeah,

In Canada they are a little more expensive then down the states. As Sean says check out the automart and autotrader online that should give you a better idea. Also I'll drive by the local dealer tomorrow and stop to see if they have any good one. I'll let you know tomorrow.

zozoka

[SVTCOBRA]

But doesn't that wear down your engine/transmission faster. Replaced brakes is alot cheaper than replacing a transmission.

[zozoka1212]

I stopped by the locacal infiniti nothing good.

zozoka

[Smartidiot]

thanks so much for your opinions and information..

surfing on autotrader.ca has been part of my daily job for the past 2 months.. so yeah. i have been pretty aware of whats on the market .. unfortunately.. since i am only looking for a 03/04 g35 coupe in black or silverstone.

there aint that many options as my budget is limited to within CAD$30,000 (US $ 26,600) excluding tax.... however, i am gonna go to this local dealer called Prestige Motors to check out the above 2 vehicles..

so i was just wondering if the prices they ask for is reasonable or this is a total scam?!?

[zozoka1212]

i've checked the autotrader and automart myself. I believe the prices reasonable. That doesn't mean you can't negotiate with the dealer. Just don't show any sign of interest in the car and after you talk to him/her ask time and tell them you want to shop around to see if there is a cheaper one(maybe another brand) That usually does the job. Of course it depends how bad the sales this month for them and how badly they wanna get the car out of the lot. Unfortunetely the summer just comming and the coupe prices go up this time of the year. best time to buy a coupe is before or winter time. I know I know don't want to wait till that. I hear you.Good luck with your buying. And don't forget to post pics once she is on your driveway.

Zozoka

[Smartidiot]

appreciate your help Zozoka,

i too know that once i show any signs of interest they will jack up the price like there is no tomorrow....

and trust me...its really hard not to show any emotions for a beautiful car like this.....

the best i can do was try not to drool when i was sitting inside waiting for a test drive...



anwyays. .i will be trading-in my 02 Civic so i will see what i can do with the price............

do you have any idea which transmission would cost more down the road though....?

[bone_stock_240]

In general automatics cost more down the road. There is alot more that can go wrong with them, and have alot more parts. My buddy just bought an 05 6 speed coupe in Toronto. He paid $35000. It only had 40 000 km on it though. I personally think he paid too much. The 6 speed G35 feels so nice. The gearbox feels awesome compared to my 240, and the clutch is nice and stiff. If I were you, which I am not, I would get the manual. I find it infinitely more fun to drive. Even if you aren't goign to be racing or driving hard, I just find a stronger connection with a car when I am driving stick. Just feels that you are more a part of the ride instead of just along for it.

/sappy rant

[zozoka1212]

I would say the auto cost more down the road. As bone stock says lot more partscan go wrong.I would go with the manual be carefull with the clutch make sure it is good not worn out. Than you should be fine. No weird noise etc. If it's possible get the 6 month 12000km waranty. In case something goes wrong. Dealers give that pretty offen. Sometimes free. That could be a part of the negotiation.

About the buying....... yes it is realy hard not to show any emotional.

zozoka

[ampsucker]

i think it's pretty much a wash under normal circumstances. yes, you have to change the auto fluid. yes, you SHOULD change the manual lube as well. over time, little pieces of metal collect and the lube additives and corrosion inhibitors break down. yes, you'll have to put in a new clutch every hundred thousand or so. but, you'll save on brake shoes, as mentioned.

as usual, lots can be saved if you learn to or already know how to do most of the work yourself.

i think the decision should be based on what you like to drive more than the minor differences in maintenance costs.

[Smartidiot]

Thanks for the help ampsucker..

so I decided to go with the 04 G35 coupe , auto tranmission with Navigation system simply because the M6 one was already sold by the time i went to the carshop...

i guess thats fine.. at least i dont have to make the tough decision myself this way..

I bought this car for CAD $29500 (USD $26,250.22 ) with 54500 miles on it.........

anybody have any ideas if this is an okay-deal or a big scam.. (even in US)??

[bone_stock_240]

The nav is sweet. I don't like how it isn't touch screen though. I can never press that little button properly. It has the brembo brakes right? Those things are sexxxy

[Smartidiot]

nah...it is an auto so it doesnt come with the brembo brake...but it does have the 18" shoes and rear spoiler.. which is really all i care....

is it true that brembo break would cost me an arm and a leg to replace....?!

[bone_stock_240]

Yeah. I heard that they cost a ton to replace. Alot cheaper if you shop around for the parts yourself and do the work.