Soon to be owner with questions

[oww]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to purchase a G35 for my wife after testing a bunch of different cars and being blown away by the G35. Can't believe the comfort, quality, looks and performance. Anyway, I've been looking at an 06, 190k kms(120k miles) and an 05 AWD 120k kms(70k miles) and I have some questions. Over the last few hours, I've been able to answer some of my own questions. First, what kind of milage is reasonable to expect out to these cars? My wife will probably put on 15k/year, and not hard driving either. 120k miles is high compared to most milage reported but with proper maintenance should not be an issue. Lots of years left. Two, The 05 doesn't have the 'X' on the trunk, is that normal for an AWD? It has rebuilt status and it kind of makes me suspicious. But I also don't know anything about these cars. This still seems odd. Three, The 06 owner claims the 06 model has updated/improved cosmetic changes to the tail/head lights, dashboard lights. The 05 owner said the two years are identical. Which is true? The changes seem to have occured between 04 and 05. I think all the head/tail lights are the same but the dashlights are better in the 06. Four, Is there a factory remote start option that can be added or do I have to go aftermarket? No factory option.
On test drives, they both drive not too bad. The 06 pulls to the right when rolling (possible alignment/toe adjustment requird) but not under braking. It does have a warped rotor, noticable under braking. The 05 drove straight but at a higher speed, clunked bad when going over a manhole. (I didn't like that to much, and the owner was a little freaked because, from a slow speed, I mashed the throttle and let the car run up through the gears. Until we hit the manhole. It wasn't a big hole, just normal for a city, but seemed to act like I shouldn't drive the car that hard.
I will take the chosen car to the dealer for a pre-purchase inspection, of course. So my thoughts are: newer is better, lower miles is better, less complicated is better(no AWD). 05 needs some polish/wax. As new as affordable, lower miles as affordable, don't get AWD if possible(not much snow around here anyway), don't damage left front axle seal with the AWD.Any input from the forum will be much appreciated.
Regards,
Cam.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I'd go for the non-AWD version. Better fuel economy, lighter, less complicated. I'd also rather have a car pull slightly to one side (alignment) than make a clunk/crashing sound going over something. Alignment is easy to fix

You should be able to get mid 20s for fuel economy on the highway.

[kmckis1029]

the 05-06 model year was the same except for the 06 has bluetooth calling. the coupes got the rev-up engine in 06 also (higher RPM limit, and slight HP boost).

The AWD mode should have a "x" on the emblem, but since its a rebuilt title, that would suggest a rear end collision with the lack of propper badging and probably why it clunks also. I personally would stay away from a rebuilt title of any car you are not familar with. if you want to confirm its a AWD, you should see a front drive shaft on the passenger side of the car. The AWD model is not more complicated, just adds two more fluids to be changed on the car. (front diff and AWD transfer case fluids) The AWD model runs as a RWD car on the highway (or at any straight line constant speed) you lose 1-2 MPG compared to the RWD only G. I am personally a AWD fan, as my 2005 G was AWD and so is my current 2010 G. Infiniti's AWD is best of both worlds IMO.

+1
but in this case it sounds like the 05 RWD model might be the best bet since it has minor issues just related to normal maintence.

[kmckis1029]

oh remote start is not avaliable through the the factory. Infiniti's engine imobilizer makes an aftermarket remote start kinda complicated and more expensive. You will have to buy a "bypass module" for the the engine imobilizer and then also purchase a remote start package. The next hurdle is finding a qualified person to do the wiring, as i've seen many horror story posts of people not being able to start their cars after an install attempt. So just be careful who you get to install the remote start.

[oww]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm leaning toward the 06 car, needs the inspection and I can live with the higher milage if the engine passes dealer checks. I also watched some videos on doing the 3.5 timing belt and seems doable for a guy with my tools and expertise. It would probably be a job that would take 3 days, start to finish, taking my time. Kind of a drag about the remote start, my wife likes that in the winter. Once again, appreciated the feedback.

[kmckis1029]

should have a timing chain... ive only seen one maybe two posts since 2008 of a timing chain failing on a G35...

[oww]

Oops, thanks for politely pointing out my mistake. I did mean a timing chain.

Anyway, on to good news. I am now at work with my wifes' 'new' 06 G35x. Scored a great deal, I think(from a dealer no less) and I am very happy. My wife will see it tomorrow and I know she's going to be pleased. My question to the forum is: How do I change the burnt out Daytime running light bulb on the passenger side. Like I said, I haven't had time to do anything but get to work, but the dealer tried to change it, couldn't in time because they say the bumper has to come off. Is this true? It doesn't seem correct as most cars are quite well enginnered these days. I need to get a Haynes manual.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

You can get a factory service manual through NICO for free.
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/G35/

[oww]

Well, thank you very much for the link, that is going to be handy. I can't open the pdf's through the company firewall here at work I'll be bookmarking the page at home.