The Official loaner thread

[biggie]

Didn't see anything on one. Thought it might be good to post about any loaner the dealership gives you and the impressions of a different style/year/model/options.

What ye say?

Only thought of this because of my first loaner from Infiniti today. An '08 G35 Sedan with 12k miles, like the layout, intelligent key, push button start, the center console. Don't really like the guages that much, maybe its just from the difference in Sedan vs Coupe. But the Sedan does feel much larger to me as well.

[370Z/28]

I hate to have to get a loaner because I don't have my music in my music box.

1st one I had was identical to my car but white. Typical loaner car, a little dinged up.

2nd one I had was a sedan. It is just very strange for me to drive a 4dr car because I never have. I'm not saying I liked it more or less...just that it was different.

I work so close to the dealership that sometimes I just have them bring me to work. I hope they never try to give me a big SUV. I don't like to drive big vehicles.

[joe603]

I've had a few 07 G35 sedans as loaners...love the interior and the new HR engine is great. Not as much fun to drive compared to my coupe.

I'll probably get a G37 sedan for my next vehicle...need more room!

[biggie]

I'm hoping to get a G37 sometime soon. Selection was low as I had to drive to the Greensboro location today, so went at noon.

I wouldn't mind trying out a FX sometime either.

[SVTCOBRA]

Had the coupe in at my local NISSAN dealer for a new AC comp & Driver seat motor. They gave me a new Altima Coupe (300 miles on it) to drive. I liked how far down you sat in the car. I didn't like the seat back. Maybe the leather seat is better.

Had the sedan in at my local INFINITI dealer for the SES light for 1 month.1. Had an EX35. Hated the huge side mirrors, the ez steering feel, and rear seat. 2. Took the EX35 back for a 08 G35 Sedan. Was fine. No heated seats, but it's summer so didn't care. No XM radio which is my wife's crack. 3. Took 08 G35 Sedan back for a new 09 G37 Sedan. Loved it. Still had the XM activated, so the wife was happy!! I still feel that my 05 Sedan has a better road feel. The S model is better but the seat is NOT for me!!!

[kmckis1029]

i got an 07 g35 sedan base model for my loaner when i was getting warranty work done... the only thing i like better than my 05 g35x was the center console... the tires were almost bald and the throttle was very touchy... so i know the last person to drive that car had some care free fun in it... i like AWD better... as it was raining that day and i could feel the difference in traction on the wet roads... my g35x wont spin out from stand still at a red light on wet ground... (the touchy throttle and almost bald tires didnt help my impression of the cars handling)

But i drove all across town and i didnt even have to fill the car back up with gas thanks infiniti!

[Kendahl]

My dealer's loaner fleet seems to consist exclusively of G35Xs without the premium package. They are OK as loaners, but no match for my G37S. I suspect I would like them more if they came with manual transmissions and were optioned better.

[RichiePoor]

I had my G35 sedan in for a transmission valve bulletin and they gave me a 2008 G35 sedan without premium. I loved the new engine and the new auto trans. I was a little disappointed in the no nav car. When I take my wife's MDX in to Acura they always give me a nav car. To me they should have loaded cars to make you want to upgrade.

[pippen99]

I have had 3 different models as loaners.1) G35 sedan: I liked the ease geting in and out. The performance was about the same as my coupe. I was more impressed by the bass of the sound system, a whole lot better than the sound system in the coupe.2) EX35: I guess I might have been more impressed if it had been clean, but it looked like it had been driven for months without any attention. I was not impressed with the nav system, but I loved the backup camera. I never could get the sound system to balance, it always sounded like everything was up front and I never could hear anything coming from behind me. The performance was okay but not like my coupe.3) FX35: This was the best Infiniti I have ever driven. I felt like the king of the world in this vehicle. The roominess inside plus the heft of the exterior made me feel like I owned the road. The performance was great and the looks I got as I drove down the road were great for my ego. Unfortunately the Fx is now priced out of my economic capabilities.

[badintentions]

loaners not so much but i work for a hospital and for some reason every month or so i have o pick up some doush doctors car ive driven the g37 coupe every option i could find very nice hated the traction control couldent figure how to turn it off and an fx 35 the older generation i think it would pull on the 37 in a 1/4 mile race damn they are fast

[zozoka1212]

I only needed loaner once in the 3 years. I asked for the Maxima. They just came out with it. I wanted to try it. It was ok. I couldn't get used to the CVT transmission and the stupid thing was shifting 500 rpm below redline on its own even when it was in manual. Ruin all the funnnnn..Other than that it was ok. Probably I won't se another loaner for the rest of the ownership. Knock on the wood. I think my G will go without any issue.

Argh.. LOL

[joe603]

I test drove a new FX35 last week...loved it! If I didn't already have an SUV, I would probably trade in my coupe for one when its time.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

My dealer just updated their fleet. They have 25 new g37 sedans with premium and the bose. I got one the other day when they had my car to adjust something in the trans. Very nice but not as great as the 6mt.

So when I got back They had a Black 6mt g37s sedan loaded with tech, areo, premium, sport, 4was, and nav.... Every option! and I drove that... It was much better plus I'm not a big guy so I love the sport seats.

The new 6mt sedan was great and I loved the Brakes... But With all my mods My sedan is faster than the New g37 and because of the 13lbs flywheel i have much more tq in the lower rpms.

Now I am really happy with my sedan and don't care for the new ones since I have spent so much time and money on mine

DJ

[Pauls98SE]

Last two loaners were EX35. I really hate that thing - the blind spots, lack of interior room in back seat. First time I turned it off and 5 year old sitting behind me in her booster seat, got her legs pinned between her seat and the back of front seat as the front seat went back. It did not smash her feet and legs but scared her more since she could not move them. First loaner was a g35x. It was ok except for the super touchy gas pedal.

[HowlerMonkey]

When I worked at the lexus dealership, I would program the key fob to my lexus RX to every loaner car I serviced.

Then, as I left work, I would hold down the alarm button and set off the alarms on most every single loaner as they sat grouped together in the parking lot.

Good fun but less fun than opening and closing the power rear door on a RX330 as they filmed it during a commercial shoot.

[Joey666Crack]

I have no room in this thread =[ I'm 18 and don't have the pleasure of getting a loaner when in need. Even though I live 45 minutes away from the dealership.

[Sentientbydesign]

I have no room in this thread =[ I'm 18 and don't have the pleasure of getting a loaner when in need. Even though I live 45 minutes away from the dealership.

Poor baby Not diggin the S/N btw.

I've driven the 07 and 08 G35 sedans as loaners. The 08 is much better than the 07. Throttle is a hell of a lot nicer. I loved having the MPG meter as I could get mid-high 20s where I can barely pop 20 in my coupe.

My only beef about the 08 sedan was that the tires and suspension were loose and broke loose too easily (respectively). Having extra interior space, 2 additional doors, and an automatic was kind of refreshing (even though I love my MT).

[Joey666Crack]

Poor baby Not diggin the S/N btw.

I've driven the 07 and 08 G35 sedans as loaners. The 08 is much better than the 07. Throttle is a hell of a lot nicer. I loved having the MPG meter as I could get mid-high 20s where I can barely pop 20 in my coupe.

My only beef about the 08 sedan was that the tires and suspension were loose and broke loose too easily (respectively). Having extra interior space, 2 additional doors, and an automatic was kind of refreshing (even though I love my MT).

It's strange for me to switch back to automatic, my left foot and right arm feel out of place.

[G_whizz]

Too funny that you started this thread. I'll be getting a loaner soon as my G is going in to have the Drivers seat replaced. There is an unusual amount of cracking in the leather so I have a new seat on the way!

[biggie]

Too funny that you started this thread. I'll be getting a loaner soon as my G is going in to have the Drivers seat replaced. There is an unusual amount of cracking in the leather so I have a new seat on the way!

I was lucky, mine was just them replacing the LED bulbs in the 3rd brake light, since I spotted it before I bought it, they had to do it for free(good because it was over the 4 year warranty).

[G_whizz]

I was lucky, mine was just them replacing the LED bulbs in the 3rd brake light, since I spotted it before I bought it, they had to do it for free(good because it was over the 4 year warranty).

Sweet...nice catch. It pays to REALLY inspect the goods before pulling away!

[Sentientbydesign]

It's strange for me to switch back to automatic, my left foot and right arm feel out of place.

I have a 2 month old son who usually sits behind my wife (passenger seat), so having the automatic while trying to hold his pacifier in this mouth was nice.

In other news, we've recently resorted to me steering and controlling the pedals while my wife shifts. It's quite funny.

[audtatious]

I currently have a 07-08 G35x loaner and find the suspension to be even stiffer than our G35s. Gave it a little run in the rain some on Sunday and love how the rear will start to spin and you feel the front take the slack. Works like a champ. I've had numerous G35 sedans for loaners and an EX35 which I liked fine but was not something I would get for myself.

[smockers83]

Since I have everything done at the dealership, they gave me a QX last time. Maybe I'll get one coming up, too, when I have some work done when 30,000 shows up.

I never had a problem getting a loaner when I first got mine and I technically wasn't old enough to get one...different dealers must be lenient on that rule.

[Sentientbydesign]

I never had a problem getting a loaner when I first got mine and I technically wasn't old enough to get one...different dealers must be lenient on that rule.

Probably has a lot to do with what state you're in. My experience was that the rental companies out here vary in their minimum age requirement and some will allow younger drivers, but will add a "young driver" charge to the daily rate.

In, Kauai, it was damned near impossible to get a rental car for my wife and I on our honeymoon. I was 20, she was 18...Minimum age for a new car was 26, 21 for the older cars.

[pfarmer]

I currently have a 07-08 G35x loaner and find the suspension to be even stiffer than our G35s. Gave it a little run in the rain some on Sunday and love how the rear will start to spin and you feel the front take the slack. Works like a champ. I've had numerous G35 sedans for loaners and an EX35 which I liked fine but was not something I would get for myself.

I have an 08 x and the rain statement is true. One spot I do find that I wish it would kick in even earlier is when on wet grass. I find after a wash on my lawn with a slight incline that it will tend to spin the rear just enough to mess up the grass and sometimes the car regardless of how easy I try to take off. I may try the snow mode next if I remember to see how that affects it. I suspect the stock tires are a large part of this as they are not all that great in snow either. But on rain, blip the throttle a little bit, the lights will blink and you are gone.

Perry

[kmckis1029]

I currently have a 07-08 G35x loaner and find the suspension to be even stiffer than our G35s. Gave it a little run in the rain some on Sunday and love how the rear will start to spin and you feel the front take the slack. Works like a champ. I've had numerous G35 sedans for loaners and an EX35 which I liked fine but was not something I would get for myself.

+1 i love my g35x in the rain

you can use that small window of awd lag to pull off a AWD power slide on a turn on wet ground... just when you feel the rear breaking lose.. give it more gas so when the front wheels kick in there is still too much torque on the tires and you will be in a very controled slide til vdc kicks in and brakes the tires.... has never happened on dry ground though... or at least i never push it hard enough for it to happen... probably never will...

[audtatious]

If I'm playing around I usually turn VDC off

[biggie]

Bump this, maybe get some different reveiews.

Today I dropped off for inspection and alignment.

Gave me a '09 G37 Sedan. Surprised that the engine/transmission is less smooth than my G35. Definately feel the higher position of the car. Still nice though. Begged for a G37 Vert,

[timmy0257]

the only time i have ever had a loaner it was gross. it was a 2010 g37 sedan auto. dirty as all he77 and smelled like cigarette smoke. it was on E as well.