Thinking about a G35......please give advice

[Tymang]

Hello to all and I love the forum!

I am a 25 year old single guy. I just got a new job and I am making my first ever new car(used car but new to me) purchase. After a good deal of research I find myself pretty attached to th G35. I am looking in the 03-05 range and probably under 15k. I have found quite a few that fall into that range so I am pleased on that. I am however having a ton of trouble deciding between the coupe or sedan. I live in Missouri and we can get some nasty winter weather at times. I need to know if the coupe can get around in the winter ok or if I will just be stuck and calling in sick to work. The sedan has the AWD option but obviously its not as slick as the coupe as far as looks go. How much more am I going to be spending on tires for the coupe....and let me mind you that I am not the type of person to buy top of the line performance sport tires....I am ok with other options/\....I am not gonna race the thing but I enjoy taking drives to relieve stress(I just enjoy driving). how much is the avg maintaince??? Any advice will be much much appreciated. I go back and forth over and over on the sedan or the coupe!!!!! AGGGHHH DECISIONS thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any advice!

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

i would get an 05+... You will thank me later. I love the sedan and i have a 6MT. as for the winter well i live in Florida

I have 19's on the sedan and yea the tires are expensive... But if you get a sedan with the sport package you will have 18's stock and they are much cheaper to replace.

And choosing between the coupe our sedan... put the looks aside because they really both do look good... ask your self how often you will have people in the back seat. I thought I would use mine more so i wanted the sedan... Now i make a 85mile commute every day and it is just me and my laptop lol. I wish I had a Z roadster now but thats life!

You might like a sport package 6mt sedan... to me it is the best of all worlds minus the AWD. Some people do use the coupes in the winter but

Maintaince... It is not that bad. Brakes, tires, and what ever oil change you choose. I like royal purple and buy 5qts on sale with a Mobil 1 filter for 30 bux at Advance Auto Parts. Other than that i have done nothing.

I am replacing the clutch after 53k long hard miles of abuse! but that only cost about 800 bux at the Nissan dealer with the parts.

Good luck and remember not to jump on the first G you see. The market is bad and make sure you don't over pay!

DJ

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

bump

[joe603]

Welcome to NICO!

OK, so you're stuck between the coupe or sedan...

I would say that since you're single, the coupe would be a better choice as you won't need the rear seat. The sedans are nice, but I too prefer the styling of the coupe. The new sedans (07-08) are really nice though...definitely a step up from the 03-06 models.

Now about the winter weather. Both the sedan and coupe are RWD but the sedan can be AWD. Let me say this...even AWD will need the proper winter tires to be safe to drive in snow. We have plenty of G35 owners that live in Canada and they drive their cars all year. The trick is to put on snow tires for the winter months.

As for the year, I recommend that you purchase the newest car you can afford. Personally, I would get the 05-07 coupe or the 07-08 sedan.

[G_whizz]

Welcome!!

I'm a Canucky and I see some bad winters but still drive my Coupe.

YOU MUST invest in a decent set of winter rubbers or you will regret it REALLY fast. I personally love my Blizzaks. Keep the VDC on in bad weather and respect Mother Nature. If your not familiar with driving RWD it can be squirly at times.

Go for an 05+ IMO.

As for Sedan or Coupe. If your heart is set on a Coupe get it..or you may kick yourself daily for purchaing otherwise. I personally like the Sedan as well but obviously prefer the Coupe because I have owned 2. An 05 and now an 07.

Welcome to your new home and congrats on the new job!

[Tymang]

Thanks to everyone. Keep the advice coming. It's greatly appreciated.

[LuckyLuke]

If you are single.. I would suggest just to go with 09 coupe.. enjoy the single life while you can...

[pfarmer]

Thanks to everyone. Keep the advice coming. It's greatly appreciated.

I have an 08 Sedan AWD. If the coupe had come with AWD at the time, then it would have become a toss up. The coupe with the moon roof has very little clearance even for me and I am not all that tall. The back seat, plenty of leg room for us, but no head room at all for me and my wife had barely enough and she is just over 5 foot. Keep that in mind.

Looks wise, well it depends on year. For the current years I find that both look good stock. For earlier years it becomes more of a setup thing. I find I prefer the coupe easily stock in this case, but given a few tricks like nice wheels, and then the Sedan looks very nice indeed as most here have made that point.

As far as AWD and snow conditions. During this last winter I was often the only one out of our little community with the exception of the larger trucks. This was with the stock tires. This doesn't say that it can't use better tires, it certainly could, but the stock tires actually worked fairly well as long as you obeyed the rules for weather condtions. If you go with AWD then I would not lower it as if I did encounter any more snow that seemed to be the limiting issue. Maybe a larger set of wheels or some other visual cues to close the percieved wheel gaps, but do not lower. This pertains to use in snow, if you get AWD for other reasons, then go with what doesn't screw with the electronics.

Make sure you get a car fax for anything and still take it to an independant mechanic and possibly body shop to have it checked over well. You are buying a car that many will and do beat.

If earlier years check the brakes over well. This should not be a deal killer but earlier years had brake issues that are easy to fix and it becomes a negotiating item when it comes to your final price.

It is also recommended that for some years you may want to consider an extended warranty depending on your comfort level and the mileage of the car. To me you would be better in most cases to figure up the biggest item that could break and stick that amount of money somewhere else that is safe.

And if you are young check insurance cost first so sticker shock doesn't kill you later. For me it was cheap, for others not so.

If you decide on a non-awd coupe and can afford it, don't eliminate the Z as that is a good option as well and in my opinion depending on the year looks better in its stock form compared to some 'G's in their stock form.

Perry

[atn_chargers]

I would go with the coupe. Since you're single....you're bound to grab a couple of arm candy with a coupe. The coupe is a show stopper.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Oh and us sedan guys love to say this...

"the Coupe is also slower than the Sedan"



DJ

[SVTCOBRA]

If I lived in snowier conditions, I would have a G35X.So, I vote for a 2005 G35X.

You'll still have fun in the twisties and you will be able to go anywhere in the snow without white-knuckling-it.

[Tymang]

Thanks folks....this is at least making my decision a bit easier and also I feel more informed hearing from people who already drive G's. Do keep sending opionions and advice...thanks all!!

[joe603]

Oh and us sedan guys love to say this...

"the Coupe is also slower than the Sedan"



DJ

not all coupes...my 05 feels faster than an 07-08 sedan.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

not all coupes...my 05 feels faster than an 07-08 sedan.

Im saying Stock vs stock of the same year..

DJ

[atn_chargers]

True....but the coupes have more potential....and the ladies....love it

[jardolei]

I got a 06 Coupe with 17k KM about 5 months ago and I don't regret it one bit! With the coupe you will learn to see peoples looks and expressions when driving by, its incredible

I can even read peoples lips in theirs cars at stop lights about the coupe and how young I look (Im 29 but look about 25). Its funny

Since your single, go 06 Coupe or +. I guarantee you that every time you go put gas, everyone will be looking at your car from the corner of their eyes. And the chicks love it!

My GF has even started realizing it and now she tells me all the time lol

I ordered the NICO T-Shirt (women) for her, and I always joke about her putting it on and visiting every gas station. Order one and you will understand

Admin: Do I get VIP status for free advertizing? lol

Dude go Coupe, or I will find you and beat you t'ill you change your mind

Note on winter. Get a good set of winter tires (Blizzak) and its actually fun in snow, just don't drive like a retard
Modified by jardolei at 11:12 AM 5/7/2009

[atn_chargers]

What do you mean about the whole Nico t-shirt with your girlfriend? I dont get it. But yeah...the '06 coupes are the nicest!!! Possibly the best looking car on the road. Im getting mine next week!!! I'm about to burst into tears cuz im so happy!!hhahaa

[atn_chargers]

HAHAHAH ok i see!! The shirt is basically a bra!!!

[jardolei]

HAHAHAH ok i see!! The shirt is basically a bra!!!

Now you understand!

[joe603]

The more reason to attend a national NICO event!!







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[atn_chargers]

WOW THAT MAKES ME WANNA GO!!!! lol Did you really make your girl wear that? ALso....do you mind showing a couple pics of your car??

[joe603]

That's not my girl...but she is spoken for. In fact they are getting married soon...and he's a G35 owner too!

Here's my ride:

[G_whizz]

That's not my girl...but she is spoken for. In fact they are getting married soon...and he's a G35 owner too!

Sooo... you have her pic saved??

[joe603]

ah, it was in my nopi folder...I don't wan't to know what's saved on your HD...lol!

[jardolei]

The more reason to attend a national NICO event!!

Canada is a little too far from there

[atn_chargers]

Damn your car is a beauty! Props man.

[Giants8307]

Hey, I'm also 25 and just got a 2005 blue g35. Also my first car!

Anyway, I researched quite a bit and felt like an '05 coupe was the way to go. Really looks nice and might as well get a coupe while I'm still single.

Got it for $17,500 btw with 48K miles.

[pfarmer]

True....but the coupes have more potential....and the ladies....love it

What, more potential? As far as the ladies, well I find that they like the ride they get just fine.

Perry

[pfarmer]

Canada is a little too far from there

I find it a little too close.

Perry

[jardolei]

I find it a little too close.

Perry

You'd rather have the Middle east ???

We are the best next door neighbors you could have on the planet