What are the "Must Haves" for a G35

[gogators93]

I'm very interested in the G35. I'm curioius what would be considered ideal options for what I'm looking to get out of the car. Some I've already made some choices for certain reasons that I'll list.

I'm coming from a slightly modded 2002 Corvette that runs 12.8 quarter miles and my main toy is a 2006 Honda 1000RR so speed and acceleration are two features I enjoy. I'm looking at the sport model with the 5 speed automatic with paddle shifters. Any ideas what my first impression will be of the power of this car? I do plan to test drive one in a few weeks.

I'm looking at the sedan with 4 doors because I have a 4 year old daughter and the 4 doors are mandatory to my wife and I.

I'm looking at the 5 speed automatic because my wife refuses to drive a 6 speed. My corvette has a 6 speed standard and she hates it. The paddle shifter seems cool and my BMW 530i has the steptronic shifter that is sort of like a paddle shifter but using the the stick.

The premium package is a must.

I want the navigation system, well just because I think it would be a pretty cood thing to have. I've never had one before.

Knowing all the other things that are included with this setup like the 18" wheels and such, are there any other things that I should consider? I'm undecided on the spoiler as I have not been to the dealer yet and I don't know what it looks like.

Also, how much can you expect to pay under MSRP when you price it out? KBB and Edmunds show most people paying about $200 under MSRP but I find that hard to believe. I've always managed to buy my vehicles for considerably under MSRP.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

[G_whizz]

Welcome to NICO!!

You drive a Vette and a crotch rocket... I don't know if the G power is really gonna blow you away

But it's is a real head turner and great to drive...go to the top of the thread where it says modification database... that will help with your research for light modding.

Keep us posted on your decision!

[gogators93]

Hey thanks for the welcome and the info. I'm not really looking to make it fast but I do want something that when I press the accelerator to the floor to pass someone I know I can get around them. I'm pretty happy with the BMW 530 on power for what I bought it for and it's only 225 HP so I imagine it is head and shoulders beyond that.

The must have's I'm asking about are more related to options to buy new with the car like the spoiler. I'm sure I'll add a few things to it, but the main reason I'm looking at this car is that is has killer looks and is pratical to also haul the family in. Something I can't do with the Vette.

[Stu Segal]

I have a G35 Coupe, and a C6 Coupe, and a Monster S4RS. . . so I have similar vehicles to what you're suggesting, except we no longer have kids at home (which is how we get away with the G35 Coupe and a C6).

I originally in '03 bought the G35 Coupe and drove it for 3 yrs, then I bought the Vette. Now I drive the G35 just occasionally . . . and I don't agree that the G35 may disappoint you. It doesn't have the torque of the Vette, but it's very quick, and it's much more nimble than the C6 - - so I actually zip around in the G35 faster than the Vette. (It is a Coupe, and I've driven the Sedans, which are both slower and mushier than the Coupe). I don't think you'll be disappointed in the G35, especially given that your getting it for the utility you require, and it's a WHOLE lot more exciting than a minivan or SUV, etc.

My G35 is an automatic, has the premium package. . .and I specifically got it with 17" wheels as I thought they'd be more practical for all around use (and I got 33K miles out of the factory tires and drove it in all kinds of weather). I would have got the Brembo brakes, but on the '03 they were only available with the 6spd (and I don't know if they're still available at all).

About the only downside I've seen to owning a Vette and a G35 is that I invariably mentally compare certain things - like 50 months of owning a G35 without a single repair, and like an Infiniti 5spd auto transmission that shifts like I wish my C6 A6 paddle shift would. Don't get me wrong - I love the Vette and wouldn't sell it for the world, but owning the G35 makes me realize the "price" I pay in quality and design to own the C6.

Good luck . . . . Stu

[Crashtest77]

I thought they made the trunk bigger in the vette in '00 didn't they? If they are small you can't put them in there right haha.

[audtatious]

Remember, the '03 G35 Coupe was the 280hp VQ35DE. The '07 Sedan is the 306hp VG35HR. Two completely different animals. I saw a stock dyno of a '07 G35 sedan the other day that topped around 285whp (surprised me!). The HR should be a strong building block for some great power.

[gogators93]

Hey Stu,

That's some great info! Thanks. Yeah, you are pretty close to me in toys. Does you C6 have the Z51? My 02 has the Z51 and it handles like a dream. I'm waiting for my online quote but from what I hear they usually just quote MSRP. The other thing I was reading about was the gas mileage. Edmunds has a thread on their G35 forum where people are saying they are getting 13 or 14 MPG combined city and road driving and they are really pizzed. That sounds aweful low. I get 21 in my Vette average commuting to work combined city and road and about 31 on the interstate. Of course with the 6 speed, I'm only pushing 2000 RPM at 90 MPH in sixth.

[rydwhite]

I'm looking at the sport model with the 5 speed automatic with paddle shifters.

The paddle shifter seems cool and my BMW 530i has the steptronic shifter that is sort of like a paddle shifter but using the the stick.

Just an FYI, I know that 06 and earlier G's do not come with paddle shifters, I don't recall them being an option on the '07 either, but I may be kistaken on that.

The tiptronic/manumatic that comes with the auto allows you to tell the computer to change the gears. If you don't feel like downshifting, you don't have to, it will automatically do it for you, if you fail to upshift, however, you will hit redline and the engine will shut down. There is a half a second lag between moving the shifter and the actual change. Not much, but it certainly isn't instantaneous.

[Stu Segal]

No Z51 - I went for the adjustable suspension. I leave it on "Touring" mostly, but when I start to push the car I set it to "Sport" and put all the other electonics into "Competition Mode", and the car handles great.

On gas mileage I'm doing better than that. About 80% of my driving is city, and about 20% highway. I let the C6 computer calculate mileage for the first 6,400 miles I drove the car and it was 17.1 mpg - not too shabby. (And if I understand right, the ratios of each gear on the A6 are the same as on the 6 spd manual trans, so mileage should be close).

I really do think you'll like a G35 - it's a fun car, and a excellent quality car.

Stu

[Omegamerc]

Hey Stu,

That's some great info! Thanks. Yeah, you are pretty close to me in toys. Does you C6 have the Z51? My 02 has the Z51 and it handles like a dream. I'm waiting for my online quote but from what I hear they usually just quote MSRP. The other thing I was reading about was the gas mileage. Edmunds has a thread on their G35 forum where people are saying they are getting 13 or 14 MPG combined city and road driving and they are really pizzed. That sounds aweful low. I get 21 in my Vette average commuting to work combined city and road and about 31 on the interstate. Of course with the 6 speed, I'm only pushing 2000 RPM at 90 MPH in sixth.

I'm getting 14/22mpg city/highway, almost no difference from my 05 altima. I'm assuming this is because of the very cold air around here - Since my time with my car it has snowed / Iced over in the island, and the ice still remains here (not to mention a few more snow/showers in the upcoming weeks).