WTB G35, Need good info...reliability etc

[airhunt2]

Hello all, currently have a 2000 I30T (Wife's), and looking at a G35 sedan sometime soon. Looked around the site for some general info on these cars but didn't see what I was looking for. So, figured I'd ask the pros. Ok, so I'm asking you all instead, haha. What I'm looking for info wise is just how reliable these cars are, and what some common issues are with the different years, 2003-3005 models are what I'm in the market for. What are some things I need to look for when test driving and looking at them beyond normal car stuff? I'd greatly appreciate your help and information, none better to ask then owners of these cars. Thanks in advance!

[Sentientbydesign]

Buy an 05 or newer. The 03/04 have too many issues. Mainly the CD player dies and poor brake life, but there are other issues.

Getting an 05 will give you a better chance of having the factory warranty too.

I'd say that you should check out the True Delta reliability data, but I gave up submitting my information to that site. All I do is give give give and I never receive anything in return. It seems like a good idea, but the people running it are scattered.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

If you got the Cheese get the 05 or newer!

The 06 adds blue tooth and a few other options But I can't remember what the differences are between the 05 and 05!

I think you can get an 06 for about 20-22k right now! 05's are running in the 17-20k

DJ

[bentrod]

I've owned four G's since 2003. Nuff said! I had a 2003 company car and my wife still has her 2003. Had an 05 X and now lease an 07 X. I can honestly say that the only thing any of my G's ever saw a dealer for was for service bulletins, NEVER any mechanical failure. IMHO they are one of the most reliable cars out there as is evidenced by the residual value of any G. I know the brakes have been cited as an issue with the 03's, but I put EBC pads on both and never any more issues. My wifes 2003 was faster than my 2005 G35X, but not the 07. Hope we helped you.

[Jacko3]

airhunt:

Besides setting aside money for brakes, tires, and regular maintenance, the G is an unbeleivable fun car.

If only you could see and experience the torture I put the car through, you would be begging that I have mercy on the car. I have driven many little cars and I have never gotten the feeling they could take punishment as well as the G-35 can. This reliability in engine and transmission design, is the one thing I seriously give Nissan/Infiniti credit for--extremely awesome design.

Other than oil consumption issues in very few cars---which got replaced in many of them, after oil consumption tests, I can' think of any issues the car has except for small and annoying chatters or clicks or whistles, which seem to have very little bearing on driveability or performance. And many of the chatters and clicks can be fixed in less than an hour at any Nissan of Infiniti dealership, if it really bothers the driver that much.

And then, if you have the cash to modify the car a little, you become hooked on it for life---almost like a daily vitamin pill which you must have. I can tell you that i can't stay more than 2 days without driving my car. I get depressed and paranoid when i don't drive it---everything irks me when I am not driving my G---no car should make anyone feel that way, but the G does.

[pattyskin]

No real major issues at all. Only very minor things have gone wrong with my G. Power window, power door locks, stereo.

Take a CD with you and make sure the HU works when you test drive it. Also get a carfax and ask for maintance records if they have them.

I also track my G regularly, drive it as a daily driver: rain, sleet or snow, have driven it cross country 3 times and put it through burnouts, donuts, 160 mph freeway driving, you name it I've abused it. No problems at all as far as powertrain. Only little minor rattles and stuff on the interior, but turn up the stereo and all that is fixxed

[poms302]

Well I think they are all good cars, even the 03/04. Mine has been a pleasure to own and I have never had a problem.

[zozoka1212]

I agree with everybody. 07 was a new design. They had 80% of the car new. Only problem I had is the grill pitted replace under warranty and windnoise caused by weather strip. Also replace under warranty with no question. I think that is pretty impressive when we talk about a total redesigned car.

Not like others say BMW 335 Those well qualified german engineers forgot to put oil cooler in.

zozo

[airhunt2]

Wow, great feedback everyone, thanks! Sounds like a real winner. Can you explain the problems with the brakes? What about the CD Players? I know the first year of a new model typically has it's bugs and fixes to work out, but should those stop me from buying the 03-04 models? Maybe a little more insight into these problems would help me make a better educated decision when I buy a G. Thanks again, you have all been awesome so far!

[G_whizz]

03's and 04's had Brembos. Tonnes of complaints about the obscene amount of brake dust and they wear fast. They are VERY expensive to replace.

As far as the stereo goes... it's like the thing has attitude for those years. They short out, they make your other controls (like A/C) go funky.

Go for 05+ these problems were pretty well worked out by then. Plus you get the rev up engine!

[Sentientbydesign]

I'm going to expand on what G_whizz said.

The 03/04s had the option of Brembos on the Sports Package IIRC. The Brembos are very expensive because they are huge and have a name you're paying for as well. There are ways to get around the brake dust problem and the super expensive brake pads and rotors, but it's still annoying.

The regular brakes on the 03/04s were basically too small and wore out quickly (Guys with 03/04s I'm not dogging on your cars, just being realistic). Infiniti extended a 36k mile warranty on their brakes because of the premature brake wear.

In 05, the brakes were beefed up to roughly the same size as the Brembos and the Brembo option was no longer offered. The newer brakes seem to last much longer and have less dust issues.

As for the Rev-up engine. This is available on the 05-07 G35 coupes with the 6 speed Manual Transmission (6mt). The engine has a higher red line and is rated for an additional 18 hp (298).

My understanding is that the Climate Control and Head Unit (CD, radio) share a circuit board. On the 03/04s there seems to be a problem with them having intermittent failure and eventually taking over the climate control as well.

This issue didn't happen to everyone, but there have been quite a few documented cases.

The one last thing to think about...All 05+ 6mt coupes came with VLSD, 19" forged rims, and sports suspension.

All great, and partially horrible in the same right.

[kmckis1029]

i specificly brought an 05 to advoid 03/04 issues... i have had my G35x for like two months and i love it. i paid a little more than what these guys are quoting for my 05 since it had only 18500 miles, highest premium package C, AWD. But well worth it.

I chose this car over a bmw 3 series and a 2007 wrx sti limited. The G35x had more Hp than the same year bmw 3 and more luxury than the 2007 sti limited. Then cost less than both of them... before i brought the G35x i saw it as a good compromise between the luxury bmw and performance Sti. But now after owning it for a while i know i made the right chocie and didnt compromise anything.

My favorite features of the car, might be odd to some people, is my automatic adjusting driver seat. I mean the seat "lets you out of the car" and then readjust back to your position once you get in and turn the key. That feature is like the car is says "get in, drive me kareem"

Then i like how the mat on the driver side has a little pin that holds the mat in place so it dosent slide down and get under the gas/brake pedals. I hated that in my last car!

then of course te obvious great engine that seems to want to be reved.

Get a G
Modified by kmckis1029 at 11:25 AM 9/23/2008