2005 INFINITI G35 COUPE

It is a great car out of the box, but with all the aftermarket parts available, I just could not help myself. I would not make this kind of investment into a car if I did not feel it was worthy.

I have owned a 99 M3, 95 Corvette, and a 92 Z. This car has the been the best of these in terms of overall performance and reliability. It also helps that it looks the best as well.

Fortunately I have not experienced any of the issues some of the other owners have mentioned here in terms of tire wear or noise. My only issue is that the paint could be thicker. My front end has taken a beating from the Baltimore beltway(stone chips). No big deal as I am going to replace it with aftermarket body kit anyway.

I love having all these aftermarket goodies to choose from! You can take a great car and build an amazing car. The only other car I once considered modifying was my M3, but that was expensive to begin with and even more expensive to upgrade.

Can not really comment on dealer service as I have my car serviced at a Porsche Factory Service/Racing Facility. Only the best mechanics for my baby.

THE FACT THAT IF NEEDED, I CAN FIT 4 PEOPLE IN THE CAR (COMPARED TO THE NISSAN Z350). TIRE WEAR IS NOT THAT GREAT, BUT EXPECTED WITH A PERFORMANCE CAR. THE ONLY THING THAT BOTHERS ME IS THE CLUTCH. I BOUGTH MY CAR WITH 20K MILLES. 8K MILLES LATER MY CLUTCH WAS SLIPPIN'. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE FLYWHEEL, PRESSURE PLATES AND CLUTCH ($1800). ACCORDING TO THEM IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. I'VE HAD MANUAL TRANSMISION CARS BEFORE AND THE CLUTCHES HAVE LASTED ME MORE THAN 100K MILES. I HOPE THAT WHO EVER OWNED THE CAR PREVIOUSLY DID'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE STICK AND WAS RIDING THE CLUTH ALL THE TIME. I DONT WANT TO REPLACE IT EVERY 30K MILES.

Best perceived value in its class.

Went to more than one dealer in search of "G" with 6speed, premium package and partial aero without having to suck up the added bucks for NAV,satellite radio, rosewood interior trim. Finally found local dealer in Maryland that would do dealer swap with one in Virginia. Had to settle for second color choice though. If I ordered from factory, dealer told me to expect a three month wait (!), no thanks, I took door number 2.

Overall, car is rather stunning in appearance though I still wonder about the google eye "catamaran" front end when viewed head on.

Still tons better than any "Bangle" BMW!. VQ35 motor is quite strong, plenty of reserve even in sixth gear for most interstate needs. Needs more bottom end in lower gears and lower rpm's; hey, if you tweak it for top end, you pay the price in torque.

Aluminum trim in center console tends to glare back at passengers on sunny days. Center console itself is way too "busy", too many buttons, Same applies to climate control as well. Climate control, why does A/C always come on in AUTO mode?

If this is a sport coupe, where's all the instrumentation, you know, voltmeter, oil pressure, stuff you come to expect in this type car.

Leather interior sure looks nice but not the most comfortable (even after Lexol treatment). I wonder about durability as left side bolster of driver's seat has wrinkled.

Gas mileage really isn't the reason for buying a car like the G35 but where I was getting a solid 24+ mpg on open highway, that figure has dipped to below 22 nowadays. Perhaps due to the MBTE additive in gasoline being replaced by ethanol?, and the greenies want E85 flex fuel?.

Those 19" wheels and tires sure got the bling and certainly contribute to the car's road handling capabilities but you better have deep pockets and be ready to dip into them regularly. I got 15K out of the first set of Bridgestone RE050A's and they were worn and noisy at that point. Replacing all four tires will set you back at least $1200!.

Finally, either do your homework or cross your fingers when it comes to selecting a dealership.

I am still trying to get the dealer to acknowledge a clutch/drivetrain problem my car experiences. Their mindset is if there isn't a TSB (technical service bulletin) from Infiniti, there can't be a problem. If this problem isn't resolved, I'm going to seek arbitration either through Infiniti or state's attorney general.