Somewhere in one of these threads someone mentioned the G35. I can't seem to get the search feature on the site to work, so I had to start a new thread.

I test drove the G35 (along with the Acura TL Type S, Mustang GT Conv, Chrysler 300M Special, 04 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, BMW 325Ci, and BMW 330Ci) before I decided on the Maxima. There were some very quirky things about the G35 that really turned me off-

1) I am big, it is small... I am about 6' tall and I had to have the seat all the way back to be comfortable, which was odd because I have atleast 3" of travel left in the Maxima.

2) The seat controls. Power seat controls on the right inside of the seat (right side, near console) are very hard to hit. What a strange place for the controls.

3) As I felt around on the left side of the steering column for the tilt wheel adjustment, I heard something move. I looked around and couldn't figure out what it was. Then I realized that I was moving the mirrors. The controls are hidden on the side of the steering column, what a pain in the ***.

4) I hope you don't want to fit any thing bigger than a small box in the trunk, the opening is tiny.

5) Overall the design inside is just not that appealing to me. The extra glove box is a bit strange.



On the good side, it looks good (kinda looks like a maxima), it sounds good (very throaty), it zooms (great power), and it has nice control.

I guess the bad wasn't good enough to out weigh the good. I felt cramped in the front seat.

Grant

 

congrats on your car!! from your experiance what was the fastest to the slowest of the cars u test drove??? please tell. and if they where auto and or manuel trannys

 

That is a good question. I drove some manuals, but I drove each model as an automatic as well because I knew I was going to buy an auto (I drive about 100 miles a day, some in traffic).

Ok, this isn't an exact science, but...

I would say that the G35 felt faster than the Mustang, but I don't know if that was true or not. Here is what I think-

1) G35 - see above (1st post) to get the pros and cons.
2) Mustang GT Conv - may have been faster, but it didn't feel it. It had some get up and go, but not like the old 5.0s had. Oh yeah, the inside looks worse than the Pontiacs (see below for reference). I think it has the same shifter that my dad's 1984 topaz had... nice work designers, 19 years and you did nothing. The new models coming out look sweet though.
3) Maxima - I bought it, nuff said)
4) Acura TL Type S (the Maxima and Type S were really close. The Acura had a better warranty, but the Maxima had a bit more power and much better styling. If the Acura dealer didn't blow me off, I may have bought one... if I did, it probably would have been #3 on the list )
5) BMW 330Ci - It has a lot less HP but you wouldn't know it from driving it. It is almost perfect to drive, but the back seat is almost non-existent and it is in a price class way above the others
6) Chrysler 300M Special / Grand Prix GTP - These two were about the same. They are just so blah.. the styling is very old. The manumatics on both, if I may put it bluntly, suck. The 300M has the shifter that you move right to go up gears, and left to go down... yeah, that is natural... the GTP has them on the steering wheel, but they don't feel right. They feel cheap. Speaking of cheap, check out the dash of any Pontiac. Those guys are stuck in the 80s. I had an 89 Grand Prix SE and the dash was similar... 15 years and all they did was tilt it a bit. Nice work GM... your cars are boring. Good thinking getting rid of your musclecars, now we have no reason to even think about your cars.
7) BMW 325Ci - It only has about 184hp, but it drives like it has over 200.. but not like it has over 250. And then there is the cost.

I also drove a EX V6 Honda Accord which was nice, but nothing special. It probably fits at 5.5 above.

 

Thats a good review. You should send this to Car & Driver
Congrats on your new Max. I wish I had a 2k4. Oh well Maybe next year

 

I was amazed at the significant difference in interior room between the Max and G35 sedan! Felt like the G was half the Max!

 

great choice - i must second that the 325i does feel like its 200HP+

 

I felt the same way. Funny thing is that they carved out the doors, put the mirror controls on the column, etc, and it still feels cramped.

 

another G35 test driver in agreement, I'm 6' tall, felt squished in the Infiniti. My Maxima is much more roomy and comfortable.

 

I sold my G35 Sedan and bought an 04 Max. The Max is more comfortable with the Family on board. I still have My G35 Coupe to have some fun with.

 

G35 has some silly interior issues cause Nissan basically imported the RIght Hand drive model over, SLAPPED the steering wheel to the left side for use over here and said to hell with everything else. That is why the controls on the console are on the passenger side as well. The G35 interior really is not of luxury quality but Nissan had to cut costs somewhere.

 

Guys, we shouldn't forget that both these cars are first year models, and some of the silly issues the G35 has SHOULD be sorted out. Im sort of beginning to think the Max is a higher car than the G35:

1. Max is bigger
2. LSD isn't available on the G35 sedan
3. G35 doesn't have heated steering wheel

For the name, I would at least think that Infiniti would give #2 and #3 as options. I mean the G's are really selling, but Infiniti should fix the stupid issues someone said, such as mirror controls on steering column?

 

So you larger framed guys are saying the G35 is too cramped, eh? Well that blows. I'm 6'3" and 246 lb so I guess there's no way in hell I'd fit in a G35 then. Never did get to the car show this year to actually try it out for myself.

That's okay, though. The Max is cheaper and I like it better anyways.

 

Being a member of the 'linebacker squad' I too find the 04Maxima very comfortable. As a previous owner of a TLS I can also say the Max is much more refined. The ride of the Maxima is not as harsh yet handles better and feels more responsive. I am tempted to trade the Pathfinder, however I am waiting for the release of the Armada.

 

Being a member of the 'linebacker squad' I too find the 04Maxima very comfortable. As a previous owner of a TLS I can also say the Max is much more refined. The ride of the Maxima is not as harsh yet handles better and feels more responsive. I am tempted to trade the Pathfinder, however I am waiting for the release of the Armada.

 

Yeah, you will not fit. I would like to watch you try though

I am 6' and I had the seat all the way back. The funny thing is that there was a 6' tall person in the seat behind me and he had plenty of room. Ummm, isn't it more important for the driver to have more leg room?

There priorities are all messed up

 

LOL I couldn't care less if my buddy in the back has enough room. Im always in the front anyway

 

well went to clineworld.com ..where are ya pics of the new max ... ? best wishes with the new gal ... enjoy ...!!

 

They are there, the easiest way to get to them is to go to that link down there.

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The G35 is also a great ride but with me also being over 6 feet tall and long-legged I need that great legroom that the Maxima has. It seems to me that most rear wheel drive cars, no matter what the wheelbase or overall length is, don't offer too much front legroom.

 

Hmm... This might sound like the stupidest thing ever, but I feel like I have more leg room driving my car than when I drive my mother's TOWN CAR!

 

- That makes absolutely no sense from an engineering perspective. FWD has all the drivetrain up front, which would imply that there would be LESS leg-room. RWD may cut into space in the center of the car to accomodate the North/South layout of the engine, transmission, and the driveshaft, but overall leg-room should be greater, all other things being equal.

- Go sit in a Miata, an S2000, a Triumph TR6, an MGB, or just about any Japanese or British sports car. While overall space may be tight, there is ample legroom in all four cars listed above. If the leg-space is cramped on the G35, it was probably designed/intended to be like that for some reason... perhaps the takeover of the little people has begun!

 

ROTF

I used to drive a Miata, and it had about the same leg room that the G35 has. I really think they wanted to have legroom in the back, so they screwed the driver.

 

Advantage: front wheel drive. The transverse engine layout and lack of a drive shaft tunnel means you can get more room inside the passenger compartment. Even the bigger M45 has a smallish passenger compartment.

 

I am pretty sure the G35 is just smaller. It isn't just smaller feeling, it is actually a smaller car.

 

The Mustang is also a rear drive car, and people complain about front legroom. On one of the Stang sites there is a mod to make the seats go back more.

 

Does'nt sound stupid at all

 

The issue is different with a mustang though. If you put a mustang seat all the way back, there is only 3-4 inches of space between the front and back seats. There was about a foot in the G35, maybe more.

 

Well if thats the case, maybe the G35 coupe has more leg room than the sedan?

 

I was driving the G35 Sedan so I am not sure.

 

"Advantage: front wheel drive. The transverse engine layout and lack of a drive shaft tunnel means you can get more room inside the passenger compartment. Even the bigger M45 has a smallish passenger compartment."

Are your legs and feet 30 inches wide? So, we are judging cars based on how far you can spread your legs while driving now?

I think we're missing something here.

I haven't driven the G35 but I have driven a new Mustang GT convert. If I didn't have a child to haul around I probably would chose the Mustang over the Max just because of RWD and sheer driving pleasure. Mustang beats the Max in that department.

 

I test drove the Mustang GT Convertable as well. It was nice in the power department, but man do they need to upgrade the dash and console. Nothing like a shifter that hasn't changed since atleast the early 80s (on the auto). The entire interior is just blah...

Even with Traction Control off I had a hard time lighting them up, and it wasn't for a lack of effort. If you want to push a car to the limit, go to a no commision, the price is what is on the window place. The sales people don't care, and usually don't go with you on the test drive.

 

That's right, we're gonna take over. Say goodbye to your shins, linebacker squad-members

I'll take a G35, but I still want to keep my Max

 

So, we are judging cars based on how far you can spread your legs while driving now?

YES, WE ARE

 

I own both cars maxima and a G35 and.........Yes! I also agree that the Maxima has more leg room esp. in the back. But i dont have to worry about sitting in the back .

 

I remember reading something about same year maxima and caprice comparison, with the max having more front leg room by a few inches