hey guys,

I recently totalled my 01 acura 3.2tl which i really liked. i'm now car shopping for a new car and was wondering what the major differences between the new 6th gen maxima se and the g35s. Both of these cars are on my shopping list since they fall into my price range. i'm looking for an automatic since i commute to work in traffic everyday. i'm also considering the a left over tl type-s, if i find one, since the new 2004 tl is probably going to be harder to negotitate the price on. i also don't want the new model the first year it comes out.

any feedback would be apprecited.

also, what type of deals did you get on your 04 maxima se auto. i'll prob just get the base se with the standard equpment. what should i expect to pay?

 

Maxima: Altima platform, FWD, larger than G35. Nissan service, resale. n:
G35: Front-midship platform (?), RWD. Infiniti service, resale.

 

If you don't want a first year model, take the 04 Max off your list. That's not to say it would be a bad choice...I had the same list of cars to consider and I'm happy so far w/ my 6th gen.

 

I would buy the G35 over the Max hands down. Simply for performance and looks!

 

the maxima has looks and perfomance too you know

to be honest with you, the only sure way to decide this is by test driving both cars - if u are still equal to both, maybe we can sway your decisions later...just go out and test drive it! whichever car makes u more comfortable is for u

 

I faced this same dilemma when I bought my '04 Max. They're both great cars, but it comes down to what your needs are.

I ended with the Max over the G35 because of: Larger interior (car seats fit in much better), I felt the Max road slightly better and had quieter interior, prefer front-wheel drive (because of our tough winters), and IMO I liked the styling better of the Max (although G35 is also very nice).

My friend has the G35, and we've both been very happy with our cars with ZERO problems. Can't go wrong with either...good luck.

 

This has been a topic brought up tons during the last year.

I had a 5th Gen lease ending and needed a new ride. I compared the Acura TL (2003), 04 Maxima, 03 G35s. The bottom line was the TL was just a bit more than a V6 Accord, nothing impressive about it, not the power, looks, or handling - didn't have the 04 at the time. That left the Maxima vs G35 sedan.

Personally I was leaning towards the Maxima since dealer is 1 mile from my home, love the Nissan dealer, and bullet proof car quality. Once I drove both cars I fell in love with the handling, power, and feel of the G35. The Maxima IMO has more of a hi-tech luxury look , very roomy, comfortable seats, it is quick, handling was equal to 5th gen (probably due to larger dimensions and weight), looks are so so but that is subjective. T

he G35 has more of a understated look, very classy but not dated, and should be less prone to a looking out of date as it ages. G35 advantages: Dealer experience is something impressive, 4yr vs 3 yr warranty, free loaners, RWD performance & handling, and braking is out-of this world.

G35 Disadvantage: (1) RWD on G35 is something to seriously consider if you live in poor weather areas. This NJ snowfall was something just recently! The VDC light was on/off all the time, and the rear slid on turns a lot. I bought new set of winter wheels/tires for the winter as a result. (2) brakes wear quick, a new TSB released by inifiniti acknowledges it and replaces them free. (3) not as roomy, driver seat can feel cramped.

VQ35 engine is awesome in both, and both have very good suspensions, so you can't go wrong either way. Price always comes to play in the end.

 

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I'd prefer G35, but have a big gripe with the seat switches on the side of the seat. If you're big (tall or fat or both) they can really dig in your thigh.

And no telescopic wheel on G35 means you may have to sit closer to grip wheel so your legs may be bow-legged and make your thigh rub on the stupid switches!!!

 

I'm assuming your both referring to the g35 COUPE. Maxima vs G35 sedan: Maxima is a much better looking car. G35 is weak looking...Maxima has much more presence .

 

G35 coupe and, no the 6th gen IS not a better looking car than a G35 sedan...I will not talk more about the 6th gen max...

 

Yes it is.

 

guys, you can't argue about looks!

They're subjective and everybody has their own likes and dislikes and preferences. There's no right or wrong answer on it. Some love the 6g Max looks, others hate it. Ditto for G35. Nobody is wrong.

 

I will just say 2 things.....RWD G35 , and Infiniti service.........

If ANY of you can bash any one of those 2, then buy the Max...

 

I can bash RWD when I see a G35 losing control in the snow... Oh wait, I did see that! As stated before, it all comes down to what you need. I need FWD for the bad winters that we get here, and I must say the Max is doing an awesome job handling in this snow.

 

I don't get a service loaner car when I take my car in for service. But my experience with Nissan service has been satisfactory. It was my 5th gen AE that was disappointing, not the treatment I got from the service department.

If I had chosen the G35 for $5-6k more than the Maxima, that works out to about $100 per month or $20.00 per month per $1,000 financed. I can rent a car for about $30 per day. Assuming that my car is in the shop less than 142 days over the life of the loan I'll be OK.

For true performance driving it is hard to argue that FWD is superior to RWD. However for spirited street driving, the Maxima gets the job done quite well.

 

RWD vs FWD.
Are you a person who likes the track or are you a person that just wants to cruise? That is what is at question. Handling vs. potential speed (Maxima vs. G35)

 

simply stated and accurate.

 

Did you try the TL-S or TL-P? Though I wont argue that the 99-03 TL has a VERY 6th gen Accord feel to the interior, the TL-S power delivery is anything but Accord-like. (Though admittedly it doesnt have the "raw" power delivery of the VQ35 Max.)

Peace.

 

Just so you know, Temecula Nissan here locally , has a 2k4 Max stickered at 35k....

My friend just bought a G35 sedan with leather and most options for 28k....

I cant believe there is even a comparison.

 

On exterior I personally like the looks of the G35...however I like the look of the Maxima better. On interior I think the G35 is crap, absolutely sad, it reminds me of an altima when I sit in a G35. The G35 is also much smaller when comparing interior room.

 

You and all the 40-50 yr old women in Chicago agree...cause thats who I see driving that car.

 

Acura's are great cars. I really couldn't complain about my 01 TL-P. The 04 TL's are nice but I want to try something different, as well as something that's rwd. The G35 is also a great size for my needs. If I ever want to haul friends, I can always take my Avalon.

 

Hmmmm ... you can sticker a Maxima up to 35, but it pretty much had to be either an Elite or an SL or SE with Nav.

And if your friend really got a loaded leather G35 for 28, he stole it ... the dealer cost is more than that! Now, if it was a demo, or was hail-damaged or something, maybe so. But a loaded Max for 28-29 happens all the time.

Mike

 

Hey there fellow Avalon driver

 

I got an 04 Max in August and just love everything about it. With winter driving and snow/ice now, it's fantastic.
Friend bought an 04 G35 and he's ready to go back to a Chrysler!! (Told him to get a Max in the first place!)
I haven't owned one personally, but he frequently has rear-seat passengers and finds it's so noisy he can't hear any conversation. Also not pleased with the five year old non-airconditioned loaner he was offered in July during a service call.
From a straight design perspective, I'd take the Max anyday - even if the pricing issue was reversed. But each to his own.....

 

Question: I've heard the Nav. in the G35 has a low-resolution screen. Does anyone know if it would be possible to change screens to a High-resolution one so that it would hide in dash like stock one? I want to be able to watch DVDs.

 

The Max vs. G35 is a no brainer unless you need FWD for bad weather... That being said even though i live in Ottawa i'd still take the G35, there is no comparison in looks, handling and bang for the buck... If you want to go fast, handle on rails, RWD launches, badss looks (IMHO) there is no comparison i mean the blasted car can outhandle the 3-series stock for stock...

LEMAR

 

G35 Car of the year winner, 10 best winner, accolades all over, Infiniti service
6th gen Max, last in every car comparison, picked as one of the worst cars, rental car at Hertz, Nissan service.

No brainer.

 

I'd like to see where you're getting your info from....I've only seen the new Max in 1 comparo. I've also seen plenty of cars a rental at Hertz.

 

I had a 2001 Accord V6. It was a 10 best winner for bloody ages, lots of accolades, won tons of different comparisons tests, blah blah blah blah, and you know what? I ended up *HATING* the car.

I don't think my old 4th gen Max ever won any comparison, nor did it ever get on the 10 best list, etc etc. You know what? I *LOVE* the car.

The G35 and Maxima are two totally different cars for two totally different types of people. You'd obviously go for the G35. Good for you. But the Maxima is much larger and has more room, FWD for those that still need to handle snow, etc. And not everybody wants a luxury badge. I honestly can't say which one I'd prefer, but both are excellent cars for their intended market.

 

1SICKLEX, what kind of car do you drive?

I could be wrong, but I almost sense a bit of gloating when you make statements like the above...what gives?

 

Your friend either:

1) is full of %$#@; or
2) needs to get his hearing checked.

Maybe both.

No way the G35 is so loud as to drown out conversation. Uh uh. Sure the engine note is more prominent than in the Max, but I think that's a good thing. When a motor makes good sounds I say let it sing. There are plenty of Toyotas and Lexi out there for those that like the sensory deprivation tank driving experience.

On a side note - for all those making the otherwise valid point that FWD is prefereable to RWD in winter driving, do keep in mind that AWD is superior to both and the G35 is now available so-equipped.

Cheers,

Jaeger

 

I was looking at getting the AWD G35 (G35x) instead of my Maxima and would have except you can not get this car at anything below retail because it's so new. In fact, the only dealership within 200 miles (in Denver) is selling it for $1875 OVER retail. The $1875 is for a clear bra! To get the G35x equipped like my Max - Journey package and sunroof - it would have run me about $38,000 compared to my Maxima which was $32000 and thats including the clear bra! I'll never pay retail or more for a car so I had to go with the Maxima. I must add that I'm not at all disappointed, however. We just had 5" of snow and the car was great! A thousand times better than my '97 SE (which can now become my project car )

 

Sure, AWD is superior to both. But only as long as you're driving in the snow.

 

wow..so many bitter and jealous 04 max ownwers...sorry...you cant tell me (sober) that u would rather roll in an 04 altima..oops..maxima than a G. and if u do..sorry....

 

as they say, opinions are like a$$holes. everybody has one. And just because your OPINION differs does not mean that you're right and somebody else is wrong. That's why they call them OPINIONS.

 

Tell that to the AWD Porshce crowd or the WRX hot dogs for that matter. AWD launches like a bottle rocket!

This is kind of cool, it's Nissan propaganda but if it works as described I may have to have one. The article is at nissannews.com if you want to read the rest.

2004 Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan All-Wheel Drive Debuts [Oct. 09, 03]

...In cornering situations, the ATTESA system can detect traction needs throughout the course of a turn and react accordingly. With its millisecond response time, the system can shift torque back and forth between the front and rear wheels to help enhance stability and traction. For example, in entering a corner (under normal driving conditions), the system functions nearly the same as any rear-wheel drive car. Torque distribution is almost 100 percent rear. Once in the corner, the system is able to transfer to the front wheels that portion of the drive torque that the rear wheels can't handle. This results in outstanding, sports car-like cornering ability. When exiting the corner, torque can be quickly transferred according to the wheel spin of the rear wheels from 50:50 up to 0:100 for smooth acceleration out of the turn...

 

AWD adds 200-300lb of weight (makes you slower), increases drivetrain parasitics (makes you slower), and decreases efficiency (makes your wallet thinner). Yeah, it's quick on launch, but only if you're willing to do very abusive things to the clutch or tranny input shaft.

I'll pass on AWD.


We've got it on our Highlander though. But it's an SUV. It's supposed to have AWD and was never meant to be fast, or get good mileage.

 

I can't speak for Blue04SEinIL, but I CAN tell you that. I don't have "G" envy, not in the least. Practical aspects aside, I guess I fall into that group which thinks the 04 Max looks better. Not only that, SteVTEC makes a valid point - not everyone wants a luxury badge.

Finally, I appreciate your sympathy, but you can save it for others who have regret. Hey man, its cool if you have a different opinion, just respect others. Seasons Greetings