I'm thinking about upgrading, and I've narrowed my choices down to these two cars.
2K3 SE good power, everything I currently have, but better, same interior room I'm used to, cheaper.
2K4 G35X same power, a little smaller, drop dead gorgeous, something new to work on, plus I'm liking this AWD option and the navigation option.

 

2k3 SE, because you would love the change better, having the same car but with .5 liters more and alot more power.

 

Or having that, plus the added luxury of an Infiniti and their customer service plus AWD.

G35X for me.

 

With the 2k5 E46 3 Series being sold for $4200 off list, which is basically the first time since the car came out in 1998 that you could get anything more than hundreds off list, imho you should be looking at the 325/330xi as well.

I never liked the G35 much, it is a very narrow car. I thought the led tails were cool, but nowadays, who doesn't have it? I know the G35 is RWD, but in a way it is a very lateral move from a Maxima. I think we all owe it to ourselves to experience a car that can really handle, after having our Maxes for however long we've had them.

 

I would have to drive both to formulate an opinion. Forget about Frank Fontaine's love affair with BMW's unless you are a mechanice or have deep pockets.

 

are you kidding, g35! looks nicer, awd, nice interior, good aftermarket. i wouldnt give it a second thought

 

That's not an objective statement, R. The maintenance is free, so why would you have to be a mechanic with a BMW? And the $4200 off puts them and used ones into the hands of people who couldn't before consider them. Just offering a suggestion, because many people are not aware of the $4k discount. If you don't like Germans, as some older gen people don't, you're entitled to your opinion. But there are other Japanese cars too that one could consider before another Maxima or G35. I'd prefer an IS300 way before a G35, it's a better car.

 

Id do G35 but just the regular RWD, not the X.

 

g35 coupe looks so much better.. IMO

 

How so? The IS300 handles worse, brakes worse, is a lot slower (nearly 1 second), and is a lot smaller. Both cars are priced the same too. Now if you're talking about the new IS350, I might agree with you.

 

I'd skip out on the X unless you live in the snowy mountains.

The G35 RWD models already have:

1) Stability control
2) Traction control
3) Brake force distribution

I've driven my G in 4"+ of slick dry powder snow, some rather icy surfaces, and rainy surfaces and I've gotten around fine. The stability control keeps the car in it's intended path and traction control allows you to accelerate on slicks surfaces.

For the $2000 premuim, worse acceleration, and worse gas mileage, I'd pass on the X. I just don't see point.

 

Exactly. If you need the AWD get it, otherwise get the regular RWD. Less complexity and less weight = less chance that things will break down on you over time.

G >SE anyday of the week. Any chance you can wait a year or two and go for a used 2005 G with 298 hp and upgraded interior? Or better yet the new IS will be out by then!

 

Go with a RWD G. I never licked the rear end, but then again Nissan has been making ugly rear ends for a while now.

 

"licked?" lol

Would YOU drive the rear wheel drive G in a wintery Montreal?

 

Don't get me wrong I love the 5.5s. My favorite Max., but a 2door G35/Skyline is probably the sexiest looking car on the market (reasonably speaking). Plus all that performance. Just my 0.02.

 

Refinement, resale, and subjectively speaking, handling. Numbers are not everything, if they were, Japanese cars would be the best in the world bar none. They always have good numbers at any price range. I felt the IS drives way better than the G, but again, that's just my impression. I don't drive them every day so you may know better. I don't like the new IS350 due to lack of a stick and also a V6 motor. I guess even the mightly Lexus can save $ by using a beefed-up Avalon motor and drop the I6.

The one thing that is shocking about Nissan is they don't seem to want to put a high quality interior in their cars. Both the 350Z and G35 are premium cars if you ask me, yet their interior fit/finish/materials surprises people who get in.

 

Why not? 4 sticky snows should do the trick. AWD is a performance sacrifice, from both handling and weight distribution perspectives. The new M35 I believe can send 100% of the torque to the rear--that's a good feature. The fact that manual Subarus are actually RWD cars make them nice handlers too.

 

Since you are down to two choices, i would pick G35X . You can stay worry free as your car will be under warranty for 4 yrs atleast, higher resale value among the two.

 

[QUOTE=
For the $2000 premuim, worse acceleration, and worse gas mileage, I'd pass on the X. I just don't see point.[/QUOTE]
Well acceleration won't suffer that much, because it will be upgraded, and gas milieage drops by 1-2 mpgs, so it's pretty even. Chicago winters are brutal, and I'd rather be safe. All the traction control stuff turns off after 12mph, it's usually just to ge you going. It'd be cheaper to get a set of good winter tires, but I'm too lazy to change them, thusly the Maxima w/ FWD looks good.

[QUOTE=With the 2k5 E46 3 Series being sold for $4200 off list, which is basically the first time since the car came out in 1998 that you could get anything more than hundreds off list, imho you should be looking at the 325/330xi as well.[/QUOTE]
Bmw's are still overpriced, even with the $4200 off, the G35 fully loaded came in over $5000 cheaper than the BMW similarly equipped (even though the BMW interior is nicer). Plus the aftermarket parts for the Bimmer are normally 25% more than Nissan/Infiniti. The latest tests are alsot saying the G35 is better than the 325/330xi.

 

i drove the g35x but its not that great my 03 seems faster and better. i would get the the 05 280 hp one if i was u and get the regular g35 or the coupe

 

Actually, the new ones have 298 hp. But G's are surprisingly heavy, even the RWD version is like 3400 lbs.

 

I'd get a beater for the Montreal winters and park any decent car for a few months of the year.

 

Get the Max, save the money for some mods!

The G35 sedans have never done much for me. Now, if it was the COUPE, thats a different story....

 

Given the choice I like to try the G35.

 

To me, the only thing the G35x had going for it was its phenomenal handling. Corning was so flat, yet ride was not harsh. But the Max wins in so many other areas—much better value (especially used), more room, better fuel economy, folding rear seats, etc. The G transmission hunted a lot on hills, had grabby brakes, vague steering, and the exhaust drone quickly drives you mad. Style is subjective, so I won't comment on that. But I do think the Max has better interior egronomics.

 

If you're absolutely concerned with value, I agree with you. The other extreme is the Hyundai Accent--for its price, it's ridiculous how much value it offers. It's up to the individual how much they will pay for the little extra--BMW does not pass the marginal benefit vs. marginal cost test, which is the case with many higher end items. Compare a Titleist forged iron vs. a Cleveland cast iron--is the Titleist gonna triple your game? No, so you could say Titleist is overpriced. When I go to my cousin's club I use Pro V1 *****--you think I like losing a $4 ball? As soon as I get back to my own club I get out the Top Flites!

But, anyway, another poster mentioned this about the G35, and I know the 350Z suffers from it too--vague steering. It's a darn shame you can't get that crisp German-style handling unless you switch to an Acura. TL vs. G35 is a tough call, the TL feels better, though it's FWD.

 

ahh the g35x 2005 version, not 2004 as you put. It is much more power for price than whatever frank fountainhead here is selling, and while I love my 2k3, everything I dont like about it (wide turning, lack of traction, could always use more power) they fixed and got right in the 05 g's. Oh, and did I forget that while much less than comperable BMW's, etc they will supercharge it for you (about 140 extra horses) for under 6 grand...try getting nissan to do that in the shop where you service it.

 

Too bad they can't supercharge the steering, which is vague, like your train of thought.

 

g35 coupe.....the only thing the sedan has over the TL is rwd....other than that it's ugs

 

the new one has 280 hp auto the 6 speed has the 298 hp.

 

I personally voted for the Maxima. But that has a lot to do with my deep hatred for the styling of the G sedan.

 

i hate the g sedan too. my friend bought one and he keeps bragging how his car is just a better version of mine. but i keep telling him mine's sexier lol

 

That is correct. The old 03/04 sedans were rated at 260hp/260tq, but according to the dynos, it's closer to the 280hp/270tq rating of the 03/04 coupe. Just another case of Nissan doing their funny HP/TQ math.


I guess everyone is entitled to thier opinons



With the right wheels, the OEM Aero bumper, and an aftermarket grill, the G sedan can be quite aggressive.

 

DAVE! Please tell me that's yours?! You have given me much inspiration brother! hehe

 

this isn't even a difficult choice. G35x beats the max in every possible category. If you got the funds go for it. Trust me my mom just bought a 2k5 G35 and that thing is incredible. I hate my car when i am driving the G35, but my car is alot faster of course

 

g35 doesn't look better! don't care what you do to it, 5th gens are too clean

 

Ok wow...I still like the 5.5 gen styling better but that picture you posted definitely makes it closer

 

What if I told you it was a twin-turbo Take notice of the tucked intercooler in the bumper.

I wish. Mine's black and is basically stock on the outside except for the clear corners and .6" drop in the front from the coupe springs. I plan on getting that Aero bumper ($850 painted from Infiniti), getting a similar grille, and doing some staggered 18X7F and 18X8R wheels. I really like the wheels on that G though.

 

You're right, those wheels are great.

 

Hasn't the mighty Lexus BEEN saving money with the 2JZ inline 6?

Driven one after the other after the other: 1. G35(RWD) 2. BMW 330 3. IS300

The only thing I didn't like in the G were the orange gauges. Handling wise the G is on par with the 3-series and the VQ torque OWNS. I think the IS is the best looking oddly enough.

The new 3-series looks like it could set the bar again though . . .