Mike S.

I like nissan/infiniti so I'm staying with the family. I'll most likely lease the car.

The choices are (in no order):

1. 03-03 Maxima 6sp
2. 05 Altima SE-R 6sp
3. G35 6sp (don't really care which year)

Each car has its ups/downs.


Any advice? Others gone through the same choices?

Mike S.

DrKlop

iTrader: (3)

You have to make up your mind whether you want RWD or FWD...

I'd get G35

Uber-Oakley

Is your G35 going to be coupe or sedan? If coupe, I would take the G35. If you are going with sedan, I actually prefer the SER as I was very suprised on how much room it has and I think it has fold down rear seats. As for the 03 Max, if you want to save yourself a few thousands, go for that.

Again it depends on what you want want to use the car for. All three choices are good choices. Just becareful when purchasing the Infiniti though. Unless your a DIYer and as with all luxury marques, the stealerships tend to charge more but do what I do. For normal service work, go to a Nissan dealership. For warranty, of course, go to the Infiniti dealership.

OrestP

Infiniti G35

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

If the G35 is a coupe you better have a winter car where you are...

I saw three off the road last year

Mike S.

I'd love to keep my car as a winter car, but I'll probably end up giving it to my parents. They really want an extra car. I don't notice the front drive wheel pull (high HP front wheel drive cars) with my roomates 05 Altima SE 5sp. Then again, I don't drive that hard.

I think the G35 is a bit above my price range. I know the SE-R is say 30K, and you can get a base G35sp for that, but its BASE.

I've heard that the BOSE in the Altima is really great (edmunds.com), but that the bose in the G35 Blows. Any truth to this?

Mike S.

Metal Maxima

iTrader: (30)

All Bose systems have proved to be problematic over time...I would HIGHLY advocated staying away from it, and putting your own system in. For the same price you can get a better, louder system.

TXT-1

iTrader: (1)

They lease pre-owned vehicles? I didn't know that. Anyways, I'd go with a slightly used 05 G35C mainly because of the upgraded gauges and interior. It doesn't look as cheap as the 03-04's IMO.

maxspeed96CT

iTrader: (9)

SE-R altima......

ne-ways like posed above it would suck have a g35 as a winter car.
03 max is ok, but i would personaly consider a 04.

Bobo

Similarly, I've never heard about leasing a pre-owned vehicle and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

If you can't afford to buy any of the above cars, given someone else has already taken a hit on depreciation, you should stay away from leasing them and lower your sights.

Leasing a pre-owned vehicle will, in all likelihood, prove to be a dumb financial decision.

Given you have to give your old car to your parents, I suspect cash flow is problematic for you and you shouldn't go the lease route.

Do the math on what leasing vs purchasing and financing will cost. If you can't get the bank loan, then you should be buying a used Civic or something like that.

Just my $0.02.

maxgtr2000

iTrader: (29)

Go for the se-r. The g35 if you got the cash. Both cars have way more aftermarket stuff than the max.

DrKlop

iTrader: (3)

They have plenty of used car for lease in NYC, however, by going this rout you ganna loose more money. So I would not recommend you to lease something that is not new.

Regarding snow, it is not as bad as everyone says it is. Of cause, FWD will always be better in snow. It’s mainly because most vehicles have the center of gravity closer to the front. G35 got near perfect weight distribution so with all-season tires you should be fine in snow. If you don’t mind spending a little more and getting snow tires you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

Another factor to consider is where you will be leaving your car. If you have to constantly park you car in places similar to where I leave my car (Brooklyn) you should get a ten year-old Taurus. j/k

Mike S.

Sorry guys, I didn't mean lease the 02/03 Max. That I would buy outright. I'm thinking of the lease option on the SE-R/G35.

Is anyone bugged by the build quality of these cars. The did a nice job upgrading the altima interior for 05 (looks nicer than the max now IMHO), however, there are a few cheap bits. Now I know what car magazines are talking about.

Mike S.

brooklynK3Y

I test drove my friends altima, one word "fast".. and good on the eye.. So i'd say get the altima.

cltsig

I'm a big fan of the newer Maximas, although that wasn't listed as one of your options. A little chubby but nice overall!