I am a very happy owner of a 1998 Maxima SE (5 speed MT) with all the goodies. It is essentially stock -- I only have FSTB and K&N Filter. I was having a very hard time trying to find a car that combined sportiness and comfort as well as mine did. The newer Maximas progressively became more like grand tourers, and lost their nimbleness -- the turning circle rose to 40' from about 35' for my car! I was thinking of defecting from Nissan altogether -- VW, Audi, and Saab (9-3 and 9-5) were much in contention. I am glad to say, I finally decided to stay with Nissan. I have just leased a Black (with Charcoal Leather interior) 2003 Infiniti G35 6-speed MT Sport Sedan, with the Premium, Winter, and Aerodynamic packages. I am very happy with my new car -- have about 400 miles in about 3 days! BTW, I still have my Maxima (I have extended b-to-b coverage for one more year).

My reason for this post is that I believe there are many like me who are kinda sorta unhappy with the direction the Maxima evolution has taken. At least for some of them the G35 would be a very viable alternative. I did take a risk in leasing a RWD car being in the snowbelt but I am hoping with traction control, stability control (VDC), and snow tires I can manage! I love AWD (have had 4 Subarus -- mostly for my wife) and would have waited untill next year if I knew I could get an AWD G35 with MT. Unfortunately, I read somewhere that the AWD G35s will (at least initially) come only with the Tip-tronic type of AT.

In sum, for me, the G35 captures the essence of Maxima better than the current Maxima!
Raj

 

well said.

 

my name is raj too...the G35 is too tight inside, jus my .02

 

the G35 does not have as much room as the max but is a truer sports sedan. You should have too many problems in the winter as long as u put on some decent winter tires

 

good find, i must tell you, i've been reading the g35 forumns alot lately, and all of them rave about how great the g35 runs with snow tires

 

Thank you all for your positive comments!
It is very encouraging to hear that the G35 handles well in the snow with snow tires. I really did not want a car I would have to park over the winter.

I have been using snow tires anyway on my FWD cars in the winter for the past ten years or so. I used Bridgestone Blizzaks for my 1993 Camry SE (you guessed it, 5-speed MT!) -- my son drives it in Houston now, obviously does not need snow tires. For my 1998 Maxima SE, I have been using Michelin Arctic Alpines -- these are 95% as good on ice as the Blizzaks, and 115% better handling. I am thinking of, perhaps, trying the Pilot Alpines this time around for the Infiniti.

Raj

 

Hey Raj,

May I suggest Nokian Hakka1 snow tires? They are AWESOME in the snow. They made a light RWD car (240SX) drivable in the snow. They last for a long time (morso than Blizzaks), handle well in the dry, and are freaking awesome in snow and ice. Btw, I'm from Toronto, Canada, I have experienced these tires on both our 240SX and Maxima for two winters so far...its awesome. And I know a few people who have used Artic Alpins & Blizzaks in the past, and suggest the Hakka1s are superior.

 

MAdD Max,
Thanks for the snow tire suggestion. I will certainly check them out. I have not run into Nokian tires before. I hope someone like Tire Rack carries them. Raj

 

most interesting nissan sports car now is G35 coupe. very sexy car. very powerful car. possibly platform or preliminary likeness to upcoming GTR. 6th gen Maxima is ok with some cosmetic mods, like grille replacement, but is too luxury and large to be sports car. gained weight in middle age. lost the whole 3rd gen fit-and-trim and sporty appeal direction.

 

my name is not raj, but i like the g35 way better than the new maxima.

 

What does a Bumper To Bumper actually do?

 

The bumper-to-bumper extended warranty covers everything except wear-out items, just like the manufacturers' original warranties for 3 or 4 years. I do not believe in extended warranties generally but had a very good experience with extended warranty for my wife's Subaru, saved serious moola! Since I was keeping the Maxima for six years (well past my usual retention period), I got this extended warranty from Warranty Direct ("Diamond" coverage) with $50 deductible. I have used it once, to replace hood struts that had become weak! I don't think you need extended warranty for Japanese cars in general (at least for the first 6 years) but you may have to make exceptions for higher performance or awd vehicles.
Sorry for this LOOOOONG response to a short question!

 

Raj,
I am planning on the same car purchase. I will be selling my '99 SE for a 6 speed sedan at the end of the year or the beginning of '04. I have read nothing but good things about the G. I think its time for a test drive. It is by far the best 4 door sport sedan for the money! Can you tell us the deal you got on your car?
Enjoy your car.

 

99CTMAXSE,
I usually do not drive a hard bargain -- I think both parties should be happy after a deal. In this instance, moreover, I was trying out a lease (first time for me) since I was not very sure RWD would work in the snow belt. With some help from the Edmunds Lease Forum, I got my G35 6MT for about $430 per month for a 39 month lease (12k per year). The relevant parameters are:
MSRP 33,845 (+120 for mud guards)
Capitalized Cost (agreed price): 32,344
Cash down: 0
Cash payment at time of lease: app. 2,100 [for taxes/license/fees]
Residual value: 55%
Money factor: 0.00155
I am happy with the deal even though I am aware I could have gotten a better one if I wanted the hassle. I gave the dealer about 1,700 over invoice (app. 5% of MSRP) -- which is very generous, but I feel the price represents a very good value to me. Also, the base money factor for May though Infiniti is 0.00140. I did not mind the slightly higher rate because there was no security deposit.
However, I learn that there is a dramatic oversupply situation in some parts of the country -- the East and West coasts -- which can mean extremely good deals for you (near invoice). Best of luck!
Raj
p.s: I enjoy my 25-30 minute de-stress therapy session on the back roads with my G every day!

 

I thought I would provide an update on my vehicle situation.
My son was involved in a fairly serious accident in Houston towards the end of June, 2003. [It is one of those accidents which could not be avoided, where the person causing the accident was not involved in it!] The good news was that he (miraculously) escaped injury, but the car (Camry SE) was "totaled" (as was the other car involved in the accident). So I no longer have my Maxima SE -- it is with my son in Houston. I am sure he is enjoying it as much as I did.
My G35 continues to be a source of pleasure -- I have about 6,500 miles on it now. It is time for me to look seriously at snow tires, even though the dealer insists that I may not need it.
My daughter is getting close to when she can get her driving licence (it is 16 years in my part of the world). I have started giving her stick-shift lessons (she got her permit through driver's ed on an automatic) on her first car. I got her a silver 5-speed 2002 Chevy Prizm (twin of Toyota Corolla, 125 hp) with under 36k miles. It is in very good condition, and fairly well equipped including a good sound system, power locks, cruise control etc. I also got her a 7 year extended warranty (transferable) that is almost bumper to bumper, and includes roadside assistance. Heck, when I think of it, it ia a MUCH better car than I ever had even as a graduate student many moons ago!
So, the cycle contnues....
Raj

 

g35 ...mmmmmm