6MT.net Infiniti G35/G37/GTR Community - 1st day of ownership

robjamell · 03-05-2004, 12:33 AM

Hi guys & girls! I am a new owner of a Diamond Graphite/Graphite G35 6-speed coupe. Today is my first day and I would like to share some of my first impressions to see what your guys thoughts are. I have owned some nice cars previously, with my last car being my favorite; a 1998 M3 Sedan. Firstly, I must admit that I am a pretty anal person and after coming out of the M3, I have grown more picky. Here are my initial thoughts. I AM NOT COMPARING THE G35 TO THE BMW, but more just expressing my initial thoughts.

1)love the styling
2)engine makes good power overall, but could use some more torque down low
3)tire noise on pavement is very loud
4)no power seat back makes it impossible for me to get totally comfortable
5)no memory seat
6)HID lights don't seem to be up to par with European HIDs or even Acura
7)HIDs projects decent light overall, but seems to be aimed a little low and has a black hole in the middle of the field they throw

Rear folding seat is not split folding
9)Dash gauge illumination is too bright in all the way on position and a little too dim on the next click down
10)Seat back does not return to previously set position
11)hood prop should be struts
12)door panel near cupholder is cheap and flexes too much
13)sunroof one touch open & close works well
14)graphite interior should have matching A & B pillar trim instead of tan
15)car is a little unsettled(not planted) during bumps in turns
16)seat belt holder is in the way when trying to enter rear seat
17)sill plates get scratch very easily - in fact they came scratched - not sure if this is normal
1

exhaust tone is excellent - always there when excellerating and not there when cruising
19)overall interior quality of materials could be higher - more like a TL
20)amber lighting is old fashioned - blue, white, or red would be better

Semi On · 03-05-2004, 12:50 AM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">2)engine makes good power overall, but could use some more torque down low<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It makes more torque than most trucks.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">3)tire noise on pavement is very loud<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I can't say that I've ever heard the tires over the exhaust.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">4)no power seat back makes it impossible for me to get totally comfortable<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

While I can get comfortable, I too would always welcome power backs.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">9)Dash gauge illumination is too bright in all the way on position and a little too dim on the next click down<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It seems a bit loose too. There's not a lot of ability to actual control it.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">11)hood prop should be struts<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Absolutely!

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">14)graphite interior should have matching A & B pillar trim instead of tan<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I kind of like the contrast personally, but it does strike me as a cost savings rather than a style choice.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">15)car is a little unsettled(not planted) during bumps in turns<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You'll probably feel every bump on the road. It's the natural decision between comfort and performance.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">16)seat belt holder is in the way when trying to enter rear seat<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It unlocks and moves down and out of the way.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">17)sill plates get scratch very easily - in fact they came scratched - not sure if this is normal<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Did you point it out to the dealer?

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">19)overall interior quality of materials could be higher - more like a TL<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

To be fair, I'd say that of every car in the class. The TL came out later and really stepped up to the next level, raising the bar as it were.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">20)amber lighting is old fashioned - blue, white, or red would be better<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Red is pretty dated too, but both are the optimum color for fast recognition by the human eye. However, the color of the dials in the TL is cooler looking.

Welcome to the club.

Regards,
Semi

**Gardiner** · 03-05-2004, 05:45 AM

Welcome aboard.

kgtrips · 03-05-2004, 10:35 AM

I came from a bmw 3 series and at first felt the seats in the G35 were awkward. I actually felt as if I could not get low enough. It is just a matter of a different seat design and getting used to it.After a couple weeks I felt really comfortable in the seats. I agree with you on the dash illumination levels. I think there's bound to be complaints about little things like the hood prop (really lame given the overall quality of this car) but Infiniti made a decision to cut corners in some areas so that I could afford the car. For that I thank them.

h22_luder · 03-05-2004, 03:07 PM

Overall it's a good deal car for what you are paying.

robjamell · 03-05-2004, 07:41 PM

Thanks for responding. I see your point of view on every comment and agree with most. The only comment I have is that I should have been more specific about the car feeling unsettled during bumps in turns. I actually feel every car I have ever driven that is decent handling is this way except for three -BMW, Porsche, & some Mercedes. The Infiniti feels similar to the Audis. Pretty good, but not nearly as good tracking of the road when bumps are involved. The BMWs & Porsches especially feel as though every little bump is tended to individually. I really think the only way to notice this stuff is to have had a lot of experience with a lot of different cars. Thanks for the nice welcome and thanks again for responding. Have an awesome day!

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Semi On

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">2)engine makes good power overall, but could use some more torque down low<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It makes more torque than most trucks.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">3)tire noise on pavement is very loud<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I can't say that I've ever heard the tires over the exhaust.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">4)no power seat back makes it impossible for me to get totally comfortable<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

While I can get comfortable, I too would always welcome power backs.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">9)Dash gauge illumination is too bright in all the way on position and a little too dim on the next click down<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It seems a bit loose too. There's not a lot of ability to actual control it.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">11)hood prop should be struts<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Absolutely!

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">14)graphite interior should have matching A & B pillar trim instead of tan<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I kind of like the contrast personally, but it does strike me as a cost savings rather than a style choice.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">15)car is a little unsettled(not planted) during bumps in turns<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You'll probably feel every bump on the road. It's the natural decision between comfort and performance.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">16)seat belt holder is in the way when trying to enter rear seat<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It unlocks and moves down and out of the way.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">17)sill plates get scratch very easily - in fact they came scratched - not sure if this is normal<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Did you point it out to the dealer?

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">19)overall interior quality of materials could be higher - more like a TL<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

To be fair, I'd say that of every car in the class. The TL came out later and really stepped up to the next level, raising the bar as it were.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">20)amber lighting is old fashioned - blue, white, or red would be better<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Red is pretty dated too, but both are the optimum color for fast recognition by the human eye. However, the color of the dials in the TL is cooler looking.

Welcome to the club.

Regards,
Semi
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

thehin · 03-06-2004, 02:33 PM

should of checked those dislikes at the dealer heh

5AT Black on Black + Performance & Wheel package + 35% legal factory tints

robjamell · 03-06-2004, 03:16 PM

No vehicle is flawless and the dislikes are minimum. So far I am happy overall.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by thehin

should of checked those dislikes at the dealer heh

5AT Black on Black + Performance & Wheel package + 35% legal factory tints
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Smack · 03-06-2004, 10:53 PM

I agree with the sill plates in the door, mine were scracthed when I picked up my GCoupe also.... Tire noise is usually on concret freeway, however with low profile tires and 18" rims I don't think you can avoid that RRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrr sound on concrete freeway sections.

I'm surprized nobody has mentioned getting out of the car as a dislike..... it's not an easy task... my method is placing my left hand on the lower door sill and rolling out using it for support, I think that is the only thing I miss about my previous truck, I just hopped right out of that.....

robjamell · 03-07-2004, 09:08 PM

I too find it hard to exit, but liveable. As far as the tire noise on concrete, I can tell you that I almost bought a 2002 C32 AMG (same price as G35) instead of the G35 and it was much quieter on concrete. Also, BMW 5 series are much quieter on the concrete, but you get what you pay for.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Smack

I agree with the sill plates in the door, mine were scracthed when I picked up my GCoupe also.... Tire noise is usually on concret freeway, however with low profile tires and 18" rims I don't think you can avoid that RRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrr sound on concrete freeway sections.

I'm surprized nobody has mentioned getting out of the car as a dislike..... it's not an easy task... my method is placing my left hand on the lower door sill and rolling out using it for support, I think that is the only thing I miss about my previous truck, I just hopped right out of that.....
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

cartman · 03-07-2004, 09:31 PM

I hate the fact that it's been at the Clear Bra installer guy's house for about 6 hours, and in the back of my mind I can't shake the feeling that he's already driven it to Mexico and chopped it. Must . .get . . . car . . .back.

Hohenzollern · 03-15-2004, 12:50 AM

[quote]Originally posted by robjamell
4)no power seat back makes it impossible for me to get totally comfortable
5)no memory seat
Power rear seats and memory seats are available on the sedan,
This is also the case with the coupe, is it not?
I paid extra for them, but eh...what can you do...ala homer
simpson.

Rear folding seat is not split folding
I was told on my sedan the power seat mechs on the rear
preclude splt foldowns, or any folddown for that matter, save
the rear armrest.

9)Dash gauge illumination is too bright in all the way on position and a little too dim on the next click down
agreed.

15)car is a little unsettled(not planted) during bumps in turns
Did you get the sport suspension/package? I did, very pleased
with the curve "huggability".

20)amber lighting is old fashioned - blue, white, or red would be better
Yeah, though its easier on the eyes in daytime, than the
blue-ish I had on my accord...I would have like the blue
better...but eh...what can ya do

2004 5AT G35 Sedan | "Pearlescent White" on Graphite | Premium | Sport
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