Best Car Ever Made?

[mcmab]

Well I've had my 2005 G35 6MT for 2700 miles so far.

Its the most amazing vehicle I've ever driven.

I'm starting to get the hang of how to drive it. Now I don't brake going into corners at all. On the freeway I just blast away from knots of traffic. Still making mistakes with the 6-speed trans but its coming.

Why don't Infiniti tell people how good this car is? There's just no comparison with anything else I have had experience with.

Took it up to 115mph on I-5 and it felt safer than an "ordinary" car at 70mph. Could have pushed it to 130mph but didn't want to spend the night in jail. Power at 4000+rpm is simply breathtaking.

I'm really finding that I get from A to B a lot quicker, even taking my daughter to school now takes so much less time we leave later. And I enjoy driving again. People are in awe as I sweep into a turn under 50% throttle.

Thanks Infiniti, best car I have ever owned, by a long, long way. I may buy another one, just to get a different color.

[adsbanker1]

These cars hold their value too. I looked up the value for my '03 and I could sell it for $2,000 more than what I bought it for last year.

[kfreefall]

just topped 47K on my 2003.5 6mt sedan and feel the same way....

Its even better with the Pilot Sports.

Ken

[sp0rk]

Just curious what other kinds of cars you guys have driven in order to say that? It is definately a great car with much power and a good suspension, but I often question it's build quality. Seems to develop clunks and rattles fairly easily and feels a little too light sometimes at just above-average speed.

[adsbanker1]

My favorite thing about this car is the fact that you can really lean on it and it doesn't change or even strain at all. I have heard some weird noise in what I think is the passenger side door so I will ask the mechanic when I bring it in to have the plenum installed.

[mcmab]

Hi spOrk:

I have no clunks or rattles. Everything feels right.

Before I bought the G35 I test drove the Acura TL and the BMW 5-series. In the mid-1990s I had 2 Maximas. Owned a Jag XJ for a few years. The Acura was fast but didn't have the handling. The BMW was horrid, couldn't wait to get out of it, couldn't feel the road or the car.

Of course I've driven Lexus/Honda/Toyota and been a passenger in Porsches/Lotus.

I have the 6MT which comes with sport suspension. I can't say it has ever felt light - and I drive pretty fast, I rarely have anyone overtake me on a freeway.

When I put the whole package together the G35 is the perfect combo for me - its sane and comfortable when I want it to be. Its faster than heck I when I push it. It does things I did not think possible.

Most of all my wife thinks I'm a genius for finding it.

So what's to compare? A low-slung 2-seater like a Mercedes sports, that's just not practical and no fun on the freeway. Porsches - no fun when you have to pay the service bill (my neighbor sold his Boxter pronto after it was always in the shop). Same with BMW. Mercedes sedans - boring and don't like the ride at all. Maybe the Lexus is closest but they have few models with a stick - and can the G35 stick be improved on? The throw is perfection. I can't see how it could be better.

Exotics like Ferraris are not civilized at low speeds, there's the thrill as they take off but then where. The G35 does thrilling accelerations too. I'm not really that interested in performance above 120mph, where can I use it?

Show me a car I'd like as much. I would really appreciate a pointer because right now I don't see anything.

[adsbanker1]

Well put.

[sp0rk]

You seem to have taken my reply as one whose intent is to knock down the G. I agreed that it was a nice car. I was just curious because in terms of build quality, there are better cars out there (although more pricey).

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks the new Acura's don't handle well. Everybody I talked to spoke highly of their suspension, etc. When I drove it, I was immediately turned away. Jag XJ - Maximas... Nice choice of cars, have always liked those cars.

The only area that I don't agree with you on is the BMW... Although I do own one and have another in the family - I can understand if someone dislikes them, but I have never ever heard that they lack car and road feel. The only complaint I've ever heard out of both my 5 series and the other is that it has TOO much road and car feel, both of them have more than the G by far. The area where I dislike the BMW 5 series however, is power. None but the V8 powered models can hang with the G35, Yes because of the lack of HP and perhaps the meatier curb weight, too. But keep in mind the market is not for those who buy the G - That would be where the 3 series steps into play, possibly even the m3. In terms of value of the G, though - there is not much comparison. The upper end cars cost far more for what you get.

Maintenance in the average German car really doesn't live up to the myth on how expensive they are on upkeep. Yeah, it's expensive... but have you seen how much it can cost for general maintenance on modern day Hondas and Toyotas? yikes. Also the G has some minor maintenance flaws, too. Like the brake pads that need replacement when a normal car's pads are only 1/3 worn. (admitted by Infiniti themselves) Basically my point is that every car has some sort of odd maintenance issue.

Either way, I view your last statement in your last reply as a challenge and I don't accept that. It's hard to beat in terms of value. As I said earlier, I was not trying to disagree with you, I just was wondering what other cars you were comparing to. In the end everybody has their own opinion!

Enjoy the G

[mcmab]

Hi sp0rk:

No, no offence meant nor taken - nor was my last line as a challenge except that I really would like to know if there's a car as good that I missed.

The BMW 5-series I tested was a 2004. I don't remember much about it except for disliking it enough that it wasn't an option. I did spend 2 years trying to find the right car to buy. I have driven friends' BMW 3-series and I was always at a loss to understand what people saw in them.

That torque steer on the Acura TL is wicked isn't it?

I reread Car&Driver road tests especially the stick shift comparison with the 2004 6MT. A number of the points they raised were fixed in the 2005. Still the 2004 G35 came out as their #1.

I am just amazed that I knew nothing about this car until I accidentally wandered into an Infiniti dealer - I was looking for the nearby Nissan dealership. I thought Infiniti just made a plush Maxima. I think Infiniti needs to advertise the G35's features a bit more. Many of my friends are thinking of buying G35s now after being passengers in mine.

Did you get the 6-speed G35? Do BMW even make a stick 5-series?

[sp0rk]

Funny enough, We saw the g35 on the internet, wandered in just to take a look... took a test drive... ended up buying it that day.

It was about the first week in 03 that it was released. It's an auto btw.

Of course BMW makes a manual 5er! 5speeds in all 6cyl models and the 6sp. in the 8 cylinder model. (smg in the newer ones, too)BMW's are excellent track cars so it would be insane on their part to offer only automatics. They truly are an amazing car too, but do not suite everyone's taste.

I haven't driven an 04 yet... but I hear they are a lot more "plush" than the previous models. I wouldn't trade my 90' (pic in sig) for nothin in the world. That car has more road feel than anything else with 4 doors. (slightly modded, too... though)

Take care, see ya around on the boards.

[adsbanker1]

I had the same deal. I was in the Lexus dealership looking at the IS and we were walking through the used car part of Toyota which was next door. I literally walked right into the G35 coupe and was like "damn, that's sweet." Luckily the salesman at Lexus was being an asshole and there was an Infiniti dealership right up the street. I had no idea how nice the G35 Sedan was until I test drove it that day. I put some good faith money down and went and checked it out on the internet and it turns out I was getting a great deal. I bought the car the same day.

[mcmab]

You've got the auto?

Do yourself a big favor. Run, don't walk, to the Infiniti dealer and test drive the '05 6sp.

The 6MT comes standard with the sport package which includes 18" wheels, a stiffer suspension and a viscous lim. slip diff.

I test drove the '05 auto before they found a 6MT for me to test. Yes I liked the auto well enough. I could have been happy with it. I could have got used to the tiptronic changes.

BUT, the 6MT was a different beast. A glorious hunk that sung like a massed choir. A real beauty. There is no comparison. In the 6MT everything comes together in unison. I recall saying to the salesman "This is what I want, this is it." I had to wait two weeks until they found everything I wanted: color & package.

Thanks for the info on the BMW 5-series. I probably found that out when I went into the BMW dealer but as I didn't care for the car I pushed it out of my memory.

Let me know whether you'll think of trading the 90' after you've driven the 05 6MT. I'd be surprised if you don't change your mind.

When you drive the 6MT I found that the best compression braking sequence from 6th into a stop is 6->5->3. Using the 4th gear doesn't buy you anything except missing the lower ratios because you run out of time. It also prevents the easy mistake of going 6->5->4->5. The close ratio box makes the omission of 4th academic.

Looking forward to your impressions if and when you test <g>

All the best.

[sp0rk]

Sport suspension and rims are not too important as this bad sedan is lowered with eibach springs and on 19's. It's nice. The eibachs really do make it ride more like the sport package model. VERY similar.

Nothin like a manual though. I don't want to drive it just incase I like it. LOL.
Nothin in the world would make me trade my old 5er, though. Yes, it's slow... but it's just such a great car for me. Perhaps how I feel for it is how you feel for your G.