Kinda OT, kinda not

[wawazat??]

As some of you may know the SVX suffered a heat related problem a couple of weeks back. This was kinda bad and kinda good. Bad due to cost and timing, good due to my wife getting a new car and me getting to have my way with the SVX

Anyway, this Weds we will be picking up our (her) new Infiniti G35. Spent a lot of time reviewing charts and graphs (the engineer in me you know) reading test results, test driving vehicles (VERY drove an Audi TT 225hp roadster, a BMW 330Ci convertible, Lexus IS300, the G35) then got to go through the Infiniti purchase experience . Not exactly what you'd call enjoyable. I LOVE dealing with car salesmen. I typically know more about their products than they do and as I'm in sales myself, I see right through the BS tactics they try and play . Finally found a very helpful and easy to work with salesman (GO Howard!!) about 2.5 hours away from us and did the deal.

Twilight blue, graphite leather, reclining back(!) seats, 260hp V6 (0-60 in 6.2 secs!!! with auto trans), Xenon headlights, LED tailights, 17" wheels, premium pkg. I'll post pics shortly. I'm geeked, she's geeked, and we both can't wait to get it.

Just figured I'd share the good news with a bunch of friends I've never met .

Todd

[Ron Mummert]

Todd, sounds like a winner to me, but one question since I don't spend any time reading the mags these days. What's the G35? I saw an I35 at a DC auto show this year, & it was a 255HP V-6 sedan with all the toys, of course. The "G" was a G20 which is a Camry with more polished wood.
This is something new, I guess. Tell us more.
Ron

[seasvx]

Congratulations on your G35. I've become interested in this car recently, although not in the market for new. But I find the specs intriguing as well as the appearance of the examples I have seen so far here in Seattle. I am most interested to see the coupe when it arrives this fall. If I ever wear out the LSi, I'd sure want to consider it as a potential replacement. Pls let us know what you think of your sedan in future posts.

[Seraph]

Originally posted by redroadster
If I ever wear out the LSi, I'd sure want to consider it as a potential replacement. Pls let us know what you think of your sedan in future posts.

Good car dude!!!

As for the wearing out part, this is my stand on it. If I wear out my 94 L, I'd get a 92 LS-L. Before it wears out, I want another LSi. Just me I guess.



Lwin

[Aredubjay]

Congrats, Todd, and I hope you have many years of trouble-free service from your latest purchase. Thanks for sharing.

[wawazat??]

Originally posted by Ron Mummert
Todd, sounds like a winner to me, but one question since I don't spend any time reading the mags these days. What's the G35? I saw an I35 at a DC auto show this year, & it was a 255HP V-6 sedan with all the toys, of course. The "G" was a G20 which is a Camry with more polished wood.
This is something new, I guess. Tell us more.
Ron

Ron, the G35 is the Infiniti (Nissan's upscale group) sedan version of the upcoming Nissan 350Z (with modifications of course). It is also the platform of the Infiniti G35 coupe and most likely the next Skyline, Nissan's ultimate performance vehicle. With that out of the way....

The car is powered by a front-midship 260hp 3.5 liter V-6. The engine is a member of Nissans long-running, highly acclaimed VQ series (Wards AutoWorld 10 best engines for the last 8 years). The engine is actually mounted such that it sits slightly behind the front axles. This results in a 52%/48% front/rear weight distribution. Though a manual transmission version will be available this fall, my wife demanded an automatic (5 speed, based on the version behind the 360hp V8 Infiniti Q45). As it is her car, I conceded(hahaha, like I even had a vote!). The vehicle is rear wheel drive and the majority of the suspension components are made of aluminum for rigidity and low mass. Gauges tilt with the steering column, dual climate control zones, Bose stereo system, heated leather seats, TONS of interior room compared to other vehicles in its class. Lots of other cool stuff as well.

I'll stop prattling on now.

Todd

[Aredubjay]

http://radio.weblogs.com/0101986/sto...finityG35.html

[Ron Mummert]

Originally posted by Aredubjay
http://radio.weblogs.com/0101986/sto...finityG35.html

Wow, 32 bigguns' - How familiar. I hope it's worth more than 10% of that in 10 years like another car I know.

Ron.

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by Ron Mummert
The "G" was a G20 which is a Camry with more polished wood.

Sorry, no. The G20 was based on the Sentra, I believe. The Camry is a Toyota; Infiniti is Nissan's luxury brand.

My mom test drove a G20t. She said it was very 'cute' and a nice car, but a terrible dog. The G35 looks like a much more serious competitor to the IS300.

I think the G35 is a pretty car...good luck with it, Todd!

[wawazat??]

Wendy's excited and that's all that matters to me right now!

We drove the IS300 and really liked it. The dealership was good to work with and very close to the house, but the car just ddn't fit us that well physically. My wife and I are both tall. I'm 6'3" and my wife is 5'10". While we fit in the IS300, my head was right up against the headliner and there was NO room in the back seat. I loved the responsiveness, the price, the engine/manual transmission and the details in the IS300, but Wendy didn't want to deal with a manual transmission on her daily commute to Detroit. The automatic version was kinda lacking in oomph compared to the G35.

Hell, if I don't get the SVX rebuilt in time, maybe she'll let me drive it to the meet?

Todd

BTW - Nick, it's Japanese. Will you talk to me again and forgive me of my German (VW) indiscretion?

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by wawazat??
BTW - Nick, it's Japanese. Will you talk to me again and forgive me of my German (VW) indiscretion?

Well, you're definitely redeeming yourself.

[Ron Mummert]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mr. Pockets
[B]

Sorry, no. The G20 was based on the Sentra, I believe. The Camry is a Toyota; Infiniti is Nissan's luxury brand.


For some reason (age?) I always mix up who spawned Infinity & Lexus. I DO know it's Honda=Acura. Anyway, while waiting for a prescription at the local supermarket, I went over to the magazine rack & scoped out a few of the car publications. In either Car & Driver, or Road & Track there was a comparison of 10 upscale sedans. Guess what was number two? A BMW 330. Number one was something called a G35.
It was also the cheapest, uh... I mean least expensive of the group!

Nice work, Todd.

Ron.

[wawazat??]

Well, we picked it up tonight. Wife loves it! It's beautiful! Pics soon!

[stanbu815]

Hi Todd - Congrats on the I35. Very impressive vehicle. Bought my wife an Acura 3.2 TL-S last year when they first came out. We both love the car. 260 HP, stiff suspension, big tires and all the ammenites compared to the std 3.2 TL. It's our 3rd Acura. Any reason why you didn't give a TL-S a whirl when you were out fishin?
I may be jealous.

[wawazat??]

We initially looked at the TL-S, but didn't make it back to test drive one. I heard some nasty rumors about weak transmissions that kind of spooked me. Wendy liked the lines and the price, but thats as far as we went. It sounds like you've had a good ownership experience though.

We got the G35, not the I35. The G is the new rear wheel drive platform. She saw it and really liked it. Saw the Twilight blue and said that's my next car.