Well after reading thread after thread on this forum I have only become more and more obsessed with the car I havent even driven yet. My question to you guys is this: With all the similarities between the Z and the G35, what are the most prevolent differences. I plan to buy one of these two cars within the next year and I am just tyring to get things straight. I will be living in the chicago area at the time and i am very interested in tracking/autoX'ing the car but am not sure exactly how much opportunity i will have in that area. It seems to be that the G35 goes a little bit more the luxury route while the Z is the road champ. What I am trying to figure out is what more precisely is the tradeoff between these two cars.

Thanks in advance for your input

p.s. i am fully prepared for the barrage of "are you crazy?!? the get the Z hands down" responses ... but with all respect some detailed comparison would be of great help

thanks again!

 

The G35 is pretty nice, but it is really nothing more than a "sport coupe". If this is what you want, then go for it. However, if you want a high performance sports car that will turn heads everywhere you go, then get the gorgeous 350Z.

Every time that I see a G35 on the road, I can't help thinking "Grandpa wants to be seen in a sporty little car"!!

 

the g is a luxery car with 2 extra seats more cargo room - just more practical.

the z is a pure sports car no cargo space at all only 2 seats. --very impractical. imho, the Z is much more of a head turner.

 

The G35, feature-for feature, looks like a better buy. For basically the same price as a Track or Touring Z you get a great combination of the features of the two. Leather power seats and Brembo brakes! I'm not sure of all the features on the G but I think there's a CD changer in there, etc. etc. There's also a back seat (of course) and you also get to deal with Infinity dealers who will give you a loaner when your car is in the shop.

On the other hand, the G is bigger, longer, wider, I think heavier, and has less power. Therefore, although it is no slouch, it will not perform quite as well as the Z in traffic or on the track. Not a lot worse, it will still hold its own against a lot of the competition, but it's not quite up to the capabilities of the Z.

Although it looks very nice and gets some attention, the G35 has nowhere near the attention-getting power of the 350Z. It tends to blend in anonymously with all the Altimas and Maximas and Accords in traffic.

The 350Z on the other hand stands out in a crowd and gets a lot of attention. People are constantly coming up to you at gas stations and in parking lots to talk to you about it. Everywhere you drive you turn heads and hear comments. This is not an anonymous car.

The 350Z is a sports car. Not a sporty coupe, a sports car. It has more power, tighter handling and a stiffer suspension than the G35. I has two seats and minimal cargo handling capability. I strongly recommend the optional cargo net for the rear deck, to hold your laptop (or whatever) when you have a passenger. It is a major blast to drive, both because it is so responsive and because it is fun to be seen in. The 350Z is an exciting experience to own.

I hope that helps.

 

I'm quite shallow on this issue. The Zzzzz is a unique looking car while the G looks like another sports coup.

The Zzzz is comfy, drives like on a rail, goes fast, hugs the road, shifts really easy, has (I think) Japanese reliability, etc, etc. But the reason I bought the car is it has the best looking backend I've seen since a 60s girlfriend! LOL!

 

Essentially, it comes down to what you're looking for. The Z is a more ostentatious, and definitely less practical. Personally, I think it looks better. It is a little more "sporty" in that the suspension is tighter, the steering feel is more firm, and it turns in a little sharper. Body roll is slightly better than the G, but the pickup and overall sounds of the car are fairly similar. The G has 7 hp less, I don't think you can tell the difference by butt dyno.

The G is for those who want a back seat. The seats there are admitedly small. I was able to sit with marginal leg room, but my head was touching the rear window. I'm about 5'10". Not really something you want to ride in for 3 hours, but useful for the kiddies or those uninvited friends. The G also comes with a lot of amenities for the money. As was mentioned, for about 2k more than my Touring (33K), my friend with a G got Brembo's, a nicer leather interior, rear seats, and a few other interior gadgets, a compass, auto on headlights, a inside switch to open the trunk (big failure on Z's part), to name a few.

Having driven both back to back, I really consider the Z more the defintion of a sports car. It goes fast and handles well, while looking good. The G is kind of an Acura CL-S on steroids. A very nice performer, with great value for the money. If you'd like something sporty, but need 2 seats or want extra luxury, it's the car for you.

Go drive both and make your decision. Neither one is a bad purchase.

 

No brainer! I agree.... The G is the G. The Z is the only car I ever had that turned as many heads, 944 & Vette, that said "what is that"? How great your car is. I heard such great things about your car. And I can say, The only thing that beat it 0-60? The 10 cyl Viper! What is that about? How can you even compare it! Oh please. I am having much toooo much fun with this car and so is my husband!

And did I mention how we turned the heads at Lime Rock??? Oh My God! Everywhere you go, figure on an hour a day to just explain the car! How many times does that happen with a G35?

Lady Z and proud of it!

 

Ride shotgun in my G for a week and you will think differently.

This arguement is very similar to us G35 owners. The sedan or the coupe. Sedan is more practical and is very impressive under the hood. Stock 6MT sedan has been tested at 5.9 to 60. So the same goes for the Z vs Gcoupe. Gcoupe is more practical. Z is flashier/sportier. You really need to drive both cars to make an accurate choice.

And as for that little grandpa comment... best watch out for the g35 in the lane next to you, cause it will give your Z a run for its money and then some.

 

well I've got both and have posted my observations elsewhere here, but I prefer the Z

 

It comes down to really what you want and I not going say that the 350 turns more heads or looks better( not that we care were both married), because the G35 turns quite a bit maybe actually more in my brother in laws case in our area. I noticed that when riding it in more people stare than in the 350, neither is a bad choice!

 

Thanks guys!! Its really nice to hear the reflections of people who drove both cars. I can definitely understand the support for the Z as of course you guys(and girls) did decide to go with it. Personally I am leaning towards the Z as well ( there's really just something hypnotic about it). What it is i cant quite put my hand on. It seems to me that they are similar enough body styles, althought i really am not fond of the front end of the G nearly as much as the Z. But then again I havent spent too much time up close to either car. Everything you are saying makes complete sense, and i guess im just gonna hafta wait til its purchase time... which of course means waiting for a job....*sigh*

Anywho, I like the idea of having a backseat for those unexpected times but I am only willing to sacrifice so much performance and definitely not a whole of style. I guess I was just trying to get some sort of an idea of what that trade off will be.

basically... im just trying to keep myself busy til i can actually afford the damn car!!!!

thanks again for the suggestions, and i would love to hear the input from other users as well!!!

cya round... hopefully in a Z soon!!