My original plan was to buy a 350Z...but I stopped by the Infiniti dealership to check out the G35 Coupe. Holy crap the interior is SO much nicer than the Z. For $35k, the Z really makes me feel like I got jipped out of my money. The G35's interior makes every penny feel like it was well spent.

I am really confused in what to get...the Z is an awesome car but the interior just feels cheap to me. What are the biggest differences between the cars? I know the G35 has a longer wheelbase and the 2 extra seats...but other than that I don't think theres much of a difference. I'm not going to "race" my car but I do want a sporty car that I can take on twisties and have some fun with..

As of now I'm leaning slightly towards the G35....but I'm really confused...any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Oh, and if you guys could list some problems with each car it would help

 

I've driven both cars and they are actually quite similar. The differences I noticed are as follows.

Obviously, the G has a nicer interior and the 2 seats in back. The front seats are very nice. At least the equal, if not better than the Z. The seating position and instrumentation is similar in layout to a Z, personally, I thought the lighting of the instrument panel was very nice. There are 2 easily accesible power outlets, compared to the Z's one, which is behind you. There are some different computer functions in the G, I believe there is no tire pressure, but there is a compass. Not too sure I'm right there. The Z, while more sparse, is very functional. I liked the back to basics interior. To many, that would definitely translate to cheap unfortunately. Oh, a note on the back seats, they're really for either short people, kids, or somebody you want to punish. I'm 5'10" and my head hit the rear window.

Exterior, the G is nice. While driving through NYC with my friend's black G leading my CS Z, I have to say, I got more looks. If that is at all important to you. Still though, the G looks pretty good.

Engine - obviously very similar. The G sounds exactly like the Z. It pretty much accelerates exactly like it too. I doubt the 7 hp make that much of a difference.

Transmission - again, very similar. The clutch is a little stiffer on my friend's G (it's a newer car) and the friction point seems somewhat higher, but the stick feels exactly the same. Looks the same too.

Suspension - ah, finally some difference. The Z has definitely less body roll going around turns. Not to say that the G has too much, it's just a little more than I've gotten used to. Still, definitely a sporty feeling car. The G is also sprung a little softer, the ride is less jarring. Again, I'm not one of the people who thinks the Z is bouncy, but the G is more forgiving.

Steering - fairly noticeable difference. The steering on the Z is much more firm. Seems to take more effort to turn the wheel and somehow feels more precise. Again, not saying that the G is sloppy, but it is a little looser.

Brakes - G is ahead of my Touring. It'd have been nice to get Brembos.

Wheels - G 18" wheels are very very nice. The finish is almost like gunmetal, but not quite as dark. My touring 18" wheels look like the new Maxima's. Nice, but kinda blah.

Aftermarket - probably, the Z will be better supported, but I think that all the major parts that count will probably be available for both. By that I mean exhausts, headers, FI....

Oh, finally, Bose - my friend says his Bose sucks also, but it doesn't seem to have the boomy bass that mine does. I'm not sure if the G has a subwoofer, this may be some of it.

So, at the end of it all, my friend got his 6MT G with the nice wheels, brembo brakes, a few interior goodies, all for 2K more than my touring Z. I like his car, it's a great deal for the money.

If you have need for 2 rear seats, or if you're a little more interested in luxury, go for the G. If you want a little more of the dedicated sports car feel, get the Z.

Best part is, either way you can't go wrong!

I can't believe you've been on this board for a year and you don't have your car yet!

 

Thanks for the review....I'll definatley keep those points in mind.


Oh, and the reason I hadn't gotten the car was because I got side tracked by my F4i

 

Keeping it simple, I think the G looks nicer on the inside and the Z looks nicer on the outside. But rouxeny's review is right on.

 

All true, but for me I was comparing a base Z for $28K to a 6-speed G35C for $36K made the decision a little easier.

I loved the tight point and shoot nature of the Z (almost reminded me of a V-twin sportbike) tons of torque and razor sharp handling. I was very concerned about the space and finish on the inside since I was trading my Acura CL which was pure luxury.....but I must say I have no regrets with the Z the car will grow on you, back seats in a coupe are pretty much useless IMO.

If you choose the Z it'll take minute to get used to but it'll grow on you. I hear you with you on paper, for $35K the G35 looks like more value but for $30 the Z is a bargain compared to the alternative at that price.....

Last point, I think the Z's (touring and track) are outselling the G35C's by a ratio of like 10:1..... must be a reason, right?

 

I agre that a 30K Z is an absolute bargain. I assume that the buyer is looking a Touring Z though. That would be the best comparison to a G. I mean, you get leather seats, Bose...

If that's the case, the price difference is more like 2K or so.

 

To put it simply, my take is this:
The G put the money in the luxury - interior, extra seats, etc.
The Z put the money in the "go" - engine, suspension

Obviously if the cars are based on the same mechanicals, and are similarly priced, they must have put the money somewhere in the Z since it has no back seat, and some say it has a "cheaper" interior. So, follow the bread crumbs to try to figure out where that money went. :-)

 

The Nissan dealer here marks their Z's up by $5,000...they want to sell me a performance for like $35k...the Infiniti dealer wanted to sell me a fully loaded G35c with premium/nav for $34,000

 

find a new dealer, your in san jose I highly doubt theres only 1 near you. some dealers are just on crack.

 

I paid less than $28K for my base CS that came with the Aero Package and aluminum kickplates and the splashguards. For a total of $1,000 I just added the Nissan aluminum pedals and dark graphite Katzkin leather. The leather is not just the front like the factory Nissan/infiniti leather but includes the full sides and back. I think the interior now looks as good as any Infiniti I have seen. Total cost , less than $29K.

 

As a G owner let me add that the rear seats are quite useful for simple short trips. I've had a couple of 6 footers back there. For a quick run to the movies, dinner, the club, its not a problem. Anything over 45 minutes will be uncomfortable for a big guy back there. I've taken friends that are 5' 6+" for long road trips back there and they said its very comfortable for rear seats in a sports coupe. Leg room is plenty back there provided the front passengers aren't sporting their pimp lean.

The BOSE is god awful in the G. It is a hell of a lot easier to upgrade the sound system on the Z. You CAN NOT replace the head unit on a G35 unless you tear up the center console and get something fabricated. Double DIN consoles are super expensive at this point.

The interior of the Z is what the interior of a sports car should look like. The interior of the G35 is NOT what the interior of an "Infiniti" should look like. Granted, it is better than a Z, but its no where near the quality of a lexus, audi, etc.

 

I really like the G, but I don't agree with some of the comments here that the G's interior being great. Yes, it's more lux than the Z, but the Z is an all out sports car and the interior suits it perfectly.

The G's interior is more like a 1980's lux compared to the interiors of it's competitors such as Lexus, BMW, Acura and MB. It's really outclassed. Check out the interior of the new TL compared to the G35 and you'll see what I mean

 

i was actually going to buy the g35 c. i had pictures of it in my office, i read as much as i could about it... i drooled over it at the local auto show. i fell in love with the interior... all the neat little bins. it even has a place to put your parking card. i still consider it one of the most beautiful cars on the road... including cars costing 2 times as much.

then i drove it. the first thing i noticed was the road noise was quite prominant. i found that odd being that it was geared more towards luxury. the drive... nothing special. it almost reminded me of the acura tl that i had at the time. when i finished my test drive, i was really dissapointed. it was almost boring. oh yeah, i am not quite 5'9 and i whacked my head on that rear glass when i was trying out the rear seat. you gotta slouch or shift you butt foward to clear your head. either way, it isnt too comfortable a position. the seat itself is great.

now the z which was my #2 choice, i thought the grill was kind of wierd looking and i didnt care for the amber front reflectors. oh, also i didnt like the center pod bin door.

come to find out that they make the grill covers (btw the stock grill has grown on me), and i found out they make clear led lights for the front bumper to blend in with the chrome silver i loved... and the bin door has been modified for 2004... so basically all my complaints about the car were gone. they even added an additional power outlet in the front where it is more useful. then i drove it. man, i couldnt stop smiling during the test drive. i had so much fun. you can definately tell that the z is the sports car of the two.

i was still a bit undecided but leaning towards the z... then the roadster came out. i didnt stand a chance... that thing was just too much fun to test drive. anyways, i dont regret my decision... however, i still kind of wish i had an extra stall for the g35.

anyways, test drive the two. the car that is right for you will reveal itself during the drives. depends on what you are looking for.

 

Fr0ng- Where are you looking? Most of us here in the bay area picked up are Z's at MSRP or under.

 

Any problems the Z has had can be searched on this site and any G problems can be found at www.G35driver.com. Keep in mind that most problems at either site were posted by those of us who expect perfection.

 

I went to Stevens Creek Nissan....I really don't like that place...I'll probably try Capitol then Stanford Nissan...where did you guys get yours for MSRP?

 

fr0ng- Stevens Creek is a joke, all the dealers I've been to on Stevens Creek are all worthless. I got mine at Stanford for MSRP plus they gave me an outstanding deal on my trade in. I would give you the sales guys name but he left Stanford a couple of months ago.
I've heard good things about Capitol but don't have any experience with them personally. You may also want to try Boardwalk in Redwood City.

 

Ah..thanks for the advice...I went to Nissan from the Infiniti dealer and the level of quality/profesionalism was horrible compared to Infiniti...

It seems that I like the exterior of the Z and the interior of the G lol...

 

The G doesn't have as many problems as the Z.

Plus "I" think the G is faster. I have raced a few Z's and beat them each time. . . . not by much though.

The interior is very comfortable and the Blose system is 1000 times better sounding than the Z.