I heard the G35C will have the same motor(287HP) as the Z350. The thing that will make the G35C slower than the Z is the added weight which will be around 150-200lbs(Guessing here). That weight will add around .2 or .3 in the 1/4 mile time and will take around 1 to 2mph from the traps. So I'm assuming the G35C will hit the 1/4 mile at 14.2-14.5 at 98-100. This is what i would expect. So u can compare this car's performance more to the GS430 or BMW540i which is decent. I personally think this car will beat the BMW330Ci in straight line accel. I dont know yet about its handeling abilities.

 

The G35C is quoted as 280 HP. Exhaust or intake could probably account for the HP difference in the two, if it is that low.

 

That is not a major difference in horse power. You're probably right about the exhaust/intake issue. After that, it seems like it may become a matter of taste...

I'm not officially NOT SURE anymore bout my Z

 

Well, you still have the extra 200 lbs...

But then again, you have a trunk and a small back seat...

Tough decision.

 

actually, the hp on the G35 coupe is 280, so the diff is only 7hp. I'll bet you anything the difference is in the ECU and not in any better equipment on the Z. Car manufacturers like to detune in this fasion so they can build all the engines identicaly and not have to manufacture different engine parts when they can just detune the ECU to give the Z the edge. In Road & Track the G35 pulled a .92g vs. the Z .88g and pulled 67.7mph in the slalom. about 1 mph faster than the Z and faster than anything else they have tested(check the back of the mag) except the porsche GT2 which beats it by 1mph and the porsche 911 turbo which BARELY beat it by .1mph(67.8mph)! Faster than all other porsches, Ferraris, Lamos, etc. the model they tested was the 6spd with 18"s Brembos, aero package and leather and was $32K. Not bad.

 

Krinkov echoes what I said before... The G35C outperforms the Z, AT LEAST from the tests so far that we've seen. Hope someone can prove them wrong cuz I sure hope I didn't give up the Infiniti service, nicer interior, and 2 seats for a car that's slightly (ever so slightly) faster, handles worse, and is significantly more uncomfortable (i've been in a G35C...it's smooth due to its longer wheelbase).

 

We also should think about the CD. And i would guess the G35C has a great CD since the 4 door has .27 CD. I dont know what is the CD of the Z, but if the G35C has a lower one, the CD will help the car at higher speeds because it will be more easy for the car to get through air. For example, Look at the LS430 which has .26 CD with only 290HP and it out ran the Q45 which has 340HP and the A8(310HP). Another example, also look at the SL55(4200LBS!!!) which has a .27CD and how it did beat the GT2(3250LBS) and marcilago(3800lbs, .33CD) after 300Km(186Mph). So lower CD does help a car acclerate at ease without alot of power.

 

Just because one mag got .92g on a pre-prod G35c doesn't automatically mean that the G outperforms the Z. Dont forget what Automobile mag got, 6.1 0-60 and 14.2 - 14.5 (??can't remember exactly). Lets just and wait until the mags can do a full test on a production G35c. BTW, the G tested had Michelin tires and not the RE040 for what it's worth.. It comes down to if you want. A luxury coupe with some performance and conservative styling or a sports car with strictly performance aspects and aggressive styling.

 

I'm pretty sure it was a production model that they tested, as it was the 280hp model. The pre-production model was the 260hp model mentioned earlier in this thread.

 

I too am torn between the two vehicles...

When I spoke with my personal car GURU who advises me on such matters, he was very clear. These are his impressions. These are two distinctly different cars. The G35C is targeted toward the aging boomer who may have to justify a back seat and a trunk where the Z is truly a sports car. The Z has sports car suspension, engine tuning, and overall feel. In the Z, you will definitely "feel" the road.

The G35C is a different car. Not sure that the G35C actually "outperofrms the Z". It's really intended to go after the BMW 300 series... It is designed to be a more luxurious car with the "hints" of a sports car. You will get less of a sports car suspension which means a softer ride. You will get the Brembo breaks, because that's part of the "touring" appeal they are going after. The sunroof is not a "sports car" feature (except of course in the convertible versions, and then you are taking on a more weight. The longer wheelbase is more of a consumer / sedan feature than that of a true sports car.

These are the differences he pointed out to me. He then asked a simple question: Do you want a sports car, or do you want an everyday car with a sporty feel and appeal?

I'm gettin the Z...


Hope this helps you, cause it certainly provided something for me.

 

I agree with what he said. I saw both cars at the NY Auto Show and while the G35 Coupe looked very nice, it did not wow me like the Z. I, too, was torn between the sporty aspects of the Z and more family oriented G35C (of course because of the back seats) but now having my Z and with all the compliments I have been getting (plus the fact that my son loves it because all his buddies thinks his dad is cool and drives an $80,000 sports car) I am glad I chose the Z.

P.S. It doesn't cost $80,000 but it is unbelievable how many people have asked me if it costs that much and are shocked when I tell them the truth.

Victor

 

My wife wanted me to consider the Coupe because we have two children (12 and 9) and she didn't want to limit our family driving to our Maxima. For 5K more than my enthusiast it is tempting: leather, bose, VDC, 18 inch wheels, sun roof and a back seat. That is a lot of value for $5k. Nevertheless, I am still leaning towards the Z, I saw some pictures of the back seat on the web and with the front seats all the way back, there is NO leg room in the back seats. I am 6'3" so we could never have my entire family in the Coupe. Plus the performance numbers for the Coupe are not great, over a half second slower in the qtr. and also quite a bit slower in 0-60. One other thing to keep in mind, the Infiniti web site is completely silent on the drive train, I think if it had the Z's Carbon Fiber drive train they would trumpet that. The light weight drive train is going to make a major difference on how much power gets to the rear wheels. So even though there is only a 7 HP difference at the engine, there could be a much more substantial difference, perhaps 20 to 30 HP at the wheels. Coupled with the increased weight, and I don't think there will be much of a comparison between the cars. Now don't get me wrong, I think the Coupe is a great car and I may still get one, but I am leaning more towards going through with my Z pre-order. (Of course all of the above may just be my rationalization to convince myself to get the Z. )

 

Just to clarify a few numbers for the Z:

MAG Skidpad Slalom
R&T .89 65.6 (600 ft)
Automobile .92R & .94L N/A
C&D .88 N/A
MT N/A 67.8 (600 ft)
SCC .88 70.2 (700 ft)

Unfotunately, few mags do both skidpad and slalom, but there is definitely a significant range in the numbers. I wouldn't be surprised if the G35C is very similar in performance to the Z, but with only one data point, it is difficult to know whether it is slightly above or slightly below. Finally, for those who AutoX or track their car, the Z's lighter weight should come in handy.

I wanted a sports car with only two seats, so the Z was the choice for me. However, if I needed extra space and seats, the G35 seems to deliver with almost no performance hit.

-D'oh!

 

This is really a good thread going here. I must say that I'm stickin with my Z. It's not because I heard a guy this week saythat he didn't like the G35C because it looked like an Altima on steroids! Funny.

But if it turns out that the Z doesn't work out - even tho I doubt that - I can always trade it in for the G35C.

There's always next year...

 

There are a couple of questions to ask yourself...

1. Do I want a sports car or a luxury car?
2. Do I mind the back end of the G35 looking like an Accord? (i.e., an everyday look for a back end)
3. Where is the G35 web site? Here, the answer is "go for the Z." There, the answer will be "go for the G35."

This is purely subjective,
Todd

 

This guy really loved the G35 Coupe. He writes for te Toronto Star

http://tinyurl.com/1xtr

 

This is a really good article. I have to agree with ToddLuc in that where ever you read something, thats what opinion you will get. A 350Z board will give you the Z angle on things.

BUT, I did like the article and I'm still sold on the Z.

Thanks Belkmike!