Infiniti G35 Coupe (2003-2007)

Awsome car – Awesome car,very comfortable for the long drive,nice cruising car as well ,if you need power is there ready to flex its muscle,just put your foot down and away you go,I use for the daily commute and the drive from Sydney to central coast,purchased car with 58,000kms not much upgrades to engine needed K&N air filter, in the process of upgrading the exhaust. Maybe im bi est, nice upgrade from the old mazda enous 30x Who remembers that car?  Show details

Ultimate Midprice Sports Coupe – The G35 Coupe (V35 Skyline) is easily one of the best and most sensible sports coupes in its price point. Sharing the same driveline, suspension and stability of the 350Z, it shares Nissan's long heritage of mid range sports coupes but with full sized sports seats in the rear, the added comfort, luxury and sensibility of Nissan and Infiniti's… Read more ·  1

Luxury sedans.

Marketed for the US through Nissan's luxury Brand, Infiniti, the G35/V35 is full of comfort and technological features you'd expect to find in any high end European luxury car; In it's full spec model, coming equipped with full electric, leather, heated seats fitted with active headrests and side impact airbags, Parking sensors, reversing camera, Sat Nav, DVD/TV, 6 stack CD player and Tape Deck (MD deck for later V35 models), dual zone auto climate control, leather bound Momo steering wheel (track edition), radio steering controls (non-track edition), cruise control, auto headlights (xenon on V35), fog lights, heated, folding mirrors and heated windscreen wipers with speed controlled variable mode and dense, extensive sound deadening offering a quiet peaceful drive even cruising at 100km/h on a rainy day.

The body is loosely styled on the 350z with some obvious differences that separate it as the luxury model. The front is highlighted by its chrome grille and bulging headlights, which sweeps back into a very familiar slopping windshield and cabin. This is where the major body difference is found, with a slightly longer cabin and larger rear window to accommodate the rear sports seats. With the increased rear space the 350z hatch is replaced by a conventional boot, which is large enough for two golf bags, at least according to the placarded diagram. That increased cabin means space inside is deceptively large (its actually the outside that's deceptive being only 30cm shorter than a VX Commodore sedan) with plenty of room for four full sized adults (a neat trick the 350z lacks).

The similarities continue down to the driveline and wheels. The G35 produces its 206kw of power from the same VQ35DE found in the 350z and is matted with the same options of a 6 speed manual or 5 speed tiptronic auto transmission and optioned with a viscous LSD. The power is delivered to the rear pair of a staggered set of 7 spoke version of the 350z's 18inch "Track" Wheels and stopped by the same Brembo brakes. The heart of the G35, the VQ35DE is reputed to be one of the best V6 engines ever built, being ranked in the Wards top 10 engines from 2002 to 2007. Despite producing between 200-220kw and happy revving to 6000 all day long, the VQ35DE is comfortable dragging along between 1500-2500RPM where you can expect a lean 9.5lt/100km.

Funnily enough, even though the G35 shares so much of the 350z, it actually derives its chassis from the J31 Maxima and shares most of the J31's electrical components. Despite sharing such a crucial part with a luxury saloon and not its sports thoroughbred, the G35 still drives and feels like a sports coupe should; Solid handling with a firm but smooth ride. Of course with the same engine, transmission, brakes and almost identical curb weight you can still expect the same start and stop performance of the 350z too. In essence, in purchasing a G35 you're purchasing the luxury and sensibility of a Maxima with the heart and soul of a 350z.

To find a flaw in the G35 you have to look at the cars electrics. Its major and common flaw is the electric windows. Whether the switch or the motor they will fail at some point. The switch is easily fixed in 5 mins and $250, found from the J31 maxima components. The motors tend to get clogged with carbon and wear in a single spot due to their regulator drive pattern stopping in the same spot during the "anti pinch" mode when opening and closing the doors, this is more expensive and painful, about 45 mins to replace and a non-OEM option of $300 (or if you're stuck, the OEM replacement for $700!) Other less common faults do exist with the CD players, BCM and dual mass fly wheels. With the right mechanic all of the these can be resolved quickly, easily and relatively cheaply with non OEM replacements.

Having spent many months comparing a variety of mid range 4 seat, FR 2 door sports Coupes the G35 was the only one that ticked all the boxes. In a comparison between low end BMWs and Mercedes, Holden Monaros, 200sx, early Skylines, Supras and RX7s, the G35 was the only that has the comfort and quality of the Euros, factory performance of the Japanese, grunt and space of the Monaro, efficiency like none of them and the ability to let you look sensible whether you're getting out in shorts and a T-Shirt or a business Suit. With the reintroduction of Infiniti to Australia, I will be replacing my V35 with its only competitor, the G37. Solid drive line, powerful engine, fuel efficient, comfortable, handling, features, quality, style, safety. niggly electrical faults, very expensive factory parts.