http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/14225/tested-2007-infiniti-g35x-awd.html

The difference between the two is minimal in performance despite the 150lb weight difference, and of all the sports sedan manufacturers out there, Nissan/Infiniti does pretty much the best job of making their AWD car feel like a RWD most of the time with their ATTESA all wheel drive system, with the least amount of penalty. In the Car and Driver test, I’ll quote:

“But the G35X recorded an identical number on the skidpad, where we measure maximum grip – 0.87g- even though the AWD car is equipped with Goodyear Eagle RS-A all season tires, and the manual model wore Bridgestone Potenza performance rubber”

My experience tends to correlate with that. Perhaps the ’08’s programming made the difference, but it could have also just been a bad apple or something.

As for comparisons to the BMW, well, I traded an ‘06 330i for my G35x because of service related issues with the BMW. I haven’t driven a 335i, or 335xi, but no matter how superlative their engine is, when the performance difference is so small, it’s just not worth an extra $12k for a fully loaded 335xi over a fully loaded G35x (less loaded makes this difference smaller of course), and this is especially true considering how ugly the 3 series interior is when you get the additional iDrive hump.

Regards,
t1328

Out of curiosity, where was this dealership you visited?

Great review as usual, Jonny. I though the G35 sport was a more balanced car too.

Here here. You can not have high power, heavy cars that get good gas mileage, and do not cite me GM and Chrysler/Dodge’s V8 equipped vehicles. There is MORE to fuel economy than an engine’s horsepower, specifically weight and gearing….

Why not? Fuel mileage is fuel mileage. My wallet does not know the difference on how its obtained. The gearing that was selected by the designers of those V8 cars has been chosen to take advantage of the torque characteristics of the engine. At 80 mph, those cars are probably barely breaking 3000 RPM. The examples that you have cited will return good mileage if driven with some restraint. As posted in this string of comments, most cars are not driven at 8/10’s for much of their operation. So you have your power when you need it and economy on the highway when you don’t. So, there is no reason NOT to cite any examples of ANY car when discussing mileage.

All that being said, you are correct in observing that cars are just too damn obese today. Yesteryear’s Z car could not be built today; witness the 350Z. Technology – even basic tech cited in your examples – can help compensate for too much mass, but there is a limit to the laws of physics/thermodynamics that can’t be ignored. Perhaps with the renewed interest in MPG’s there will be more R&D invested in taking the weight out of cars without killing performance. It will cost to do this, but the cost of doing nothing is even greater.

You can’t compare a 335i RWD car to a G35x AWD car.

If you do compare AWD to AWD it looks like this…

I’m assuming your tester G came w/the Nav system Premium package, and Tech package to be that price.

A comparable BMW 335 AWD car would cost:

The BWM 335xi starts at 40k – but after adding the following that the G already has:
1. Comfort Access system (ala stop/start and keyless entry) – $500
2. Heated Front Seats – $500
3. Real Leather – $475
4. The Sport Package (to get the same 8 way power seats) – $900
5. 18” wheels – $600
6. Paddle Shifters – $100
7. Premium Package – $2,550 (Blue tooth, compass mirror, garage door opener)
8. Sat. Radio – $595
9. STEPTRONIC Auto tranny – $1275
10. Ipod Adapter – $400
11. Adaptive Cruise (if the tester G had the Tech package) – $2400

You’ve got a car that costs $53,970. That’s more than 10k over a similarly optioned G35. AND the G has a backup camera.

(I might be off on the STEPTRONIC tranny and need for the sport package. However that would STILL put the BWM @ 51k)

All I’m saying is lets do a fair comparison. G35S to 335i and G35x to 335xi.

Not $35K.

So, that’s very, very close to what you can get a 335i for.

People assume that if a car is Japanese then it’ll be reliable.

The most interesting–a piece of sunroof trim that had a tendency to fall on people while they drove the car. Freaked a few of them out. Especially when it happened at night.

Yeah I have a 07 S Model with the Manual and this has happened to me. The rubber trimming has a tendency to deform between cool (i.e. the garage) and hot. The simple fix was to pop it back in and add some glue. No problem anymore.

For the most part it’s been very reliable. There have been two recalls: One was the key fob needed to be reprogrammed. Apparently some cell phones when ringing could erase the key if both are in contact. Thankfully this did not happen to me prior to the update. The other recall was for the clutch slave cylinder, which has helped with the wicked return the clutch previously had. Beyond that the car has been great and maintenance is VERY inexpensive. I average 22mpg between city and highway.

I left a Mercedes C230K (2005) for this car. I bought it primarily based on value. I truly believe that as an entry luxury sports car in the mid-30s there is no better car than the G35. I do take some exception to reviews that compare it to the 335. Like other posters have mentioned – a 10k price difference is not in the same league. I would tend to agree that the G’s exterior is an understated luxury. People often ask me “You traded a Mercedes for an Infiniti?” What can I say – I’m a value-oriented enthusiast.

That being said, the focus on the G35 and its value are the big things. The German attention to detail is not as prevalent – though the Japanese are getting there. For 35k the G offers a phenomenal Bluetooth navigation system, a superb engine, high quality leather, a larger car, etc. etc. At that price point in an MB or BMW you’d have to sacrifice quite a few of those options.

If I were in the market for a 50k car THEN I’d go German. There definitely are some “little” things I miss from my MB and the details that are generally in German cars. The rear sunshade, power rear folding headrests, the solid/tank like feel of a German car, the 1-click lane change blinker, the way the doors close/seal, the sunroof that can be open @ 75mph and barely make any noise – well you get the idea.

Wasn’t he supposed to be commenting on TTAC from time to time?

Anyone?

I did not think cars in this class were appreciated for their good mileage.

Here here. You can not have high power, heavy cars that get good gas mileage, and do not cite me GM and Chrysler/Dodge’s V8 equipped vehicles. There is MORE to fuel economy than an engine’s horsepower, specifically weight and gearing.

GM and Chrysler use a combination of cylinder deactivation (your 8 cylinder is now a 4 cylinder) and low rear end gearing (the Charger has something like a 2.9 rear gear set) to achieve better fuel economy.

Weight also plays a significant role. My turbo charged 1972 240z is putting down over 360 ft-lbs of torque to the rear wheels at 4000 rpm through a 2.8L inline 6 cylinder. The car weighs 2500 lbs with the driver, and I have a 3.70 gear set with a 0.76 5th gear overdrive. I get approximately 28 to 30 mpg on the highway. Why? Because the engine only has to lug around 2500 lbs.

In today’s age people’s expectations of fuel economy and performance are incredibly skewed.

Is it a case of Nissan’s mismanaged expectation?

I did not think cars in this class were appreciated for their good mileage.

The 2008 G is looking good in TrueDelta’s surveys. But the 2007–not so much. They missed a couple of things until after the car was out the door.

The most interesting–a piece of sunroof trim that had a tendency to fall on people while they drove the car. Freaked a few of them out. Especially when it happened at night.

http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php

I drove it to work this morning; my only complaint about the car is that the seats/seatbelts are very uncomfortable. The carpets are pretty thin too. Other than that, maybe there’s an M45 (M50?) in our future.

I also agree with the taillamps, and I think the ones on the M-series are just too large for the car. Overall I think I like the complete design of the G more than your review, but I don’t think Infiniti wanted to get too radical given the written media’s bashing of the Bangle-ized designs of BMW and copycats. I’ve also seen a ton of G35x models in my corner of Ohio-KY-IN region (in fact, most G’s seem to be AWD here given the bad winter we had…it’s not surprising) and I think they still look sharp even after 18 months on the market.

Dollar for dollar, the RWD and AWD G35 is still one of the best performance buys over this and the past several years. It’s amazing how Nissan/Infiniti has improved their interiors from the orange-lit/rattletrap dashes of even a couple of years ago.

I wish the fuel economy was better, but with a large V6 with that much power, I guess this is average mileage for the class. Given the high cost of premium unleaded combined with the 35K+ miles I drive a year means this is probably off of the list, but this is still an amazing ride for a week-long rental to head out on vacation with.

With the much improved CTS and (lightning strike me down but I’ve just driven one and was very impressed) new C-class, BMW needs to keep improving things and quickly. I also hate to say it but after several years, the 3-series sedan has finally grown on me when it is in a dark color…forget white – too many visible seam lines.

Great review on a great car.

I’m hoping to get a friend’s 1985 Porsche 911 cabrio with around 10,000 miles up and running again…if so, I’m hoping to contribute a used car review with that. It hasn’t bee driven in several years (a crime, right?) and I’m picturing $$$$ for repairs, but what a ride. Remember when it took serious skill to drive a rear-engine Porsche? Yeah. I want that car running again!

To which FWD Subaru’s would you be refering?

The new C-class stands out as being one of the most striking appearing models in the class. The Lexus IS has a great looking profile. The CTS is, of course, like nothing else out there. The G35 looks… like another Nissan/Toyota/Honda sedan, and doesn’t scream ‘luxury’ like, for example, the FX SUV does.

I just find the looks of the G35 to be too sedate for the class of vehicles it’s competing against.

Only sucky part about either car are the lousy color choices. One has to step up to 328i to get a terracotta/natural brown/reddish brown interiors. Merc has no such option. I am sick of grey/black interiors and am sick of silver/black/red/grey/white exteriors.

I wish someone would have the gumption to offer more earthy colors such as bronze metallic with brown interiors/upholstry.

Also, performance is not a main criterion for many… same old reasons
a)pothole/bumps infested poor road conditions
b)cops
c)ridiculous traffic moving at a snail pace
d)15 year old hyundai excel in the left lane

I am in my early 30s and already am sick of sport suspensions. I am a different type of auto enthusiast who appreciates comfort/luxury over sport. Less noise and more cushy ride? sign me up

I will take this
http://www.italiaspeed.com/new_models/2007/fiat/nuova_croma/gallery/gallery.html
over a twin turbo anyday..

The 35x has been fantastic and reliable through the worst blizzards. It would have been hard to get a better car (as though “commuter” is a bad thing for a car to be).

But after this year I probably won’t keep it. Why?

The interior is just too small given the exterior size of the car. The best highway mileage I ever get is 23 mpg. I can’t fold down the rear seats to get more stuff in the trunk- even the Legacy GT now allows this. Did I mention best highway mileage is 23?

I have an STi and the summer tires in chicago snow are scary. I’m talking sliding around a corner @ 9mph.

I have dedicated winter sport tires & the original summer tires.

YMMV.

Honesty a 4 door 3 series like a G35 is nothing more than a glorified commuter car. These things are purchased for the same reasons that the person with less income is buying a Corolla and that is to be used as a transportation appliance.
Now dont get me wrong, all things being equal I would take a 335i over a G35 in a heart beat. But they are not equal and that little bit of preceived extra in a 3 series is not enough. Since the majority of the time spent in the car will be for “normal” driving the extra fine edge on the BMW knife is not worth paying more $$$ for. On the other hand I do want all of those features and comfort offered in the G35.
Put another way BMW could strip a 3 series to the level of a Elise and vastly improve the performance and dynamics but what would be the point of that in a 4 door sedan?

1st: Peugeot 207 (437,505, +105.5%)
2nd: Volkswagen Golf (435,055, +4.5%)
3rd: Ford Focus (406,557, -7.5%)
4th: Opel/Vauxhall Corsa (402,173, +41.7%)
5th: Opel/Vauxhall Astra (402,044, -7.9%)
6th: Renault Clio (382,041, -11.5%)
7th: Fiat Punto (377,989, -5.9%)
8th: Ford Fiesta (300,566, +0.6%)
9th: Volkswagen Passat (300,566, -9.4%)
10th: BMW 3 Series (295,312, +2%)

BMW is always going to be on the list because of its reputation but majority of Europeans prefer the smaller and more economical cars.

The Ford Focus made to the top 3 and that is good to hear for an American company.

To Support our workers and economy buy a German car.

You guys should do a test of an AWD car versus the identical car with good winter tires. Of course, the AWD people could run out and get winter tires too, but I’ve seen precious few AWD vehicle owners bother.

And don’t forget that with BMWs insane lease deals, cost really isn’t that much of a barrier to the (technically) more expensive 335i