Episode 25

full
Published on:

10th Nov 2022

Infiniti G35 Sports Sedan Gives BMW 3-Series a Run For Its Money

00:00 Show Open

If you want to spend less, and still have something cool that’s fun to drive… I’ve got good news because today’s Better Than New focus vehicle is a sport sedan that comes in multiple configurations to fit your lifestyle.  You can get it in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.  You can get it with an automatic or a manual transmission.  And on top of that, it handles great and comes with a 6-cylinder engine that serves up a healthy amount of power and torque.  Or in other words, it’s a sedan that’s fun to drive.

01:20 - Welcome To Better Than New

Welcome to Better Than New and thanks for listening. I encourage you to check out past episodes on interesting used cars, including the first generation Miata, the R56 Mini Cooper S, the Ford SVT Focus, Isuzu’s short-wheelbase Amigo/Rodeo Sport, BMW’s diesel 335d sports sedan and more. And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and follow so you continue to get interesting tips and ideas for your next fun-to-drive used car.  

02:25 - Infiniti G35 Overview

The first two generations of G-series cars - known as G20 sedans - were front-wheel drive and powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that made 140-horsepower.  

The G35 - the third generation G-series sedan from Infiniti - was completely different. It was based on Nissan’s FM or “Front Midship” platform, which allowed for the engine to be pushed back further toward the center of the chassis for better weight distribution and handling. 

The G35 was designed from the beginning to be a rear-wheel drive car with the superior handling dynamics that rear-wheel drive offers. There was also an all-wheel drive G35x version that featured a rear-biased AWD system.  

Finally, instead of a 4-cylinder, the G35 was fitted with Nissan’s VQ-series 6-cylinder engine for substantially better performance.  

The G35 was so good, it was named Motortrend’s Car of The Year for 2003 and it was also named to Car And Driver’s 10-Best list for 2003 and 2004

04:55 - You Might Want An Infiniti G35 If...

  • You love rear-drive handling dynamics
  • You want a fun-to-drive vehicle, but you need to save money
  • You have considered a crossover, but you think it's a bad idea
  • You want AWD that offers handling and driving dynamics

06:10 - Infiniti G35 Details

Transmission

  • 5-speed automatic was offered initially at launch  
  • 6-speed manual became available later in 2003

Engine

  • 2003-2004 V6 Engine made 260-hp and 260-lb-ft of torque
  • 2005-2006 Automatic Transmission G35 engines were rated at 280-hp and 270-lb-ft of torque
  • 2005-2006 Manual Transmission G35 Engines were rated at 298-hp and 258-lb-ft of torque
  • 2005 and 2006 Manual transmission cars had a slightly different engine versus those fitted with automatics; manual cars had engines fitted with variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts, whereas automatic cars only have VVT on the intake side. Known as the Rev-UP motor

Drivetrain

  • Rear wheel drive in the G35 
  • AWD available in the G35X
  • AWD version drives like a rear-drive car  

Suspension

  • Four-wheel independent multi-link suspension
  • Vehicle Dynamic Control anti-skid technology
  • Can be turned off with a button on the lower dashboard 

Brakes

  • Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS
  • Brake Assist
  • Electronic Brake force Distribution

Performance

  • 0-60 mph - 6.2 seconds
  • Quarter Mile - 14.8 @ 95-mph
  • 60-0 braking distance - 115 feet.  

(MotorWeek Test Results with Automatic equipped RWD G35 sedan - expect the 6-speed to be about a half second quicker to 60mph and through the quarter mile run.)

Fuel Economy

  • 19/26 (21 mixed) original fuel economy 
  • 17/24 (19 mixed) revised fuel economy
  • 91 octane is recommended, but will run on regular 

11:35 - Packages and Options

The G35 Sedan was offered in two trim levels: Cloth or Leather. 

Base G35 sedan with cloth upholstery - included 16-inch wheels, and a long list of standard features. 

The Leather Model - featured leather upholstery, plus an eight-way power driver's seat, 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/55 V-rated tires, steering wheel audio controls, and dual-illuminated visor vanity mirrors.  

The Premium Package - featured a Bose premium audio system, dual climate control with rear vents, driver's seat memory, a power passenger's seat, reclining rear seats, automatic headlights, Homelink universal transceiver and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. 

The Sport-Tuned Suspension Package - included an upgraded sport-tuned suspension, unique five-spoke 17-inch sport-alloy wheels with high-performance tires, and a titanium-trimmed interior center console. 

Aero Package - included a rear spoiler and lower aerodynamic side fairings. 

The G35 Sedan lineup got a minor exterior face-lift for 2005-2006

13:30 - What To Look For When Shopping For A G35

  • No Accidents
  • No salvage or rebuilt title
  • Maintenance and service records
  • No check engine lights
  • Any deferred maintenance needs?
  • Do electrical and mechanical systems work properly?
  • Any paint or bodywork issues?
  • Get the VIN number and run a CarFax 
  • I recommend the 6MT for enthusiast drivers
  • Get the G35x if you have snow where you live

21:50 - Problems You Might Encounter With An Infiniti G35

Exterior

  • OEM Headlights yellow and fade over time

Interior

  • Perforated leather doesn't wear well
  • Squeaks, rattles develop over time
  • Door lock actuators can fail over time
  • Window motors can fail.
  • Brake lights switch can fail

Suspension

  • Front/rear suspension bushings fail over time
  • Liquid-filled rear differential bushing can fail
  • Rear differential bushing is difficult to replace

Engine

  • Cam and crankshaft position sensors fail with use
  • Only use OEM cam/crank position sensors
  • Valve cover gaskets can develop leaks over time
  • Plastic coolant bleeder port can crack and leak
  • Reports of excessive oil consumption on some cars
  • Reports of timing chain guide and tensioner issues
  • Listen for chain rattle during cold start
  • Get a pre-purchase inspection to check for these and other issues

31:35 - G35 Private Party Price Range

  • $5000-$7000 - Solid options in this range. Many choices. Be picky
  • $8,000-$10,000 - Low-mile, 1-owner cars found here. Still be picky
  • $11,000-$12,000 - Dealer vehicles, private party ad asking too much

34:55 - Other Potential Vehicles

  • Infiniti G35 Coupe (2-door) of the same vintage
  • 2007-2008 G35 Sedan with 4th Gen G-series styling
  • 2009-2015 G37 & G37x Sedan with 4th Gen G-series styling

36:15 - Show Close

The 2003-2006 Infiniti G35 offers attractive styling and punchy V-6 power in an excellent handling and affordable rear-drive sedan platform

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Better Than New

About the Podcast

Better Than New
Find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you'll love
The average new car sales price in the US is nearly $50,000, and the average used vehicle sales price is close to $30,000... I think that's insane! Well if you're like me and you don’t want to pay these crazy inflated car prices, I believe you should still be able to drive something fun. That’s the idea behind Better Than New – a podcast to help you find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you’ll love.

I’m Gary Crenshaw, host of Better Than New and a long time automotive enthusiast, and I want to inspire car buyers on a budget to think differently about what they can actually afford to drive. My goal is to introduce listeners to the broad array of interesting, fun-to-drive, enthusiast-friendly used cars, trucks and SUVs available at prices just about anyone can afford… vehicles from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and beyond that offer buyers a wide range of interesting choices. Each week we’ll explore a specific vehicle or vehicle category, tell you what to look for and what to avoid, and give you practical tips to help you find your next cool used car, truck or SUV and keep it on the road for years to come.

With a little work, the joy of owning a cool used car at price you’ll love is within reach and this podcast is here to help you find it.

So hop in, buckle up and let's go for a drive!

About your host

Profile picture for Gary Crenshaw

Gary Crenshaw

A lifelong lover of all things mechanical, Gary has spent the majority of his existence driving, dreaming about or wrenching on cars, motorcycles and even the occasional airplane.

It started with mini-bikes and go-karts as a kid, progressed to 2-stroke dirt bikes, followed by his first car… a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. Then came the Yamaha era with several RD400s, RZ350s and a Canadian RD350LC (should have kept that!). A pilot’s license was next with some memorable hours flying a 1946 Aeronca Champ low and slow around the Pacific Northwest. While in college, his brother-in-law who sold high-end cars hired him to deliver BMW, Mercedes and Porsche vehicles to customers.

Those early experiences led to a lifetime of owning an eclectic mix of interesting used cars, including a ‘65 Mustang GT, a ’72 Datsun 510, a Porsche 914, a Celica Alltrac Turbo, a Mini Cooper S, a couple of Miata’s, two Audi S4 Avants, a Galant VR4, a Fiat 850 Spider, a 1983 Subaru 4x4 GL wagon and a first gen RX-7, along with dozens of daily driver cars and SUVs from Acura, Honda, Toyota and Mazda. And his favorite? Depends on when you ask, but that distinction likely goes to the Mazda RX-4 station wagon he learned to drive in. That fun-to-drive car combined Gary's passion for wagons, rotary engines and manual transmissions all in one.

So what about you? Which used car, truck or SUV would you love to own? Let’s find it together!