Infiniti G35 Coupe
The Infiniti G35 Coupe doesn't really fit in among my other objects of lust. It's not quirky, weird, or abjectly awful. It's not a big, bluff, anti-social muscle car. It's not a hatchback or a wagon. And it's not an overly complex German sports luxury liner. It's not old or unreliable.
No, the Infiniti G35 Coupe is a coupe in the grand European tradition--smooth, subtle, comfortable, and athletic. Fundamentally a Nissan 350Z with vestigial rear seats and a more luxurious interior, the G35 Coupe brings the Z's sonorous and powerful V-6 and sure-footed, agile rear-wheel-drive handling. Cloaking that capable sports-car foundation is subtle, attractive styling.
I love the mechanicals--the Nissan VQ 3.5-liter V-6 is among my favorite engines for its aggressive power delivery and torquey low end, and the G Coupe loses little of the 350Z's handling prowess. But it's the styling that really sets the car apart for me. With its long, swoopy lines, refined detailing, and minimal overhangs, the G Coupe combines class and aggression in one well-executed package. It's modern without being anonymous, and aggressive without being cliche.
The G Coupe is also a bit of a chameleon--if you keep it stock with a muted color, it whispers below the radar, charming its passengers without exciting the interest of passers-by. On the other hand, if you put on some big wheels, low-profile tires, dark paint, and a restrained window tint, the G Coupe looks snaky and threatening without overplaying its part. It's one of those rare cars that looks good even with the tuner treatment.
The quick-witted among you may wonder why I'm honoring the G35 Coupe and not its sedan counterpart or its more modern G37 Coupe replacement. To answer the last question first, I prefer the looks of the G35 Coupe--it's a little more pure. And while the G35 coupe and sedan share the lovely V-6 and similar styling treatments, the coupe has 20 additional horsepower and a more aggressive suspension tune. The sedan is also decidedly frumpier than the swoopier coupe. The killer? To my eyes, anyway, the sedan's instruments and dashboard looked shockingly cheap and low-rent, while the coupe's did not.
Thoroughly modern, and striking in a market dominated by sedans, angry cars, retro treatments and SUVs, I think the G35 coupe is a modern classic.
I'm not usually a fan of ad campaigns that could just as easily apply to one car as to another. There's nothing G35-specific about the "When did it start for you?" message, and it's not at all hard to imagine this ad applying to everything from a Suzuki Forenza to an Audi S5. It's generic, meaningless, and has nothing to do with the car. Still, I'm submerging my grumpiness and including these two ads because they include a heady combination of slot cars, Big Wheels, Indy cars, 1970s decor, and a nice little Datsun 2000 Roadster cameo. If Infiniti's ad agency indulged in meaningless sentimentality, at least they indulged in good meaningless sentimentality.
The two top photos are Infiniti press shots; the third was spotted on G35kits.com
--Chris H.
Sillypickle on October 14, 2008 at 02:34 PM
I am also quite enamored of the G35 Coupe. I was disappointed by the G37 Coupe until I realized that Infiniti was pretty much screwed to begin with. After all, how can you improve on this car's styling? It's subtly beautiful from just about every angle, yet understated in a way that precious few sports cars are. It's high-tech without gimmicks, and powerful without trying to look any faster than it is. I can think of no other modern car that I would rather live with on a daily basis, because it would be so darn livable but still beautiful and fast and fun without screaming "look at me!"
A modern classic indeed.
Gavin on October 15, 2008 at 10:25 AM
I also prefer the G35 coupe to the new G37. The new style just looks like it's trying too hard.
However, I think the G35 & G37 sedans looks so much better than the original G35 sedan. I saw a new G35 sedan in grey the other day and just could not keep my eyes off of it...
Rob the SVX guy on October 15, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Right on Chris. I'm not a fan of new cars, but I've said since this one came out, that I'll probably replace my SVX with one, someday. And yeah, the new one looks like garbage. They changed it when they should have just updated the mechanicals and used different materials for less weight. It looked great. The sedan also looks bleh to me... the rear end looks extremely wussy, whereas the coupe looks masculine and refined. Great looking car. Sleek, sophisticated, and clean. Love that pop up LCD screen too. :)
Smoke_Jaguar4 on October 15, 2008 at 01:51 PM
For the money, I'd rather have a completely restored 240Z. Several years ago Nissan did exactly that, selling restored 240Z's at around $24K through their dealerships.
The G35, however, is a looker. Perhaps in a few years when it depreciates down to somewhat affordable and the kids are grown.
SwedishMetal on October 15, 2008 at 03:01 PM
I always thought the G35 was bland, vanilla looking and otherwise boring. Until i drove a G35 6MT in Carbon Canyon. the performance and sound of the vehicle is amazing, but I still stand by my assertion that the interior and overall look of the car is kinda bland - especially compared to the Teutonic polish of the BMW.
Though what do I know, i think the current-gen 5 series is gorgeous :)
Clancy on October 15, 2008 at 06:24 PM
My wife has an 07 G35x (sedan - but the new body style). I, like you, prefer the original G35 coupe the best from a looks perspective.
Her car is awesome in most respects with the sole exception of the throttle; tip-in is horrible. My wife claims not to notice it (or she has adjusted), but despite a year of driving the thing I still can't get it right. It just refuses to allow a smooth application of power.
The folks at Car & Driver had a similar experience with their long term tester (theirs was a stick and everyone complained of stalling it - they didn't mention throttle tip-in as the root cause, but I'd put $20 on it).
The slushbox in (only trannie available in the 'X' is actually very nice and far more brutal than I would be with a stick. But I could never own a coupe without a clutch pedal and given the throttle issues I've encountered I'm not sure I'd want that either.
It's too bad too, because otherwise it is an awesome car.
David Colborne on October 15, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I can't argue - it does look nice, it does have excellent performance numbers, and it has a decent pedigree. I just wish Infiniti had a little more traction out here in Reno; I don't know if the dealer is asleep at the wheel or, for that matter, if we even have an Infiniti dealer, but I rarely see any non-Lexus Japanese luxury out here. Once in a while, an Acura will float through, but it's definitely a Toyota town here.
jimrhoads aka vnjagvet on October 20, 2008 at 05:57 PM
The "throttle tip-in" was the main reason I didn't buy one last year. I needed a car mostly for me, but one my wife and I could take long trips in. On test drive, I simply couldn't start the car from a stop without pushing her into the seat and jerking her neck back a bit. At 68, she wasn't comfortable with that.
I opted for a Lexus i350 which wasn't quite as exciting, but is extremely competent, fast, and gets good mileage (27 mpg) on trips. As an old guy, it is all the car I need.
EROC on October 21, 2008 at 05:56 PM
My car made car lust. Woohoo
First car I have ever bought (new in 03) that I haven't been looking for a replacement 2 years later. Its paid for and even though I need a four door for the 11 month old, that will have to wait till it just is too painful (ergonomically) to own. That will be a very sad day.
Rob the SVX guy on October 24, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Eroc, serious question, do you think owning a car for more than 2 years is some sort of... I dunno... accomplishment? Like, every other car you owned for 2 years you sold and bought something else? Honestly I'm curious, not trying to be sarcastic or anything.
Yizz on December 23, 2008 at 01:01 PM
When did it start for me? The first time I saw it. I was instantly hooked and I knew one day I'd own one. Unfortunately, where I live they qualify as "luxury cars" therefore the luxury excise taxes hike their sticker price more than $10,000.00, so the 6MT retails for $52,000. I struck the jackpot when I totaled my car on November '04 and the same day I found one in the classifieds. The guy had purchased it cash and was in dire need to sell one of his 3 cars. I even bargained with him and bought it for $4,000 under his asking price. Lo and behold, to this day I still find myself looking back at it every time I park. I like the G37 and would probably welcome the more "refined" polish it got, but at the same time that is precisely what gives the 35 its character. Its a perfect mix of raw and refinement.
on January 24, 2009 at 07:02 PM
I have a 2006 G35 Coupe. I had an 89 5.0 Mustang GT Vert. My Stang got wrecked...so the only other car that caught my eye was the G35 Coupe. I love this car!
Texas_Canuck on March 05, 2009 at 02:25 PM
For me, I first saw one in the parking lot at my customer site. The President bought one and I liked it. he took delivery the first week they were released in Canada. I had a 2000 SAAB Viggen and thought I would tear him up on the highway. He was able to pull away from me and stay ahead. That's when I was impressed because the Viggen was a very quick car. I bought a used 2003 6MT in 2006. I have never looked back and it is easily my favorite car. I too look at it after parking it. I have modified mine to deliver about 340 HP with a Stillen dual exhaust, Injen Cold Air kit, underdrive pulleys, intake spacer, gounding wires, Stillen front Fascia, Niche wheels, Nitto rubber, Nismo shifter, front and rear sway bars. I can drive this car like I hate it and it responde everytime. Vallet guys stop and look at my car all the time. I almost traded it for the G37 but concurr with many comments here....it lost it's sporting roots. My car is actually faster than the G37 thanks to lower weight and I still have more modification I can add. The fact I can turn my entry level couple into the exact car with a range of modifications is what sold me.
I get a lot of compliments to this day on that car and I will always have it, even when I buy my new M3.
bianca on January 06, 2010 at 04:33 PM
alright so... the infiniti g35 is pretty much my DREAM car. no other car really catches my eyes out there in this messy world we live in other then the g35. they are beautiful.
Courtney on January 03, 2012 at 10:46 PM
No way!! G35 coupe is amazing to me.I've had mine for a year now. 04 6mt.As a girl,I alway's get guys trying to race of the line.lol.I feel the same as most of you.When I first saw it,I had to have this car oneday. It was alway's the 04 for me. I didnt like what they did with the g37 and till this day,the dealership always hassle me about trading my stick in for a 37.NO WAY!!! I'll have this car for a long time ,if not FOREVER. :)