I met up with a friend last night who was driving her 2005 G35 sedan. I've always admired her for her fine tastes in food, whiskey and fashion and envied the fact that she could afford such a car so it was a coup to show up in the new G, and driving stick nonetheless. Yes, the car isn't really mine but on this night it was. I have to say, I did relish the role of the young well-to-do that this sleek sport sedan afforded me as I sat in the plush driver seat wearing my Jackie O sunglasses...
I didn't sweat the slow-moving rush hour traffic getting to my destination as I had lots of bells and whistles to play with in the car. "Oh dear, I feel a chill. I'll just switch the seat heater on." "What's the traffic going toward downtown like? I can look that up right on the screen." "What time is it? Why, there's the time on the screen AND on the 'designer watch' located on the center console." "I don't like this song, what's playing on the satellite radio?"
I should have taken it around Santa Monica's affluent Montana Avenue to show off.
But my absolute favorite aspect of the G, and Nissan's Z, is that exhaust note. I found myself driving my commute with the radio off just so I could listen to it. So distinctive.
Production Editor Caroline Pardilla
I should have taken it around Santa Monica's affluent Montana Avenue to show off.
But my absolute favorite aspect of the G, and Nissan's Z, is that exhaust note. I found myself driving my commute with the radio off just so I could listen to it. So distinctive.
Production Editor Caroline Pardilla
SubyTrojan says:
06:14 PM, 04/26/07
Listening to our LT G35 Sport Sedan at the Fontana test, it seemed to not have the "purr" that the Z has and the previous Gs had. With that being said, it does sound more aggressive and also a touch raspy now.
No clutch complaint? I guess you've mastered driving it before the rest of the staff was able!
bimmerjay says:
07:20 PM, 04/26/07
I looooove the G35 coupe's exhaust note. Similar on the FX's too. I was a little disappointed with the toned-down note on the G sedan, but I suppose the typical G sedan buyer might not appreciate it as much as a G coupe buyer.
boxermike says:
09:34 PM, 04/26/07
Wait, SubyTrojan is Edmunds staff? Fess-up,who are you?
zach101 says:
09:40 PM, 04/26/07
I completely 100% agree with bimmerjay. I was thinking how I absolutely love the G35 coupe's and the FX's exhaust note when I read the last paragraph.
SubyTrojan says:
12:46 AM, 04/27/07
I work for Edmunds, but am not part of the Editorial staff. They're just my friends. :o)
autoboy16 says:
03:10 AM, 04/27/07
The ergonomics are very good in this car!! Big simple nobs and buttons... Bmw, u don't need iDrive for a simple dash...
-Cj
boxermike says:
07:05 AM, 04/27/07
They're good friends to have, Suby!
boxermike says:
07:07 AM, 04/27/07
But onto the G; what I don't like about this dash, or most modern dashes for that matter, is they're no longer using DIN, DIN.5, Double-DIN head-units. That means you're stuck with the factory system, which even in the higher-end (non-DVD audio) is lousy compared to a solid aftermarket unity.
alpha01 says:
07:30 AM, 04/27/07
LOL... love the Jackie O reference!
joefrompa says:
07:43 AM, 04/27/07
Is it just me, or is the front end of this car a total mess from a design standpoint. I feel like bulbous doesn't even begin to describe the emotions the front end inspires in me.
I love the side profile and design, I even like the rear end. It's mature while being somewhat sporty. I love the interior; it's got that rich, dark look but also sporty and friendly ... that look that BMW has given up for the most spartan, unergonomic interiors in the business.
It's engine is finally where it needs to be; pretty refined, very powerful, and just plain "swell"...sorry, that was bad.
But between a manual transmission not made for enthusiasts and a front end that looks like they took a clay model of the M45 and hit it with baseball bats....
I can't dig it.
Maybe time will change my opinion, it often does.
Joe
bimmerjay says:
09:52 AM, 04/27/07
autoboy - the G does have an interface not-too-unlike BMW's iDrive. There is a central dial with buttons that control the nav, some audio functions (not all are hard buttons like you see in the pic), vehicle settings, etc. Even on iDrive-equipped BMW's, the climate control is separate (like the G) and there are some redundant audio controls. Granted I think Infiniti's system is easier to use than iDrive, but similar nonetheless.
joefrompa - ya the grille seems a little silly (a samari sword? C'mon Infiniti), it's like they just tried so hard to make it different from the first gen. Overall I do like the smoothed out "matured" styling.
billt9 says:
09:57 AM, 04/27/07
I can hear a 350Z or a G35 anywhere.
Like a Camaro's excessive rumble, it's so distinct.
SubyTrojan says:
10:14 AM, 04/27/07
billt9, a Camaro's rumble is *never* excessive! :o)
greenpony says:
10:51 AM, 04/27/07
Ugh. I must be the only person who dislikes the exhaust note of that 3.5L. It sounds too "tinny" to me. Maybe that's more a function of the engine tuning, not the exhaust... Not sure. Either way, I like my exhaust to rumble and roar, not wheeze and howl.
However, I must admit that the exhaust note is distinctive. Like the Viper V10, Subie flat four, and aformentioned LS1, I never have to turn around to know what's there.
SubyTrojan says:
11:54 AM, 04/27/07
greenpony, have you heard the exhaust note of the 2007 G35s yet? It may be more up your alley than the previous generation's.
caroscuro says:
02:11 PM, 04/27/07
Actually, SubyTrojan, I was going to complain about the clutch but figured two posts about it were enough for now. There really is something wrong with it though. I think they're going to take the G in for service.