G35 Test Drive Impressions...

[JethroG35]

This is a re-posting of my review on the yahoo forum, for all those who don't follow that forum who may be interested.

I just ordered my G35 with the Canadian Premium package yesterday for delivery in 2 weeks (they need to do a dealer locate). There was no dickering, it was MSRP or nothing, but they did give me a break on the price of an aftermarket spoiler when one becomes available (I didn't want the Aero Package because it comes with the sport suspension and the regular suspension is already like most other sport suspensions I've tried).

Even without the sport package, this car has virtually NO body lean in the fast curves. Torque is amazing, and the automatic is VERY responsive. I've been driving a stick all my life and I'd swear that the automatic shifts in a more sporty fashion than I can. If a manual were available, I'd still buy it, but I don't think that I'm going to miss it.

The Edmunds article really hits the mark with my impressions of the car. The interior is, uh, "ok", but pales to an Audi or a Lexus. I liken it more to a Celica with leather and a half-hearted dash of wood trim. Controls are logically placed and accessible, with LOTS of nooks and crannies for stashing things away. The seats are comfortable, but you can't raise/lower the passenger seat, which bugs my 5'2" wife. However, for my 5'10" frame, I felt a little high, even with the driver's seat fully lowered. No problem with head room though, tons of it.

The car comes with a bit more than the standard array of luxury amenities, but without as much attention to the little details like an Audi. However, all the stuff that I was interested in (and then some) was present and accounted for.

The stereo is good, but not quite what I expected for a Bose. Dual-zone climate control does appear to be "set it and forget it", a real plus. The Infiniti signature clock is poorly lit and hard to read at night. All other controls (including window controls) are lit, and the front looks like an amber airplane cockpit at night. The amber colour is not bad, and certainly not hard to read in the daytime as some articles have suggested. All the same, I'd prefer a different colour. The glove compartment is also a bit small. Cup holders look good and are in great locations, didn't get a chance to try them though.

One thing that surprised me was that the rear leg room was not as voluminous as the spec sheet would suggest. I've tested a number of cars by adjusting the driver's seat to where I want it and then sitting right behind it to check out the knee room. I measured a clearance of only about 1/2" from my knee to the back of the seat (with the rear seat in the non-recline position). This is on a par with the new Audi A4. I was expecting something in the order of at least 2 inches of clearance. Not really an issue for my family, but worth checking out if you have any 6+ footers in the family. Don't worry about head room in the back though, there's tons of it.

Now for performance… all I can say is, "Wow!" You really feel the torque in this car. It will actually take some effort to do a simple family drive since the car really wants to "go". Cornering is effortless, with almost no body roll, even with the regular suspension. The VDC cuts in VERY fast, and saved me a couple of times in the test drive. We had a recent snowfall and I was able to see what the car would be like on snowy roads. With the fast acting traction control and VDC, the car handled quite admirably. With all that power, the traction control was often kicking in to cut wheel spin, but there was no fear of losing control. I'd recommend snow tires if you're in a hilly area. Your traction control will also have to work a lot less if you get them (giving you a smoother run since engine power won't be cutting in and out so much).

You can always turn off the VDC/traction control on those dry days for more fun. It's not really off, just lowered in sensitivity to only attempt to bail you out when you REALLY lose control. My take on the VDC is that it's VERY impressive. Expect more frequent brake jobs if you live in a winter climate though.

The exterior mirrors are NOT auto-dimming, but from what I've read, that's a good thing. I've read a number of complaints about exterior auto-dimming mirrors making it hard to determine how far a vehicle is away from you.

It does not appear that the Xenon headlights are self-levelling. They really do light up the area though. The halogens come on for high beams and are angled more upward, adding a yellow tinge to the blue light. Excellent range. Plan on still using high beams since the Xenons have a very sharp cutoff point.

Trunk space is ok, technically better than an Audi A4, but not by much, and the seats don't fold. You could get a couple of sets of golf clubs in there with a medium-sized suitcase and some "corner stuffers". I understand that there are also a couple of little storage hideaways under the floor cover (didn't check them out). Don't get this car if cargo is a regular concern for you.

Hurray! You get a full-size spare tire!

Styling is excellent. There's not a profile that I don't like. My 14-year old son's eyes popped out when he saw the car, even without the spoiler (his eyes were pushed to the back of his head when I gunned the accelerator).

If your wife wants to feel like a queen when getting into the family car, this is not the car for you (not without some serious customizing of interior trim). However, if you want a 4-door sports car with a small touch of class and a good bit of sex appeal, then this is the car for you. Personally, I have lots of other occasions where I can treat my wife like the queen she is to me.
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