Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe 6MT (for 6 speed manual transmission). Why, because it is a really sweet car, said a young man at the Acton market. He looked like he was in the market for a car, and a nice looking lad he was. Just then a couple of pretty ladies passed by and greeted him. “You don’t need this car to attract the girls”,
I said to him, but he appeared to be more interested in the car. He has a lot to learn but I can understand his love affair with the likes of the G35. It is truly easy to look at.
I always enjoy driving cars of this quality because they are flat fun to drive and behave so well. This reminds me a lot of the Nissan 350Z as to handling but it is roomier than the Z. I had just given it the Crest Test through the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California that helps to acccc-centuate the handling characteristics of any car. In this case the experience was extremely positive. Ya gotta just fall in love.
General Info:
Parts – n/a
Assembly – Los Angeles
Class: – Compact
Cars: – FX, G35, M, Q45 and QX56
Handling & Performance:
It’s like driving on rails which is the most revealing of feelings as you zip around the hairpin turns through the mountains. I tried something new – I set the cruise control at the speed limit and found I could negotiate the turns without slowing down. The 6-speed manual trans is marvelous mainly because it is driven by 298 horsepower that allows you to pull all the hills in higher gears with fewer shifts. But when you do shift you’ll notice how well it guides you through the gears with spring loaded short throw movement. It doesn’t get much better.
Friend Ron who had just bought the new Corvette that sports 400 horsepower and 6-speed trans reminded me of my recent test and review of it and the 500 hp Z06. Flashbacks of the Crest Test of that Vette helped me to compare this G35 and put it quickly into perspective. It prompted me to caution him to watch the radar traps through the mountains. Those California cowboys ruin the thrill of such roads where there is no better place to feel the exhilaration of how wonderful that Vette handles the curves. But to really satisfy the need for speed and the G-forces possible in such cars you need to go to neighboring states to California where there are less limits on speed and wide open spaces. Boy I’m glad my kids didn’t go into politics or law enforcement or I’d have to disown them.
On the track, where I test most of the cars I review you can get your heart pumping as you quickly accelerate to 120 mph on the straight-a-ways. To eclipse those speeds you need to go to Europe ‘s Autobahns where 140 mph is commonplace. Now that’s driving and drivers are aware and polite and generally the best drivers in the world.
Styling:
The G35 looks and feels the part of the true sports car that it is. But it does provide seating for 4, in a pinch. It’s better than a Porsche for rear seating but not much, plus the G35 provides a small trunk large enough for a regular size golf bag. My large PGA style bag wouldn’t fit. But if you’re not transporting a 4-some you can fold down the rear seat and even my clubs fit in the pass through.
Sometime little things make a big impression and the analog clock takes you back in ‘time’, so to speak. Nice touch. The instrumentation is classy and a mark of more expensive cars. And the leather seating, steering wheel and shift knob is a must in this car and the aluminum pedals add to the sports car theme.
Fit and Finish:
Very nice as is customary for most Japanese cars but some wider gaps on the interior than expected.
Cost:
Pricey for a small car, but not bad for a luxury sports car.
Conveniences:
I love cruise control and believe it should be standard on all cars to improve the smooth flow of traffic on crowded highways. But I did notice an annoying jerkiness on the down slopes.
Seatbelts are more than a convenience and should fit better than those on this G35. It hits you right on the collarbone and is quite uncomfortable. I’m sure there must be a fix for this problem. If I think of it I will let you know.
The auto one-touch windows are great. I suspect there are reasons why most automakers shy away from this great feature. Cost can be the only reason because otherwise all cars would include them in their power windows.
Consumer Recommendation:
Here’s some info to blow you away. Toyota sales in California reach 23.4% of total auto sales. Honda accounts for 12% so that doesn’t leave much room for US competition. Pearl Harbor was just a prelude of things to come from Japan . I’m all for competition but America should ramp up and get Rosy the Riveter back on the US production lines. Perhaps we’d be able to better compete. As the old ad tells us, in her own words … \”I can bring home the bacon Fry it up in a pan And never let you forget you\’re a man \’Cuz I\’m a woman – W – O – M – A – N!\”. Sexist, but that has been the mantra for the past 40 years.
Recognized Competition:
Infiniti G35 $31-34,000, BMW 3-Series $31-45,000, Lincoln Zephyr $28,995 Subaru Legacy $22-34,000, Mazda 6 $19-28,000, Audi A4 $28-45,000, Saab 9-3 $26-42,000, Volvo S40 $24-29,000, Mercedes Benz C-Class $29-54,000, Cadillac CTS $29-51,000, Volkswagen Passat $23-32,000 Jaguar X-Type $32,330, Lexus IS $30-35,000, Acura TSX $28-30,000.
Good News:
Affordable sports car, great handling, fun to drive and one touch up/down power windows.
Bad News:
Uncomfortable seat belt restraints, less than stellar fuel performance.
Standard Equipment:
3.5 liter 298 hp V6 front mounted engine with continuous variable valve timing control (a mark of more expensive engines), 6-speed manual transmission, rear wheel drive, independent multilink front and rear sport tuned suspension, power assisted 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, Viscous limited-slip differential, engine speed-sensitive power steering, VDC (vehicle dynamic control), traction control, cruise control, zero lift front aerodynamics, fog lights, 19” 5-spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels with Y-rated performance tires, power heated mirrors, audio with 6-in dash CD with MP3 playback, illuminated steering wheel audio controls, Infiniti signature analog clock, leather seats, 8-way power heated driver’s seat and 4-way power heated passenger’s seat, aluminum trim and pedals, power one-touch auto up and down windows with auto reverse feature, climate control, o/s temp gauge and digital compass display, folding rear seat with trunk pass through, cargo net and tie downs, dual stage air bags and front seat side air bags, child rear anchors and tethers, remote keyless entry, security system with immobilizer system, 1st aid kit and tire monitoring system.
Gas Stats:
19 City and 26 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $33,650.
