Test drove a G35 today...

[2K3 MSP]

OH...MY...GOD...I want that car soooo bad!!! I tested an AT with just the premium package, but they had a blue one with the leather, 6 spd, fully loaded for 35 grand(15,000 miles, lease return). I was impressed with the power, but couldn't really test out the handling in an AT. I just don't like driving them. Gotta have a manual tranny. The only drawback I noticed was the blind spot that the rear windows create. I thought it was bad on my dads RSX, but these seems even smaller. I almost had to look out the back of the car to merge on the freeway. Oh, and it only has 7 cubic feet of cargo space!! Damn, that would be hard to get used to...

Any one test drive a G35 and a 350Z?? I'm totally in love with the G35, but that's a little too pricey for me right now...

Any thoughts or comments??

 

[Leppy]

test driven them both in manual, both have ups and downs. I'd pick a G35 over a 350Z anyday. Performance on the Z is awesome (especially the Track edition 6-speed I drove). But there's something about the 6-speed american Skyline that screams BUY ME!

You think the G35 had a blind spot, try looking out the rear view mirror of the Z and only seeing the road 5 feet behind you and nothing else... talk about annoying. I even had trouble seeing out of the convertible Z I sat in. (they wouldn't let me drive that one..)

but for a manual G35 4-door going for $33k USD used and a track edition 350Z manual going for $29k USD.. you gotta go for personal preference. (those are the ones I drove)

 

[2K3 MSP]

I was gonna go check out some more cars this weekend when I have more time, and see what I can test drive. Maybe I will get a hold of a 6 spd. G35 too. I won't be able to seriously consider a new car till January, but what other cars would be good to look at? I just want to make sure I get a number of test drives in so I get a feeling for each car.
Cars that interest me:
IS300, WRX, 350Z/G35, Bimmers possibly, Acura TL might be a little too big for my style...I'm totally blanking on cars though. What would be a good upgrade for my MSP between 20K-35K? I know it's a broad range, but I'm open for ideas. 2dr/4dr doesn't matter much as long as it's nice(IS, WRX, MSP) and handles great. I really want to find a car that I don't need to mess with the suspension on. Also no 2 seaters(MS Miata/S2000).
For what that G35 offered, I'm think gonna use that as my base car and compare everything to that.

 

[Pretzellogic]

The G35 is sex.

I want one.

 

[2K3 MSP]

What I think might ultimately keep me from getting one would be the insurance...I'm paying $310 a month for my car and $175 for insurance. That's only $485 a month. After January, I'll have another $350 coming in per month, but I don't want to put it ALL towards a car.
If I'm paying $175 a month for a Mazda 4 door, would I expect a huge jump to go to an Infiniti coupe?

 

[BlueWolfCry]

But if you had the money to afford a 350Z, I'd expect you'd have the money for the insurance and payments.

What I think might ultimately keep me from getting one would be the insurance...I'm paying $310 a month for my car and $175 for insurance. That's only $485 a month. After January, I'll have another $350 coming in per month, but I don't want to put it ALL towards a car.
If I'm paying $175 a month for a Mazda 4 door, would I expect a huge jump to go to an Infiniti coupe?

 

[BlueWolfCry]

I'd choose either one. Hell, I'd tap BOTH if I could. I think the 350Z is NICE but the G35 is more aggressive. Man was I obsessed with that car. But I like the R32 over both of them..

 

[2K3 MSP]

Put it this way...I'm living comfortably right now. In January, I'll have another $350 a month. I know the monthly payment would be higher, but if the insurance went up to like $300 a month, and the car payment went up to $500 I wouldn't do it. Not necessarily that I couldn't afford it, more just the fact that I don't want to work my ass off just for a car.

 

[2K3 MSP]

Man was I obsessed with that car. But I like the R32 over both of them..

The Volkswagen?? See, there was a VW dealer in the same automall, and I forgot to check them out... That's one more for me to add to the list for this weekend. Thanks

 

[BlueWolfCry]

well that really depends on credit and how you plan to make the payments. I'd want to pay it off in full or have 0% financing to get a car so expensive.

Put it this way...I'm living comfortably right now. In January, I'll have another $350 a month. I know the monthly payment would be higher, but if the insurance went up to like $300 a month, and the car payment went up to $500 I wouldn't do it. Not necessarily that I couldn't afford it, more just the fact that I don't want to work my ass off just for a car.

 

[BlueWolfCry]

You know it! This car is ssooo damn hot. I haven't actually test driven it, but I've only read good things about it. Tell me about it after your done.

The Volkswagen?? See, there was a VW dealer in the same automall, and I forgot to check them out... That's one more for me to add to the list for this weekend. Thanks

 

[2K3 MSP]

well that really depends on credit and how you plan to make the payments. I'd want to pay it off in full or have 0% financing to get a car so expensive.

Exactly...With a quick calculation, assuming I'd be putting down a minimum of 20%, that alone is roughly $7600. That leaves 30 grand in financing...with the rate I have(4% or so) would be roughly $485 a month. Doable, but thats where the insurance comes into play.
I guess I need to just start putting money away and forget about it for now. Next thing you know, one of these cars will pop up for sale and I'll have the money. I think I'd rather hold off for a G35 than settle for something "more affordable" and have it now. **Patience**(sad1)

 

[2K3 MSP]

You know it! This car is ssooo damn hot. I haven't actually test driven it, but I've only read good things about it. Tell me about it after your done.

Will do...
(wrc)

 

[mikeyb]

Yes the G35c is nice but its still a cheaply built Nissan. One of my girlfriends has one and the interior is cheap like my Sentras. The dealer you went too wanted 35K for a 15,000 mile G? You can get a new one for that. Are you looking at used?

On a side note there will be a 295hp G45c next year supposedly.

 

[Leppy]

You know you can get an RX-8 for around $30k, right? I actually like it a lot better than the G35 or the 350Z.

 

[mikeyb]

The RX8's interior isn't cheap feeling either.

 

[Newf]

You know you can get an RX-8 for around $30k, right? I actually like it a lot better than the G35 or the 350Z.

Me 2. I find the 350Z's looks just awkward. It's like the front doesn't fit the back. And the g35 is nice, but suffers from a bad front end as well. Both are nissan, and I hear ya on the cheap interior thing but they are good cars still.

I find a dressed up Rx-8 very sexy.

 

[orangezoom]

I like the G35 I think it is hawt, that is expensive for a used car with 15000 miles

 

[jred321]

i vote for 2002 s4. for me next year it's between s4, mcoupe, and maybe a bmw 8 series (probably not but a fun option )

 

[cyc]

I was gonna go check out some more cars this weekend when I have more time, and see what I can test drive. Maybe I will get a hold of a 6 spd. G35 too. I won't be able to seriously consider a new car till January, but what other cars would be good to look at? I just want to make sure I get a number of test drives in so I get a feeling for each car.
Cars that interest me:
IS300, WRX, 350Z/G35, Bimmers possibly, Acura TL might be a little too big for my style...I'm totally blanking on cars though. What would be a good upgrade for my MSP between 20K-35K? I know it's a broad range, but I'm open for ideas. 2dr/4dr doesn't matter much as long as it's nice(IS, WRX, MSP) and handles great. I really want to find a car that I don't need to mess with the suspension on. Also no 2 seaters(MS Miata/S2000).
For what that G35 offered, I'm think gonna use that as my base car and compare everything to that.

If you're looking at the 4-door G35 , have you thought about the TSX. The reason is that I heard somewhere that there will be type-S version soon (don't quote me on that). There's also the Audi A4s. I've seen a few modified ones, really nice.