Bought: '08 Infiniti G35 sedan 6MT

[afty]

About 6 weeks ago, I bought a 2008 Infiniti G35 sedan with the 6-speed manual.  I had a heck of a time finding one with a manual; all the G35s with manuals are coupes.  I guess no one wants a manual transmission sedan, even one as sporty as the G35.

My other car is a 2002 Altima 3.5SE, so that's my basis for comparison.  The G35 is a much better car in every way.  It's faster, it handles better, it rides better, and it's much more luxurious.  It even sounds better.  You know how Nissan advertises the Maxima as a "4-door sports car"?  The G35 actually is one. 

I'm really happy with this car.  It makes me enjoy driving again.  I hit 5000 rpm on a daily basis in this thing, which I've never done with my previous cars. 

[Cookie Monster]

Awesome!

Congrats on the awesome car and great job getting the manual! I love manual G35 sedans.

[2o6]

Awesome choice!

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Very nice, Infiniti offers a nice car for the money. Short of BMW there isn't much else that delivers the thrills without the chills of luxury performance ownership. Congrats on sticking in there and finding a 6 speeder.

[68_427]

It looks great, the only big let down for me with that gen G35/7 is the fake aluminum trim.  I was casually looking at these when my mom was car shopping and I just didn't like it at all.  The silver in my mom's Legacy isn't bad, because it's combined with gray, and tan leather. (And it's just a Legacy, not an entrylux/luxury car) I think fake wood fits the design of the Infiniti's interior.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Nice!! I've driven an automatic version and it was a lot of fun for sure. When I got my car, I looked around for a manual sedan but I couldn't find one

[SVT666]

That's what I would be getting next if I hadn't driven the Charger R/T.  Good choice.

[Raza]

Looks great!  They're fun cars, that's for sure. 

[Vinsanity]

Lovely ride. The coupe is at the top of my shopping list if I needed a new car right now. Plenty of 6MT coupes around, as I'm sure you've seen, so there's little excuse for me there.

[S204STi]

Grats, these are excellent cars.

[the Teuton]

Seriously want.

What an awesome car.

[afty]

Thanks guys.  This is also my first RWD car.  I recently moved from MA to CA and thought I should take advantage of the nice weather.  In my Altima, I can't use full throttle in first gear because the front wheels spin too easily, making it difficult to make a quick turn into traffic.  And then there's the torque steer and understeer inherent to a high-powered front driver.  It goes without saying that the G35 has none of those problems.  It even has a real LSD, not the brake-based ones that are becoming popular.

I considered a 335i, but the high-pressure fuel pump issues had me spooked.  I drove a new G37 before buying this used one, but I didn't find the upgrades to be worth the extra cost.  It did feel slightly stronger in the midrange, but the G35 has more than enough power.  The G37 I drove had a very touchy clutch, and I really had to concentrate to avoid stalling it.  I think since the G35's is broken in, it's easier to handle.

This morning I was taking a sharp right turn to get onto the highway, and luckily no one was in front of me.  I dropped it into 2nd and hit the gas midway through the turn.  The rear end stepped out, then snapped back into line as the "SLIP" indicator came on.  So much fun.   

[the Teuton]

The 3.5 is a bit smoother, too.

Where in Cali did you move? I just moved out here to Los Angeles from Pittsburgh.

[afty]

I'm in the SF Bay Area -- Silicon Valley.  Moved from Boston.  Driving here in Cali is way, way better. 

[the Teuton]

I'm in the SF Bay Area -- Silicon Valley.  Moved from Boston.  Driving here in Cali is way, way better. 

Than Boston? I can only imagine. It still takes some getting used to for those of us who didn't live in some mega-huge city.

[The Pirate]

I'm in the SF Bay Area -- Silicon Valley.  Moved from Boston.  Driving here in Cali is way, way better. 

Boston's a war zone with regard to driving.  Easily the worst of any place that I've traveled to.

[Cookie Monster]

I'm in the SF Bay Area -- Silicon Valley.  Moved from Boston.  Driving here in Cali is way, way better. 

OMFG where?!?!

I'm in that area too.

[MexicoCityM3]

6MT Sedan FTW. Congrats.

[Laconian]

Wow. Color me surprised that you were able to score a MT sedan. That must be a blast!

I'm in the SF Bay Area -- Silicon Valley.  Moved from Boston.  Driving here in Cali is way, way better.  

Where do you work, if I might ask?

[afty]

I'm starting a job at Google next month. In the meantime I'm finishing up my PhD in comp sci from Tufts. The Google thing sorta fell into my lap, and I feel really lucky to have gotten the job.

thecarnut, I'm in Sunnyvale. If you see a gray G35 buzzing around town, give me a honk!

[68_427]

I'm starting a job at Google next month. In the meantime I'm finishing up my PhD in comp sci from Tufts. The Google thing sorta fell into my lap, and I feel really lucky to have gotten the job.

thecarnut, I'm in Sunnyvale. If you see a gray G35 buzzing around town, give me a honk!

Shiiiit, two Google employees on here now?

[the Teuton]

Oh Jesus H. Christ, two Google whores now...

[Laconian]

I'm starting a job at Google next month. In the meantime I'm finishing up my PhD in comp sci from Tufts. The Google thing sorta fell into my lap, and I feel really lucky to have gotten the job.

Great success!!!! I'm a SWE in Kirkland. Visiting the Googleplex is so awesome, working there must be doubly so - I'm jealous.

[the Teuton]

That's mighty good Kool-Aid, isn't it? All hail the lord and savior, Google Panda 2.2! Bow to his greatness!

FTFY

[Cookie Monster]

I'm starting a job at Google next month. In the meantime I'm finishing up my PhD in comp sci from Tufts. The Google thing sorta fell into my lap, and I feel really lucky to have gotten the job.

thecarnut, I'm in Sunnyvale. If you see a gray G35 buzzing around town, give me a honk!

You're all of about 8 miles away from me! I drive past Sunnyvale every day to go to work in San Jose (I live in Palo Alto).

Congrats on the Google job! The Googleplex is amazing (thx to Laconian again for showing me around, that was awesome).

If you ever see a dirty green NC Miata driven by a brown dude in a red cap with the top and windows down whenever possible, driving like a douche on the highway, that'd be me.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Boston's a war zone with regard to driving.  Easily the worst of any place that I've traveled to.

Oh yeah. It gets especially complicated when you're relying on the iPhone for directions, probably hazardous.

[cawimmer430]

Congrats! 

[omicron]

What a fine-looking car, inside and out. I wish it had been officially sold here. Congratulations!

[sportyaccordy]

Excellent choice!

Those Altimas were pretty fun too. I hated the interior- real cheap and tinny and the driving position felt SUVish compared to the Hondas I am used to- but with a few upgrades they are freaking monsters. I can't recall a car w/better brakes that I've driven.

Anyways enjoy this and the new location! Great stuff man.

[ChrisV]

COngrats! Nice choice. Love the G35s, and finding one with a manual is double cool.