I’d like to reflect on my Infiniti G35 after 2.5 months of ownership. Might as well, since today I just completed two ownership surveys from independent parties. (J.D. Powers even included a $1 bill in the survey forms!)
Aside: Why didn’t I get any such surveys when I bought my two Hondas? Do marketing firms only care about luxury car owners?
Here is what I like about the G35:
- Power/torque: G35 produces abundance of power/torque that’s available in any gear. This single handedly makes a driving experience that overwhelms my previous one with Honda. Raw power over VTEC trickery anytime.
- Sound: The Honda Civic Si made a high thrill noise while not producing enough output to match. Basically 中听不中用 in Chinese. G35 produces a more subdued but pleasant rumble with the oomh to match.
- Keyless entry and ignition: I now leave my keys in my pocket when I drive the G35. Keyless entry and ignition is not necessary but just gives that extra luxury feel. I do wish that the keyless ignition system doesn’t crank the engine as hard, especially with $4++ per gallon prices.
- Generally smooth gear shifter: Gear shifting is generally smooth, except for the transition from first to second. That means my 1st to 2nd shift is slower than others. Throw is short.
- Xeon headlights: I used to hate xeon headlights when I see them on other cars. Now I have them as well! They sure are brighter.
- Steering: Steering conveys enough road fell while not being heavy like BMW 3-series’. I guess it’s a good enough compromise.
- Navigation system: Sure, it’s an expensive option that was forced on me (it comes with all G35 6MTs in Northern CA). I grew to like it since I am stuck with it. It’s far better than the Garmin 350 I have. The G35 navigation system displays more useful information on its larger screen. The only thing I like to ding it on is its lack of upcoming cross road when not in navigation mode - Garmin does it and has proven useful to me.
- Bluetooth hands-free integration: Of all the high-tech gadgetry available on the G35, this is the most practical one, especially in my G35 where both of my hands would be occupied with steering wheel and stick shifter. Imagine turning on the car and your phone calls routing appropriately automatically. Voice dialing makes occasional out calls easy too.
- iPod integration: I can plug in my iPhone/iPod and control playback through G35 directly. I felt that the sound quality through this feature beat that of MP3 CDs. Unfortunately I cannot charge my iPhone 3G with the included cable because Apple changed the plug internals.
- Back up camera: A back up camera came with the navigation system. I didn’t care for it first, but it has surprised me with its usefulness. It just gives you more confidence when reversing.
Here is what I am not completely satisfied with:
- Fuel economy: I can get 20 MPG from my mixture of local and highway driving, but it’s in no way close to my Civic’s 27+ MPG.
- Lack of rear window wiper: I didn’t pay attention to this until after I drove the car for a day or two. I just thought that a rear window wiper would be standard on luxury cars, but after paying attention to G35 and its competitors, I noticed the opposite is true. A rear wiper would have been nice so I don’t have to keep washing the tree saps off the window.
- Lack of storage space in cabin: Maybe it’s the brand design, maybe it’s the manual shifter, but I couldn’t even find space to properly stow a tissue box. Honda and Acura cars are much better in this area.
- Smaller trunk: The rear-wheel-drive G35 has a smaller trunk space than front-wheel-drive cars like Lexus ES or Honda Accord. The rear wheel well just cuts into useable trunk space. The non-in-dash CD-changer just makes matters worse by blocking the trunk entrance.
