I think an Infiniti G35 coupe or sedan is one of the best cars on the road for the (negotiated down) price (you can get them fully loaded new for around 35, not the 42 on the sticker). Price/performance ratio is huge, AND it's a lux car with all the amenities and safety features. I loooove the Camero, and I looove the price/performance ratio of the one with the vett engine - but it's definately NOT a luxury car. Not a big challenger fan, and chargers are nice, but by the time you get one that's an SRT-8, you'd be better off in an Infiniti, IMHO. If you want to drop a little more - Mercedes C63 AMG ... DROOOL!
I'm looking for a 4 door car, hence the question about the Charger.
A luxury car and a muscle car are definitely two completely different purchases. You buy a muscle car for its look, sound and all the freaking testosterone that emanates from it. A luxury car looks good AND is comfortable. The Infiniti G35 is a car I'm still interested in but I'm shopping.
It will be either an Altima SE-R, an Infiniti G35 or a Charger R/T.
All the Charger reviews say it's very comfortable with a smooth ride and all, but I want to know if it breaks down. With my budget, I could only afford a 2006. I'm eyeing the Daytona Model like this one
My dad has an 2006 SRT8. I say avoid it. Premium fuel, low MPG, and horrible blind spots on the rear columns. In that model year, you are going to run into issues with the transmission (minor), drive system, fuel system, climate control, suspension, brakes, the paint, the power equipment and the integrity of the body. I say it's a below average car that hides its fault because you justify it to yourself mentally after the investment in the car, maintenance, and fuel.
I've been driving an Infiniti G35 Coupe for 5 years if anyone has any questions. I will say the luxury thing and Infiniti service have been nice. Good warranty, free loaner during service. The ride is not smooth, nor meant to be. 
Idly considering what sedan to get (someday, not soon). The G35 Sedan is an option, though I might go with something with a particularly smooth ride, since the point of that purchase will be to have a family friendly car. And I'm sadly getting older; I can't remember the last stoplight drag race I was in.
My dad has an 2006 SRT8. I say avoid it. Premium fuel, low MPG, and horrible blind spots on the rear columns. In that model year, you are going to run into issues with the transmission (minor), drive system, fuel system, climate control, suspension, brakes, the paint, the power equipment and the integrity of the body. I say it's a below average car that hides its fault because you justify it to yourself mentally after the investment in the car, maintenance, and fuel.
My inlaws have a charger they picked up and it is a pretty nice ride and they have had no issues with it. Maybe your pop got a bum one or he was driving it crazy style non-stop?
The G35 coupe and sedan drive completely different - the sedan is much more "lux sedan" but not at all squishy like a Lexus. Just go test drive one. And I would get an X - it's not much more and you can take corners at 80... I mean, it's safer in the snow. 
On the subject of manual vs automatic - I live in the DC area. I had a manual. Never again. Yes, they're awesome on the open road. They suck 99% of the time I'm in the car. I do have the "sportronic" or whatever they're calling it now on both my Mercedes and Infiniti. The Merc is absolutely top notch, which is to be expected, and feels like a stick, minus the clutch. The Inifniti is above par, but not as responsive as the instantaneous Merc shifter. Part of the issue with the Infiniti is that their auto trans is so good that you can't beat its performance shifting yourself - you really are just slowing yourself down.
Part of the issue with the Infiniti is that their auto trans is so good that you can't beat its performance shifting yourself - you really are just slowing yourself down.
This is absolutely true of a lot of automatic transmissions now, at least in a straight line. Not quite so much if you're winding your way through the twisties and hitting the occasional short straightaway. And since the latter is probably half my driving, I do love the ability to control what my engine's doing at any given time
Edwin wrote:My dad has an 2006 SRT8. I say avoid it. Premium fuel, low MPG, and horrible blind spots on the rear columns. In that model year, you are going to run into issues with the transmission (minor), drive system, fuel system, climate control, suspension, brakes, the paint, the power equipment and the integrity of the body. I say it's a below average car that hides its fault because you justify it to yourself mentally after the investment in the car, maintenance, and fuel.
My inlaws have a charger they picked up and it is a pretty nice ride and they have had no issues with it. Maybe your pop got a bum one or he was driving it crazy style non-stop?
Not our car on all things, just some. The issues I listed are what may happen with a V6 Charger according to Consumer Reports.
Shoal07 wrote:Part of the issue with the Infiniti is that their auto trans is so good that you can't beat its performance shifting yourself - you really are just slowing yourself down.
This is absolutely true of a lot of automatic transmissions now, at least in a straight line. Not quite so much if you're winding your way through the twisties and hitting the occasional short straightaway. And since the latter is probably half my driving, I do love the ability to control what my engine's doing at any given time :)
You know - it might work really well for that. I was thinking pure straight line. You can get a G35 stick, you just have to get a G35S (sport) model. Mercedes only does stick for AMG, I think... But like I said, both are sportronic normally anyway.
If I wasn't married I'd have an AMG. Then I wouldn't need sex...
After multiple holiday weekend Blue Water Bridge crawls in a Boxster w/stick shift let's just say I appreciate auto transmissions ... or at least my left leg does. I'd always thought people who purchased Tiptronics were lame until the bridge crawl. Creeping up an incline with a sensitive clutch for 2hrs+ sucks big time. I can only imagine the level of suck in daily rush hour traffic.
I've never been that enamored with the G35. For an Infiniti, the engine noise is far too loud. The cockpit is cramped and the interior subpar. It's improved over the years, but still it needs refinement. For comparison, my FX45 only makes noticeable noise when I absolutely mat the throttle and it has a V8 vs the G35's V6.
Years ago (1993?) I was 100% positive I was going to buy a Lexus RX300. Then I drove one and discovered what a giant piece of sh*t it was. It had a horrible suspension and was completely gutless. The {transphobic slur} actually downshifted to make it up a modest incline. Pathetic. Taking a corner was daunting as the thing would lean precariously. Combined with the urinal styled center console it was a dud. I remember finishing the test drive and handing the keys back to the sales guys as if they were soiled diapers. Never has a vehicle disappointed me more.
At the time I was shopping for a SUV for my Dad and it was a competition between the BWM X5 4.4i, Infiniti QX4 and Lexus RX300. The Infiniti won out as it was the best bang for the buck. The BMW was definitely a better SUV (frankly it rocked), but the price premium made it a sub par value in Canada.
On a side note, my 2003 FX45 is the first and only Vehicle I've owned for more then 3yrs. It's going on 6.5 yrs now and I have no desire to replace it. All my previous vehicles have had something that annoyed me to the point of wanting to replace the vehicle after 3yrs or less.
I'm not sure if it's just that the FX45 meets all my needs or if I've lost my passion for vehicles. Regardless, it doesn't do anything that irritates me and makes me want to replace it. It helps that it's built like a brick sh*thouse and still drives like it's new.
Of course on the odd perfect sunny Spring day I still wish I had my Boxster, but I don't really miss it that much. Sorry Porsche.
Is it the X model or just the regular? If I had been in the market for a sedan I would have been all over the AWD model.
Ah: got my windows tinted Thursday afternoon. The car definitely looks nicer. Sucks not being able to roll down the windows for a few days though. Cruising around in the summer just isn't any fun with the windows up.
The new car here in Pred-land is a 2006 Honda Accord EX Coupe. It had 30K on it when I got it (few months back), thanks to my job, it's now past 40K. But I love the little bastard anyway.
Is it the X model or just the regular? If I had been in the market for a sedan I would have been all over the AWD model.
Ah: got my windows tinted Thursday afternoon. The car definitely looks nicer. Sucks not being able to roll down the windows for a few days though. Cruising around in the summer just isn't any fun with the windows up.
That's the regular model and I'll definitely have my windows tinted next week or very very soon. I feel like I'm in an aquarium! My other car had a very dark tint, even the driver and passenger's windows were so dark you couldn't see through from outside (which is illegal here but I've never been pulled over for it)
Congrats, interstate78! My stepmom has an '06 G35x and it's a great drive, you'll enjoy it.
Hung up the phone a bit ago and the deal is done. I sold the Cobra 
I will be taking her on a rip around the city tonight one last time.
It was a tough decision but really I am not getting any use out of her and as my wife says, "Do you really need to take up the entire garage with your mustangs?"
So I am yielding a spot in the garage for her.
The guy I know real well and he has been bugging me to sell to him for a year now.
He better not beat my times!
So to my first car that I pulled the front off the ground 
I ordered an intake/tuner combo from Brenspeed yesterday. Shipped today, should be here tomorrow 
Nice dude! You have any issues installing (you shouldn't) just pm me I have done countless in my garage. The mustang club I am a member of quickly took to the guys garage with a lift in it:) keeps the fridge stocked with free beer though.
Nice dude! You have any issues installing (you shouldn't) just pm me I have done countless in my garage. The mustang club I am a member of quickly took to the guys garage with a lift in it:) keeps the fridge stocked with free beer though.
If we have issues and Brenspeed's instructions and internet video fail me, I will definitely shoot you a pm or two. I've got a friend of mine coming over to help, so hopefully between the two of us we should be able to swap it out ok.
I was planning on setting my laptop up in the garage so we could keep some how-to videos handy if we feel like we're missing something.
It seems straightforward enough based on what I've read so far, but who knows. Cars are sometimes funny things.
Good idea. Mustangs are generally very easy to work on.
Enjoy your first step down a very slippery slope.
So expensive but so worth it!
Congrats on the new G35. I rarely run across disgruntled Infiniti owners. Oh, and the reason you love the FX45 is because its awesome.
Yeah, my G35 (coupe) experience has been fabulous, from performance to service.
Well I finally bought it
I present to you my '03 Infiniti G35
It's got less than 60,000 miles and it's in top shape. I wuv it
Quite a nice upgrade from my 97 Maxima SE
Intake is in, tune is loaded, and all is well. It rained a lot and the roads are wet though, so it's not the best time to get out and try and really see how it changed.
I went up and down the street and around the bend a bit just to make sure everything ran smooth. I goosed it pretty good in second gear and the traction control kicked in and did it's shuddering jittery thing. Didn't keep the back end of the car from sliding around a lot though 
Throttle response definitely feels a lot sharper.
Remind me to tell you about the time I turned traction control off.
Remind me to tell you about the time I turned traction control off.
Someday when my tires are worn out anyway I'll go to an empty parking lot somewhere and turn off traction control for no other purpose than to leave big black circles of burnt rubber on the pavement.
Until that time... it stays on. I've scared myself a couple of times in the new car so far, both times in moments where I sort of forgot I got a new car, and tried to drive it like my old car without really thinking about it. It punishes me for that.
That is the best part of the tuner! You can permanently turn that sh*t off
The roads dried up today, and my gas tank was near empty anyway, so I went, filled the tank with 93 octane, uploaded the 93 tune, and went for a scenic backroad drive of my whole area.
Holy sh*t.
The classic "shove you back in your seat" feeling that people talk about with cars wasn't really there before. It definitely is now.
The roads dried up today, and my gas tank was near empty anyway, so I went, filled the tank with 93 octane, uploaded the 93 tune, and went for a scenic backroad drive of my whole area.
Holy sh*t.
The classic "shove you back in your seat" feeling that people talk about with cars wasn't really there before. It definitely is now.
Nice dude! Any gas stations around sell 106? That is fun to get a tank of and mess around in once in a while.(6 bux a gallon by me:()
Nothing like 106 available anywhere here that I know of. 93 is pretty new around here. Never had anything over 91 until a couple months ago, and there's only a couple stations here with the 93. Plus Brenspeed only includes three tunes for three octanes, and knowing the gas stations in my area I took their standard offering of 87, 91, and 93.
Thanks again for recommending Brenspeed. They've been pretty great to deal with so far.
Thinking about saving up the scratch for one of their Kooks headers packages, and maybe some underdrive pulleys. Probably have to drive up there and have at least the pulleys installed though. I don't have the tools for that. Maybe have them put in some 4.10's too. I think I can squeeze it all in by the end of the summer if I avoid spending much of my extra dough elsewhere.
This kind of makes me glad I've been in a bit of a slump gaming wise.
So I'm resurrecting this thread.
Citroen apparantly has someone in charge that loves videogames.. because they built that crazy contraption that's in GT5.
Wow, that thing is mean! I especially dig the rumble.
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