gavriil

I just found out that my company gives insentives for all Nissan, Ford and GM cars (including their subsidiaries) to all its employees.

For Nissan cars specifically, the give 4.5% below dealer invoice. So I priced a G35 Coupe today with everything but GPS and it came out to $32K before taxes and fees. I am stunned I had this benefit and did not know about it.

TMV on that car was identical to the MSRT which was $37K. So basically, $5K off with this benefit.

Another thought is....CTSV...Hmm...

Not in a the market for a car in 2004 though.

AcuraFan

I'm jealous...my work has discounts for most of the domestics and that's it. No Japanese or German cars. Volvo (as a Ford company) is an option but I don't know if includes the S60R. Does anyone know if the X-Plan covers S60R?

Six Shifter

It does, but you may have to find a dealership who honors it. Some say no problem, some say they won't. FYI, they have an A and an X plan. I asked my local dealer about it (had a print-out of the prices just in case) and he said no problem.

gavriil

I think the X plan covers everything (I think that's the plan I have). The only thing is that for hot cars, just out, like the CTSV, the new Vette, the S60R, the dealer will tell you that you have to wait for 6 months, or something like that. I dont think they can deny you any car. The plan should include all cars of that marque.

AcuraFan

I think the dealer can deny you certain cars. I think when the S60 first came out, the would allow it...same with the XC90 (I actually called about that one)...and I know SVT is not covered.

Six Shifter

also dependant on the dealer. according to those on the Sweedspeed forums, some dealers wouldn't honor A or X plan because of (whatever). Now that the S60R's are stacking up, this isn't that much of an issue.

1SICKLEX

Yup it does. A S60-R is like 36k if I remember. 8k off Sevilles. 500 off the CTS-V and GTO.

And Jags are covered, including R types.

Maximized

Check this out... http://www.insidenissan.com/vpp/nissan/offer.html

It sounds like you are a "business associate", so you would get 1.65% under invoice on the G35. Still a great deal

gavriil

That's not what I got. My plan is the X Plan. Let me find the details.

gavriil

Nope, you're right. That's what I have. Though why are you saying that it's 1.65% and not 3.58% ?

Also, I found out I qualify for a plan for Daimler Chrylser now too. And Subaru.

Maximized

Dealer invoice
Minus VPP discount (Nissan 2.87% : Infiniti 1.65%)
Plus dealer added options, Security Plus, etc.
Plus 2.5% delivery fee of dealer invoice after VPP discount has been subtracted
Plus destination and handling charge
Plus marketing assessment as applicable
Minus applicable incentives
Equals paticipant's purchase price

I bought my Maxima using the VPP plan. You go in with a number and business card IIRC and you are all set.

gavriil

I understand but why dont I fall under this part of the plan?

For employees of NNA and Affiliate-companies and their immediate family members, the VPP price is calculated as follows:

Dealer invoice
Minus VPP discount (Nissan 4.3% : Infiniti 3.58%)
Plus dealer added options, Security Plus, etc.
Plus destination and handling charge
Plus marketing assessment as applicable
Minus applicable incentives
Equals participant’s purchase price

What you posted above is for:

"NNA and affiliate employee sponsored friends and extended family members, the VPP price is calculated as follows:"

I am no friend or extended family member.

Maximized

I am not sure what they classify as an affiliate company, but my dad sells metal stamping equipment directly to Nissan in Smyrna. When I got my car, he was able to get the VPP "Business Associate" plan. You would probably have to call the number listed on the website and see what you fall under.

351MachOne

I would love to scope the underbody pic of that car... (AWD) Because of Nissan's new motor layout (where the motor sits COMPLETELY behind the front wheels) the AWD must be strangely engineered to put power back to the front of the car!

Anyone have anymore tech info ?

gavriil

Autoweek Review of the G35 AWD here


2004 INFINITI G35X
ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $32,445
POWERTRAIN: 3.5-liter, 260-hp, 260-lb-ft V6; awd, five-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 3677 pounds
0-60 MPH: 6.0 seconds (est.)

Zapata

AWD etc., adds 300lbs........YIPES.

95gt

0-60 in 6.0? That is quite an estimate they have there. Try mid 6's.

gavriil

I think 6 flat would be possible for the 60 mph run mainly due to the fact that there will be no wheel spin on the launch. That makes a big difference. Though the 1/4 mile will be lower than the 6.0 sec 0-60 mph suggests.

95gt

Actually i think motortrend or CD already tested one and got 6.5

synth19

SAN FRANCISCO (June 3, 2004) – Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury division, today announced a number of significant enhancements to its popular G35 sport coupe and G35 sport sedan for the 2005 model year in North America. The changes include the introduction of a new coupe Sport model, a redesigned exterior appearance for the sedan and a redesigned instrument panel and console area with aluminum trim or optional wood trim on both the 2005 G35 coupe and G35 sedan.

Another major enhancement for the new model year is an increase in power for all G35 sedans to 277 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque (from 260 hp/260 lb-ft). The G35 sedan lineup, which added a new all-wheel drive version in the 2004 model year, also receives new exterior styling for 2005 – featuring a new hood, grille, bumpers, side sills, taillights and wheels.

The G35 coupe’s new Sport model will be available in an advanced 5-speed automatic transmission or with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. The Sport 6MT model receives an additional 15-plus horsepower over automatic-equipped G35 coupe’s standard 280 horsepower, bringing its power to the 295-horsepower range (final figures to be released later).

In addition, the manual transmission design on both coupe and sedan models has been improved to provide a lower shifting effort.

The 2005 G35 sedan will be offered in four models, each equipped with a standard 3.5-liter V6, 4-wheel independent suspension and the refined exterior. For 2005, the sport-tuned suspension package has been upgraded with 18-inch lightweight cast aluminum wheels with 235/45R18 tires and drilled aluminum pedals.

The G35 coupe will be offered in three models for 2005, Coupe, Coupe Sport A/T and Coupe Sport 6MT. Both Sport models include a new sport-tuned suspension, Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (V-LSD), 19-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels and drilled aluminum pedals.

“Infiniti built its reputation on a stunning combination of powerful rear-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles and outstanding customer service,” said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division. “The G35 has been a key element in our recent product line expansion and with the enhancements for 2005, our product momentum remains strong.”

The 2005 Infiniti G35 sedan and coupe with automatic transmissions are scheduled to be available at Infiniti dealers in North America beginning in October 2004. Manual transmission equipped models will go on sale in December 2004.

The announcement came during the Nissan 360 news media event, a three-week program in San Francisco featuring the automaker’s current and future worldwide product and business plans. At the event, about 500 reporters had the opportunity to drive nearly 70 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles to familiarize themselves with the breadth of Nissan’s global product lineup.

pimpscls

thats amazing, but gay in the sense that we acura owners are gonna get burned on the road

bl^5

That might hurt the resale value for the earlier models.

nandowong

acura are you awake yet?

Crazy Bimmer

Acura is getting buried

heyitsme

Wonder what the Z will have.

cusdaddy

My guess is 300hp... That's probably why the G35c is 295 instead of 300hp... I have my doubts they can produce a whole lot more NA out of the VQ.. Intake, Headers and Exhaust add very little to the VQ currently

Zoot

Python2121

wow, really impressive

they aren't sitting around, eh?

Python2121

btw, to all those that say coupes dont sell, i see these things all over hte place

charliemike

Rod

Any pics of the interior with the optional wood trim?

ItalianStallion

the rims in the second pic cannot be 19's, otherwise theyd be the gheyest 19's evar. i wanna drive one...

gavriil

Nice, nice...

Black CL-S 4-Life

Very nice good work Nissan.

03TL-S

Finally an automaker that listens to consumers. They changed everything that people complained about. GOOD JOB INFINITI!

titan

This is great. The new bumper facia is much better than the previous one... and the interior is nicer (the biggest complaints in all of the magazines)... I hope they upgraded the interior materials in addition to the tweeks in the layout. I wonder how it looks from the back. It resembles the new M a bit more (which is a good thin). The best news is with the VQ engine. Especially since Infiniti wants to be the hp leader in ever segment it competes in (even though it beats the TL by only 7 hp). Great job.

... oh, those are some ghey rims :ghey:

sidemarker

wow the interior looks much more refined

but still not better than acuras...

sidemarker

Sarlacc

My only issue with the interiors are that all the main control knobs are on the right hand side of the car. I dont now if this is because infiniti was too lazy to swap them for left hand side drivers or what. Bad layout imo. But other then that I've never had an issue with the interior of the car.

All the changes sound very nice.

NSX-Tuner

Only for owners who don't have a S/C.

This new G35 couple sounds like a viable option for new buyers. But I'm not going to trade in my 6MT... no way, no how. It's a keeper!!!

gavriil

Road Test: 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero, Acura TL, Cadillac CTS, and Infiniti G35 - - California Dreamers: Four aspiring 3 Series alternatives whip luxury and sport into a golden state - - By Ron Sessions - - Photography by Wesley Allison - - Motor Trend, May 2004








First Place: Infiniti G35


What's Hot
• Son of Z-Car V-6 powertrain
• Son of Z-Car chassis balance and response
• Value for dollar

What's Not
• Some interior plastic trim below par
• Brakes a bit grabby
• Rear-end design somewhat blocky

Don't Miss
Gauge cluster moves up and down with adjustable steering column

Bottom Line
In its price bracket, the G35 is a benchmark among near-luxury sport sedans

Our 2003 Car of the Year doesn't ask the buyer to accommodate this or put up with that to enjoy a high level of driving pleasure. The Infiniti G35 is a take-charge kind of car, eagerly responding to driver inputs from the steering wheel, throttle, or brake pedal. Chalk it up to good genes: The G35 sedan shares its body structure, suspension, steering, brakes, engine, and transmission with the Nissan 350Z.

At the core of the G35's responsive behavior is exquisite balance. The car's 260-horse DOHC V-6 is mounted mostly behind the front-wheel centerline. Courtesy of the front midship engine placement, the rear-drive G35 has a nearly ideal 52-percent-front/48-percent-rear weight distribution. With each wheel carrying its fair share of the traction duties, the Infiniti managed the best performance times through our instrumented slalom, skidpad, and figure-eight tests despite having the smallest tires. An all-wheel-drive version of the G35 made its debut this year, but the handling of the rear-driver is so spot on that we'd recommend spending the extra money on the AWD model only if you routinely encounter snow and ice.

There's so much control in the rear-drive model, the G35 can play toss and catch with eagerness. Steering turn-in is delightfully positive, the car's reflexes are quick but predictable. The car obediently goes where the driver points it; just frame the road between the vertical headlamp bulges on the front fenders like a pair of goalposts and apply throttle. Nissan's ubiquitous 3.5-liter V-6 is used to good effect in the G35, giving it top 0-to-60-mph and quarter-mile acceleration honors in this test. Variable valve timing helps make this a very tractable engine, with useable torque arrayed across a wide range of engine speeds. The five-speed automatic transmission reels off quick, positive shifts like a family doctor pulling off a Band-Aid. Tap-up/tap-down manumatic shifting on the center console enhances response on twisty or hilly sections of road.

None of the sport sedans in our test group drops anchor better than the G35. Without breaking a sweat, our Infiniti consistently scrubbed off forward velocity quicker than Britney Spears getting a marriage annulment. The lightning-quick pedal response takes some getting used to; just make sure the car on your rear bumper isn't following too closely.

Each of the cars in our near-lux sport-sedan test approaches the classic-ride-versus-handling conundrum differently. Springing from sports-car roots, the G35's ride isn't quite as luxurious as, say, the Cadillac CTS's. Tiny, unseen bumps and road imperfections filter into the Infiniti's cabin, but we'd call them more communicative than annoying.

The cabin itself is a tad on the narrow side. Power seat controls for the driver and front passenger live on the top, inboard edge of the seat cushion, probably because it would be tough to reach between the cushion and door to operate the more traditional controls near the floor. That said, the tall, narrow G35 offers the most front head- and legroom of the cars in this test. The G carries its proportions well. Unlike the more heavy-handed surface excitement and fussy detailing of the Z-Car, the G35's design is handsome, masculine, and tasteful. Call it an Armani suit wearing Reeboks.

There are precious few gripes to speak of. The G35's climate and audio controls aren't logically arrayed or easy to operate without taking the driver's attention from the road momentarily. Another early criticism revolved around Infiniti's use of downmarket-looking "metallic" trim on the car's center stack, but a switch to more of a matte finish for 2004 helps mitigate the feeling of cheapness. Other changes for 2004 are minimal, limited to a new tire-pressure-monitoring system, standard heated side mirrors, and the addition of 17-inch wheels across the board. A more significant update is in store for the 2005 model year.

For now, what we have is an almost unbeatable benchmark, especially when you consider price and value. The G35 offers BMW 330i levels of performance, handling, and sophistication for many, many thousands fewer dollars. Among the competitors in this test, the G35 was the least expensive, even though it included a high level of standard equipment, the longest warranty, optional Bose audio system, and sport suspension.

In the Infiniti G35, it's easy to live the sport-sedan dream and have a few bucks left over. You may need the extra dough, considering the price of a grande mocha these days.




Road Test Results Here