thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

As the title states, I am considering getting a G35. I am looking to sell my 2001 CLS.

I'm looking at the 2003-2004 models and wanted to know if you guys have anything to share with me regarding those?

So far I have heard of some things like the stock brakes go out very prematurely, power window motors go out...anything else?

And if possible, a quick comparison from those of you that have made a similar switch?

I'm not DEAD serious about selling yet. But I have mentioned to a few people that I am selling and do have a few buyers, so before I do it, I just wanted to get everyone's opinion on here.

You have all provided valuable advice to me since June 2007, and I highly appreciate it, who knows I might still be an Acura owner in the future...

Thanks in advance.

S A CHO

Would it be Coupe or Sedan?

Mokos23

My dad has a 2004 G35x sedan. Been very reliable, only thing is that the brakes do wear out prematurely. Most people who drive G35's drive it fast, well my dad does and he sometimes needs to brake hard because of the need for speed.

Interior sucks though in the 2003-2004 models, plus I detest all the orange lighting in the G's. I love the 2007-2008 G35 and the current G37 sedan because both the exterior and interior are great.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

It would be a sedan...

While I love the look of the coupes, I routinely have people with me, and it was uncomfortable for passengers in getting in/out of the back of my CL...

S A CHO

...as for the Coupe, the main thing's I've read while doing my research is that the interior makes tons of creaks and rattles, and this isn't one or two cases, just about every member over at G35Driver.com say's it's pretty much all Coupes.

The interior fit, finish and quality are below average for those years, but was refreshed for 2005.

Gas mileage isn't that great. Most members over at that forum say 18-20 mpg mixed driving.

Brembo brakes are costly to replace.

Uneven tire wear between the front and rear tires, plus the wheels are staggard so they cannot be rotated.

Those are the main things I've summed up while doing my research.

Edit: Disregard all of that, you're looking at a Sedan. Some might still be applicable, I'm not sure.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

I'm hoping to find one without the Brembo package...I don't think it comes on the Sedans as an option..does it? Oh wow I didn't know the rims were staggered...

rattles...oh man, what else is new, my CL has plenty..

Oh yea I know I'm going to kick my own ass when I see the gas mileage I'm getting...

S A CHO

The things I posted were for the Coupe specifically, I'm not sure if everything applies to the sedan as well.

03CLsPunisher

I had an 03.5 G35 sedan for 42 months. It was a very good car, I had my pads/rotors replaced for free under by Infiniti as an origional owner. You will need a brake job every 20k miles on the 03-04s. They upgraded the brakes on the 05 model year.

CL6

Fun to drive, low rent interior and harsh daily ride plus no trunk in the coupe. Looks great on the outside though.

dsickles

iTrader: (5)

they drive great, but i couldnt live with this everyday

Costco

Yup, really plain interior, this coming from a Camaro owner.

Also the backseat is damn tiny. Its not too bad trying to get back there, but I imagine if you're 5'10" or over it would be impossible to sit back there in any position.

Whiskers

My interior is nothing like that...

phile

You drive a Benz, whiskers.

nova_G

G driver here but previously drove the same car you do.

03-04 models had problems with tire feathering and IIRC the 03's were the ones with premature brake wear but thats an easy fix.

Power windows go out but on a rare occasion. out of the people in my local G club (+30 people) only one had that issue intermittently, seems to relate to cold weather.

the CL was a much more comfortable ride compared to the G. the G IMO is more geared towards performance while the CL was geared more toward luxury/comfort.

nokiaman

The new body is leaps and bounds ahead of the previous generation.

mreh

Get an 05+ model, interior was made better alongside other things, no more brembos, 300hp engine on the 6mt's, and the sweet 19's for the sports models

Gfaze

Actually he drives a 08 G35x sedan.

'01White3.2CL

interiors in these cars suck ass as mentioned above...

im actually NOT one to buy a car based only on luxury or looks of the interior, but rather i'd buy for performance, and somewhat for looks, so I could see a G35 being a great buy if you view cars as i do. BUT if you like your interiors, I'd look for BMW or Benz, even a newer Acura, instead.

ODUB

i couldn't do the sedan...the old ones are ugly as hell. i'd get the coupe and tell my friends to drive their own cars

subinf

I do all of the work on my friends 04 coupe. He has 45,000 miles on it

Brakes wear out pretty quick. Sort of expensive to replace although tire rack has good pricing.

I've put in two clutches so far. Hopefully the aftermarket will last longer

On his third set of tires. And the belts have already been replaced.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

hmm...doesnt look like this will be that good of an idea, considering this will be a highway car, I know a CLS isnt the ideal highway car either, just what I happened to have when I needed to start commuting a lot.

TheMirror

Get a S2000!


Sorry, its an obligatory suggestion here in Car Talk.

TommySalami

or a 335i

phile

I know, it was a joke (ie, whiskers you're insane).

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

hah I wish, but I'm going to have to stick around the $10k range to be honest...I'm in college and will have to pay for it myself...give or take a thousand or two though

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

My dad has a 05 G35x and I love the thing. The power and handling compared to my current 04 TL and my previous 01 CL-S is amazing. On the other hand, I'm not a fan of the interior whatsoever. It feels very cheaply made and isn't very pretty.

I like the car, but I would never get rid of my car for one.

Is your CL paid off?

Gilgamesh

The sedan is not staggered, nor were the Brembo brakes offered that year. Feathering should have been taken care of.

As for two clutches at 45k? Dude must beat that thing or not know how to drive a manual. I had an 03 coupe, and tracked it regularly, sold at 35k miles, to my parents. They are about to round 80k on it, original clutch.

The brakes? Easy, don't put the OEM pad back on when you are done.

subinf

Yeah I was wondering about the clutch. He has been driving manual his entire life and never had a problem with premature clutch wear before the G35.

CL6

How so?

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

Let me clarify, an AUTO CLS is not the ideal highway car...I particularly don't want the tranny downshifting to 2nd gear when I'm going 80...

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

I don't mean to sound ignorant, but what is feathering?

Oh yea, +1 on the brakes, when I heard about that issue thats exactly what I thought.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

Yes CL is paid off, I paid cash for it when I bought it June 2007

sanjbaby

I have an 06 coupe with all options except Nav. And I haven't had any of the common problems experienced by other G35 drivers (car has 57K now). Try to save up more for an 05 or newer model.

Here are some pics to convince you to get a coupe

I used to own a 2003 CL S 6spd and don't really miss driving the acura too much. I do miss the 6spd since both cars are now AT.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

[QUOTE=sanjbaby;10985613]I have an 06 coupe with all options except Nav. And I haven't had any of the common problems experienced by other G35 drivers (car has 57K now). Try to save up more for an 05 or newer model.

Here are some pics to convince you to get a coupe

I used to own a 2003 CL S 6spd and don't really miss driving the acura too much. I do miss the 6spd since both cars are now AT.

What're some of the differences between the 03/04's and the 05s and newer?

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

hah isnt the sedan faster than the coupe ?

sanjbaby

There were small interior updates in 05. I know for sure the shifter is leather trimmed and shorter in mine (for auto). The interior is not the best as others have stated but driving experiense makes up for it. I can take a pic of my interior for you if you want to check it out.

The brakes are great on the 06s, they stop on a dime. Unlike the stock CL brakes.

I'm not sure on the HP specs between the sedan and coupe. I prefer the look of the coupe over the sedan.

Regardless, it has been a fun and reliable up to this point.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

Yea I'd love to see some pics. The stock CL brakes were crap, I'm glad I changed mine out.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

2003:


2005:


2003:


2005:



Exterior: Different front bumper, tail lights have circle LED's instead of strips, different wheel options, wider spaced out grill pieces.

Interior: The tachometer and the speedometer swapped spots, buttons are a hard black plastic instead of a softer lighter color button, leather boot covering shifter, G35x comes standard with dual climate control.

I'm sure there are other changes I missed. Feel free to add to my list.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

Do they come standard with Xenons? if so, projectors, or no?

GIBSON6594

Looks like those interior pics are not both sedans. Think the 2005 pic is a coupe.