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Long-Term Road Tests

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport

April 7, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35S: Shifting at Speed


This is one of my favorite transmissions in any car in the world. The shift action has the slick, mechanical feel of a bolt-action rifle. Trustworthy and precise, it reminds me of those terrific old Muncie transmissions you find in the 1960s Corvette Stingray.

Every transmission feels different...

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April 3, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35 vs 2008 Cadillac CTS price

As our G35 prepares to depart the Edmunds Long Term fleet, I was initially struck with..., well I didn't really care much. It's a great car and all but I'd never get the Sport version and the six-speed manual only appeals to me when I picture myself living in Nebraska or Montana or anywhere that's not Los Angeles.

Just as I was all set to not care about the car leaving, I had a glance at the window sticker - $37,400 including Premium Package and Navigation. For that price our car has a Bose stereo w/ hard drive, Bluetooth, real time traffic info for the nav system, sunroof, power memory for seats, mirrors and steering wheel, heated seats and one touch windows all around...

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April 2, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35s: On the track



It's sad to say that our year with the G35s is almost up. So, like all of our test cars about to go away, we took it to the track. While you'll have to wait for the long-term wrap-up to get the official numbers, follow the link below to see some videos of the day.

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March 24, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Bridgestones by the Slice

Um, that's not good. The right front Bridgestone on our 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport has been curb crunched to the point of two large lacerations. For the record, it wasn't me. But I did check the car's tire pressures when I discovered the damage...

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2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Matsumura's V6

Motohiro Matsumara says the VQ35 V6 in the Infiniti G35 began as a kind of  lucky guess and became a success by accident. He designed it, so he should know.

Nissan built Japan's first V6 in volume production for an automobile, and when it introduced the VG30 V6 in the 1984 300ZX, the company was so proud that it took journalists to the engine foundry to see the aluminum cylinder heads being cast. For Nissan, it was a big thing to break away from the inline-6 engine that had defined the company since the 1960s...

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March 17, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Better Looking Wheels Needed



As much as I like our G35, it’s never impressed me in the looks department. There’s something about its soft lines that leave me a little cold. Then there are the wheels. Like most Japanese and American sedans, the design of the G35’s wheels do little to highlight its rear-wheel drive layout...

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March 7, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Torquing 'Bout Low Revolutions

The more time I spend in our long-term 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport, the more I like it. I'm a huge fan of its power, pure and simple, and the fact that it's held to the ground by such a capable suspension so you only want to go faster.

But it's not just the power per se, it's where it happens. According to our full test, the G35 makes its considerable 306 horsepower peak all the way up at 6,800 rpm and its 268 pound-feet of peak torque at 5,200, but it sure doesn't feel that way...

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March 4, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35: Smashmouth Sport Sedan



Playing smashmouth football means running the ball down the throat of the defense. It means punishing blocking and bone-crunching impacts. In a word, it's brutish. And so it is with our long-term Infiniti G35 Sport. This is a wonderfully capable car, but there’s an undeniable edginess to it as well. It’s the brute of the sport-sedan segment.

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February 25, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Fuel economy update

At 18,563 miles it's time for a fuel economy update on our long-term G35 Sport...

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February 22, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Reducing dangerous horsepower

Walking around our G35 Sport after Wednesday's antics in the wet I noticed something strange through the wheelwell opening. 

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February 21, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Wet and Wild

Crappy Picture of G35 Hooliganism

Back in my high school baseball days, a wet day was a great excuse to play around on the practice field sliding around and doing goofy things. Yesterday, our track day was rained out. As we waited and hoped for the sun to come out as the weather report had indicated, a wet track and a selection of high-powered, rear-wheel-drive cars was simply too tempting to resist sliding around and doing goofy things.

Our long-term Infiniti G35 Sport just happened to go up yesterday for logistic purposes and in between my own hooliganism, I broke out the Scorcese cam. May I now present to you Mr. Jacquot and the G. Enjoy.

James Riswick, Associate Editor

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February 20, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35 S: Perfectly Fine

Our Long Term G35 is sort of like a really cute girl you might meet at the supermarket, a really cute girl that would be great for someone else. The G35 S  is good looking, comfortable, quick, fun and stylish - all great qualities. It's just that the car doesn't have that certain something - FOR ME.

I'm not sure if it's the stiff seats or the stiff ride, I just don't find myself really connecting with the car...

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February 1, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Vastly Improved Clutch

Photo by Doug Lloyd

There it is, folks. Where the magic happens. The 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport with a six-speed manual is now officially perfect. As our dedicated blog readers know, we all pretty much love the G35, EXCEPT for the clutch...

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January 31, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Further Testing Required

Photo by Josh Jacquot

I recently had the good fortune to return to my favorite place in my Edmunds life: the driver seat of the 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport. What a spectacular machine! The clutch issue has definitely been significantly improved, although the action is no less responsive. The engine note is still a magnificent rumble, the driver seat is firm and supportive, the steering is bowstring tight, the doors close like a vault, and damn I LOVE the way the thing looks...

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January 29, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: I Am the Guinea Pig



It was a late night as I wandered back into the office after going to the gym. Sitting there typing away was Mike Schmidt, our resident Vehicle Testing Coordinator.

"Jacobs, you going home?" he called out to me as I walked toward my desk.

Sweet!..

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January 28, 2008

2007 Infiniti G35s: Service and Clutch Recall



Last week our Infiniti G35s had a general maintenance scheduled with Infiniti of Santa Monica. All the basics were covered: Oil change, in-cabin micro filter, brake inspection, etc. The cabin filter is part of the recommended 15,000 mile service and it's expensive-- $55. The total cost for the maintenance was $139.22.  Edmunds Maintenance Calculator estimated the service at $127.52, so not bad considering our Santa Monica location and taxes.

We also brought in our spare remote key that was no longer functioning. There is a TSB out for non-functioning keys and it was fixed promptly at no cost to us.

When we checked in we were also made aware of a clutch slave-cylinder recall. If you've been following the blogs, you're aware that we're none-too-fond of the clutch in our G35. Unfortunately, we would have to wait to see if this would be the cure for our sore calves and necks. The part wouldn't be available until early the next week.

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December 20, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Not a Fan of HVAC System

Directly below the slot of the CD player you see above you is the HVAC system for the beloved Infiniti G35 Sport. Southern California was afflicted with a particularly beguiling weather condition the last few days we believe you people call "rain," so frequently the interior of the car had to be defogged.

You hit the top defog button (front window), which curiously sets off the A/C, which you then turn off. I have a friend who swears that this actually works faster than just heat because it equalizes with the cold outside...

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December 18, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35S: Perseverance Pays Off

You've heard more than enough about our 2007 Infiniti G35's crummy clutch / shifter relationship. I've made an effort not to belabor that point in previous blog entries.

With that in mind, I'm pleased to report that this morning I executed a perfectly smooth downshift in the G35 for the first time.

Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor @ 14,221 miles

December 10, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: In its element.

In the spirit of the original Infiniti ads, I've used a nature-themed photo without a car in it.  The significance of this shot is not as murky as those ads seen back in 1989, which showed a tranquil, babbling brook...and no car, leaving people to wonder "What the heck do these new Infinitis look like?"  You've all seen what our G35 Sport looks like -- the purpose here is to show our G's natural habitat.  Here, among the winding canyon roads located in Malibu, the G likes to show off its moves.  With that torquey V6 and the responsive chassis, getting into the rhythm of the road gladdens my heart as much as those tasty waves amp up the surfer dudes. 

On a couple of less romantic notes, I also like the power-adjustable side wing supports on the driver seat (they hug you in the turns while the G hugs the road).  And fuel mileage over nearly 14,000 miles is 19.4 mpg.  This is in line with the updated EPA estimate of 20 mpg for combined city and highway driving.  Not bad, considering we fully enjoy the 306-horse V6.

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 13,884 miles.

 

December 5, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: 1-2-3 Go!

Photo by Caroline Pardilla

One of my favorite things to do while behind the wheel of our 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport is to sit at the line at a freeway on-ramp stoplight waiting for the green light (which I'm clearly not doing in morning rush hour traffic in the above picture, blah!).

As soon as I see green, shift 1-2-3 and then glance at my rearview mirror at the tiny motorists behind me. Ha! They usually don't know what hit them...

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November 27, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35: A Clutch Road Trip Performer

Infiniti G35 in Goodyear, Ariz. -- Photo by James Riswick

Dear James of 300+ days from now,

If you should be planning on driving to Phoenix for Thanksgiving, please remember this year, which was only slightly less aggravating than listening to four hours of nothing but Fergie. Although you left at 1:30 p.m., it still took you four hours in near gridlock to reach Palm Springs. On Monday, it actually took you less time to reach Palm Springs from the opposite, twice-as-long direction.

However, be thankful that you won't be driving the Infiniti G35 Sport, a vehicle with a clutch only an American Gladiator could love. For the next few days, your left leg felt like you had been doing single leg calf raises for four hours -- because you basically were. On the upside, the clutch seemed a bit more compliant (the creaking was rare) after a few hundred miles and a few chilly nights outside in Phoenix.

Once you breached traffic, though, you finally got to enjoy the G35. Although you weren't thrilled with its front seat legroom/thigh support (the G37 is actually better), the seats were very comfortable and you had no aches or NPS (narcoleptic posterior syndrome). With its ample power, there's plenty of oomph available even in sixth, although there was nothing better than dropping down to fifth or even forth, and rocketing past a Tahoe indignantly blocking the left lane. The nav system also proved easy to program with voice commands and its real-time traffic proved helpful on the way back when you were decided whether to take I-10 or CA-60 (on the way there, traffic actually went beyond XM's traffic reporting range).

So please James, avoid a similar predicament and just celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving. It's a good bet there'll be less traffic on October 13.

Sincerely,

James Riswick, Associate Editor @ 13,187 miles

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November 7, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Real-Time Traffic Reports

Last night I had the unenviable task of getting from our offices in lovely Santa Monica clear across town to Silver Lake, during the oxymoronically named "rush hour." This endeavor involves no fewer than 3 freeways. So I wavered between two freeway routes and then ended up sticking with the one I always use. But in a discussion with techno whiz-kid Brian Moody, he suggested I see if our long-term 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport has real-time traffic.

It does...

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November 1, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Impressive Fuel Mileage

Since Monday I've driven our long-term 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport 659.2 miles. I've enjoyed them all. Much of the mileage was covered on a late night banzai run from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, which included some things mom doesn't need to know about (see my previous blog). But it was the less eventful return trip 36 hours later that confirmed my appreciation for the Infiniti's well shaped seats, high-speed stability and precise steering...

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October 30, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Steady at 130 mph

Just how steady is our 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport at a buck thirty? Steady enough for me to snap this pic. At night. With no flash...

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October 29, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Ergonomic Notes

With the clutch pedal groaning like the creaking door at the start of M.J.'s "Thriller" (how appropriate with Halloween approaching), I left the Edmunds' garage with the G35 S.  I agree with everyone else who has griped about it.  Whoever gave this pedal the green light should be sentenced to doing daily (left) leg presses on a dilapidated, creaky workout machine (like the ones you see in hotel "fitness centers"). 

But apart from that, I really enjoyed driving the G35.  I didn't have any trouble enacting smooth take-offs or gear changes, and of course ya gotta like the powerful V6.  Some folks may find the steering effort too heavy, but I tend to prefer some heft in the wheel. 

I did notice a couple of ergonomic missteps: the one-size square cupholders that don't have the flexible rubber inserts to snugly hold cups (and they're also too small to double as a handy wallet holder) and the scooped-out exterior door handles.  Judging by the scratches I saw on the latter, it seems that one of two things happened: Either Catwoman has joined our staff, or some of the ladies here are having clearance problems with their fingernails. On an up note, I appreciated that the instruments move with the steering wheel when it's adjusted, though this isn't the first car to have this (remember the '86 Mazda RX-7 or '88 Ford Probe?).

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 11,161 miles.

October 23, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport -- Expensive Tires

Recently, as you may have read, our long-term Infiniti G35 Sport experienced a flat. Editor Oldham dutifully swapped it out for the skinny little spare donut and ordered up a new tire. Several days later, I was given the G35 for the weekend so I could go get the new tire, which was due to arrive at our local tire shop Saturday morning.

I went in on Saturday and left the car...

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October 16, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: The First Part Has Fallen Off

It has taken 11,000 miles, but the first part has fallen off our 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport. And that my friends is a pretty good performance around here.

The culpret is the accordian-like thing that hides the workings of the sunroof. The one on the passenger side came loose and began to hang down...

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October 15, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Excuse Me Sir, You've Got A Flat

This weekend I learned two very important things about our 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport. First I learned that the sedan's low tire pressure warning system works as advertised. And then I learned that the G35 does not have a full size spare.

Gratefully, that spare proved very easy to access, as did the car's jack, lug wrench and other assorted necessities for the wheel and tire swap...

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October 10, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Get the Automatic

Thirteen months ago I wrote a Full Test of a 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport. The car was a virtural twin to out long-term G35 Sport, except it had a five-speed automatic transmission. Our long-term loaner is equipped with the six-speed manual.

In that test I wrote this:

"In the age of the six-, seven- and now eight-speed automatics, the Infiniti's transmission, with only five forward gears, may seem behind the times...

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September 28, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport -- Skyline Family Resemblance

Last night, our long-term 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport ran into an old family friend. A colleague of mine has a 2005 Infiniti G35 Sport, but he has upgraded it as closely as he can to Skyline trim. The Infiniti G35 is called the Skyline in Japan.

The U.S...

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September 27, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Where Are the Cupholders?

Photo by Caroline Pardilla

At the risk of setting off another flurry of comments about how cupholders do not make the car, I, too, have a problem with our 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport's cupholders. Looking at them, initially you wonder if that's what they're for. They appear squarish  -- circle doesn't fit in square hole. But then my tall Jamba Juice cup did sit nicely in the "cupholder"...while I was parked...

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September 25, 2007

2007 Nissan Altima, 2007 Infiniti G35: Something's Backward

2007 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE steering wheel buttons

This is a closeup of the buttons on the left side of our 2007 Nissan Altima's steering wheel. Note the toggle switch for "seek." It operates exactly how I'd expect it to operate -- push up to advance to the next CD track, push down to go back.

Below is a photo of our 2007 Infiniti G35's cockpit. It's a little hard to make out in this photo, but if you follow my lovingly hand-drawn red arrow, you'll see that it, too, has a toggle switch for seek functions...

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September 21, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: All the Right Sensations

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport sedan cockpit

I rose early this morning and thought this might be one of the rare days when I'd get to the office early, too. But as soon as I settled into the G35's cockpit, I knew that wasn't happening: I simply had to go for a drive. Although not all is perfect with our G35 Sport (clutch, steering, cabin materials), there are many details that Infiniti handled beautifully. The very look of the place kindles my enthusiasm for the car -- modern, bright, colorful displays reflecting off traditional black sport seats and a thick-grip, three-spoke steering wheel...

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September 14, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Cupholders, Storage Nooks Need Work

Infiniti G35

Yeah, that basso profondo rumble that emanates from under the 2007 Infiniti G35's hood is intoxicating. And the sedan is frisky as a puppy when experienced on the highway. But get past the fun and games and there are practical things to consider. Things like my tall water bottle...

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August 17, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35: More Than a Navigation System

2007 Infiniti G35 central display - E. Riches

Others have written about how effective and user-friendly our 2007 Infiniti G35 sedan's navigation system is, and I share that sentiment. However, when I'm not in guidance mode, I find the map screen a bit distracting -- an issue I have with most other nav systems as well (I'm not a good multi-tasker).

For that reason, I prefer the G35's default split-screen audio and climate display...

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August 15, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35: Feeling Out the Steering

I gave the Infiniti G35 another shot. My first outings in it left me cold to some of its control interfaces, leaving an overall impression of being underwhelmed. One of those interfaces was the steering. Last night, I put my initial impressions aside and drove the G again.

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2007 Infiniti G35: $204.95 For A 7,500-Mile Service?

2007 Infiniti G35 -- Scott Jacobs

Last week I took our 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport to a dealership for its 7,500-mile service. I had made an appointment and, having sat down with the service advisor writing up the order, nearly did a Letterman-style spit-take when she gave me a $204.95 estimate. The shortened story is that no, we didn't pay that. Ultimately, the price was $54.17. But the potentially scary thing I discovered was something Infiniti calls "Premium Maintenance."

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August 13, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Birds-Eye Nav

I try so hard to find fault with our 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport, but frankly, I keep finding more things to like about it. This weekend, I was driving through Malibu looking at houses for a possible short-term rental and rather than taking hastily explained directions over the phone, I at least partly relied on the G35's map. It includes the birds-eye function, which I think is just fantastic. It's possible that many nav systems have this function, but I am disinclined toward reading a nav-system manual that's longer than the one for the car itself...

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August 6, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Steering and handling

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport -- Brent Romans

Though I'm perhaps putting myself at odds with commentary delivered in previously published G35 and G37 road tests, I will state that I'm not overly enamored with our Infiniti G35's steering. It's variable assist, but in some instances – slower speed corners, primarily – the steering feels artificially heavy. Most drivers equate heavy steering as being sporty, but in this case I feel it hampers this sedan's ability to be nimble and engaging.

Otherwise, the G35 is highly capable...

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August 3, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35: Rear seat comfort

2007 Infiniti G35 -- Brent Romans

Presumably, one buys an entry-level luxury sport sedan for its four doors and back seat. Otherwise, you might as well get a G37 Coupe or sports car, right? Well, the G35's rear seat ranks pretty well in terms of comfort. As long as the front seats aren't positioned wildly rearward, there's a comfortable amount of legroom – 34.7 inches says the spec sheet...

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August 2, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: We'd Better Not Hit Anything

Photo by Mike Magrath

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety just released a report about low-speed damage done to the bumpers of entry-level luxury sedans. Of the 11 vehicles tested, the Infiniti G35 performed the worst, with a total of $13,983 accumulated from four different tests. Those tests included full-width frontal and rear collisions at 6 mph, and front and rear corner collisions at 3 mph. In the full-width frontal (sounds fun under different circumstances), the G35 sustained $5,223 in damage, which was topped only by a last-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class...

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July 31, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Hooligan Fun

Last night I tottered off at dusk to snap some pics of our 2007 Infiniti G35 and ended up just a couple blocks away from my house. But rather than just go home afterwards, I decided to give the G35 a bit of exercise. And hoo-eee boy, the new G is a runner.  As we reported in the introduction, 0-to-60 mph takes just 5.6 seconds. BMW's gotten all the recent attention with its new turbo straight-6, but we're still talking Mustang GT acceleration here...

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July 24, 2007

Infiniti G35 Sedan: Drive it in Wedges

Infiniti G35 pedals - E. Riches

I'd been dreading the inevitable day when I would have to drive our long-term G35 in shoes with heels on them. It happened yesterday when I was wearing my wedges and it turns out my dread was unwarranted. In fact, clutch operation was actually smoother and easier compared to my normal shoes...

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July 23, 2007

Infiniti G35 Sport: Gateway to Paradise

One of my favorite summertime activities is to seek out and explore hidden beaches and coves. Pretend I'm a multimillionaire with my own beach house tucked away, up in Malibu, away from the teeming masses even for a few scant hours. And in these environs it's shockingly common to see Lamborghinis (7), Bentleys, Ferraris (5), McLaren SLR (1)  and Porsches. But the G35 Sport is such a perfect part of the fantasy...

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2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: This is a Genuine Muscle Car

The Infiniti G35 Sport is not for wimps. This is a 306-hp car, and it's not fooling around. You can lean hard on it through the corners and it won't go limp, as the suspension is sufficiently controlled to keep the Bridgestone RE050s under the car and the brakes are up to the task of burning off the speed without catching fire. And the preference of G35 program engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno for a slightly forward bias for weight distribution gives the sedan a clean, predictable, intuitive feel as it turns into fast bends, when you're doing more work with the balance of the chassis than the action of the steering wheel...

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July 20, 2007

Infiniti G35S: Out for blood.

Our long-term G35 is trying to kill me.

Really. It is.

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July 19, 2007

Infiniti G35 Sport: Love the curvy view

One of my favorite elements of the G37 coupes we've tested recently is the seating position, which not only puts you in the right position to drive the car, but also gives you a great view of the car's rather stunning front-quarter-panel curves. Our G35 sedan has a more upright seating position than the coupe, but during my drive last night, I noticed that it, too, has a pleasing contour line in the driver's line of sight.

But last night's drive was more about the drive than aesthetic treats -- I'd been fiending for a chance to drive the G35 harder. Once you're moving at a decent clip, its funky clutch isn't a problem and the heft of the shifter moving through the gates is frankly satisfying...

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July 16, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Dream Car - Sort of...

I used to dream of owning a car like the Infiniti G35.

Some time ago, I was broke and could only drive cars that were handed down to me. These cars were slow, lumbering beasts that were frustrating to drive. So I often dreamed of piloting something sleet and fast with a tight stick shift...

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July 3, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan: Stuck at the DMV


It takes 60 miles of driving our long-term Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan to figure out why I’m inexplicably irritated. Yes, there’s something wrong with the clutch. In fact, it’s easy to have beef with each of the fussy pedals – the brake pedal travels too far before engaging the brakes and the e-throttle often seems to have a mind of its own, stuttering just before fully opening the throttle when the pedal is floored. But even when cruising the freeway at speed, an activity that requires no use of the clutch or brakes, the mysterious annoyance is still there...

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July 2, 2007

Infiniti G35S Driver Seat -- No Place I'd Rather Be

Once again, the skies parted, the Gods smiled down on me and Mike handed me the keys to the Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan, again affording me one of my favorite views in the world.

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June 29, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: That Persistent Creak

I hogged up the Infiniti G35 Sport for three days in a row after having avoided it because of its weirdo clutch -- "annoying long travel and minuscule engagement." I just like that power and luxury and felt two months away from it was long enough. Finally getting behind its wheel again, I noticed the loud creak of the clutch was still there but working the clutch itself wasn't as problematic as I last remembered.

I didn't have as much of an issue driving the car in stop and go traffic. Sure, there was still a bit of lurching but I didn't have to make as much of an effort to control it...

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June 25, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35: Armrest & NavTraffic Update

Infiniti G35 armrest with 6-speed manual

Shortly after we received our long-term Infiniti G35, one of our readers asked to evaluate how much the armrest interferes with shifting the 6-speed manual. The answer is it doesn't interfere at all, which is good. But it's also not possible to rest your arm upon it, which is bad. Even with the seat all the way back, I had to reach my elbow back just to touch a corner...

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June 22, 2007

Infiniti G35 Sport -- Lovesexy

As I drove the G35 Sport Sedan last night, I was listening to Prince (hence the blog title) but for some reason, I was also deciding that he would probably like this car for many of the same reasons I do. And it's more than like for me. I LOVE this car. First of all, I think it's probably one of the best-looking Japanese cars ever, (Uh-oh...

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June 7, 2007

Infiniti G35 Sedan: Tight control, but I want a deeper conversation

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport sedan - E. Riches

I got my first taste of the second-gen Infiniti G35 sedan on back roads during a quick AM run in our long-term car (apologies for the mediocre photo). Body roll is tightly controlled, and the G is eager to adjust its attitude in response to brake and throttle input. It's not a cuddly car, and our Sport model comes across as more hard-core than any other entry-level luxury/sport sedan...

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June 6, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35: 'Feeling' Out the Coupe and Sedan

Is this the G35 or G37? Correct answers will win a free lifetime subscription to Inside Line

I drove our long-term Infiniti G35 for the first time after spending a few days with the new G37 coupe. The engine and dynamic differences will be highlighted in a coming road test, so I thought I'd talk about an aspect I wasn't expecting to be so different between coupe and sedan. The two G's interiors may look identical in person and pictures, but I was surprised how different they feel. Most notably, I felt like I was sitting lower in the G37, leading to a greater feeling of being enveloped by its interior, rather than just sitting in it like the sedan. As a second opinion, the similarly heighted Dan Edmunds (who drove the G37 more than 1,200 miles) confirmed I wasn't crazy...

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June 4, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35: Flawed Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel Design

Tilt and telescopic steering wheels are amongst my favorite features in today's automobiles. It doesn't seem like much, but if I can't find a comfortable driving position in a car it limits the fun of being behind the wheel. Our G35 has both adjustment features, but they don't work like I expected.

My beef isn't with the telescoping aspect of the wheel...

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May 29, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35: Window Auto-up Problem, and Solution

The one-touch auto up/down feature on the driver's door window did not work when I climbed into our G35 today. It went down fine, but I had to hold the switch to raise the glass. It reminded me of a little trick that saved us a trip to the dealer. It works for many of the one-touch windows on the market today...

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May 18, 2007

Infiniti G35 Sport: Big pimpin'... or not

Infiniti G35 - Photo by Warren Clarke
I drove the G35 Sport for the first time last night.

-Yes, the clutch is stiff. My calf twitches just thinking about it.

-I really fell in love with the exhaust  note...

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May 16, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Time and Time Again

Spent a few days in our G35 Sport recently. Much of it was spent cursing the car's groaning clutch pedal and too stiff ride, but I also managed to find some time to grow frustrated with the sedan's rubbery shifter and narrow seat.

Even with all that going on, I packed the wherewithal to notice the G35 supplies the driver with multiple timepieces. Two, in fact, the analog unit that looks like a wristwatch and a digital readout up on the navigation screen. We're not sure why this is?..

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May 15, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan: Hard Drive

New Topic: optional Stereo - the sound is excellent, not quite up to Lexus Mark Levinson standards but still very good.

The Premium Package gets you the Infiniti Studio on Wheels Bose stereo and the optional nav package gets the hard drive with Gracenote software plus a compact flash card slot and XM NAVtraffic. Both packages run a little more than 2 grand each but audiophiles will call it money well spent. In fact if it were my money, I'd skip the Sport version and opt for the Journey, then add the nav and Premium package...

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May 14, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan: Stuck with the Stick

Creeeeeaaak, Creeeeeaaak! That's the sound the G35's clutch pedal makes each time you ease it out. As one editor plainly put it - Not good dude!

No good to say the least - so we took it to Cerritos Infiniti in Cerritos, California to see if we could get just a little satisfaction. We also had a busted cruise control (it  turned on but would not engage)...

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April 26, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport: Fancy for the Night

Photo by Caroline Pardilla
I met up with a friend last night who was driving her 2005 G35 sedan. I've always admired her for her fine tastes in food, whiskey and fashion and envied the fact that she could afford such a car so it was a coup to show up in the new G, and driving stick nonetheless. Yes, the car isn't really mine but on this night it was. I have to say, I did relish the role of the young well-to-do that this sleek sport sedan afforded me as I sat in the plush driver seat wearing my Jackie O sunglasses...

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April 25, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35: Not to Beat a Dead Horse, but...

Dan Edmunds hit the nail squarely on the head in his post about our Infiniti G35's clutch, so I won't beat a dead horse too much here. When I drove the G for a short while just after we got it, I definitely noticed the annoying long travel and minuscule engagement. But after driving it again last night, the clutch is now much much stiffer and sounds like a creaking door -- Smyrna, we have a problem. After sitting in traffic last night for almost an hour with it, and a half hour this morning, my left leg is literally tingling. I'll have to hit the gym later and do some right leg presses just to even myself out...

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April 24, 2007

2007 Infiniti G35: Not a Clutch Performer

What I'm about to say might be disturbing for a lot of you. It was for me. But I've prepared myself with a lot of flame-retardant Nomex clothing.

I dislike the 6-speed manual transmission in our 2007 Infiniti G35...

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