G35 Coupe = Happiness

After a few years of serious gazing and ogling of the G35 COUPE, I finally decided to test drive one. It was perhaps the most satisfying car experience I have ever had.

I can't say that this is a car for everyone, but sometimes you just know when a car is right for you. Getting in to the G35 was a pleasure. I've driven sport coupes where the entry is like dropping into a bucket, but here the entry is far easier. The design of the car is.....well, very Mac-like. Most things are intuitive, familiar and thoughtful. For a car of this price, the interior is impressive. Compared to BMW, MB, AUDI, and LEXUS, the G35 has more than ample luxury, from the quality of the leather, to the aluminum trim, feel of the buttons, and sophistication of the electronics.

As a driver, this car was made to make you feel empowered as well. Having driven cars with much less HP, this vehicle was like a breath of fresh air. I'm not really a crazy driver, but there are times when you need a some oomph for passing, and this car delivers with aplomb. At virtually any speed, there is crisp and clear acceleration. I drive the automatic with the modified manual shift, and I am more than happy with its ability to downshift to my needs. On long cruises at 80 mph, the car barely feels limited. Back when I drove an econobox, I remember having to bear down on the accelerator to keep at those high speeds. Now, only the most minimal of touches will keep this puppy zooming. Of course, some people have commented that the sensitivity of the gas pedal is tiresome. Personally, I find that it reinforces the fact that this car has tremendous energy packed in the 4000-RPM-plus range. Being able to tap that power with a modest push on the pedal is quite satisfying. AND, every zoom of the engine is paired with melodious exhaust note.

Of note, cornering with the G35 is a dream. I've only felt cornering power and finesse like this in more expensive BMW or really high end MB coupes. It rockets you through a turn like nobody's business.

My G35 was equipped with the premium package. The Bose system is commendable, and as a lover of good clean basslines and crisp high notes, it delivers as promised. The sunroof is a must have for this car, as the roofline is a little low.... Climate control is a must, especially is you have passengers with wildly different needs. The A/C is wonderful, although it makes a significant click when you turn it on (only noticeable while the car is in park.) The homelink is a nifty add on. Compass is so necessary....especially in a place like LA.

Now, to review the G35 without expounding on its styling would be a true injustice. I don't think anyone who sees this car would think it was ugly. Even my girfriend who testifies that her VW GOLF is her dream car stated that she thought it was handsome. It will turn heads!

Of course, this car is not to be considered the perfect car. I'd never boast that. There are some shortcomings that come with every car and this one has a few....
1) a rediculously small trunk.... I had to laugh when the dealer popped the trunk and showed me the instructions on how to stuff in two golf bags. Complicated stuff apparently...
2) not sufficiently useful cabin storage space.... The door pockets are too slim for my CD books! The centre armrest storage space is too shallow to be really useful. The glove compartment is tiny.
3) The RIDE.... OK, so I opted for the premium tire and wheel package too... SO, the ride is a little harsher than I expected. It changes quite variably with the road conditions. It seems to sop up roadbumps easily, but when I encounter those stretches that make your car bounce, it seems to amplify it. Those of you in LA know what I'm talking about.... the ones that almost make you feel like you have a flat tire.....
4) GAS mileage....sad to see a doubling in my gas expenses....but I figure that one would be silly not to expect a 3.5L 280HP car to sip a little more fuel.

Of course there are things that I was pleasantly surprised about
1) How quiet it is with the windows up
2) the turn radius
3) how easy it is to park
4) the xenon headlamps
5) my growing fondness of the lenses (Japanese cars have the best!)
6) the weighting of the steering wheel
7) being able to open your windows with the keyfob.
8) comments like 'WOW', "thats a really nice car", 'hey, that's my dream car!'

OK, so you may be wondering what really clinched the deal for me about the G35 Coupe. It must have come down to that excited feeling in my belly when I flew into that 90 degree turn at 60 MPH and exited at 80, with the car still willing to go for more. That moment, in whatever way it happens and for whatever reason, should be the deciding factor for any car shopper.

Go drive it! Really.


ADDENDUM #1
After 2500 miles and over two months of using it daily for commuting and long trips, I'm still a very satisfied driver. The most enjoyable experience has been my one short but exhilarating push to 100mph. It was late at night on a open stretch of highway with barely any other cars on the road when I decided to give a little push on the pedal. The car accelerated quickly to 100 from 75, and there was this awesome note coming from the exhaust. For a time, I forgot I was going that fast, as the handling was entirely preserved and the car still felt nimble. There really wasn't any perceptible increase in engine noise, but the wind noise at that speed was notable.

But, on my daily commute, I do wish that the ride was a little smoother. It's not so much the occasional cracks and holes, but rather the stretches of slab highway that create these jarring bumps in the ride. It's really just an annoyance, but since it happens to me everyday, it gets on me. Truth is, it's the road, but my car does very little to make it better.

Gas mileage continues to be in the 20 mph range, with all the mixed highway and local driving that I do. I've tried easing up on the pick-up, but so far, no significant changes....perhaps a change from 20 to 22.

Stereo system is wonderful when playing CD's, but seems a little lacking when playing radio music. Still haven't figured out the utility of the PTY/CAT button....maybe when I actually take a long long road trip.

The automatic air conditioning works wonderfully, but, being more of a control-freak, I tend to leave it off and adjust things myself. With my girlfriend in the car, the whole 'dual' climate zone thing actually seems to work. Part of me believes it's more psychological than physiological.

With regards to the styling, I have to say that the G35 coupe remains a beautiful car. Seeing it everyday and being inside it, I feel like it is a complete unit. Whether or not it was designed as a whole (probably not), as a consumer, I'm pleased that it feels like alot of thought was placed into creating an experience with this car.

One sore point about the styling.....I still haven't found a good use for the door pockets! Nothing I need seems to fit there, and I have a tough time reaching to the bottom of them. I'm actually a fairly practical person, and this issue will remain a thorn in my side..... Argh, and one last potentially important thing is the seat belt. Being average height, you would think that the seat belt would fit nicely, or at least be able to adjust easily. Well, unless I missed a section in the manual, there doesn't seem to be an easy way to change the height of the seat belt, so I've tried adjusting my seating position to compensate. I think I've found a nice compromise, but it's still not perfectly comfortable. My concern is that in the event of a collision, the seat belt will ride up on my neck causing flesh wounds or leave me with a surgical clavicle fracture.

It's still early in my time with the G35, so more updates will follow...