Sports cars are great when you’re young.
You don’t mind the cramped quarters, roar of the engine and lack of creature comforts.
As you mature, it isn’t uncommon to give up some performance for creature comforts.
However, with Infiniti’s G35 Sports Coupe, you give up very little performance and gain a lot of creature comforts.
Exterior styling of the G35 Sports Coupe was liked by all. Its sleek lines give it a clean, elegant look, with more than a hint of the performance that lies beneath its skin.
The interior of the G35 Sports Coupe was nicely laid out and comes with all the creature features one would expect on a full-size luxury car. I liked the look of the instrument panel, the placement of controls and its overall look.
The only item I wasn’t sure of was the tilt adjustment for the steering wheel. Instead of just the angle of the wheel changing, the whole instrument pod moved with the wheel.
People of shorter height liked the system because as they lowered the wheel it kept the instrumentation at eye level. I’m just not sure that I liked it.
The optional navigation system on the G35 was well liked by all. Not only could most of its functions be used without opening up an owner’s manual, but the display on the screen was one of the best on the market.
The driver’s seat in the G35 is a true keeper.
It is comfortable, offers good support to your back and holds you in place during hard corners like entrance and exit ramps. Another plus for the seat is that one does not have to try and squeeze their hand between the door and the seat to adjust them. The controls are mounted atop the inside of the seat next to the center console.
Yes, the G35 does come with a back seat. Would you or I like to ride in it? Probably not. It is best suited for small children, packages or luggage; nevertheless, adults will fit in a pinch.
Then again, if you need more back room space, Infiniti does offer a G35 sedan that comes with four doors. It does have a little less horsepower, but at least rear-seat passengers wouldn’t have to fold themselves in half to set in the back seat.
As expected, the trunk is a little on the small size with just under 8 cubic feet of storage space. However, there is a diagram on the trunk lid that shows you how to properly position two sets of golf clubs so that they will fit in the space.
The aluminum-alloy suspension components of the G35 Sports Coupe, along with its "ripple control" shock absorbers give the vehicle a better ride than some other sports coupes on the road. Even so, however, calling its ride smooth would not be telling the complete truth.
Saying that the G35 Sports Coupe handles very well, however, is the truth; no one should be disappointed with the way it handles.
To help drivers keep the G35 Sports Coupe on the pavement and out of ditches it comes with a Vehicle Dynamic Control (skid control) system as standard equipment.
Should you be willing to trade some handling for ride quality, the four-door version of the G35 comes with more forgiving suspension settings.
Power for Infiniti’s G35 Sports Coupe comes from a 3.5-liter V-6. The engine produces 280 horsepower without the use of a turbo or supercharger.
But unless someone told you that the G35 Sports Coupe comes with a drive-by-wire throttle, you wouldn’t know it. Response from stepping on the gas pedal is instant, with more than enough power to push you back into your seat.
The model tested came with the five-speed automatic transmission, which does come with a manual shift mode so that the driver can run through the gears without having to work a clutch.
For those who enjoy shifting and don’t mind using a clutch, the G35 Sports Coupe can be had with a six-speed manual transmission for even more fun on twisty back roads.
Knowing that people who opt for a manual transmission usually drive a little harder, Infiniti includes larger Brembo brakes on G35 Sport Coupes equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.
2003 Infiniti G35
Sports Coupe
Base Sticker price:
$31,300
Options:
Premium package $2,250
Navigation System $2,000
Trunk mat with logo $70
Destination charges $45
Total sticker price:
$36,265
Type of vehicle: Rear-wheel drive sports coupe
Drive train: 280 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6; five-speed automatic transmission
Wheel base: 112.2 inches
Overall length: 182.2
Overall width: 71.7
Overall height: 54.8
Where built: Japan
Curb weight: 3,422 pounds
EPA: 19 mpg city; 26 mpg highway.