Yahoo Autos Used Vehicle Spotlight: 2005-2006 Infiniti G35 sedan
The Infiniti G35 hit the American market for the 2003 model year, and to say the V6-powered, rear-wheel-drive sedan was a major departure from the previous G20, a front-driver powered by a four-cylinder, is an understatement. The sport sedan finally launched Nissan’s premium division squarely into competition with well-established luxury brands.
The G series was available in both coupe and sedan styles, but for the purpose of this article we’re focusing in on the four-door, specifically the 2005 and 2006 models. There was a nice styling refresh in ’05 and the engine got a bump in power. G35 sedans with manual transmissions offer 298 horsepower while the automatics have 280 ponies. More power is never a bad thing, especially when it doesn't negatively impact efficiency.
Why the Infiniti G35?
There’s a lot to like about the 2005 and 2006 Infiniti G35 sedan, enough so that the G35 won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year in 2003. The car was known as the Nissan Skyline in its home market of Japan, a legendary name that we’d prefer over the letters-and-numbers moniker we got in the States. Regardless, the automaker’s FM platform was stiff and sporty, the VQ engines were punchy and gutsy, and the styling was attractive and stood out against Infiniti’s sport sedan competitors. The G was also roomier inside than the German sedans it competed against.
The G35 was offered with a manual or automatic transmission and boasted standard rear-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. There were various sport packages that added aerodynamic improvements, retuned suspension bits, bigger wheels with stickier tires and upgraded brakes. All those pieces may be bonuses on the used market, depending on what kind of vehicle a buyer is looking for.
Reliability is one good reason to consider an Infiniti G35. The Long-Term Quality Index study found at dashboard-light.com indicates that the G series has been at least Above Average in reliability since the 2003 model year and well ahead of the segment benchmark BMW 3 Series.
Which Infiniti G35 to choose?
If we were buying, we’d cast a wide net and be willing to drive a fair bit to find the right G35 sedan. We’d opt for the six-speed manual, which, at 17 miles per gallon in the city, 24 on the highway and 20 combined, was 1 mpg better than the automatic across the board. More fun and more efficient, then.
