Infinity G35 6M Coupe

[blackmercedes]

Okay, I'm slipping on my flame-proof undies for this thread.

This evening, for the first time, I had a chance to drive the G35 Coupe. To sweeten the experience, it was the 6 speed manny-tranny version.

Yowza! For those of you that feel the G35 is somehow missing some of it's 280 ponies, my seat-o-the-pants dyno says otherwise. This is one fast car. I am sure it's running 5's in the 0-60 dash. It launches hard, hooks up well, and has ratios well spaced for the torquey V-6. This car can make the speedo twist pretty rapidly.

It sure is a lot of car for the money. $50K here is less than the base for the C320, and the G35 has 18" wheels that are as nice as any aftermarket units, MASSIVE Brembo brakes that not only brake like you've thrown an anchor into the ashpalt, but look super-cool too. The Brembo label has lots of street-cred too.

The interior is very cool. Not reserved in the usual MB manner, but really innovative unlike some other Japanese cars. The materials are expensive feeling, and every gadget is included.

Handling? Is the 350Z better? It's tough to believe this car rides on no-sidewall 18" tires. The damping is perfect, and the suspension is very precise. A nice back road tool, allrighty.

Allright, I'm done gushing. What didn't I like? Tough one! The exhaust note is luxury car, not performance coupe. Could have a bit more uumph to it. Given the demographics though, maybe it's the right move.

Maybe it's just the car I drove, but the clutch was a little on/off for me. Given the performance capability, maybe a stiff clutch is needed. Feels a little too much like my old 911. (Except the pedal is not coming out of the floor!)

Rear visibility sucks, but so what! Press the loud pedal and forget most everything behind you.

Flame statement! -- I would pit this car against a W124 E500 in every performance measure without hesitation.

And here's the kicker! It's $15K less than the much-slower CLK320. It's $10K less than the definitely-slower 330Ci.

I see why they can't paint them fast enough.