Infiniti G35...3-Series nipping performance/handling; Sentra interior

[ElFenix]

my parents have an audi. the interior is crap. and its clear that audi spent no effort on localization. its a right side drive car, but all the stuff in it other than wheel placement is the same. shifter is backwards, arm rest attached to the left seat but not right, etc. and don't get me started on the a/c. its no where near powerful enough. can't even compete with my taurus, a car known for weak a/c.

 

[LittleWolf]

mAdD INDIAN


<< The G35 does not have a crappy interior. Functionally its perfect with everythign within reach and the materials are fine. They may not be Audi quality, but then I could care less since it costs MUCH cheaper <atleast in Canada> than a similarly equipped A4. On top of that, the A4 looks like a bloated pig. >>



While G35 not having a crappy interior it certainly has nothing to rave about either, just plain mundane like any other car and needless to say cheap plastics etc.

About looks of A4, well each to his own. Most of the world thinks otherwise about A4 being quite elegant. G35 while being nice has nothing original. Interior and exterior benchmarks in Nissan's own words were the Passat/Audi/BMW group. So there....




<<
Personally I'd rather have more money put into the drivetrain and suspension rather than the interior. As long as its functional and doesn't not rattle or squeak I'm happy. I hate squeaking interiors!! I could care less if the plastic is one notch below Audis it should be since its $5k cheaper! Atleast it handles and performs like a dream..and that's what counts.
>>



Again to each their own "dreams". Some prefer a more rounded package, rather than just good in one and crappy in other.
And oh yeah, so far none of the reviews of G35 have attested to be any better (or even close) to the A4/3 Series. Being good on paper/specs (a typical Nissan trait) and kinda let-down on road (like the Q45) are 2 different things.





<<
That said, the Sentra has a nice looking and functional interior. Its pretty solid too..no rattles over bumps. Can't say the same for the Altima...atleast it looks good though. >>



Altima, yet another clone of Passat/Audi. It better atleast look half as good, else I did say Nissan is not even good at copying.



ElFenix
May I ask which Audi model, your parents have?



-j

 

[NFS4]

<< While G35 not having a crappy interior it certainly has nothing to rave about either, just plain mundane like any other car and needless to say cheap plastics etc.

About looks of A4, well each to his own. Most of the world thinks otherwise about A4 being quite elegant. G35 while being nice has nothing original. Interior and exterior benchmarks in Nissan's own words were the Passat/Audi/BMW group. So there.... >>


Agreed. The A4 is quite elegant. The G35 is merely Passat-ish. The interior is VERY odd, epspecially the positioning of the seat controls and some of the ergonomics are just plane iffy. The dash just looks so early 90's.


<< Again to each their own. Some prefer a more rounded package, rather than just good in one and crappy in other. And oh yeah, so far none of the reviews of G35 have attested to be any better (or even close) to the A4/3 Series. Being good on paper/specs (a typical Nissan trait) and kinda let-down on road (like the Q45) are 2 different things. >>


Agreed. The fact that Nissan put so much money into the chassis and engine doesn't mean jack b/c it still isn't as well balanced and well-rounded on the track as either a A4 or 3-Series. The Q45 had to have been one of the biggest let downs of last year after Nissan hyped it up so much.


<< Altima, yet another clone of Passat/Audi. It better atleast look half as good, else I did say Nissan is not even good at copying. >>


I swear, when I first say the new Altima, I thought it was the next gen Passat It still looks good except for that ugly rear end (a common trend of Nissan designs...ugly rear designs: Sentra, Maxima, I35, Altima, G35).


<< May I ask which Audi model, your parents have? >>


I'd like to know as well. I would easily stack any current (or recent) Audi interior against any of those in the biz.

 

[BornStar]

Your quote about talking about top-of-the-line luxury models, followed by your comment on the Galant is here:



<< Even the top-of-the-line luxury models feel like glorified Corollas. I took a look at Mitsubishi Galant few months ago. >>



We have to import most of our BMWs from across the Atlantic which I would assume accounts for a bump in price while the Galant seems to be made here. Just the opposite is true for you. Makes sense to me that the prices would move to about the same range.

 

[b0mbrman]

<< They did. G35 is the left hand drive Skyline with a larger engine.
Nissan Skyline
Infiniti G35

You must be confusing the Skyline with Skyline GTR. Noob >>


Sorry...

<==-- *not* a hardcore Nissan fanboy

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Most of the reviews I have read have said that the G35 is close to the BMW in terms of handling and driving feel..

Don't believe them? Drive the car yourself..only way to tell if its good or not.

Personally the best thing I like about the G35 interior is the pop-up navigation screen, the seat controls on the dash <i love this feature/placement>, and the simple flowing dash. Its simple and elegant...not to flashy.

And again, most of the reviews of the car have praised the driving dynamics and when it gets its 6-spd it would be even better. And for the price, its a clear bargain. Its about $10k CDN cheaper than a fully loaded 330Ci..which would I buy given the money? The G35 no doubt.

I'm not gonna pay an extra $10k just to get a slighly better interior and a questionable reliability from a German marque. I don't believe a car that costs $50k should be going to be repaired for problems such as electrical windows malfunctioning, etc..

 

[Doggiedog]

I've said it before and I say it again: interiors of japanese cars are crap. They feel cheap. Even the top-of-the-line luxury models feel like glorified Corollas. I

I guess you've never sat in a Lexus GS300 before? I've own both a BMW and a Lexus and the Lexus is without a doubt much more luxurious than my BMW.

Have you ever sat in a Mercedes? The seats in MBs suck unless you like sitting on rock hard leather.

If Galants are classified as luxury cars in Finland, I'd like to see what an mainstream car is.... a Toyota Echo?

 

[teg]

I'd like to know as well. I would easily stack any current (or recent) Audi interior against any of those in the biz.

Audi has nice interiors but no where close to jaguar, or benz. Walnut, connolly leather, screaming class. The top I was sitting in a S-Type Jag at the Auto Show, and compared to the A4, it was a couple notches ahead

 

[SinNisTeR]

i'll take a G35 thank you. more room, better price, more reliable, better engine.

 

[Ameesh]

<< And whoever thinks that Audi interiors aren't the best in world, needs to get out of their chintzy Civic's and Corollas a bit more often... :disgust: >>




you obviously havent sat in a Q45 or a MB E or S Class, Audi's are overpriced junk.

 

[ElFenix]

i don't really know which model, but it is older. a6 in size. newer ones are nicer. i bet the a/c still sucks

 

[LittleWolf]

<< I'd like to know as well. I would easily stack any current (or recent) Audi interior against any of those in the biz.

Audi has nice interiors but no where close to jaguar, or benz. Walnut, connolly leather, screaming class. The top I was sitting in a S-Type Jag at the Auto Show, and compared to the A4, it was a couple notches ahead >>



While you are correct about the famed Jag leather, have you ventured in any of the recent Jag offerings. The upper level Jags are still OK (considering Ford didn't still have time to screw it). Check out the S-type and totally crappy X-type. Heck they are exactly similar switches & gear as the Ford Taurus/Lincoln family and that in case you didn't realise is *not* a good thing... The faux leather and wood on the X-type (in case u didn't know that many parts are fake) is also not old-world Jag.

If you are comparing a A4 with a S-Class, that's apples to oranges. You should be comparing an A6 with the S-type Jag. A6 is again it's class leader in interiors. Secondly, you don't see half the interiors which Audi makes, since the choices are quite limited for the US-bound models. Check some of their European model versions. Guess which marquee is the most used bench-mark for interior design and quality. (Hint: Audi and VWs)



Ameesh



<< you obviously havent sat in a Q45 or a MB E or S Class, Audi's are overpriced junk. >>



You obviously don't seem to know much. So I shall desist from argueing with you. Let me know if you need some real-world reviews and links to prove my point (as against your ignorant subjective opinion). The Merc S-class when first reviewed by CAR, AutoCar, Auto-week etc reputable european mags (and not some craptrend-and-drivel redneck US mags) was unimously thrashed for it's cheap interior. The reviewers went on to mention that even a VW GOlf has better quality plastics,interior pieces, genuine wood etc than the S-Class. 2 years after the release, Merc ofcourse realized that they are going down the crapper and have started to improve back to their old standards circa 80-90s. The upcoming E-class has therefore been extra carefully packaged to prevent the same fiasco.
And about the Q45, it has been the most overhyped piece of UGLY crap I have seen. :disgust: Guess how many people have been buying them? In case you didn't know, it's a flop.

Anyhow, whose opinion do I take, yours or reputed reviewers and the people who actually buy them (i have good friends who actually own these marquees). No brainer buddy....

And oh yeah BTW, I have actually driven extensively (and sat ofcourse) the E-MB, S-MB and Audi a good bit, unlike some armchair wannabes in their Civics... :disgust:



-j

 

[Shantanu]

Hrmmm... It is, how do you say? Fugly?

 

[Ameesh]

LOL i dont drive a civic people.



When i was looking at cars to get we looked at the a4 and a6 both interiors were small and cramped with cheap plastic trim, i didnt care for it all. the 3 series had an alright inside the outside looks great but inside was spartan (best word i can think of), the one i liked quite a lot was the MB C class , outside was nice inside was very nice, but just a little on the small side.

 

[BornStar]

<< When i was looking at cars to get we looked at the a4 and a6 both interiors were small and cramped with cheap plastic trim, i didnt care for it all. the 3 series had an alright inside the outside looks great but inside was spartan (best word i can think of), the one i liked quite a lot was the MB C class , outside was nice inside was very nice, but just a little on the small side. >>



I'd rather buy one of the other three than the C class. I absolutely love Mercedes Benzs, but I just don't like the C class, it feels too cheap to me.

 

[777php]

Are we speaking of the G35 sedan or coupe?

I really like the look of the G35 coupe and when the time comes to buy a new car that one will be it. What are your opinions on the G35 exterior and interoir, and others in its class?

 

[CraigRT]

Audi sucks.. their cars are scrap...

I'd take the Nissan made car over an Audi for sure.

 

[Ameesh]

<< Audi sucks.. their cars are scrap...

I'd take the Nissan made car over an Audi for sure. >>



w3rd up

 

[EMAN]

No crap I remember in the late 80's Audi had the worst quality problems but I've heard it's gotten better but I don't think it's good as no Infinity.

Personally I would go get Acura CL type S and call it a day.

 

[NFS4]

<< No crap I remember in the late 80's Audi had the worst quality problems but I've heard it's gotten better but I don't think it's good as no Infinity.

Personally I would go get Acura CL type S and call it a day. >>


Too bad that Acura is most likely going to ditch the CL series. Ain't nobody buying them

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=02075202

 

[Nemesis77]

<< Finland?? What is that, like .8 percent of BMW's worldwide sales. HAHAHA.

In the U.S. (a market that BMW cares A LOT more about than little 'ol Finland), a Galant ranges from $17,707 - $24,157. The 3-Series ranges from $27,100 - $42,400.

NUFF SAID. >>



Where in my post I made claims such as "Finland is the most important market in the world for BMW!"? Answer: nowhere. So why are you bringing up things like "USA is more important to BMW than Finland is", when I never made anyt claims to the contrary and they have NO relation to the subject at hand!

All I did was that I made the accurate observations that:

1. In Finland, Mitsubishi tries to (unsuccesfully) aim Galant at 3-series BMW
2. When you look at the interior of Galant you will see that it sucks

But to amuse you, I could compare Galants interior to Passat, Mondeo, Laguna, 406, C5 or any other european car of it's size (even smaller models, like Golf, Polo, Focus, 307, Xsara etc.) and Galants interior would astill suck. You can't expect me to know details of the car-market in USA, all I care about is the car-market in Finland.

Tell me, have I annoyed you or something? Or why else would you seem so hostile in your post? You brought up things in your post that have NO valid reason of being in this discussions. I compared interior of Galant and 3-series, cars that compete with each other in Finland, you started talking "USA is more important to BMW than puny Finland is! Oh yeah!". What exaclty does that have to do with the interior of BMW of Galant?

Honestly, my impression of you is not improving right now.

 

[Nemesis77]

<< Have you ever sat in a Mercedes? The seats in MBs suck unless you like sitting on rock hard leather. >>



I (and many others here) personally like hard seats. Soft "sofas" that make you sink in to them is a big no-no here.



<< If Galants are classified as luxury cars in Finland, I'd like to see what an mainstream car is.... a Toyota Echo? >>



Not a luxury car. 3-series is not really a luxury car here, 5-series might be considered to be one.

Toyota Echo? Not sold here, sorry. Best selling car in Finland has recently been Toyota Avensis (one step up from Corolla). Usually, mainstream-cars are such as Ford Focus, VW Golf/Bora, Peugeot 307 and the like. Remember, smaller cars are more popular in Europe than in USA.

 

[NFS4]

<<

<< Finland?? What is that, like .8 percent of BMW's worldwide sales. HAHAHA.

In the U.S. (a market that BMW cares A LOT more about than little 'ol Finland), a Galant ranges from $17,707 - $24,157. The 3-Series ranges from $27,100 - $42,400.

NUFF SAID. >>



Where in my post I made claims such as "Finland is the most important market in the world for BMW!"? Answer: nowhere. So why are you bringing up things like "USA is more important to BMW than Finland is", when I never made anyt claims to the contrary and they have NO relation to the subject at hand!

All I did was that I made the accurate observations that:

1. In Finland, Mitsubishi tries to (unsuccesfully) aim Galant at 3-series BMW
2. When you look at the interior of Galant you will see that it sucks

But to amuse you, I could compare Galants interior to Passat, Mondeo, Laguna, 406, C5 or any other european car of it's size (even smaller models, like Golf, Polo, Focus, 307, Xsara etc.) and Galants interior would astill suck. You can't expect me to know details of the car-market in USA, all I care about is the car-market in Finland.

Tell me, have I annoyed you or something? Or why else would you seem so hostile in your post? You brought up things in your post that have NO valid reason of being in this discussions. I compared interior of Galant and 3-series, cars that compete with each other in Finland, you started talking "USA is more important to BMW than puny Finland is! Oh yeah!". What exaclty does that have to do with the interior of BMW of Galant?

Honestly, my impression of you is not improving right now. >>




The point is, the Galant is NOT a competitor to ANY 3-Series. NONE. Mitsubishi sedans can NOT compare to BMW in ANY way and it doesn't make sense to do so. No matter how you try to justify it, the Galant is in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM a competitor to the 3-Series. I don't care what you say about marketing. Hell, Suzuki here in the US tries to put their Gran Vitara XL-7 in the same company as the Mercedes M-Class and BMW X5 with their commercials. NE1 can see that that is just marketing fluff. If you're taken in by marketing, then I'm sorry.

You are trying to compare the interior of a Galant to a 3-Series. You can't do it! They aren't in the same league. The Galant is an mid-size economy sedan. The 3-Series is a near-luxury sports sedan. Big difference. Everything from size to engine/transmission layout, to suspension layout, to interior size, to mechanical details to build quality (things that won't change from country to country) would clue you in that a Galant doesn't compare to a 3-Series.

Galants compare with Accords and Taurus'. The 3-Series competes with NONE of those vehicles so you can't compare interior quality between them. Can you compare the Galants interior to the Taurus, Accord, and Camry?? Sure. Can you compare the interior of the BMW 3-Series to the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class? Sure. But don't try to mix the two together.

The whole Finland thing is b/c you keep saying "here in Finland." In the whole scope of things, how it is in Finland has no bearing on the simple fact that a Galant doesn't compete with a 3-Series. END OF STORY, NEXT CASE!

And I'm not hostile towards you, I'm just having some fun The idea of a 3-Series competing with a Galant is just proposterous IMHO.

Top of the line Galant Competitors:
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2002/mitsubishi/galant/lsv64drsedan30l6cyl4a/compare.html

Low-end BMW 3-Series competitors:
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2002/bmw/3series/325irwd4drsedan25l6cyl5m/compare.html

The high end Galant can't even compare to the low-end 3-Series. That should tell you something right there.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

3-Series are like Corollas <in terms of volume> in other parts of the World. I know in South Africa everyone and their mother has a 3-series...even managers of grocery stores.

 

[NFS4]

<< 3-Series are like Corollas <in terms of volume> in other parts of the World. I know in South Africa everyone and their mother has a 3-series...even managers of grocery stores. >>


Same with Mercedes in other parts of the world. That still doesn't diminish the whole Galant vs 3-Series comparison though. BMW is not in the same league as Mitsubishi.