Replacement for my g35x

[T2urtle]

I want to replacement for my 2005 infiniti g35x. It's a 5 speed auto, sedan, with awd. Lifetime mpg is 18.4 more 60highway/40 city.

I like/love that's it's a DIY car for most maintenance items and tons of support from cars with similar engines like 350z,g35 coupes, maxima. Maintenance cost was very cheap even tho I had to replace... cam and crank sensors. Both front wheel bearings. Repair coolant leaking hoses. Airbag control module. Sensor in transfer case.

While some might say that's alot, it's nothing compared to the work I had to help a friend on his e46 325 and a6. I know luxury brands have a certain pay to play.

I'm just looking for a change, naturally the newest g37x is the way to go. But I want to live a little and try another brand/model out.

More and more, I've found to like hatchs. If my 2005 g35x was a hatch and got me 24mpg average, it would be a keeper. I find that v8s and suv like the Honda pilot getting better mpg than me sad.

Any suggestions on a car? ballpark 15-18k, DIY, respectable mpg, auto trans. Hatch/wagon, reliable. I can flex on the awd and hatch parts, but the others have to stay.

Wrx seems like a solid, but sadly no automatic. Lancer rallyart is a no, that trans is touchy/buggy and high maintenance 30k drains and expensive fluids.

 

[Fenixgoon]

what about a mazdaspeed3 or GTI? not sure if they're too small (also both FWD).

 

[T2urtle]

The mk6 gti and mk7 golf/gti are on my list. But vw does scare me a little, they seem to have/had water pump, fuel pumps, flapper motors issues on them.

Speed3 isn't a automatic. I've consider going with a normal 3, but I don't think I'll regret it shortly.

I'm not the only driver of this car, hence the need for auto.

 

[Zargon]

you really cant get an auto on a wrx now?!?!

 

[Crono]

you really cant get an auto on a wrx now?!?!

You can (CVT). Premium edition. Not great compared to other automatic implementations, going by reviews.

 

[Yuriman]

Generally speaking, sedans have a more aerodynamic shape and (all else being equal) will get slightly better highway mileage than hatches. I like hatches for their utility too, but frankly, I don't think I'd be putting a washing machine in the back of a Lexus/Infiniti.

I'm assuming you're going to avoid any downgrade in power, but want something clean, new and with better fuel economy?

I dig the Lexus GS hybrid, and it checks all of the boxes except "hatch". It has a bit more power than what you're in now and gets around 34mpg on the highway. Might be out of your pricerange though.

 

[T2urtle]

Generally speaking, sedans have a more aerodynamic shape and (all else being equal) will get slightly better highway mileage than hatches. I like hatches for their utility too, but frankly, I don't think I'd be putting a washing machine in the back of a Lexus/Infiniti.

I'm assuming you're going to avoid any downgrade in power, but want something clean, new and with better fuel economy?

I dig the Lexus GS hybrid, and it checks all of the boxes except "hatch". It has a bit more power than what you're in now and gets around 34mpg on the highway. Might be out of your pricerange though.

Pretty much hit it on the spot with what I want.

Yea, don't want to load a washing machine but more of random ikea trips, once in a blue moon a tv, kids gear. Friends with wrx hatchs make me jealous.

Hybrid gs should out of my budget.

 

[Yuriman]

I don't think there's much on the market that will have similar power and better economy in your pricerange. If you like the WRX, I'd say go test drive one.

 

[T2urtle]

I don't think there's much on the market that will have similar power and better economy in your pricerange. If you like the WRX, I'd say go test drive one.

I did drove one, 2009 hatch, it was eh. Nothing great, mpg on that isn't great from what my friends tell me.

Someone mentioned hemi magnum/charger. But traditional thinking of v6 to v8 means less mpg.

 

[XavierMace]

IS350? No hatch option, but they do have an AWD option.

 

[evident]

IS350? No hatch option, but they do have an AWD option.

plus fold down seats, which the GS doesn't have. Would never buy a sedan without this

 

[ViviTheMage]

A3 maybe?

 

[yoda5]

Audi A3? Hatch. AWD. 25-30 MPG. DSG tranny so it's a bit more fun than a boring torque converter slushbox. Some reports of reliability but other owners claim very minimal issues.

WRXs are reliable until their engine or transmission blows up. Almost every WRX owner I know has had to rebuild their engine before hitting 100k.

 

[NutBucket]

you really cant get an auto on a wrx now?!?!

Have you ever driven an auto WRX? Plus the fact the only auto it ever had was a 4-speed? No thanks.

 

[T2urtle]

plus fold down seats, which the GS doesn't have. Would never buy a sedan without this

If only the my g35 had fold.down seats, I never understood why they didn't make it all do this. But some cars have small openings as well..

Audi A3? Hatch. AWD. 25-30 MPG. DSG tranny so it's a bit more fun than a boring torque converter slushbox. Some reports of reliability but other owners claim very minimal issues.

WRXs are reliable until their engine or transmission blows up. Almost every WRX owner I know has had to rebuild their engine before hitting 100k.

Hmm... this can work. But vr6 or 2.0t....

Gotta do some homework on problem areas and cost of repair. Hopefully they aren't as small as they look.