YACT: 2008 Altima 3.5SE Coupe vs. 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe

Xyclone

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
10,312
0
76
Pros of Altima:
-Brand New
-Warranty
-Weighs a bit less

Pros of G35:
-RWD
-loaded (Leather/Sunroof/BOSE/etc.)
-much more parts available (it's a sports car)
-Infiniti badge (resale value)
-made in Japan (quality higher than products made in USA)
-original looks (the Altima coupe uses its basic design)
-RWD

So???
 

andylawcc

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
18,183
3
81
correct me if i am wrong, but the G35 had a horrible interior until its recent refresh in 2007.
 

Running

Senior member
May 30, 2006
271
0
0
i wouldn't say horrible, the articles i read on it said it just looked too aluminum/plastic. that could be bad, but i wouldn't say horrible.
 

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
7
81
My Parents have a 2005 Maxima V6 and we recently rented a 2007 G35X. I have to say the Maxima is the better of the two cars. The ride of the G35X reminds me of the suspension in a Ford F350 Super Duty, it will break your back every time you drive over a droped penny in the McD's drive through. On the other hand, the Maxima has good handling with a very comfortable ride. After 1,000+ miles in the G35X it felt good to get back in to the Maxima once we returned home. Get the Altima and your back and insurance bill will thank you.

Plus with the Maxima/Altima* you don't have those $400+ Siemens radio ignition keys to worry about loosing or copying.


*Same car/chassis/engine according to the dealer


EDIT: You can get leather with the Altima and the Bose stereo in the Maxima and Infinity Blows. BOSE is an acronym for
Buy
Other
Sound
Equipment



Do you really want to blow money on Bose?
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
Let's take it one at a time:

RWD

You're still pretty young from what I've gathered from your posts, your parents are buying this car for you right? I'd honestly say to just a FWD car, simple and easier to predict. (Enthusiasts, please don't argue on this unless I'm wrong talking about the *general* population) In just daily driving to school/work/grocery store/etc. you probably won't notice a difference. Do you feel a need now? If you did, you probably wouldn't be asking and so that's why I recommend a FWD car. If you notice a difference in that basic driving, and very possible depending on what roads you take, ramps, just having fun on the way, etc., then yeah, no question about RWD. As I just said though, if this was an issue, you wouldn't have even considered a FWD car.

loaded (Leather/Sunroof/BOSE/etc.

Is a sunroof not available on the Altima? Getting into a bose setup might be a hassle if you ever choose to change it - do a search on why and I'm sure you'll see the reasoning. Leather seats are an option on the Altima.

much more parts available (it's a sports car)

What are you looking for? What exactly is lacking in availability/production in terms of the Altima's aftermarket? Don't just make a generalization, point out exactly what's holding you back.

Infiniti badge (resale value)

What? If we're comparing percentages, then I don't think the brands would be very far apart, but I quickly searched and wasn't able to find numbers. I'd say that they'll both be similar unless you're comparing new vs. used in which case it's an independent comparison of the two cars you chose - a new car will take a bigger hit, no doubt about that.

made in Japan (quality higher than products made in USA)

Is that a fact? Can you point me to an article or study that shows this through data and reasoning?

original looks (the Altima coupe uses its basic design)

If you feel the G35 looks better, +1 point for the G35.

Insurance will probably be higher on the G35. How does gas mileage compare for both?

How about a used Altima? If a new Altima with leather, sunroof, etc. is too high of a price, a used one may be a good option.

Again, don't remember your age exactly, but you're either going into college or you're already a college student, right? Either way, you're probably going to end up having friends with you a lot it would be a lot more convenient to get a sedan. You'll also have a bit more space and be able to utilize the area better in a sedan. If you'll be going between home and school, this could be important.

I'm speaking simply from a practical point of view and an objective decision based on what I've presented. These are 2 very different cars, and so I'll say the same thing I believe I've said in your other threads: Figure out what you want from a car and come to an agreement on that with your parents. Pick a price, whether a used car is an option or not, and then start looking. Go test drive each of the cars and make a good decision.

Figuring out what you want from the car you're going to buy is the first and probably most important step. You've had threads on the Civic Si, S2000, VW GTi, etc. and my conclusion is that you don't have a definite idea of what you want. Define what you want from a car that your parents agree with and make your choice.
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
Originally posted by: andylawcc
whao AgaBoogaBoo, you put that much thought and effort into your reply? ;) :thumbsup:
Hehe, thanks :)

I'm hoping it helps him, if it helps him or someone else in any way, it was worth it.

Originally posted by: Googer
Get the Maxima, it's bigger and $1,000 cheaper.
Yep, assuming the choice was just between these two cars, then the Maxima would be brand new, have more space, could come with 4 doors if he chooses to get that, and save money depending on how it worked out.

I had my car with me as a freshman at Purdue, and I *always* had others tag along with me whether it was for a drive back to home on a weekend, going to walmart, etc. I even once crammed 8 people in my 91 Accord :p (1 driver, 2 in passenger, 3 in back and two laying down on their legs)
 

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
7
81
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Pros of Altima:
-Brand New
-Warranty
-Weighs a bit less

Pros of G35:
-RWD
-loaded (Leather/Sunroof/BOSE/etc.)
-much more parts available (it's a sports car)
-Infiniti badge (resale value)
-made in Japan (quality higher than products made in USA)
-original looks (the Altima coupe uses its basic design)
-RWD

So???

Sorry; but according to Wiki, some of the engines are Built in America. Sucker! You rice boys are thick headed.


 

andylawcc

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
18,183
3
81
Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Originally posted by: andylawcc
whao AgaBoogaBoo, you put that much thought and effort into your reply? ;) :thumbsup:
Hehe, thanks :)

I'm hoping it helps him, if it helps him or someone else in any way, it was worth it.

you do know 95% of advice given on ATOT are not taken.... (especially in YAGT)

I had my car with me as a freshman at Purdue, and I *always* had others tag along with me whether it was for a drive back to home on a weekend, going to walmart, etc. I even once crammed 8 people in my 91 Accord :p (1 driver, 2 in passenger, 3 in back and two laying down on their legs)

Guiness Record and Ghettoness both starts with an alphabet G, coincident? I think not.
 

natto fire

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2000
7,117
10
76
Am I reading this correctly that the 2008 Altima 3.5 only comes with a CVT? (Which is honestly not a bad transmission, can match a manual as far as efficiency by keeping the engine running in the optimum load range.) Even with that transmission the Altima clocks in at 167 lbs. lighter than the G35 with a manual transmission. However, the Altima loses a bit on coefficient of drag, with .31, to the G35's .29 (The design overall looks sleeker, IMO). Get the G35 with an automatic and AWD, and you are outweighing the Altima by 409 lbs., even with the more slippery car, the G35's 20 gallon fuel tank really lowers the range compared to the Altima's 32 gallon.

Definitely give both cars a test drive though. :thumbsup:
 

Xyclone

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
10,312
0
76
Originally posted by: Dudewithoutapet
Get the Altima, 4 yrs is a big enough difference. Brand new is still much better than used.

In what sense? Wear and tear (both engine and interior wise)? The G's at that price have around 30K miles on them, and from what I understand, they are pretty reliable.

And AgaBoogaBoo, thanks for the long reply. Yes, my parents will pay for the car, but I will put around $5K in (all the money I have) for the down payment. And yes, my head is in the clouds about which car I want to buy. There are just so many, which all have their own perks. They're pretty much OK with anything, but a bit hesitant about roadsters now. I guess what matter most to me is quality (fit and finish), reliability, performance, practicality, and cost to own (insurance, etc.), in that order, with reliability and performance being tied.
 

mrSHEiK124

Lifer
Mar 6, 2004
11,488
2
0
Originally posted by: Captain Howdy
Am I reading this correctly that the 2008 Altima 3.5 only comes with a CVT? (Which is honestly not a bad transmission, can match a manual as far as efficiency by keeping the engine running in the optimum load range.) Even with that transmission the Altima clocks in at 167 lbs. lighter than the G35 with a manual transmission. However, the Altima loses a bit on coefficient of drag, with .31, to the G35's .29 (The design overall looks sleeker, IMO). Get the G35 with an automatic and AWD, and you are outweighing the Altima by 409 lbs., even with the more slippery car, the G35's 20 gallon fuel tank really lowers the range compared to the Altima's 32 gallon.

Definitely give both cars a test drive though. :thumbsup:

Holy COW, they gave the coupe a 32 gallon tank?!

I've got an 07 Altima sedan, and I thought the 20 gallon was big. OP, I've got a brand new Altima, and I love it :p
Ask Aikouka, he loves his Altima too