2002 Infiniti G35 Premium from North America - Comments

- Nothing yet, but it's still brand new!

- This car is by far the best sport sedan your money can buy. It's got a whopping 260 hp standard engine which will smoke the daylights out of any BMW 3 series or Mercedes C Class in the way.

- I purchased mine fully equipped for only 36,000 dollars. A fully equipped BMW 330i costs nearly 43,000!

- The handling, suspension, and braking are superb.

I recently purchased a G35 also, mine isn't fully loaded, but it's the leather model with the winter package and I snagged it for $31,000 drive out.

Although I don't have the sport package I still find the G35 to be very responsive in both handling and acceleration. This is also my commuter car and not all the streets between home and work are smooth blacktop so I appreciate the mildly softer ride. Even without the sport suspension this thing is almost on rails.

I've put about 1500 miles on it so far and I'm finally getting used to the sensitivity of the throttle and brake. A heavy foot on either is rewarded with a nearly convulsive reaction from the G35 trying to respond to your request.

A stomp on the throttle while cruising will result in the tach instantaneously lurching to the 6000 mark and a 2 (or more) step reduction in gear while the G35 puts every ounce of effort available toward hurling you down the road (past that bimmer up ahead).

A lead foot on the brake will result in picking your dental work out of the leather wrapped steering wheel unless you have wisely fastened your seat belt, in which case your stomach will be shaking hands with your kidneys. Either way, make sure your rear view is COMPLETELY empty before trying this at home or you'll be picking grillwork out of the back of your head.

What would I change?

I'm getting right at 18MPG. I'd like to get more, but I love the 260 HP.

The passenger seat could stand to sit an inch or so lower.

The manual shifting could be a little quicker, but maybe that's only a perception I have because I don't have a clutch to occupy my time while I move the shift lever.

I find the card holders to be virtually useless.

My choice of tires was BridgeRocks or Goodyear, I would have liked Michelin or Pirelli.

Another 15 (or 40) horsepower would be fantastic! I'd give up another MPG for that.

Would I buy it again? Yes.

Would I pick it over the BMW? Yes. (I did, and not just for price.)

Take one for a ride, even if you don't think you'll buy it.