Infiniti G35 Buyers Guide: Reliability, Specs & Common Problems

If you love the Nissan 350z but want a more refined version, the Infiniti G35 is right up your alley.

It’s sophisticated, comfortable, and doesn’t compromise on performance thanks to its improved weight distribution based on the FM platform.

Although the G35 was aimed at drivers looking for a luxury car, it has since seen a rise in popularity amongst those in the VIP and tuning scene. In fact, with its longer wheelbase, the G35 is popular with many drift car owners looking for a steady and controlled drift.

Because the Infiniti G35 has so much to offer, our guide will take a look at the reliability, specs, and common problems for both the coupe and sedan.

History of the Infiniti G35

Production of the G35 started in 2002 by Nissan –– the manufacturer who makes the Infiniti G35.

While earlier cars in the Infiniti G-series were based on the Nissan Primera, the G35s and many of its successors are all re-badged versions of Nissan Skyline. The G35 was developed on the FM platform alongside the Nissan 350z.

There were a number of cosmetic changes and redesigns in the G35’s six-year-long run, with its 2005 refresh being the most prominent. The 2005 model not only got an upgraded engine but also an upgraded limited-slip differential, brakes, and dashboard.

However, by 2008 Infiniti entirely shifted its focus towards the production of the G37 which is why the G35 was discontinued. The difference between a G35 and G37 may be hard to spot at first glance, which goes to show how much of an impact the G35 had on later Infiniti designs.

Owing to it being a great luxury car alternative, the G35 was Motor Trend’s Car of the Year and it was also on the Car and Driver’s Ten Best list three times.

Infiniti G35 Specs

From 2003 to 2006, the Infiniti G35 came equipped with the VQ35DE engine which got revised in 2007. It wasn’t so much of a revision though. The engine was completely revamped.

After 2007 The G35 came with the VQ35HR engine — a much more reliable version of the DE motor with dual throttle bodies, hydrogen-free DLC coated valves, and most importantly, continuously variable valve timing.

Engine Type: 3.5-liter V-6
Power: 260 hp
Torque: 260 ft-lb.
Redline: 7,500 rpm
Compression Ratio: 10.3:1
Bore & Stroke: 1.17
Valvetrain: Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC)
Transmission: 5-speed automatic

The Infiniti G35’s mpg are 17 in the city and 24 on the highway, giving a combined gas mileage of 20 mpg. It works out to about 5.3 gallons per 100 miles.

So how much horsepower does a G35 have? Although the 2003 model produced only 260 hp, the later models produced 280, 298, and 306 hp respectively.

The G35 has a rear-wheel-drive layout, a 52% front and 48% weight distribution, and a 5-speed automatic transmission. A 6-speed manual transmission was available on the sedan for the 2004 model, which received an upgrade to 18-inch wheels.

Infiniti also introduced an all-wheel-drive option known as the G35x with a 5-speed automatic transmission.

While the G35 is available only as a sedan and coupe, Infiniti kept things interesting by introducing several trim packages listed below.

Base

The Base G35 model has a 5-speed automatic and auto-manual transmission. The G35 sedan’s engine pumps out 306 hp while the coupe manages only 275 hp.

Additionally, the Base G35 coupe is also available with an upgraded 6-speed manual transmission which easily churns out 298 hp.

Infiniti fitted a variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust camshafts in the manual cars. The automatic cars had variable valve timing only on the intake inside. Also, a sport-tuned suspension package became standard on all six-speed manual models.

Journey

The Journey trim is available only as a sedan and has a 5-speed automatic transmission, with an engine pumping out 306 hp.

The G35 Journey has everything that a Base G35 has, along with a few other features like:

• 4-way power passenger’s seat
• 6-speaker audio system with RDS
• in-dash 6-disc changer with MP3 playback capability
• Dual Zone Air conditioning with automatic temperature control

Sport

The Sport trim package comes as a four-door sedan with a 5-speed automatic transmission and an engine that pumps out 306 whp.

Infiniti upgraded the tires on the sport package by upgrading them to 18-inches and making the brakes larger. The automatic Sport model even has bolstering seats that adjust on the inside and the bottom, providing pull-out thigh support.

If you’re looking for an upgrade to the Sport model, you’ll be happy to know that Infiniti offers the same trim package with a 6-speed manual transmission. All of the trims are rear-wheel-drive.

Is the Infiniti G35 Reliable?

You can always trust a G35 to stick with you for the long haul if you take care of it. So it’s no surprise that U.S. News gave the G35 4.5 stars for reliability. Many G35 owners have driven long and hard without having to visit the mechanic outside of routine maintenance.

So how long do Infiniti’s last? Thanks to its remarkable VQ35DE engine, expect the G35 to serve you well for at least 200,000 miles. However, there are a few instances where some drivers even covered more than 300,000 miles.

And if you’re wondering, the Infiniti G35’s maintenance cost averages about $375 annually. With such a bulletproof reputation, insuring your G35 is usually a breeze.

Common Problems with the Infiniti G35

Although the G35 is a reliable vehicle, it’s not flawless. But then again, which car is?

Over the years, there have been several issues reported by G35 owners. We’ve listed the most common ones below.

Defective Brembo Brake Pads

This is probably the most common problem that you’ll have on a G35, particularly with the 2003 to 2005 sedans.

Many owners complained about the defective Brembo brake pads and rotors on these models and having to replace their rotors and discs every 15,000 to 20,000 miles. They also tend to emit excessive noise even before you wear them out.

The saving grace was when Infiniti finally fixed this problem in their later models. The calipers themselves are exceptional.

Suspension

Quite a significant number of G35 drivers reported that they dealt with problems in their front suspension.

Other drivers reported having problems with the control arms and hearing clunking noises after installing G35 coilovers –– particularly when going over bumps and uneven roads.

While it’s difficult to pinpoint the root cause, replacing the old bushings with polyurethane ones seems to make things a lot more bearable.

Excessive Oil Usage

Unfortunately, the G35’s engine burns more oil than you’d probably like. But that’s the price you pay for having a powerful vehicle. In some cases this is caused by imperfect timing due to a bad crank position sensor.

Of course, the G35’s oil usage is also affected by your climate and driving style. To avoid these problems, it’s best that you have the car inspected before you buy it, then every year after that.

Is the G35 Worth Purchasing?

If you want to have more fun behind the wheel, the G35 is the right choice for you. It’s sleek, sporty, and has an irresistible mid-2000s charm. Sure, it’s not perfect, but its pros definitely outweigh the cons.

The Infiniti G35 price for a 2008 model back in the day was $32,000. Now, you can pick it up from anywhere between $2,000 and $7,000 which is a great bang for your buck.

Our Infiniti G35 review covered everything that you need to know about the car but we’d love to know your thoughts too.

Are you thinking about buying an Infiniti G35 or do you already have one? Let us know in the comments below.