2003 Infiniti G35 Review – An Enduring Beauty
When thinking about legendary cars, the 2003 Infiniti G35 is often overlooked. This car was developed in 2003 and has been an enduring beauty on the roads ever since. Some might say it doesn’t have the pizzazz of a Ferrari or Lamborghini, but what this car lacks in flash it makes up for with superb engineering and driving dynamics. If you’re looking for a great car that’s understated and stylish, then the 2003 Infiniti G35 is definitely worth considering!
The 2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe is the crown jewel of the Infiniti brand. Almost twenty years after the launch of the G35, it is still regarded by many as timeless, sleek, and powerful. The 2003 Infiniti G35 is still highly sought after by performance petrol heads all over the United States.
A 2003 Infiniti G35 with a clean title and good condition sells for $3000 to $5000 and is a DIY owner’s dream car.
2003 Infiniti G35 specs at a glance:
- Vehicle Type: Coupe, Rear Wheel Drive, Four Passengers, Two Doors, Front-mounted engine
- Price at launch: $30 000
- Engine: 3.5L V6 (24 Valve DOHC, aluminum block and heads, fuel injection)
- Power: 280 HP at 6200 pm
- Torque: 270 Foot-pound at 4800 pm
- Transmission: six-speed manual
After the launch of the Infiniti brand in 1989, the G35 launch in 2003 was the model that gave Nissan some traction in the US market and led to the brand growing into Canada in 2004. This model helped give the Infiniti brand some much-needed sales success, as was evident between 2003 and 2008.
Let’s look at the G35 in more detail and how it became one of the more iconic models in the Infiniti brand history.
Why Owning A 2003 Infiniti G35 Is A Must
Nissan’s aspirational luxury brand Infiniti was created to go toe to toe with the German luxury brands and based on the success of Toyota’s premium brand Lexus in the US market. Nissan never achieved anything close to the success of Lexus with the Infiniti brand, but they did have some noteworthy models. The 2003 Infiniti G35 is one model worthy of some acclaim.
The 2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe and Sedan sold in volume from March 2002 until model replacement by the G37 in 2009. The G35 is a stablemate to the more renowned Nissan 350Z, and comparisons are inevitable. The G35 has certainly aged better than the 350Z and does not look like a twenty-year-old car amongst newer rivals.
The 2003 Infiniti G35 interior is also more comfortable and spacious than the 350Z. The black or grey leather interior seats and trim hold up well to the UV radiation and, with good care, can still look like new. The G35 is a great-looking car with the stance of a predator about to pounce. The elegant contours and beautiful rear are enough to get any true car enthusiast pulse racing.
Although the G35 only has 7 horsepower less than 350Z, it still has plenty of power, and the engine produces a beautiful sound to announce its presence. The G35 was blessed with a longer wheelbase than the 350Z giving it the high-speed stability needed for such a powerful package.
The longer wheelbase also allows more legroom for rear-seat passengers than what the 350Z has. The two-door coupe design accommodates seating for four, albeit the rear should be reserved for children only.
The G35 is heavier than the 350Z by 120 pounds and is seven horsepower down on power. Yet, it still boasts a very impressive 6.0 seconds on a zero to sixty miles per hour dash and a 14.6 seconds quarter-mile sprint, putting the G35 in the same performance space as the Mercedes Benz Type-S and the BMW 330Ci and only a half-second behind the 350Z.
The G35 is fitted with Brembo calipers and 12.8-inch front disc brakes to a complete standstill in only 157 feet from 70 miles per hour, the shortest stopping distance of the Type-S, 330Ci, and the 350Z.
Service and maintenance parts for the G35 are from the Nissan parts bin, and they are very affordable and widely available. The 2003 Infiniti G35 should perhaps be regarded as a Grand Tourer instead of a Sport Coupe, but it can easily carry each moniker.
What Other Owners Of The 2003 Infiniti G35 Say?
The 2003 Infiniti G35 received an aggregate score of 4.83 out of a possible 5 stars from 863 owners on the credible Edmunds Owner Ratings. With 97% of the respondents giving the car a 5 star (83%) or a 4 star (14%) rating. The G35 has a loyal following and is a well-loved and sought-after vehicle in the DIY Performance Enthusiast market.
Owning a 2003 Infiniti G35 will require that you have the skills to keep your car in good running order. Unfortunately, we have to shine the light on all aspects of this model year including the 2003 Infiniti G35 problems, which came in a few different forms, electrical controls not working properly, CD player not functioning, doors not auto-locking, fabrics coming loose, and speaker wires coming loose.
Some steering rack leaking was reported in the 2003 model year on the mechanical side. These issues were resolved during subsequent model years from 2004 to 2009. If you are on the lookout for a low mileage 2003 Infiniti G35, here are some issues to look out for during your inspection of the vehicle.
The factory paint job on the 2003 G35 has been fighting the effects of UV radiation for nearly twenty years. Look for a mottling or dull surface finish on the top of the spoiler, roof, and hood. It may require a full respray.
The surface of the front headlamps will most likely be dull and yellowish due to UV damage and surface oxidation. This condition is easy to buff out and cover with a clear lacquer to look brand new again.
Check the inside of the oil filler cap for signs of dirty oil sludge or creamy-looking oil. These are signs of poor engine oil maintenance and potential water intrusion. Look for another G35 that has been well treated.
The Brembo calipers and brake rotors are great, but they generate a lot of brake dust that will coat the spokes of the alloy wheels, quite normal and not a sign of anything sinister.
The fuel gauge on the G35 is notoriously inaccurate or faulty. The replacement of the sensor is not an expensive or time-consuming process.
Our Verdict on the 2003 Infiniti G35
The 2003 Infiniti G35 has aged very well and is a car with which father and son can fall in love. The design of the G35 is not dated, and you can cruise around, attracting a lot of envy. The values of well-maintained Infiniti G35 models are increasing due to the current shortage of good-used cars in the market.
If you have the skills to do most of the repairs and maintenance yourself on the G35, you can have the enjoyment of many years of low-cost ownership. You can also flip G35’s quite quickly if you can bring the maintenance and appearance issues up to standard. The 2003 Infiniti G35 is a car with timeless style and beauty and an easy-to-maintain powertrain that ensures that your presence is known on the strip.
