28th Aug 2010, 01:57

I wrote this review. Yes, I did a test drive, but I fell prey to a very slick dealership technique. They have a specific stretch of road with no traffic. It's very winding, and you can really check out the speed and agility of the car, making you feel like you've really tried it out. However, the lack of other traffic really masks just how prominent the blind spots are.

The first time I noticed the blind spots were on the drive home from the dealership. I exited the freeway onto a busy frontage road and I could NOT see if cars were coming. I had to stretch myself out of the seat and crane my neck to see just a little of the traffic. An older man couldn't have performed that maneuver easily. Since then, I have entirely avoided that freeway exit because it's too risky in this car.

As far as the handling and the jerky wheel, that's a good idea. I thought it was just my imagination until my wife said she didn't like driving our new $37,000 car because when she applies the brakes at a stop light, it jerks the wheel from her hands. Not beyond your strength, mind you, but enough to wake you up and make you grip the wheel hard.

Again, the fit and finish is beautiful. Lots of compliments. Fantastic engine performance and the 350+ horsepower is lovely on the freeway. Great cornering and great braking. However, it's hard to explain the precarious feeling I get driving this. With the touchy steering and prominent blind spots, I always feel one step away from a bad accident. I have had speedy vehicles before (Audi Quattro, Jetta Turbo), but this one feels kind of reckless somehow.

13th Oct 2010, 14:31

"Fantastic engine performance and the 350+ horsepower is lovely on the freeway."

The 3.5 V6 is actually only 306 HP in this year. The newer G37 with the 3.7 V6 is 330 HP, so still not over 350 HP. It is still plenty adequate for any driving scenario!

23rd Jan 2011, 07:18

Just to comment on the test-drive dilemma. I NEVER let a salesperson dictate what route I am to take when test driving. I tell them that I'm going to need about an hour with the car to drive it in different environments: traffic, high-speed highway, etc. If they won't give it to me for an hour, I walk away. Usually, they won't want to spend an hour with you in the car when they could be selling, so if they agree, you usually get to drive alone. I'm more than happy to let them photocopy my licence. Of course, this is Canada, where businesses are quite trusting of people.

23rd Jan 2011, 09:28

The difference in the U.S. is insurance. Most dealers won't let you take a car on their insurance, as it is written that a rep from their company has to be in the car at all times. I used to take cars alone all the time, but in the past 5 years or so, I haven't been able to at all different types of dealers. I have asked about it more than once, and always get the same response... insurance.

24th Jan 2011, 08:06

This is fine if you don't mind buying a "new" car with like 300 miles on it. If everyone insisted they put 50 miles on every car they test drove, they would all be used by the time anyone bought them. I prefer to buy my cars with less than 20 miles on them, so they are actually new still. Why would I want a car that has been abused by every other driver who is trying to figure out if it suits their needs on an hour long test drive?

3rd Mar 2011, 15:25

Hello, original author here again.

Someone asked what car I had before this. I had a 2002 VW Jetta 1.8 turbo. It was a pretty speedy little car and had pretty tight steering. That's why I was so surprised by the Infiniti.

I took it back to the dealership once, and had a sales rep drive it to see if it was normal. He said everything checked out OK. However, I couldn't know if he was just trying to get me out of there.

I felt stupid saying it, but I missed the handling and steering action of the Jetta once I had the Infiniti. It was fun to drive on the freeway, but in normal stop-and-go street traffic, I felt like I had to be too vigilant in manhandling the steering and braking, and was never able to relax while driving.

4th Mar 2011, 10:45

This is in no way a negative comment against you, but maybe you aren't used to the high power of this car. High powered cars react and respond much differently than a car like your older Jetta would have. Maybe it feels dangerous because it moves so quickly. I have known a few Infiniti owners, and none of them have ever had these type of complaints about their cars.

On another note, have you had it looked at by a private mechanic? They would be unbiased as to what is wrong with your car, and could tell you if it has any problems. You can even offer to pay for their time if they are wary about helping you out, so you can go to the dealer for warranty work if something does turn up. It might be worth $20 just to have peace of mind that nothing actually is wrong. It may also be worth it to have the leverage of a second opinion, to force the dealer into fixing anything that actually is wrong.

25th Mar 2011, 17:17

I agree with you. I have had nothing but great thoughts about mine, and that's coming from a sports car guy. My G35 Sedan is a great machine. If you don't buy a car because of a blindspot, then you should get a BUICK!

26th Mar 2011, 13:17

The Jetta and the Infiniti are totally different cars... The Jetta is lighter and more compact... while the Infiniti is larger and heavier... put an extra 600 lbs on your Jetta.. it would drive different too... you can solve that problem by keeping both cars... the Infiniti for safety, reliability and smoothness, and the Jetta for that tight feeling sports car feel, especially around town and through a nice twisty back road...

13th Jun 2012, 14:44

Hi, original poster here again. I ended up selling this car. Again, I am very hesitant to criticize this vehicle. It is a fine machine. VERY well made. Very powerful. Very beautiful.

However, it just didn't work for me. As someone posted a few comments ago, perhaps I'm just not used to this type of car. I don't know.

Someone snarkily posted that I should get a Buick if I don't like the blindspot. But I still wonder what someone should do when merging off a freeway at 70mph, and you can't see the oncoming traffic over your shoulder?

I wasn't happy with this vehicle, period. If you are, fine. More power to you.

25th Oct 2012, 02:14

My wife hates driving my G35xS, because it does grab every rut on the freeway. I love my G, but I like to drive. I am 40 years old, and I feel 16 every time I pull up to a red light. This car is exhilarating! Seems a little thirsty though.

18th Nov 2012, 03:58

Its true, feels like a race car. Grabs every rut on the road, but with 35 series tires and a 245 width, this can be expected. This car wants you to drive it like you stole it. This is where this auto shines. My only complaint is no console space, and why put cup holders in the door?

26th Feb 2018, 19:33

Just last week, I test drove three cars from two separate dealerships. Each time, I was allowed to take them out alone.