Hobkins

Currently driving a lifted Wrangler that gets 14 MPG hwy if I baby the throttle and I'm thinking about moving into an 06 - 07 Civic Si or G35. I do understand what forum I'm on but I'd like to hear some opinions. I have NO INTEREST in modding either vehicle. (boosted my 00 Si so I've gotten that out of my system)

This is what I'm thinking currently. Initial price will be about the same but the G35 will likely have a bit more miles. The G35 will be more fun to drive as it's great low end power but will also get less gas mileage. Both look good exterior wise but Infinity has more interior features.

I respect Honda's dearly as I've owned a 2000 Si for years and it showed me nothing but great things. We also have a 99 Ex that's about to tip to 500,000 miles on the original motor and transmission with basic maintenance. But I'm struggling between these two cars as the Infinity pulls me in with extra features and that lovely thing called torque which I've never had before. Looking forward to hearing your opinions.

doood

iTrader: (1)

these are two completely different cars. drive both and see what you like best.

slowman

iTrader: (3)

If it were me I'd get the Si just because I love Honda and would feel weird in something else as my DD. That's why I have two Hondas. G35 can be pretty sexy doe. Just not something I'd want to spend my doll hairs on.

safedriver

iTrader: (1)

The price of gas is down, so get the 6 cylinder.

SergEK

I owned a 2006 350z since new (5 years) and I will NEVER own another VQ powered car so help me god

They are garbage motors and not nearly as strong as the Honda stuff - I was once tempted by the torque thing - its fun - sexy car - but it ate oil like nobodys business near 100k miles of highway driving so be warned if you go the VQ route - I ended up putting in another motor after my lightly modded RevUp VQ ate 4qts in a month and died on the dyno after a fresh oil change - 06 RevUPs are known to eat oil and had a Nissan recall but just giving you a heads up because 05+ G35s use that motor

My Honda motors never ate that kind of oil with twice as many miles of hard driving - and my B series ate oil in VTEC lol but that Nissan was just ridiculous

The G35 is a 14 sec car with so-so torque --- Honestly you would be better off in a new V6 camaro over a G35 performance wise -- or even a V6 mustang --- I hate to say it trust me -- but if you are not gonna mod it and looking for torque those two new models are as fast or faster than a G35 and reasonably priced

I own an FA5 Si 4 door now and dont miss the VQ much - I have plans for some basic mods on this car that will put it around 13.6-14.0@100-102 which is plenty for this car and DD miles - but at 28-2900lbs its much lighter on its feet vs my 34-3500lb boat and the G35 is like 35-3600lbs - whereas I was using 285-295 tires on my Z I am using 215-225 on my Si and tires are less than half the price for 140-180AA treadwear tires which means I can push it hard and have more fun for less money

The G is a nice car no doubt -- but the VQ inside makes me stay away and choose another platform with less problems.

I have plans for an AP2 turbo build when I have a garage again - while the Z may have torque the Hondas just are more engaging and much lighter on their feet - while I would be very worried to push 450-500whp on my Z I can push that on an F20/F22c in confidence with more room for growth later with trans upgrade

Take it as a personal opinion because there will be tons of people who say the VQ is fine but check the turbo forums - people blowing motors with 375-450whp all the time - stock motors eating oil like crazy --- just not a great design. the VR in the GTR is MUCH better and even the 3.7L motor in the 370 is leagues better

I would say G37 if you need the torque and like the body style - just be prepared for tire costs - much higher than civic sizes

safedriver

iTrader: (1)

The OP says that there is no intention on modifying either of the choices.

Get the v6.

Reliable1

It sounds like you might do a lot of driving- especially with .5M miles on the 99 you have. That's an average of 35,714 miles/ year

2007 Honda Si w/ manual transmission 26/36MPG. 80/20 Hwy/City = 34.0 Average

87 Octane National Average today [1]: $3.304/Gallon @ 1050.42 Gallons/Yr

Annual fuel costs: $3470.58


2005 Infiniti G35 w/ auto transmission 17/24MPG. 80/20 Hwy/City = 22.6 Average

91 Octane National Average today [1]: $3.612/Gallon @ 1580.26 Gallons/Yr

Annual fuel costs: $5707.91

Comparison
Fuel cost difference/year: $2237.34
Average consumer now keeps their car for 10 or more years [2]

10yrs w/ $2237.34 yearly contribution @ 12% [3] = $39,264.49

It sounds like the Si will be the better long term investment.

References
1. http://fuelgaugereport.aaa.com/?redi....com/index.asp

2. http://business.time.com/2012/07/27/...uple-of-years/

3. http://lfmg.info/tgt-quick-analysis/

m_shake

Why did you price out 87 for the si, they require 91.

Hobkins

I drive likely 12k - 15k miles a year. I already turbocharged my 2000 Si to make 320 whp at 11 PSI so I've been down that road but this time I'm looking for a respectable, fun, and reliable DD at this point.

THE LORD OF CHAOS

iTrader: (2)

i was torn between the two also. i drove both and decided to pick up an FA5. the oil burning issue of the revup motors is what turned me off to the g35, along with the horrible gas mileage...

m_shake

Wish g35 coupes came with the vq35hr that's the only reasons I'd chose a 350z over a g coupe. The 07-08 g35 sedans had hr motors but really hard to find a 6 speed. But I so enjoy my fa5, they are good cars

habanerored06si

Everyone I;ve known who has owned a g35 sells it after 6 months

ne0tas

You can try for a lotus elise. Sexy little beasts with the same mileage as a Si.

hwyix

iTrader: (1)

If your care about care about the car "feeling" nicer / quieter / rwd drive handling get the G35.

Gas mileage / resale value get the Honda.

They're two very different cars.

Do you have kids are need for big back seat/trunk?

Hobkins

No kids. Backseat will be rarely used but I don't want to buy a two seater just to sell it eight months down the road cause I'm sick of not having one. Ill be buying the coupe with either vehicle. The G35 is great but I read so many have the oil consumption problem it's really turning me off. I've also heard with this generation of Si there's a common 3rd gear problem?

JuggerNaut-CTR

I know 3 different people who have owned 350z's...they fell out of love with them within 6 months to a year and traded them in...

My wife's boss has a g35, has owned it for 8 months and is looking to trade it in.

In a nutshell, you'll be bored with it sooner than you may think

hwyix

iTrader: (1)

Who are these people that sell/trade in their g35/350z in six months? And for what reason?

I have a few customers that own those cars. They seemed to like them just fine.

I don't know anything about oil consumption. This is what have seen with my own eyes/hands ( not read about the great internet ):

early g35 valve cover gasket goes bad around the spark plug. built into valve cover so instead of $35 valve gasket you have spend $200 or $300 from the dealer to get a valve cover.

oil coolers leak ( maybe this the consumption, dunno )

electric seats

window regulators

When they first came out someone of them had manual transmission problems. Should have all been covered under warranty by now. When I was at the dealer I saw one ( only 1 ) with an internal crack block.

Out the cars I have worked on, honda by far uses/losses the most oil if you factor in year of car. Say 2000 civic vs 2000 toyota. I lost count of how many times my customers come with a honda and I go to change the oil and it does not register on the dip stick ( 2+ quarts low ).

Hobkins

From G35 forums I'm told the rev up motors from the 05-06 G35 have poorly built piston rings. They get worn out quickly and then suffer blow by which is only solved by aftermarket piston rings or new motor that could ultimately end up with same problem.

How often any of them suffer from this problem I don't know but it's something I'm a bit concerned with as one I buy will be 80k+ miles.

hwyix

iTrader: (1)

I learned something new, thx.

hwyix

iTrader: (1)

I sold my wrx wagon around aug 2012. I was looking for a replacement car. One of which was the G35. I asked my friend who is a mechanic at Infiniti and he never mention that as a problem. Maybe those problems happen after warranty or maybe it is not that common. dunno. Just a small data point.

I ended buying a EG hatch and joining this board at the same time.

Hobkins

G35 sounds okay but there's also little confidence about their longevity. When I see posts from people saying "good to see a G get past 200k" ... That's a bit disheartening . I turbod my first civic at 145k and had no reason to think twice about the health of my well maintained B16 motor.

My decision is starting to become easier as the lack of financial burden from the Si will make up for the higher hp G35.

JuggerNaut-CTR

Honda's > anything else

redjones

After losing my EM1 I was looking at the newer Si's and G35's. I was disappointed with the G35. Fortunately I found another unmolested Em1. All of the Hondas, Toyotas I owned have been very reliable and great resale.