I currently own a 2004 350Z TT, and my wife just got a new job that she starts next week. She currently drives an 03 Yukon Denali. the new job is about a 50 mile commute each way so we need something a little more practical on gas, and something maybe a little newer. Since I already own a 350Z and love it, i thought a G35 might be a possibility. I am ashamed that some of these things i dont know, but i am going to ask anyways.

1: what's realistic highway fuel mileage?? my Z has been modded since almost the day i bought it, and i see better highway MPG now that its tuned, so no clue on what it got stock.

2: Am i better off looking at something with relatively low miles that might cost a little more, or something cheaper with higher miles? since she will be putting a lot of miles on it, the value will depreciate pretty fast, so we really want the best value. also, what kind of problems could i see with the higher miles?

3: maybe the most important. which years or trims should I steer away from and what kind of Mickey Mouse issues could i encounter? I know that the power windows in the Z are garbage, and both of my motors and regulators need replacing, and if i owned an 04 instead of an 04.5 Z i wouldn't have a CEL from my test pipes. I don't really have intent to mod this car except to pick up MPG, so how responsive each year is to mods isnt important.

TIA

 

My wife drives a 04 g35 sedan. Gas mileage suck @ss. probably somewhere between 19-20mpg. If you want a used one, I suggest you buy a 05-06 model. it looks a little better. And don't get tan interior. It gets dirty as heck. Look to spend about 13-18k depending on mileage and condition.

 

Kind of depnds on if you are looking into the coupe or Sedan. I'm guessing Sedan, since she currently drives a Denali.

Milage on a Sedan automatic is OK. 20-24 depending on how you drive and how much is FWY.

I'd stick with a 2005 and after. Styling is better, motor is stronger, and all the bugs from the 03-04 is taken care of. The layout of the interior is better too, IMO. They are pretty reliable cars, just maintain them correctly and you will be good. They are not much different that your 350Z, just bigger.

 

actually looking at a Coupe, forgot to mention that.

 

I own a 2004 coupe 6MT. And my gas mileage sucks @ss. I've demodded it alot, and it's pretty much stock now except for a plenum spacer. Back when I had all NA mods, it got like 16-18 mpg. Seriously, it sucked gas like no other. It may be in part to my heavy foot though, haha... I drive it pretty normal now (I still drive fast on the highway) and it gets around 20-21mpg. Not exactly the ideal car for commuting in that respect. But everything else is great. Handling, braking, styling (dead sexy in my opinion). It's not the quickest car (it's a pig, weight wise) but still fun to drive. Of course you know all this stuff since you have a TT 350z.

I would look for an 07 used coupe. Otherwise, in all honesty, I like the sedans. When ever I get a chance, and my car is in for an oil change or something, I get the loaner sedan and drive the hell out if it, haha. 07 or higher, those things are honestly quick. I would say faster than the coupe. And super comfortable. You drop a set of nice classy wheels with a deep lip on it, mild drop...and bam, you have a sexy *** car.

Go test drive them, and see what you like. It doesn't really matter what anyone else on here says. Ultimately, once you get behind the wheel of one, you'll make your own decision. But i'm telling you, check out the sedans. (you can find a slightly used one for really good prices now)

On a side note, I'm tempted to test drive the new 370z haha.. Not sure about the styling on the front, but that's an easy fix .

heres my daily driver ---->

 

07 is a bit too new for our budget. From what ive heard so far, i should look for an 05. neither of us are big on the sedan styling, so thats out. a G isn't the "must have" car. we might get another TL instead.

oh, and speaking of wheel with a dish....

 

Been thinking about a 05+ Coupe lately too as a daily.

 

what year did the projector headlights and rectangular reverse lights appear? 06?

 

The wife drove an 04 coupe a/t for 4 and a half years it was totally dependable. She got 16.8 mpg average over that time she keeps records for everything car related,think of them as a 350Z 2+2. She actually gets better mpg from her 08 Toyota Highlander limited which weighs at least 1000 lbs more and has the aerodynamics of a brick. The back seat is scary small as is the ''trunk'' several times she called me from the grocery store to come help bring home stuff cuz it wouldn't fit.
She constantly got compliments on its looks.

 

My friend's 08 x-s is dead sexy, and runs 13's stock

 

yup, buddy of mine has the same car. (sedan) ran 13.6 at gainesville. Bone stock, just dropped the exhaust at the track, haha...