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Infiniti G35 coupe vs Audi A4 sedan

41 messages,  Last post on Aug 27, 2007 at 11:47 PM

You are in the Audi A4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Infiniti G35, Audi A4, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 4

#1 of 41 G35 Coupe Vs Audi A4 sedan by craigp1

Jul 05, 2005 (6:45 pm)

I have a 2006 A4 2.0T quattro on order (premium, sport suspension, sunroof packages - S-Line at 3K seemed rediculous), but recently drove the 2005 G35 coupe. What a beautiful machine. Anyone else ever compare these two cars? I know their different, but they are basically the same price. While the G35 coupe has the style and horsepower, the A4 is more practical with respect to winter driving. The rear seat in the G35 is surprisingly roomy considering the style of the car.
  
My heart likes the G35, but my brain says stick with the Audi.

#2 of 41 Re: G35 Coupe Vs Audi A4 sedan [craigp1] by frisconick

Jul 05, 2005 (7:19 pm)

Replying to: craigp1 (Jul 05, 2005 6:45 pm)
The G35 coupe is awesome, and likely my next car!!! Go with your heart dude.

#3 of 41 Re: G35 Coupe Vs Audi A4 sedan [frisconick] by johnnypapp

Jul 06, 2005 (10:19 am)

Replying to: frisconick (Jul 05, 2005 7:19 pm)
I actually own one of each (my wife drives the G35) and so have had a chance to drive both cars a lot. The ONLY thing I like better about the G35 is the horsepower. It is much faster than the A4 and that's always fun. But, otherwise the A4 handles better, has better fit and finish and has been rock-solid reliable (the G35 has been okay). The A4 is a better car overall. But, the 298 hp might still sway you.....

#4 of 41 Re: G35 Coupe Vs Audi A4 sedan [johnnypapp] by colonel35

Jul 07, 2005 (5:18 am)

Replying to: johnnypapp (Jul 06, 2005 10:19 am)
Not to argue with your personal observations, but CR rates the G35 as more reliable than the A4; my 2003 G35 has been extremely reliable, with only the navigation screen flickering in high heat an issue (soon to be resolved, hopefully).
 
I've driven the A4 (1.8, with sport) and S4, and while the latter is very impressive, I'd say the G35 Coupe sport easily outhandles the A4. The A4 is a great, comfortable, poised and polished sedan, but it's not nearly as powerful or agile as the G35 Coupe. On the other hand, the interior design and materials of the A4 flat-out embarass the G35 (which feels like a Subaru interior by comparison).

#5 of 41 Re: G35 Coupe Vs Audi A4 sedan [colonel35] by craigp1

Jul 07, 2005 (5:50 pm)

Replying to: colonel35 (Jul 07, 2005 5:18 am)
Thanks for the input. For you guys who have the G35, is it a car that could be used on an almost daily basis? My main concern is gas mileage and driving in the snow. Here in NY we have been having some pretty nasty winters the last few years.
 
I do currently own a 2003 A4 1.8T, and it has been a great car, and initially I was simply upgrading to the improved 06 model as they seemed to have fixed all the complaints of earlier models, such as a more powerful engine, and a sixth gear for cruising speeds.
 
But seeing the G35 coupe one day, and test driving one, I have to admit it was pretty fun to drive. And id looks damn sexy. I do agree the Audi interior has a much more quality feel to it. For some reason, the Japanese can't seem to build an interior that doesn't use an abundance of cheap looking plastics.
 
And then today I saw the 06 IS 350 on the Lexus Web Site. Not out yet, but man what a nice looking car! It's what the new 3-series should have looked like. Such a tough decision!

#6 of 41 Re: G35 Coupe Vs Audi A4 sedan [craigp1] by pat

Jul 08, 2005 (4:27 am)

Replying to: craigp1 (Jul 07, 2005 5:50 pm)
If you go to the dedicated G35 discussion and use the Search This Discussion feature for "snow", you'll get lots of information!

#7 of 41 Re: G35 Coupe Vs Audi A4 sedan [craigp1] by frisconick

Jul 09, 2005 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: craigp1 (Jul 07, 2005 5:50 pm)
The interior of the G35 coupe is it's only weakness, but this year's interior is better. However Japanese did a great job with the TL interior, all leather and polished and bushed aluminum.
 
However, sports cars like the G35 really don't emphasize a lux interior. I think the sedan should have a better interior however. Audi interiors are fantastic.

#8 of 41 Re: G35 Coupe Vs Audi A4 sedan [craigp1] by socala4

Jul 09, 2005 (3:27 pm)

Replying to: craigp1 (Jul 05, 2005 6:45 pm)
(x-posted on the "Audi A4 2005+" thread)
 
I purchased an A4 2.0T "Frontrak" (not Quattro) after comparing it to the G35 sedan, BMW 325i sedan (outgoing 2005 model), Acura TSX, Acura TL, and Volvo S40 T5. (I did not consider coupes because I require a useable back seat for business.)
  
I may provide a more detailed comparison/ review later, but my basic thoughts on the G35 sedan (again, not the coupe):
  
-Pros: Nice powerful motor (one of the nicest V6's available), exterior styling (personal taste, I know, but I happen to like it), reliable drivetrain. (I did not compare, but I would bet that the Infiniti automatic transmission is superior to the Audi CVT.) Also, for those of us in warmer climes, rear-wheel drive offers a performance advantage that even the best FWD can't match.
  
-Cons: Brake rotors have been a significant problem area, at least on the 2003-4 model years (not sure if this has been completely resolved, I believe that the 05's might have improved somewhat), interiors are not durable or attractive for a car in this price range, depreciation is notably bad (at least in my market). Also: poor fuel economy (although perhaps not unreasonable, considering the power output), finding one with a manual transmission is nearly impossible (I wanted an MT, so this was an issue), lack of maintenance package that is available with European makes. Also, with comparable equipment, the G35 would have cost slightly more (although it does have a larger motor, so an even comparison isn't quite fair.)
  
Also, the G35 will be replaced in 2007, so you may be in for a further hit to values. In contrast, I would guess that the Audi makeover in 2008 will be less drastic (in German fashion) and therefore less disadvantageous to residuals.
  
I hesitate to report on a car that I have owned for only five weeks and 1,700 miles, but so far, the A4 experience has been excellent. After a proper break-in, the motor is tractable, the manual transmission is almost Honda-smooth (the benchmark for manual transmissions, IMO), and the build quality all around seems to be solid, with the interior being a high point. Ergonomics are very good (better than the comparable BMW), and the performance is quite good, with no discernable turbo lag if you work the gearbox properly. (Judging from the comments on an Audi owner's forum, the MT is notably superior to the CVT for performance and drivability.)
  
Passengers uniformly love the car (comfortable leather seats, both front and back, and the design is quite easy on the eyes), the seats are excellent and easily adjustable. I also manage to beat the EPA mileage ratings: at a 72 mph highway cruise, I can get 35 mpg. And I'll be damned if the thing doesn't look great! (The sports package helps, thanks to 45-series tires, nice five-spoke wheels and the car being lowered by 8/10ths of an inch, a subtle improvement.)
  
But being a German car, I will be watchful of reliability, despite Consumer Report's positive comments. Also, I don't believe that the standard included free maintenance schedule is sufficient (oil changes every 10k miles after the initial 5k change?), so I will be paying for extra work, despite the service agreement. (Update: Two dealer quotes for additional oil changes: $105-125 each!)
  
The latest issue of Road & Track reviews the A4 2.0T quattro 6MT, and compares it to the Volvo S40 T5 AWD. Except for the motor, the Audi won in all categories, although the Volvo performed well and was considered to be a bit better bang for the buck. The article is worth a read if you are in the market.
  
Hope that helps.

#9 of 41 Re: G35 Coupe Vs Audi A4 sedan [socala4] by frisconick

Jul 09, 2005 (3:53 pm)

Replying to: socala4 (Jul 09, 2005 3:27 pm)
Great and informative post. However I think the comparo is apples and organges. The G35 is all power, and interior quality secondary. The A4 is all quality, and limited power. I think your post points that out nicely. Some sports cars are proud of the Spartan interior and major hp.

#10 of 41 Re: G35 Coupe Vs Audi A4 sedan [frisconick] by socala4

Jul 10, 2005 (10:37 am)

Replying to: frisconick (Jul 09, 2005 3:53 pm)
Thanks for your comments. But to clarify, my issue with the G35 interior is not its spartan appearance -- without wood trim, the Audi interior is itself quite spartan, in good German fashion -- but its apparent lack of durability. G35 interiors do not seem to age well, it seems that the leather turns to vinyl, the dash materials become dingy and interior parts do not hold up well. These kinds of comments are echoed by owners and the press, alike, and I'm going to guess that the rapid depreciation has some relationship to this.
 
The character of the cars are different, but being premium sedans, they make for inevitable comparisons. The Audi 2.0 liter turbo is a nice enough and powerful motor, but there is no substitute for cubic inches, and the G35's six-cylinder is one of the best in its class. But driving a G35 with an automatic transmission left me with the impression of being almost American in character, down to the foot-pedal emergency brake and a suspension oriented toward ride rather than handling.
 
The non-quattro Audis are FWD, so some torque steer at the limit can't be avoided, but it still feels more nimble (lighter engine) and better suited to vigorous driving beyond a straight line than the Infiniti. I haven't yet put mine through its paces, but a 90 mph cruise is effortless and easy, and seems to offer a better balance between ride and handling than does the G35.

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