Drivers Log.(News)(Product/Service Evaluation)

2003 Infiniti G35

Date in fleet: July 31-Aug. 14 As-tested price: $35,395 Powertrain: 3.5-liter V6; rwd, six-speed manual HP: 260 @ 6000 rpm Torque: 260 @ 4800 rpm curb weight: 3398 pounds MPG (EPA combined/AW observed): 22.62/19.28

Morrison: Zoinks, Scoob! This G35 is the business! This was my first drive in the six-speed manual version and there's no mystery to this machine: The car fulfills the fun potential it had all along. From the 3.5-liter V6 to the quick and positive shifter down to the tight, predictable suspension, the G35 is as much like the 350Z as you'd want a sport sedan to feel. So the power is dialed back a notch and the suspension is a bit softer. So what? That's a good thing here in a car whose customers want BMW-level comfort without a (large) performance compromise. It may not be quite as comfortable as the 3 Series, but it's not far off. The setup is good, and you could never call it uncomfortable. There's enough power to kick the tail out whenever you feel the itch, and like the Z and G35 coupe, it's easy to catch this car before it goes too far. The exhaust note rocks and the interior is classy and of much higher quality than the Nissan. In the right color, this is one bad-looking car.

Raynal: Amen, brother Morrison. In my drive in the G35 I went from a blase attitude about it to really liking it. I took it to lunch and out the garage I said, "It's okay. Not great, not bad.'' Morrison said, "Dude (he starts way too many sentences this way), it's a four-door 350Z.'' I was not convinced. But with a nice mix of freeway and secondary road driving, I came to realize he is right. The six is so flexible and strong-this is pretty dang fast when you hoof it-the gearbox is snap-snap crisp. And there's tons of grip. The interior is screwed together better than our long-term 350Z's, with better materials. This is a powerful and able car, but $35,000? Okay, but no more than that, please.

Gritzinger: I think this is the best car on the market for this price. Knock out the nav system, save a few grand and it's an even better deal. The G35 positively rips, making even the smallest gaps in traffic attainable and making the ...