Continuing with our car search, we checked out the Infiniti G35 Coupe.
Here are some pertinent facts:
| Power | 298 hp | 222 kW |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 353 N-m |
| Curb Weight to Power Ratio | 11.79 lb/hp | 7.17 kg/kW |
First of all, the G35 Coupe has great looks. It looks similar to the Nissan 350Z and that is why I prefer the coupe over the sedan. It is also roomier than the RX-8 and has more of a luxury feeling. The back seats have more room in all dimensions except for the head due to the curving roof of the car. However, if instead of sitting erect, I slid down a little, I was quite comfortable in the back seat of a G35.
We test drove the 6-speed manual transmission and my impressions are from that car.
As you can see above, there is no lack of power in a G35 and there is lots of it at all engine speeds. It also sounds great when you accelerate. The ride is a little stiffer than RX-8 but still not uncomfortable. It does feel a bit less nimble in its handling than some smaller sports cars but that is ok considering its size and weight.
The stick-shift G35 comes with Y-rated 19 inch summer tires. This might not be a problem in Atlanta, but if we move somewhere where it snows, we will need to get snow tires for the winter which would cost a bunch of money.
Overall, the G35 feels really good. It is a good compromise between comfort, luxury and performance.
See also Edmunds’ road tests of the G35 Coupe.
I ordered my present car, Nissan Sunny, Super DX 1300 cc, in December, 1982. It reached Karachi sea port on February 16, 1983 and arrived in Rawalpindi on March 22, 1983. Since then it is with me. I paid a total of about Rs 180,000 (in those days US $ 1 = Rs 13). Cost + freight price of the car up to Karachi sea port was Rs 57,000 and Rs 5,000 was freight to Rawalpindi and clearing charges etc. Rs 118,000 were customs duty, sales tax and other levies of the government. This car now runs 8 to 10 kilometers per liter of motor spirit 90 Octane, current price of one liter in Islamabad being Rs 45.60.
I can not think of buying a new car because for an equivalent new car price will be between Rs 1,000,000 to 1,200,000. A person who, in spite of having retired as a senior officer of the government of Pakistan (not armed forces because they are privileged people), is running his house with the financial help of his children can not even dream of this luxury.
It is another thing that officers of the establishment and armed forces and big politicians own cars priced at over 5 million rupees while they also have official cars that cost over 10 million rupees. Army Generals have been provided 2 to 4 luxury official cars each costing Rs 1,400,000 to 5,000,000.
With the up-shooting prices of edibles, utility items and utility services, how can a small fry like me even dream of buying a new car. This can only be done in countries other than my beloved country, Pakistan. I purchased my first car abroad and second (the one I presently have) from the money I earned abroad. I came back to country on February 01, 1983.
Ajmal:
Perhaps, your predicament suggests a business opportunity. If the major Japanese, American and European car manufacturers do not make vehicles for the “small fry” on the sub-continent, then a market niche for a people’s car might exist. So, how might one achieve a quality, low cost, Pakistani volkswagon?
Zack:
Have you tried the Finite T53?
Captain Arrrgh:
I was talking about a 1300 or 1500 cc Toyota Corolla or Nissan Sunny car. It is not a big car. By the way what is it’s price in USA ?
Dad: Cars are expensive and their prices seem to be similar the world over. It is the living standard in Pakistan that has to be raised. Another related option might be, like Captain Arrrgh says, to build small cars in Pakistan. While a number of models are being assembled in Pakistan, they are cheaper than imported models but still not enough.
Also, while cars are out of the reach of most Pakistanis, the number of cars on the road in Pakistan has been increasing phenomenally.
About prices of Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra (Sunny in Pakistan), the cheapest of their trims are going for approximately $13,000 and $10,750 (plus sales tax of about 5-10%) respectively.
Captain Arrrgh: Probably by making the parts of the locally assembled cars cheaper. I don’t think it would make a huge difference, but it will definitely lower prices some.
If it’s finite, it’s not worth trying.