2006 Mazda6 V6 vs 2003 Infiniti G35 (both manual)

Hey guys,

I am buying a new(er) car, and there are two in my area that caught my eye. The first is a nice volcano red 2006 Mazda6 V6 with 100k, but I can get a decent warranty on it. The PCV system is redesigned for 2006, which makes the V6 much more reliable. The other car is a 2003 Infiniti G35 sedan with 40K miles, and I can also get a good warranty on that. It has the nice sport package ( I think all manual sedans do), but I'm just worried about excessive oil consumption with the manual. Additionally, the low miles sort of concern me, but with both cars I would take them to a mechanic first and use my judgment. Out in left field, there's an 07 Mazdaspeed3, but I'm a bit concerned with the reliability of that. Any inputs for any of these cars? Thanks!

1. Speed 3, as long as its healthy and not poorly modified.

2. G35, I would check it very thoroughly due to its age, and suspiciously low miles. Why would oil consumption be a problem when connected to a manual gearbox? Anyway, if that oil consumption is predictable and consistent, just add oil as needed. It is a 12 year old cars at this point, so you can not expect perfection. Also, if the oil consumption is not due to a mechanical flaw, a weekly Italian tune up may keep it in check.

3. Mazda6. They aren't bad cars, but I just can't see getting excited over one. If it were a manual V6 wagon I'd take it for its unicorn status, but not a sedan.

You mentioned warranties. Don't pay extra for a warranty on a used car, its a scam, and hardly ever pays when needed.

In reply to HappyAndy:

Thanks for the help. My worry is that the G35 functioned as a sort of "weekend" car which may be prone to more abuse. I'm driving it today and will report back. Isn't the 2.3 turbo in the MS3 known for shaky reliability? I remember it had issues with the VVT actuators and chain stretch, and the turbo will smoke sometimes

I'm fairly sure the only VQ35s with real oil consumption issues is the 2005-2006 "Rev up" versions The 2003 will have the VQ35DE, which is quite bullet proof. The G is way more car than the Mazda. I've owned a G35 sedan 6MT, and driven a couple Mazda 6 V6 (but not manual). Not really even in the same league in any measurable way.

G35. RWD for the win.

Doc beat me to it, The later motors had the oil consumption not the early ones. In my mind this is a no brainer G35 all the way. I don't see mazda's FWD being comparable to the Infinite RWD

I also had a G35 - you are correct that (in those years) any MT6 G35 is a Sport model. You could get an automatic sport model but no manual base model.

I agree that the oil consumption issue was on later models and/or engines that went into coupes. Don't worry about the low miles - I just don't see a 4-door having been used as a weekend "hooning" car. And if it was you could probably see some evidence of that sort of thing. I personally look out for things like cheesy eBay CAI's, lowering, flashy aftermarket stereo's, etc. to determine what kind of prior owner you are looking at. Sorry if I offended anyone who likes that kind of stuff, I would just think twice before buying a car with any of it.

SEADave wrote: I also had a G35 - you are correct that (in those years) any MT6 G35 is a Sport model. You could get an automatic sport model but no manual base model. I agree that the oil consumption issue was on later models and/or engines that went into coupes. Don't worry about the low miles - I just don't see a 4-door having been used as a weekend "hooning" car. And if it was you could probably see some evidence of that sort of thing. I personally look out for things like cheesy eBay CAI's, lowering, flashy aftermarket stereo's, etc. to determine what kind of prior owner you are looking at. Sorry if I offended anyone who likes that kind of stuff, I would just think twice before buying a car with any of it.

Thanks for the input. A sedan would be much more practical for my daily use, so no coupes for me. The car looks clean. Did you have the 6-speed?

I loved my '04 G35 sedan. No comparison to the Mazda, the G35 is in a different league. When new it was considerably more expensive, with the better build materials to show it.

Thanks for the help everyone. The car is old enough to the point where I'm not worrying too much about parking on college campus. Like I said, it will come down to driving both of them, but the infiniti looks to be in the lead right now.

With the speed3 the engine is extremely strong as long as maintenance has been done and shoddy mods/tuners have not been in the cars life, also check the motor mounts, they are a must!

I have a mazda6 manual wagon and I would choose the G35 likely in your situation. bonus question, was the mazda6 in question the hatchback or sedan?

but anyways I miss RWD :(

EDIT:

You will also likely get similar if not better mileage with the G and have an extra 60 hp or so.

I'm a Mazda fan but add another vote for the Infiti. The 6 speed manual trans sedan version is a unicorn so snap it up quick!

In reply to Wizard_Of_Maz: I assume you're worrying about body damage on campus. Most of the college students I'm around couldn't steal either of them. They don't know or even want to know how to drive a manual!

I also vote G35. Probably owned by someone that didn't drive often/took the train to work/retired etc.

Wizard_Of_Maz wrote: Thanks for the input. A sedan would be much more practical for my daily use, so no coupes for me. The car looks clean. Did you have the 6-speed?

Yes, my G35 was a 2004 6-speed sedan. Had it from about 70k miles to about 114k when I sold it. Never did ANYTHING but oil and filter changes. Well technically I did replace the factory stereo head unit to (a sedate looking) one with USB inputs, which requires a $100 part because the HVAC controls are part of the factory stereo. Probably could have used CV axles at the point I sold it, but still looked and ran great. Never used oil between changes.

G35 from me as well. Was flat amazed at how rowdy a friends G35 is. There is a huge aftermarket and lots of cheap factory part sways from the Z cars. I had never loved the sedan looks specifically but can't say enough for the performance. It was also a surprise that the G35 sedan was the lightest of all those platforms by a significant measure. From memory it was more than 500lbs lighter than the G35 coupe!

I had an '07 Mazda 6 V6 with a manual. It was a fun car. Really fun for what it is, but at the end of the day it's wrong wheel drive and has trouble putting the power down and I was getting into autocross and it was just too heavy and long to be really fun. It was fantastically reliable though. I would enthusiastically recommend one as a driver, but probably not as a project car.

Thanks again guys. Just drove both, and as much as I love the mazda6 (previously, I owned and automatic variant) the Infiniti won me over.

My only worry is this: the infiniti is a 2003 model. What do I need to be careful about when buying a car that old. Things like hoses wear out over time, so what should I be wary of?

Hoses, belts, mounts, basically any rubber item.

I guess something you have to ask yourself is do you need more practically or fun? Between the MZ6 and the G35 it would definitely be the G for me, but a much tighter race when the MS3 comes into play because you can have both fast fun with good MPG and practicality all In 1 package.

JtspellS wrote: Hoses, belts, mounts, basically any rubber item. I guess something you have to ask yourself is do you need more practically or fun? Between the MZ6 and the G35 it would definitely be the G for me, but a much tighter race when the MS3 comes into play because you can have both fast fun with good MPG and practicality all In 1 package.

I just worry about insurance with the MS3, although my primary concern with the G35 just centers around its age

JtspellS wrote: Hoses, belts, mounts, basically any rubber item. I guess something you have to ask yourself is do you need more practically or fun? Between the MZ6 and the G35 it would definitely be the G for me, but a much tighter race when the MS3 comes into play because you can have both fast fun with good MPG and practicality all In 1 package.

Psshh, my buddy's ms3 is broke down with turbo problems and a #3 misfire that's looking like a rebuild, he rapes it, but is not tracked. EVERYTHING for that car is expensive. And nothing transfers over from the regular 3. That being said- the G will be the same way. When did parts get expensive for cars? My Celica has me living in the 80's...

Go for the G35. They're fast, fun and reliable. Even though that it's the older car, you'll still get more enjoyment out of it. And enjoyment is what counts.

I've only driven a manual 3.0 mazda6 once after i replaced a transmission in it, and that was enough to put my curiosity to bed for good. They aren't particularly fast and i HATE the dohc ford v6 (it's fine unless it breaks, though. I just hate any engine i dont want to work on). They would be perfectly ok for me to recommend if i didnt know that VQ Nissans existed, but they do. A manual 3.5L Altima is in another league as far as power, and a g35 takes the same basic engine goodness and adds RWD dynamics and nicer interior.

I like the MS6 but the 3.0 doesn't interest me at this point. Come to the tech school i teach at and i'll let you work on the duratech 3.0 we just took the timing cover off of, and you wont want the mazda anymore either.

Thanks again for the collective input. I drove both and preferred the G35. Assuming everything checks out, I'm pulling the trigger on it tomorrow