Hey guys,

After all the info I learned on this forum, I decided to step up and spend the extra cash on a 1999 or 2000 SC400. All the latest upgrades I determined to be quite attractive.

However, now that I am spending at least $15k for a low mileage car, I am getting very close to the price of a 2003 G35 Coupe. Which is the better overall car? It seems there is a lot more aftermarket support for the G35, but probably because its newer and related to the 350z.

The G35C is a much more modern car that has 10 years newer technology going for it. It also looks more attractive and proportional in my opinion. The long front and rear overhangs make the SC look a little heavy in my opinion. However, the SC appears to be much more solid using higher grade materials versus the G35, especially the interior. I felt the G35 interior had too much hard plastic and looked a little generic.

The 2000 SC400 was almost $60k new and can now be had for a fourth of the price making it somewhat of a bargain. Was the SC400 overpriced back in 2000, which is the reason for the substantial depreciation?. On the other hand, the G35 sold for about $32k in 2003 and still sells for low $20s today. Is the G35 a much cheaper made car than the SC or is just a great value for the money?

I have also read that the SC400 can be quite expensive to maintain and repair. Should I expect similar costs with the G35? I would expect the Lexus to be more reliable than the Nissan though considering there are quite a few SC400s still on the road with almost 200,000 miles (impressive).

What do you guys think? Try not to be too biased please. I just want the best sporty Japanese 2+2 coupe I can buy for about $20k or less.

Thanks
TJ

 

TJ. You bring up some good points on the pros and cons of each vehicle. Lexus has a better reputation than Infiniti and the badge is more prestigious. If you want something that is newer then go with the G35, but if you want a rare car that people dont see all the time, that has a timeless, classic styling, then go for the SC. I know that the majority of us who could afford a 99 or 00 SC would definitely go for it. Hope this helps!

 

a 2000 sc is pretty new. I really like the G35. I guess a good way to determine what is better would be to look at the 07 G35 and the 07 SC430. I think the sc is built better because its toyota, but I love nissans, they are really good cars. I would have to say honestly If I could afford it I might go for the G35. Its a much harder choice since you are looking at such a new SC.



G35 has a 6 speed. SC400 is auto
G35 has more power and is more of a race car feel stock.
SC is very easy to upgrade.


then again I drive a 93 and wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

the interior on the g35 feels cheap. and it seems that everyone and their mom has one. personally, id go for the 00 400. the mileage will be higher and will need more maintenance than the lower mileage and newer g35, but its definitely worth it IMO.

 

4 of my friends have G35's

I love the 6spd. If i was to pay for that much for a car, i'd get something else.

 

350z ftw =)

 

no back seat ftl

 

Go with the G35. It's newer and the engine is great. the SC400 is 8 years old now.

 

i dont have much experience with the sc, but i have a lot with the g. here are my thoughts:
-sc will be more luxurious, g will be more sporting. although the G is very sporty it is also very comfortable. its a car you can drive for a thousand miles and still have fun on the last mile and want more... by contrast, i see the sc as a comfortable way to do what's 'needed'.
-the g has a large aftermarket community behind it. i cant see the g being more expensive than the sc to maintain. there were no major problems with the g, assuming its stick. autos went through brakes on the quicker side (20kmi i think?) but there's a lot of aftermarket support so you could change the brake compound and rotors and get around that easily, for not much money. because the aftermarket is so large and still active, and parts spread through to the super-supported (and still produced) 350z, i would think that most problems would not be too expensive.
-you should go check out the interior of the G for yourself. some people can't get past it. others dont see what the big deal is.
-the g has held its resale because its a good value... looks good, performs at top of class, comfortable enough, reliable,etc.
-you can check statistics. the g holds its value very well. the sc is further down the curve though, so i would assume it will lose a little less over time...but i dont know for sure. ive never looked at those #s

most of the people who dont like the g (and own one) either dont like its interior or lack of performance. the former group should have gotten a lexus or 3 series and the latter group should have gotten the Z.

my personal opinion is that too many people bought g35s and shouldnt have.

 

Both are fine cars. You can't go wrong.

Also consider, however, that the SC may need maintenance. Even if the car has not reached the mileage deemed necessary for a new timing belt (or other belts/hoses), these items may need to be replaced due to age.

I'd expect both to be reliable performers, but I'd venture to say that the G35 is a much sportier ride in stock form. The SC is more of a tourer. If you're leaning towards a sporty ride and you're not planning on extensive mods, I'd get the G35.

As far as depreciation, I'd expect the SC to hold it's value better. It has already depreciated a significant amount, and it will probably drop at a slow, steady level. The G, on the other hand, will likely depreciate more. A new model has just been released, and the supply of G35 coupes is plentiful. Clean SC300's and 400's are becoming more and more difficult to find.

 

Both are very good coupes and the SC is a class above the G35, so I won't say which one is better. Now which one fits your needs is the question.

Both look sensational, both drive sporty, both have no interior space outside the front seats. The G35 V-6 is faster than the SC 300 V-8. You can't mod a SC 400 V-8 much at all but the SC 300, well 2JZ decimates all (lol), while the G35 engine can be modded as well.

With built quality and luxury and build, its not even close. The SC trumps it. It should, the SC 400 in 1999 was a $54,000 car (though it was $40,000 initially, thank the yen). You can see Lexus spared nothing with the SC. It radio was judged best of its time. Its interior was rated best of any car offered. It was a 6 time 10 best winner. It never lost a comparison. Things like the electrolumicent gauges, the double-hinged doors, the birds eye maple sweeping the doors and dash (everyone does now).

The G35 clearly shows its humble roots here. Thing is, even if its not nearly s good, it is NEWER, which is something to consider. The optional NAV is great for instance. HIDs are standard (when you have HID, its hard to go back to a car without it). 17 or 18 or even 19" wheels. Brembo brakes was an early option.

The SC is more a luxury sport coupe while the G35 is more a sport luxury coupe.

I've driven both and the G35 is the better handling car stock, you can feel it. It also feels newer. The FM platform is just fandamntastic, you can put it in any damn product of theirs and the cars handle great.


IMO, I would go with the G35c here and I HAD a SC 400.

 

Not to turn this into a G bashing post...I have a 2000 SC4 and I once was looking into a G35. When I went to the dealer for a test here's what I immediately noticed. The interior is low rent even compared to my 8 year old SC. You immediately tell the low grade materials. The SC has a better view from the driver's seat. The low seat and small windshield of the G reminded me of my old 2nd Gen Eclipse.

If you get the 98-00 SC4 you won't be yearning for more power any time soon. The 1UZ V8 has plenty of grunt. Style-wise, you like what you like...but I kept the SC because you can go days without seeing one on the road (let alone a modified one). Whereas everyone and their little sister has a G. I get tons of compliments on the 97+ body and people are always surprised when they find out it's a V8. Having an SC puts you in more exclusive company.

If you like to mod, can't beat the G35...unless you want to turbo an SC3. After owning the car for a few years now...I assure you that you won't be missing out on anything by going with the SC.

Oh, and if you want a sports car, get the real thing...a 350Z

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

I am testing a 99 SC400 and 03 G35 Coupe 6MT w/ brembos this weekend. Hopefully I will have a better idea of which is a better fit for me. The SC400 is not the color I want, but at least I can see how it compares to the Nissan.

Please keep the input coming.

Thanks
TJ

 

Thats not prime advice. My SC400 is from 1992 and it runs like a nearly new vehicle. Never stalls, hesitates rattles, nothing.

A 00 SC400 is superior to what I have, and is considerably more powerful, and on top of the higher quality body and interior, im willing to bet theyre roughly the same for performance, perhaps the lexus has a slight edge. (Over the infiniti)

 

Being and ex SC400 owner I would say this time around I'd probably get the Infiniti. I'm used to driving coupes, and tend to like the more sporty drive. I was a bit disappointed with the SC400 because there really is no "Sport" in it. It drives very similar to my LS400 which basically means very comfortable, isolated, and floaty. Sure, you can add a lot of suspension mods and make it much more sporty, but the steering wheel feedback and feel still feels like an over boosted luxury car. Therefore, based on that I'd go for the G35 Coupe. Much more sporty car, much newer design (SC design was from 1992) both look good, but the SC400 is also a much larger car. This car is long. The back seat room on both cars are pretty much non existent. 2003 G35 Coupe did have a somewhat cheap interior feel, but I've been in 2004+ G35s which are much better. If you can swing for a 2004+ that would be great.