© the other press Munir Amlani Op Columnist Most people know that Infiniti is man- ufactured by Nissan, but few would put the Nissan Maxima and the Infiniti G35 sedan in a head-to-head compari- son test. But, of course, we thought, why not? Both cars are manufactured by the same company, both have the same 260 horsepower, 3.5 litre, CVVTS (Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System), V-6 engine, and both cars offer my favouritest fea- ture: a 6-speed manual transmission. Both these sedans are drivers—cars, that is, they are designed to gratify the driver, more so than impressing the pas- sengers or onlookers. They cater to a mature, sophisticated buyer who isn’t afraid to be seen in a flashy car, and yet, isn't buying a car for the sole purpose of being flashy. It’s a buyer that loves to drive, and has $40,000 in his pocket. Yes, I said “his.” These are guys’ cars. I was looking forward to this test- drive for long time, but was always hes- itant to try out these cars alone since I'm not their typical buyer. I needed an appropriate test subject, someone who would actually consider buying one of these cars for themselves, and wasn't interested in just a story. I didn’t have to look very far: my roommate, Stephen, was the perfect candidate. He is a 51- year-old professional who is looking to upgrade from his current more conser- vative Toyota Camry. The dealership we chose was a Nissan-Infiniti dealership, | which allowed us to test both cars on the same day and on the same route. We drove the Maxima first. The exterior of the maxima was quite impressive. It was a very large car, but the size is closer to that of a football player than an elephant. It has a decid- edly athletic stance. You can tell that this is a powerful car. It featured two pairs of shot-gun exhaust tips, a very subtle trunk-mounted spoiler and a set of 18” six-point sport alloy wheels with tires that measured ten inches across the tread. The G35, on the other hand, had a more European look. Subtly understat- ed, it exhibited a refined sophistication. Although the geometry of the rear- wheel-drive G35 was naturally different from that of the front-drive Maxima, giving it a longer hood, the car looked too feminine. Our test car had a spoiler that completely spoiled the look and charm of the car. The tail lights, although they looked far more sophisti- cated than the Maxima’s, didn’t add to the overall passion of the car. Looking at the car didn’t ignite a fire in my soul; rather, it generated lukewarm feelings. Opinions Winner: Maxima. The interior of the Maxima was even more impressive than its exterior. Our test model was a four-seater with a full centre-console in the rear. The front centre-console made a statement of its own, and the instrument cluster com- prised of three individual round dials with orange light-up displays. Centre- console and door trim was a faux metal- lic treatment, and the expanse atop the dash as it reached to meet the wind- shield was treated in a soft, faux suede, which preserved the sophistication of the car while reducing glare on the windshield. Every detail of the interior seemed painstakingly sorted and planned out to give this vehicle a more-than-just-a-car feel. The four-seater features a uniquely Nissan invention, a SkyviewI'M roof, which is a glass panel that runs the length of the car, in the center of the roof. This allows both the front and rear Passengers to enjoy the skyline equally. The rear seats accommodated my six- foot-tall roommate with 4 inches to spare. Without a doubt, in the four-seat configuration, our test-car was designed for adult occupants, not a family with kids. The only complaint: the eight-speaker Bose pre- mium audio system was lousy. The G35’s interior was remarkably sparse, unsophis- ticated, and uninspired. The faux metallic treatment on the center console was cheap-looking. The audio system didn’t even have knobs. The seats were nice, and the Infiniti clock in the center of the dash looked elegant as always. But sitting behind the wheel in this car changed everything. The car fit my _ five-foot-six-inch body like custom tailored Italian suit. What’s more, it fit my 6-foot roommate just as well. The premium Bose audio sys- tem in this car was flawless. Only thing on my mind was, “Let's drive!” Winner: Draw. Our test-drive consisted of three parts: One, freeway cruising; two, steep up- hill from standstill; and three, a high- speed, flat, winding road with a slow, hard left turn. Both cars felt tight as a drum on the freeway, and the cabin drowned out all the undesired road noise. The Maxima’s engine, however, was incredibly respon- Page 12 e http://otherpress.douglas.bc.ca July 2003 sive, and quite happy to rev away to 6,000 RPM without wincing. You could feel the power just waiting to burst at the seams. The short and smooth throws from one gear to the next allowed the six-speed manual to be shifted intuitively and effortlessly. The challenge in this car was to remember to shift up, since the engine was so smooth and rev-happy that I had a ten- dency to keep revving away. Even in sixth gear, passing on the freeway was too easy. It was as simple as thinking about it and I was already next to the car I wanted to pass. Downshifting was- nt always necessary, but it was always fun. This car was so smooth, I dreaded the thought of driving it in automatic; I would be afraid that the car would leave me with nothing to do but speed. The G35 was completely different. Although the same amount of power was available on demand, it wasn’t bursting at the seams. It was very sub- dued, calm, and peaceful, like a tamed tiger. Consequently, the engine didn’t seem as responsive, and I didn’t have to remind myself to shift. The notchy six- speed shifter, which violently vibrated and jerked in every gear, and at every speed, was a cause for concern. Aside Nissan Maxima SE 4-Seat Price: $38,700* Options: Skyview Roof, Leather Seats, 18-inch Wheels, Bi-xenon Headlights, Premium Audio Specs: 3.5uitre v-6 with CVVTS Horsepower: 265 @ 5800 rpm Torque: 255 Ib-ft @ 4400 rpm of destination charges Infiniti G35 Sedan 6-speed Price: $42,500* Options: Power Sunroof, Leather Seats, 18-inch Wheels, Bi-xenon Headlights, Premium Audio Specs: 3.5-litre v-6 with CVTCS Horsepower: 260 @ 6000 rpm Torque: 260 !b-ft @ 4800 rpm from that, we enjoyed listening to clas- sical music as we passed cars at 120 km/h. This car was a different kind of fun: a calm and peaceful, I’m-happy-to- go-home-and-see-my-wife kind of fun. Winner: Draw. The uphill portion of the test-drive revealed completely different creatures in these two cars. The acceleration was smooth and spontaneous in the Maxima, and I was going 100 km/h before I even had a chance to glance at my speedometer. The engine simply exhibited no strain whatsoever. I could- nt tell whether I was going uphill or down. It was a feeling of absolute exhil- aration climbing that hill. The car had a tendency to jerk slightly to the right at every high-speed gear-shift, although it was quite manageable and could be eas- ily compensated. The G35, on the other hand, raced uphill just as fast, and left me to won- der where the hill went. It was effort- less, silky smooth, completely con- trolled, and the car never jerked or pulled in any direction. That having been said, the car seemed too insulated. It was every bit as good as the Maxima, but wasn’t nearly as_ exhilarating. Perhaps they made it too good. Winner: Draw. The last part of the testing route was my favourite. All the cars disappeared off the road as we approached a stretch of winding road. So, of course, I gunned it. At 90 km/h, the Maxima handled the curves as comfortably as a child dancing on the street. I remember thinking to myself, “Oh wow, this car is powerful, I better slow down.” A slight shrill of panic even crossed my con- sciousness as I approached the slow, hard left turn. I had to scramble to slow down, but to my delight, the car was very forgiving and obedient in braking. Obviously, my panic was unnecessary. The G35, on the other hand, inspired a level of confidence on this road that is beyond words. Like the Maxima, I gunned it at entering the winding stretch, but unlike the Maxima, I remember thinking, “Oh wow, this car is powerful,” as I gunned it to 100 km/h. On approaching the hard left turn, the car slowed right down without any hesitation at all, as though the car was psychic. I said to my roommate, “I could have handled that turn 20 km/h faster.” Not a shred of panic in sight, not even a “hang on to something.” The most benign car I have ever driven, hands down, no questions asked. ‘Winner: G35. Ultimately, as good as both cars were, I have to declare the Maxima as the win- ner. My roommate is undecided, and will likely test-drive the two cars again before making a decision. For me, the adult orientation of the Maxima, the SkyviewT'M roof, the exhilaration, as well as the $5,000 difference in price were all reasons to choose it over the Infiniti.