I want this car!
I had to unexpectedly replace my now deceased Mazdaspeed6 last week and I couldn't wait for the G70. When a lightly used corporate demo becomes available *nudge nudge*, I'll give serious consideration to putting my 2-yr lease on LeaseBusters to make room for a G70. The lease is a great one and should be easy to get out of...
What happened to the Speed? And what's wrong with the Q50? They're direct competitors, so wondering what would make you want to get out of the Q50 and into the G70.
The Speed had started to rust badly around the back wheel wells and looked like hell, but I could put up with that. Recently the timing chain started to make considerable noise and the rear suspension needed work. Repairs were going to cost too much for a car that was so rusty, so rather than putting money into it, and no longer feeling safe driving my family in it, I made the decision to get something new.
The Q50 has been great, but I've been following the Stinger and G70 development for a while. I shopped the Stinger when I was looking (also looked at the TLX and the GTI (and R)). The GTI was too small for my needs -- I have a 13 yr old daughter who hated the back seat -- and I really did not like the TLX. The Stinger was fantastic, but the pricing didn't work for me -- no negotiating room, no money on the hood and very high lease rates with low residuals. While there won't be negotiating room on the G70, I like the all-in pricing, higher level of service and higher lease residuals.
The Infiniti is very comfortable, has really good power and looks great. My wife loved the Infiniti, which is a huge factor, and I'm really enjoying it. It is tough getting used to a "softer" car than the Speed6. The Speed felt ridiculously well connected to the road and far more visceral to drive, but the performance of the Q50 is pretty impressive, even on the stock tires. My gripes so far are that the steering to be a bit numb, the tires are hard as rock (cursed run flats) and the sound system is just OK. The thing that sold me on the Infiniti, to be honest, was the lease I got -- 24 months for (effectively) $524 per month, tax in ($499/month plus $600 down). That is about $225 per month less than the Stinger (on a 48 month lease).
I'm likely to keep it through the lease, but I want to test the G70 before I have to buy winter tires for the Q50.
There wasn't a G70 available to me to try -- I contacted the dealer with no response
-- but it sounds like exactly what I want in terms of responsive, sporty drive and luxury feel. I will take a look later in the year, ideally at a time when there aren't any deals to be had at Infiniti.
If nothing else, the G70 will be top of my list in 2 yrs.