G STAR (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_infinitiG37convertible_091209

By Andy Enright

Introductionword count: 87

By all accepted measures, the Infiniti G37 Convertible seemed to have all its bases covered. Here was a good-looking coupe, stuffed with the sort of equipment that would have added thousands to the price of an equivalent BMW drop top. It was underpinned by the talented Nissan FM chassis as seen in the 370Z and it offered strong performance and excellent reliability. Things didn't pan out for the G37 Convertible quite as Infinity had hoped. Here's how to track down a used example and bag a bargain.

Modelsword count: 7

2dr coupe (3.7 petrol [GT, GT Premium])

Historyword count: 179

Even without the impact of the credit crisis that the G37 Convertible launch timed to perfection, it's likely that this Infiniti would have struggled against established rivals. In Japan, the G-car line has a long track record. Buyers there can relate to it, they understand its market proposition and have seen the car develop into what it is today. For British customers, this was an Oriental item that seemed to have been plucked from the nether reaches of the Nissan empire's menu and plonked before us to be prodded and picked at suspiciously. Sales were slow, not helped by the fact that Nissan wasn't interested in selling Infiniti models from existing Nissan showrooms, which meant a dealer network had to be built. With many customers finding credit hard to get and fuel prices skyrocketing, the idea of a 3.7-litre petrol car costing over £40,000 with no badge equity to rely on come resale time was one that never proved appealing. A modest facelift in 2012 did little for the G37 Convertible's chances and it was quietly deleted in 2013.

What You Getword count: 180

The task of integrating a folding hard-top roof into a sleek, well-proportioned bodyshell is one of the toughest that can confront a modern car designer this side of removing a polo-necked jumper without dislodging a pair of steel-rimmed spectacles. It's hats off to Infiniti's pen men, though, because the curvy G37 looks pretty good with the hood up or down. The three-piece hard top isn't the quickest around, taking 31 seconds to fully close and when it does, the boot shrinks from a respectable 366 to a paltry 56-litres. The car's practicality is further limited by rear seats that aren't particularly generous. Two trim levels are laid on for G37 Convertible customers GT and GT Premium. Standard stuff includes full leather trim, heated front seats, Bi-Xenon cornering headlights, speed-sensitive power steering, electric front seats, parking sensors with a rear-view camera, I-Key smart entry, a six CD stereo, Bluetooth connectivity and 19" alloy wheels. The GT Premium trim level adds a 30Gb hard disc navigation system with DVD playback and a touch screen display, air-conditioned seats and a 13-speaker BOSE stereo.

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