The V36 chassis is pretty solid, but like all cars, it has a few week points.

• 2008 to 2011 VQ37VHR engines (used in all models and the 370Z) has a known issue with an oil gasket that is internal to the engine. When it fails, Infiniti charges big bucks (>$1,500) to replace it. A lot of stuff has to be removed to get at it. Infiniti changed gasket material for 2012 and later engines and they don't suffer this gasket failure.

• The (rear) differential has a silicone-filled rear bushing and it often ruptures. This does not impair operation but does cause a little extra noise and vibration. Infiniti did not design this bushing to be replaced, instead the rear cross member is to be replaced at a dealer cost of roughly $1,300. There are aftermarket urethane bushings available but it's a six-plus hour job.

• The sunroof drains are rather prone to clogging causing flooded front passenger footwells. These can be cleared easily enough but the vast majority of owners don't learn this until they have Infiniti handle the first occurrence. These drains are rubber tubes that run down the A-pillers to a rubber fitting in the firewall. This rubber fitting can harden and fail, too, also causing wet feet.

• cam timing drives failing
• window switches which entail replacing the window motor
• front door window seals can leak, yet another cause of flooded footwells
• on manual-trans models, the concentric slave cylinder is a bit fragile
• as is common with any car with front drive shafts (G37x and G37xS), the front cv-joints wear out.

Convertibles have their own sets of top issues. You'll have peruse the convertible forum for their peccadillos.

• Top seals have been known to leak a little. Windshield header and real seal between top and trunk seem to be the most common places.
• Flipper(?)
• There are several position switches that have to be triggered in a certain order. These may go out of adjustment.
• Be careful of items in the trunk that can break the rear glass when the top folds.

Hi, all. I’m about to take the plunge and get a G37s 6MT coupe, and I’d appreciate a little input. Here’s the details... Buying from Carmax so it has a 7 day, no questions asked return policy. Buying from Carmax means I’m overpaying by a few thousand dollars (it’s $19K. I know, ugh). I intend to get a PPI at my local Infiniti and will specifically ask for an oil pressure test at idle (and various rpm). Having read this thread I’m aware of the dreaded gallery gasket and will mention to Infiniti they look for any and all signs (including codes) of the gasket failure.

The car in question is a 2008 with only 38K miles and one owner (personal use) with miles, etc verified by Car Fax. I’ll thoroughly inspect the car visually tomorrow, looking underneath for signs of any repaired accident damage that wasn’t reported. Important to note that this car has clear plastic protectant applied to the front end and mirrors (looks like it was installed when the car was new) implying that the owner was fanatical about his car (aren’t we all?). The black leather seats barely show any signs of wear and the interior shows few scratches, rubs or other signs of wear. No door dings (only minor scratches and a couple of tiny paint rubs/blemishes on the spoiler/sidesbumpers of the car. The wheels have zero curb rash. I’ve already driven it and everything worked as it should. There were no odd sounds or undue vibrations or rattles. Even the floor mats look little used. I’ve been looking for a long time for one with low miles in this condition but they rarely come available in Maryland and I’m unwilling to buy one sight unseen and have it shipped, or fly to California or Florida just for a test drive. I called the local Infiniti which looked up the car and found the previous owner only brought the car to an Infiniti once (several lesser services done), so no way to know what/where routine maintenance was done on this car. The signs all look good, but without the maintenance records I’m nervous. Any thoughts, ideas or opinions?

Thanks for the reply. I hope you’re right because I’m inclined to seal the deal tomorrow. Is the implication that if the gallery gasket/s were to fail it would have happened already or does it usually occur with cars having higher miles? Btw, the tires on the car are summer tires and they have 90% of their tread left. I suppose I’ll likely buy a set of all-season tires/wheels for the winter months.