With winter cars are a lot better with corrosion resistance, you don’t see the leprosy that used to eat cars bodies out routinely. In winter you can get a ‘chasis bath’ done at a car wash that basically washes out the underside, it will help get rid of accumulated salt and such. Back in the day when the car industry pretended galvanized steel didn’t exist (amazingly, Italian cars were the worst, ironic given that galvanization is named after Luigi Galvani lol) they used to sell all these undercoating services, like Ziebart and Rusty Jones, dealerships up until not long ago used to sell an undercoating package at a several hundred dollar premium, and they were pretty much worthless (what generally happened was, besides the undercoating they sprayed on getting where it shouldn’t, the salt water from roadspray would get underneath the rubberized crap, you would think it was great until suddenly a floor pan collapsed, etc).
I am a car person, very much a gearhead (well, retired), so I understand about cars, but my recommendation to you is to hold off until you actually are settled in a job and area before deciding. Your G35 if it is still in good running shape might be an ideal first car, could even drive it to the east coast (or have it shipped, it isn’t that expensive). If it is paid for, then for example you likely wouldn’t bother with collision insurance, potentially could have only liability, and you won’t be making payments that basically are paying for a car worth less and less. Depending on where you plan on living, while California is expensive the cost of living on the east coast can be very expensive, between housing, food and other expenses like commuting and taxes, and you may find that it will be a lot more expensive then you think.
As a young guy getting your own insurance, an older G35 with liability only will be a lot cheaper than a new car you are financing, because you would be required to have full coverage including collision, and as a male under 25 that is going to be very expensive, take it from me. I don’t know specifically how insurance companies view a G35, but any car considered even halfway “sporty” or “performance” will get you a much higher premium, and if the car is a new, expensive car they will factor in the likelyhood of them paying for you doing something to damage it, which likely will be very expensive to them.
I also agree with others, if deciding to finance do it based on your take home pay, gross pay percentages are useless. Between taxes, health insurance costs, 401k (hopefully), and other deductions, you might find that your take home is a lot less than you might think.
My advice? Hang onto the G35, while maintainence can be expensive (you are likely getting into the range where they have to change the cam belts, it usually is 80-100k miles), they are generally pretty reliable. Since the car is getting up there, you may want to switch to a regular service guy, dealership service is a lot more expensive and they tend to sell you a lot more than you need, it will help you save money. I would do it for a couple of years, or if you do need to get a car hump it for several years, buy a nondescript used car, then when you hit 25 think of upgrading. I also highly recommend not buying a new car unless you are really hyped on that new car smell and such, you can get even luxury cars coming off lease as certified used at like 25,30k miles, that drive great, look great and save you a lot of $$$$. You can spend the next several years deciding what you want, saving money, and when you are over 25, established, get something nice with at least a large down payment if not totally bought that won’t kill you financially.
