I purchased an '02 G20 Sport Package equipped with the automatic transmission in April 2007 as a Certified Preowned selection from an Infiniti dealership. In my findings to-date, I conclude the G20 as possibly the most well-built vehicle on the used car market. I have over 75k miles on the clock and not a single repair or service procedure except for routine oil and air filter changes and one transmission fluid flush.

Reliability has been top notch and flawless, even more so that one can used the much-hyped term "bulletproof" in this case. While the SR20DE engine has only a meager 145-hp on tap unlike its gutsy G35 offspring, it returns exceptional fuel mileage in mixed city driving and highway cruising, averaging highs of 32 mpg and generally no lower than 25 mpg for the stop-and-go situations. At $3.19 a gallon, it takes only $40 to fill up.

Acceleration is adequate for normal driving, with 0-to-60 mph coming around 9.5 seconds, about one second slower than the manual tranny model. While it won't win you any pink slips against a Mustang GT, it effortlessly revs to its redline for stomp-on-it launches and is eager to play when you want to. Slushbox shifts are crisp and firm, but abruptly intrusive when it's time to climb a hill with the a/c on full blast. I always manage to show the Infiniti tail lights to teenage Civic drivers (non-197-hp '06 Si that is) who often have a anorexic 80 pound girlfriend in the front passenger seat in need of a Burger King Whopper, even without trying.

The best feature of the 2.0 liter DOHC 16-valve engine is the self-adjusting maintenance-free timing chain. That quality nugget alone is confidence and reassurance to know that the G20 will never suddenly break down on you while doing 75 mph on the interstate. Can't say the same about Civic, Accord, Integra, and Camry, while boasting reliability as their main selling point, but yet all possess timing belt "interference" valvetrain designs, which can result in catastrophic engine damage if the belt were to prematurely or randomly fail at any given time.

Exterior styling is three-box bland, as oppose to the curvaceous '08 G37 Coupe. However, the Sport Package dresses things up tastefully with larger 16-inch wheels, rear-decklid spoiler, bumper fascias, and side skirts that provide modest flare to differentiate from the base model. The novel limited-slip differential truly makes the G20 feel as if it is cornering on rails and maximizes the most out of each front-tire's available grip.

Interior design is neither fancy nor offensive, but is downright (boring) conservative when compared to Audi or VW. However, the dashboard, door panels, switchgear, and materials are first rate and wear very well for a car that is nearly six years old. I haven't had any trim pieces crack or break, despite seeing heavy use as a family car with two destructive children. Somehow, the G20 manages to stay screwed together.

Complaints? The turning radius feels worst than a Lincoln Town Car. When attempting a U-turn, make sure you're on a divided highway road (you know, the ones with the concrete islands in the middle that have grass or trees). You need serious curb-exempt lane space if you want to keep the front chin piece looking pretty. The windshield wiper motor's maximum speed setting is incapable of keeping up with torrential rainfall. The cup holder is a joke. I would confidently say the G20 is built for the long haul and not for big storms or Big Gulps.