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Comments
I may switch to a 6s if my logical side overtakes the passionate side demanding a G35c. But I'll tell you this, without modifications, the 6s doesn't feel nearly as nimble or as sure footed as my Jetta with it's swaybar. Also, the V6 feels pretty weak compared to my 1.8t. I think that has more to do with mazda's lousy gearing and bad tranny though.
Blueguy: When is your lease up? My lease is up in May of 2005. So I have another 2 yrs and 5 mos. I will also look into the Mazda6, but by then.....you never know what other cars will be on the market...VW included.
Also, if you lease from VW.....can't you get out of your lease up to 90 days prior to your lease termination date. I remember calling VW Credit once and there was an option on the phone system for those leasees that were within 90 days of lease end. Maybe you can only get out of the lease if you lease or buy another VW. Just curious.
My lease is up in June of 2004. Doesn't matter though because I've gotta get rid of the car soon. I'm throwing money away on it at this point. It's outa the manufacture's warranty (though still covered by an extended one). If I liked the car, felt it was reliable and felt I'd stick with VW, then I'd consider keeping it. But I can't stomach the car any longer. I want something reliable and fun...not many choices for that.
Also, if you lease from VW.....can't you get out of your lease up to 90 days prior to your lease termination date.
You can get outa your lease any time. Sell the car (or trade it in), pay it off, walk away.
Maybe you can only get out of the lease if you lease or buy another VW. Just curious.
There's a lease buyout option too. If you buy it out yourself, you're gonna pay sales tax. Let somebody else buy the car from you and it's his job to pay the sales tax.
I loathed the IS300. Unresponsive engine, numb handling, horrid auto (haven't driven the new 5 speed), lousy interior components and all around a bad, bad car. At this time Toyota/Lexus doesn't make a single car I like.
It took me about a year to transition to a rear wheel drive racecar after roadracing VWs for 8 years. The techniques that work good for a FWD car like trail braking and lift throttle induced oversteer slow you down in a RWD car. You tend to turn in a little sooner with a RWD car and get on the gas earlier. A limited slip diff really helps get the power down.
Going for a ride in my IS300 at the local race track might change your mind about the engine and handling.
What exactly is "at speed"? I broke 80 with it, hit the ramps and corners at speeds far exceeding the limits.
They handle well and the engine is very smooth and responsive in the midrange.
Sorry, but my experience is the exact opposite. The engine feels rather unresponsive throughout the rev range and the car's steering wheel felt numb - not CTS numb - but still a far cry from spooky man-machine union of a BMW 3 Series or Miata.
It takes some people a while to get use to not having to deal with an open differential, torque steer, and the terminal understeer of frontwheel driver.
It took me about a year to transition to a rear wheel drive racecar after roadracing VWs for 8 years. The techniques that work good for a FWD car like trail braking and lift throttle induced oversteer slow you down in a RWD car. You tend to turn in a little sooner with a RWD car and get on the gas earlier. A limited slip diff really helps get the power down.
Driven RWD cars my whole life. It's as simple as switching from a fork to chopsticks.
Going for a ride in my IS300 at the local race track might change your mind about the engine and handling.
Unless you've modded the car, I sincerely doubt it.
For now I'll stick with my Jetta while keeping my eyes open for fun and luxurious cars under 40k...a very short list indeed.
Believe me, when you compare a $31k IS300 and a $31k BMW 325, you will see that the Lex runs rings around the BMW in every way. LOVE THE IS300 SportCross! Of course, my Jetta whoops butt AND looks good, for CHEAP!
Someone else's opinion of his or her own opinion is probably that said opinion is right up the middle of his her own opinions, doncha think?
That's my opinion.
:-)
Happy New Year!!
Meade
You can pick up a 330i with 1200 dealer profit from euro delivery for under 31k. That'll blow away an IS300 in heart beat.
Fact: It is raining outside.
Opinion: I hate going outside in the rain.
An opinion is "a belief or judgment ... a personal view, attitude, or appraisal ... " (from infoplease.com).
A fact is "something that actually exists; reality; truth ... something known to exist or to have happened ... " (same source)
Lighten up! :-)
:-D
True, true. I guess that takes us away from the VW (unreliable), IS300 ("un-fun"), and BMW 3 series (unreliable). At least there's the Infiniti G35!
that said, if you hate the IS it, you hate it.
Yeah, but in my "opinion" the G35's interior looks kinda cheap in an Altima kind of way. It would be acceptable in a price class below, but now where it is now. The Jetta shouldn't have a better looking interior than a "near-luxury, sport-sedan/coupe". Is it that the Jetta's interior is classier than one would expect, or the G35's interior is cheaper than one would expect? I think it's both.
Visit http://www.eurobuyers.com/pricing/330i03.pdf and see for yourself. A euro-delivery 330i with $1200 dealer profit and the $695 delivery charge rings in a touch over 31k.
That's not a loaded up 330i, it's the straight up model without options. Sure you can get a fully loaded IS300 for 31k or pay 24k for a fully decked Jetta 1.8T but realistically, I'd much prefer a 330i with nothing. That's just me.
BTW, I wouldn't touch the 03/04 S4 with a leper's hand, let alone my own. A) It's a VW.
yes, i agree all VW's tend to be a little hefty, but i suppose i like that "nothing is stopping my car but my brakes" feeling.
and i knew there had to be a catch with the 330i. but, believe me, a base 330i can't outhandle anything in it's class. i guess that is what makes the Lexus feel "darty" is that it feels go-cart light (like the Miata). fun, but even i would prefer the 330i in a rainstorm.
Justin, an S4 runs 3700+ lbs. An M3 is 3400+, G35S is 3300+ and G35C is 3400+ lbs. Our Jettas come in at a portly 3100+ lbs (given the size and power it's a heavy car).
In my experience the IS300 feels lethargic and unreponsive. To each his own...
For now we're all stuck with out cutesy, unreliable Jettas.
You take the G35 (or M3 if you want)
I'll take the S4.
I'll race you on mud, ice, or snow. Your choice.
;^)
As far as the heavy feeling, I like that alot. It makes me feel safe in the car when driving amongst all these big SUVs and stuff. I know at least a handful of people who have had pretty severe accidents in their Jetta/Boras and walked away from them. Very commendable.
Also, the G35 looks like a 2-door Altima, and I hate the design of the Altima inside and out. I would just over 10 Altimas on fire to get to one VW.
I hate the silver trim on the center stack in my Protege but luckily I bought one before Mazda went really crazy with the silver/platinum spray paint. I think they have it on the door handles and around the shift boot in the newer models now too. Put the spray can down Mazda and let the customizers with bad taste do it themselves! I don't know how such a cheesy fad caught on and made into a fine cars like the G35 and Mazda6. Who started this crap?
http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbumPhoto.asp?userid=JettaDude&album_id=103437&image_id=23
He walked away from the accident with a 2nd degree sprain of his ankle and a fractured finger. Now THAT is one safe car.
http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbumPhoto.asp?userid=JettaDude&album_id=103437&image_id=22
You've never seen a G35 coupe in person then. And I don't mean seeing one zip by on the freeway but actually stood directly over one, beside it, in front of, etc. The car has curves galore, unlike anything Nissan makes, save for the Murano and 350Z.
BTW, if you want to see a good Nissan interior, check out a loaded Murano. Wow. Real aluminum everywhere! Everything is either aluminum, leather-like or soft-touch plastics. Just like our jettas all the bits and pieces open with the same soft motion. Exceptional interior for an SUV. Wonder why Nissan doesn't use the real aluminum in the G35s yet if its going in the Murano. I'd guess it'll be another mid-year upgrade or at the latest the 2004s.
I think it boils down to whether you're the sort of patient person who is willing to take a small risk, work through problems if they arise, and "roll with the punch." And if you're the sort of driver which puts a premium on the driving experience and will look past other shortcomings. OTOH, some folks go ballistic and start a class action suit if a cup-holder is poorly designed, so for them, a Civic or Accord is a better choice.
- Mark