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Comments
http://ritchiefamily.com/car/sdshow/infinity-2.JPG
We test drove both the G35 and 330i back-to-back this morning and have to say the thrill of driving the 330i far outweighs the G35. Off the line the 330i feels faster and around corners the BMW excelled over the G35. Granted, the BMW had 245/40/17 tires while the G35 only had 215/55/17.
On the interior, the G35 is more refined. I really like the dash layout, center console and the extra room all around. The seats are firm but still comfortable. The leather is much nicer in the G35 than the 330i which is no surprise since the 3 series leather is a joke.
I would really like to see what the 6 speed manual G35 would provide but was told by the regional sales manager at Infiniti in SoCal that it will not be available for the sedan until next years model (12 months away).
At this point I am leaning more towards the 330i. I really wanted to make the G35 work for me but it just doesn't look like that will happen.
http://ritchiefamily.com/car/sdshow/X8-7.JPG
I also agree that the quality of leather is much better in the G. The seams in our 330 leather were terrible.
BTW, I road in a G35 all day today (one purchased from Discovery yesterday) and it's incredibly quiet at 80-90 mph. The handling clobbers anything the I35 could ever hope to achieve. If the I35 feels better to you, you're not the target market of the G. The G's for drivers, not passengers.
i was getting tired of trying to lead people to my point.
and someone's argument that it is yen to c$ vs. yen to us$ was pretty funny.
Da Freak - I think you and I see eye-to-eye on the "disappointing" (shall I say) way in which Infiniti is treating Canadian transfers. It would be different if the Canadian warranty clearly stated that limitation; but from everything we've gathered so far, it doesn't. The customer rep I talked to at Infiniti pretty much admitted that Infiniti expects to get sued over this issue. As a lawyer, I certainly have to agree with that assessment!
RobertR - Sorry if I was harsh. I get carried away sometimes (a genetic defect lawyers are prone to having).
Peachtree - I think we're both venturing into the realm of sheer speculation regarding the relative infrastructure costs and how things like North American media costs, for instance, are allocated between what are, after all, two subsidiaries of the same corporate parent.
Regards
For the G35 residual, I used Infiniti's average residuals which came to about 56% after 3 years and 40,000 miles. After running through the numbers myself I came to an interesting conclusion and figured I would share it with those that may be interested.
Initial Costs ($INVOICE/$MSRP):
-------------------------------
BMW 330i:
Base Price + Destination = $31,735 / $34,635
Premium Package = $2,640 / $2,900
Sport Package = $1,090 / $1,200
Xenon Headlights = $635 / $700
Steptronic Transmission = $1,210 / $1,275
TOTALS:
- Invoice = $37,310
- MSRP = $40,710
INFINITI G35:
Base Price + Destination (Lux & Leather) = $26,770 / $29,495
Premium Package = $1,896 / $2,200
Sport Package = $366 / $425
Aero Package = $474 / $550
Moon Roof = $862 / $1,000
Xenon Headlights = $474 / $550
TOTALS:
- Invoice = $30,842
- MSRP = $34,220
Sale Price Assumptions:
- BMW 330i @ $1,000 over invoice (best going deal)
- Infiniti G35 @ 1,000 under MSRP (better than best going deal)
BMW 330i Total Sale Price (price including CA tax & license) = $38,310 ($41,875)
Infiniti G35 Total Sale Price (including CA tax & license) = $33,220 ($36,378)
RESULT: The Infiniti G35 is $5,497 less than the BMW 330i comparably equipped on the initial "out the door" cost.
RESIDUAL VALUES:
----------------
NOTE: This is the interesting part since Infiniti vehicles have historically had terrible resale values while BMW has had very good resale values.
Resale Value Assumptions (3 years @ 40K mileage):
BMW 330i Residual = .60 or $22,986 (market resale values are actually higher)
Initial Cost (including tax & license) = $41,875
(less) Residual Value = $22,986 (.60)
TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP = $18,889
Infiniti G35 Residual = .56 (Standard for Infiniti & what Infiniti G35 lease offer is at today)
Initial Cost (including tax & license) = $36,378
(less) Residual Value = $18,603 (.56)
TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP = $17,775
You can see that the total cost of ownership is close to the same with the BMW being about $1,000 more based on these calculations.
Another few interesting points:
1) All ownership costs outside of gas, payments & insurance are covered by BMW for 3 years / 40,000 miles (includes brakes, oil changes, rotors, windshield wipers, etc...) with free loaner cars.
2) BMW offers a European Delivery Program where you can get an additional 6% discount (approx) from the cost I listed above. The only requirement is you fly to Munich, Germany to sign for the car. You can drive it in Europe for over 30 days and then BMW will ship it to your dealership for you to pick up at no additional cost. Basically you can get a free trip to Europe with the savings. Or, you can grab the cheapest flight over, sign and return same day and end up saving the money.
I highly recommend test driving both vehicles before purchasing either. Both have their pro's and con's. No doubt they are both great vehicles and will provide much joy while driving. I personally like the 330i overall and will look into the Eurpoean Delivery to further increase the cost savings. In addition, I can get the manual transmission today!!!
I'd like to know what more people think about these products.. in terms of how good they are compared to eachother.
If one was cross shopping a G35 vs. a CTS, what are the pros and cons?
http://ritchiefamily.com/car/sdshow/CTS-4.JPG
http://ritchiefamily.com/car/sdshow/CTS-6.JPG
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1.) I want the 6-speed manual.
2.) I generally avoid new model cars until the 2nd production year to minimize quality issues.
3.) I want it at a lower price and don't want to pay MSRP now.
So maybeg, it's not that I'm waiting for the Sport or NAV packages, although I will order the sport pkg when I buy my G35.
BTW, I really don't care about the luxury (or lack thereof in some posters' opinions). I'm buying this car for the performance and the fact that it's got more room than a Corvette.
Nice rear quarters
nycta: at 60 mph the car is loafing along in 5th in the low 2000s. Gobs of power on tap, but the engine is barely even working.
heatmiser: nope. I live in San Diego proper.
magnet: The CTS board? I dunno about that car. I sat in one at the auto show and felt like I was sitting in Darth Vader's bathroom. Too Pontiac/GM chincy with all the little buttons and do-dads everywhere, plus the doorsill is WAY too high. The style over substance design results in drivers sitting exceptionally low with teeny-tiny side windows too peek through. If anything the CTS reminded me once more of why I'll never own any car designed, produced and backed by an american car company. They just don't get it.
Now as far as the performance goes, the G35 is rated 260hp@6000rpm and 260 ft/lb @6000 rpm. The 330i is rated 225 hp@5900 and 214 ft/lb @ 3500. So the 330i reaches peak torque about half-way through the power-band. No doubt the G35's engine is more powerful and if you run it at 6000 you're pumping. But the 330i probably will feel faster because of where it reaches peak torque.
This is all conjecture of course until the G35 really starts hitting the street. The 540i gives 290 hp @ 5400 and 324 ft/lb @ 3600. Even though the car is heavier than the G35 the by 500 lbs. the trememdous amount to torque midway in the power-band makes it a monster.
What just occured to me is that the homelink is integrated into the rearview mirror. I would think that I could add those two things to a base model simply by ordering a new auto-diming rearview mirror from the parts department. Sound logical?
Also, do you think the dealer could take out that silver trim and replace it with the wood?
By the way, I think few people are buying right now because we're waiting to see some deals post on the board. I'm willing to wait a few weeks to get the best deal possible. That said, I was itching to do the deal today. Traveling the rest of the week so I have no choice.
This is a great car!!! (Cheerleading acknowledged)
That's not a very nice or accurate statement to make.
Are you saying the ride is very rough ?
Also, does your 330 has the sport package ?
Question for gabman - What is the last six numbers on your VIN? My G may have sequential # 005711.
THE Drive: well after driving my 3er for 32 months i can make a valid comparison. but since i concur with most of the other's i will spare the long winded post , and just say i think the G35 is a great value , nice power ...however after climbing back into my 3 yoa 3er on the drive home there was nothing that made me want to rush out and replace my car. i think that sums it up....tons of post ago i recalled an article from Automobile Mag about the 525i winning as a 5 year old design and supposedly underpowered, thier answer was "behind the wheel".
So, will we own a G35 ? its possible , more likely as a 2nd car not a replacement for the 3.
Best Regard,
DL
We took a 1/2 hour test drive before buying it new and a 1/2 test is not enough.
PROS:
Acceleration
Handling
Looks
CONS:
Orange Dash Lights
Seat Controls
EXTERIOR: It has been said before but I will say it again, forget pictures, go see this car in person. I walked around several times to check out the lines and styling. I have to honestly say, that the G is one handsome automobile. Some have complained that the back does not match the styling of the car, I disagree, I think the rear blends in just fine to the rest of the car. Needless to say, I loved the styling.
INTERIOR: The black interior is gorgeous. I thought that the quality of plastics was good but I would not say the G35 matches Audi. By no means are the plastics out of place nor did they look cheap. All materials felt substantial and you could tell there was great attention to detail. The overall ergonomics of the car are very good except maybe for power seat controls, which I thought, were in a weird spot. The leather was good quality and the seats themselves were very comfortable. The seats do wrap around the driver and makes one feel like they are in a race car (I liked that). The driving position was also superb, even for a short guy like myself.. The rear seats were equally comfortable and rear room was adequate. There was certainly more room in the back seat than any of the G35 main competitors . I really did not get much a chance to listen to the stereo, but what little I heard it certainly sounded like a very good system (I am not much of an audiophile). As many others have mentioned Infiniti could have chosen another color for the dash lights other than orange. It was tough to see the dials because I drove the car during twilight. The orange color is annoying but I am sure I can get used to it The trunk was not very big, but then again I didn’t expect it to be in a car of this class.
THE DRIVE: Before I got a chance to get my hands on the wheel the car salesman took me for a ride (I guess he was itching to drive it too). The guy was not exactly gentle with the car, he took it up to 80mph easily and too some very sharp turns. From a passenger stand point I could say that the car behaved beautifully even when pushed hard. Body roll was minimal and the engine noise was intoxicating. After I finally got the salesman to hand me the keys ( I think he was having more fun than me), the first thing I noticed was the steering wheel. The steering wheel felt thick like the kind you find in German cars. Accelerating this baby is nearly orgasmic, power comes on strong and very quickly, and it is VERY easy to go over the limit. The VQ engine is not only at home in this car it fits it like a glove. The car does get noisy when you accelerate, but mainly what you hear is the purring of the VQ. If you like a car that is quiet as a tomb, this car is not for you. The tranny was very smooth and the shifts were pretty much seamless. I didn’t play with the manu-matic too much because there was just too much traffic, but it seemed to work well. Handling was excellent, the car remain composed through turns and as I mentioned body roll was almost non-existent. I dare say that the G35 will put some German cars to shame with its handling prowess, and give others a run for their money. The ride itself is taut and sporty, but it did not feel rough even though we went through some uneven roads.
VERDICT: I was VERY impressed by the G35. Anybody shopping for a BMW 3 or Audi A4 should add the G35 to his or her list. 9.5 out of 10 in my book!. Go check it out.
Speed!
now, what's up with the remotes that don't link with the seat memory? That's a bigger turn off for me than the hood prop rod. My Riviera's remotes linked, my 300M's remotes linked, my TL-S' remotes are linking. What is Infiniti thinking?
One of the reasons I didn't get a TL last year is because it didn't have memory seats, let alone them being linked to the remote. I thought that was nuts, just as I think it's nuts that the M loses all power when you turn off the key. Even my "lowly" Mitsu Galant let me roll up the windows after I shut off the car (until I opened the door). I think that was a complete brain fart on DC's part. I can't tell you how many times I've had to put the key back in to close my sunroof or get my cell phone out of the "jaws of death" electric phone holder. I know, I know...poor planning is MY fault, not the car's, but hell...I can't be responsible for my memory over 40!
G35 at $29495.00 325I $29270.00
12k miles 12k miles
36 months 36months
$3000 down $2500 down
per month $402.00 $380.00
advantage BMW by $1067.00
no flames on the math please i just used the #s the puter spit out.
DL
By the way, the Texas legislature finally repealed the property tax on leased vehicles, but they left it up to the counties and cities to decide if they want to levy the tax. Looks like most places are doing just that. Thanks for nothing!
In fact I checked on a 325i with leather and automatic. Um, it rings in at 30,470. You're $1000 higher on the price of the bimmer when you give it the G's leather and auto. Of course you still won't have 260 HP in the 2.5 liter 6 of the Bimmer.
Question for everyone that has driven the car-
Do you think the windows need a darker tint?
For looks, not for any practical reason, I am still undecided.
One thing that I do have trouble with is the famous clock, the light in it is not bright enough and I am always having to take a second look. Part of that is the fact that I am not used to an anologue clock in a car , it has been years, but in a way it is cool. Funny last one I had was in my 91 Q45
Ken
Guys you may want to take a look at a message I just posted on the cadillac CTS board, have a good day
Also any way you can post a picture of the blue one you have?
Thanks