Infiniti G35 vs Lexus IS 350

2

Comments

  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    I have too much pride to be seen driving a Miata... I don't care how fun it is.

    A friend has an S2000, and although a nifty fun car, they just never did it for me.

    I'll stick with my 50% fun / 50% transport G, at least until the lottery commission calls. (which should be any day now) :P
  • sweendogysweendogy Member Posts: 1,310
    AGREE -
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,551
    ". . .too much pride to be seen driving a Miata. . ."

    Interesting comment. Have you ever driven one?

    It's apparent that many who possess cars look at them far differently than I do and, stranger still (if you're me), care more what other people think of what they're driving than they do themselves.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    It's just an honest comment... certainly not aimed at anyone who owns or drives one.

    A friend at work (a co-worker) has a Miata MX5.
    Now, this is just my opinion, but that is such a chicks car.
    Again, just my opinion.

    I know that a car is looked at in different ways by different people and yes, I'm one of those who require a car's look to appeal to me as much as it's driving dynamics.

    Judge me if you may, but the Miata is not a masculine vehicle and I don't want one.
    I don't care what anyone else thinks of it... I just dont like it. :)
  • sweendogysweendogy Member Posts: 1,310
    what do you drive scottm123?
  • sweendogysweendogy Member Posts: 1,310
    i know the answer your the guy with the magic right foot
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    LOL...
    yeah, that's me. :blush:
  • tillerman15tillerman15 Member Posts: 3
    I'm considering switching my RX to an Infiniti G35 Sedan or Lexus IS 350. Everytime I drive my RX it seems I'm driving my retirement vehicle which I'm not ready for. What should I look for in making this change of view?.
  • kc567567kc567567 Member Posts: 29
    I'm considering switching my RX to an Infiniti G35 Sedan or Lexus IS 350. Everytime I drive my RX it seems I'm driving my retirement vehicle which I'm not ready for. What should I look for in making this change of view?.

    I'm was looking at either a new ‘07 G35x or a used ‘06 IS350 myself ..... took a G35x out, pretty sweet I must say, even in snow …… took out the IS350 a few days later and liked it as well.
    The G35x was a little harsher ride than my former ride, an ‘01 IS300 and the newer IS350 but I think that’s a good thing. Ride quality is such a subjective thing it will be hard for anyone to convince you for sure one way or the other. Zero to sixty for both these cars is about even.

    I went with the IS350 …. got a better deal, and liked the dealer better .
  • tillerman15tillerman15 Member Posts: 3
    Picked up a G35 yesterday Silver Journey with Nav and Premium package thru internet sales great experience will never do a walk up again. The IS is a sweet ride and I feel the G35 is a equal in performance after driving both the price of the G35 at Invoice price was my deciding factor, very happy. :)
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    Good choice!

    Enjoy the G!!! :D
  • jescotojescoto Member Posts: 3
    I JUST GOT A 2005 G35...CAR START BUT THERE IS NOT RUNNING...I DONT HAVE SPARK AND SPEEDOMETER NO LIGHT...RADIO AND AC CONTROLS IN NOT WORKING ANY HELP...THANKS :">
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Hi - welcome. Hope we can help. The post here jescoto, "Infiniti G35 Electrical Problems" #3, 25 Nov 2007 9:19 am is the best place to look for help on this problem so let's continue there.

    Let me suggest that you not post in all caps. That makes your posts difficult to read and it looks like you are shouting at us. :)
  • krbtvkrbtv Member Posts: 3
    0 - 60 of Lexus and G35 are about the same. That's probably why they are compared to one another. The IS250 would be more in line with the Camry and Accord.
  • gtangjrgtangjr Member Posts: 25
    Haven't had any issues concerning the "joke" power of my IS250. In fact, I don't have trouble keeping up with 99% of the vehicles on the road. I'll take the vast improvement on gas mileage on my 250 over the increased power of the 350 or other less-efficient, but otherwise comparable, cars any day.

    To boot, while I don't have a child, I often transport my 4-year-old niece, who uses a rather large Eddie Bauer car seat. Once again, no issue there in terms of tightness.

    I also play a ton of sports and I'm frequently traveling with four adults. So far, there haven't been any complaints about the comfort of the back seat--and they're certainly not referring to it as ridiculous.

    Don't get me wrong, the G35 is a great ride, but there really aren't very many significant drawbacks to the gorgeous IS, let alone those in the manner in which you describe.
  • sjaievesjaieve Member Posts: 252
    IS350 & G35 is a tough comparison for me, as a former driver of the IS250, I know the 350 has a lot of luxury, perfomance, reliability & bells and whistles to offer. It has the common criticisms of the IS series to deal with as well.

    On the other hand, the G does offer more room and comes at a discount to the IS350.

    I think only the buyer can determine the winner here. I chose the G, but the IS350 could have been my chosen car as well. Cos I have a child and I wanted to spend less as well as need an AWD, I chose the G.

    To those with the IS350, congrats, thats a great car and comes at a discount to the 335i with almost similar perfomace:)
  • gtangjrgtangjr Member Posts: 25
    It's hard to go wrong with either of these vehicles, in all honesty. I really love the fit and finish of my IS, but if the extra utilitarian features are of concern, the G is a great choice.

    I really think what it boils down to for many buyers is aesthetics.

    Congrats on your G!!!
  • drwilscdrwilsc Member Posts: 140
    The Lexus looks like a great car. However, I went with the G because of the great lease deals currently available. Also discounts available is you are buying. My take is the Lexus is nice but if you can't or won't spend the extra you can get roughly as nice of a car with the G. The G is great, but then again I'm moving up from a Saturn Aura XR so just about any car in this class would probably have impressed me.
  • sweendogysweendogy Member Posts: 1,310
    price is the deciding factor -- winner chicken dinner goes to the G
  • sjaievesjaieve Member Posts: 252
    But, the IS comes with some more refinement than the G, in fact I believe it outclasses all of the ELLPS in terms of interior fit & finish, generally quality of materials used. Then they is the ML system. I guess what I am saying is I think the cost difference for an IS350 over a G is justified. Someone shopping for more refinement and not caring about interior room is justified to get the IS350. Thats why I think these two are close competitors and offer value for money for 300+ horses.

    The way I look at it, you have

    1-335i

    2-G/IS350

    3- Dont really care

    I have my problems with the 335i, but you cant argue with its perfomance, thats why its 1st.
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    It depends on what you are looking for though.

    The 335 with the same options is just WAY too overpriced for what you are geting. It's only a viable option for those who can lease and I do way too many miles for that.

    The IS doesn't offer a 6-speed in the 350 for those who demand a manual transmission and it also doesn't offer AWD for those who live in changing climate conditions.
    For that reason, the G is on the top of the list and not a close second.

    It depends on the individual buyer's needs and priorities.
  • sjaievesjaieve Member Posts: 252
    I guess you are right, for value, nothing beats the G but as you said, it depends with what you are looking for. I am happy with my selection but you cant go wrong with all 3:)
  • tom17tom17 Member Posts: 134
    I have my problems with the 335i, but you cant argue with its perfomance, thats why its 1st.

    What are your problems with the 335? I was looking at one a few days ago and find the price quite high (more than a loaded Lexus GS after discounts), but the performance is awesome !!!
  • sjaievesjaieve Member Posts: 252
    My issues have to do with my disposable income, size of family, desire for as many bells and whistles as I can get my hands on, desire for a great interior. As I said, those are my issues. I cant discount the 335i for that, the important thing is that car has an almost if not perfect engine that does what needs to be done. I might sit and claim the G is better but we all know who is the boss when we are out there on the road, its either I give way or I get smoked trying to be stubborn. Granted its lacking a bit in the issues above but it is at a minimum ar par with everything else in ELLPS and add the perfomance, you get yourself a solid car. Its no secret its overpriced, but if you can afford it, its a much nicer car. I myself would never buy the sedan though, the hard top coupe, man thats a sexy car and would buy the 300 hp coupe if I was shopping for a coupe..
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    I'll tell you what my problems with the 335i are:

    Exterior (sedan only) - really not the best looking car in the segment, IMO it is probably the worst looking among the IS, G35, CTS, A4 and C-class.

    Interior - awful looking. Although it has high quality materials but the design just plain sucks.

    Engine - with roughly the same performance I would always go with NA before FI. I just simply don't like the idea of having unnecessarily extra moving parts inside the engine bay. Yeah sure, BMW has almost eliminated the turbo lag but if one really pays attention, it is still there.

    Price - Yeah sure it has the best performance but an IS350 with the OEM F-sport springs and sway bars would handle better than a stock sport 335i (granted the Bimmer still has better road feel) and still undercut the price.

    I know that I am nit picking here but since all cars in this segment are all pretty good choices the difference is really down to nit picking.
  • drwilscdrwilsc Member Posts: 140
    I agree with your post about the 335i. To me the biggest issue was price. It's just too darned expensive compared to these other cars, costing thousands more with little advantage in peformance (0-60 in 5.0 vs. 5.3-5.5). Heck, even the 328i was more expensive than my G35, and the G35 will run circles around it.
  • blnewtoblnewto Member Posts: 146
    Exterior (sedan only) - really not the best looking car in the segment, IMO it is probably the worst looking among the IS, G35, CTS, A4 and C-class.
    Agree w/ most of your post, but PLEASE, don't dis the Bimmer by saying it looks worse than a CTS, no entry level lux sport looks worse than a CTS :)
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    to stick to the topic. There are other places we can continue these other threads. If a suitable one is not found, feel free to create a new one.
  • lexntexlexntex Member Posts: 1
    The comparo is a good one except that the one thing you are missing is something that price cannot give,
    1. Quietness of the ride. The Infiniti is VERY noisy. The IS is a very quiet ride, you can tell the difference right as you get into the car
    2. Service after the sale. This is Lexus' hallmark and why they have had the meteoric rise in the sales area over established brands like Mercedes and BMW. The service Lexus gives is second to none!
    3. Quality of materials. Feel the leather used in the Lexus' seats totally different. As far as price goes you are going to see that Lexus is not trying to compete with anyone. The craftsmanship in the IS 350 is unparralleled in this segment at this price. The Infiniti is a good car and is a much less expensive car, but Infiniti like Nissan sells ALOT of cars to rental agencies, thus the auctions are always loaded with G35's for dealers to buy cheaply thus killing the trade value
  • sjaievesjaieve Member Posts: 252
    I am still waiting for someone to convince me why the IS350 is better, or the G is better. I am on the fence on this one. I have some issues with your post:

    1-Lexus is a quite ride, of all the ELLPS I do believe they make the quitest cars. I had an IS250 and I can testify to this. However saying the G is VERY noisy is untrue. Yes its not as quiet but in no way is it VERY noisy. Look at the C/D comparisions involving a G, I believe they measure db at various speeds. The sound levels were not that different from a 328i. If you want to argue with this, get evidence of your db measurement confirming otherwise. This is a very objective measure of sound levels, better than me telling you its not a noisy ride. C/D articles are available for all to see on their website. Coming from an IS250, I did notice the deeper sound of the G, but its in now way inhibitive or unpleasant. In fact, others love the deeper sound the G makes.
    2-Agreed.
    3. quality of materials. Agreed, anyone who disagrees with this not being objective.
    4.Craftsmanship, am on the fence on this one.
    5.Resale value, disagreed. Infiniti holds value very well. This is a 300hp car with lots of bells and whistles. Very good attributes in the second hand market. Also, consider that the IS350 sells a fraction of what the G sales. Naturally resale value for the IS is going to be higher due to fewer units, not necessarily due to a better product.

    again, I am still torn on which is the better car here.
  • johninnjjohninnj Member Posts: 243
    http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/02073car.pdf

    While the TL is def loud on road noise (I can attest to that having leased one), the G's noise is all engine...and only when you are accelerating hard. This is the S model...and the test shows tied, then handily beating the IS at high speed cruising. TL-S has active noise canceling and still gets beat here.
    IS is very small....just like the 3 series. To me the G is the best car for the $...without even a close second place. Size / space wise, the G is closer to a 5 series and the GS than the 3 series and the IS. The prices of the 3 and the IS are too high for a car of that size. These are sedans, after all. G gas mileage is HORRIBLE, hopefully 7 speed trans will fix that.
  • hauschildhauschild Member Posts: 62
    Guys, was considering the IS250 because I live in Chicago, but is the AWD all that necessary? Does the stablility control help in any regard with traction in winter driving? I'd prefer to go with the IS350 and its RWD, as long as traction in the winter is reasonable.
  • sjaievesjaieve Member Posts: 252
    The car you need is an IS350 AWD. Why lexus decided not to have this car is beyond me.
  • johninnjjohninnj Member Posts: 243
    Don't they have the awd with the 3.5 liter in the GS model? That is pretty odd since they have the 250 awd.
  • hauschildhauschild Member Posts: 62
    This kicker for me is that the amount of performance between the 350 and 250 is huge, yet the gas mileage hit by going with the 350 appears - albeit on paper - to be minimal at worst. I consider myself fairly prudent and prefer gas mileage over performance, unless it's ridiculously close, like these two appear to be.

    I've currently got an Audi A4 Quattro. The cool thing about Audi is that you don't have to get Quattro because the standard model is FWD.

    I'll be test driving the 2009 A4 and IS250/350 this weekend. There's always been something about Audi's that I've been attracted to, but the upkeep is a bit much, and the resale on them isn't the greatest.
  • johninnjjohninnj Member Posts: 243
    I can't imagine real world MPG is close....you're talking about a car with 50% more horsepower ! ! I always liked the way the A4 / passat drove.....nice and stuck on the road. I have a thing for gadgets though : )
  • hauschildhauschild Member Posts: 62
    Yeah, I enjoy the Audi, but I guess they're more for people that lease because of the reliability factor and resale. I purchased mine pre-owned and if I go with something new, it is going to be something that I keep for at least 6 or 7 years, so I need reliability. So, I don't like Acura's, and I don't feel any better about Nissan/Infiniti quality-wise compared with Audi. So, it's probably gotta be a Lexus.

    However, first I'll have to drive both and then take it from there - but reliability goes a long way in my book.
  • sjaievesjaieve Member Posts: 252
    I find a a lot of people are still stuck in the late ages in respect of reliability and quality:

    Per the latest JD Powers, "Aug 2008"

    Top Industry Nameplates in Initial Quality:
    1-Porsche
    2-Infiniti
    6-Mercury
    8-Ford
    10- Audi

    JD Powers Initial Quality Ranking-Entry Premium (August 2008)

    1-EX35
    2-G35/G37
    6 A4

    For long term relaibility, consumer report has Infiniti G in the top tier and Audi in a lower tier.

    Be careful about using information that is outdated, stay in tune with the times :)
  • hauschildhauschild Member Posts: 62
    So, are you a Nissan/Infinit guy I assume? I know some people that have good luck and bad luck with them. I personally don't care for Inifniti, mainly because of the styling.

    I can only comment on my A4 which runs great, but seems to have a unrepairable issue that is engine noise - it kinda sounds like a diesel engine and I've had them replace the camshaft and other things, but the issue remains. I also had a faulty brake light switch replaced (which caused dead batteris for days) and some seals on the radiator. All of this was under warranty, but since it has only 36k miles on it, I kinda worry about what else will go once the warranty expires. This Audi of mine has already been in the ship longer than any Ford I've ever owned, and a few of those I put on over 100k miiles.

    But, I should report that I test drove the IS250 AWD and was completely taken aback at how pedestrian of a ride it is. I hope I do not offend anybody, but this vehicle should not be classified as luxury/sport. Why would anybody in their right mind spend 36k for a vehicle that drives and acts like a Toyota sedan??? My A4 copmletely blows the IS250 outta the water in every category I consider important except for seating position, which I prefer to the A4.

    After having driven that, I wonder how any reasonable person can conclude that the IS250 is even close to the A4? I was going to test drive the Infinit G35x, but that's too bulky looking and seems like something and old fart should be driving - and if it drives anything like the IS250, it isn't worth the time.

    I read all these reveiws about how great these Japanese luxury cars are, especially the IS250, but are these authors on drugs???

    So, I guess that leaves me in a situation of having to put up with the quality concerns of a German car. Ya know, with as long as the Germans have been making fine automobiles, it's disappointing that they seem to disregard quality. Maybe they feel that if you can afford a German car that you probably don't care about spending additional money on repairs after the warranty expires. Also, it must cost these manufacturers a lot of money for this "warranty" repair work - I guess I just don't understand it.

    Anyhow, that's why test driving is so important!
  • johninnjjohninnj Member Posts: 243
    Dive the is350 with the sport package they offer. I doubt pedestrian will be the word you think of lol. Factoring price...I still stand by the G as the best thing in the category.
  • sjaievesjaieve Member Posts: 252
    Actually, I love Japanese cars. They offer the best luxury, perfomance and price combination. Throw in bells and whistles, reliability etc and its a no brainer, at least for me. I am a former IS250 owner and all this bashing of that car is just unfair. I had a tough time letting go of that car, the only reason I sold it was the power, I now demand more. There is simply no ELLPS car with an interior that matches the IS series. If you want to bring interior room, you have a point but as far as everything else other than perfomace and interior room, the IS250 is a lovely car. I would take the IS250 over an A4 any day. Also consider that although you say the IS250 is slow, the A4 is also slow, the C300 is slow, the 328i is slow. bear in mind that I drive an 08 G35 so as far as I am concerned, all these cars really arent perfomance cars anyways. Same thing a guy with a GTR would tell me :blush:
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    I test drove a G35x...it's no old fart sedan! The thing goes and handles like crazy and will blow A4 off the road hands down.

    I have a leased 330xi and the G will dust it very easily...the steering feel is where the BMW blows away the G. The 330 fells like an extension of your brain while the G is good but a few notches down.

    Regards,
    OW
  • hauschildhauschild Member Posts: 62
    Well, I wouldn't say I'm bashing the IS250 as much as I am stating that the car isn't what I would expect a luxury/sport sedan to be all about.

    Again, I love the smaller size of the IS250 and the sitting position, but there are too many other things that scream "family sedan" from that vehicle. With barely a press of the throttle, my A4 whisks away briskly - it just feels quicker even though it may not be much quicker. The IS250 labors when you hammer on it, and it doesn't end up doing much for all that laboring.

    But, we all have our specific needs and tastes. I mean, I would love the reliability of the IS250, but I'm not gonna spend 36k for a vehicle that drives and handles and reacts no better than my old Ford Focus ZX3. I want to be impressed when I'm spending that kinda coin for a car.

    I think this weekend I will give the G35x a test drive, but again, I'm not crazy about Japanese styling, and especially the G35X - it seems too much like a Crown Vic to me - to bulky. I love the IS250 and the A4 in terms of the sleekness. And, 300 horsepower is a bit much when gas is 4 bucks a pop. But, never say never, I guess.

    But, I will say again that for a guy like me that doesn't have much experience with luxury/sport sedans, the A4 fits into the cateogry I've always thought of in terms of this genre of cars, whereas the IS250 seems not unlike a Toyota family sedan with a nicer interior. Who knows? Maybe I expect too much out of a car for that price???
  • johninnjjohninnj Member Posts: 243
    Check out the Sport model (I think it's a package now on the X). A little more sporty fascia, bigger wheel/tires. If you are not a nameplate guy....Mazsaspeed6 (Do they still make that?), and Legacy GT are EXCELLENT awd 30K cars.
  • sjaievesjaieve Member Posts: 252
    And you should demand a lot for that price. I think for a guy like you, you should wait for the 09 A4 4 banger, its faster than the IS250 and pretty close to the 328i. It will most likely be more fuel efficient than most ELLPS. However, it has a much nicer interior than the 3 series. I have sat down in it. I still thing the G35 gives you more car than the A4 though but like you said, we have different tastes. Good luck with the car search
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    The IS250 labors when you hammer on it, and it doesn't end up doing much for all that laboring.

    That's why they have the IS350...

    Am I missing something here?

    :confuse:
  • johninnjjohninnj Member Posts: 243
    About 10K....similarly equipped.
  • sweendogysweendogy Member Posts: 1,310
    again the lexus is a great car-- but at its price it cannot compare to the g-- or the g35x --I paid 36k for an infiniti g35x with nav and prem-- 36k you cannot get a fully equip lex 250 ISx -- now if you want to pay the extra to get more car-then just get the car that audi, infiniti, lexus, saab, caddie, and others want to mock--the bmw (for 10k more)... so pound for pound -- the infiniti g35 is the winner-- (attn hosts: you can now remove this chat as it is officially closed)
  • Supermac34Supermac34 Member Posts: 3
    I was shopping for this range of cars. I test drove the Lexus IS250 and IS350, the Infiniti G37 Sedan, and the new Audi A4 2.0.

    First, the IS250 doesn't deserve to be in the same class. The engine and performance was surprisingly terrible. I expected a little get up and go, but it labored onto the freeway entrance ramp like my wife's old 4-cylinder Pontiac Grand Am. Yes, it was well appointed, but not worth the money for that performance.

    Now the IS350 was another car entirely, it was luxurious, quiet, but had suitable pop to the engine. As someone who grew up driving American muscle, I needed some performance and the IS350 met my needs. We actually made an offer on one they had on the lot, but they balked so we walked.

    Next we test drove the A4 2.0 and I was expecting similar performance to the IS250 since Audi makes a larger, more powerful 3.2 for the A4. I was suprised, however, to find that the A4 was quick, fast, and stuck to corners like glue with the quattro AWD. I was extremely impressed by the vehicle, but was turned off by the higher asking price for a well appointed car. It just didn't feel as refined on the interior as the Lexus, a little bit of the German "blah" interior I think.

    My wife and I next test drove the G37 sedan. At first, I wasn't really considering Infiniti, but their lot was in between the Audi and Lexus dealership so we gave it a go. I was completely blown away by the car. Not only was the G37 330 HP engine extremely powerful and fast, but the car was well appointed and loaded down with fine options for $4,000-$6,000 less than the Lexus/Audi similarly equipped. I was suprised to find out that the average age of an Infiniti owner is 7 years younger than a Lexus owner and the G37 really felt like a nice strong car. I went home and did some research on the car, made some offers through email, found someone willing to deal, printed the email and went in and drove a G37 off the lot.

    I found the G37 had stronger performance, felt younger, and had better options for the price than the Lexus IS350 (let alone the IS250) in my opinion and I'm really enjoying the sports car feel.

    My car is a 2009 G37 with premium, Nav, and sports packages.
  • ocg35manocg35man Member Posts: 52
    Congrats on your new G37!

    Among your candidates, it was the best overall choice.
    G37 is actually closest competitor to BMW 330i. As you said, IS250 is not even
    in the same ballpark. G37's performance is very close to 330i and more reliable
    especially if you plan to keep it after warranty runs out. On top of that you save
    at least $8k if equipped similiar.

    Do you feel younger driving G37?
    Well that's something more precious than almost anythingelse. :)

    Enjoy your new ride!
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