HotBore

I'm looking at buying my first upper end (to me) car, and I was looking at Infiniti G37s with less than 50,000 miles on them, but the CFO at my company has an 08' 250 AWD with around 110,000 miles on it that she is looking to sell. Says it's too small and she wants something bigger. She's a good friend and I know she has taken it to the dealership for regular check ups and what not (she still sends her daughters Camry with around 300,000 miles on it to the dealership every 6 months lol). She's a good safe driver and aside from maybe when her son has borrowed the car, I know it's never really been ran hard. She said she would want roughly whatever KBB would list the car for which I think is around $12K.

Between the G37 (2011-2012 with 30-50K miles) around the $20-22K mark and the 250 at 110,000 miles for 10-12K, which would you recommend based on reliability/maintenance cost?

I live over an hour from both dealerships and would likely take the car to a local garage for repairs unless they were relatively simple for me to do myself.

I have been driving a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport for the past 4 years to give you an idea of what I'm used to.

All advice is greatly appreciated!

MWIS350

Have you test drive IS350 with 306 HP??

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

You'll be fine, it's a decent price if it has most options. Yes a 350 would be faster, but seeing as your in Ohio and your budget, you won't be able to get one with AWD. Compared to the infiniti, it's smaller, and slower. I was thinking about jumping the Lexus ship and being able to get a lower mileage, possibly even newer Infiniti for less than an equivalent Lexus, but despite the G being a good car, the Lexus was just a better fit for me. If it were an M35/45 though, also similiarly priced but harder to find, that would be a different story

MWIS350

IS250 is not reliable and have carbon build up issue.

WORKD250

iTrader: (1)

Have you test driven an IS-F with 416 HP??

Did you read the post, has specifc cars he's considering...

To the TS my IS250 has been very relaibale bought new with 4 miles now pushing 160000 miles. Only major fix was a waterpump at 95,000.

If your friend has been keeping up with maintnence and service recalls ect from the dealership you should be in good shape. Still any car at 110,000 miles is on borrowed time.

You would likely get more value out of the Infiniti with a lot less miles, test drive both though

MWIS350

Read the topic again it say "buying IS250 with 100,000 miles". You mad bro..lol

MWIS350

Yes I have test drive the IS-F my friends got one. We used to have 2007 IS250 but trade it in after 1 year for ES350...

WORKD250

iTrader: (1)

I obviously did read it because my response was actually relevant to the subject and contributed to the conversation, you should try it sometime.

Eduskator

2006-2010 yes... But they (hopefully) all have been recalled and the head issue fixed. OP said current owner brings it to the Stealership often, so that won't be a problem.

The comparison isn't fair; one is a 2012 and the other a 2008... You could get a 2012 IS250 AWD for 20-22k as well. That's what I paid for mine.

Plus, Lexus has been, for years, one of the most reliable car brand according to consumer reports. In fact, it's ranked no.1 since 2013 if my memory is good.

http://www.truedelta.com/blog/wp-con...-2013-2015.png
http://autoguide.com.vsassets.com/bl...S-Rankings.jpg

Better resale value and less depreciation than Infinity.

MWIS350

Carbon buildup is 9 year recall from date of purchase. Wish someone told me know about carbon buildup before. Trade in and down payment cost me about $4000 in one year

NYKnick101

To the OP,
For performance and space (especially if you drive people around regularly) the G37 is the MUCH better option and you will be far happier. Compatibly 328hp plus MUCH more rear seat room to comfortably seat 4.

For Reliability and price, the IS you will be much happier. When I got my IS, i didn't do much research and i was hearing horror stories about carbon buildup, sticky dash, etc but to my surprise, LEXUS covered all those things even well AFTER the warranty. My car is reaching 130k and it still drives like its brand new with very minimal maintenance. During the same time, my buddy with exactly an 09 G37, had brake issues, ABS issue, transmission issues twice, and now is a paper weight because the engine spun a bearing. And he got his car just a month before mine.

Space, I don't really drive people around so it hasn't been an issue but when I do, there is little to NO rear seat room. I have a 2000 4runner and a motorcycle so my IS is kind of just my "For Show" car because it looks good, its comfortable, and reliable.

HotBore

Thank you all for your help. Still pretty undecided on what to get, but this helped.

isfdude

iTrader: (11)

The g37 is worse, they are know for transmission failure as well as timing chain failure.

isfdude

iTrader: (11)

Is your friend selling that g37? I mean since it's just sitting and all. Also I raced both cars is350 and g37 coupe and the is350 was faster.

Parsa

OP-

i bought my 250 with 140k now im on 152k and no problems. only thing bad about this car is the carbon build up issue (which is actually common for all direct injection engines NOT just the is250) but there is a 9 year TSB for that and seeing ur 250 in question is an 08 you can have this service done at lexus for free if it has not already been done. the lexus is more reliable, but the g37 has more power and space. the power and space comes with a fatter price tag obviously. also the is250 does not handle too well im not sure about the g37. the way i see it if ur willing to dish out 20k+ on a car it shouldn't be a g37

if i was in your shoes i would buy a 250 (or 350 as previously mentioned for a couple grand more) and have a lot more money in my pocket not only from the sale but cost to own the car as well