DixieLex

I'm looking at buying, either: 1) 2008 Infiniti G35S 6MT.
2) 2007 Lexus IS250 6MT
3) 2008 Lexus IS350

Caveats: 250 is the cheapest, 350 is in middle, and G is the highest.
I want a manual. I grew up driving 280Z's and MGB's and Miata's (not manly, but alot of fun) I've driven auto trucks for last 15 years and want to get back to fun, but w/4 doors.
I realize the 250 is somewhat underpowered, the 350 is powered nice and gets decent MPG, and the G has good power but its not Lexus.

I've had a Lexus GS in past and my daughter drives RHh, so I have great respect for the brand and its attendant reliability. What say you guys

Ling2IS

iTrader: (4)

I don't know too too much about the G, but I'd definitely say go for the 350 if you're choosing between a 250 and 350. Lots of 250 owners regret not paying a little bit more for quite a significant bump in power.

DixieLex

I have heard so not so nice things about the IS' manual tranny, that's what I was wondering about

Rezno

iTrader: (1)

Interesting choice of cars. I'll try to be as unbiased as possible.

The 350 will hands down be the fastest car on that list. Even if you get a G37s the IS350 is still faster. That car is seriously underrated. You can add aftermarket parts to the suspension to improve it (sway bars and coilovers have the biggest impact) and make it handle better than an IS-F. If you want more of a sports car feel, you can get an IS-F steering ECU to make the steering feel more like a sports car. So if you're looking for performance, IS350 is the way to go 100%.

I'm intrigued as to why you aren't looking at a G37S with a manual (handles and sounds better, 7500 RPM redline) Regardless, the G will definitely be the most driver involved / oriented car. It is basically a 350z with a much nicer interior. It has most of the 350z's 'sports car' feel and is a tad more comfortable for long road trips. Any Infiniti G has a massive massive aftermarket, so you can take your build in any direction you want. But I have to say, unless a manual is a must for you, the IS350 is probably a better bang for buck car just simply due to the difference in performance.

My biggest problem with the IS250 6MT is the power and feel. If it comes down to the G and the IS250, get the G and don't look back. Yes, you can basically do the same mods to it as the 350 but it really isn't worth trying to make a car like that any quicker. You'll spend too much money making a slow car not even as fast as something much better you could have bought. Not to mention, the 250 has that expensive to repair carbon buildup problem.

If the manual is a must, try looking for a G37S with a manual or a TL Type-S with a manual. The 37 is much faster than the 35 and has a new interior and engine. The TL is super reliable and is MUCH faster than the 250, and is easily the nicest looking car of all the ones listed..

SO to sum it up (From cars you chose):

Performance: IS350
Feel: G35S
Efficiency: IS250 / IS350
Aftermarket: G35S

MikeyK02

iTrader: (7)

I shall give you my insight (see sig, I've owned both the 250 and 350) and currently am looking for a G35/37, but we'll get to that in a minute.

250-If you're going to buy this, understand, the power difference is noticeable. I still got one, because of the manual. Regrets? Not knowing how poorly the manual was this bad in the 250. So if you're wanting to live with it, you're gonna need a few things (understand Lexus did the lazy job and pulled the tranny from their truck lineup, and thought eh, good enough) well they failed! You need to find a 250 with a few things Fsport clutch, Fidanza Fly wheel, and the Fsport short shifter (rare to find unfortunately I got the last one in the US) With these 3 items, the car is awesome to drive, it's fun peppy, just not much power. Which depending on your style may not matter. I use it for work a to b, and spirited drives on the weekend so it checks off the boxes.

350-I owned one for a good amount of time. The power and quickness is awesome. If there was an IS350 AWD in a 6-speed manual, good night, It'd be the car I'd keep forever. Thus was the issue. Now....after owning the 2, I'd go for the 350 for the power difference alone (like i said you're going to HATE the 250 if you can't find the quick shifter, its that big of a difference)

G35/37- Only one reason I'm looking at these and that's the AWD. The wife wants to drive the cars more, and her and a manual, not gonna happen. So I'm just going to buy a used one of these to fit the bill. Only gripe with the infinitis are the hardness of seats, and exterior design. The 2IS has a classy/classic look, where the G series well...it's kind of like they didn't know WHAT to do with the design, so they slapped some things together and said "here"

The best of all worlds would be for you to purchase that IS250 with the LSx swap in the classified

P128sniper

OP you stated you "want manuel" well is that a requirement because there is no 350 in stick only auto. Stay away from 250 to be honest you will be disappointed by the power. If manuel is a must your only real option I see is the infiniti if not then 350 is the way to go.

metaleckz

iTrader: (9)

Spend a little bit more and get the g37s

kolyan

IS250 has a ****ty motor, I would pick IS350 or save up for G37S if you want manual. Although I am not a big fan of G, test drove brand new G35, and G37S 2 times, ended up buying different cars all 3 times.

DickH

I've driven all three, i would take the is250 off your list. If it was only for the gas milage, I can clear 30mpg highway at 60mph. I don't think you can go wrong with e the is350 or g35, you need to try each out to decide for yourself. I honestly preferred the is350 so that's what I bought but it's really up to you to decide.

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kickin8

iTrader: (1)

Super hard to find 250 MTs....it has good power for DD

Aspect

In terms of reliability I think both the IS350 and G35/G37 are pretty bulletproof. The only things I've read that goes wrong with the Gs are the electronics. I say go for the IS350 since it's faster and doesn't drink as much gas as the G35. I've heard that VQs are very thirsty

808newbie

what are you looking for in a car? is it for a DD, gonna be significantly modified (for looks and/or power), etc?

Ken167

I work at an Infiniti dealer but I drive a Lexus IS350. Ive seen a lot of G35s here and the design looks old and dated and the interior is not as nice as Lexus. The Lexus 2IS was a design up to 2013 and still looks good and modern. Forget the IS250.

ssmoked

DO NOT buy the is250 manual. I bought an 08' new and sold it within 1 year. The tranny is from the Tacoma tranny and is clunky while shifting. The engine would literally free rev and no go as its so weak. Reminds me of the underpowered civic that i learned how to drive manual on.
Although not fastest, the G exhaust note would sound the best stock.
The IS350 is the fastest but auto. It does have paddle shifters

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

If you can afford the G or the 350, then don't look at the 250. Basically it boils down to if you can live with an auto trans vs the manual. Up to my owning a 350, I've only ever driven manual trans vehicles...so I had your same decision to make. Bottomline I went with the 350 because of the reliability, resale value, build quality, fun-factor (yes, w/o the 6sp it is still fun!), and it is unassuming (cops don't give it a second glance).

Good luck on the decision.