Good point, the buyer in this price range had some great cars to choose from with the G/IS/3-series/C-class. A very competitive class of sport sedans, not a bad car in the group. Buyers prioritizing certain attributes will effect the final decision (style, handling, power, roominess, reliability, luxury, cache, etc.)

 

I would not get either one, the G35 is all powertrain, everything else is cheap and feels like crap. The C class is cheap built, not up to MB,s standard. If I was buying a 2 or 3 year old used car in that price range. I would look at a ES350 or the TL.

 

Modern being 06+ at least (most model wise)

And OP wants to keep a car for more than 5 years?
We know that hands down either a lexus/infiniti/even acura is a better choice

 

Fixed..


Anyways, my mother has a C300 (sport). C300 probably close enough to the is250's power. Its an alright car, but im not really into mercedes. Low to the ground i wish my GS handled like her C-class.
Id get the C, there not that expensive.

or a used infiniti M 3/45..pretty cheap and badass!

 

The German cars's body usually last much longer than the Japanese, if you keep up with the maintenance, it is not unusual to see a 15 year old German car on the road with the body still in good shape.

 

Build quality is always a strong point. The ES and TL are nice cars, but they are still built and feel like cheaper cars.

 

Actually, the second generation ES which can be close to 15 years old, I still see them & they can still be in very good shape if well maintained.
I do agree that the G35's are probably weaker than most in it's class with regard to build quality.

 

It is obvious that you have not been in the back seat of these cars recently. He's talking about 2008 models, and the G35 is by far the largest of the three (IS, C class, and G). The G35 is closer in interior size to the GS than to the others. The new interiors are very nice. They rival the IS and are much nicer than the C.

There will always be people impressed by the C because it is a Mercedes, but it is a significantly inferior car to the 2008 G35.

Steve

 

fogot about the 3 series and A4..
Both should be pretty strong competitors in your choice, well if you like the way they look.
ive drove both, obviously my choice would be the 335 Sedan. But 328 isnt too bad as well as the a4. A4 is pretty cheap

 

Very true,
G35 - more room, not really liking the look of the sedan though
C - imo looks better, nice ammount of space in the back

 

2008 G35 is the current gen. its big inside.

if you cant afford a g37, how are you going to afford a c350? do you mean c300?

outside the c350 will turn heads more. inside i give the g35/37 the nod. but its ok, if you go with the benz you can feel better than the c63 gets no interior improvements (lawl)

maintenance on an infiniti is cheap. double edged sword. yes it has nissan blood, but you can get cheaper service at a nissan dealer!

the g is more fun to drive.

 

Andrew at first I was very opposed to the styling, very Accordish/the random lines etc. However after seeing them on the move in person, they really grew on me. Same for the S-class

 

need I say more....

 

vs. this... com'on, get serious... (this was the best pix i could find on the G)

 

I wonder if those bashing the C-class have any experience with them

My c-class had no issues, all the maintenance and service were performed. It was pricey and costly as expected from a Benz. Most can afford a Benz but not many can afford to keep it.

I have traded in my c-class for a G35 mainly due to size (needed backroom). Image and status symbol were in the back of my mind since I just wanted something I don't have to be so **** about.

My sis has an IS250, I'm still wondering why that car classifies as a sedan.

I have decent amount of seat time with all three cars. They are good at their own thing. The Mercedes got more *** than me. The G35 got power (some issues with oil consumption for rev up motors, gas mileage may also be something to look into). And the IS250 is just a cute car.

The earlier G35 had issues with valve covers, suspension bushings, radio/hvac circuit boards dying, and a few more issues. More than your average car.