the tq of v8 alone can get me into buying v8, if money is no object

and reliability, i disagree v6 is better than v8. can't say about the 4.6l engine coz' it's still so new, but on the previous 4.0l and 4.3l from lexus, it's as solid as you can hope for

 

aftermarket steering wheel with paddle shifters, anyone?

someone should make one.

but still, it won't have instantaneous shifting like the ISF or GTR, so the paddles are kinda pointless.

 

Contradiction much?

 

I cross shop the 08 GS and the M35 and M45. The GS is quicker than the M35 and about same as the M45X, but the GS is better on gas.

 

The M models exterior style just doesn't look good to me.
Love the analog clock,though.

 

Thanks everyone. Great feedback. As I said, I will probably be buying a CPO 07 model. Being that my wife will be driving it mostly, I can probably live with the M35 if I go the M route. However, I will be forced to drive it some of the time, so M45 would definitely be my top choice (if the fuel economy isn't too punitive). Frankly, the trunk size might be the deciding factor between the G35 and the M. I can't believe how small the G35 trunk is.

As for the question about my considering a BMW 550? Well, first of all, it's not in the budget and secondly, after owning 3 Mercedes' and 3 BMW's, I've learned my German car lesson (yeah, I'm a slow learner). Let's just say I got to know my mechanic far too well.

 

If you think like that, then you might as well compare your IS to a Ferrari from a couple decades ago.

Compare apples to apples. That means current models that compete with one another. In your case, 08 GS350 with 08 M35. One might be faster, the other might have a bigger interior, etc. That's comparing.

If you only focus on 0-60 speed, why look at the cars at all? You can just go on the internet and start looking at the numbers and pick the lowest one.

Since you're considering CPO cars (assuming that means the Infiniti as well), make sure to fully check out the interior. Of the Ms I looked at, I wasn't particularly impressed with how well the Infiniti interiors either held up or were initially made. Felt cheap. Might just have been the owners in this area since I didn't look at new Ms, but while I liked the styling of the interiors, I didn't like how they felt.

 

Buy her a 09 G37S sedan. It comes with 328hp and a 7 speed transmission.

 

I bought the GS350 after test driving the M35x, the M seemed like more of an old person's car and was not as sporty. the seating was more upright and the styling lack the pow of the GS. I know Lexus sell a boat load of the ES350 and to me that is the comparison to the M. although for 08 INfiniti is brining out the G35x as a pumped up G37x four door with 330hp. These are very fun cars to drive and will give the GS350 a run for the money. I agree, I bought the GS350 AWD instead of the GS450, didn't want to spend the extra dollars for tenth more speed. Just to compare, I had a 98 GS400 with the v8 at 300 hp, the GS350 has 303!

 

Common sense... V6 vs. V6; V8 vs. V8 !!!

Therefore, GS350 compares with M35!!!

 

Before I settled on Audi (being really a Lexus guy), I was extensively testing GS450h, Infiniti M35 and M45. Here are my notes and impressions:
- Infiniti M - lower quality interior, which I actually like better. Just for the more bold and interesting design.
- M35 - drives very well, say better than a GS. But man - the engine note is annoying, loud and simply unpleasant. To a point my wife commented she would never drive it for this very reason. So it as dropped off the list.
- M45 - the engine is more tolerable noise-wise, sounds a lot better than the M35. Marginally faster than the M35, feels heavier though. Still not quite or refined by Lexus standards. Handling is a bit better than GS, but not as balanced as the M35 (a bit more nose-heavy).
- GS450h - such a beast. For a while I just felt a HAD TO HAVE one. Fast, refined, very quite and powerful. A bit numb and not as 'sporty' as the power and accelleration suggests. Unfortunately (or rather fortunately as it turned out) a dealer here in Canada was stubborn about pricing and we did not strike a deal, though I tried very hard.

So my choice ended up being Audi RS4, though I would not say it is for everyone. But in the same price range it turned out to be a much more 'the car' for me and my tastes.

 

Good review, got pics of the RS4? Wow!

 

I was refering to output of the motor. Nissan 3.7 liter v6 vs fords v8 in the mustang. 300hp vs 330. same thing with the last gen M3, amazingly powerful from only a v6 package. I have to agree with you on the pure pleasure of the low end torque, but in the means time I will just tap the limiter on my V6. I renetd a jag with a v8 a year and a half ago to drive from phoenix to LA, and damn that thing could pull on the high end.

 

Would have to do some pics, don't have any at the moment. But this would be an Imola Yellow, black interior. BTW, despite what may Audi guys or reviewers say about the Audi interior - it is of noticeably inferior quality to what we are used to in Lexus vehicles. Fit, finish, leather - all of it. Electronics is done with a different philosophy in mind (for a less 'stupid' user if I may say it), but nevertheless again inferior to the one found in the GS or other Lexus vehicles (resolution, functionality, ergonomics, how 'advanced' it is etc).

So the GS is a very strong contender. But something like RS4 would work well if you are looking for sportier and more involving handling, performance, AWD and acceptable interior all in one package. Lexus if it is about comfort, refinement, style, quality, longevity.