Not exactly true. R&T said "but through tight turns, the Lexus has an overwhelming tendency to understeer. In fact, it's a task getting the rear end out, even with traction and yaw control switched off. Its overanxious penchant for going straight showed in the IS 350's skidpad performance as it registered a mediocre 0.84g."


Again, not exactly true. R&T said "this was one of the most closely contested battles in recent memory. One small variation here of there could easily have swung the result in a different direction." Actually, R&T said what hurt the G35 most was it's manual transmission and that the G35 seemed to try and straddle the sports car vs grand touring car division. R&T said the IS 350 was clearly in the sports car segment and the better defined target helped it achieve its goal.

They don't offer a longer warranty, just more miles during the same warranty period. My point was that for drivers who drive more than 12K mi/year, this might be something for them to think about.

 

One would think after reading your comments that the new G is really is a special car that should be cleaning up in the comparisons - but in reality it loose out to it's direct competitors time-and-time again. I'll admit that loosing out to the TL Type-S was a slap-in-the-face, but there is more to a car than driving in circles, and the TL is better built.

Again, no-one disputes the "raw" performance #'s of the G and how good they are in their "raw" form - but other than that, the G offers nothing else IMO. This is the reason why the IS350 is such a great overall vehicle and consistently finishes ahead of the G and others - the IS350 is multifaceted and not one dimensional.

 

Thanks for summing that up. The comparisons that I'm reading about regarding the G 35 and the IS 350 is hmmm...not even worth me typing. Like I've said time after time. In my opinion the comparisons are not fair. LOL the G 35 is more affordable if you're looking to save a few grand. Other than that what else does it have to offer in comparison to the IS 350? Lot of these comparisons are subjective:

Design
Interior & Exterior looks
Which Performs better

To each his own. I like the G 35 but it doesn't compare well in the looks department...this is just my opinion and I'm entitled to it. Now, one could make the arguement that it performs better but how so? Check the performance numbers and it just depends on what you value most:

2007 IS 350
0-60 = 4.9 sec

2007 G 35
0-60 = 5.4

Now the G 35 is faster than the IS 350 from 0-120 mph and I've posted the numbers previous thread explaining this...(gear ratio's). Are any of you planning on racing up to 120 mph on the street? Well, for those of you that are get a G 35 and for those of you who really don't care then do yourself a favor and live a little! Have fun! and get the IS 350 (I sound like a commercial ) It's a fun car to drive and offers good mileage..not the greatest but still good. Ifiniti must step it up and come correct next time because the ISF is coming in 2008! Would there still be talk about G 35 vs ISF? I certainly hope not Lexus is on a whole different level now. BMW is WIDE awake trust. It would interesting to see the ISF and the 335i in head to head competition. YIKES!!

 

Toyota > Nissan....period! Depreciation is so much greater with Nissan products than Toyota or Honda. Not to mention that the IS looks so much better. The designers at Nissan ran out of ideas so almost all of their cars look the same. Just look at the new Altima Coupe...Yuck!

 

Not a fan of the crome rear lip I take it

 

The design is the same, there is really no variety with Nissan cars. The chrome lip has nothing to do with it. Performance wise, Nissan has done a good job. They are using the hell out of that 3.5 motor.

 

you have a 350 manual??

 

Your right "linh811" ...... nobody has a is350 manual .... its only available in the is250.

KC

 

More importantly, Kia is ranked higher then BWM

 

I just posted this morning about the snow traction for the IS350. Anyways, thats not important.

I actually test drive 3 cars this week. Acura TL type S, G35X (not the G35S), and the IS350.

As far as styling goes, it is a matter of personal preference.

Acura TL Type S - I think this car give you the most bang for the buck. It has the sweetest engine sound i've ever heard. The engine sound is sooooo sweet that I will say it is Ferrari engine sound for $40000. However, the ride is extremely bumpy and you feel everything from the road. The interior quality looks a little cheap compare to the G35, and expecially when compare to the lexus. I totally drop this option after finding out (from a friend) that there will be a new model design for TL next year.

G35X - This was actually my first choice before I test drove all the cars. In terms of handling, I personally feel that the G35X beats out the IS350 and the TL Type S... period. I think there are other professional reviews that will back this up too. Another cool thing about the G35X is when you slam on the brakes, the car does not nose dive. However, the engine sounds more like an american muscle car. Not the sporty sound of a tuner. The road noise is quite loud. For a car that cost around $40000, I dont understand why they dont spend more money for sound insulation.

IS350 - This car was actually last choice. 2 primary reasons.
1. Most expensive among all three cars (with the same kind of package)
2. The smallest, and virtually almost no leg room the rear seat. Also, i'm not even crazy about its look.
However, once I test drove it, this car gave the most and best luxurious feeling. Also, you can tell immediately Lexus uses high end quality material for their car. Personally, the interior looks the best too. Like they said, you get what you paid for.

Conclusion - The IS350 was last in rank in my list prior to test driving. After that, it is the top of the list. G35 was top, and went to the bot (primary because of the road noise). Type S was dropped because it is coming to the end of it's life cycle, and new model (possible with AWD) is coming in 2008 model. The bumpy road ride because of the sport tune suspension was getting to my head too. Don't forget, choosing a car is totally a matter of preference. People can give you suggestions, but ultimately, it is your own money, and your own preference to choose which car to get. You really have to test drive all the cars that you are considering, then create a list of pros and cons. After that, you need to find out if the pros outweighs the cons. You are the one driving the car, not us, and therefore when you choose the car, you have to decide whether if you can live with that particular flaw.

 

One more comment. I'm not sure what level is your driving skills (I dont mean any offence at all). But unless you are a professional driver, you won't truely be able to push the car to its limits. This is one of the reason I dont consider when choosing between the 3 cars for me.

 

Kenshiro, nice write up.

 

I don't agree with the Acura TL being replaced with a new model next year. Acura just did a MMC for 2007. The next generation of TL won't come out until 2009 model year.

 

Right, the current 3rd Gen of TL started with MY 2004; Acura/Honda typically has a 5 year cycle (unless the car is popular and they'd stop improving..S2000, NSX), so expect to see MY 2009 in fall of 2008. 1st Gen G35 sedan only got 4 years.

I think for people who want more room and want to save a bit $, G35 is a good choice. March G35 sales beat IS250/350 and TL. All these are nice cars to have - I don't know why people get so worked up over this comparison.

As far as car magazines go, I always laugh when people quote things from the articles as if quoting the Bible, and use words like proof. Think, drive and see for yourself.

 

My fiancee and I just went through a few weeks of deciding before getting an IS250 over a G35. Our shopping was over 4 weeks and both dealers allowed us multiple day long times with both cars. We drove the IS250 and 350 and the G35Sport. In the end we did get the 250 for a few reasons, one main reason was my fiancee daily drives the car and this is her first time with RWD. She concerned me when in both the G and the IS350 she was able to get the rear to kick out a bit when starting out and turning. We felt the less power would be best for now. Both cars offer great packages, but in the end the best car is what makes the buyer happy and thye can afford. I would prefer the G35 Sport as my daily driver, but the IS is definately a little more plush. I have always driven sports cars and sport coupes, so that is why I would go for the G, also it is a proven nissan VQ engine family, which was first used in the 300Zx of the early 90s, which I daily drove for years. The reality is that at the end of the day it is nice to have all the technlgy and power that comes form either the Infiniti or Lexus name plate.