So I was pretty set to get a 2016/2017 IS300 OR 350 (and flash the 300), but then I drove a 2019 Q50 3.0T twin turbo.

And what a car for the price. The infotainment I find way more modern and easier to use than the Lexus, but the car drives a lot faster (even though it was rated 300hp), thanks to the twin Turbos and a snappy engine.

The Is350 stock feels like a 260 hp engine, while the q50 feels like a 330hp engine, if I dare to put it that way.

So now am trying to decide between the two. I honestly don't know how reliable the 2017/2018/2919 q50 is, and reliability is one of my top priorities right now after owning German cars for 15 years. Lexus excels in that department, but the outdated interior and how slower the engine feels, makes me have second thoughts

Any ideas, opinions, or suggestions for other Japanese and reliable vehicles are most welcome. My criteria is 300+ hp, awd, nice exterior looks, and reliability.

 

Sounds like you want an ISF, albeit RWD if you could roll with that.

 

The old model is too old, hard to find in Canada, and the new (if they do make one) will be way too expensive brand new. Awd is a must for me

 

q50 is going to be faster than a lexus but a lexus will out drive a q50 with more reliability. if you want the power then get the Q50. you have to pay to play so ask yourself whats important to you.

 

Correct, though I guess am trying to find out how much of a gap in reliability there is between the two. I cannot imagine the q50 being less reliable than almost any Merc, bmw, audi...

 

How reliable is that Twin Turbo?

 

What's the price range? The Infiniti won't be as reliable as the Lexus and it handles poorly. The Genesis G70 would probably be just as reliable as the Infiniti and smoke it. Have you considered the Kia Stinger?

More context would help.

 

The Q50 3.0Ts Dyno at ~300HP to the wheel so they are underrated from the factory. It's definitely a quicker car.... I think the Lexus is better in every single other way through as someone who used to have a 3.7 Q50 in the stable. Present day infinity is no lexus when it comes to reliability. IMO I would just lease a C43 at that point.... Or if price is no object...The LS500 has over 400HP with optional AWD.

 

Plenty of people on social media bashing new infinitis for how unreliable they are.. apparently company not even fixing engine issues under warranty. Couldn't be me. I personally don't care how fast a car is, just needs to look good and be reliable. I'd say go with the 350, if you can afford a major vehicle malfunction, get the infiniti.. might as well get a BMW / Audi at that point

 

i mean it's a technically a nissan and i'm a huge fan of older nissan cars but TBH... reliability is not really a huge thing in these cars. be expecting problems and having to fix them. i don't think anyone here is going to be able to tell you exactly what goes wrong with them but the only thing we can all agree on is...the LEXUS will be a lot more reliable

 

Definitely faster, but I’ve read they have had issues with turbo chargers going, drive belts, and I think a couple other things. I was considering one but ultimately I did not want to risk having to fork out thousands in repairs over the vehicles life time.

 

I think the OP is looking at $30-35k as a price point. A new Kia Stinger GT is around $40k and I bet you can get a slightly used one for the same price as the other two cars and it will blow them away. The LS is a completely different class of car and a boat compared to this class.

 

The IS350 feels slower (because of less torque at low rpm) but it's still a fast car and is only about .2 or .3 seconds behind the Q50. Reliability-wise, the IS350 will outlast the Q50 by a large margin. I wouldn't even think twice about getting the IS350 over a Nissan/Renault product.

Have you considered the Genesis G70 or Stinger GT?

 

Stingers can actually be had for considerably less than 40k now, the dealers are deeply discounting the new models just to move them. If you wanted to entertain them. Friend just got his for 10k+ under invoice.

 

When I was looking at cars earlier this year I was considering the Q50 as well mainly because my previous car was an 05 G35 and and I thought they were pretty decently fast vehicles. I ended up test driving the IS300 and bought the car on the spot. To be honest, I wished I at least test drove the Q50 but I have zero regrets. I love my IS