Bite or not bite - 06 IS350

[KDKPSJ]

To bite or not bite, that's always question

I stopped by local Infiniti dealer to see if they have a good deal on G37.. Then, I found out this 2006 IS350 at 33k miles fully loaded with the exception of Mark Levinson. The car was very clean inside and out, except those usual A/C smell (which I think I can clean up), and drove very well. Of course, I hated its PS3 steering wheel feel, but despite that, it handled and responsed quite well. The car is from sunny California without any accident.

Sticker was $ 25k. Consider IS350's low popularity in northeast winter (Hint: RWD), it being the first model year, out of bumper-to-bumper warranty (Still under powertrain for next 2 yrs 37k miles), no CPO, financing thru dealer, I think I may throw an offer of $ 22k to see if they bite.

What you guys think? Should I offer something lower than $ 22k to begin with? Also, any known issue I should beware of, besides famous acceleration issue?

TIA!!

 

[PricklyPete]

It is a great car in a lot of ways...and will likely be very reliable even if it was a first year...but make sure it is actually what you want. Have you driven a G37 or 3 Series to make sure you don't like them better.

If a car is just A to B transport...then obviously it is all about price, reliability, and safety...but if it is more than that to you...make sure you are getting exactly what you were wanting for that $22K. That's a lot of cheddar for something you only marginally like. It would be much more worthwhile to spend an extra few thousand on something that really makes you happy.

 

[amdhunter]

If you can snag that car for $22k, jump on it. It's a really nice car + should have that Toyota reliability going for it. I was looking for one early on in my car search, but they are next to impossible to find here on the East Coast.

The AC smell is probably the cabin filter. I bet if you change that, the smell will go away completely.

 

[KDKPSJ]

I've been actively shopping between G37, IS250/IS350 and 328/335 for a while. As you may see, my other car is E90 325i, which I will let my brother to drive once I get a new one for me. My hype was that IS is just another Lexus since I've only driven IS250 AWD. Then when I drove IS350 last night, darn, it was totally different car from IS250 I always thought of. I still believe G and 3 are superior to IS, but the gap was a lot smaller than I expected.

I am not expecting them to bite $ 22k, but it would be great if they do The car has been sitting in the lot for about a month, started @ $ 27k, then they just reduced the price to $ 25k last week or so.

 

[PricklyPete]

I've been actively shopping between G37, IS250/IS350 and 328/335 for a while. As you may see, my other car is E90 325i, which I will let my brother to drive once I get a new one for me. My hype was that IS is just another Lexus since I've only driven IS250 AWD. Then when I drove IS350 last night, darn, it was totally different car from IS250 I always thought of. I still believe G and 3 are superior to IS, but the gap was a lot smaller than I expected.

I am not expecting them to bite $ 22k, but it would be great if they do The car has been sitting in the lot for about a month, started @ $ 27k, then they just reduced the price to $ 25k last week or so.

Well if you really do like the car...then by all means bite. I'm sure the car will be more than reliable and has a fantastic engine.

 

[StageLeft]

Offer 22k and give them your number. Don't go in because then they play the two managers vs you bullsh*t. Make sure they know you are serious but as long as you've made the offer and you have given them your number and you tell them "I am buying a car this week and if you cannot meet $22k I'll keep shopping, please give me a call when you have a better offer" then they may do.

 

[KDKPSJ]

Offer 22k and give them your number. Don't go in because then they play the two managers vs you bullsh*t. Make sure they know you are serious but as long as you've made the offer and you have given them your number and you tell them "I am buying a car this week and if you cannot meet $22k I'll keep shopping, please give me a call when you have a better offer" then they may do.

Hey, that's an attitude! I will actually try that. In fact, while I believe it's a good deal, I am not like "Darn! I need a car RIGHT NOW!!!" especially in this buyer's market.

 

[evident]

do it. i love that body style and that engine is nice and seems like the price is right.

 

[Chapbass]

I'm driving a G35 myself, and while I love it to death, I was seriously looking at an IS in my car search. Never got a chance to drive one (they seemed to be a little bit out of my price range, as I was stretching it for my G already).

Remember the added cost of mandatory pics on here if you buy

PS: What color ext and int? did i just miss where you said that?

 

[KDKPSJ]

I'm driving a G35 myself, and while I love it to death, I was seriously looking at an IS in my car search. Never got a chance to drive one (they seemed to be a little bit out of my price range, as I was stretching it for my G already).

Remember the added cost of mandatory pics on here if you buy

PS: What color ext and int? did i just miss where you said that?

It's Glacier Frost Mica, fancy Lexus way to call blueish white, and grey int.

And yes, I know that mandatory requirement

 

[PhoKingGuy]

It's Glacier Frost Mica, fancy Lexus way to call blueish white, and grey int.

And yes, I know that mandatory requirement

I dont think the interior is worth the cost of it, I would take a G37/35 over it any day of the week.

 

[KDKPSJ]

I dont think the interior is worth the cost of it, I would take a G37/35 over it any day of the week.

Agree, but I've already used to glorious Bimmer with German designed beautiful interior. Either IS or G is a decade improvement in interior to me.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Agree, but I've already used to glorious Bimmer with German designed beautiful interior. Either IS or G is a decade improvement in interior to me.

I think the 3 series interior is worlds better then either of them, but to each his own. The newer G is decent, but I hate the stigma that comes with owning one of those

 

[KDKPSJ]

I think the 3 series interior is worlds better then either of them, but to each his own. The newer G is decent, but I hate the stigma that comes with owning one of those

Woot! No wonder design is subjective matter I've never seen any German car that has an interior that I can call "Beautiful" yet.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Woot! No wonder design is subjective matter I've never seen any German car that has an interior that I can call "Beautiful" yet.

Surely youve heard of Audi before? I can think of only a handful of Japanese cars in recent history with a good looking interior or exterior, lol. I love the way my VW has so many "neat-o" things that Ive never seen on other cars that make driving/living with it a complete joy.

Design is subjective.

 

[Chapbass]

Definitely subjective, and I want to like BMW's so bad (the car as a whole), but the interior is just flat out trash (in my opinion obviously). Love my G interior (and I even have the old interior on my 05, the newer ones are even better).

Not trying to derail here, but speaking of interiors...the (08/09?) new CTS interior is absolutely glorious.

Anyway, let us know about more updates

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Definitely subjective, and I want to like BMW's so bad (the car as a whole), but the interior is just flat out trash (in my opinion obviously). Love my G interior (and I even have the old interior on my 05, the newer ones are even better).

Not trying to derail here, but speaking of interiors...the (08/09?) new CTS interior is absolutely glorious.

Anyway, let us know about more updates

QFT

Anyways OP, I dont see why you would ditch a 2006 car for a 2006 car. You might as well try to snag a 2009 G37 if you can. They're going for dirt cheap right now, There's an 09 Journey sedan at the dealer near my office for like 28.5 or something like that.

 

[KDKPSJ]

Again, subjective New Audi design is a little bit better than old one, but still boring and too simple for me. I also hate those red (Audi) or orange (BMW) tone everywhere. I like more bright/whiter color. If I had to choose one German brand for interior, I'd choose MB over other two.

CTS.. Sorry, I've never thought it is that good. It's just so-so to me. Maybe on par with Acura and MB's? But better than Audi or BMW.

BTW, # 1 reason I never considered A4 was interior, while # 1 reason I was leaning towards G37 (until I test drove IS350) was interior. I put the interior as top priority, maybe just like you, but with the opposite standard.

Anyway, I am not ditching anything (read: no trade-in). It will be my second car, literally, as the 325i will be my brother's. I am still thinking G37 Coupe as a top contender, but this IS350 seems quite good deal to just let it pass.

 

[PricklyPete]

Again, subjective New Audi design is a little bit better than old one, but still boring and too simple for me. I also hate those red (Audi) or orange (BMW) tone everywhere. I like more bright/whiter color. If I had to choose one German brand for interior, I'd choose MB over other two.

CTS.. Sorry, I've never thought it is that good. It's just so-so to me. Maybe on par with Acura and MB's? But better than Audi or BMW.

BTW, # 1 reason I never considered A4 was interior, while # 1 reason I was leaning towards G37 (until I test drove IS350) was interior. I put the interior as top priority, maybe just like you, but with the opposite standard.

Anyway, I am not ditching anything (read: no trade-in). It will be my second car, literally, as the 325i will be my brother's. I am still thinking G37 Coupe as a top contender, but this IS350 seems quite good deal to just let it pass.

This is funny...the interior of the G was one of my reasons for not liking it. Not that the material quality on the current gen is bad...it is great actually...but it felt way to "techy"...like it would age very badly in terms of taste. Same for the exterior...not classic enough.

But then we all have different tastes and these are clearly very subjective matters. From an objective point of view, the G is pretty much the defacto answer in the segment.

On a side note, the new Audi interiors are not a red-fest like they used to be. Red is still used frequently, but there is a lot more "white" involved (current A4/S4, Q5 being best examples).

 

[PhoKingGuy]

This is funny...the interior of the G was one of my reasons for not liking it. Not that the material quality on the current gen is bad...it is great actually...but it felt way to "techy"...like it would age very badly in terms of taste. Same for the exterior...not classic enough.

But then we all have different tastes and these are clearly very subjective matters. From an objective point of view, the G is pretty much the defacto answer in the segment.

On a side note, the new Audi interiors are not a red-fest like they used to be. Red is still used frequently, but there is a lot more "white" involved (current A4/S4, Q5 being best examples).

This was actually one of the selling points of my GTI. I love love love love love the red ambient LED lighting.

To OP: Just because something is a good deal doesn't mean you should go for it. You have to drive it in the end. It just doesn't make much sense when you could get what you really want for only 5-6k more.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have a 2006 IS250 (same exact car, less powerful engine) and it has been very reliable. We have over 55,000 miles on ours now. Other than it going through tires rather quickly it has been a great car and I'd highly recommend it.

 

[T2urtle]

i think you might be able to go lower. but i dont know your market there.


in chicago, RWD aren't that liked either there are about 10 to 1 IS250AWD to 350s

i bought my g35x in for service and saw one on that lot. 2006 model blk/blk 35k dealership wanted 21k for it. I took it for a drive and then asked to get quoted for my g35x, they low balled me on my car and i walked.

great car, so many toys in it. power is a couple levels above my 05 g35x. I think its all gearing that is better then raw power. I thought my car made highway merging easy but that car is a lot more better.

 

[KDKPSJ]

This was actually one of the selling points of my GTI. I love love love love love the red ambient LED lighting.

To OP: Just because something is a good deal doesn't mean you should go for it. You have to drive it in the end. It just doesn't make much sense when you could get what you really want for only 5-6k more.

I really liked IS once I drove it. I was pretty sure about getting G37, then after I drove IS last night, IS became the 2nd top choice. BTW, if I were to get G37, it's either new $ 36k AWD Coupe with Nav, or used $ 29k 08 Coupe with Nav (18k miles). I am not interested in G sedan or without Nav. So, let me clarify my dilemma:

1. 2006 IS350 - 33k miles. Full Option. $ 25k sticker. Possible $ 23k deal
2. 2008 G37 RWD - 18k miles. Full Option. $ 32k sticker. Possible $ 28k deal
3. 2009 G37 AWD - New. Full Option. $ 44k sticker. Possible $ 36k deal

Choices, choices, choices..

BTW, how's having no trade-in works this day? Will mentioning it help the deal, ruin the deal, or do nothing?

 

[PricklyPete]

This was actually one of the selling points of my GTI. I love love love love love the red ambient LED lighting.

I actually enjoy the older Audi interirors...but I could see how it could bother some...the new interiors are much more neutral..while keeping that classic "Audi Red" feel at the same time. I think it looks really nice.

 

[PricklyPete]

I really liked IS once I drove it. I was pretty sure about getting G37, then after I drove IS last night, IS became the 2nd top choice. BTW, if I were to get G37, it's either new $ 36k AWD Coupe with Nav, or used $ 29k 08 Coupe with Nav (18k miles). I am not interested in G sedan or without Nav. So, let me clarify my dilemma:

1. 2006 IS350 - 33k miles. Full Option. $ 25k sticker. Possible $ 23k deal
2. 2008 G37 RWD - 18k miles. Full Option. $ 32k sticker. Possible $ 28k deal
3. 2009 G37 AWD - New. Full Option. $ 44k sticker. Possible $ 36k deal

Choices, choices, choices..

BTW, how's having no trade-in works this day? Will mentioning it help the deal, ruin the deal, or do nothing?

That would be a tough dilemma. That would be an impressive deal on the new model...but the 2008 seems like the best option if you can get it for that. Still relatively new with low mileage...and saving 8K vs. a similarly new one (albeit with AWD). Since you're considering the IS350, I'm assuming AWD is not that important for you.