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Here it is...: FINALLY got the new tires on it and detailed!
Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Chunkee
Lifer
Thanks for the heads up. He is my wife's nephew. It is a very nice dealership. I think I may see if I can trade those wheels off..I dont care about 18 inch sport wheels with 2 different sizes of tires...$$$$. I wonder if I could trade someone for a little extra cash for regular 17s.
thescreensavers
Diamond Member
I am not sure, I read something about esp and TC might have some issues, if you make them all the same size. You can ask that type of questions and more at http://myg37.com/forums/
I wouldn't be concerned with the G eating through the tires and burning through gas. The sport tires won't last as long, and the engine won't get amazing gas mileage. That is understood. Most of the reviews I read however were from G fans, which are typically more lead-footed than the average driver. Lead feet lead to poor gas mileage and short tire life. The G is fast and fun though, and you might find yourself a bit more lead-footed then you would expect too 😉
I test drove a silver 2007 G35 with the Journey package priced at $24,500 with similar miles. If this car is really clean, it could be a good price. If its not as clean as you would like, I think there are other deals to be had.
You should check out the 2006 M Sport as a comparison. You would probably spend $1k to $1.5k more, but I liked the M at least that much more than the G. If you drop the sport package, then prices should be inline with this G35.
I test drove a silver 2007 G35 with the Journey package priced at $24,500 with similar miles. If this car is really clean, it could be a good price. If its not as clean as you would like, I think there are other deals to be had.
You should check out the 2006 M Sport as a comparison. You would probably spend $1k to $1.5k more, but I liked the M at least that much more than the G. If you drop the sport package, then prices should be inline with this G35.
Don Vito Corleone
Elite
There was no M-Sport package in the US until the 2009 model year. The 2006 cars were available with the Sport package (I own one) but not M-Sport.
I owned a 2006 G35x (which my wife now drives), they are nice cars however I think the inside got a lot cheaper when they did the model year refresh.
It seems like there is more plastic on the dash than in the gas tank.
I would look at getting a low mile 2006 if you can.
It seems like there is more plastic on the dash than in the gas tank.
I would look at getting a low mile 2006 if you can.
ViviTheMage
Lifer
I prefer my Audi 🙂
Unlike its IS250 sibling, IS350 is a great sports sedan. Just big problem is $$$. IS350 costs close to what 335i costs, which is quite expensive compare to G35.
Also, interior space is quite tight. Front seat is similar to 3 series sedan, but rear seat is similar to 3 series coupe or G35/37 coupe. So if you left out 3 series because of interior space, IS should be out as well. IS feels like a coupe, and I think it should have been a coupe. Overall body line, design and interior fit more as coupe than sedan.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
It is quite a bit smaller than the G35. My wife and I own a 2006 IS250 we bought new and it is much smaller than my Maxima. Honestly, the best advice by far in this thread is the M35 if you can find one in the price range. It is a hell of a car for the money and it looks fantastic IMO.
The 350 is an awesome car, but it is barely even a sedan, much less a "family sedan." How many people will typically be riding in the car?
I thought the IS was over-priced compared to other cars we looked at. If its back in the running though, you have no need to exclude the BMW 3-series. Both of those cars would be a blast to drive and look great.
I thought the IS was over-priced compared to other cars we looked at. If its back in the running though, you have no need to exclude the BMW 3-series. Both of those cars would be a blast to drive and look great.
Corn
Diamond Member
I've got an 07 IS350 (luxury package with Mark Levinson and NAVI) and here's my experience so far at 35,000 miles. I'll start with the bad first, then move on to the good:
Just had a malfunctioning headlight repaired under warranty. They are the adaptive HID's and the driver side got stuck pointing down during the level test cycle that occurs when the car is started and the lights are on.
The car had 3 items replaced under a recall. One of the items corrected was a source of irritation from day one, the steering link. Prior to the recall, the steering could only be described as like a non-force feedback wheel video game. Sure, it went where it was pointed, but had no on-center feedback at all. The recall has transformed the steering feel and response and is a staggering improvement. That being said, it still ain't gonna deliver anything like what BMW delivers with their 3 series.
The manual gear selection of the slushbox tranny only works to force downshifts, it will not force upshifts and the car will hold the gear until it thinks the tranny should be shifted.
Crappy electronic LSD works OK from a drag race perspective and stays active even when the traction control is turned off, but when the stability control is disabled, the LSD function is also disabled so forget about maintaining traction on the inside tire when powering through a tight turn. I like to auto-x and track the car on a local road course (Waterford Hills in Clarkston, MI) so I installed a TOMs 1 way mechanical LSD. Yeah, I can drift no problem now. Might be overkill for the average Joe........
Those are my only gripes about the car. Now on to the good:
Bone stock the car is fast. Road and Track test data here. Just for fun, here's R&T test data for a BMW 335i for comparison.
Here's why I chose the IS over the Bimmer and granted they are personal opinions. I like the exterior styling and prefer the interior styling of the IS over the 335. I'm a big fella (6 footer, 200+ lbs) and found the seats in the IS far more comfortable. I also prefer the Mark Levinson audio system. I'm averaging 25 MPG (mostly suburban commute miles).
Interior space is a draw for both cars.
The grip has been significantly enhaced by a new set of shoes (Falken RT-615, they are sticky and cheap). The tires alone took 4 seconds off my fastest lap time (combination of grip and enhanced confidence, the stock RE050's suck, they don't grip and wear quickly).
While I would prefer a manual transmission, spousal compromise required an automatic (the previous 2 cars I'd owned were 6 speed manuals and the wife bitched constantly when she needed to drive my car). The IS has a "power" mode which doesn't really give you more power. Instead it simply re-maps throttle tip in (from way too sensitive to ridiculously sensitive) and gear selection. When assaulting the car on the road course, it holds gears and even agressively downshifts to keep the car in the power band under braking! I find it an impressive bit of programming, but will accept that some purists would further hate the idea of this driver "aid".
I love the car. My previous car was a 2004 Acura TL 6MT and hated it. Prior to that I had a 2000 Audi S4 that was outfitted with lots of go-fast goodies. The Audi was more engaging to drive, no doubt. But the IS is very competent and is faster and more comfortable than my modded Audi. It is superior in every way to the TL except the tranny.
Just had a malfunctioning headlight repaired under warranty. They are the adaptive HID's and the driver side got stuck pointing down during the level test cycle that occurs when the car is started and the lights are on.
The car had 3 items replaced under a recall. One of the items corrected was a source of irritation from day one, the steering link. Prior to the recall, the steering could only be described as like a non-force feedback wheel video game. Sure, it went where it was pointed, but had no on-center feedback at all. The recall has transformed the steering feel and response and is a staggering improvement. That being said, it still ain't gonna deliver anything like what BMW delivers with their 3 series.
The manual gear selection of the slushbox tranny only works to force downshifts, it will not force upshifts and the car will hold the gear until it thinks the tranny should be shifted.
Crappy electronic LSD works OK from a drag race perspective and stays active even when the traction control is turned off, but when the stability control is disabled, the LSD function is also disabled so forget about maintaining traction on the inside tire when powering through a tight turn. I like to auto-x and track the car on a local road course (Waterford Hills in Clarkston, MI) so I installed a TOMs 1 way mechanical LSD. Yeah, I can drift no problem now. Might be overkill for the average Joe........
Those are my only gripes about the car. Now on to the good:
Bone stock the car is fast. Road and Track test data here. Just for fun, here's R&T test data for a BMW 335i for comparison.
Here's why I chose the IS over the Bimmer and granted they are personal opinions. I like the exterior styling and prefer the interior styling of the IS over the 335. I'm a big fella (6 footer, 200+ lbs) and found the seats in the IS far more comfortable. I also prefer the Mark Levinson audio system. I'm averaging 25 MPG (mostly suburban commute miles).
Interior space is a draw for both cars.
The grip has been significantly enhaced by a new set of shoes (Falken RT-615, they are sticky and cheap). The tires alone took 4 seconds off my fastest lap time (combination of grip and enhanced confidence, the stock RE050's suck, they don't grip and wear quickly).
While I would prefer a manual transmission, spousal compromise required an automatic (the previous 2 cars I'd owned were 6 speed manuals and the wife bitched constantly when she needed to drive my car). The IS has a "power" mode which doesn't really give you more power. Instead it simply re-maps throttle tip in (from way too sensitive to ridiculously sensitive) and gear selection. When assaulting the car on the road course, it holds gears and even agressively downshifts to keep the car in the power band under braking! I find it an impressive bit of programming, but will accept that some purists would further hate the idea of this driver "aid".
I love the car. My previous car was a 2004 Acura TL 6MT and hated it. Prior to that I had a 2000 Audi S4 that was outfitted with lots of go-fast goodies. The Audi was more engaging to drive, no doubt. But the IS is very competent and is faster and more comfortable than my modded Audi. It is superior in every way to the TL except the tranny.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
Well, that and they don't offer the IS350 with a manual transmission.
BTW-I've driven the IS350 and really liked it. My wife didn't drive it but she did drive an IS250 in the color she wanted (Matador Red Mica) and so that's what we bought. I would hare preferred the IS350 but ultimately it was her car and they didn't have one in that color.
I agree that the slush box in this car is pretty much your typical slush box. The flappy paddle shifters do absolutely nothing to enhance the driving experience. They take forever to shift and there is nothing performance oriented about it. It does a better job if you just put it in D and forget about it.
teatime0315
Senior member
I've been in an IS350 and that thing is cramped. Besides that, the interior is really nice. A notch above the G35. The HP is there so its not lacking power. I think the only thing the G might have over the IS is interior space. The 335i is a good alternative. 300HP with Twin Turbo. Very impressive and tons of torque. But again space is an issue. The 335 and IS350 seem comparable in interior space. If you want something bigger then the 5 series is better in this regard. Supposedly it drives like a boat though, so its not going to be a very fun car to drive. Also note that next year the 5 series is getting remodeled, so that might be a plus for you. I think the lexus equivalent would be the GS series.
Cliff notes -
Fun cars = the IS350 or 335
Family Cars = 5 series or GS
with that said I'd get a fun car 🙂 335i
Cliff notes -
Fun cars = the IS350 or 335
Family Cars = 5 series or GS
with that said I'd get a fun car 🙂 335i
teatime0315
Senior member
Wow, I just checked the prices on the G8 and they are incredibly cheap for what you're getting. ~25k for a 6.0L V8 used. I say you should give this a consideration also. :thumbsup: "sindows".
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
The flappy paddle gearbox in the 335i is much much better than the one in the Lexus. It shifts with authority and an immediacy the Lexus gearbox lacks.
That said, I'd still take a true manual over either of them. My next car will be a manual.
PricklyPete
Lifer
The IS350 is a very nice car and I've always liked the looks of the car...but I don't think you are looking at any more space than a 335...so if the 335 was too cramped...you're definitely going to be disappointed by the IS350.
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