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IS 350 vs G35 vs ?

V

Vortex22

Diamond Member
I'm the search for a new (well, used probably an 06) car, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to these two candidates.

I would wager to guess that most here would tell me to go for the G35, although I really, really like the IS 350. I can't really put my finger on what it is, but I think it's just a really attractive car (and ever so slightly faster than the equivalent year G35, if other car forums and youtube are to be trusted, heh).

Can any current or previous owners, or anyone with an opinion really, weigh in on these? I'm still open to suggestions on other vehicles, but it would need to be in the same class/price range (or cheaper) than these.

Used pricing seems to be similar, but there a lot more of the G35's available, at least in my area (central FL). I really want to try and get out of a deal without spending much more than 20k... it looks like it could be a challenge, but I found a few already-sold listings in that price range so I'm sure more will pop up if I'm patient. Which I can afford to be since I don't need a new car immediately.

Any suggestions and/or insight are greatly appreciated.
 
20k before TTL or 20k out the door?

an 06 g35 compared to a 06 IS350 is not exactly a fair comparision. if you do these comparisions IS350 wins all the way. the newest body styling with the slightly more powerful motor in the g35/g37 makes a more even playing field for the IS350.

the G35 has the main option that a lot of gear-heads want which is a 6 speed. the IS350 is Auto only. I really dont think you can lose on either car. both solid, same HP. Test drive i'm sure you will like one more then the other just due to small things like how the dash looks or something. dont ever go for the car just because its a few bucks cheaper. You will always regret it down the road.

The IS350 is a head turner for me. Even tho i own a 2005 g35x, the IS350 was simply a whole other level above the first gen g35's in terms of speed. plus i need the AWD in chicago. you are in FL so RWD is great.

My vote both cars are a WIN, but i'll take the IS =)
 
Before TTL most likely. I'll probably need a miracle to walk OTD with one for 20k.
That was sort of my reasoning too. It seems a lot more even when you compare the 350 vs the G37, but I can get a 350 for a LOT cheaper since I can get one used 🙂
 
Based on styling alone, I'd go with the 06 IS350 vs the 06 G sedan. With an 07 G sedan, it would be a tougher choice to me, though I'd probably still go with the IS. I think the styling is better, though you do give up some size.

Are you talking about the G sedan or the G coupe? The G coupe vs the IS350 would be a tough choice to me, but I'd have fun making that decision 😉
 
Originally posted by: lastig21
Based on styling alone, I'd go with the 06 IS350 vs the 06 G sedan. With an 07 G sedan, it would be a tougher choice to me, though I'd probably still go with the IS. I think the styling is better, though you do give up some size.

Are you talking about the G sedan or the G coupe? The G coupe vs the IS350 would be a tough choice to me, but I'd have fun making that decision 😉
Click to expand...

I could go either way. I would prefer the 4 door but the G coupe is definitely more attractive. Anything newer than an 06 looks like it will be out of my price range, so I would be stuck with 06 unless I can find an incredible (probably dubious) deal.
 
i think the is350 is the best looking sedan out there right now. the interior is plush too, but i have no idea how it performs.
 
Originally posted by: evident
i think the is350 is the best looking sedan out there right now. the interior is plush too, but i have no idea how it performs.
Click to expand...

0-60 in 4.6 and 13.7 quarter for the manual with a good driver from what I can gather. Pretty fast.

I didn't believe that 0-60 time either. There are plenty of videos on youtube of claimed stock runs though. None of the auto mags were able to pull a time like that (I don't think they were testing with TCM disabled), but there are enough people claiming those times that it looks sort of credible. I would likely end up with an auto though so it would be slower anyway.

G35 has a much larger interior. Honestly, I'd get it over the IS we own now.

My .02
Click to expand...

You own a 250/350? Other than the cramped interior, how do you like it? I really don't mind a smallish interior at this point. It would very rarely have more than two people inside.
 
Originally posted by: Vortex22
Originally posted by: evident
i think the is350 is the best looking sedan out there right now. the interior is plush too, but i have no idea how it performs.
Click to expand...

0-60 in 4.6 and 13.7 quarter for the manual with a good driver from what I can gather. Pretty fast.

I didn't believe that 0-60 time either. There are plenty of videos on youtube of claimed stock runs though. None of the auto mags were able to pull a time like that (I don't think they were testing with TCM disabled), but there are enough people claiming those times that it looks sort of credible. I would likely end up with an auto though so it would be slower anyway.

G35 has a much larger interior. Honestly, I'd get it over the IS we own now.

My .02
Click to expand...

You own a 250/350? Other than the cramped interior, how do you like it? I really don't mind a smallish interior at this point. It would very rarely have more than two people inside.
Click to expand...

is350 doesn't come in manual.
the 13.7 is believable but i woudl question that 4.6 time. it's just too heavy and traction limited to get such a low number.
 
Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
Originally posted by: Vortex22
Originally posted by: evident
i think the is350 is the best looking sedan out there right now. the interior is plush too, but i have no idea how it performs.
Click to expand...

0-60 in 4.6 and 13.7 quarter for the manual with a good driver from what I can gather. Pretty fast.

I didn't believe that 0-60 time either. There are plenty of videos on youtube of claimed stock runs though. None of the auto mags were able to pull a time like that (I don't think they were testing with TCM disabled), but there are enough people claiming those times that it looks sort of credible. I would likely end up with an auto though so it would be slower anyway.

G35 has a much larger interior. Honestly, I'd get it over the IS we own now.

My .02
Click to expand...

You own a 250/350? Other than the cramped interior, how do you like it? I really don't mind a smallish interior at this point. It would very rarely have more than two people inside.
Click to expand...

is350 doesn't come in manual.
the 13.7 is believable but i woudl question that 4.6 time. it's just too heavy and traction limited to get such a low number.
Click to expand...

And if 4.6 is true, then it would get a better than 13.7 in the 1/4 mile, unless it's getting some crazy amount of traction at launch.
 
Not that I'm vouching for the credibility of youtube videos, but:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...mRivzg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...P335BY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEJHg-tUrVk

These people could be lying about the car being stock of course. It's apparently a beast from a stop. The official review times of 5.3-5.1 are probably closer to reality though.


I'll go for a G35 or a used BMW 3 series. Have you considered the Volvo S60 T5?
Click to expand...
I haven't even thought about a Volvo at all. I didn't know they offered a car in this class. I'll check it out, thanks.

i was in same shoes. I got an 07 g35 loaded. I love it!!!
Click to expand...
Everything I see looks makes it look like an 07 of either car would be of my price range 🙁
 
T5 looks fairly nice, but I don't know how I feel about a turbo 4, and the FWD is a turn-off as well. Looks rare too; I only saw two within 100 miles of my location.
 
I had an 05 G35 sedan in 6 speed manual. It was my favorite car up until I got my 335i. The IS350 is nice and a good friend of mine works at Lexus but I really wanted a manual so I didn't even bother with it.

I don't think you will be disappointed in the 06 G35. The one thing that bothered me was the mileage. I got about 17MPG around the same as my MDX. The G35 did have 58 more horses though.
 
Originally posted by: Vortex22
T5 looks fairly nice, but I don't know how I feel about a turbo 4, and the FWD is a turn-off as well. Looks rare too; I only saw two within 100 miles of my location.
Click to expand...

It's a I5 high pressure turbo engine. Turbo engines are fairly easy to mod. Plus it's a Volvo so it's a tank 😛.
 
Originally posted by: Vortex22
Originally posted by: evident
i think the is350 is the best looking sedan out there right now. the interior is plush too, but i have no idea how it performs.
Click to expand...

0-60 in 4.6 and 13.7 quarter for the manual with a good driver from what I can gather. Pretty fast.

I didn't believe that 0-60 time either. There are plenty of videos on youtube of claimed stock runs though. None of the auto mags were able to pull a time like that (I don't think they were testing with TCM disabled), but there are enough people claiming those times that it looks sort of credible. I would likely end up with an auto though so it would be slower anyway.
Click to expand...

You are confusing the IS350 with the IS-F. They use completely different drivetrains and are in completely different price brackets. The V8-powered IS-F does 60 in 4.4-4.6 seconds. The IS350 takes 5.1 seconds under ideal conditions (Car and Driver), and that's the lowest printed number I've seen for it. Edmunds claims 5.6 seconds, to put C&D's number in perspective. The Edmunds number is the most in line with the car's claimed power to weight ratio.

I'll take a body of data collected by professionals using extremely accurate GPS-based data loggers attached to cherry-picked manufacturer samples over some shmucks driving their personal cars on youtube.



 
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Originally posted by: Vortex22

0-60 in 4.6 and 13.7 quarter for the manual with a good driver from what I can gather. Pretty fast.

I didn't believe that 0-60 time either. There are plenty of videos on youtube of claimed stock runs though. None of the auto mags were able to pull a time like that (I don't think they were testing with TCM disabled), but there are enough people claiming those times that it looks sort of credible. I would likely end up with an auto though so it would be slower anyway.
Click to expand...

You are confusing the IS350 with the IS-F. They use completely different drivetrains and are in completely different price brackets. The V8-powered IS-F does 60 in 4.4-4.6 seconds. The IS350 takes 5.1 seconds under ideal conditions (Car and Driver), and that's the lowest printed number I've seen for it. Edmunds claims 5.6 seconds, to put C&D's number in perspective. The Edmunds number is the most in line with the car's claimed power to weight ratio.

I'll take a body of data collected by professionals using extremely accurate GPS-based data loggers attached to cherry-picked manufacturer samples over some shmucks driving their personal cars on youtube.
Click to expand...

Not to mention that even the IS-F has an automatic transmission. The only IS available with a manual is the 250, which is not a fast car by any modern standard.
 
What I don't like about the IS's is despite being a sedan, nobody can fit in the back seat. For me, that's a deal breaker.
 
On a tangentially related issue, I saw one of the IS-C hardtop convertibles while driving into work yesterday - ugh was that thing hideous. It was a light silver, which didn't help matters (it made the panel gaps in the folding roof all too apparent), but the whole shape is just generally way too bulky and awkward. I think the IS sedan is a generally attractive (albeit kind of bland) car, but the IS-C has a face only a mother could love.
 
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
You are confusing the IS350 with the IS-F. They use completely different drivetrains and are in completely different price brackets. The V8-powered IS-F does 60 in 4.4-4.6 seconds. The IS350 takes 5.1 seconds under ideal conditions (Car and Driver), and that's the lowest printed number I've seen for it. Edmunds claims 5.6 seconds, to put C&D's number in perspective. The Edmunds number is the most in line with the car's claimed power to weight ratio.

I'll take a body of data collected by professionals using extremely accurate GPS-based data loggers attached to cherry-picked manufacturer samples over some shmucks driving their personal cars on youtube.
Click to expand...

I wasn't confusing it with the IS-F, just relaying the info I've seen. I agree that the official times are more plausible though.


What I don't like about the IS's is despite being a sedan, nobody can fit in the back seat. For me, that's a deal breaker.
Click to expand...
It's small, but it didn't seem unusably tiny. No way for a long ride or 6''+ people, but for a short trip it would be fine, which it all I would need it for.


On a tangentially related issue, I saw one of the IS-C hardtop convertibles while driving into work yesterday - ugh was that thing hideous. It was a light silver, which didn't help matters (it made the panel gaps in the folding roof all too apparent), but the whole shape is just generally way too bulky and awkward. I think the IS sedan is a generally attractive (albeit kind of bland) car, but the IS-C has a face only a mother could love.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm not a fan of convertibles, especially convertible versions of originally non-convertible cars. (Why is almost every M3 for sale a convertible??)


I haven't been able to find anything that even comes close to matching the original deal I missed out on, so I'm probably just going to sit around for a while with my 98 civic until something comes along.
 
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