GTaudiophile
Lifer
Let me start by saying that I AM SO FREAKING STUPID!!! I tried to post several messages to AT from a friend's house today and last night. When I kept on receiving the "you are forbidden from posting/editing messages in these forums," I thought I had been banned. Come to find out, my friend uses AOL, and I had forgotten that you cannot post from AOL! Duh!
Anyway, both my friend and I are in the market for a compact sports sedan of the likes of the Lexus IS300 and the Infiniti G35. Since he was down in Atlanta for the weekend (he's an investment banker in NYC), we decided to spend the morning testing some cars. We drove the IS300 first. He drove an automatic version, I drove the 5-speed. After visiting Lexus, we drove an Infiniti G35 automatic with sport package. We both came away with similar thoughts:
The interior of both cars leaves a lot to be desired compared to the BMW 3-series/Audi A4 (too much silver-colored plastic).
The fuel economy on the G35 is worse than the IS300, and both cars are far worse than the 3-series (20mpg vs. 25mpg average).
The exterior styling of both cars is pretty good with the G35 being the better of the two (especially with the sport package).
The G35 certainly has the better acceleration, creeping to 2500rpm then launching all the way to 6500 (When pushed, it redlines every time.).
Both engines have a loud exhaust note after 4500rpm or so with the IS300 having the sweeter, higher-pitched note.
The G35 effortlessly reaches and maintains 90mph on the interstate. It comes up quick, so you have to be careful.
The IS300 accelerates slower in comparison, but with the 5-speed, acceleration can be controlled better so as not to constantly redline it.
The IS300 has much more interior road noise at highway speeds, mostly resulting from the 17" tires. Wind noise was also high.
The G35 is a better car for long-distance travel with a much softer suspension. Ride and handling are similar to the 3-series, but still not as refined.
The IS300 has much tighter steering and handling making it more fun on the curves but harsher at speed.
The front seats on both cars are quite comfortable with the IS300 being slightly more so. The G35 has much more rear-seat room and comfort.
The sound systems on both cars are decent with the G35 having better bass response with its Bose sub, but it sounded tinny. I preferred the IS300's system.
The G35 has more goodies: one-touch operation on all windows, dual zone climate control, pockets for a cell phone, credit cards, etc.
The G35 has very sensitive, touchy breaks.
The IS300 comes with limited slip differential as a $300 option.
After it was all said and done, I have to still give my nod to the IS300. Its handling is tight, closer to that of my Miata. The IS300 also runs a few grand less than the G35 when both are similarly equipped. There is also the question of reliability, and I still trust that of Toyota over Nissan. BMW still produces the "Ultimate Driving Machine" without a doubt, but the G35 comes close in some ways, falls short in others. Neither offer the ultra-tight handling of the IS300, something which I prefer at this stage in my life. I am still going to wait to test the G35 6-speed before making a final decision, but right now it's all Lexus.
Anyway, both my friend and I are in the market for a compact sports sedan of the likes of the Lexus IS300 and the Infiniti G35. Since he was down in Atlanta for the weekend (he's an investment banker in NYC), we decided to spend the morning testing some cars. We drove the IS300 first. He drove an automatic version, I drove the 5-speed. After visiting Lexus, we drove an Infiniti G35 automatic with sport package. We both came away with similar thoughts:
The interior of both cars leaves a lot to be desired compared to the BMW 3-series/Audi A4 (too much silver-colored plastic).
The fuel economy on the G35 is worse than the IS300, and both cars are far worse than the 3-series (20mpg vs. 25mpg average).
The exterior styling of both cars is pretty good with the G35 being the better of the two (especially with the sport package).
The G35 certainly has the better acceleration, creeping to 2500rpm then launching all the way to 6500 (When pushed, it redlines every time.).
Both engines have a loud exhaust note after 4500rpm or so with the IS300 having the sweeter, higher-pitched note.
The G35 effortlessly reaches and maintains 90mph on the interstate. It comes up quick, so you have to be careful.
The IS300 accelerates slower in comparison, but with the 5-speed, acceleration can be controlled better so as not to constantly redline it.
The IS300 has much more interior road noise at highway speeds, mostly resulting from the 17" tires. Wind noise was also high.
The G35 is a better car for long-distance travel with a much softer suspension. Ride and handling are similar to the 3-series, but still not as refined.
The IS300 has much tighter steering and handling making it more fun on the curves but harsher at speed.
The front seats on both cars are quite comfortable with the IS300 being slightly more so. The G35 has much more rear-seat room and comfort.
The sound systems on both cars are decent with the G35 having better bass response with its Bose sub, but it sounded tinny. I preferred the IS300's system.
The G35 has more goodies: one-touch operation on all windows, dual zone climate control, pockets for a cell phone, credit cards, etc.
The G35 has very sensitive, touchy breaks.
The IS300 comes with limited slip differential as a $300 option.
After it was all said and done, I have to still give my nod to the IS300. Its handling is tight, closer to that of my Miata. The IS300 also runs a few grand less than the G35 when both are similarly equipped. There is also the question of reliability, and I still trust that of Toyota over Nissan. BMW still produces the "Ultimate Driving Machine" without a doubt, but the G35 comes close in some ways, falls short in others. Neither offer the ultra-tight handling of the IS300, something which I prefer at this stage in my life. I am still going to wait to test the G35 6-speed before making a final decision, but right now it's all Lexus.
