G35 coupe, IS 350 or TL???

[cmhs75]

Lately I've been thinking of trading in/selling the 5 series BMW and getting something a bit more reliable and less expensive to maintain...I love the bimmer but it's out of warranty and isn't cheap to fix things, so it's time to get rid of it soon..
My three top choices are..
1. Lexus IS 350
2. Infinity G35 Coupe
3. Acura TL

.

Could you please elaborate on the BMW maintenance issue. I was considering getting a BMW one day and I really wanted to know if these cars are really money drainers or not.

Oh and by the way, for the three cars you mentioned, if you're a driver enthusiast than there is only one choice among them the Infinity G35. The other two are outstandingly reliable and thoughtful and practical and as dull to drive as a dead moose. I recently drove my friends new Lexus ( ES350) and it had all the gadgets and gizmos of a NASA space shuttle but take it from me, the passenger and the driver are getting the same drive feel (i.e. absolutely nothing).

 

[AutoVation]

Could you please elaborate on the BMW maintenance issue. I was considering getting a BMW one day and I really wanted to know if these cars are really money drainers or not.

Oh and by the way, for the three cars you mentioned, if you're a driver enthusiast than there is only one choice among them the Infinity G35. The other two are outstandingly reliable and thoughtful and practical and as dull to drive as a dead moose. I recently drove my friends new Lexus ( ES350) and it had all the gadgets and gizmos of a NASA space shuttle but take it from me, the passenger and the driver are getting the same drive feel (i.e. absolutely nothing).

Late model BMWs (and Mercedes also...) have a high incidence of mechanical and electrical issues. Most of electrical things are "annoying" type issues like adaptive headlights going haywire. Once it's out of warranty is it worth it to pay $1500 to get your headlight aimers fixed??? If you are considering a BMW or Mercedes, make sure you get the warranties. BMW offers a 50k mile maintenance free program. They cover most maintenance items under this program or under their normal warranty.

I would consider the IS350 a drivers car, the powertrain is so nice. It hugs the curves real nice and you can also order it with a sport suspension. The ES350 is a totally different car.

I take a little offense to the comment that the IS350 "will be played out" (I'm a little biased on that one :smile. I don't consider the previous generation IS300 played out and I think the IS350 will age in a similar fashion.

 

[cmhs75]

Late I would consider the IS350 a drivers car, the powertrain is so nice. It hugs the curves real nice and you can also order it with a sport suspension. The ES350 is a totally different car.

.

Try to rent an IS350 for a long period like a week since you're obviously very biased towards it. I know a week sounds really long but I did notice this in a lot of cars, you don't really get to know how good a car is until you lived with it day in day out.

If you are satisfied with it then go for it, and when you do that the most important thing is to absolutely and totally ignore what anyone has to say about it. It's you who's gong to drive the car and live with it and you should be the only one satisfied with it. Unfortunately a lot people tend push everyone lese towards their own likings and that's wrong. Everyone has his own likes and dislikes and it's impossible to satisfy everyone.

I think you can get all the feedback you need to make a decision added to actually driving the car. But after you make up your mind, don't look back! You made the right decision what ever it is.

 

[NsXMas]

Try to rent an IS350 for a long period like a week since you're obviously very biased towards it. I know a week sounds really long but I did notice this in a lot of cars, you don't really get to know how good a car is until you lived with it day in day out.

If you are satisfied with it then go for it, and when you do that the most important thing is to absolutely and totally ignore what anyone has to say about it. It's you who's gong to drive the car and live with it and you should be the only one satisfied with it. Unfortunately a lot people tend push everyone lese towards their own likings and that's wrong. Everyone has his own likes and dislikes and it's impossible to satisfy everyone.

I think you can get all the feedback you need to make a decision added to actually driving the car. But after you make up your mind, don't look back! You made the right decision what ever it is.

who rents IS 350s?

 

[cmhs75]

who rents IS 350s?

I don't know, I figure if you can rent a Ferrari F430 for 1600 US$/day then why not a LEXUS?

 

[Da Hapa]

The TL is the value proposition of the group. I've posted several times in other threads at lenght on this car but I can summarize by saying great value, good space, excellent motor, terrible torque steer, lots of squeaks and rattles and just too much power for a front wheel drive car. (I'm really down on FWD for the record but I live in S. CA so I can afford to be).

The Infiniti is a good compromise and you can get a proper tranny. (Are you reading this Toyota/Lexus?). It's good a great motor, handles well, and has good value. It's just not as polished or refined as the Lexus (or even really the Acura IMO).

The Lexus is a rocket ship that is saddled with a tiny back seat and a bad choice to not offer a proper tranny. The motor is smooth, powerful and refined. The fit and finish is way, way better than the Acura or the Infiniti and yes, you're going to pay up to $10K more for a nicely optioned IS350 vs. a similarly equipped TL but IMO, some things are worth the $.

If I absolutely had to have a proper tranny... I'd but the Infiniti. But since I've got the NSX to get my driving fix... I'd be back at the Lexus dealer giving the dealership another sizable chunck of my future kid's inheritance.

BTW - and for the record, I love Toyota and Honda products (having owned several of each) and have nothing bad to say about either company. But.. if it's important to you (as it is my wife) there's a night/day difference in the Lexus experience (purchase, maint., resale, etc.) vs. the Acura experience. There are, of course, exceptional dealerships on either side but as a rule, I'm confident of that statement.

 

[nsxtasy]

who rents IS 350s?

Beverly Hills Rent-a-Car

 

[NsXMas]

Beverly Hills Rent-a-Car

wow

Guess you can rent anything in Beverly Hills...

 

[nsxtasy]

Guess you can rent anything in Beverly Hills...

No, not anything...

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73823

 

[AutoVation]

The latest issue of Road & Track did a comparison of the new G35, TL and IS350. The IS350 won hands down. :biggrin: And look at the prices, they aren't that different...

 

[NimbleSexyXquisite]

I would keep the 5, BMW 5 Series is sweet! If not the G35 Coupe then the IS350 or even the GS!
Goodluck!

 

[mickeylex]

Considering this thread is seven months old, I think he might have made a choice by now. :smile:

 

[Zishan]

TL....front wheel drive family car :frown:

G35....nice car

IS350....Drive one and you will be sold. It will blown you away. I would not even touch a TL or G35 compared to a IS350. Huge front brakes, super quick, and looks the best out of the bunch! Just drive one!

 

[91 X]

well I finally picked up a G35 Coupe the other day...Found an 05 with only 7500 miles on the clock in the right color and at the right price :biggrin:

Traded in the BMW for it...so far so good...Good punch and a nice comfy ride. It's a 5 speed auto with tiptronic(wifey needed an auto:redface: ) sport package with the good looking 19 inch rims and sport tuned suspension.The color is Diamond graphite(dark silver) with light gray interior with everything but navi...I'll post some pics a.s.a.p:smile:

 

[jagtiger]

well I finally picked up a G35 Coupe the other day...Found an 05 with only 7500 miles on the clock in the right color and at the right price :biggrin:

Traded in the BMW for it...so far so good...Good punch and a nice comfy ride. It's a 5 speed auto with tiptronic(wifey needed an auto:redface: ) sport package with the good looking 19 inch rims and sport tuned suspension.The color is Diamond graphite(dark silver) with light gray interior with everything but navi...I'll post some pics a.s.a.p:smile:

Congrats on your G35. It's just a pleasure to drive. Power and handling is pretty well balanced. :wink:

 

[cmhs75]

well I finally picked up a G35 Coupe the other day...Found an 05 with only 7500 miles on the clock in the right color and at the right price :biggrin:

Traded in the BMW for it...so far so good...Good punch and a nice comfy ride. It's a 5 speed auto with tiptronic(wifey needed an auto:redface: ) sport package with the good looking 19 inch rims and sport tuned suspension.The color is Diamond graphite(dark silver) with light gray interior with everything but navi...I'll post some pics a.s.a.p:smile:

how does it compare with the BMW?

explain as much as possbile,

comfort? ride? handeling? luxery? reliability? interior material quality?

 

[91 X]

how does it compare with the BMW?

explain as much as possbile,

comfort? ride? handeling? luxery? reliability? interior material quality?

well I've only had the car a few days so I haven't had a chance to really push it on some twisties yet, but it is very comfy as far as ride and fit...A much more sporty trim/interior compared to the bimmer luxury...The stereo is a nice sounding Bose with an in dash 6 disc changer/MP3... The G is MUCH faster then then BMW from a stop and I've heard nothing but good things as far as reliability...Going to go get it tinted today post some pics asap.

 

[91 X]

here ya go...

here is some morehttp://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84882