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Infiniti G35 vs. Lexus IS 250

147 messages,  Last post on Jul 08, 2010 at 4:00 PM

You are in the Infiniti G35 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Infiniti G35, Lexus IS 250, Sedan

Messages Page 12 of 15

#108 of 147 Re: 2008 Infiniti G35 or Lexus IS 250 – w/NAV help! [sjaieve] by psunow

Mar 21, 2008 (1:27 pm)

Replying to: sjaieve (Mar 21, 2008 12:54 pm)
Two of us at my work looked hard at both the G and 250. He bought the 250 and I bought the G. After a few months, he felt he made the wrong choice as he has difficulty fitting his kids in the back seat. Also, he complained the 250 does not have close to the pickup and handling (his words, not mine) compared to the G. He can’t trade it in as it’s under a year old and he will lose his pants. Just a thought I would share this with the group.

#109 of 147 Re: 2008 Infiniti G35 or Lexus IS 250 – w/NAV help! [smallpeanut88] by ocg35man

Mar 21, 2008 (4:57 pm)

Replying to: smallpeanut88 (Mar 21, 2008 12:29 pm)
To me, in terms of value,performance and standard options, G35 and IS250, there
isn't much of a competition other than Price. G35 is a closer comparison to IS350,not IS250!
 
Typically equipped G35 and IS250 would be $35 to $38K
IS350 will cost $5k or more than G35.
 
IS250 is better if you like smaller car,slightly better gas mileage,don't mind a not so
great performance(slow and soso handling).And Lexus name recognition.
 
To me, buying G35 is like getting 95% of BMW335 performance and have enough
luxury and have much more room than IS350 OR BMW335.
 
And if you are considering Dealer Service for maintenance, typically Inifiniti will be
slightly lower than Lexus. Also, some Nissan dealers will do typical maintenance
on Infiniti cars for less money.
 
Once you get the taste of sweet G35 engine, you won't want to have 2.5 V6
engine.
 
Good Luck.

#110 of 147 Re: 2008 Infiniti G35 or Lexus IS 250 – w/NAV help! [ocg35man] by smallpeanut88

Mar 21, 2008 (7:13 pm)

Replying to: ocg35man (Mar 21, 2008 4:57 pm)
Thank you and thanks to everyone. Yeah, I know I'm stuck on the Lexus Brand. I'm 99% positive it will be the G35, more bang all the way around for the buck. I found it surprising my insurance, the G35 was LESS than the IS 250. I thought for sure, bigger engine meant higher premiums. My insurance gal said the Lexus cost more to fix and that is what they based it on NOT the engine size.

#111 of 147 Re: 2008 Infiniti G35 or Lexus IS 250 – w/NAV help! [smallpeanut88] by scottm123

Mar 22, 2008 (5:45 am)

Replying to: smallpeanut88 (Mar 21, 2008 7:13 pm)
I was torn between the IS250 AWD and the G35x as well.
Ya, the Lexus is a beautiful vehicle but the beauty can only go so far.
 
If you enjoy driving a car with performance and luxury in mind, drive both and you'll see that the G is WAY more car for the buck.
If you don't care much for performance and just want a small luxurious ride, the IS may be enough for you.
It wasn't for me.

#112 of 147 Re: 2008 Infiniti G35 or Lexus IS 250 – w/NAV help! [scottm123] by smallpeanut88

Mar 22, 2008 (8:55 am)

Replying to: scottm123 (Mar 22, 2008 5:45 am)
Thanks everyone. A few more questions. Can I put regular unleaded in the G 35 or does it have to be premium? Does the moonroof for 2008 come standard and if it does not I noticed on the Infiniti web site when I tried to put the moonroof with the wood package it would only let me have one or the other. Can't I get my G with wood package, moonroof and nav? Thanks.

#113 of 147 Re: 2008 Infiniti G35 or Lexus IS 250 – w/NAV help! [smallpeanut88] by gooddeal2

Mar 22, 2008 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: smallpeanut88 (Mar 22, 2008 8:55 am)
Can't I get my G with wood package, moonroof and nav?
 
I think you have to have Premium package in order to have Nav. Most of the G has the moonroof as an extra option if you don't want Premium.

#114 of 147 Re: 2008 Infiniti G35 or Lexus IS 250 – w/NAV help! [smallpeanut88] by newgs

Mar 23, 2008 (12:54 am)

Replying to: smallpeanut88 (Mar 22, 2008 8:55 am)
smallpeanut,
Infiniti recommends Premium. I have always used Prem on my 07 G35 Journey sedan (same as 08). Moonroof is part of the premium package; it is standard on the IS250. You mentioned about the rearview camera... it is part of the Navi package as already mentioned by somebody here already. The Journey model, premium package, and Navi package all add up to the cost of the base G35 sedan. You should get some nice discount though.
 
I like the IS250, as well. My friend has it and it is very zippy... and in my opinion, is easier to drive than the G. The G has more horsepower though and makes this sudden surge/thrust coupled with nice "growling" sound when you accelerate. It zooms from there.
 
You need to test drive both and feel for yourself which will suit your driving style more.

#115 of 147 Re: 2008 Infiniti G35 or Lexus IS 250 – w/NAV help! [newgs] by smallpeanut88

Mar 23, 2008 (9:26 am)

Replying to: newgs (Mar 23, 2008 12:54 am)
Thanks. Even though they recommend Premium can i use regular? I have heard that premium is that much better than unleaded and not to throw my $$ away.
 
I test drove the IS 250 several weeks ago. I was very impressed with the interior/exterior and attention to "detail" in that car i.e. air conditioned seats, the way the holders on the door popped out, standard wood package but when I drove it and the guy said "so how does it feel" I was thinking but did not say that my toyota solara convertible seemed to have more get up and go then that car and the drive was okay but did not wow me. Again, I an not one for SPEED but the way the car handles. I test drove the G35 to make my BF happy (keeping an open mind) and when I drove it I wanted to keep driving and I wasn't going fast, just the way the car handled, so easy, the steering wheel turned like butter whereas the IS 250 seemed tigher to move.
 
Thanks.

#116 of 147 Re: 2008 Infiniti G35 or Lexus IS 250 – w/NAV help! [smallpeanut88] by newgs

Mar 23, 2008 (10:19 am)

Replying to: smallpeanut88 (Mar 23, 2008 9:26 am)
Here's from the Infiniti manual...Infiniti recommends the use of unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating of at least 93 AKI (Anti-knock Index) number. If unleaded premium gasoline is not available, you may use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI but you may notice a decrease in performance".
 
So, it is okay to use regular unleaded. Other experts back this up saying the use of regular unleaded gas' trade-off is just a slight decrease in performance.
 
Infiniti further added..."Octane Rating Tips: Using unleaded gas with octane rating lower than recommended baove can cause persistent, heavy, spark knock. (Spark knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If this is severe, this can lead to engine damage. If you detect persistent, heavy, spark knock (even when using Prem gas), which Infiniti terms misuse of the vehicle, the car must be checked by the Infiniti dealer for correction to ensure you maintain car's warranty coverage.
 
It is really up to the driver what gas to use after considering the above. I have always used Premium in my case (about $.20 difference per). And this is where the G35 will hurt you a bit more. EPA estimated fuel economy of 17/24 (city/highway) is lower than the IS250.
Infiniti forums in other sites can give more details on owners' real-world experiences.

#117 of 147 Re: 2008 Infiniti G35 or Lexus IS 250 – w/NAV help! [smallpeanut88] by scottm123

Mar 23, 2008 (1:44 pm)

Replying to: smallpeanut88 (Mar 23, 2008 9:26 am)
Please don't take this the wrong way...
 
There's nothing worse than a person who spends $35,000-$40,000 on a performance sedan and then complains about the extra $500 per year needed for the required premium fuel.
Yes, gas prices are a complete rip-off but if fuel costs are your highest concern, the G is not the ride for you.
 
With that said, I get 22-27 city-highway when I'm behaving. Don't expect much better than that with the IS either.

Messages Page 12 of 15

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