Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans Infiniti G35 Infiniti G35 vs Lexus IS 350
126 messages, Last post on Aug 04, 2009 at 5:58 AM
You are in the Infiniti G35 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
|
Replying to: sjaieve (May 12, 2009 12:52 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: sjaieve (May 12, 2009 12:52 pm) I needed AWD and I felt the IS250 was grossly under powered and just too small inside. The G fit my needs perfectly and although I was able to afford both, the price worked for me as well. Quiet was never a factor for me. Honestly, people looking for just luxury shouldn't be looking at the IS anyways. The G is a bit louder, sure, but it was never a factor for me. In fact, I'm now running with a Fast Intentions Cat-Back exhaust, so it's gotten louder, not quieter... and yet, I love it even more. Like he said, it boils down to personal preference.
|
|
|
I haven't been in the forums for a while. I always find it entertaining to read what folks have to say about how they arrived at the Lexus or Infiniti showroom and all the other cars they considered before making their decision. I chose my '08 IS350 over the G35 (even though I had planned for at least a year to retire my old '97 Maxima and trade up to the G) after driving the IS and then the G35x essentially back to back (the dealers were within minutes of each other). My reasons: - Lexus feels better to me - The engine sounds refined and semi-exotic, especially with the window down - The power somehow felt much stronger even though both cars were rated at 306hp (Lex does have more torque, but...) - The Lexus just looks sexier to me. I still get the feelin when I look at it - The Lexus is much more relaxed at freeway speed (what's up with the G turning 3k at 70mph??? My car is just a hair over 2k at 70) - I thought the G's punched out VQ engine sounded too coarse compared to the IS, an opinion most automotive journalists share, although it has a better exhaust note IMO - Bottom line is it was an emotional decision. That's why people buy cars - we go for the one that makes us feel good, right? The G is a very nice car and I'm sure I would have been happy with one had I not driven the IS first. Oh, another thing...I looked at a few used '07 G's with around 15-20k on them and the nose paint was chipped beyond belief and the grill was plastic and it looked horrible after meeting a few pebbles on the freeway... So, my one big complaint against my car has been the ever present, overly ambitious VDIM. At first it didn't bother me but as my confidence with the car improved and I started driving more aggressively I got very sick of it constantly cutting back the throttle. It was bugging me enough that I did some research to see if I could defeat it and found out that you can. Hold down the traction control button for 5 sec and VDIM turns off! Woooooeeeeeee!!! I can't say how much fun this car is now! Only problem is the juvinile feeling that accompanies gratuitous tire smoking when exiting a corner...but it is a BLAST! Totally transforms the car. I'm not sure if this works on 06 or 07 models. It does work on the 08 and 09's though. Has anyone else done this? I don't drive it hard very often, but this really makes the car 10x more fun. By the way, even the G37 doesn't have the torque of the IS350! 277 lb-ft vs. 268 for the G. Wards chooses the IS350 over the G37 as well and calls the Toy/Lex engine the best V6 ever. Still, the G is a great car. It's a matter of what moves you. Price was not the issue with me - it came down to how I perceived each cars ability to deliver what was important to me. I still love the G and would never even think of criticising someone for buyine one, but I think a few people might come away with a different opinion of the IS vs the G if they were driving the IS with the VDIM switched off 
|
|
|
Replying to: gotoyota (May 28, 2009 10:00 pm) I think this is a very honest post. Congrats on your purchase. The G37s engine was not on wards best 10 this year. The only one that did not make it in over 10 years of the G's history. That will be my next purchase next year. The way I see it there are only 3 cars worth considering in this price range, the IS350, G37/35 & the 335i. You cant go wrong with any of these 3, the rest is just that, the rest. I go for Taste of Lexus events every year and I drive an 08 G35X and yes, I also did observe that the IS350 seems to pull harder from stop than my X. But remember the G35S would pull better from stop than my X. Most of the items you identified are to do with refinement, which is why you paid more. I don't have the chip issues you discussed though, I think its somethng they addressed with the 08s and the G37s come with self healing paint. This is why I always say these 2 cars are at par since the G as you say is a great car, but once you add refinement (for a price) you get the IS350. Another thing I have observed, once on the road, the IS350, 335i & G drivers have a LOT of respect for each other, LOL. You will see what I mean. Good luck on your purchase, the IS350 is a nice car that is underrated for no good reason, its got the BEST interior, by far, in this class IMHO. 
|
|
|
Replying to: scottm123 (May 28, 2009 11:31 am) Nissan really loves its cutomers cos the pricing is unbeatable, a friend of mine calls the GTR "Japans gift to the world" couldn't agree more. Then you have the 370Z, 0-60 in 4.8s (WOW, best in class, 135i what??), then of course, my sweetheart  , the G. Cant wait for the DI taking it all the way to 350HP You have been away for a while Scottm123:) |
|
|
Replying to: hauschild (Aug 25, 2008 10:00 am) Also, re your A4: does it have the 2.0T or the 1.8T? Not sure what year you have, but the diesel sound could be that the 2.0L Audi T4 is direct injected, which does cause a bit of a clatter at idle. My IS350 sounds kind of like a diesel at idle - really threw me off for a while when I first got it until I read up on it more. Mine actually has DI AND regular fuel injection (read up on it - Toy/Lexus went way overkill on this engine!). I don't mind the sound (I actually like diesels) now but it kind of bugged me at first because I was worried something was wrong. Just a thought. |
|
|
Replying to: sjaieve (May 29, 2009 12:20 pm) Yes, I agree the IS CAN pull harder from a stop, provided the tires are new...once the tires are worn down a bit VDIM becomes a wet blanket on your accelaration party. Figuring out how to switch that off has saved my relationship with the car! It was driving me insane that I could only get the trac to stay off until I hit 30mph and then it was back on! Once you disable the VDIM it stays off until you turn the engine off.
|
|
|
Replying to: gotoyota (May 30, 2009 9:48 am)  We chose our G over the IS350 for a couple reasons. Price was definately a consideration, both were in our comfort range as far as cost, but 3k less is a trip to Vegas BTW, try the G with the traction control off as well, just a blast! Agree about the interior fit & finish & materials used to be a notch better w/ the IS, although the doors don't feel as significant in the IS, they feel a bit "tinny" for lack of a better description. The rear seat room also played a part, we use our back seat to haul a couple kids now & then and friends failry often, the IS back seat is very tight, so that really was THE deal breaker. I felt the IS was better off the line, the G feels a bit stronger in the 4-6k RPM range around 60mph. Both cars have great breaks and excellent steering feel. Sound isolation goes to Lexus but the sound while driving goes to the G (exhaust note). ISs seem to be holding their resale a bit better but after factoring in the higher intial cost it may be almost a wash. I wouldn't include the BMW 335i in the discussion since it's about 10-12k more, and it will out run both the G & IS. The 330i would be a fairer fight IMO. In short, both the G & IS are nice choices in the 42k or less performance sedan catagory and if you want a quieter slightly more refined model I'd get the IS, for less money w/ more room the G is the choice.
|
|
|
Replying to: blnewto (Jun 14, 2009 2:19 pm) Acura Infiniti Lexus TL Type-S G35 Sport IS 350 0–120 mph 20.6 19.5 19.8 0–110 mph 17.2 16.2 15.4 0–100 mph 14.3 13.5 12.7 0–90 mph 11.9 10.8 10.2 0–80 mph 9.3 8.9 8.1 0–70 mph 7.6 7.2 6.5 0–60 mph 5.7 5.4 4.9 0–50 mph 4.4 4.2 3.8 0–40 mph 3.5 2.8 2.7 0–30 mph 2.2 1.9 1.9 0–20 mph 1.3 1.2 1.1 0–10 mph 0.5 0.4 0.3
|
|
|
Replying to: gotoyota (Jun 15, 2009 7:43 am) Its really unfortunate that the automagazine world bashed this car a lot for its driving dynamics. I cannot see how anyone driving a 328i (the auto magazine's sweetheart) can have more fun in that *** compared to the well appointed IS350. BTW, the Mark Levinson is sweet, better than my BOSE IMHO. Anyway, you made a great choice man.
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Sedans Infiniti G35 Infiniti G35 vs Lexus IS 350
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2008 Infiniti G35
2011 Lexus IS 350
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
