Article Comments - Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans

475 messages, Last post on Jul 25, 2008 at 4:41 PM

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What is this discussion about? Cadillac CTS, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35, Mercedes-Benz 350-Class, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans - This is exactly why we gathered this group of sport sedans. That is, to find out if the 2008 Cadillac CTS, 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport, 2008 Lexus IS 350 or 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport can topple the Bavarian champ — the 2007 BMW 335i. In the spirit of the segment, each car in the test is outfitted with sport package hardware — usually a stiffer suspension and bigger wheels and tires — and an automatic transmission. (more)

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#409 of 475 buying G35 vs 335 vs CTS by bamaroads Jan 12, 2008 (6:27 am)
My 2 yr lease is up on an 06 G35 6MT. Swung by Infinite dealer the other day to see what was available. New leases aren't as attractive as my current (money factor and residual) so looks like going the acquisition route. G35S loaded w/sticker at $38.6 k or so was around $37.1k with negligible negotiation. Drove the 335 yesterday (auto and not sport). Sport and premium and metallic stickers at $44.2k. No idea if will negotiate. Going back today. Plus, will drive the CTS today. I only drive stick shifts. Love shifting. I've love my G35. But I've never warmed up to engine noise when on the throttle. The 335 is super smooth. Noted big difference when exiting highway and hit pothole. What composure in the BMW. And the engine... ohhh man was power sweet. So, right now, I'm struggling with the extra $7k. I give up Nav and hard drive and cruise range (what's with BMWs and little gas tanks?). But I gain super smooth. Is super smooth worth $7k to me? Now, the 4 yr maintenance deal is a deal. Plus the bimmer dealer is in town. For Infiniti I have to drive 63 miles. The CTS: when it comes to shoes and furniture and tools I'm a fanatic about buying USA. But cars? Therein lies my interest in the CTS. I figure with the CTS I get premium highway ride (I don't think I'd get a stick shift on a Caddy). Plus, nothing like supporting good ol' Made in USA. But, like I said, haven't drove it yet. Bottom line for me so far: G35 is best value and super car but dang... the BMW is a sweet ride. If I can get BMW sales to work on price some... we'll see. And for fun, I want to give the CTS a spin. And I'm presuming GM will swing deals. If not, no way would I pay sticker for a GM car. cheers all, bamaroads Replies to this message: habitat1 (Jan 12, 2008 7:08 am) bamaroads (Jan 12, 2008 7:33 am) habitat1 (Jan 13, 2008 9:26 am) and 1 more... nizzo (Jan 12, 2008 7:31 am) bamaroads (Jan 12, 2008 7:40 am) gooddeal2 (Jan 12, 2008 3:40 pm)
#410 of 475 Re: buying G35 vs 335 vs CTS [bamaroads] by habitat1 Jan 12, 2008 (7:08 am)
Replying to: bamaroads (Jan 12, 2008 6:27 am) I take it you propbably don't have enough time or the inclination, but a former business partner is picking up a 2008 535i via. European Delivery for $1,500 over the ED invoice price. that works out to about $1,500 under US Invoice and around $5,500 under MSRP. I'm not sure what options he is getting or what the actual MSRP was, but he said the process has been painless. Also, the total time to go the ED route was only about 3 weeks longer than custom oredering a car for US delivery through his dealer (and at a $4,000 higher cost). He does have an old Honda that he can drive until the car arrives in Baltimore. If you have the time and frequent flyer miles, it may be worth looking into. But even absent the ED discounts, you should be able to get at least $2k off the 335i making that difference more like $5k. At that point, I would have a tough time not picking the 335i. Replies to this message: bamaroads (Jan 12, 2008 7:33 am) habitat1 (Jan 13, 2008 9:26 am) bamaroads (Jan 26, 2008 6:54 am)
#411 of 475 Re: I did the homework/analysis for you [circlew] by nizzo Jan 12, 2008 (7:26 am)
Replying to: circlew (Jan 09, 2008 3:57 am) Circlew, who was calling bimmers big and bloated? I surely wouldn't. They're selling like hotcakes cuz they are by far the best package, doing nothing bad and many superior. The bmw factories are running near 100% capacity and orders are in queue for 3-4 months on avg, that's how crazy the demand is. Fyi the current 5series is now officially the best-selling 5 series model of all time. That's a tall order given that unlike the older gen Japanese competitors or Audis, 5series have always sold very well. Current 7 series long ago was the best selling model yet (replacement due next year). X5, forget about it, runaway success...
#412 of 475 Re: buying G35 vs 335 vs CTS [bamaroads] by nizzo Jan 12, 2008 (7:31 am)
Replying to: bamaroads (Jan 12, 2008 6:27 am) bamaroads, The smoothness and refinement of the 335i over your competing products under your review are certainly not the only qualities that you will find superior. Spend a bit more time in the car, and I promise you will realize how much better they are. Utter composure at any speed. They feel better the fast you go. Superior stability control system. Superior steering, tranny, and brake feel. Superior leather and trim quality (and smell, hehe). Superior resale value. By far and away the best handling in the class and then some. Replies to this message: bamaroads (Jan 12, 2008 7:40 am) gooddeal2 (Jan 12, 2008 3:40 pm)
#413 of 475 Re: buying G35 vs 335 vs CTS [habitat1] by bamaroads Jan 12, 2008 (7:33 am)
Replying to: habitat1 (Jan 12, 2008 7:08 am) I appreciate the comment on the $5k. Irony is I'm heading over to Dussledorf next week on business. Had it even crossed my mind... But you're right about time and inclination. Plus the pricey euro and Germany in winter...The BMW sales guy was looking at production line up (?) when we spec'd out car I would want. Claimed it would be 2nd week Feb production and delivery by end of March. Perfect timing for my lease end though seams tight. Maybe I could negotiate a loaner car if had to wait longer. I figured having a car presold is as good as selling one off the lot for dealer and would be willing to negotiate?? Or am I better off just scouring in state inventories?? Like I said, I've never dealt with BMW dealer before. Replies to this message: habitat1 (Jan 13, 2008 9:26 am) bamaroads (Jan 26, 2008 6:54 am)
#414 of 475 Re: buying G35 vs 335 vs CTS [nizzo] by bamaroads Jan 12, 2008 (7:40 am)
Replying to: nizzo (Jan 12, 2008 7:31 am) nizzo, Yea, I'd have to agree even given just 15 minutes driving the 335. Extra $5-7k in my pocket though and I can can pick up a sweet new Gibson with robotuners and and handwired amp. Or just plow into an S&P 500 index fund. Agree with everything you posted plus make note that major difference to me is that the G35 engine noise under throttle is simply not a great sound. Yea, get's you up to speed quickly but... bama'
#415 of 475 Re: I did the homework/analysis for you [nizzo] by victord1 Jan 12, 2008 (2:40 pm)
Replying to: nizzo (Jan 08, 2008 8:24 pm) BMW 3-series 117,968 Infiniti G 59,003 Are those numbers for the G35 and 335i sedans only????? After all, those are the two specific sedans we're talking about here.
#416 of 475 Re: buying G35 vs 335 vs CTS [nizzo] by gooddeal2 Jan 12, 2008 (3:40 pm)
Replying to: nizzo (Jan 12, 2008 7:31 am) Superior stability control system. Superior steering, tranny, and brake feel. Superior leather and trim quality (and smell, hehe). Superior resale value.
#417 of 475 Re: buying G35 vs 335 vs CTS [bamaroads] by habitat1 Jan 13, 2008 (9:26 am)
Replying to: bamaroads (Jan 12, 2008 7:33 am) I'm not sure how popular the 335i is now, but your best negotiating power on very popular or hard to get non-M models (thinking 3 series convertible) is via European Delivery. The ED cars do not come out of the dealer's stateside allocation but do add to their sales bonuses. If a dealer is only getting a certain number of "popular" cars allocated to them, they try to maximize the profit on each one. But if they can pick up a "bonus sale" that they wouldn't otherwise get, many are more willing to take a limited profit. A couple of years ago, I was quoted as low as $1,000 to $1,200 over ED invoice. The ED invoice is about 7% less on the base car than the US invoice. Also the only thing that the Euro/dollar ratio matters on is the expense of your trip over to Germany. You are buying the car in US dollars. That lead time for a custom order sounds about right, but again, you probably wouldn't have to wait much longer for an ED car. May be worth trying to beg, borrow or rent another car for an extra 2-4 weeks, if you can save, net-net $2-3k+. You might also want to check with your dealer and ask him if you could get that February build car as an ED car. And would he take $1,200+/- over ED invoice. Many dealers claimed ED pricing was not negotiable, since you are already getting 7% off the base car. B.S. - And you can tell anyone that I told you so. If you are going to buy stateside, I would think you have a better chance of negotiating the best deal by finding a car that's already taking up space on a dealer lot. But that may not be the case with the 335i if it is still a relatively hot seller. The local dealer tried tempting me last month with a 550i 6-speed that had been sitting on their lot for 60 days. I have a feeling if I had walked in with a certified check on December 31, I could have gotten it for well under invoice, probably as much as $7,000 under MSRP. Good luck, whatever you decide. Replies to this message: bamaroads (Jan 26, 2008 6:54 am)
#418 of 475 Re: Consumer Reports/Guide info [poorstudent2] by 150mphclub Jan 18, 2008 (6:35 am)
Replying to: poorstudent2 (Dec 10, 2007 2:06 pm) I don't have a horse in this race yet (I own a 2006 Passat 3.6l and a Pontiac Vibe), but I am looking to buy a horse for this race. Having checked them all out, I find myself in agreement with the folks at Consumer Guide.