Article Comments - Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans

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

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

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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#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.
#419 of 475 Re: I did the homework/analysis for you [nizzo] by 150mphclub Jan 18, 2008 (6:58 am)
Replying to: nizzo (Jan 08, 2008 8:24 pm) "Here's a partial listing, and these are the categories that don't even have anything to do with performance/drive/feel, lol: Exterior design: BMW #1 [Purely personal preference] Interior Design: BMW #1 [Purely personal preference] Interior materials: BMW #1 [personal preference] Instrument Panel Layout: BMW #1 [personal preference] Interior Control Tactile Feel: BMW #1 [personal preference] Squeaks and rattles: BMW #1 [wide variance among same make & model] Panel Fitment and Gaps: BMW #1 (tied) [I agree] Visibility: BMW #1 [I agree] Cargo/trunk space: BMW #1 (tied) [impossible--12 cubic feet can't be tied for 1st]" [] contain my personal observations, which I have added to the quoted material. Everyone, including the experts, come to these comparisons with preconceived notions and it is really hard to do impartial analysis. Take all these opinions with a grain of salt, and make own personal check list of what you want in a car. Take your check list for a test drive in each car, and make up your own mind.
#420 of 475 Re: Article Comments - Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans [KarenS] by rag133 Jan 18, 2008 (10:29 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Nov 05, 2007 8:54 am) Funny I read the article and they said the G35 interior was one of the worst. I just bought an 08 G35X Sport. I drove the 335i also. Great car, but I thought the inside of the BMW was plain and boring. I really like the G35 interior, much nicer with more features than the 335i, yet they call it plain and boring?? Edmunds seems like the most hypocritical site I have seen for reviews. Amazing how one sentence they slam a car, then the next they love the features... Drive what YOU like, not what Edmunds says you will.