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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#44 of 475 It's a G37, not G35! by matts2000 Nov 05, 2007 (4:48 pm)
I love both cars, but the GT-R is coming! Replies to this message: habitat1 (Nov 06, 2007 5:11 am) circlew (Nov 06, 2007 5:47 am) skarie (Nov 06, 2007 9:11 am) habitat1 (Nov 06, 2007 10:00 am) and 2 more...
#45 of 475 Re: I like the G Sport but..... [louiswei] by lovemyclk Nov 05, 2007 (8:12 pm)
Replying to: louiswei (Nov 05, 2007 3:32 pm) If you drive like you enjoy the experience, good chance BMW will do a full brake job as well! Not exactly inexpensive, as they recommend pads & rotors on the sport pkg.
#46 of 475 Re: Impressive comments... [drtravel] by kdshapiro Nov 06, 2007 (4:46 am)
Replying to: drtravel (Nov 05, 2007 4:04 pm) "Shouldn't reliability be a factor also? The psychology involved in purchasing these cars is exceedingly important. The American buying public has a far different perception of these makes which dictates their purchase decisions. This perception has little to do with on-the-edge performance." What is your perception of the American buying public's perception of these vehicles. Most peoples opinions are influenced by what they see, experience and read. Replies to this message: drtravel (Nov 06, 2007 8:54 am) kdshapiro (Nov 06, 2007 10:49 am) drtravel (Nov 06, 2007 6:58 pm)
#47 of 475 Re: It's a G37, not G35! [matts2000] by habitat1 Nov 06, 2007 (5:11 am)
Replying to: matts2000 (Nov 05, 2007 4:48 pm) I love both cars, but the GT-R is coming! "Sedan" = 4 doors. G37 and GT-R don't qualify. And while we are off topic, I see that the GT-R is closer to my former Isuzu Trooper in weight than it is to my current 911 or previous 4 door Maxima. IMO, Nissan's 350Z is a grossly overweight and underwhelming sports car in the $30k range. They should fix that before trying to tackle the serious/exotic level with a nearly 2 ton, Mattel Toy inspired obese behemouth. Is anybody around that remembers the 240Z? That was a true ground-up winner of a sports car for its day. Now you just have high-HP, low-IQ muscleheads in charge. Replies to this message: circlew (Nov 06, 2007 5:47 am) skarie (Nov 06, 2007 9:11 am) habitat1 (Nov 06, 2007 10:00 am) skarie (Nov 06, 2007 11:37 am) and 1 more...
#48 of 475 Re: I like the G Sport but..... [louiswei] by 2001gs430 Nov 06, 2007 (5:17 am)
Replying to: louiswei (Nov 05, 2007 3:32 pm) Lexus Canada has the exact same maintenance program to match BMW starting this year. It does not worth much, but I think it would prevent Lexus service advisors from adding extras to the scheduled services for the first 4 years/50k miles. That was another deciding factor helping me to switch from the 328i.
#49 of 475 Re: Not "slushy" any more [drewsrx] by habitat1 Nov 06, 2007 (5:38 am)
Replying to: drewsrx (Nov 05, 2007 1:58 pm) You can do every one of those things with these new manumatics, especially in the G35 which will not change gears automatically in DS mode and rev-matches on downshifts. I think you are giving a lot of credit to manumatics where it isn't due. "Rev matching" on downshifts doesn't mean phoohey when there is still a noticable overall engagement hesitation on downshifts. That's the case with the SLK55 I drove last week - do you want to suggest something better I should try? And I may not be the best at articulating this, but I have never found even the better SMG's (M3) to give me the feel and direct control that I want and enjoy. I'm no Tiger Woods. But I'll go out on the course, play from the tips and take my score. It sounds like some folks would rather cart an "Iron Byron" robot onto the course to hit the ball for them. That's fine, and they might score pretty well, but that's simply not a "sport" by my definition. It takes every ounce of technology that Ferrari can muster to get an F1 SMG transmissioned 430 to nearly match the performance of their 430 6-speed manual. That's a transmission that costs about $10,000. Nothing that BMW, Mercedes/AMG, Infiniti or even Porsche currently has even comes close. So I respectfully submit that when we are comparing "sport" sedans or sports cars, the less expensive, but human controlled manual transmission is still the standard that should be used. If somebody then wants to replace "sport" with the "convenience" of a manumatic, that's their perogative. P.S. See my previous post about the GT-R. As a two ton 2-seater, it should not be used for validating anything, IMO. Replies to this message: drewsrx (Nov 07, 2007 1:05 pm)
#50 of 475 Re: It's a G37, not G35! [habitat1] by circlew Nov 06, 2007 (5:47 am)
Replying to: habitat1 (Nov 06, 2007 5:11 am) Yeah, I remember the 240Z, again you are true to form. That was a sports car. I do not fancy the GT-R either. The G35 vs. 335i comparo that you are interested in would likely favor the BMW without a doubt in my mind. The control of the MT and the potent combo with the German chassis would certainly edge out the new G. I agree not too many need the SP anyway. Use it or loose it! Regards, OW
#51 of 475 Re: I like the G Sport but..... [hondacura4] by scottm123 Nov 06, 2007 (6:43 am)
Replying to: hondacura4 (Nov 05, 2007 3:22 pm) And, is the extra $15,000 worth one brake job and 16 oil changes? Replies to this message: circlew (Nov 06, 2007 7:32 am) 2001gs430 (Nov 06, 2007 8:01 am)
#52 of 475 Re: I like the G Sport but..... [scottm123] by circlew Nov 06, 2007 (7:32 am)
Replying to: scottm123 (Nov 06, 2007 6:43 am) In a word, YES! It's the combined experience for me. And the difference is far less than $15K. Regards, OW
#53 of 475 Re: I like the G Sport but..... [scottm123] by 2001gs430 Nov 06, 2007 (8:01 am)
Replying to: scottm123 (Nov 06, 2007 6:43 am) No make that 1 oil change every 15K miles for BMW under their recommended scheduled service plan. That would be 3 changes before you reach the 50K mark. As for the 15 grands, people have different priorities with their savings.