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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#431 of 475 Re: Objective or Subjective? [sjaieve] by gooddeal2 Apr 02, 2008 (7:09 am)
Replying to: sjaieve (Apr 02, 2008 12:44 am) I wouldn't equate the G's perfomance to a fake diamond, its a real diamond but may have less clarity/carats than the 335i's . I agree...I like to think the same way as when I was in school. If 90% or above is an A, why I need to care if I get 90 or 100. Why do I need to care that tiny imperfection (mostly about materials) just to pay 8 to 10K more?
#432 of 475 Re: Decision Time - BMW335xi vs G35xS [shawn22] by klossfam Apr 02, 2008 (8:21 am)
Replying to: shawn22 (Mar 29, 2008 11:52 am) I can comment as I own a 2008 G35xS and have spent a lot of seat time in a 335i and xi (including time at the BMW Performance Driving School in SC)...I can afford either but to me, even at equal pricing, the G35 is a better combo of sport & luxury...The ability of the G to be "Lexus-like" on the highway and "bad ass" at the stop light drags is amazing...Plus you get a useable back seat, great ergos and Nissan/Infiniti reliability...Also, all the press about "almost no turbo lag" in the 335 is pure BS...when driven hard, the lag is evident - and thus the real world torque of the 335 lags well behind the G...you will use more gas in the G (I get about 18 mpg mixed and 22 hwy - but not totally broken in yet)...Save the $10K and get the better all around car...
#433 of 475 Re: Objective or Subjective? [sjaieve] by bmajik Apr 02, 2008 (9:29 am)
Replying to: sjaieve (Apr 02, 2008 12:44 am) Having several years research and development experience with 3 major automotive manufacturers, foreign and domestic I find it very perplexing how much credit the general public gives to the journalist that write for magazines such as Car & Driver, Motor Trend, and others. Most of these writers do not have a relevant automotive industry background or they are former race car drivers that most of us can't relate to when it comes to driving a car. The later is a great perspective to have but, how many of us can safely push a car to its limits in everyday use like a race car driver does on a track? How many of us need that extra 0.01g on the skid-pad or that extra tenth of a second on a quarter mile? It is great to have bragging rights but, it is really of little significance in the overall scheme of things when purchasing a car. I often wonder what the average Joe would buy if he could only depend on his own feedback from a test drive. There is an old John Wayne movie called, The Man Who shot Liberty Valance. The movie has a great quote in it that says, "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend". Are people purchasing BMW simply based on legend? If you are not following me on this, look at it this way. My father-in-law who does not follow basketball recently picked Duke University to win the NCAA tournament. I asked why he selected them, he simply replied, "It's Duke, they are a great team!". There is no doubt that Duke has great basketball history and tradition however, Duke lost in the second round of the tournament. Did he pick Duke to win it all based on legend? I think so. Just my $0.02 Replies to this message: sjaieve (Apr 02, 2008 10:20 am) circlew (Apr 03, 2008 2:03 pm)
#434 of 475 Re: Objective or Subjective? [bmajik] by sjaieve Apr 02, 2008 (10:20 am)
Replying to: bmajik (Apr 02, 2008 9:29 am) You know what, for a long time I have been reading these forums and reading how much the 335i is so great and glamorous. I was beginning to think am I the only one who sees things differently? I am glad there are others out there who see the 335i for what it is. An overpriced car that does not offer much but whats in Car & Driver and other car magazines where editors there are still hanging on to the legend as you indicated. 335i knocked out the C Class a long time ago, that was then, this is now. Car & Driver went on to declare the 328 the winner against the G, are you kidding me? Where does the 328i excel against the G. The answer to that is the BS handling they throw in
#435 of 475 Re: Objective or Subjective? [tagman] by circlew Apr 03, 2008 (1:58 pm)
Replying to: tagman (Apr 01, 2008 8:22 pm) Amen...my truth is, I sat in the G35 at the NYIAS and the interior fit and finish were down a few grades form my '06 3'er. That is a strike one for me. (Yhr Accura TL felt the same to me). Knowing the drive/fit/finish of the 330 and then a day with the 335i, I already have a good feel of the differences between the 2. Next pitch will be served up on a test drive of my own for both the G35, 335. Then I decide. Oh...and a quick spin in a 1'er. Regards, OW
#436 of 475 Re: Objective or Subjective? [bmajik] by circlew Apr 03, 2008 (2:03 pm)
Replying to: bmajik (Apr 02, 2008 9:29 am) You need to drive both for yourself to answer your own questions...I answered mine back in 2006...time to ask myself again. Regards, OW
#437 of 475 Re: Objective or Subjective? [jeffmo2334] by scottm123 Apr 03, 2008 (3:45 pm)
Replying to: jeffmo2334 (Apr 02, 2008 6:24 am) If the Bimmer costs $10k more and is less reliable, why is rating the G better than the Bimmer a subjective decision? +100
#438 of 475 Neither car perfect yet by fphjr01 Apr 04, 2008 (5:26 am)
I think the main problem people have is the need to justify which car they like better to everyone else -- if you like the G or the 3 then great -- be happy with your choice or purchase. From my point of view, both cars have room for improvement. I think the 3 is heading in the wrong direction with run flat tires and the way maintenance is handled. While its included for buyers for the first 50k miles, they are setting up their service centers for serious price gouging later on -- that is an insidious tactic that I'm not a fan of. The reliability of the 3 has been pretty good from what I can tell -- is there a statistical advantage / disadvantage to the G? My guess is its slim to none. Sure you can solve the run flat problem by switching to regular tires, but then that's another $500-1000 to add to the price disparity between the 3 and the G. My problem with the G is they aren't putting their best car together yet. There's already a better engine in the G37 coupe, but its not being used in the sedan. They've also got a 7-spd auto in the works, which I think should further improve performance and fuel economy -- a tangible advantage the 3 currently has. I agree with others that price is objective, and that 0.2sec in the 0-60 makes no difference when you are sitting in traffic on the highway. At the end of the day we should count ourselves lucky that we have such excellent selection overall -- we're arguing over which of two great cars is greater. Replies to this message: cdnpinhead (Apr 04, 2008 6:48 am) roadburner (Apr 04, 2008 5:01 pm) cdnpinhead (Apr 04, 2008 6:40 pm) and 5 more...
#439 of 475 Re: Neither car perfect yet [fphjr01] by cdnpinhead Apr 04, 2008 (6:48 am)
Replying to: fphjr01 (Apr 04, 2008 5:26 am) "I think the 3 is heading in the wrong direction with run flat tires and the way maintenance is handled." I couldn't agree more. I recently voted with my money, and it wasn't for the 3 that I thought I was going to get for the last 3-4 years. Replies to this message: roadburner (Apr 04, 2008 5:01 pm) cdnpinhead (Apr 04, 2008 6:40 pm) roadburner (Apr 05, 2008 6:28 am) nizzo (Apr 05, 2008 2:02 pm) and 3 more...
#440 of 475 Re: Neither car perfect yet [cdnpinhead] by roadburner Apr 04, 2008 (5:01 pm)
Replying to: cdnpinhead (Apr 04, 2008 6:48 am) I couldn't agree more. I recently voted with my money, and it wasn't for the 3 that I thought I was going to get for the last 3-4 years. I must have missed it, what did you end up with? I'm trying to decide whether to stick a stroker motor, lightweight flywheel, and new springs/shocks into the ti or find a nice E30 or E36 M3 instead. The blasted track bug has bit me all over again; it's a sickness, I tell ya... Replies to this message: cdnpinhead (Apr 04, 2008 6:40 pm) roadburner (Apr 05, 2008 6:28 am) nizzo (Apr 05, 2008 2:02 pm) roadburner (Apr 05, 2008 5:24 pm) and 2 more...