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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#441 of 475 Re: Neither car perfect yet [roadburner] by cdnpinhead Apr 04, 2008 (6:40 pm)
Replying to: roadburner (Apr 04, 2008 5:01 pm) You are exactly the kind of person that today's BMW couldn't give a rip less about. Modifying the car is well beyond checking the oil, and they don't want us doing even that. Then there's that RFT situation (I had a much more colorful phrase in there, but discretion became the better part). Each month when I read Roundel, I learn about more people like me -- all are driving BMWs 5 years or more (often much more) old. I drove a Datsun 510 that was based (many would say copied) on the BMW 1600, which turned into the revered 2002. BMWs without dipsticks are as far as it's possible to get from that concept. Sad. Anyway, I ended up with an Acura TSX and am very pleased so far. Replies to this message: roadburner (Apr 05, 2008 6:28 am) nizzo (Apr 05, 2008 2:02 pm) roadburner (Apr 05, 2008 5:24 pm) carzzz (Apr 06, 2008 6:22 pm) and 1 more...
#442 of 475 Re: Neither car perfect yet [cdnpinhead] by roadburner Apr 05, 2008 (6:28 am)
Replying to: cdnpinhead (Apr 04, 2008 6:40 pm) BMWs without dipsticks are as far as it's possible to get from that concept. Sad. I agree. Most BMW owners prefer to wear them rather than drive them. Though I think that that is probably true with every car in the segment. Anyway, I ended up with an Acura TSX and am very pleased so far. I'd think so; that's a very nice car. Congratulations!
#443 of 475 Re: Neither car perfect yet [cdnpinhead] by nizzo Apr 05, 2008 (2:02 pm)
Replying to: cdnpinhead (Apr 04, 2008 6:40 pm) Heh, yeah, personally I still got my 2003 E39 530i Sport, manual transmission, dipstick, et all Love it, the car just does everything really well. Best all-around car I've ever had, no contest. The E39 was a superb achievement. Here's the edmunds review: http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=78910/pageNumber=1?sy- npartner=edmunds&pageurl=www.edmunds.com/new/2008/bmw/5series/100870599/roadtest- article.html&articleId=78910 Replies to this message: roadburner (Apr 05, 2008 5:24 pm) carzzz (Apr 06, 2008 6:22 pm) kdshapiro (Apr 07, 2008 5:10 am)
#444 of 475 Re: Neither car perfect yet [nizzo] by roadburner Apr 05, 2008 (5:24 pm)
Replying to: nizzo (Apr 05, 2008 2:02 pm) Love it, the car just does everything really well. Best all-around car I've ever had, no contest. The E39 was a superb achievement. We had a 1997 528i. An outstanding car. My local dealer took a gorgeous '03 540i Sport in trade. Even though I usually prefer smaller cars, I probably would have bought it had it been a manual... Replies to this message: carzzz (Apr 06, 2008 6:22 pm) kdshapiro (Apr 07, 2008 5:10 am)
#445 of 475 G35 and Alfa by arlobigwater Apr 05, 2008 (7:15 pm)
I have found it interesting that everyone wants to compare the G35 to German cars. guessing most have not driven Italian sedans, or owned them. My reason for buying its was that it felt more like my 164L 5spd, a car I drove into the ground before I gave it up. The 335i I tried didn't have the edge I wanted to feel. Comments?
#446 of 475 Re: Neither car perfect yet [roadburner] by carzzz Apr 06, 2008 (6:22 pm)
Replying to: roadburner (Apr 05, 2008 5:24 pm) http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/roadtest,view,BMW.spy?artid=95920 One of the most interesting results Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Apr 07, 2008 5:10 am)
#447 of 475 Re: Neither car perfect yet [carzzz] by kdshapiro Apr 07, 2008 (5:10 am)
Replying to: carzzz (Apr 06, 2008 6:22 pm) The steering is peculiar; there is about a half-second between the moment we turn the wheel and the moment when the wheels actually turn. The result is a car that understeers and gives a slightly disconnected feel. We get used to it, but still. The Internet is wonderful. It goes to show anybody can write anything. Seems like this would be enough for C/D,R/T, edmunds etc to make the car last in an AWD sports sedan comparo.
#448 of 475 Sports Sedans with gas at +$4/gal? by jmaroun Apr 12, 2008 (8:17 pm)
I've compared all of the 335i's near and distant competitors from both sides of the cost spectrum. The 335i comes out on top in the majority of considerations. The root of its strengths is its impecible handling, generous low end torque, and involving driving experience. It has some weakness as well. Bland interior, iDrive, and a less Sporty exterior than I'd prefer. These diminish slightly the greatness the 335i posseses. There is news that BMW is working to provide buyers more options with rumors of tii comming back. 2008's lineup seems endless: 335i, E92 M3, C63 AMG, ISF, GTR, S5, ... Out of these, I think the 335i will sell the most, even with its not so cheap price tag of average $48k. With the US economy showing serious signs of weakness, unemployment is creepping up, gas and food prices on the rise, seemmingly endless and growing wars over seas ... I wonder whether or not auto manufacturers picked the right year to flood the market with sports sedans. Sports sedans are a sign of wealth, prosperity. They signify a thriving live-style well above subsistance. I wonder whether these times will last in the near future. It's always wise to enjoy life and persue happiness..thats why I leased a 330i three years ago. Thus far, my plan was to renue my vow to that persuit by leasing the 335i. Given the cloudy economic outlook however,.. I'm having second thoughts. My hunch is that others are as well. Maybe a used Hoda Civic is a wiser choice to temporarilly ride out the clouds. Thanks to the Auto Industry for their 2008 efforts..but it seems like bad timming may spoil their investments. Joseph San Diego my blog: http://www.carspace.com/blogs/enthusiastsdilemma08 Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Apr 12, 2008 9:56 pm)
#449 of 475 Re: Sports Sedans with gas at +$4/gal? [jmaroun] by kdshapiro Apr 12, 2008 (9:56 pm)
Replying to: jmaroun (Apr 12, 2008 8:17 pm) Bland interior, iDrive, and a less Sporty exterior than I'd prefer. One persons bland interior, is my spot on interior. I can't see what the issue with idrive is, I figured it out in 30 seconds going 50 mph. The exterior of the 335i is perfect. I did feel the seat belt extender was a bit gimmicky though. By the way, in another thread you mention you leased a car through an internet company. How did that turn out?
#450 of 475 Not Sure What's Next For Me, After #2 and #1 by davidd3 May 20, 2008 (9:55 am)
I got the G35 when it first came out. After that I got the current generation 330i when it first came out. Leased them both. Lease on 330i only has 3 months to go. I am struggling with what comes next. Although my G (first generation) and my 3 (330i not 335i) are not exactly the same as the G and 3 used in this latest comparison, I believe I can weigh in from experience with both. Simply put, the BMW is the better car in my view but not worth the large price difference. The price difference does become somewhat smaller, however, when you factor in BMW's better gas mileage and included maintenance. As far as reliability goes, I had many problems with the 3 while I had no problems with the G. Price and reliability matter to most prospective purchasers, while they may not matter at all to auto enthusiasts who are just rounding up these cars and testing them for a performance comparison. Now that I've had the two cars most often rated as #1 and #2 in this market segment, what's next for me? I do want a change. I like to get something new and fresh every 3 years, which is one of the reasons why I lease. But I don't see much out there that fits the bill this time around. The 1-Series has some appeal to me, but it is a coupe and probably too small. The CTS has been getting rave reviews, but according to Consumer Reports Cadillac is near the bottom in reliablity ratings. So I wouldn't take a chance on a Cadillac, especially the first model year of a new generation. An upgrade to a 335i does not excite me. It is basically the same car as I have now, albeit more powerful. It's a lot of money and not much of change. Changing back to the G35 also does not excite me. It really hasn't changed much and the gas mileage is relatively bad. The TL and the A4 are in the last model year of their respective current generations. I cannot wait for the new gens and I do not want to be driving what will before long be the old model. So what's next? Maybe the IS? I like the way it looks, though I'm not so sure about the drive as it does not seem to do exceedingly well in comparison tests (at least not when the G and the 3 are in the mix). So far I have test driven only the IS250AWD, which was the only IS the dealer had for test drives at the time. It was lacking in relative power from a stop, but I am sure the same is not true for the IS350 (or maybe even the IS250 w/o AWD). I found it to be quiet, comfortable, and surprising nimble (given the almost universal knock on Toyota and Lexus cars). I have read criticisms about the handling and room in the rear, but neither is valid from my own personal perspective. I might just give up my gotta be first on the block to have it mentality, as it has been costing me a lot of money over the years. I might be more open this time and perhaps be swayed by which cars in this market segment have attractive lease programs at my time of need. Still thinking . . . Replies to this message: circlew (May 20, 2008 11:02 am) davidd3 (May 21, 2008 7:44 pm) lovemyclk (May 20, 2008 7:46 pm) davidd3 (May 21, 2008 7:55 pm) bmlexus (May 21, 2008 9:04 pm) and 14 more...