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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#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.
#54 of 475 Re: Impressive comments... [kdshapiro] by drtravel Nov 06, 2007 (8:54 am)
Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 06, 2007 4:46 am) 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. Purchasing luxury cars are a lifestyle choice based on often irrational logic!? For example, let's take a look at MB (my wife has been an owner for the past 12 years). I have spent countless hours in the MB service department and can attest to those black dots in Consumer Reports. I've heard so many people complain about their P.O.S. car yet when they start thinking about their next car they often consider another Benz! Experience didn't enter the picture. How many magazine/newspaper articles have stated how poor MB reliability is and how many comparos do the E-class and C-class actually win? Not many yet MB does indeed sell alot of cars. Reading probably didn't have much influence. What people see is important - even more important is being seen. The rich and powerful choose luxury cars so I need to follow their lead and impress my neighbors. How many owners actually drive their "sport" sedans in a manner consistent with their design? I'm venturing very few. Most BMW owners choose the smallest engine, non-sport package and don't even talk about a manual tranny! Of course those in these forums tend to be enthusiasts so they demand power, handling and that manual. But in the overall picture, we are in the minority. A good driver could probably drive circles around the typical BMW owner with an Accord. For many the Accord would be a better choice than these luxury autos but they are like my wife - she wouldn't be caught dead in anything not made in Germany! Back in my motorcycle days manufacturers made cruisers and crotch rockets. Many bought the latter with the illusion that they were amateur racers. But "real" motorcyclists would lap them at racetracks with their cruisers and guess who usually crashed their bikes? Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Nov 06, 2007 10:49 am) drtravel (Nov 06, 2007 6:58 pm)
#55 of 475 Why not include Audi? by drtravel Nov 06, 2007 (9:01 am)
Americans don't give Audi the same level of respect as they do for BMW and MB. Look at the small sales numbers yet over in the mother land German consumers generally choose Audis as their preferred luxury make - based on local sales. Are Germans more influenced by reality in their purchase decisions than us Americans who are into marketing and brand prestige? PS. I've never owned an Audi but have always felt their interiors were much nicer than other German brands. Replies to this message: mercedesfan (Nov 06, 2007 9:46 am) drtravel (Nov 06, 2007 6:55 pm) circlew (Nov 07, 2007 3:37 am) drtravel (Nov 07, 2007 9:53 am) and 1 more...
#56 of 475 Re: It's a G37, not G35! [habitat1] by skarie Nov 06, 2007 (9:11 am)
Replying to: habitat1 (Nov 06, 2007 5:11 am) 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 As overweight as the GTR might be, there is no porsche(stock)around past or present that can out run it, and that include the 911GT2 and the CARRERA GT. Replies to this message: habitat1 (Nov 06, 2007 10:00 am) skarie (Nov 06, 2007 11:37 am)