Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans 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
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)
|
Replying to: drtravel (Nov 06, 2007 6:55 pm) Regards, OW |
|
|
|
|
This is an interesting test. First, it's devastating how the mighty have fallen over at Mercedes Benz. Yeah, they never really won many of these tests against their rival BMW, but they usually never came in dead last compared to Japanese or American offerings either. Speaking of the American offering, the Cadillac CTS continues to garner praise, even in a test where it comes in with a distinct disadvantage. One of the editors commented that basically these vehicles are "all about the same size". Well the CTS is bigger than everything here and is squarely the size of all of the competitors' larger offerings (535', E350, etc). Because of that, it gives away 350 lbs to its nearest competitor in this test and naturally was the slowest in the group. Yet it still came in third place and generally garnered praise all around. Bigger news is that the BMW 335i didn't win, but considering its price, it's having a harder time justifying itself when Infiniti is all but giving the G35 away in comparison. The 335i is an outstanding car and although its expensive, you do have to factor in the free maintenance for the first four years of ownership (not chump change in this class...how much do brakes cost these days?) Infiniti again has raised the bar for the group and has discovered that there is advantage of being a "tweener" in size. Bigger than the 3 series but smaller than the CTS, Infiniti managed to keep the weight of the vehicle to within 50 lbs of all the smaller vehicles in the test. The result is a larger, more comfortable vehicle that can still keep up in the acceleration and slalom game. I saw one at a gas station last week and asked the owner how the car was working out for him. I got nothing but gushing praise. I suspect that Infiniti is getting a lot of that. |
|
| Who would pick a rice burner over a BMW? The rice burner just loses on looks alone. | |
|
|
|
Replying to: sevenfeet0 (Nov 07, 2007 8:13 am) |
|
|
Replying to: ddolde (Nov 07, 2007 8:36 am) Really? IMO, the Bimmer has the worst looking exterior and interior out of the five...
|
|
|
Replying to: sevenfeet0 (Nov 07, 2007 8:13 am) Who said and by whose opinion? BMWs have always been more expensive than the Japanese counterparts. Have you taken a look at sales numbers though, Infiniti vs BMW. BMW doesn't take any prisoners in the real world with sales. Now that BMW has established it's dominance with the 335i in terms of performance and handling, I think it's fitting the G35 won on value. |
|
|
Replying to: drtravel (Nov 06, 2007 6:55 pm)
|
|
|
Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 07, 2007 9:05 am) The big story here is that not too long ago Infiniti was on the brink of bankruptcy. Now they are actually BMW's #1 competitor in this segment. There is no way Infiniti could match BMW sales given the latter's strong brand loyalty and history. But the fact Infiniti is this competitive is quite remarkable - and no I don't own a G and don't plan to! Now that BMW has established it's dominance with the 335i in terms of performance and handling, I think it's fitting the G35 won on value. Through the first three quarters of this year 335 sales (all variations - coupes, convertibles etc.) accounted for 23.6% of total 3-series sales. The market place has decided they want the 330 which might not compare as well performance wise with the G. In either case "dominance" probably is not an accurate description. |
|
|
Replying to: ddolde (Nov 07, 2007 8:36 am) Actually quite a few educated people. I'm not of Asian descent but even I find your remark offensive. Surprised the host hasn't deleted it because it added absolutely nothing to the discussion.
|
|
|
Replying to: louiswei (Nov 07, 2007 8:59 am) There was quite a stink raised by BMW owners over the "Bangle-inspired" design of all BMWs. They were not a happy bunch. Many magazines have also been critical of BMW's design - in fact I even think one said BMW owner's breathed a sigh of relieve when BMW toned down the design on the 3-series - they said at least the car wasn't ugly. Personally I like the MB design best. The Infiniti is kind of neutral. The 3-series looks better than the 5-series.
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Sedans Article Comments - Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Cadillac CTS
2010 BMW 3 Series
2008 Infiniti G35
1991 Mercedes-Benz 350-Class
2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
