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

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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#74 of 475 Re: My comments on the test... [sevenfeet0] by kdshapiro Nov 07, 2007 (9:05 am)
Replying to: sevenfeet0 (Nov 07, 2007 8:13 am) 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 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. Replies to this message: drtravel (Nov 07, 2007 10:48 am) sevenfeet0 (Nov 07, 2007 12:14 pm) kdshapiro (Nov 07, 2007 12:18 pm) pmc4 (Nov 10, 2007 2:26 pm) sweendogy (Nov 10, 2007 2:52 pm) kdshapiro (Nov 11, 2007 7:35 am) and 7 more...
#75 of 475 Re: Why not include Audi? [drtravel] by drtravel Nov 07, 2007 (9:53 am)
Replying to: drtravel (Nov 06, 2007 6:55 pm) Case could also be made for the Acura TL which only sold 48,493 units this year. Replies to this message: g35xfun (Nov 07, 2007 12:37 pm)
#76 of 475 Re: My comments on the test... [kdshapiro] by drtravel Nov 07, 2007 (10:48 am)
Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 07, 2007 9:05 am) Have you taken a look at sales numbers though, Infiniti vs BMW. BMW doesn't take any prisoners in the real world with sales. 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.
#77 of 475 Re: Rice Burner ? [ddolde] by drtravel Nov 07, 2007 (10:51 am)
Replying to: ddolde (Nov 07, 2007 8:36 am) Who would pick a rice burner over a BMW? 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. Replies to this message: dglassm (Nov 10, 2007 6:51 am) kdshapiro (Nov 10, 2007 8:48 am) circlew (Nov 10, 2007 8:51 am)
#78 of 475 Re: Rice Burner ? [louiswei] by drtravel Nov 07, 2007 (10:56 am)
Replying to: louiswei (Nov 07, 2007 8:59 am) IMO, the Bimmer has the worst looking exterior and interior out of the five... 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. Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Nov 07, 2007 11:13 am) circlew (Nov 07, 2007 11:20 am)
#79 of 475 Re: Rice Burner ? [drtravel] by kdshapiro Nov 07, 2007 (11:13 am)
Replying to: drtravel (Nov 07, 2007 10:56 am) "There was quite a stink raised by BMW owners over the "Bangle-inspired" design of all BMWs. They were not a happy bunch." There was a few people who didn't like the new Bangle inspired designs, I'm not one of them. Now a few years later those design elements have been copied. The 3 series is far from saying it is not ugly. MB has always had a classic look although they too have changed, for the better.
#80 of 475 Re: Rice Burner ? [drtravel] by circlew Nov 07, 2007 (11:20 am)
Replying to: drtravel (Nov 07, 2007 10:56 am) The 3-series looks better than the 5-series. Exactly my view as well. Actually, The 6-series is my favorite looker in the current lineup. The 2005-2006 G sedan was not appealing to me. The G coupe was/is a beauty. The new G is OK for me. The past audi's are neutral to me. The mercs are interesting but the Quality nag is always lurking and you need the AMG to get a serious sporter. Compared to the Lexus and Cadillac, the 3 is much more pleasing to the gaze. Coupe over the sedan, however, IMHO. Regards, OW
#81 of 475 Re: My comments on the test... [kdshapiro] by sevenfeet0 Nov 07, 2007 (12:14 pm)
Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 07, 2007 9:05 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. I said, and it's my opinion. After all, that's the point of a forum. Yes the BMWs and Mercedes have traditionally been more expensive than their Japanese counterparts. It's just that now, the Japanese auto makers are now making sport sedans that are actually competitive to their bread-and-butter products (and in this case, beating them in a comparo test). Even Cadillac is seriously back in the game. BMW's advantage is its long term dominance of this market, superior products and fierce customer loyalty. But they or anyone else in their position would be foolish to ignore the competition breathing down their proverbial necks. G35s are priced to sell. That isn't lost on many potential buyers. Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Nov 07, 2007 12:18 pm) pmc4 (Nov 10, 2007 2:26 pm) sweendogy (Nov 10, 2007 2:52 pm) kdshapiro (Nov 11, 2007 7:35 am) pmc4 (Nov 11, 2007 5:43 pm) and 6 more...
#82 of 475 Re: My comments on the test... [sevenfeet0] by kdshapiro Nov 07, 2007 (12:18 pm)
Replying to: sevenfeet0 (Nov 07, 2007 12:14 pm) It's just that now, the Japanese auto makers are now making sport sedans that are actually competitive to their bread-and-butter products (and in this case, beating them in a comparo test. Actually the G35 didn't beat the 335 by any measure except value, whatever that means. BMW's advantage is its long term dominance of this market, superior products and fierce customer loyalty. And superior driving cars. But they or anyone else in their position would be foolish to ignore the competition breathing down their proverbial necks. G35s are priced to sell. That isn't lost on many potential buyers. Price is never lost on anyone, but people have different values. Infiniti also nees to watch their backs, it's not all against BMW, it's every man for themselves. A sale for Lexus is a sale lost to BMW, Infiniti, Caddilac, Audi, et al.
#83 of 475 Re: Why not include Audi? [drtravel] by g35xfun Nov 07, 2007 (12:37 pm)
Replying to: drtravel (Nov 07, 2007 9:53 am) Acura TL is front wheel drive with plenty of torque steer. How would it really compete? Place 6th behind the MB C-Class? Honda needs to get serious 4 seater rear drive platform together. And thankfully Edmunds had the good sense to exclude Audi. Underpowered, poor weight distribution, and unreliable along with dealership support that never own up to the real problems nor step up to meet their responsibility, the junk that is the A4 should probaly place something like 9th or 10th after the likes of Honda Accord, Mazdapeed 6 and Spec-B Legacy if we were to widen the scope. And believe you, me, I foolishly bought an S4 new and I'll never bother with any VW and Audi ever again. As for automatic transmission, the old school die hards just don't get it that "sport" doesn't have to involve the left foot. Heck F1 race cars use automatics now. The "slushy" innuendos are just cheap shots. With the technology now available, it has been clearly demonstrated that computer controlled automatics, DSG, CVT, etc. have proven to be faster than any human can do with their left foot. Times are a'changin, just like live axles were replaced by four wheel independent suspension, or carbs. replaced by fuel injection. When technology evolves to high performance electric cars, with four motors independently directly driving the the four wheels, there won't even be a transmission to speak of. Will "sport" disappear from driving altogether? Does the Tesla not qualify for "sport"? Get with the program. One last rant, now if the Edmunds can do the same comparo with AWD that would be really nice. Given that many other like myself live in the snowy messy parts of the U.S. or world, it would be much appreciated. "Sport" any time, any where, any conditions, no excuses ..... too bad the GT-R is so way out of the reasonably affordable price bracket.