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Infiniti G35 vs Audi A4 vs BMW 335i

88 messages,  Last post on Jul 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM

You are in the Infiniti G35 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Infiniti G35, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 10

#7 of 88 Re: 2008 audi a4 2.0 turbo vs 2008 saab 9-3 2.0 turbo [ggs2] by rascal99

Apr 15, 2008 (6:53 am)

Replying to: ggs2 (Apr 14, 2008 5:59 pm)
I can speak for the A4 2.0T. I bought a 2007 a couple years ago and have been very pleased so far. I have a manual transmission. In my mind this car is one of the best values in the market, and Audi is quite under rated in the U.S. My A4 was less than $30k new. I owned a Honda when I wandered into an Audi dealership to look at the A4. I was a travelling consultant and needed a comfortable fuel efficient car with good performance. The Civic wasn't cutting it. As for reliability the current A4 is judged to be quite reliable. Don't base your judgement on the prior 1.8T models. Audi has improved reliability. A majority of cars produced today are very reliable. The difference in reliability between Honda/Toyota and Audi, as an example, is slim.
I would also evaluate the Audi and Saab dealer service where you are located. My local Audi dealer has been top notch. Be sure to negotiate the cost of the maintenence plan into your deal. It is about $500.
I have no experience at all with Saab. Maybe someone can chime in. Good luck with your decision.

#8 of 88 Re: 2008 audi a4 2.0 turbo vs 2008 saab 9-3 2.0 turbo [rascal99] by cdnpinhead

Apr 15, 2008 (7:06 pm)

Replying to: rascal99 (Apr 15, 2008 6:53 am)
Happy to hear your A4 is working out well. Did you buy it outright or lease? If you bought it, what do you think of Audi resale value? I was seriously considering an A3 before I bought the car I'm driving now, but resale is a pretty big deal, and everything I've heard over the past few years leads me to believe Audi resale value leaves something to be desired. If you leased, reliability is a total non-issue, beyond the PITA factor of dropping the car off & picking it up for repairs (assuming a loaner).
 
I won't drive anything but a manual transmission either -- it's great to drive an enjoyable car. Sounds like you and I are both doing it.

#9 of 88 Saab and Audi by r34

Apr 15, 2008 (8:07 pm)

I had 3 Saabs (I am driving 9-3) and my wife is driving an A4 3.2.
I love Saab. It is unique. It is not only a car. It is like a family member.
Saab built good and solid cars (they are safer than Volvo). My first Saab saved my wife. She was hit by a truck on highway and walked out with no problem. They do have some minor issues so it is important to find a good dealer. I found that Saab or Euopean only dealerships have better service than Saab & Cadallic dealerships.
 
The A4 seems to be fine but it has only 800 miles. It has much better interior and handling. It is a nice car but I don't attach to it as my Saab. I love turbo! If it is A4 2.0 FWD vs. Saab 9-3 2.0T, Saab 9-3 2.0 is a better car.
 
I drove Japanses cars before but I didn't go back after I switched to European cars.
I think they are more solid (the doors are heavy and solid) and give me more feedback from the roads. Japense cars may be more reliable but they are not famous (or I should say no comparison) for safety.

#10 of 88 Re: 2008 audi a4 2.0 turbo vs 2008 saab 9-3 2.0 turbo [cdnpinhead] by rascal99

Apr 16, 2008 (7:16 am)

Replying to: cdnpinhead (Apr 15, 2008 7:06 pm)
I purchased the A4. I have never leased a car. The only car I have ever traded was the Civic I gave up for this A4; otherwise, I sell my cars privately. I was aware the Audi resale was not going to touch the resale of a Civic for instance; however, I wasn't too worried since I do not trade my cars. Interesting that the other car I looked at was a TSX, which has super resale value, but the car just didn't do much for me.
At purchase time the only thing that concerned me about the A4 was reliability. I swore I would never buy a VW product. Great quality, but mediocre reliability. With 30K miles on this car it has been bulletproof thus far, and it rates fairly well even by CR. I'll keep my fingers crossed, and foot to the floor

#11 of 88 It depends on what you are looking for. by r34

Apr 16, 2008 (7:49 am)

If you want reliability and power, you probably want to go with G35.
If you want safety, go with European Cars.
 
Saab is very good in safety (better than BMW and Audi) and it has very comfortable leather seats (especially the Aero Sport seats). It doesn't not have the good interior or handling as the A4 but it may be one of the best overall package. After all the incentive, you can get a 2.0T around the same price as an Accord V6.
 
I got an Audi because I wanted to try something different. Quattro is fun.
 
I am willing to give up some reliability for a Saab and Audi.

#12 of 88 Re: It depends on what you are looking for. [r34] by sjaieve

Apr 16, 2008 (9:28 am)

Replying to: r34 (Apr 16, 2008 7:49 am)
I have to disagree completely on safety of European cars VS Japanese cars, there are all pretty much in the same tier. Where are you getting your iformartion from? As I indicated earlier, if you are going to be buying a German car, get a 335i, at least you will be in a different Tier as far as perfomance and I think the extra money you pay for it is somewhat salvaged. If we talk about the A4 & C350 you really are paying more money for nothing. With the A4, I am referring to the V6 model and I am referring to the 2009 model. The 08 model is history and has nothing to offer compared to the competition. Can you justify why you would pay more money for a C350 or A4 vs the G35? Please list your reasons, i.e. what these cars offer that the G doesn't and we can pick it up from there.
 
If one of the reasons is your attachment to the brand, thats great and I won't even judge you for that. We will just end it at that.

#13 of 88 Accolades by sjaieve

Apr 16, 2008 (10:17 am)

http://g35driver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120626
 
BTW, I also dont trust car reviews especially since they favor the 335i and underrate the IS350 (seems most reviewers dont like this car and there are very few people who support it on this forum. Frankly I think its a very nice car). However, you will be hard pressed to finding anything similar for the A4 to to whats on the post. The G only competes with the IS350 and 335i, taste is what determines who wins. Everything else in ELLPS just doesnt come close to these 3

#14 of 88 Safety ratings by r34

Apr 17, 2008 (1:11 pm)

Both cars have 5 stars safety rating doesn't mean they are the same. Why did Saab and Volvo received the highest safety ratings and top picks (I think the 9-3 received double top pick for several years)? Check IIHS, EuroCap, etc.
 
I also confirmed that by experience. The doors, bodies, and the stable feeling of European cars convinced me (the recent Bimmer may be the exception).
I really want to see 2 cars with the same safety ratings crush together.
I doubt a 5 stars Kia is as good as other cars.
 
Japanese cars just can't touch them. Japanese cars are not famous for safety. They are famous for good fuel efficient and good reliability.
 
I agree the G35 is still safe (not the safest) and has the performance and value.
If I need to pick the safest Japanese car, I will pick Nissan over Toyota and Honda.

#15 of 88 Infiniti G35 vs Audi A4 by spi5

Apr 18, 2008 (1:49 am)

Replying to: sjaieve (Apr 16, 2008 10:17 am)
I recently tried to buy a car. Being a RX-8 stick shift driver for 4 years, I decided give myself a bit rest. Not to play heel-toe anymore despite it is fun. My next car - good handling and fun to drive are must. Plus I need reasonable commute car to pickup my daughter everyday.
 
My target car is everywhere - TL, IS250, 328i, G35...Basically all near luxury sedan w/automatic transmission. Just without A4 which I never think of it.
 
After countless test driving and research. TL is the best bang for the bucks. I can get it for 31.5k plus tax w/nav. Interior is OK - like upscale accord, full of gadgets....
 
Two reasons I did not choose it - 1. I'm not a fan of its look. Here in SF Bay Area, an TL just look like transparent to us. I won't turn my head to see it anyway. 2. Handling is OK - better than accord, but it is vanilla. From RX-8 to TL, TL handling is boring.
 
I thought G35 sedan is my best choice. Being change style in 2007, now the back of G35 finally gets better. Not particular nice looking but it is not ugly at least. I was always wondering why G35 coupe is such good looking car and infiniti just can not transform it into sedan.
 
2008 G35 interior is much better than before. It is now better than my RX-8 GT inside. Being a RX-8 owner, I may set a high standard fo this car. OK, after test drive twice over 1 hours, I can tell you why I did not choose this car - the lack of refinement. It is powerful - yes. And then? Where those smooth linear output like RX-8 or BMW inline-6? I really don't like it hop-liking start. Suspension? Too stiff. Both BMW and RX-8 are better handling car and also keep the comfort of transportation. So the handling and comfort can be co-exist. That what I call - refinement. Interior is on par of TL. However, being newer model than TL, something like key less start is really good feature. It is a good car, but not for my age.
 
Let's talk about the king of driving machine - BMW. OMG, I feel connected right away when first time I sit in and drive it. 50-50 weight distribution is no kidding. I feel I can do anything. The handling may be even better than my RX-8? Not sure, but it is very very excellent. One word - CONNECTED. Inline-6 is so linear. So joyful to drive it.
 
It did not make it. Why? Couple reasons. 1. The looks - E90 (2006+) model does not look better than its old model. Some of my friends call it angry shark in the front. Anyway, not bad looking but also not good looking. 2. Again, here in SF Bay Area, the 3 series car driver may be more than honda civic. It is so common car here. A lot of people want and can buy it. My budget is for 328i not 335i. It just look like you can not afford 335i so you buy 328i. My friend - a BMW-driving-only guy - talk to me - why 328? You should get 335i....Anyway, I'm just not ready to spend 40k on a 335i. 3. The image of certain 3s drivers. Few of them think they are on top of world just because they are driving bimmer - sorry, it is not. The bimmer is truly a king of all cars, but not you. Want a sports sedan? Get a stick shift! Don't drive an automatic and think you are good. Being saw too many punk kids driving bimmer around. It really does not give me good image on "personal taste".
 
Forgot to mention the interior - who cares? This is a damn good car to drive.
 
IS250. I always love Lexus luxury feel and hate it camry like handling. This IS is true best looking car. So nice looking that I can lick on it. Interestingly, handing is responsive - not like camry. However, I cannot feel connected. Probably too many electronics assistance. I can live with that since I need to drive an automatic after all.
 
It did not make it. Again. Why? The back seat is so tight that I don't think my family will be happy after 1 month. Also, IS 250 may be more than 3s on street now in Bay Area - Ah... I like SOME having same taste as me but not everyone.
 
Never thought about A4. From the picture, it is such old fashion car inside and out. It turn out to be an idea from my wife - she think A4 is a nice looking car - just not as good as IS250. Since we turn down the IS because of its tight rear seat and we have no other list in our pocket, we walk into Audi's lot and take a look of A4. I was thinking I won't buy it anyway. But no harm to see it.
 
I was wrong. Despite the ibis white A4 looks not as sleek as IS 250, it looks more like classic. And we do not see it much on the street. That is a plus to us. The more I see it, the more I like it. My wife told me that Princess Diana was driving a convertible A4 so she always like the taste of it. Anyway, I am now no offense to its exterior.
 
How about the old fashion interior? From the picture, it really look so dated when you compare to all above cars. Especially the IS 250, it almost pop up from the picture. I aways think Lexus can make most luxury feel among all car maker. Ha! I was wrong again. When I sit in the A4 w/Luxury package, I was attracted to it refinement from material. Yes, the style is old. However, you can feel the luxury. For example, the wood trim is real wood. The aluminum door handle is real aluminum not painted one. Lighting in dark is so nice. Everything you just can not feel from the pictures. No plastic feel. Fit and fitness are top notch.
 
Back seat - still a bit tight. But much better than IS 250.
 
Quattro is unique. You feel four wheels grab tightly on the ground. 2.0Turbo is nice and smooth, too. Not as good as either BMW or RX-8. However, it is still a lot of fun to drive. Much better than TL which is FWD.
 
I think A4 is quite underrated in US now. So the sale number is no good. That gave us a good chance to get a killer deal.
 
The Ibis White A4 2.0T quattro is now parking in my garage. Now the only thing we need to worry is the reliability issue.......

#16 of 88 Re: Infiniti G35 vs Audi A4 [spi5] by rascal99

Apr 18, 2008 (6:28 am)

Replying to: spi5 (Apr 18, 2008 1:49 am)
Well, it sometimes surprises me how much the culture or attitudes on the West coast is so much different then here in the East. What people think of your ride really has factor in what one buys in Cali. The attitudes here in the Southeast are much more conservative. People buy what they want regardless of what others think for the most part. That's not to say someone doesn't buy an M5 for some bragging rights or to be seen in, but the socio-ecomonic reasons are just not as important.
  
I think you will like your A4. After being a 3 time BMW 3-series owner I was ready for a change and got the A4. So far I am not disappointed. The handling could be improved a bit and the car is not as "athletic" as the 3-series; but, it has other virtues. I have had no problems with my car in +30k miles. I thought I would have the A4 for three years and get something else, but I may just keep her. We'll see. Enjoy your ride

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