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Infiniti G35 vs Audi A4

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

You are in the Audi A4 Forum.

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

Messages Page 8 of 10

#62 of 88 they're all so different! by 1speedbike

Jun 19, 2008 (8:46 am)

I know they're all in the same category, but they're all such different cars! I've been car shopping recently (it's taking me forever since there's so many $30k-50k sports/luxury cars) and I've learned a lot in recent weeks about the pluses and minuses of almost every brand.
 
One thing to note is that when you get into this segment of cars (especially if you're used to driving non-luxury or non-sports cars, as I am), is that yes reviews point out all kinds of pro's and con's to each car, but most of the cars in this class are comfortable, luxurious, a pleasure to drive, and beautiful anyway to such an extent that you only notice a difference if you drive them one after another, or if you're already used to driving a certain make/model and switch to a new one. Overall they're all great cars (japanese, american, and german!)
 
Here's my take (and remember, it's just an opinion based on recent experience):
 
335i - Best traits: No contest winner in terms of driving pleasurability, handling, and overall performance. Cool styling.
Worst traits: They're so common nowadays you'll be one in a sea of 3-series, boring and unluxurious interior (in my opinion at least), options cost way too much and its near impossible to find a model with only a few options.
 
A4 - Best traits: More luxurious and beautiful interior than others, decent looking, one of the best all wheel drive systems you can get
Worst traits: Not as sporty as others, base engine is worthless for a "sport" sedan, front-heavy.
 
G35 - Best traits: Awesome engine, interior looks better than BMW, quite cheap for what you get (lots of standard equipment too!), very good handling
Worst traits: Depending on where you live it can be as everyday as the 3-series, interior not as nice as Audi's, more unrefined than either Audi or Bmw, horrible manual transmission (at least for this caliber of car)
 
CTS -Best traits: Powerful engine with direct injection, beautiful and makes you stand out, classy interior is on par (or better in some people's opinon) with Audi's, home grown American made
Worst traits: Not as sharp and athletic than any of the other cars, only slightly bigger than others but feels a lot bigger than it is, unpredictable reliability, costs more than other cars except maybe BMW with options
 
So what's my pick? Well actually I'm in the market for a sports coupe, not a sedan, and the Audi A5 is my choice, though Infiniti's G37 and BMW's Z4 are tied for a VERY close 2nd place. Beautiful, refined, luxurious, and though its not as sporty as the Bimmer and not as brutally powerful as the Infiniti, its 256 HP engine is still great, standard all wheel drive (among many other great standard features), and great overall package are a nice blend of everything I'd really want, including good fuel economy (unlike the G37, which is what killed it for me ).
 
Every car has great things and not-so great things about it, but in this luxury/sports segment it's really hard to actually hate any of these cars. They're all great in their own ways, and I'm sure you'll find what's right for you. Hope this helps!

#63 of 88 Re: Things changed [sjaieve] by 1speedbike

Jun 19, 2008 (9:13 am)

Replying to: sjaieve (Apr 23, 2008 1:29 pm)
I don't wanna be rude, a jerk, or anything, and I do agree with you that the G35 is a very nice car (almost got a G37, only things that held me back were lousy fuel economy and the fact that where I live everyone and their mother drives a G), but if you don't drive stick, I don't think you've truly experienced a sports sedan (or sports coupe/roaster/whatever).
 
0-60 times in an auto are just a gauge of how big the engine is and how fast the tranny shifts for you. 0-60 times in a stick are a measure of the driver's ability, as well as the car's. I wouldn't feel particularly proud "smoking" someone while driving an automatic because it only shows you got a fast car, says nothing about any other measure of driving performance (Infiniti has very good performance in terms of things other than raw engine power too, just as you mentioned, and I too believe it beats the A4 in that respect, but many of those things are just hampered by the awful stick shift in the G35.. the stick in the G37 is much nicer ), and most of all it shows nothing about the driver except that he can push a pedal down with his foot.. Though automatics can be very fun as well in a car of this caliber, and I agree that they suit a lot of people based on their personal preferences. Just my $0.02..

#64 of 88 Re: they're all so different! [1speedbike] by rascal99

Jun 19, 2008 (9:15 am)

Replying to: 1speedbike (Jun 19, 2008 8:46 am)
I think you made a great choice. I have an 07 A4 2.0T (the one with the "worthless" engine) and it is a great car. My only complaints, as you pointed out, is the car is quite nose heavy, and the engine can be coarse at times. I know the new model A4 is more balanced than the one I have.

#65 of 88 Re: they're all so different! [rascal99] by sjaieve

Jun 19, 2008 (10:14 am)

Replying to: rascal99 (Jun 19, 2008 9:15 am)
Well I didnt think you were being rude.
 
Here is my take, I started driving at the age of 14. I drove a stick, thats how I learnt to drive. I know kids (both boys & girls) who drive sticks as young as 12 years ( in some countries the law is not as heavily enforced as in the US). In addition, the US is probably the only place in the world were the majority of the cars are autos, everywhere else its the reverse. So at any day, anytime I can drive a stick just as well as any other driver and so can most people in the rest of the world (other than the US)
 
OK, now that we have demistified the use of the stick (for its easy, a lot of people every else in the world drive stcks), I prefer autos (realize that I can drivea stick sport sedan just as well as the next guy). Its just a personal preference. When buying a car I look for
 
Engine with respectable 0-60, mnm of 300 horse this day & age
Bells and whistles
Pricing (the more I can get with everything from this list, the better)
Interior
Reliability
Interior room
and last, handling. (never let anyone define this part for you, thats what I say)
 
In addition, the car has to pass this test: Does the car deliver all the above more than say a fully loaded 3.5 V6 priced a couple of thousands less. If you look at my list above, the Altima (this is just an example, I could have a comparable 3.5l V6). The G passes this test with extraordinary ability. All the 09 A4s, as far as I am concerned fall short in a number of those categories.
 
Just my 2 cents

#66 of 88 Re: they're all so different! [1speedbike] by spi5

Jun 20, 2008 (7:43 am)

Replying to: 1speedbike (Jun 19, 2008 8:46 am)
One more praise you. A5 - Good taste!

#67 of 88 Well... by m4d_cow

Jul 01, 2008 (2:51 am)

Fewer and fewer people in the US drive stick nowadays. I kinda agree with speedbike, when it comes to pure sports sedan manual is just the way to go. I do however understand the preference for autos, as its the best way to commute particularly in urban areas. I love sticks, but now since I commute downtown everyday I'd have to settle for auto.
 
That said, as much as a stick fan I am I'd never buy a manual G, the tranny is just too rubbery and somewhat balky.
 
Btw what do you think of the upcoming A4? It's already available in asia and the looks really turn heads. I believe this will heat up the BMW vs Audi competition. True the bmw will have the handling edge, but audi will trump bmw in material quality, and fit-finish. Mercedes c-class, will trail both at best...

#68 of 88 by hauschild

Jul 01, 2008 (12:55 pm)

That is a good question - just how good a car is the new C-class from Mercedes??? It certainly is pricey with AWD and reasonable options.

#69 of 88 Re: Well... [m4d_cow] by spi5

Jul 01, 2008 (10:44 pm)

Replying to: m4d_cow (Jul 01, 2008 2:51 am)
"That said, as much as a stick fan I am I'd never buy a manual G, the tranny is just too rubbery and somewhat balky. "
 
You should try the stick shift in RX8 or Miata. It is so sweet. I miss it.....

#70 of 88 G35 by circlew

Jul 02, 2008 (3:53 am)

I tested a G35 2 weeks ago....I could live with the $9K savings vs. 335.
 
Regards,
OW

#71 of 88 Re: G35 [circlew] by sjaieve

Jul 02, 2008 (1:52 pm)

Replying to: circlew (Jul 02, 2008 3:53 am)
Are you getting the 09, there is a rumor its a 330hp engine plus all the future improvements that come with a refreshed model. All the best

Messages Page 8 of 10

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