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

#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

#72 of 88 MB c-class by m4d_cow

Jul 02, 2008 (11:40 pm)

yes the C is pricy, but if I consider the C I'd go all the way to C350. When you count them up with options the C350 will cost around $2000 over the C300 (rwd). MB has the poorest quality among the 3 germans, so personally buying C300 awd is a bad idea imo.
 
What you might not notice is the C is now cheaper than both A4 and 3series. A dealer offered me a loaded C350 for $39k, far cheaper than 335's $42k.
 
Of course, the notion "you get what you pay for" really works here. The new C's interior feels noticeably cheaper than the bmw's (touch the upper dash and you'll know what I mean), engine not so refined, and fit-finish is poor at these prices.
 
With Audi rising in popularity (and rising standards in quality) I cant help but wonder if the C will sink even lower in this contest, as a bmw salesman complained that their sales has lowered while Audi's rise significantly. Oddly, the numbers so far dont seem to agree. Audi's sales has been by far lower than MB and BMWs....I wonder which one is right?
 
Acura: 12,456
Audi: 8,203
BMW: 20,944
Infiniti: 9,304
Lexus: 20,253
Lincoln: 9,718
Mercedes Benz: 19,576
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