How about a Lexus ES330? A co-worker of mine has one and it is pretty sharp. He got it 2 years old, CPO, with 22,000 miles for around 25K.
The HP numbers are somewhat deceiving, BMWs usually are better at transfering more HP to the rear wheels that drives the performance. If you look at their 0-60 times, not a lot difference between G35 and 330. Having driven both, I found my 3 series handles with more confidence, very predictable (although both cars handle very well). Acura TL is not really an option to me, since its front wheel drive and nowhere close to the driving dynamics of 330 and G35. If you care about driving pleasure, get a 330 with stick and you won't regret it. (if you can find a used 330 ZHP, that would be even better)
Eegad, no. Lexus will be #1 in reliability but that is one hideous exterior combined with an underpowered engine for its class. The ES330 is a different beast from what's being talked about in this thread.
Another thing to consider is that if you look at most car mag reviews for cars in the class you're looking at, you'll find the G35 and the 330 in the top 2 or 3 almost every time. The Mercedes can't compare and sorry Baqui, the Audi A4 is not in this class.
Doc, what do you think of the GS 430? My dad's looking at new cars, and he's really keen on Lexus. He's also looking at the 5-series, the TL, and the M3. BTW...0-60 2004 Acura TL 6 speed 6.0 (6.3 for the 5-speed) 2001 BMW 330i 6.1 2003 Honda Accord EX V-6 Coupe 6.2(5.9 for the 6-Speed) 2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe 5.5 2004 Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan 6.2 1997 Lexus ES 300 8.0 2004 Lexus ES 330 7.85 2001 Mercedes-Benz C320 Sport 7.5 2002 Mercedes-Benz C320 6.8 Take those for what they're worth...Surprisingly, The 330 is actually slightly faster than the G35 sedan. I just hope you don't meet a TL at a stoplight. I've driven both, and it seemed like the TL had much more straight-ahead speed.
I had a 328 for 3 years, and have now had my G35 for 2 1/2 years. What is it that you're looking for? They're very different cars. The G35 has more horses, but it doesn't feel much faster than the 328. Whereas the BMW accelerates w a quiet confidence, the G35 tries to appeal to men who want to hear a little 'vroom'. Still, you can easily feel how fast the BMW is. The G35 sedan has far more room in the cabin and trunk, but our 328 had the fold-down backseat which was indispensible for a car with such a small trunk. As for the drive, nothing I have ever driven compares to the feel of a BMW. It's hard to put into words, but one review I read said that the car seems preminiscient ... knows what you want to do next. And the feel ... like slicing a hot knife through butter. You'll miss it forever if you ever change. The upgraded sound system in the G35 sucks. Acoustics are bad and speakers can't handle a little beat. The service at both dealers was awesome, but neither car needed much service at all (although I cannot figure out why the BMW's tire kept picking-up nails... got about 3 over the 3 years). The G35 is not just inferior inside, it feels cheap. Same with the body. The BMW was SOLID. The paint and body resists chips and dents and muffles noise. The G35 is 'tinny'. I dented the trunk just closing it. The CD disk changer can be tempermental. Surprisingly, the hard seats in the BMW tend to be a little more comfortable (the lumbar support in the G35 is a joke). The Nav unit on the G35 is awesome, and the DVD covers the US where the BMW was a CD for regional US. Unfortunately, the pop-up LCD in the 35 doesn't like cold weather; guess the grease gums up and won't pop-up. I've had far more comments from strangers (of all ages) who like the styling of the 35. All said: the 35 has it's plusses and was a better value, but the BMW is the real deal and 'special', (regardless of who else may drive one).
I had a 1990 300ZX, and a 1993 Infinity J30t. Both cars were top notch, and a reason I'm still biased towards Nissan products. Just about everyone I know likes the G35 the best, with one of my friends going with the TL just to be difficult. The only one I know with a Bimmer is a girl. They are great cars, though. HereKiplinger's Personal Finance magazine selects primarily import brands among its Best in Class vehicles for the 2005 model year. Click to enlarge The only domestic brand to be ranked best in class was the Cadillac SRX, which took honors in the Best Large SUV category. Click to enlarge The Best Wagon, according to Kiplinger's, is the high-perfomance Volvo V70R. advertisement Click to enlarge Nissan vehicles took three of the eleven categories, including Best Sports Car with the 350Z. Acura TL Cadillac SRX Honda Odyssey Infiniti FX Infiniti G35 Lexus LS 430 MINI Cooper Nissan 350Z Toyota RAV4 Volkswagen Golf Volvo V70 In its 54th annual new-car buyer's guide, the financial advice publication selected what it considers to be the Best in Class vehicles in each of 11 categories. Passenger cars are divided by price, while additional categories include SUVs by size, as well as ones for best minivan and best station wagon. Pickup trucks were left out of this year's judging. Asian brands earned top scores in seven categories. Nissan fielded the most winners with three: the Nissan 350Z as Best Sports Car; the Infiniti FX 35/45 as Best Midsize SUV and the Infiniti G35 as Best Car priced between $23,000 and $30,000. Honda and Toyota were each at the top of two categories with the Honda Odyssey as Best Minivan; the Acura TL as best in the $30,000 to $40,000 class; the Lexus LS 430 as best in the Over $40,000 class; and Toyota RAV4 as Best Small SUV. Only one domestic brand topped one of the categories this year: the Cadillac SRX was named Best Large SUV. Here's Kiplinger's list of Best in Class 2005 models: Under $18,000: Volkswagen Golf GL TDI $18,000 to $23,000: MINI Cooper S $23,000 to $30,000: Infiniti G35 $30,000 to $40,000: Acura TL Over $40,000: Lexus LS 430 Sports Car: Nissan 350Z Touring Station Wagon: Volvo V70 R Minivan: Honda Odyssey Small SUV: Toyota RAV4 Midsize SUV: Infiniti FX 35/45 Large SUV: Cadillac SRX V8 How much is the G35, anyway? I figured the TL, and the G35 were comparable, price-wise?
Though I like the BMW the best, they are changing the body style next year so the value of it if bought now will fall dramatically in the future. You can go to motortrend.com and look to future models to see the time and date of the change. I drove a 300ZX in high school and loved it, so when the G35 Sport Coupe came out I loved it. Later after looking at the cheap looking interior, I changed my mind. The car does have a four year, 60K mile warranty versus 50K for the other two. My sister in law has a C320 and has had no problems with it at all and I've yet to have any problems with my Mercedes (SLK).
Just remember that the 1990 300zx was listed at $45,000 back then... 15 years ago. To get that again would put the G35 in the $55,000 range.
They are. That G35 price bracket is bogus - it's for a stripped down cloth interior version. The TL may be slightly more expensive, but doesn't warrant the the G35 being in its own bracket. Which is one reason I don't use Kiplinger's for car research.
