How many times can this question get thrown around? The story goes, my sister landed a new job and has around 35k to spend on a car. We have extremely similar tastes in cars. Her first car was a hand-me-down acura legend. She moved to the 99 Civic Si (modified the life out of it) and now drives a Jetta GLI VR6. She used to swear by the 6speed until she spent too much time driving my TL-S and saw how she could get her kicks without doing any of the work. She wants a car thats fast, yet practical, and she wants to stay around 35k. The first car that came to mind was the g35. She'd wait for the coupe version, because lets face it, the sedan isnt really that attractive. But she doesnt necessarily have a preference in coupe vs. sedan. I pretty much narrowed it down to the IS350 and G35, seeing that the Z is outdated, the RX-8 is pretty sluggish, and the s2k is too impractical. I'll be going with a 335i later this year, and she's not one to share her brother's fine tastes . So that leaves us with those two.

My question to you guys is this. The IS350 has a base price of 35,570. But with the packages the price goes out of this world. In my zip code, the cheapest package is 6k! I put in a zip code for alaska and got a 2k package. Is there any way you can get one WITHOUT the package? And would you rather have an IS350 or a G35 if price weren't an issue?

I'd pick the IS, on the basis that I much prefer the interior, and because i've just grown up with a passionate hatred for nissan. I dont know why. Its just the fanboy in me

 

I would go with the IS (but that is without seeing the new G35 in person).

 

Either choice ain't bad - but I'd go with the G just for the 6MT

 

I'll also add that I don't think your going to get a IS350 for $35k, it will be a few grand more.

 

yeah the IS is more but i'd get that over the G anyday the new G is fugly

 

i'd expect to see a is for around 38 at a low. She could swing that. we're talking 35, +/- $3500. Its more than she'd like to spend, but its not more than she can afford

 

G35 6MT. The 1st gen USDM G35 was awesome, I can only imagine this one. Now, I've obviously never driven this new one, but I have driven the IS350. The 6AT is pretty responsive, but in MT mode, it lags like crazy. There's no denying that thing is fast as heck and it is well built, but when my 10 year old brother complained about the rear legroom, that pretty much explained it all in terms of what we felt about the space issues.

 

If a 6spd is a must, obviously the choice is made.

I'm guessing not.

If it were me, I would probably lean toward the Lexus. For 07, you can fully disable the traction control (that's a huge plus).

Its a smaller car which appeals to me, the G35 is kind of big. While it looks good in certain photos, it looks like a bloated whale in others.

Infiniti did step up the interior though big time.

Wait until November when the G comes out and drive them both.

 

G35 test drove an M35 sport over the weekend and liked everything about it more than the Lexus IS/GS

 

I think you'd have to try out the new G first, but I absolutely LOVE the IS350.

 

07 G35 loaded because if the IS350 is equally equipped will cost a lot more, it's smaller, and I'd rather have a Nissan VQ engine, which sounds more badass stock than a Toyota engine.

 

G35...

For some reason, I find the IS-series quite cramped inside.

 

Every single one of these X vs. Y vs. Z threads can always be solved with a test drive 'em all comment...

 

Yea, but no test drives on sunday! Gotta satisfy the car thirst somehow

 

2007 G35 Sedan FTW

I agree with you, I drove the IS when it first came out, doesn't seem to be much space in there. Plus I don't think I like the exterior of the IS anymore, when I first saw it I was thinking to myself damn this is sweet! But now when I look at it, I just don't feel that way anymore.

 

G

 

the G35. more all around in every aspect of the car than the IS.

costs less but you can get it similarly equipped, but with more useable room!

 

To quote a C&D reviewer:
G35 hands down.

 

I found the is350 to be horribly cramped inside when I drove one last year. I ruled it out for me from the start. I like the cocoon feeling, but that was ridiculous

 

G35. IMO IS is ugly.

 

G35! The newly tuned VQ ngine is going to be a beast and throw a few bolt-on's on there and you will have a sub 5 sec 0-60 car, that handles well, brakes well, has a 6-spd and plenty of room inside. no brainer for me.

 

The G isn't that much roomier. I had an '05, and I'd bet the '07 isn't going to be much different in terms of interior space... But back to the topic.... '07 G35>IS350

 

That's a tough one ... 2nd year IS350 VS 1st yr G35. G is more of a driver's car (with a vastly improved interior than before but not up to par with Lexus) whereas the IS has the quality interior and reliability of Toyota. You would have the novelty of a model upgrade with the G (at the expense of 1st yr bugs/gremlins, while you'd expect to have less issues with a 2nd model year IS.

What do you prefer? Coddled in luxury (at a premium) with a dash of sport or a slight compromise of interior for a better driving experience? That is how I would decide between the 2 cars.

However, on a comfort standpoint, if you're going to have > 2 people in the car much of the time, I'd take the G. If it's you and 1 passenger, then I'd go with the Lexus.

 

I think you're in the minority there Derrick. The rearend of the IS from faraway looks like a Hyundai Sonata. Plus there is just better value and more standard equipment offered on the 07 G35 than what the IS350 offers as standard equipment. For instance, HIDs standard on G35, but an option on the IS350.

 

is it just me? cus when i sat in the IS, the interior looks nice but the quality of the materials around the a/c and navi weren't that great...felt and look like cheap plastic

 

no, a friend of mine said the same thing.

personally, i like the interior. i use my tsx as the standard when i compare other cars' interiors, and i prefer the is's interior.

 

I don't like the new G interior...

 

Based upon the poll, I am. I think many of us who drive Acuras/Hondas are probably more inclined to choose the G due to the value consciousness we have.

And there is no doubt, the G is a far better value than the IS. I suppose that extra money dumped into the IS can be your 'bragging rights' as well as exclusivity factor (if that means anything to you at all...)

 

If I had to buy on or the other, I would take the G....new G coupe for sure...
I drove an IS350, it had a harsh ride on rough roads coming through to the cabin...had power and you punched it but heard nothing, felt little while hauling a.., steering/turnin seemed light and would need effort to learn...We are talking BMW 3 cash for an IS with anything on it...

Drove an 05 G, loud, fast, some what crashing of supension on rough roads...much more a drivers car....Drove the G-coupe...best of them all...but head hit with sunroof.... new G is up in HP but I think the torque is about hte same but more linear..

Acura, even with front wheel drive seems to have the ride and handling on rough roads down...Although I prefer rwd... but seldom push the corners to where it is needed...SHawd should help that issue...

 

same here...i like the interior design of the IS as well....it just doesn't seem like "quality" materials like ppl say

 

The G35 is actually much roomier than the IS350. The 2005-2006 model year that is. The new one is even bigger.

 

Even though some Lexus owners will try to defend the Lexus plate. This is poor quality. I mean go to a Hyundai these days and you can get better.

Here are some pics of the dash of a IS350 and how cheap painted plastic is. It's on the doors as well.

 

Fuck the painted plastic, cheap is not getting a shifter knob, I mean come on

 

But on the Lexus, you get the push-button start ... That's got to be worth something ...

Not sure if the new G has that or not. When the Infiniti dealership has one on the lot, I'll be sure to test drive one ...

 

Thats because it's the plastic aluminum trim.

 

LOL I'm willing to bet that's an auto show pic. All the Acuras had their shift knobs twisted off also. I asked the salespeople and it turns out they are the ones who twist them off, they said because people steal them...

 

Personally I'd get a '06 G35. I like the body better, and you don't have to deal with all of the first year bugs. Just be patient and keep an eye out and she could probly find exactly what she wants in one.

 

Yes, there is a push button start on the 07 G35, I saw it in the 07 G35 sedan thread.

The interior on the 07 G35 is way better than the 03-06 G35. I'm not a fan of the orange lights.

Well, gosh that IS350 interior is ordinary and not as nice as a TSX/TL interior at all. I'm telling you, Lexus is an overpriced and overhyped luxury Toyota.

 

It looks a lot better with the wood accents. But otherwise, Lexus has a stronghold on the automotive press. You heard so much about the Infiniti's cheap interior when the G35 initially rolled out (prior to Infiniti wisely deciding to use real aluminum in its cars), but I have yet to see a write up about the Lexus using the exact same materials and getting slammed for it. And it's the same with the GS. The wood interior is far more luxurious than the "metal" interior.

 

if you are looknig for value, then the g35 is where its at. but with the is350, you are getting what you pay for and you can tell when you sit in it.