Johnny Rad

Let me apologize in advance. Yes, it's another G35 versus "xyz" thread. Even so, bear with me because I need you expert opinions. I'm going crazy trying to make this decision on my own.

'03-'04 G35 sedan w/~20K miles (probably certified) for ~$25K

OR

'01 GS430 w/~35K miles (certified) for ~$30K

The Infiniti is newer, but it's no Lexus in my book. The Infiniti probably is the better athlete (0-60, braking, skid pad, etc), but the Lexus has the 4.3L V8 (300hp and 325 lb/ft tq). The Infiniti requires less monthly bleeding in the form of a car payment, but the Lexus will hold its value much better. The Lexus is bank vault quiet underway regardless of throttle, which isn't what I want w/WOT. The newer Infiniti has the advantage of being newer, but it's not like the Lexus is used up at 30K miles on the odo. The Lexus certified warranty appears to be more consumer-friendly and has no stupid deductible clause. Ugh! You can see my dilemma.

I'm coveting the 298hp '05 G35 6MT sedan, but I'm not spending $35K + tax and licensing. An '04 G35X would be neat, but I fear the power draining AWD system more than I look forward to it in sloppy weather. The last thing that causes me to hesitate is the 20 extra hp (up from 260 to 280) for the '05 G35 lineup, which means I'm already down 20hp!

I'm a Nissan guy (don't get me wrong, my CL-S is fantastic and isn't going anywhere) and I'm leaning towards the Infiniti. Yeah the Lexus is super cool, but the G35 benefits from the latest, greatest new tech and is less expensive. It's an award winning Car of the Year winner and the mild re-design for '05 hasn't relegated it to the dreaded "later model" status.

masmole

Get the G35. The current GS look is aging and replacement is imminent. Once the new one comes out, resale will go down further and so will appeal since you will be seeing new GS's on the road and immediately feel the disheartening effects of owning the "older model"

It already seems like you're leaning towards the Infinity.... so stick with where your heart is and don't even bother with what any of us have to say

Sarlacc

If you want automatic then get the Lexus...but it wont handle as well without mods.

If you want a stick (like you should ) then your only choice is the G35.

There is the fact as masmole mentioned of there being anew GS this month.

JnC

iTrader: (12)

If you want a sofa on wheels get the GS.

phile

G35. Almost everyone who owns a GS430 says the gas mileage is pretty dismal.

cob3683

G35 but with the aero package. It needs to have the lower parts of the car painted or it looks like crap IMO.

MADCAT

goldmemberer

This is as succinct as I can be: Why would you drop $30k on a car whose replacement model has been announced, is arriving at dealerships, and has been spotted on the road?

The Lexus is a better car, but you'll kick yourself in the nuts if you buy it. The bodystyle is too old. Get the G.

cob3683

I would get this

DownUnder

The G35 has the same if not better resale value then the '01 GS now cause of the new bodystyle GS.

ericajackhannahjamie?

Hi Johnny Rad,
I personally like the GS430 better, I went to an autoshow 3 weeks ago and the new Lexus GS looked just like a Nissan Maxima.. I've always been a fan of the GS430... just too much money for this gal... or I would have bought that one instead of the TL.

6SPD

When I had my '99 GS400 I got ~16-17 for city driving and 23-25 on the highway. It had 28000 miles when I bought it and 32000 when I sold it nine months later.

6SPD

I think that for ~30k it should be certified (which you said it was), Have the 5-spoke 17" wheels with new tires, have the rear spoiler, have Mark Levinson, and have Nav. If it's got that equipment, and it's a color you like, then I say go for it.

The Lexus L-Tuned exhaust makes a significant difference in the exhaust note at WOT if you can't stand the quietness of the car.

JnC

iTrader: (12)

Oh man that factory bodykit is hawt , makes the car look so much better.

F23A4

After having tried both, I can say that the GS430 is still a lot more luxury oriented than sport (despite being a 14.5 sec car with a 155mph topend). Though I feel the Lexus is built better, the G35S is newer and noticeably more sport oriented.

Infamous425

uh, of course a gs430 will get bad gas mileage, its a v8 what do you expect? a g35 with a v6 doesnt get that much better mpg either.

TLer

I agree man. I have noticed the 05 G sedans and they look a million times better just because they don't have the ridiculous black whatever the frack that thing is at the bottom of the car. As far as the lexus goes, I would buy that over the older G and trade it up for the 05 when they come to the resale market and that way you won't loose that much money. The interior of the old G is way inferior to the current one as well.

Johnny Rad

I'll have to pay more attention aero skirt colors on the G35s around town. In the pic, it doesn't look bad at all.

Which factory rims do you prefer on the G35? 6-spoke or 5-spoke? I like the s-spoke set-up, but understand they denote non-sport pacakage G35s. The sport package is a must have from my perspective, which is just my luck because they get the 5-spoke set-up. Oh well.

As for the GS430 dilemma. The "smart" choice in my opinion is a one year old '05 G35x w/280hp towards of the end of this year. My heart and brain say that's the right choice for me. The Lexus still is a looker, but it's too old...

ClnOB

OR you can get Aerodynamic Kit...

http://www.cardomain.com/id/fxg35rida

I just think Pearl white is BEAUTIFUL

55M2G7L

do yourself a favor get the g35, need to keep up to date, getting an 01 car in 05 isnt exactly a good idea

55M2G7L

plus they make hella mods for it now

ferizzo

I like the G sedan more and more but the GS is still pimp. I agree in general that the Infiniti is a better "overall" car in that it has some nice amenities and is more of an athlete than the Lexus. Although Lexus is the pinnacle of reliability my understanding is that Infiniti, and even Acura (despite our tranny issues), are not too far behind them.

I give the G my vote.

DownUnder

Lexus and Infiniti are very close in reliability, infact according to CR, Infiniti has less problems then Lexus after three and five years.

Johnny Rad

As the world turns ... it was interesting to ready my car shopping musings from a short five and nine months ago.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ighlight=gs430

I plunked down my hard earned (well, I think so anyhow) money on a loaded and certified '02 GS430 w/45K miles over the 4th of July weekend. It was defintely an impulse buy on my part, but damn am I excited! It goes like hell with the V8's torque. Inside it is awfully quiet with no rattles and confidently composed when underway. Optioned with unscratched and chromed factory 17's with new Z-rated rubber, nav and the hot Levinson system. It's unbelieveably clean and was dealer serviced with a cool XM installation to boot. Price, options and condition was just too good to pass up. Overall, more luxury than sport...

Before I made it official, I owed myself a test drive in a new '05 G35 6spd sedan. I've been smitted by its whopping 298hp for some time, but decided after a spin around the block that it was too much of a good thing for me. Who can eat/drink, talk on the phone, write notes and shift at the same time?! I could see myself growing weary of the manual tranny after awhile. For an occasional drive as a second or third car, I want a manual. For a daily driver over the next couple of years, I've got to pass. How about the '05 G35 sport sedan as a whole? Great 18" wheels with the sport suspension. Its sport suspension was firm with what felt like it had no give or body roll (not really, but it felt that way). Interior components not up to the same level as the Lexus. Overall, more sport than luxury...

The G35 is a super sedan that I'd be happily driving one day if I hadn't come across this particular Lexus, but the GS430 offers greater exclusivity, higher build quality and more overall options. Yes, the Lexus is three years the Infiniti's junior, but I'm at five years / 100K miles bumper-to-bumper coverage versus four for the Infiniti. I totally understand the allure of the G35 and nearly fell for it, but instead voted for a great lux-sport sedan over a good sport-lux sedan and saved a considerable chunk of moola.

What's the best part? My CL-S is still in the driveway. I'm crossing my fingers that my wife takes as good care of it as I have. Of course she will ... right?!