bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

How is the G35 not a luxury car?

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

SL550 is a coupe so maybe you're thinking of the G37 and not the G35 sedan? Or maybe you're thinking of the S550? If the latter, then you don't think the LS460L and S550 are direct competitors?

Yes, as others have said, if you want a quiet boring comfortable car, get a Buick, er Lexus ES350.

AM1

iTrader: (6)

why is this even a question?

GUJIGUJI

I was actually comparing these 2 before buying my ES.
G35 is a lot more fun to drive for sure. But ES is more quiet, more room, more luxury, better gas mileage.
Friend of mine owns a g35 too. His G35 runs 420kms/tank of gas. My ES I can do 610kms/tank. We both drive somewhere between 34000kms - 40000kms per year. Cost the same amount of money (roughly $70-80 CAD)to top the tank everytime. I spend around $5000/yr on gas & he spends $7200/yr. Now he's trading-in his G35 for a Camry Hybrid. I guess this somehow explain to you why ppl go for ES over G35?

LexFather

bit, good question. I have driven both recently so here is my 2 cents. To
those that say "well one is sporty, one is luxury" or "its IS 350
competition" understand they are priced in a similar range and the G35 is
much larger than the IS350. So cross shopping is inevitable.

Also, understand I find the G35 to be maybe the best bang for the buck
overall car out there. A true jack of all trades.

Now for reasons to buy an ES 350 over the G35.
1. Its a Lexus- The ES offers the Lexus cache and panache in a package that
doesn't scream "entry level". Owners simply like saying "Its a Lexus". The
image of owning a Lexus is a huge advantage.
2. The usual Lexus pluses.
a-dealer service is top notch
b-customer service is top notch
c-quality is top notch (though the ES has had some troubles)
3. Space. The ES is a pretty big car inside, I believe Lexus said bigger
than the original LS inside. I can stuff some internet fanboys in the trunk
with no problem. Its huge. The G35 is smaller.
4. Serene. The ES is just a calm and wonderful place to be. The hues and
textures and interior smells of calmness and luxury. Everything opens with
thought. In a busy, riot filled world, the ES helps bring ease to the
driver. In comparison, the G35 is very rough and harsh and says more
"arrrhhh, drive me mate" even with the vastly improved interior.
5. Exterior styling. I find the new ES to be gorgous, I still can't believe
an ES can look so good. I especially love the rear angle. I never found the
first G35 to be attractive and this latest one is more interesting to look
at but overall a mess of shapes and round forms and random lines. Its not
pretty.


In conclusion, I would get the G35 over the ES, b/c the G35 offers more of
what I want, blending sport and luxury. I listed above reasons people
would buy an ES over a G35.

The ES outsells the G35 by almost a 40% margin. The ES continues to build
on its long heritage of being the perfect entry level luxury car. Both cars
cater to a good crowd. The funny thing is while the G35 is sportier, the
vast majority are not even pushed and bought by people that would consider
an ES as well.

Different strokes for different folks!!!

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

The only thing that really bugs me about the new ES is the center console. It looks awkward to me.

Other than that, i wouldn't cross shop between the two. But if it boils down to one, I'd pick the G35.

eyezack87

iTrader: (4)

Put it this way. Its plain and simple. If you drive an ES350, you won't be spotted by cops that much, however, the same cannot be said for the G35. The ES is always an "old" persons car so cops don't think twice of whoever is driving it.

Speaking from personal experience of course. I was going 95 and a cop just sped up and waved for me to slow down then went to get a G35 that was going like 85 . PS-I'm 19 haha

carguy101

I think of the ES as a woman's car. Most of the people I see driving it are middle-aged women. Same with the RX.

LexFather

Some people can't imagine driving an Infinity
which has the prestige of a bag of Lay's plain potato chips. Again, different strokes for different folks.

I agree image plays in role in car buying. The ES has been either the best selling Japanese luxury sedan or #2 for the past 15 years after the 1992 revision.

While so many people (in this thread for instance) drool over sport and don't even push their cars, the ES (while being sportier in ES 350 form, the ES 300/330 was a pillow) has ALWAYS hit its mark with consumers.

Most here, including me would buy the G35 in this thread. Most CONSUMERS are buying the ES 350 over the G35 by a nearly 2-1 margin. Both cars have their markets and are doing very well for their respective brands.

Bean

iTrader: (1)

Because its not? My mother's Toyota 4cyl Solara has a comparable interior.

Surely you dont think the G35 and ES are in the same class (luxury and road manners) do you? That'd be like me comparing a Toyota Tundra with a Honda Accord class-wise. Sure loaded up they are round-about similar prices. But one's a truck and ones a car

eyezack87

iTrader: (4)

Not in my area. Its mainly old people who drive the ES. Though the RX is quite a mix of both. Mainly asian but not necessarily women. I suppose it varies with different geographical regions

S8B

If anything, the 1st Generation G35 was "Jumped up Nissan 350Z" (although I also would not even state this). What does the G35 share with the Altima in terms on platform and market? Nothing...

That's like saying the IS350 is a "Jumped up Toyota Camry", which is obviously incorrect.

In regards to the original topic, I would also take the G35 hands down. But its comparing apples to oranges: they are so completely different and appeal to a different crowd.

.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I don't know. If you are talking about the 07+ G35 I think the interior is great. Nice leather nice, quality plastic with good feel. Fit and finish seemed pretty good as well. If you compare features, the new 07+ G35 has pretty much everything the ES350 has plus is has Audio and Video inputs, and a really nice navigation screen. When I went to test drive the 07 G35S, I drove my 99 LS400. I came away very impressed with the G35 and was ready trade in my 99 LS400 for one but I ended up with a BMW. Anyway, I think the new 07+ G35 is way more luxurious than an Camry Solara tha I have been in, plus it has the added benefit of being more of a luxury sports sedan than the ES350. Too me, both the G35 and the ES350 are great entry level luxury cars. One is just more sports oriented like a BMW, while the other is more conform oriented like a Caddy. The good thing about the G35 is if you want a more comfy ride, you can just buy the non sports Journey. If you want the sportier ride, just get the "S".

As for cross shopping seemingly different class cars? I do it all the time. Generally I just pick cars that are aesthetically pleasing to me, then narrow down the list to my price range and that offers the reliability and features I want. For example. Before I bought the BMW a few months ago, I was looking at the 08 G35S, a Toyota Tacoma Double Cab, an Acura TSX, and BMW 335i Coupe. I ended up with a good deal on a used 330i, so I went with that though.

spwolf

of course you can compare the two, but problem is that they are two completly different cars, even if price is similar. some people should know better though.

SLegacy99

Hence the pimpness of adding a V8.