rominl

iTrader: (4)

i drive gs4 every dya, and i have driven g35 quite a bit. i would get the GS for sure. the interior is more "plain" to some people but to me it's dead clean

SpoonSport

I have a little experience to share with this one. I had the '03 Coupe and Sedan. The coupe is a 6-spd and the sedan was an auto. I traded the sedan for 2004 GS 430. As I was driving away from the dealership, I was regretting it badly. The G-35 is truly a driver's car. The interior is certainly not the same quality of the Lexus. There is about 15-17k difference in purchase price.

All that out the way. I'm glad I have the GS now. The Infiniti is a great sport sedan. The GS is a better luxury sport sedan. They are in two different catergories. I still have the coupe and I'm currently considering selling it. But its gonna take something "serious" LS430 or 540ia Bimmer. The GS is driven by my wife until I get out of the desert.

Bottom line: go with the GS, you won't regret it!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

nice opinions! so in your words, what gave you the big change from regreting the g35 to now liking the gs430 more? the luxury?

CClaire

Actually, I priced the insurance. With MET at least, the '00 GS4 is about $50 per year higher then an 03 G35s and the '98 GS4 is about $10 less per year. Not real compelling either way.

I think I am leaning toward the G35 just because it would be 4 years newer and with fewer miles for the same price. If all else were equal I think I would lean GS400 but the G35 is a very good car.

If I bought a 70k mile GS4 the 90K service is right around the corner. I would still be under some warranty on the G35.

I love the GS4 and the interior blows away the Infiniti, but I am having trouble with the age of the vehicle v. the G35s.

CClaire

Good question. How did you go from regreting it to being glad you did.

Can you compare and contrast with some specifics for me? What is different in how they handle and steer? What about their respective highway rides? Low-end torque? Which feels faster and why?

Thank you so much for your thoughts.

SpoonSport

This is totally unbias: The G-35 is just as strong as my GS 430 for low-end torque. Its a more entertaining drive than the GS. I'm sorry to burst anyone's bubble. You fell the weight difference immediately. The G-35 is slightly smaller also. Now to the positives of the GS: the ride on the highway is much more refined, even approaching triple digit speed ( not that I would) I've been on the highway cruisin over 85-90 and not hear a sound from the car. The G-35 constantly reminds you of your speed. I had the Sport package and never drove a standard issue.

The main high light on the GS is the interior. The layout is perfect and intuitive. All controls are i the proper place. My G-35 coupe seems to be designed for RHD roads. The interior is very important ono my scale. I love Audi's interior but their new body styles don't impress me. BMW has even gotten away from driver oriented cockpits. One last thing, I didn't like the seats in the G-35. They're too tight. I want my seats to support and hug me, not tackle and call me fat :-)

The GS has always attracted my eye, as did the E-39 Bimmer. I would still get one today if the price is right. But my coupe is still one of the sexiest cars on the street for the money.

CClaire

Spoonsport,

That was an outstanding response. Very thoughtful.

I have driven both the sport and non-sport G35 in Detroit and on rough roads there is a big difference. The sport nearly shook my teeth loose but the standard was pretty good. Not soft at all but well balanced. Don't toss out the G35 based on the sport's ride - it is hard (but not as hard as my friend's E55).

I need to spend more time in the GS4 but it seems quite a bit smoother on the road but not nearly as nimble.

PHML

iTrader: (33)

Id get the GS4.....cuz the G35 is soooo common on the road....everyone from young rich kids to old ppl are driving a G35 coupe.

Just my 2 cents.

jemelb

My brother was in the same dilemma this past week....

and decided to go with a 01 Gs 430.

He was lucky to have both cars side by side and compare.

to my brother and I depreciation was very important that is why both of us went with Lexus vehicles.

Good Luck!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

very true, in terms of depreciation the gs4 should win

SpoonSport

The GS is a great highly ride. The G is much louder that a GS ala V-6 vs V-8. I don't miss the road noice from the G Sedan, I still deal with it in the coupe. And it doesn't bother me one bit that there are a lot on the roads. I lived in Hawaii and our car club was 20-55yr olds. It great to have a car that appeal to that range of buyer. I haven't seen the 300C on the road yet but I've heard that its another 20-65 yr old car. I could order one from the desert but I'm more concerned with long range reliability. Hence I own Honda x2, Infiniti and Lexus. All three serve their purpose well.
You can't go wrong with either G or GS but I would get a GS first.

CLS2GS300

Actually if I'm not mistaken G35 coupe was voted the best in class in terms of holding resale value.

HDDuece

I read that too. It may be OK if you are not the original owner and take that first big hit. I paid around $37000 for my Coupe and got $32000 when I got rid of it about 9 months later. I advertised on Cars.com and had about 5 calls in 2 months.

SpoonSport

The minute you drive a new car off the lot it becomes "used". I bought my G35 coupe for less than 32k and now its technically two years old with only 5,600 miles. (I only drive it on the weekends and now I'm deployed). Plus you can't put too many miles on a car in Hawaii :-) I did all of the service bulletins and I've never had any problems out off it. It was one of the best values I've ever had.
Not to get too political...but we're all fortunate to have the choice of GS430, BMW 540 or G 35. The Toyota Corolla is everywhere here. We, Americans, are pretty spoiled. Don't get me wrong, I love going out to my driveway a flipping a coin between the G coupe or GS 430. Its like deciding "Do I wear the A. Lange or Breitling today?" So I wear them both!!!

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

The GS isnt even in the same class as the G35, I would compare the G35 more with an ES, then GS, seriously. The GS400 is in par with the M45 model, not the 30-something K G35.

That preaching means nothing, Lexus is above and beyond Infiniti in numerous portions, including but not limited to, design, materials, CRAFTSMANSHIP, reliability, prestige and a few I cant remember since its 6 am, and I haven’t slept yet, but even Infiniti owners know that.