NA1

I'm in a dilemma choosing a brand new G35 or a used '99 GS400 with 40,000km. I've been a GS400 fan since '98 and now it's time for my dream to come true; however, when I saw the new G35 last month, I immediately fell in love with the car, especially the interior and its reasonable price. Comparing to the G35, the GS400 interior looks abit outdated, at least to me.
One thing I hate the most about the G35 is its REAR LIGHT. I don't know what happened to the taillight, but it just looks too damn funny/ugly!
performance wise, they seem about the same. Sure G35 got less hp/torque than GS4, but it's much lighter than the GS4, for about 3335 lb.
anyways, which car should I go for?

NVMYGS3

Brand New G35-

Higher Resale Value
Newer Car
You'll get more looks
0 miles vs 40K

BUT..... you may encounter some little fibs here and there because it's an entirely new release new model car and they always have bugs.

Power is negligible IMO - it's not like you're gonna drag (right??)

LexusPride

Higher resale value ?? Infiniti ?! Lexus is much higher, considering Infiniti's poor image against other luxury makers. The G35 doesn't even have a full size spare !! Did I mention all the plastic inside ? The car may be newer, but it's value will drop like a rock within 2 years, guaranteed.

LX470Mann

Infiniti's have HORRIBLE re-sale value. The Infiniti dealer in town had a 2001 QX4 that sells for about $40K new, selling for 22,900 with 14000 miles, almost half the price!!!! You can buy a 1997 Q45 for $15-$17K used. When I drove into Infiniti just to mock their cars, the salesman tried persuading me to trade my 1998 470 for a new QX4?!?!?! I looked at him and felt like ***** slapping this SOB, I might as well trade me Tag Heur watch for a Seiko?!!?! HAD to vent

SecPole14

MORE LOOKS?!?!? Ha ha. I needed a good laugh. Not! Try more vomit. Get the GS4...Period.

NVMYGS3

Dang you guys are tough hahahaha. See if I ever post anything even slightly threatening our cars hahahahahaha

Anyway, what I *MEANT* to say was that.

If you buy the G35 it's a new model car and it will sell better than a second hand GS4 which will in two years be an old body style and also 3rd. hand.

Regarding getting more looks, well, I dunno about you guys but doesn't everybody look at a new car more than an old (ahem - been around for 4 years already) car?

Now, if you said brand new GS3 for the same price as G35, easy answer, get the Lex... but a used vs a new, well, you know my take on it.

Ryan

LX470Mann

40K miles on a used Lex is NOTHING, barely driven, not even broken in. When I bought my first lex in 1997, I was thinking either first gen GS or BMW 5 series. The guy at the Lex dealer showed me a 1990 LS with 350,000 miles on it!!! He told me to drive it, it drove awesome. I was sold right there on Lexus. There are not a whole lot of used GS's out there anyway, go to Ebay and you will see maybe 10-15 2nd Gen. People who own the GS's are holding on to them. I was thinking of buying a GS400 and would not hesitate to buy one that had 100K miles on it, just because I know of the reliability.

rickm430

Hey NA1:

You actually found a '99 GS4 in Vancouver with 40 K on it??? I looked for three months, and all I could find were cars imported from Montreal or Ottawa. DON'T BUY one of these! Those of us from the snowy east remember our six year old cars fondly as rust stains in our drive ways.

davezaristo

Just test drove the G35 over the weekend and I am amazed that nissan finally got the formula right. The real deal is finally here in the US and it would definitely be a tuff choice between the 2 fine cars. It really depends on your needs to begin with imo...If you are into the power+handling+agility and not worry about depreciation, then G35...otherwise, GS4

NA1

rickm430,
There are two black GS4 in Regency Lexus and Regency Toyota. I checked the one at Lexus and the condition wasn't that good, the leather seat seemed pretty torn out. I might go check out the one at Toyota tomorrow.

I was never a big fan of Nissan/Infiniti until I sat in the G35. The interior layout is great and the power seems satisfying at least on paper. I'll probably go test drive the G35 tomorrow either.

KayGee

Just to add fuel to the fire. If you get the GS with 40K miles on it you will be looking at a $800 service bill in just 20K more miles. I just got a quote from the dealer and an independent service shop and they were both just shy of $800 for the 60K service. Maybe I shouldn't complain because I haven't had any unscheduled visits to the repair shop in my 3+ years of ownership. I have never bought a used car and have never recommend it to anyone else, but... there is a lot to be said for the Lexus reliability.

jinu117

As a new owner of G35 who have been thinking about the same question, here is what I've found. (It takes me about a month to two to get a car once I decide I am getting a new car as I am kind of **** on making sure I get what I want and what I will keep for next decade).
I hated G35 rear end myself. But guess what, it does grow on you. (Just like I am getting used to my friend's max's rear end or IS300's rear)
Performance wise, I would give a little thumb up for GS400 for speed while thumb up for handling on G35. The accelaration difference is pretty minor while handling dynamic on G35 is of different class. (what can you expect with 400 lbs difference though?)
Ride quality of GS400 is definitely better compared to G35. It does have smooth ride but doesn't have the ultra luxury feel to it (but than, it still is better ride than BMW 3s)
Option to option, used GS400 with 40k mile price would be equal to that of G35 (granted you get certified or extended warranty and get G35 at pretty much MSRP).
The real question that came for me was:
1) I couldn't find a deal on decent GS400! It might have changed now.
2) I tend to keep my car for a decade. That extra 40k mile can really add up by the time I am done with the car. (For maintenance down the road/ repair bill)
3) Lexus repair do cost at least 25-30% more than Infiniti due to cost of parts...
I deemed the reliability difference pretty much insignificant as repair problem will be random at worst (meaning they will go 10 years without hassle unless you are the unlucky one) but the chances of getting into failure of part does get worse as vehicle ages. (I know this very well from 88 Volvo 240DL. First 5 years no problem, next few years minor repairs, next few years major repairs not tranny or engine but everything else... until I dumped it this year)
So, it really depends on what type of person you are. Planning to keep the car through long time? Get Infiniti. If you are in for lease, etc... either is fine choice.
To clarifiy those people who say that GS400's resale value is better, let's say some one puts 60k mile more on it next 4 years.
The car will be 8 years old and have 100k mile on it. Will it be easier to sell than 4 year old car that has 60k mile on it?
(I've seen one GS400 in local car dealer 98 with 98k on it... edmunds TMV was 23k or so. The dealer had sticker of 25k on it. 3 minutes of talking to him he went all the way down to 22k with no resistance. My wife and I decided against it despite the good value due to milage of car (which I sure could have gone down to 20-21k). A month forward, I still see the same car in their dealer lot. (AFAIK, the car has been sitting there for at least two months)
Frankly, I would go with the used GS400 if I kept my car for few years but that was not my case.
Good luck to either choice you make.

NA1

Thanks for the reply guys
one thing I'd like to clarify is the GS400 I've found
has 40000 KM (which is around 20000 mile) not 40000 MILE.

I'm gonna go check out both cars this afternoon..wish me luck!

Wally

My inlaws have had Infinitis for years now...J35, I35 multiple times. They lease. Actually smart in this case, cause if you buy an Infiniti, yer gonna get killed on resale...as previously mentioned. That would be the only way I would choose the G35 over the GS400...

I have not driven one, but sat i the car at NAIAS and it was neat...