MLevinson

As I've been debating on what to get as a replacement for my [returned under Lemon Law] G35: [IS350 / BMW 335i], I pulled the trigger on a IS350 w/the following [special order - 10/12 weeks]:

Lexus IS350, Tungsten Perl / Sterling Leather:

Luxury Package with 18-in wheels includes:
- Auburn bird's-eye maple interior trim
- Perforated leather-trimmed interior
- Power tilt-and-telescopic steering column
- Lexus Memory System for power driver's seat (except lumbar) outside mirrors and steering wheel
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Illuminated doorsill scuff plates
- Power rear-window sunshade
- Rain-sensing intermittent windshield wipers with mist cycle
- Electrochromic (auto-dimming) outside mirrors with auto tilt-down in reverse
- Bi-xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps
- Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
- 18-in alloy wheels

Additional Options:
- Lexus voice-activated DVD Navigation System
- Intuitive Parking Assist
- Headlamp washers
- Preferred Accessory Package (includes Cargo net, Trunk mat and Wheel locks)
- Rear spoiler
- Floor mats, all-weather

- Mark Levinson Audio

- Pre-Collision

- Headlamp Washers

Lease:

3 Yr. 45K Mi: $589.00/month - $3,700 down [out the door]

The dealer was willing to hold the "December to Remember" pricing, so this was the deal breaker for me as I wanted a specific vehicle, but the dealer could not locate one. The closest I could get the 335i w/the same equipment was $682/month w/about the same down. I think this is a very good lease.

Now I have to wait 12 weeks

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Congrats on the Special Order! (It's better than the G35 anyways... )

viettho

iTrader: (1)

what happened to your G35?

The Chad

If I could get that exact combination in black for that price, I'd order one today! lol

MLevinson

I'll sum it up as this: 26 Warranty related repairs in 19 months, out of service for 38 days at time of hearing.

Infiniti did offer me a new '07 G35 - which I took [it is indeed much improved]; but the dealer screwed up the order and I would have to wait another 10 weeks on top of the 8 weeks I already waited. Besides, after driving the new '07 G35S for a week, it was starting to feel cheep again like my '05 was; then I knew it was time to cut my losses and be done with this vehicle. I'm on my second RX330/RX350 and I never have issues like I did w/my G35.

projectdna

iTrader: (56)

sorry to hear about your lemon of a g35, but congrats on the is350!

andone

Yes congrats on a good car and a good chose.

TorontoIS

In the end you'll be happy that your G35 was a lemon because you'll have an awesome new IS 350!

jman-is350

Congrats... 12 weeks?

starstreak

grats- I'm gonna be probably getting the lexus too. would yoou think I would be happy getting the fully loaded G35 or the Lexus minus the navigation and rear camera for aobut the same price?

MLevinson

That depends on your preferences, and if you are leasing or not. The lease rate that I got, was cheaper than a loaded '07 G35S - and my IS350 is completely loaded. The '07G was a tick over $600.00 w/the same money down; same terms, but the MSRP was 5K less. Again, the '07G is a nice car, but even if I did not own a G before, I'm not sure I would have gone w/the new G anyhow. Plus, Infiniti’s service is crap which is well documented here by ex-Infiniti owners.

Go and drive both and inspect the overall quality/assembly of both vehicles - the IS350 although smaller, was clearly superior to me - the sound system in the G is still crap Bose, so that speaks for itself. The new G has a little performance edge over the IS350 IMO, and the G has [a little] better steering and handling, but only of you get the G35S - non-sport G's and the IS350 drive better IMO. I also here of reports of slow shifting in the IS350 - but the G is no better at all; the G’s manumatic auto shifts slow-as-**** just like the old generation. Also, the VQ is a complete fuel hog and not nearly as smooth as the 3.5 in the IS - I could only average 16 MPH driving it as easy. Plus the VQ is not as quick either

You'll have to decide on what's more important to you: Better quality/assembly/fit-n-finish/materials/efficiency/audio system over a slight edge in performance and more space.

Having extra toys in a vehicle does nothing for overall ownership satisfaction long term, only superior vehicle quality and customer service does IMO.