warminwisc

I have not driven anything besides the 430 and various years of the Avalon/E series equivelent in the Lexus line. My wife likes more of a midsize car. The Malibu, Camry, Altima, Fusion, (Subura and Acura TSX I Liked)where all driven new or 1 Year old current platform with leather with a 4 cyl, and a 6 and 4 cyl on the Malibu and Fusion.

I liked the 328x and the G35x best. But they where 2-3 yers old all with a good 20 k plus miles with various option pkg but all had leather, stab trk trac control AWD for trips skiing in WI. Pros cons to these 2 models? They both do real nice rear wheel slides on dry pavement. 328 gets better mileage.

I will probably wait till the body year change and rebates and see if I can get a 328 or G35(25kish mileage) with warranty 07-08. The 328 is a bit tight for my 250 lbs but again it is for my wife 140 lbs.

I drove a Maxima current platform but like the Altima the CVT trannys are different. I tend to not like them.. I will spend 19 to 20k for the car. Am I missing something Audi, Benz etc best bang for the buck 19-20 k? I have hung around this forum and trust your opinion.

amcdonal86

G35 you get much more bang for your buck. 328i is definitely a more solid car, though.

warminwisc

That was fast bro. Reliabilty is similar?

IStoSC

Reliability of BMW is pretty ****ty from personal experience and that of my friends...the G35 is a great car...but in all honesty nothing really compares to another LS if you were thinking about it and I would also look at some GS as well in your price range...

warminwisc

I think you are right but the 328 is pretty simple and has had good ratings.

warminwisc

My wife says the LS is to large for her.

PRSUIT460

iTrader: (3)

If I had to choose between a 3 series and a G35 I would definitely take the G35. They are nice cars and I wouldn't be afraid to own it after the warranty is over..

stock_sc

iTrader: (2)

if i were to choose between the two... it would be the g35. well the reasons behind it are because of cost of repair. i heard way to many bad stories about the quality of the bmw. i like the styling of the g35 more than the 3 series. i drove a friends 3 series and thought the cabin felt abit too tight for me. im a big guy though.

SteveM

G35 will have better reliability and lower cost of ownership most likely. But if you end up going for a 3 series consider going for a 330 since the increased cost is proportionately worth the bigger engine I've been told

AlexusAnja

From LS to 3-series, that's quite a big reduction in size. The midsized you mentioned The Malibu, Camry, Altima, Fusion are much bigger than 3-series. Also, depending on what's important to your wife (who seems to be driver for this next vehicle) will really depend on what to get. Is she into luxury, sportiness, room (or lack of), or what other criteria?

BMW reliability is still iffy at best. Recent news on a friend's 550i, been in shop various times for a total of 5 weeks already and still not resolved. She has a "high oil" error and the car is always showing engine temp high, even at cold start. BMW dealer saying they're "working" with the "German engineers" and they've already replaced (so they say) the "computer" on the engine, but still same problem.

I mean what's the use of having "engineering" that's supposedly great, when reliability is shot out the window?

With above said, of the two choices you mentioned 3-series with X drive or G35x, I would take the BMW over the Infiniti, I don't feel that Infiniti is that much better than the German rivals in reliability, but I think your wife will enjoy the 3 more.

warminwisc

Alex I value your call. Any other cars you would think of in this class of a midsized sport luxury sedan for around 20 grand? Any Lexus products I have not driven that would fit the bill?

caddyowner

I'm a bit confused as to what you're looking for. AWD midsize sedan?

GLIDESUL

I would say get the bmw. But only from bmw dealer, they give one of the best warranties out there on there used beemers. Better then new car warranty. My wife choose a 2009 c300 spor over the bmw cause the bmw was so plain and boring inside, and believe me there both are tight and small inside. Most of the time we drive in the ls so i can stretch out and have some elboy room. lol

sojah

iTrader: (1)

have you considered the infiniti M 35 or 37 or better yet the m45? i would choose the m over the other two.

caddyowner

As this is the LS430 forum, I'm surprised we haven't heard the two most obvious answers:

- Take your wife out to eat more so she'll grow into the car.

- Find a bigger wife.